Fashion: Casual, Cute, CHIC
Activities: Free Online Childbirth Classes
Online Class: Preparing for Labor and Birth
Benefits of Taking a Childbirth Class
A childbirth class can be a great forum to ask lots of questions and can help you make informed decisions about key issues surrounding your baby’s birth. Information you can get from a birthing class includes:
- how your baby is developing
- healthy developments in your pregnancy
- warning signs that something is wrong
- how to make your pregnancy, labor, and delivery more comfortable
- breathing and relaxation techniques
- how to write a birth plan
- how to tell when you are in labor
- pain relief options during labor
- what to expect during labor and delivery
- the role of the coach or labor partner
Many classes also address what to expect after the baby is born, including breastfeeding, baby care, and dealing with the emotional changes of new parenthood.
Sign up for an account on BabyCenter then go to this link, http://www.babycenter.com/childbirth-class, so that you can take the free childbirth class.
Eating for Two: Non-alcoholic Wine
I understand how frustrating it can be to not be able to enjoy a glass of wine so I have listed below a few non-alcoholic substitutes for the time being until you can enjoy alcohol again. These selections are also marked at great and affordable prices!
Ariel Merlot Dealcoholized Premium Wine
$7.99
Sutter Home Fre Moscato Non-alcoholic Wine
$5.99
Ariel Chardonnay Dealcoholized Premium Wine
$7.99
http://www.liquorama.net/non-alcoholic-wine/
Ariel White Zinfandel Dealcoholized Premium Wine
$4.99
http://www.liquorama.net/non-alcoholic-wine/
Ariel Cabernet Dealcoholized Premium Wine
$7.99
http://www.liquorama.net/ariel-cabernet-dealcoholized-premium-wine-2012.html
Activities: 10 tips for Planning a Baby Shower
Who says a baby shower has to be expensive?
The purpose is to celebrate the arrival of a new baby, fuss over the expectant mom, and have a good time. Here, 10 tips for hosting a wonderful baby shower on a budget.
- Share the cost with a co-host or two. Not only will this make it easier to plan, but it’s more fun, as well!
- Forego a fancy full-course meal and opt for lighter fare, like simple appetizers or dessert and coffee.
- Think double duty. Select shower favors that can serve as decorations or a baby gift that can be displayed as a centerpiece.
- Borrow, borrow, borrow from friends, family, and neighbors. Who says the tableware has to match? An eclectic blend of lovely pieces can be interesting and beautiful.
- Keep the shower small and intimate. This will lower the cost of food, invitations, favors, and so on, making it easier to plan.
- Shop early. This is especially important when planning a baby shower on a budget since it gives you time to find exactly what you want at reasonable or even discount prices rather than having to rush out and settle for whatever is available at the closest store. Planning ahead will also help you avoid rush fees from printers and other vendors.
- Throw a potluck. Having each guest bring a dish is a time-honored tradition — perfect when you’re trying to keep costs low.
- Stick with seasonal flowers. When selecting blossoms for decoration, avoid pricey out-of-season blooms. And don’t overlook grocery stores and green markets, which often carry flowers at reasonable prices.
- If you’re hosting a baby shower at a restaurant, go with lunch or brunch instead of dinner to cut costs. Arrange for the special baby shower menu in advance and have guests pick between two or three choices instead of the full menu.
- To keep decorating costs down, select a beautiful location that doesn’t need much dressing up. A tea parlor or park makes a perfect, low-cost setting.
Below are a few photos of some themes for a boy or a girl. Enjoy!
Fashion: Mommy Denim
If you ever have a tough time looking for maternity jeans look no further than ASOS! They have a very good selection of denim that I am sure all of my expecting mothers would LOVE! These denim choices have a great price range a long with great style. Check some out below:
$60.22
$65.67
$52.69
$54.36
$60.22
Fashion: Comfy, Cute and Chic Footwear
Ladies, never forget you can still be trendy while pregnant but it is must to stay comfortable. Here are some choices that are great for pregnant expecting mothers. These heels are at the most 4 inches high which is reasonable unless you want to push the envelope like Kim Kardashian did during her pregnancy. Just make sure you choose the shoe that best suits you.
