Friday, January 30, 2015

Bump Boxes

Bump Boxes are fantastic! Have you heard of them? It's a monthly subscription service like www.birchbox.com or www.barkbox.com, but for preggos and moms. You can chose from nearly 200 products, what you want delivered monthly, (or just once for that matter.) You can build a unique gift collection for a friend or for yourself. All the products are carefully hand picked by the company's founding parents, and have chemical-free ingredients. 

My personal favorites from their product list include Earth Mama and Baby organic milkmaid tea, the Milkscreen test strips and nearly all the Bella B tummy products. There are lots of fantastic items for pregnancy, post partum and baby. Check out this cool company's website today! 

https://bumpboxes.com


Monday, August 18, 2014

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

If you enjoy getting a massage as much as I do, then why stop just because you're pregnant? The answer is simple! You shouldn't. There are multiple benfits to getting routine prenatal massages.

Here are a few precautions...Research shows that it is a good idea to wait until you are at least 14 weeks along, before getting your first massage during your pregnancy.  Due to how common miscarriage can be during the first trimester, the majority of massage therapists recommend waiting until  your second trimester has begun, or 14 weeks, before receiving your first massage during your pregnancy. Also, If you have any notable health precautions associated with your pregnacy, you should consult with your physician as well as with your massage therapist before booking a massage session. Some of these might be conditions such as high blood pressure, high risk pregnancy or pregnancy induced hypertension. 

Some benefits of engaging in this relaxing and healing age old practice include:

-reduction of stress and anxiety
-relief for aches and pains
-improved oxygenation
-bettered sleeping patterns 
-enhanced blood flow and circulation
-strengthened immune system 
-improved labor outcomes
-better newborn health 

For local Houstonian readers, I routinely use a wonderful massage therapist who comes to my home! Her name is Latonya and she's with Massage2You Mobile Massage. She works on lots of CrossFit athletes and is familiar with terminology related to soreness from working out. She is also quite familiar with the prenatal massage practice and I just love her! I've been using her for years. 

If you're prego, (and even if you're not, ) I highly recommend reaching out to her. The contact information is listed below.

Latonya Bell
Massage2youmobile@yahoo.com

You should really treat yourself this week!
The best part is being so warm and relaxed afterwards and being able to just crawl into bed at home, smelling of lavendar...




Friday, August 8, 2014

Bassinet Bliss...thanks Housenkid.com!

I'm so excited that I found the bassinet I wanted for my daughter at a great price! 

The one I'd been eyeing is the Summer Infant Fox And Friends Espresso Wood Bassinet. I found it online for $125-$150, I was close to ordering it on Amazon, but I decided to check Craigslist first to see what someone might be selling a used one for... To my surprise, I found the exact model I wanted, new in the box for $75 through an open box returns company here in Houston called HouseNKid. I called to confirm, then showed up at their warehouse one evening this week, got my little bassinet, and was delighted to find that they sell all kinds of housewares, fitness equipment, furniture and baby/kid items for a fraction of what they sell for new! 

So www.housenkid.com is a website you should certainly check out. What a unique business idea-to sell returns and cancelled order items from places like Amazon and Overstock.com. I'm impressed and I'll be checking their inventory monthly for items I'm in the market for!

Save yourself a cent and check them out this weekend! 

#ThriftyTip
#FitThriftyMomToBe
#Housenkid

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

The News of My Daughter

Last Friday, we had our 20 week ultrasound to determine our baby's gender. I actually wanted to find out early, at 12 weeks, with the blood test...However, my husband encouraged me to have patience and wait till 20 weeks.  This was so hard for me. I have an extreme sense of urgency, and want everything right now.  I'm a very proactive person, and when something needs to get done, I just do it. Waiting didn't make sense to me in the least Paying the $200 to find out early certainly did at the time. But I patiently waited for eight more weeks. Then the day finally came. I was so nervous and very emotional last Friday as we headed up to the doctors office to find out the sex. I starting crying for many reasons, and very few of them could be explained through words. 

I was laying on the table feeling very nervous, as the tech started the ultrasound. She confirmed our little baby's heartbeat and movements, and then she showed us on the screen, the thighs and buttocks, then pointed to and empty area between the legs and said "I'm assuming it's a girl!"


Charlie and I were both shocked. Neither said anything at first. I just looked at him puzzled.  All along, he was just so sure that our baby would be a boy. We kept calling it him, had determined his name, had decided that his nursery would be a firetruck theme, etc. We had even bought him some darling little boy outfits. Charlie just knew he'd have someone to tinker around the garage with. 

In my state of shock, I immediately began to worry that Charlie was disappointed. I felt excited, but then I began to pre-worry about all the emotions and drama that go along with being a girl, much less having a girl.

