Monday 31 March 2014

Mamalicious wishlist

Most of all, I miss wearing dresses. 


+MAMALICIOUS has some affordable, stylish dresses, tops, and lingerie for nursing mums. They have really nice jeans too, for that inbetween phase I seem to be in. Too skinny for my maternity jeans; too fat for my pre-pregnancy jeans. New mum problems.


Sunday 30 March 2014

Saturday 29 March 2014

Bad back

Everyday I do these back stretches at least once. When HAM was around 3 weeks old I got a major back ache right between my shoulders. I took ibuprofen and that would dull the pain but it didn't do anything long term. Only a tiny bit of the medicine is transferred in your breast milk, but I still don't want to have to take painkillers every day. I started religiously stretching my back in the morning and although the pain isn't gone, it is getting better. The magic isn't in my specific stretches as much as taking 5 minutes to look after yourself and listen to your body. Here's my routine anyways:

Roll down, touch toes, roll up, 3 times
Standing saw stretch, 3 each side
Cat stretch moving into a cow stretch, 4 times
Wag the tail, 4 times each side
Thread the needle, 4 times each side (my favorite omgggggggggggggg)
Downward dog
Walk feet in to touch toes, roll up
Shoulder rolls, 4 times
Standing quad stretch, each side
Neck circles, 4 times, then reverse and do 4 more

I got some of the stretch ideas from this Pilates video that I did during my pregnancy. I always always did the last 10 minute set, Pilates for flexibility, because it really loosened up my hips and back.


How do you keep in shape? If you know any great back stretches please let me know so I can add it to my routine!


Friday 28 March 2014

TV style inspiration: The Good Wife

Julianna Margulies on +The Good Wife has got to be the best example of office sexy. The dresses and blazers they style her in always have elegant neck lines that really compliment her figure. I mean it can't be hard to make Julianna gorgeous when she looks like she does. Girl could work a brown sack.







They also have a lot of pregnant characters. Martha Plimpton looked amazing in her pregnancy wardrobe. I love the scene when Will walks in on her expressing. Hilarious. More recently, Melissa George is on the show and I really look forward to seeing how they style her bump every week.








Thursday 27 March 2014

Nursing clothes on Etsy

I usually go to +Etsy for vintage but there is not much in the way of nursing clothes. There is, however, a great deal of beautiful handmade clothes created specifically for breastfeeding moms. I honestly didn't realize how much of my wardrobe wasn't breastfeeding compatible. You need easy access to the boob. Most of the dresses that I own would have to come off completely, and I can't strip every time HAM gets hungry. These sellers have some really creative clothes that are stylish AND functional.











Wednesday 26 March 2014

Lumosity



I can't have baby brain. Sometimes it feels like the little guy is sucking the smarts right out of me. But I gotta stay sharp. Which is why I try and do brain games every day. I have a free account on +Lumosity and I honestly can tell a difference in the way my brain works. I am more alert and capable of problem solving when I am exercising my mind every day. Mothers are the queens of multitasking and Lumosity is giving me an edge. I know this is the second time I've written about them. No they are not paying me anything. I just really, truly, genuinely, love their site. I think it's really important to take time to play games and challenge your brain. Lumosity.com. Check it out.

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Co-sleeping


This is the one thing that has returned me to sanity. Before I tried co-sleeping I was a tired, crying, nervous wreck. No one told me that "sleeping like a baby" meant grunting like a trucker every minute or so.
Co-sleeping gets a bad rap. I'm sure a lot of first time parents, like myself, are too nervous to try sleeping with the baby in the bed. Honestly though, sometimes you have to. I'm not drinking, smoking, doing drugs, or sleeping on a couch, so I decided to try it and see. I was a little uncomfortable at first, afraid to move, but now we've got a comfortable routine. HAM sleeps so much better when he is next to me and I don't have to get up to check every time he makes a weird noise. Win win. He still sleeps soundly on his own in the Moses basket at night. And anyways, it is my professional opinion that you cannot spoil a baby under 6 months.
What helps you get more sleep?


Saturday 22 March 2014

THE dress: Keungzai

This is THE nursing dress for me. The one. My soul mate in dress form. Come here gorgeous...

+Keungzai  has other nice things too. They are amazing with drapery and flattering the curvy, maternal figure.


Monday 17 March 2014

Hair cut

I love my long hair. I like all the ways you can style it and how easy it is to manage. Braids are my favorite.

After giving birth I was desperate to cut my hair almost immediately. I managed to work my hair into a rat's nest during my labor with all my writhing about. Waiting for it to dry took too much time. I had to hoover the house nearly every day because of post pregnancy shedding.


It's a good idea to get a hair cut before you give birth. Trying to arrange a half hour for yourself might not seem like a lot but it feels nearly impossible with a newborn baby. 
I am really happy with my new short bob, but to be honest, I am just going to grow it out again. As much as I like styling long hair, right now ain't nobody got time for that.



Sunday 16 March 2014

Welcome to the world

Ham was born February 7th (right on time!) at 1AM. He was 7 pounds 12 oz and 21 inches long.


Welcome to the world little man.


Friday 14 March 2014

The last time I was pregnant

I went into labor at 2AM on a Thursday.
Looking at this picture, I can't believe that was my body! I know it's only been 5 weeks but damn.




When I went into labor my waters broke first, which apparently doesn't happen to most women. I wasn't really ready for it. When you're preparing your hospital bag make sure that you pack a lot of bottoms. Trousers, panties, pads, ect. It's a mess down there.

I went in wanting to try for a natural water birth. LOL. Long story short, I begged for an epidural and the hospital kindly obliged. I wasn't too disappointed about my plan not working out because it's not like you get a special medal for taking the pain. I have a lot more respect for women who do now, but I wasn't up for it. I know a lot of women get upset about these things but you really can't be too hard on yourself. Be kind to yourselves ladies; do what you can and don't sweat the small stuff.

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Homemade toner

I've run out of my toner and I wanted to try to make my own and see how it works. I really like knowing what is going into my beauty products. This recipe is easy enough, only 3 ingredients. Somehow I managed to find the time and motivation to make it in my new busy schedule of napping at odd hours and being a Guernsey.


2 parts distilled witch hazel
2 parts rose water
1 part water
1 part lemon juice

I'll let you know how it goes for me. First impressions are good. Although my skin doesn't feel as clean as it does with my precious toner, it also doesn't feel as dry and tight as it did.