3. www.zara.com
Fashion: Maxi Mania
Before I got pregnant I thought about what clothing I would be able to wear the most and the only thing that came to mind was maxi dresses. I live in Miami so the weather permits me to wear them all year long. Maxi dresses are a huge trend in Miami because of that. Women who are pregnant love to wear maxi dresses because it doesn’t make us feel any different than a women who is not pregnant when it comes to fashion.
Maxi dresses are suitable for women of all shapes and sizes, rounding this versatile dress as an absolute must have to any female wardrobe.
The maxi dress originated from the 1970s, which proves fashion is constantly returning back to styles from the past. They are an effortless addition to the wardrobe that enables women to look stylish in seconds.
Maxi dresses are so popular with women as they provide a flattering fit. They are fitted on the top half of the body and then gradually flow and cascade down to the floor.
Maxi dresses are ideal for the summer months and for warm holidays. However, with the typical nature of British weather remaining unpredictable, a maxi dress looks perfect with a trendy denim jacket or cardigan, should the weather turn a little chilly.
Activities: Peace, Love, YOGA.
For those expecting mothers who do not believe in going to the gym during pregnancy, yoga is a great alternative.
Yesterday I participated in a free yoga class at Margaret Pace Park in between classes by my university. I am located in Miami and there are many free yoga classes that I am able to take advantage of. Check your area for free yoga classes. These classes are normally done in parks or a community recreational facility. At first I was a bit nervous because I did not know what my limitations were but the instructor really helped me out in letting me know which poses were okay for me to perform. The classes are held Monday (7pm), Wednesday(7pm) and Saturday(9:30am) at the Margaret Pace location, Saturdays(9:30am) at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, Saturdays(9:30am) at Kennedy Park in Coconut Grove and Sunday(10am) at North Shore Park. These classes are brought to you by One Yoga Foundation which is a non-profit organization.
Originally named “It’s Free Yoga Miami!!”, Hector Alvarez and Luana Hervier created the program in November 2007 as a three-month project in Kennedy Park in Coconut Grove. Their intention was to introduce yoga to 1,000 people that had never tried it before and, at the same time, raise funds for Camillus House, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless. When the community requested the classes to continue after the third month, the organization blossomed into Free Yoga Foundation (FYF). Over the next couple of years, FYF expanded to six other parks throughout South Florida. In June 2010, FYF incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
As the foundation grew, the park classes became donation-based to better address the changing needs of the organization, and to further support our mission of making yoga available to everybody and expanding our special population programs.
In December 2011, FYF evolved into ONE Yoga Foundation: One Spirit, One Community, One Yoga!
Did you know that prenatal yoga may also help you prepare for labor and promote your baby’s health? Before you start prenatal yoga, understand the range of possible benefits, as well as what a typical class entails and important safety tips.
What are the benefits of prenatal yoga?
Much like other types of childbirth-preparation classes, prenatal yoga is a multifaceted approach to exercise that encourages stretching, mental centering and focused breathing. Research suggests that prenatal yoga is safe and can have many benefits for pregnant women and their babies.
For example, studies have suggested that prenatal yoga can:
- Improve sleep
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Increase the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth
- Decrease lower back pain, nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches and shortness of breath
- Decrease the risk of preterm labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth restriction — a condition that slows a baby’s growth
Prenatal yoga can also help you meet and bond with other pregnant women and prepare for the stress of being a new parent.
What happens during a typical prenatal yoga class?
A typical prenatal yoga class may involve:
- Breathing. You’ll be encouraged to focus on breathing in and out slowly and deeply through the nose. You may also practice different breathing techniques and making deep sounds, such as humming or grunting. Prenatal yoga breathing techniques may help you reduce or manage shortness of breath during pregnancy and work through contractions during labor.
- Gentle stretching. You’ll be encouraged to gently move different areas of your body, such as your neck and arms, through their full range of motion.
