Pregnant & what to wear for the holiday parties?

Before we know it the Christmas parties will begin. If you are pregnant, this is not a fun time. You may already be worried or upset with the growing wasteline or what is left of your waistline. I have GREAT NEWS for you! Maternity fashions have changed from 10 years ago and designers are keeping up with current trends.

The best style for pregnant moms are either things that stretch or a A-line cut. A-line cuts, you need to be worried more with the bustline than the waistline. Look for free flowing fabrics that are forgiving. Some style dresses can we taken in after baby for a whole new look.

Enjoy the holidays and feel confident in the body that you have been given while carrying your baby.

To find more dresses like the ones shown, visit www.HSTMaternity.com

Her Special Time Maternity Now Opens By Appt Only in Wesley Chapel, Florida

Calling all Tampa Bay Pregnant Hip Mommas!

Her Special Time Maternity Boutique closed their retail store front in 2007 and has continued to run as a exclusive online maternity boutique since at http://www.hstmaternity.com/. They have had so many Tampa pregnant moms call wanting to know when and where they would re-open. As of December 2008, they will be showing their maternity collections at Look Who's Kickin Ultrasound in Wesley Chapel on an Appointment Only basis. You can still shop the top maternity designers close to home.

Here is how it will work: Check out the website at http://www.hstmaternity.com/. You will call their customer service line at 813-907-2727 to schedule a day and time. The Tampa pregnant moms will view the website and let the stylist know what type of items they are looking for. Those items will be available for viewing and trying on during the scheduled appointment. Some things are internet exclusive items only and are shipped directly from the designers warehouse.

A great solution for the fashionable pregnant momma. If motherhood maternity or Target is not your cup of tea, then give them a call for your private viewing and fitting.

You can call either Look Who's Kickin Ultrasound in Wesley Chapel 813-909-8080 or Her Special Time Maternity directly at 813-907-2727 to schedule your appointment.

Maternity Swimsuits

It is cooling off and you have a vacation coming up. What do you do when the stores have already removed the maternity swimsuits from the sales floor. Don't worry! You can find maternity swimsuits on line 12 months out of the year. There is one maternity designer, Nicole Michelle that produces swimsuits all year around.

Many maternity swimsuits look like regular swimsuits! You can wear them while pregnant and after baby arrives. I know personally, my son is 5 months old and I still like to cover the left over baby belly up.

Whether you are looking for a triangle top swimsuit or a bandeau style, http://www.hstmaternity.com/ will be able to help.

3D/ 4D Ultrasounds

From the moment you find out that there are 2 blue lines on the pregnancy test, you start dreaming of what this little peanut looks like. Or at least, I did. Technology has changed over the last 8 years. With my first baby who was born in 2000, I had 1 ultrasound at 20 weeks pregnant. That was only chance to get that blurred black and white view of the child that I was carrying.

Flash forward 8 years. I had the pleasure of experiencing a 3/4D Ultrasound with my youngest child. Who knew that I could opt out of the amino test and have a ultrasound at 16 weeks pregnant. The 16 week test was to rule out birth defects. I of course wanted to know if there were any problems with the baby, but secretly I wanted to know if I was having a baby girl. I already had 1 girl (8) and 2 sons (5 & 3). The tech couldn't tell me for sure what I was having. I was ready to clean out the baby stuff and get rid of clutter in my home.

I contacted Erica at Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds in Lutz. She told me to come in and we would take a peek. Within a few moments, I saw that I was having another BOY! Another son, I was really in for it! Just to see him on the big screen and in color and 4D was amazing. He was still a little peanut at that time. Maybe a 1/2 pound.

This was just a tease for me and I had to go when he was more fully developed. I scheduled a ultrasound at 28 weeks. I took my children so they could meet their new baby brother. They saw mommies belly expanding but really couldn't put things together. My in laws went and my husband. I was amazing to see Caleb on the screen moving around and dealing with hiccups. The kids were so happy to see the baby that would soon be here. It was finally real. Erica at Look Who's Kickin wanted me to come back at 30 weeks once he was a little fatter. I had no problem taking another peek at my last baby. He looked just like my other 2 sons. Identical that is!My in-laws were in awe and were so happy that they could experience this with us.

