I didn’t have a need for one of these gowns last year but soon enough after the Baby Faire, I did get pregnant.  I’m nearing the end of my pregnancy now and thinking more about what will make me comfortable and what will be convenient for the day I’m giving birth.  I’m seriously considering getting one of these gowns.  Take a quick look:

The gowns retail for $48.00 and really do make a perfect baby shower gift.  You can also purchase specialty receiving blankets for around $18.00.

LaborLooks also has a blog.  Check it out for more photos of these fabulous designer gowns being put to the test by real moms.

**LaborLooks.com is offering our readers a 10% discount on any gown from their store.  Enter coupon code “parentsphere” at checkout!**

I’m remembering back 3-1/2 years ago, right after I had my daughter.  My body was quite uncomfortable.  I didn’t bother looking for any products that would ease my discomfort in those weeks after giving birth.  I feel much more in the know this time around.

I know what’s to come.  I know that when I get home from the hospital, I’ll have a week or two of soreness and discomfort and then my breasts will be extremely sore.  At least I know when I jump into the shower, I will have “some” comfort with the Shower Hug.

I was sent the Shower Hug last year for review consideration.  I really didn’t have a need for it at the time but now, fortunately, I do!  This cotton/polyester blend maternity essential is so soft and stretchy, it’s perfect for protecting your parts that need protecting the most after you give birth.  While in the shower, wrap the Shower Hug around yourself and use it as a warm compress.  Use it out of the shower as soft, comfortable support.  I imagine I will take advantage of both uses.

It’s nice to have something like this product readily available, so when the time comes, I know I’ll have some comfort.

I will just start out by saying nursing my first child was a big, BIG disappointment for me and I have regretted that it didn’t work out for us ever since.  It’s been three and a half years.  With baby number two on the way, I’m about to get my do-over.

My main focus this entire pregnancy has been on how I can be completely successful nursing this baby.  I even took a breastfeeding class.  When I think of breastfeeding products, Medela is the first company that comes to mind.  I knew right after I had my first daughter that Medela products were top of the line, unfortunately, I did not give them a fair chance.  I purchased an Ameda breastpump that I was completely unhappy with.  My daughter was a preemie and spent the first week of her life in the hospital NICU.  Luckily, I was able to test the hospital grade Medela breastpumps there and swore that after I had another baby, I would stick with Medela.

I have heard so many good things about the Medela Freestyle breastpump and I’m about ready to make my purchase.  Of course, this time around, we’re going to establish a good nursing routine before anything else is introduced.  I can’t afford not to.  So, within the next month, I will be stocking up on my nurisng gear.  Who do I turn to first?  Medela, of course.  They have a line of intimate apparel, specifically for maternity and nursing.

Medela recently sent me their new Nursing Camisole for consideration.  I’m having a mid-summer baby, so you can bet this camisole will get some good use!

The feel of the Cami is very soft and stretchy (and sturdy).  It’s made of a bamboo/cotton blend.  It has a drop-cup design and has an extra layer of fabric, where it counts the most.  The camisole also works with the Freestyle breastpump, so hopefully I’ll get my chance to try them out together.

Next on the list, of course, are bottles.  There will come a point where daddy and big sister want to help feed the baby and I don’t want to take that away from them.  I will gladly give them the chance to bond with our newest family member.  I have several Medela Breastmilk Bottle Sets on hand, including a few 5 oz. and 8 oz. bottles.  It’s no secret, Medela has always been BPA-free and this is something that I do take quite seriously.

So, when the time is right, I will put these bottles to good use.

I still feel like I have much to learn and research about the world of breastfeeding but honestly, I’m not as concerned about it this time.  I am crossing all of my T’s and dotting all of my I’s before the little one arrives and I know that things will work out swimmingly this time.

This is the perfect sampler kit for any pregnant woman.  I didn’t use any products like these Belli Motherhood products during my first pregnancy.  Now that I’ve “been there, done that”, I pay a little more attention to what is really going to be good for me.

First of all, my belly is really starting to pop and stretch and “itch” now.  I have made it a habit to use the Belli Body Firming Serum every day, once or twice per day.  My growing mid-section is noticeably smooth to the touch and actually feels healthy after using it.  I know, that’s kind of odd but I can’t think of a better way to state it.  Put it this way, I really like the stuff.

