Category: Maternity

Baby, Maternity

Wellness Wednesday Pregnancy Edition: Earth Mama Products

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Wellness Wednesday Pregnancy Edition: Earth Mama Products

For both of my pregnancies I have made it my goal to continue my active, healthy lifestyle. For my first pregnancy, this was “easy” as I didn’t have a toddler to look after. I had the luxury of going to the gym when I wanted, having all the time in the world to make home-made meals, and was able to put myself and goals first. This second time around I’ve had to get a little creative in taking care of myself which is why I have loved Earth Mama Organics. They make clean, safe, and effective products for the entire motherhood journey and make nourishing the body easy. I also love that the ingredients used in all products are safe and trusted- it makes it a no brainer when filling up on motherhood essentials! I’ve rounded up my favorite Earth Mama Organics products-ones that I am currently using, planning on using/have used in the past with Kylie! Earth Mama Organics was so nice and provided a code for TMB readers! If you are interested in any of the products below please use:

Coupon code: MeridianBliss at checkout Discount: 15% off regularly priced purchases (offer does not include travel kits or Lavender Hand Sanitizer) **offer expires 3/31/21

Products I’m using while pregnant:

  • Third Trimester Tea: I drink this tea at least once a day (typically at night) and I love how it supports the unique needs of late pregnancy. Bonus that it’s so yummy, too!
  • Belly Butter: I started using this product during my first pregnancy. The winter months leave my skin so dry and this luxurious lotion helps with hydration and stretch marks. Earth Mama Organics also sells a Belly Oil but personally I prefer a lotion (just my preference!)
  • Heartburn Tea: Another tea favorite! This tea is SO soothing and love that it relieves heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux without having to take medication. Bonus: this tea helps if you are expecting or not!

Products I’ll be using with Baby C:

  • Baby Wash: Love that this moisturizing hand and body wash can be used with the whole family! We keep one on the bathroom sink and in our tub!
  • Diaper Balm: This diaper cream is both gentle and effective – its a fan favorite over here!
  • Nose & Cheek Balm: This ultra rich balm helps keep dry skin stay soft and moisturized. With all the baby drool that’s to come I have stocked up on this!
  • Baby Lotion: This lotion comforts and soothes sensitive, delicate skin…and so easy since it’s good for the whole body!

Products for me (mama!) postpartum:

Earth Mama Organics believes that postpartum is a time to connect, rest, and heal. I absolutely love their passion and drive in supporting the new mom. These products are focused on baby and mom connecting and getting to know one another by supporting postpartum needs of mom. These products also emphasize the need of rest and sleep and make the healing process for mom a bit more manageable.

  • Organic Herbal Sitz Bath: Easy to use, individual herbal sachets for brewing and using as a stiz bath or a cooled compress to provide direct relief to the perineal area. This is a must have in my book!
  • Organic Perineal Balm: This helps provide lasting cooling comfort and because it’s a balm it allows herbs to stay and help heal. Use this with the Perineal Spray (see below)
  • Organic Perineal Spray: This touch free spray serves up quick, temporary relief. It’s a mist with an upside-down sprayer makes it easy to access hard to reach places…another must have for recovery and healing!
  • Organic Periodic Tea: This postpartum recovery tea can be consumed within the first hour of giving birth! It helps with bleeding, cramping, and hormone shifts after birthing…I’ll be chugging this 🙂

Baby, Maternity

My Hospital Bag

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My Hospital Bag

I’ve exchanged multiple texts with my girlfriends around what to bring in my hospital bag…it’s crazy how much you forget from the first time around! But with my due date quickly approaching (slow down time!!) I have complied a list of what is going in my hospital bag.

Let’s start with my bag!

Clothing:

  • Pajamas-I’m packing 2 pairs that are nursing friendly… these are my favorites!
  • Robe-one that’s not too bulky (I love my Kate Spade robe, similar one here in black)
  • Outfit for going home (aka baggy pants and loose fitting top, I’m not concerned about looking cute on my 5 minute ride home!)
  • Shower sandals
  • fuzzy socks and ugg slippers

Postpartum Items:

Toiletries:

  • Lip balm
  • Small selection of makeup (tinted moisturizer, maybe some eyeliner)
  • Face moisturizer
  • Prenatal vitamins
  • Hairbrush
  • Body wash
  • Toothpaste/toothbrush
  • Contact solution, case, glasses
  • Shower cap (I won’t be washing my hair there)
  • Hair ties
  • Deodorant

Miscellaneous:

  • Phone charger
  • Blanket & pillow
  • Boppy
  • Snacks
  • Light – to have at night (those bright hospital room lights at 3am are killer!)

For Baby C:

I am packing all of Baby C’s items in the diaper bag….

  • Outfit for going home
  • Hat
  • Blanket for the car
  • Newborn nest – absolutely obsessed with the Newborn Nest! The founder of the company is was a labor & delivery nurse and the pieces (swaddle, fitted sheet, gown, blanket, headband/bow) are made beautifully. Can’t wait to wrap Baby C in this! Also, wonderful customer service…if you’re looking for an adorable way to show off your new baby this is it! *would also make a great baby shower gift!
  • Mittens/hand protectors
  • pacifiers-not crazy about the color/design but whatever does the trick!
Baby, Maternity

3rd Trimester Update & Preparing for Postpartum

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3rd Trimester Update & Preparing for Postpartum

I can’t even believe that I am 37 (almost 38 weeks!) pregnant. This pregnancy has really flown by!! It seems like just yesterday I was writing my first and second trimester update, and here we are…almost go time! I am SO excited to meet this baby!