I decided to pray. I thanked God for blessing us with a healthy child. I thanked him over and over that she was a girl. I prayed that I would have a bond with my daughter and no one could ever understand or trump. I also prayed that this little girl would continue to soften my husband's heart. I knew she would be the center of our lives and the most important thing in our world forever.

I went shopping for her that afternoon (at Ross, of course) and began to think, "Maybe I need to step it up a notch...She deserves only try best. Ha! "I got a few little baby girl outfits for her, and got really excited. I could tell Charlie got excited too! He even sent me this...



Nearly every hour of every day since the moment I found out,  I close my eyes and picture my daughter smiling at me as a baby, and talking to me to as a toddler. I envision her running to her Daddy when he gets home, just overjoyed to see him and be in his arms.

As we dream of what life will be like, and brainstorm to carefully determine what her name will be, there's so much to do in order to prepare for her arrival! 

In our now 2 bedroom home, we are losing our guest bedroom/office to create her nursery. We are currently getting bids to convert our attached 1 car garage into a 3rd bedroom and 2nd bathroom.  Then we will still be able to work from home productively, and accommodate our guests that come to visit.

Knowing that we are having a daughter, and that she is on her way is the most exciting feeling I have ever experienced. Knowing that she will look like Charlie and I both, and will have combinations of both of our personality traits is so nerve wracking and also exciting! Let's hope she has my giving heart and creativity, but his good looks, and tough like him. This is a very joyous time in our lives, so much so, that I've forgotten to include a fit or thrifty tip in this blog. Ha! Oh well! 

I suppose this is a special post, all about my little angel, and nothing else! 


Thursday, July 31, 2014

Walk It Out

My friend Lori recently told me that a friend of hers stayed in great shape while pregnant, just by walking 4 miles a day.

I used to LOVE to run, but lately I just don't feel like it. Walking, however, I can do. I did decide that it would benefit me tremendously to walk daily. I usually get in a CrossFit workout 4 evenings a week, and I began adding in a 30 min walk to my routine ever weekday morning.  It's been a great addition. For me, walking 30 minutes equates to only a little over 2 miles, but something is better than nothing.  

My morning walks kick start my day in an energizing, fantastic way, and I burn 150 calories. It's really great!! Walking is so easy. You literally just put one foot in front of the other, and you get to enjoy nature and clear your head, while getting a little vitamin D. It's a great chance to release stress, tension and anxiety, while moving around. Walking is good for the body, especially a pregnant one. Later in pregnancy, walking can also move things along, if you know what I mean. 

Be sure to stretch appropriately before and after, easing the hamstrings, quads and calves. The good news is, all you need is sneakers! Walking is free too! Your pace can be modified and you control the time frame. Bring your iPod and get inspired by some lively jams that put a smile on your face! Walk early in the morning before it gets too hot, or in the evening when it has cooled off. 

Be conscious of your sense of balance as well as your posture while waking. Carry a bottle of water, and be sure to stay hydrated.  Most importantly, as always, listen to your body! 



#FitTip 

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Saving Money on Date Night ...

Dating can be expensive. This is a fact. If a couple goes out to eat twice a week, that can quickly and easily equate to $400 a month. 

My husband, Charlie, and I have found a way to cut our dating bill in half. What we do is...we closely monitor online coupon sites including Groupon and Livingsocial. When a restaurant we enjoy runs one, we each buy one deal.  Then we can enjoy a $60 for half the price. 

For example, one of favorite restaurant, Laurenzo's, periodically runs a coupon through Livingsocial. We went there recently and redeemed one of our coupons and devoured $60 worth of delicious ribs and fish, that we had previously paid $30 for. What a steal! This is great way to save money on eating out and entertainment. 

Additionally, we are very blessed to receive restaurant and visa gift cards from clients, friends and family on special occasions including birthdays and during the holidays. These really last us through the first half of the year and we are able to go enjoy a night out to eat together without spending a lot or any money. 

#ThriftyTip

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

"Mamaste"


Yoga is something I don't do enough of. This age-old form of exercise is a great change of pace from CrossFit or running. It is beneficial in so many ways, especially while pregnant. I have typically done yoga to help better my breathing patterns, and also to learn how to deeply relax and calm the busy, racing mind. 

Yoga will help so much during pregnancy, because we experience such radical changes including stretching ligaments, changing organs, and growing pains of all sorts, really. Yoga keeps you limber, tones your muscles, and improves your balance and circulation, with little impact on your joints.

The physical demands of labor, birth, and motherhood will absolutely require us to need to breathe fully and deeply. That's life! It can get stressful, so I tend to think of yoga as a great escape while burning calories! 

Some local Houston studios offering prenatal yoga include Joy Yoga, Motherhood Center and Alcove Yoga. 

#FitTip