Next, I carry the Belli Moisturizing Hand Sanitzer in my purse.  Not only do I use it, but I also use it on my preschooler after visits to the park and before eating out if we’ve been out and about.  Know what I like about it?  It doesn’t burn the crap out of my hands (which tend to be dry and cracked most of the time) and it doesn’t have that God-awful alcohol smell to it.  It’s got a “slight” scent and after it’s rubbed in, it doesn’t feel like your hands are on fire or going to fall off.  Your hands are smooth and actually do feel clean.  Thumbs up.

The other two items included in the Motherhood Essentials Kit are the Eye Brightening Cream and the Pure Comfort Nursing Cream.  I occasionally use the Eye Brightening Cream but haven’t used it enough to really give a testimonial about it.  I wear it and hope that it’s doing the trick by helping me not look as tired as I feel.  Last but not least, I’m very much looking forward to putting the Pure Comfort Nursing Cream to the test.  I have used other nursing creams/ointments and they worked fine but since I dig the other products in the Belli Motherhood line, I don’t have a doubt that I will recommend their nursing cream, too.

On a closing note, I’m also very much looking forward to putting their Belli Baby line to use after our little girl arrives.  We will use the Belli Baby Calm Me Hair and Body Wash and the Belli Baby Nourish Me Enriched Body Lotion and update you on our thoughts when the time comes.

The Belli Motherhood – Motherhood Essentials Kit (excellent shower gift) retails at around $39 US dollars and can be purchase at maternity boutiques and online at such places like Maternitique.  You can also view the gift sets available that are geared more toward the pregnant woman from the Belli Pregnancy line here.

Right around Thanksgiving, I had a “feeling” that I might be pregnant.  If I was, it would not have been a complete surprise but at the same time, somewhat unexpected.  That’s how it goes when you’ve hoped and lost hope about getting pregnant so many times.

So the story goes, I took a pregnancy test and immediately received a very clear, positive result.  (I used a generic pregnancy test from CVS pharmacy, by the way.)  A mixed flow of emotions came over me; doubt, relief and excitement being the most prominent, of course.  From that point on, trying to live each day as if nothing had changed in our lives was nearly impossible.  I know first-hand how delicate and uncertain a pregnancy can be, so, I tried to take things a day at a time and focus on the present.

It didn’t take long after learning about the new life we had created for my body to start reacting to the changes.  Right about the six week mark, I started feeling nauseous and sore (you mamas know what I mean by “sore”).  Keeping our news to ourselves was extremely difficult.  You know that feeling like you’re going to burst if you don’t share your news with somebody?  That’s how I felt for the majority of the month of December, along with the incredible amount of exhaustion and nausea I was experiencing.  Not a great combination.  Yet, I tried for the sake of my three year old daughter, to maintain my excitement for the holidays and for the big changes to happen to our family.

At the nine week mark, I had my first doctor’s appointment to “confirm” the pregnancy.  Here is my video of the first ultrasound (posted at NewBaby.com):

It felt great to see and hear that little heartbeat.  It made things more “real”.

Fast forward to today, just about thirteen weeks along and still feeling a bit tired and nauseous.  I would be lying if I said that I have been feeling great.  I’m really just taking things a day at a time.  The below freezing temperatures and sunless days have been tough to get through but I’m looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel.

So, all that being said, I’ve got my maternity radar on for anything that will make me comfortable during these (hopefully) nine months.  I say hopefully because I only made it eight months with Hailey.  If you’re in the same boat as me and are looking for some maternity and new baby recommendations, stick around.  As soon as I get my act together, I’m dedicating a day each week to maternity and baby stuff.

Until then, I have many review posts to catch up on and of course, we’ll keep the giveaways flowing like water.

Cheers,

Amy

Congratulations on the spot, Kelly and Brian!

Check out Itzy Ritzy online for fabulous baby products – if you know a mom-in-waiting or a new mom, these products make EXCELLENT gifts and the holidays are just around the corner!

Oh!  Lookie here – The Ritzy Sitzy Shopping Cart Cover in Pink Cocoa Damask was included in a gift bag for soap and Biggest Loser star, Alison Sweeney.  You know I love to hate her!  I have watched Alison on Days for YEARS!  Did you also know that Alison is one of the Generation Huggies Celebrity Moms?  Yep!  She’s right up there in the “Celeb Mom Spotlight” with me and the four other fabulous bloggers at the Generation Huggies site!