I feel so lucky to say that I am still feeling really great! I’m still able to keep up with Kylie, workout 4-5 days a week (check out our pregnancy workout highlight on IG!), and get a good amount of sleep at night. I mostly do strength training and low impact cardio workouts and always end with a good stretch. I’ve definitely slowed my pace down and my workouts help with not only my stress levels but also energy levels. My goal this pregnancy has been to stay active and get moving and I’ve been able to do so this whole time! I am also totally in the nesting mode, organizing is my jam right now and I’ll find just about anything to re-organize lol!

Below are some things that I have started to get together to help with postpartum!

  • Moms on Call-I used this with Kylie and she adapted SO well to this schedule/journey. Hoping Baby C is the same! I dusted this off last week and keeping it on my bedside (have yet to open it lol!).
  • Pajamas- I have a couple pairs of button down pajamas that are nursing friendly. These, these, and these are my favorites! Trust me, you’re going to want multiple pairs!
  • Nursing bras and tanks- these bras and these tanks
  • One-hand open water bottle….stress on the words one-hand!
  • High waisted postpartum comfy undies. I used these last time and will be purchasing again!
  • Nipple butter – love the Earth Mama brand
  • Belly Bandit- this Belly Wrap was a life saver for postpartum recovery with Kylie. Not only did it provide comfort to my c-section incision but it also helped strengthen my core muscles that weakened during pregnancy. Will definitely be using again!

My goal this next week is to start getting my hospital bag together and momma’s I NEED your help! What items were in your bag? What things can I leave at home? Send any tips my way or comment below!

Baby, Maternity

Second Trimester Update

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Second Trimester Update

Even though I am well into my third trimester (31 weeks tomorrow-ahhh!) I wanted to share a second trimester update as well as some things I have bought for Baby C (if you missed my first trimester update you can read it here)! My second trimester spanned the months of September, October, and November and I focused most of my time on getting Kylie’s “big girl room” ready since she is still in the nursery. I’ll share a post in the New Year about her new room but for now, back to Baby C!

I feel so lucky to still be able to keep up with my same routines (exercising, cooking, working, etc) and Kylie for that matter! Ha! My relationship with exercise has gone from super intense and sweaty sessions to low-impact/moderate exercises. I still workout 4-5 days a week and I feel my best when doing so (check out our Workout Wednesday series for some pregnancy friendly exercises!).

Update on recent purchases/what I’m currently using:

  • This pregnancy pillow…I love the head to toe support it offers
  • Living in leggings (what else is new though) and these are by far my favorite for everyday wear and these for exercising
  • I plan on nursing Baby C and stocked up on some favorites from postpartum with Kylie; these nursing pads, milk storage bags, pump cleaning wipes
  • Haakaa silicone pump
  • These zipper onesies with built in mittens
  • This is our changing table, I love that it has a scale embedded to track weight gain in between doctor visits

Hope this is helpful! XO!

Maternity

Fall Maternity Outfit

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Fall Maternity Outfit

Today I am rounding up some of my favorite maternity looks and pieces! Dressing the bump is so fun and there are so many affordable yet practical pieces that you can wear through your pregnancy as well as postpartum. My style when pregnant has remained the same; comfortable, easy looks that can take me from day to night (aka playing at the park to an outdoor gathering with friends/family).

One of my favorite looks is this exact one I am wearing today. This dress is so comfortable and I love throwing this kimono over it. Pair it with sandals or sneakers and I’m ready for the day! This exact look is old (I bought this during my first pregnancy!) but I have linked similar options below. The entire outfit is from Pink Blush.

Maternity

First Trimester Update

by themeridianbliss2 Comments on First Trimester Update
First Trimester Update

Now that I’m officially 14 weeks pregnant and into my second trimester I wanted to give a quick update on my first couple weeks of pregnancy and share some things I’ve already started stocking up on for Baby!

I found out I was pregnant at 3.5 weeks (I couldn’t believe I had a positive pregnancy test that early!) and was so excited to tell Kevin. It was actually Father’s Day morning and I snuck in the bathroom before he was awake. When I saw the test was positive I knew this would be a Father’s Day we would never forget! We had planned to do a quiet morning at home, making breakfast just the 3 of us and opening his gifts. I had gotten him this Cooler Backpack from Amazon and stuffed it with some of his favorite things, so I added the pregnancy test in there that morning. He was so surprised and made the day so special!

Since then, it’s been overall a great first trimester! I was really tired (maybe from chasing a toddler around!?) and had a bit of evening nausea weeks 7-10 but nothing that was too bad! I haven’t had any out-of-the-ordinary cravings or aversions either. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to keep up with my same exercise routine (strength training 3 days a week, cardio 2 days a week, 2 days of rest) and hopefully will keep that up throughout!

While there’s still have a ways to go, I wanted to share some things that I have started stocking up on. We are trying to buy little by little each month so when February/March rolls around we aren’t panic purchasing! Ha! Most of these are items that we used and loved with Kylie and some are more recent, new purchases!

Hope this is helpful! XO!