zulily's Best Dressed Bump List!

While my pregnant days are over, it was just five months ago that I was struggling to fit into ANYTHING, and dreaming of the days I would be back in my normal clothes. Things are getting easier for pregnant women though. There are so many stylish options options out there, and now with user friendly sites like zulily bringing you the latest trends at a discounted price, you can be the "best dressed pregnant mommy" your friends know! zulily offers the best kids fashion, mommy fashion (for those of us that are pregnant or not), kitchen items, home items and accessories (plus lots and lots more!)

zulily's style expert shared her five most stylish pregnant list and even offered some tips to help you be as fashionable as possible, even if you are feeling anything but!

1.      Chrissy Teigen: The super model steps out in a simple grey body con dress paired a khaki jacket and mirrored aviators, bringing a whole new level of comfy chic to the streets of NYC.

2.      Emily Blunt: Its baby number two for Mrs. Krasinski, who recently debuted her bump in chic, light blue winter wear while on the set of her upcoming movie The Girl on the Train.

3.      Ivanka Trump: Not only does the gorgeous business mogul rock pregnancy chic during the day, but she also has evening maternity-wear down as well, as seen here in a playful blue floral frock.

4.      Liv Tyler: The actress proves that maternity-wear doesn’t need to be dowdy at the recent Critics' Choice Awards. The look is effortlessly elegant, with a bit of edge thanks to the thigh-high slit.

5.      Anne Hathaway: Who said you can't wear a mini dresses when you're pregnant? The expectant mama recently debuted her blossoming bump in a black mod minidress on the red carpet.

$5 Can Save 2 Lives and You Can Help #GiveHopeWithCigna

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the Cigna Foundation, in partnership with Samahope. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

I have 2 babies (ages 3 and 12) and am very blessed to have had great health care during and after both. If it wasn’t for diligent dr’s and hospital staff I wouldn’t be here today and neither would my girls. To say that I had life threatening illnesses during my pregnancies is an understatement. It’s 2015 and very scary to know that every two minutes a woman dies from preventable causes related to pregnancy and birth. The Cigna Foundation has partnered with Samahope to help raise awareness and funds to improve the maternal health and safe childbirth resources provided to women around the world.

photo credit to Samahope

First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test Gave Me a Positive Three Days Earlier Than Others!

“I participated in a Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for First Response. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

  

Did you miss the news? I am pregnant and expecting a baby girl in October! Here is a picture of my test when I first found out back February. If you notice one thing, its a First Response test! First Response is the only test that I trust for early detection (this test was taken around 3 days before my missed period!) The First Response Early Detection test are FDA Approved and designed to detect all relevant forms of HCG. Even though the test in my photo is the older design test the test are now designed with a longer handle, and wider tip with a sleek, curved shape that betters fits in your hand as you are counting down the minutes to see the results! The results are also much easier to read. These test can detect the HCG levels and give you a positive result as EARLY as 6 days before your missed period! Like I said about my photo...that was THREE days before I even missed my period, and that is a pretty dark double-lined positive for that early. The tests can be used any time of day or night, so you no longer have to wait for that first morning urine when you are just DYING to know the results! The First Response Early Detection Tests are readily available at all drug stores and are reasonably priced between $8.99-$15.99! 

Body after Baby Motherload Relieve Support Band

As I am heading out of my first trimester, I know that many aches and pains are to come. You see, this is my forth pregnancy (third child-one miscarriage) so I am not knew to the whole MISERABLE and pregnant thing. Add to that, that you are seriously limited on the pain medicines you can take, and you have one grouchy, aching mommy on your hands. Now I get to experience all of this WITH a toddler (my oldest was over 5 when my youngest was born.) So, in that way this is a new experience for me. I am already having some lower back pain this go around, much to my dismay, and I know it will only get worse later. Since I also work as a nurse, this requires moderate lifting too, so I need all of the help that I can get to continue my active lifestyle. Body After Baby Agreed to send me the Motherload Relieve Support Belly band, and I am glad to have it.

 The Motherload by Body After Baby is for active pregnant women that need to relieve back, hip and abdominal pain and to reduce sciatica. Unlike other pregnancy support bands, the Motherload is especially designed for active pregnant moms. Soft, breathable moisture wicking material moves synergistically with a mom’s growing belly, whether running around town, or getting into a pregnancy safe yoga move. Plus a sleek design means you can wear it under your clothes (even fitted gym clothes), without the whole world knowing.  

Products That Battle Harsh Winter Weather for Mom and Baby! Win Yours Now!

I was lucky to receive an assortment of products mostly for Mommies or Pregnant Women, but one that works well for infants too! As you know from reading this blog, I just love Belli! I think they offer amazing products that are free from harsh chemicals so you can rest assured that you are not exposing yourself to anything harmful while pregnant. The products listed below would make a phenomenal gift basket for the expectant mother, or would be a great gift if given alone.