- Postures. While standing, sitting or lying on the ground, you’ll gently move your body into different positions aimed at developing your strength, flexibility and balance. Props — such as blankets, cushions and belts — may be used to provide support and comfort. You’ll also continue to focus on your breathing.
- Cool down and relaxation. At the end of each prenatal yoga class, you’ll relax your muscles and restore your resting heart rate and breathing rhythm. You may be encouraged to listen to your own breathing, pay close attention to sensations, thoughts and emotions, or repeat a mantra or word to bring about a state of self-awareness and inner calm.
Are there styles of yoga that aren’t recommended for pregnant women?
There are many different styles of yoga. Some are more strenuous than others. Prenatal yoga and hatha (gentle) yoga are the best choices for pregnant women. If they’re not an option, talk to the instructor about your pregnancy before starting any other yoga class.
Be careful to avoid Bikram yoga, commonly called hot yoga, which involves doing vigorous poses in a room heated to 100 to 110 F (38 to 43 C). Bikram yoga may raise your body temperature too much, causing a condition known as hyperthermia. In addition, ashtanga and other types of power yoga may be too strenuous for women who aren’t experienced yoga practitioners.
This is me demonstrating how to do downward facing dog for the first time.
via Mayoclinic
Help: Benefits of WIC EBT Card
As a young adult striving to provide for myself and my unborn child I decided to use the benefits of the Florida WIC program. WIC stands for “Women, Infants, and Children. WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have recently been pregnant, infants & children under age 5. WIC provides the following at no cost: healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals for health care, immunization and community services. I believe that all women who are eligible for the WIC program should take advantage of this opportunity because it really does relieve stress when it comes to expenses. At first I was a little embarrassed because as a kid in grade school the mean kids used to make fun of other kids who used WIC but now that I have the responsibility of taking care of another human being I will do whatever it takes to make sure that my unborn child is healthy.
To be income-eligible for WIC:
You must have a total household income equal to or less than the amounts shown in the WIC Income Guidelines OR you are income-eligible if you are currently receiving Medicaid, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Food Assistance. However, you do not have to be on a public assistance program to qualify for WIC.
WIC Income Guidelines
For a pregnant woman, each unborn baby counts as 1 extra person in the household size.
| Size of Household | Monthly Income Before Taxes and Deductions |
| 1 | $1,772 |
| 2 | $2,392 |
| 3 | $3,011 |
| 4 | $3,631 |
| 5 | $4,251 |
| 6 | $4,871 |
| 7 | $5,490 |
| 8 | $6,110 |
Each year, these dollar amounts may increase.
To apply for WIC:
- Obtain your local WIC office telephone number or call toll free 1-800-342-3556 and say you want to apply for WIC.
- The local WIC office will give you a date and time for a WIC certification visit. At this visit, the household income and the medical/nutrition status of each applicant will be reviewed. On that day, you will find out if you and your children are eligible for WIC.
What to bring to the WIC certification visit:
- Bring EACH family member who is applying to receive WIC services.
- Bring proof of ALL income for everyone in the household (before taxes and deductions are taken out). Income includes such things as: salaries, child support and alimony, foster care payments, interest withdrawn, unemployment compensation, and military earnings; OR, if you receive Medicaid, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Food Assistance, you are income eligible for WIC. (If you do not receive Medicaid or TCA, but other members of your household receive these benefits, you may be income-eligible for WIC.) WIC staff can verify your enrollment in these programs. However, it is helpful to bring the current “Notice of Case Action” letter, which is proof of eligibility for one or more of these programs.
- Bring ONE proof of where you live (no P.O. boxes). The document must be current and show your name and address. Items that are allowed include a utility bill, bank/insurance statement, or driver’s license. You must be currently living in Florida, but you don’t have to be a U.S. citizen.
- Bring ONE proof of identification for you and ONE proof of identification for any infant or child applying for WIC, such as a birth certificate, driver’s license, crib card, military ID, photo ID, Social Security Card, or hospital record.
- If your doctor has completed the WIC Medical Referral Form, bring this form to your appointment.
- Bring the Social Security Number for each person applying for WIC, if available.
- Bring the immunization (shot) record for each child, if available.
Maternity Chic 