Hey, maybe Alison will submit a photo with her new, fabulous Itzy Ritzy shopping cart cover, that we can post here at ParentSphere!?  What do you think Alison?  : )

Itzy ritzy is offering a 20% discount through their online store this entire week.  Just enter promocode: ABC at checkout.

Do you know that this is (above)?  It’s so plain and simple.  Do you want to know something?  I LOVE that.  Plain and simple is PERFECT when it comes to maternity wear.

This is a BellaBand.  Use it to keep your pants from falling down and to hide the lines of your maternityclothes.  I needed a BellaBand when I was pregnant.  I will have a BellaBand the next time around.  ; )

ingrid & isabel make the BellaBand, as well as a brand new collection of maternity essentials.

We’re giving away a 3 pack of BellaBands in the correct size to one ParentSphere reader.  That pack will include a black, white and platinum BellaBand.  You’re going to LOVE this.

Fill out the contest entry form (below) and in the answer/comment section of the form, tell us how you survived (or ARE surviving or PLAN on surviving) your pregnancy.  If you’re entering for a friend/relative, let us know that too.  We just love the feedback.  Giveaway ends Monday, September 22nd.  The winner will be notified via email the morning of the 23rd (check your spam folder!) and we will update this post after the winner has been chosen.
Giveaway ID: BELLABAND
Can’t see the form? Fill it out in your browser by clicking HERE.
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In 2005, when I was pregnant with my daughter, I didn’t know about fabulous maternity products. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time, just so I could focus on pampering myself.

Maternitique is a specialty boutique focused on wellness of women; pre-pregnancy and beyond.  Their products are backed 100% and the founders take the time to research what they offer.  Basically, they do the work for you, so you can sit back and enjoy your pregnancy.

Before Maternitique was born, boutique owner Tara Bloom worked closely with Midwives and OBGYN’s.  Her focus revolved around maternity and the wellness of women.  Tara is passionate about women taking the best care of themselves.

“Maternitique’s mission is to help women look their best, feel their best and do their best throughout pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Our goal is to help inspire happier mothers, easier births, healthier babies and a safer world—and to do it with uncompromising style.”

Many collections for beauty, wellness, baby, postpartum recovery and relief from pregnancy symptoms are available at Maternitique’s online store.

If you are looking for a unique shower or new mother gift to give, I recommend the following gift sets:

PREGNANCY CONGRATULATIONS and PREPARATION:

Mommy Care Pack

by Mi Amore Skincare

• Oh Baby! Belly Butter
• Natural Glow Face Complex
• Moisture Me After Shower Body Oil

MSRP: $75

You can purchase the Mommy Care Pack HERE.

MORNING SICKNESS COMFORT:

Morning Wellness Bucket

by Earth Mama Angel Baby

• organic Morning Wellness herbal tea
• “Morning Sickness Relief” guided relaxation CD
• Happy Mama Aromatherapy Spray
• White (not black, as pictured) Heavenly Teapot with built-in strainer

MSRP: $68 | You can purchase the Morning Wellness Bucket HERE.

BABY/MAMA SHOWER:

Birth Blessing

by Two Plums Paper

• Photo locket necklace for the mom-to-be
• Pomegranate-fragranced candle
• Luxurious footsoak
• Guide for the hostess to bring the celebration all together
• 8 stylishly designed Birth Blessing cards on which friends can write personal messages to the mom-to-be
• 8 Birth Bracelets for the mom and guests to wear until baby is born

MSRP: $68 | You can purchase the Birth Blessing Kit HERE.

BIRTH OF BABY:

A Little Something for the New Mama

by Earth Mama Angel Baby

• Jar of Postpartum Recovery Tea
• Bottle of Happy Mama Aromatherapy Spray
• Jar of Natural Nipple Butter

MSRP: $20

You can purchase A Little Something for the New Mama HERE.

BRAND NEW MAMA:

Postpartum Recovery Kit

by Earth Mama Angel Baby

• Postpartum Recovery Tea
• Postpartum Recovery Bath Herbs
• New Mama Bottom Spray
• Happy Mama Aromatherapy Spray
• Earth Mama Bottom Balm

MSRP: $44 | You can purchase the Postpartum Recovery Kit HERE.

Of course, if you browse around Maternitique, you could create your own personal gift pack.  They’re worth a look!