maternity – Page 2

Guest Blog: Love Your Postpartum Body – 5 Ways to Improve Your Postpartum Body Image

May 10, 2018 By Joceline Raad

Our first GUEST BLOGGER is one of my favorite Blogger moms and fellow mama of 2! Jackie from Moments of Musing is a seasoned blogger and she shares with us how to love and embrace your post-partum body.

This post is sponsored by TOBI.

My self confidence has most definitely evolved since becoming a mom. While I still have my moments of discontent, I have never loved my body more–and not necessarily because it looks better. But because I am eternally grateful for what my body has given me–my baby, the best gift of all.

How can I be upset at it when it’s done such an amazing thing??

Plus, I don’t want my son hearing me lament about my body. Because contrary to popular belief, boys suffer from body image issues at pretty alarming rates. I don’t want my body issues to cause or influence his. In fact, I hope he never has any.

So, though I have moments when I’m hard on myself, I quickly snap out of it (and I’ve almost completely dropped the F [fat] word!). My hope is that you, too, will do the same and love your postpartum body. If you are struggling with your postpartum body image, here are five things you can do to improve it:

Embrace your new figure. Focus on something(s) you like. It can be your bigger bust or behind or your curvier hips. Maybe it’s a welcomed change 😉
Remember the reason for the changes. Your body did an amazing thing. It grew, nurtured and birthed a human. A miracle was born from you.
Be kind to yourself. Give yourself grace and love. So much love. You and your body have been through so much change recently. You don’t deserve to be hard on yourself.
Put good things into your body. Veggies, fruits, whole grains. Sure, have the occasional soda or ice cream but I assure you the healthier the food you eat, the better you will feel. Exercise would help, too.
Rock your body. Buy the new clothes you’ve been wanting. Show off your curves. Be bold. Be you. Be proud. Confidence is beautiful. And girlfriend, you are gorgeous.

I know this is a very serious issue but I want to end on a light note so I leave you with this Scary Mommy quote:

“Your kids won’t remember your muffin top, spider veins or saggy butt. They’ll only remember you.”

Now, go out there and work it, mama!

*** I am not a therapist or doctor nor do I claim to be. This post is comprised of my individual opinions, and not meant to convey professional medical or mental health advice. This post is not about an eating disorder, self harm, or suicidual thoughts/ideations. If you or someone you know is struggling with any of those, please call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.***

Every New Mommy’s Must-Have

March 23, 2018 By Joceline Raad

*Olivia Joy loves tummy-time on her Boppy Pillow*

As a mom of 2 under 2, there are a few products I highly consider a MOMMY MUST-HAVE and without a shadow of a doubt, one of my all-time favorite products is… DRUM ROLLS… The Boppy Pillow! I initially scanned it on my baby registry because I thought it was only a breastfeeding pillow but in fact, it’s so much more. I’ve had my Boppy pillow since my firstborn son was born and am now using it with my baby girl from the moment she was born.

The no. 1 way I use my Boppy pillow is for breastfeeding. I use it everyday and night, just ask my husband. With both of my babies, I’ve had C-sections and I know breastfeeding can be a slight challenge but my Boppy pillow eased the hassle and I was able to nurse both of my babies comfortably from the moment they were born. I used it with my firstborn until almost his first birthday and am now using it to feed my baby girl.

There are times I don’t have to use my hands to feed her because the pillow supports her. I can pick up my hair without having to worry about stopping her from feeding and I can drink my bottle of water (which every breastfeeding mom knows water is always a need!) using both of my hands. If someone calls and if I must answer an important text, I can easily do it while nursing.

Also, I never have to slouch, hence it prevents back pain. It helps me maintain good posture while nursing.

If you are planning to breastfeed, you need this pillow. It’s the most comfortable way to breastfeed at home. If you bottle feed, you will use it to help feed your baby in the most comfy and cozy way.

Other ways you will use the Boppy Pillow are for:

Propping. Babies love to see what’s going on in their surroundings and they tend to not like lying down all the time. Since your infant is unable to sit up, the Boppy pillow is the perfect support.
Tummy-time. It’s important for babies to do tummy-time at least twice a day (that’s what my Dr. recommends). This pillow is the best for tummy-time. My daughter may not like tummy-time on flat surfaces, but she sure does enjoy it on her Boppy pillow.
Sitting. When my son was learning to sit by himself (around 5-6 months) I always had the Boppy pillow around him to make sure he had a support. If he would fall back, I never worried because I knew the pillow would support him and he never hurt himself.

I tell all my new mom friends and mommies-to-be that the Boppy Pillow is a must-have and I highly recommend it. It will always be one of my personal favorite items for new moms. Check it out HERE.

Check out Caleb with his Boppy Pillow at 4 months HERE.

Disclosure: I have been given this Boppy Pillow as part of a paid product review for Boppy Company. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

Dear C-Section Mama

March 6, 2018 By Joceline Raad

Today I cried. At 3+ months postpartum, I’m feeling like Regina George because sweatpants are all that fit me right now! This is my second baby in under 15 months and I guess it is taking a little longer for my body to recover after 2 c-sections. I am learning to accept it, although I try to fit into my pre-pregnancy ultra skinny jeans once a week and I get a little sad when they don’t fit. And yes, it is a little frustrating sometimes to look at myself in the mirror and see a wide waist that once was 24 inches and see flabby skin with stretch marks across my lower abs.