Belli Eye Brightening Cream: It's no secret you are often tired while pregnant, but who wants to look that way? Belli Eye brightening cream can help with tired eyes. It is enriched with vitamin K and Vitamin C and both hydrate and reduce the appearance of dark circles. All ingredients are safe to use while pregnant and breastfeeding. This stuff really works! Not only does it make my eyes look less puffy and tired but it also leaves that sensitive skin feeling silky smooth and soft! I have been making a point to use this before bed every night and love the way my eyes look and feel now! MSRP $39

Prenatal Precious Gems from Rainbow Light

Even though I am not pregnant (yet?) it is never too early to take prenatal vitamins since we are actively trying to grow our family by one. Rainbow Light agreed to send me some gummy prenatals which totally rock my world. I have a very hard time choking down large "horse pill vitamins." They just kill me, so I take vitamin gummies every chance I get! 

Prenatal Precious Gems™ Gummy Multivitamins are a delicious, easy way to get your prenatal nutrition, with 14 essential nutrients, fruits and vegetables, and probiotics. Prenatal Precious Gems™ nourish mom and baby, promote baby’s health y development, and are the only prenatal gummy with probiotics to aid digestion.* With their refreshing orange zest flavor and their stay-fresh, single-serve packets, they are convenient and easy to take, even on the go – and contain no gluten, wheat, milk/dairy, soy, nuts, eggs, shellfish or artificial additives.

B2 Organics

Lately my skin has been problematic for me. This is not something that I am used to.  I never had to battle acne as a teenager, so to have to deal with it now is such a pain! I'm not used to these breakouts and problem areas.  But with all the hormones going through my body, my skin has been reacting in ways that I have never experienced before.  Luckily, I have been able to try out some awesome products from B2Organic.  But I have not only been sent products to use on myself, but also some great products for the baby that is still baking!  Since I have really sensitive skin I always try to find things to use on my kids that will not irritate their skin.  I grew up battling skin rashes and hives and I do not want that for my babies.  I have been using this skincare line for a few weeks and I have been very pleased with the results.

Win $25 to Bamboobies

With my due date quickly approaching, I have been on the lookout for nursing bras and nursing pads.  There are several options, but I wanted to find a good quality bra that would also be comfortable.  I read reviews and looked on several websites.  I was really lucky and was sent a Bamboobies Bra to review, along with some Nursing Pads! I cannot brag enough on the comfort and style of this bra!

Native Remedies

When I am pregnant I try to stay away from any kind of medicine if at all possible.  In the beginning of this pregnancy I had some pretty awful morning sickness that just would not quit.  I tried the saltines, ginger ale, peppermint, etc.  Nothing really helped.  I tried to stick to all natural remedies, so when I was sent the Good Morning Mama from Native Remedies, I was so thankful to have something more to try out!  

Win Belli Anti-Blemish Facial Wash

I LOVED being pregnant with my boys. I had a brief bout with morning sickness and once I hit 13 weeks everything was smooth sailing.  I had this cute round belly...I loved it. This time around pregnancy has blessed me with much much more...ummm symptoms.  I just recently got over the horrible puking stage.  I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and I think it's been 2 1/2 weeks since I last got sick. But it seems that I am nearing the end of that part of pregnancy. Another wonderful little gift that has been bestowed upon me is acne.  I had a few breakouts with my boys, but this time it's not just a few bumps here and there. My back, chest and face have been pretty bad this time around.  I have super sensitive skin, so even when I'm not pregnant my options are limited when it comes to treating any kind of breakout.

Belli Beautiful Online Event

Belli Skin Care

my pregnancy with hyperemesis gravidarum

I am not one of those people that enjoy pregnancy. I’m not going to lie. For me it was horrible almost from the start.  Would I do it again? NO, do I regret it? Not for a second. The fact that I wouldn’t do it again doesn’t mean that I regret it. I just wish it was different. I wish I had the opportunity to enjoy being pregnant. I did it three times, and have 2 amazing daughters, but I’m done. I can’t do it again. For those who don’t know me I will explain why and share my story about when I was pregnant with Fallon.

Since my pregnancy with my oldest daughter was very difficult, I was educated and prepared for a long road, what I was not prepared for is just how bad the pregnancy with Fallon was. I will back track a little. My husband and I getting pregnant wasn’t impossible, but it wasn’t easy either. It was more like the odds of winning the lottery. So when we got pregnant in July of 2011 we were shocked. In august though, I lost the baby. A few months later in November we were shocked again when we found out I was pregnant. I had this weird gut feeling that I was and still had a home test from before so at 2am when I woke up to go to the bathroom I figured why not. I was shaking when it was positive and woke my husband up to come into the bathroom. I really should have played it cool and done something really cute to tell him, but yea that went out the window in about 2.5 seconds when I called him in. Oh well, it’s a funny story to tell anyway.