Smell Check One Two One Two

                Good Morning Mamas! As I drove into work this morning I was reflecting on my labor, delivery, and hospital stay. I thought about the joyous challenge of giving birth to my little one and all of the love I immediately felt when I met her. Then the thought of the attack of the funk fluttered into my happy memories. It is with that assault that I offer the following advice. Enlist the help of a smell and scenery partner!


             The job description of a smell and scenery partner is to always make sure that you and your hospital smell good. You will more than likely have a flood of visitors come to see and meet you and your little one. If your experience was anything like mine was, you wont get much sleep between feedings, testing, and sleep intrusive nurses who mean well. Smell and Scenery Partner to the rescue! Armed with scented candles (flame less to be safe), body spray, sponge bath tools, and a nursing cover they will have you protected from guests smelling the less than pretty side of recent child birth.
         
      I  recommend that your smell and scenery partner not be daddy. Let him enjoy your little one two. He can interact and care for your little one while your S&S partner gives you a sponge bath, helps you with a fresh gown, hands you mouth wash, and gives your lips some moisture.


       The tour of duty for your smell and scent partner is from the moment you go into labor and the duration of your hospital stay. You may want to have a rotation of at least two people. They don't have to stay the entire day just pop in and help you feel like a clean momma. It's best that you choose your partner at least a month before you are due and that they know where you will be keeping your toiletries.


           Well moms, that's all for now...get out there and start interviewing!

She Loves Me She Loves Me Not

Hey Mamas! Its bathing suit season...are you ready? What you ate in winter will show in the summer! I'm on this mission to embrace my new body and have been having a few hiccups along the way. My body and me are in a love hate relationship. I look at my reflection and begin searching my thoughts,asking myself "What do I think is sexy?" "Where did I get the definition of sexy?" "Why do I feel its important to loose weight?" "Is it really for health or to conform to a certain image of beauty?" I have a philosophical debate with my scale every morning. I am obsessed with weighing myself and my mood is effected by the number that stares back at me. I have to consciously tell myself not to compare my body to other moms..and boy is it hard! I have a body loving mantra taped to my bathroom mirror from the Booty Parlor book that I often ignore. I look at old pictures of myself and notice that my stomach was flatter and it saddens me. The sad part is I know how to eat healthy and exercise but its so much harder to do now. I just dont have the motivation I used to have. I start a diet in the morning and by the afternoon I've broken it! I have started to use Slimquick and it has produced results in the past. When I truly watched what I ate and worked out, I lost at least 3-5lbs a week. What I need is an event motivation. Like in 3 months I'll be attending a wedding and the thought of how I'll look in my dress and pictures has got to stop me from snacking on bite size candies and eating fast food. Will you ladies join me and be my body changing partners? If you are interested please post your comments, suggestions, and struggles. Let's help each other out.

Hello Old Friend

Hello Wondrous Mothers!

It's been so long since we stopped for a chat. I've been away thinking that I had no tips to share. Upon rifling through my spring and summer clothes I came across my stash of maternity wear and smiled. It warmed my heart to remember the joyous journey of dressing my body built for two. It rekindled my love for talking about all of the adventures in motherhood. So here I go again!

I once saw a woman nurse her toddler and put the child down once finished. I thought to myself I'll never nurse a child that can walk to me to nurse and almost 17 months later I am! I completely understand nursing until both mom and baby are ready to wean. I find myself riddled with guilt now that I have decided to stop breast feeding. I miss it like a realtive that has moved out of state.The one who you long to see and once they've been around for a week, long to see leave. I will always fondly remeber the bonding my daughter and I had and look forward to relating to her in a different format.

I am excited about learning this new body, appreciating my new curves, and remembering that my breasts are for more than feeding utensils. Where are you in the quest for balance of being a wonderful mom, attentive mate, and all around sexy diva?

Goal: Reload and Revamp

I'm personally still battling the monstrous villain stretch marks and the dreaded post pregnancy pooch. To be completely honest I havent been putting up much of a fight but rather embracing my new reflection. I did receive a sample of a wonderful product by Booty Parlor. The product is a skin firming lotion that is supposed to lift what dropped...sort of like a bra for your whole body! I'll keep you updated on how its working.

I am currently researching safe diet and exercise plans that will actually motivate me to stick to them so any suggestions would help. As of right now I'm participating in every free form of exercise I can find. I take the steps instead of the elevator, park the car a little further, and use my chevralegs for local errands. When I want to spice up my routine I skip every other step when climbing them.

I found a wonderful book by the founder of Booty Parlor that really boosted my self esteem. Mojo Makeover. In just thirty days, The Official Booty Parlor Mojo Makeover will help women of any age become more confident, more enthusiastic, and more satisfied. Filled with inspiring and practical advice, how-to tips and tricks, interactive exercises, and real-life anecdotes, this fun four-week program is sure to leave women feeling happier, sexier, and more fulfilled—whether they're in a relationship or not.

Dressing this new body has been an interesting task. Coaching myself to not feel discouraged by the clothes I can't fit is a necessary action. But what I've learned is that what was a fashion fit at age 21 may not be one for over 25 regardless of what size is on the label. But to be honest the size of the clothing isn't the only thing that disturbs me but rather spending money on wardrobe does. I have the mom guilt of buying something for myself and then thinking of all of the things I could have purchased for my little one. So between the size change and mom guilt buying clothes isn't as stress relieving as it used to be. But I am going to stick to it. I plan on perusing my old haunts to find chic ensembles.

Well Mamas, Mama's gotta get back to work. Bacon doesn't get brought home by itself! See you soon.