I cried, not because I feel ugly or overweight, I cried because it can be discouraging when you don’t fit into clothes that once did. But Dear C-Section Mama: It is OK to cry! At least for a minute, let it OUT. Because unlike many women I’ve heard of that fit into their jeans right after their natural birth, we simply won’t be able to fit into our jeans for a couple of weeks AND that is OK.

Why? Because a c-section is a surgery that leaves you swollen for a couple of weeks or months. It takes us mamas longer to recover our body because our bodies take a moment to realize that there is no longer a baby inside. Yes, you may be sore for a couple of weeks but this too shall pass! And THANK the LORD for c-sections, because without it, I don’t think my firstborn son would be here.

So what can you do in the meantime instead of moping around? Embrace your superwoman body that hosted a tiny human for 9 months. View those stretch marks as a lovely reminder of growing a strong and healthy baby. However, if you feel like crying once in a while, it is OK, but then wipe your tears away, look in that mirror and say THANK YOU belly for bringing me the joy of mamahood!

Before we know it, you and I will fit into those skinny jeans. Until then, rock dresses, yoga pants (typical #momlifer), cool mom tees, etc. But best of all, don’t forget to rock a big ol’ smile, that shows off your pearly whites because being a mom is the most rewarding unpaid job title this world has to offer.

Below are photos from a Sunday after church with my big “baby”, Caleb Beau. Special thanks to my husband for making me feel like the sexiest woman alive in all of my phases and big thanks to Pink Blush for making me feel lovely in all their clothes in every stage of motherhood! (Black Dress by ShopPinkBlush.com)

Disclosure: I have been gifted clothes by PinkBlush as part of being a brand ambassador. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

Introducing Basic Invite: A Card for Every Occasion

February 20, 2018 By Joceline Raad

Get **15% off** Basic Invite with discount code: **15FF51. Click HERE**

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage! And for each of these special occasions, Basic Invite has the card to help celebrate it! Basic invite has been creating the perfect card for every event since 2006.

As a busy wife and mom of 2, I am constantly preparing for special events left and right; if it’s not a baby shower or a birth announcement, there is always a birthday party to plan.

I love that Basic Invite offers a variety of customizable invitations. Here are other unique features they offer:

Almost Unlimited Colors. Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. This is what we feel sets us apart from almost any other online stationery company and is what we feel is our biggest draw.
Custom Samples. Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order.
Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes. Basic Invite is just as colorful with our envelopes as we are with our invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of our envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed.
Address Capturing Service. Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows customers to simply share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other form of social media to request their friends and family’s addresses which will be stored in the customer’s account and can then be selected during the design process. They offer recipient address printing at no cost on all Christmas card orders.
Foil. Foil holiday cards are available in gold, silver, and rose gold. Customers can choose flat or raised foil on all of Basic Invite’s foil designs.

Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51. Click HERE.

Simply put, their truly custom invitations are truly breathtaking! Plus, they offer great customer service because customer satisfaction is their top priority. For your next special occasion, Basic Invite will not disappoint and will deliver the perfect print.

Below, preview invitations for all special celebrations in your life.

Disclosure: This is a paid sponsored post for Basic Invite. All opinions in this post remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

Finally A Naturally Antimicrobial Cover!

January 21, 2018 By Joceline Raad

***Alex & Emmy Cover – 10% off promo code: RAAD at checkout CLICK HERE***

Moms are always looking for ways to avoid spreading germs around the baby especially with a newborn. A new mom tends to wash her hands constantly and most likely has hand sanitizer at an arm’s reach. It’s not because she is a germaphobe, but because her newborn is more susceptible to germs out of the womb. As a breastfeeding mom who supplies on demand, a practical and efficient nursing cover is desperately needed. Alex and Emmy’s cover is a naturally antimicrobial cover that naturally kills harmful germs on surfaces without transferring onto baby nor mom. How??? The fabric contains copper which is a natural antimicrobial element.

Check out the Alex & Emmy Cover HERE & get 10% off using promo code: RAAD at checkout.

Plus, it can also be used as a car seat cover, shopping cart cover, high chair cover, and offers protection against UV rays. I love that it can be used in different scenarios but even more important, it naturally kills germs, which means it is one less thing for a new mom to worry about.

Even if you use it as a car seat cover, you can simply remove it and begin to nurse your baby without thinking twice about germs. It’s truly one-of-a-kind!

Here are a few other fun facts:

Comes in 6 different prints
The fabric is created from scratch and has embedded copper into the fibers
Copper is 100% safe for mom and baby – its a natural element already in your body
No harmful chemicals or dyes are used on our products
No need to wash the cover in between each use (The copper doesn’t allow bacteria to grow on the cover, keeping it truly clean.)
Luxuriously soft and stretchy
Tighter fit so the fabric won’t fall on baby while nursing
360 degree coverage
Comfortable to wear

The copper makes the cover NATURALLY:

Antimicrobial (it kills germs, viruses, and bacteria on surfaces without transferring onto baby or mom)
Odor resistant
UV Protected (it repels harmful sun rays UPF 40+)
Temperature regulated, to keep you from overheating while nursing

I am so happy there is finally a cover that is antimicrobial, stylish, convenient, and comfortable all in one! It is the only one of it’s kind.

Check out the Alex & Emmy Cover HERE & get 10% off using promo code: RAAD at checkout.

Disclosure: I have been given this Alex & Emmy cover as part of a product review for Alex & Emmy. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.