At 30 weeks, I went in for another sneak peek and Caleb was indeed chunkier and worked with the sonographer to get the perfect pictures. I left each visit with a CD of the baby, pictures and priceless moments with my unborn child. This is a luxury item of course, but once the baby arrives, this is not something you can go back and have a do over on.

When checking in your own geographic area for a ultrasound sonographer, you might consider the following.

• Are they licensed as a sonographer or just someone who bought into a franchise and opened the doors.
• Have they previously worked in the field with pregnant women? They may see something that you want your OB to check into. You will have a CD to take to the OB.

I was able to capture a moment in time with my unborn child. I was able to see all the curves in his face long before I could hold in my arms. This is definitely something I will treasure forever. A special thank you from the bottom of my heart and belly to Look Who's Kickin in Lutz. If you want more information, please call 813-909-8080 or visit http://www.lookwhoskickin.com/.

Pregnant & Getting Married~

OK. Let's face it. Life doesn't always go according to our plans or the way we would like to have them. Statics show that 4 out of every 10 brides are pregnant. That is almost 1/2 of the brides! So you are planning your dream wedding and surprise, your family is going to grow sooner than you were planning. Going to places like David's Bridal is not necessarily going to work with you and your growing belly. Don't fret thou, there are alternatives for you.

There are maternity designers that specialize in maternity wedding dresses. Yes, I said "Maternity Wedding Dresses." Reality. You are looking for a dress in a short time frame and can't really wait for one to come in within 3-5 months. I have had the pleasure of working with many pregnant moms who were in this same situation. The Internet is a great place to find your perfect wedding dress in a short matter of time.

Somethings to know ahead of time.

1. Date of the event

2. Your current measurements

3. What style you are leaning towards

4. How your body is changing with this pregnancy

Most Internet websites that sell maternity wedding dresses are Final Sale items. This is due to the fact that this is a speciality item and usually cut to order. This would be the same as going into a bridal shop and ordering your non maternity wedding gown.

You know how your body is changing and how you look in certain types of clothes. If you don't wear things with no sleeves now, don't think that you will feel any different with your wedding dress. There are so many beautiful maternity formal wear dresses. Don't feel like you have to have a white or ivory dress either. You can find maternity wedding dresses from $168 on up online at http://www.hstmaternity.com/. They have been selling maternity wedding dresses and maternity formal wear since 2004. Contact the retailer or e-tailer and ask questions before you order the dress. If you are unsure of the size, ask before ordering and not after the fact. This is a problem if it is a Final Sale item.

Getting married and having a baby all together can be stressful but very exciting in the same time. Enjoy these joyous occasions and don't let the small stuff stress you out.

Notes from the Under Belly~

Half way through the pregnancy with baby #4, I realized people say the craziest things! From the moment I found out that we had another baby on the way, the comment (positive and negative) along with the unsolicited advice never seems to cease.



Don’t get me wrong, a new baby is a special time in a couples lives and such a miracle from above. I am one of those crazy women you actual enjoy being pregnant! I have my days like everyone else, but the good days by far out weight the not so great days.

My favorite comments are from the baby boomer and older population. I guess it has been awhile since they have had their babies, and the actual facts have escaped their minds a little. Like a baby being potty trained at 9 months! Give me a break. Their kids were brillant or mine are just really slow~

When I found out that my hubby and I were in deed not finished with expanding our family, we told our family members.

My mom always said “if you didn’t have something nice to say, then keep it to yourself.”

Here are a few of the initial remarks I heard & my initial thoughts I kept to myself:

• “Do you know by now how that happens?”- I think by having baby #4 on the way we do!


• “What are you going to do now?” -Well I don’t know. Do I need to send back one of my other kids?


• “Can you really afford it?” – We always seem to make it work.

As my belly has grown, so have the remarks:

• “Wow you are really big for 9 weeks. Is there twins?”- I am not in my 20’s anymore and this is the 4th kid. Muscles do stretch!


• “Can I make a wish?”- Can I rub your belly and make a wish?


• “How much weight have you gained?”- It is not polite to ask a woman how much she weighs pregnant or not!


• Are you due any day now? - No I still have 12 more weeks and thanks for noticing
  

Pregnancy is a special time in a women’s life. We try and enjoy every moment good or bad as it comes. Take the crazy comments in stride and if you are bold enough, where your thoughts on your shirt for the world to see! I Did!

To see more maternity personality t shirt brands, visit http://www.hstmaternity.com/. You will find Molly Anna Maternity, Cry Baby Maternity, Rock Star Moms, Merry Go Round to name a few.

Maternity & Baby Open House at Carmen Wilson Studio

As a Parent Educator with ViaCord. I have teamed up with a well known local photographer, Carmen Wilson to host a Open House for pregnant moms.

We welcome all the mommies-to-be in the Greater Bay Area to attend a

Maternity and Baby Open House at Carmen Wilson's Studio

October 19th from Noon to 4pm.

Come and meet mom and baby minded professionals.

There is no cost involved and the best part is it is FREE & open to the public. You could win hundreds of dollars in prizes. If you are interested in receiving the electronic version of the open house postcard, please visit, http://www.babynmaternity.com/ and email me.

Some of the following field experts or mommy businesses attending:

Maternity and Baby Photography in the Tampa Bay Area

Cord Blood Banking with ViaCord

3D Ultrasounds

Doula services

Birthing Center

Maternity and Baby Boutiques

We would love for you to stop by!

Breastfeed or not to Breastfeed?

This is the question that many first time or even 2nd or 3rd time mommies face right before baby arrives. When it comes to breastfeeding, you need to remember that it takes a GOOD 6 weeks for you and baby to get the hang of things. Some babies are pros from the get go, while others take a little work and alot of patience.

A few questions to ask yourself:

1. Do I want to breastfeed or do I want to formula feed? Only you can make that decision. Don't let the fear of the unknown swing your decision either way. Studies show that any breastmilk is better than not receiving any at all.

2. Do I have a support system? This is KEY in successfully breastfeeding your baby. You need to have your husband or who ever will be the primary helper in caring for the baby. You need them to remind you that you CAN do it!

I constantly hear from the older generation the following comments:

* Your milk is no good, he is always eating.

* I never had enough to feed mine.

* Give him a bottle, you need your rest.

My comments would be:

I have learned that my milk is fine and baby is gaining weight like a champ. Caleb just happens to be a snacker instead of a baby at the breast for long sessions of nursing.

Every women has enough milk to feed their babies. It is all supply and demand. The more you feed, the more you produce. We often get scared since our breast do not have hash marks like the bottle. Fact is that a baby can empty a breast as fast as a bottle.

I choose not to give a bottle, I run a company from home and nursing is so easy once you get the hang of it. You should try nursing laying down. Very relaxing!

3. How do i nurse in public? There are many different options for breastfeeding moms to try or use for this purpose. I have created the Under Wraps Nursing Poncho for this reason. I needed something that did not let my left over baby belly hang out and draw attention to myself. The bib style just did not cut it for me. The Under Wraps Nursing Poncho is very light weight and breathable fabric. I have nursed in church, family events, at the beach and the list goes on. Most people have no idea that I have a baby underneath having his dinner.

4. Do I need to buy anything for breastfeeding? Depending on your lifestyle, you may want to invest in a good breastpump. I would personally recommend the Medela line. I have had my same pump since 2000 and it is now on the 4th baby. Worth the money! I would also recommend nursing bras. There are so many new ones out there. You will be wearing them all the time. Go ahead and spend the money on ones that last. From my experience working in the maternity industry the last 5 years, nursing tops are not really neccessary. You can wear your favorite top and utilize the same nursing cover up or nursing poncho 24/7.

No matter what you choose for your baby, a mother always does what is best!

For more information about the Under Wraps Nursing Poncho, please visit, www.Victorialaurin.com.