Jennifer Rae Poe
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RECENT  BLOG POSTS

Valentines Day 2021 Ideas for Parents and Kids

2/2/2021

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Photo by alleksana from Pexels
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DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links which means at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if clicked and purchased.


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2021 Valentines Day lands on a Saturday this year, which means there is plenty of fun to be had on the weekend. Unfortunately with COVID still around that limits us to going out to restaurants and other indoor locations. But there are still some fun ways to celebrate love and what special way to do so as a family.
When I think of Valentines Day, it's a day that is very commercialized but can make for great fun surrounding things we all LOVE, our friends, family, food, and kid crafts.

Gift Ideas for 2021 Valentines Day:
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Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven
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The brick ovens of Italy are renowned for legendary artisan pizzas, with perfectly crisp crust and toppings melded together. Now enjoy true artisan style pizza on your own patio with the portable Italia Artisan Pizza Oven. Specially designed features replicate the performance of a wood-fired brick oven - from its double walled construction and specially designed burners to its ventilation and cordierite ceramic pizza stone. Micro-adjust valves give you heat control and responsiveness to cook perfect artisan pizza every time.
DoorDash
With your favorite restaurants at your fingertips, DoorDash satisfies your cravings and connects you with possibilities — more time and energy for yourself and those you love. Use the link above to get $30 OFF ($10 off first 3 orders). 

From Steakhouses to Fast Food - DoorDash keeps businesses and local restaurants in business. Having 2 little babes in the house gives me no room to cook, so this is a service we use a lot in our household. 

Coravin Pivot
Extend the life of your everyday wines with the Pivot Wine Preservation System. Whether you want to enjoy a glass of Cabernet at the end of a long day, or pair your favorite Riesling with Tuesday night take-out, the ingenious combination of the Pivot Stopper and Device preserves the remaining bottle for up to 4 weeks. Match your wine to your mood, dinner courses or the weather, with the Pivot Wine Preservation System, the choice is yours. Includes 1 Pivot Wine Preservation System in Grey, 1 Coravin Pure Capsule, and 2 Pivot Stoppers.
ONEHOPE Vintner Collection California Rosé
Announcing our newest varietal now available - Vintner Collection California Rose! This is a delicious rosé with fresh berry aromas and a refreshing palate, including a beautiful rosé color with fresh picked berries and a refined palate full of refreshing bubbles. Savory and delightful, this new wine boasts pippin apple and a touch of florals. This wine costs $25 per bottle. 
Corkcicle 12 oz Triple-Insulated Stemless Glass - Walnut Wood
Triple-insulated stainless steel - Keeps cold drinks cold and hot ones hot; By the pool, on the patio, at the office - wherever. Also comes in all sorts of different colors. 

Hallmark Wood Love Card 
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Remind your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, or romantic partner how special they are to you with a thoughtful love card. An impressive design and heartwarming sentiment make this the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary, Valentine's Day, or special everyday moments. The Hallmark brand is widely recognized as the very best for greeting cards, gift wrap, and more. For more than 100 years, Hallmark has been helping its customers make everyday moments more beautiful and celebrations more joyful.
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Valentines Day Coloring Book for Kids
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Cute Valentine’s Day Coloring Book for Toddler Girls and Boys! Help your little ones celebrate the holiday with this adorable coloring book that is perfect for little hands. Easy to color designs help to build fine-motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
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Crayola Twistable Crayons
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The Crayola Twistables Crayons Coloring Set never needs sharpening, making it easier for kids to color with them. Just give your coloring tools a twist up when you want color, or a twist down when you want to put them away. These art tools feature clear, durable plastic barrels so kids can see the color core inside while protecting against breakage. This crayon set offers 50 crayons for kids with a compact size and a wide assortment of colors in one portable and reusable crayon box. They’re the perfect coloring supplies for kids on the go and moms in the know!
Mini Heart Waffle Maker
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Quickly make delicious golden brown waffles, French toast, hash browns and more with the my mini personal electric waffle maker! Cooking is as simple as 1-2-3 - all you have to do is plug in the unit, wait a couple of minutes for it to preheat and then you can start cooking! It's small and lightweight so it won't create cluster on your kitchen counter - making it perfect for small kitchens, apartments, dorms and campers/RVs. This is the perfect gift for any occasion!
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How to Repurpose A Wine Bottle into a Candle

1/14/2021

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Acupuncture For Labor Inducing and Birth Story 2020

1/11/2021

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In September 2020 I was due with in my second child, I am also 36 years old which means I am considered a "geriatric" pregnancy. With my first pregnancy (Click Here to Read my 2018 Birth Story) I drank the red raspberry leaf tea, ate the dates, and took primrose evening oil when I turned 37 weeks. On the day I turned 39 weeks I did acupuncture and the next day I went into labor and had a fast labor being my first (7 Hours Total) with no medical intervention at UCSD La Jolla Jacobs Center. In the second pregnancy, I waited till I was 38 weeks to drink the red raspberry leaf tea, eat the dates, and took primrose evening oil and had my first acupuncture session at 39 weeks and 2 days. Baby's head was down and I had my amniotic fluid checked and everything is giving me the green light to go about another non medical intervention labor. I am by all means no medical professional, but I do know based on the advice of my midwives that I should wait to have acupuncture till I was full term and 39 weeks. I had acupuncture 3 times during my 39 weeks and on the third time, Friday September 25, 2020 I went into labor!  

I went for my acupuncture appointment on Friday September 25 in the afternoon and my labor started that evening. Right before I went to bed around 11pm, I felt the need to go to the bathroom really bad but I couldn't go and my husband smelled a weird odor (.... and no it wasn't gas!!!). I went to bed to relax as it was already hard to go to sleep with the extra weight. Thankfully my mom was here at the house already as she helps out on Fridays to take care of my 2 year old. My water broke in bed at around 11:20pm, it was a big pop and gush just like how my first labor started with Kenna. I was wearing depends, so thankfully that saved the mattress. I ran to the bathroom to check my PH strip to verify it was indeed my water and not pee. It wasn't soon after my water broke that my contractions started and they were coming in strong and fast! I was tracking my contractions on the app I had downloaded on my phone and they were about 3 minutes and 30 second a part. I called the midwifes at UCSD to let them know I was coming in. Thankfully our bags were packed and ready to go, my contractions were getting intense very quickly and I had to time myself to get down the stairs.  We got in the car and were on the road at 11:40pm, being so late in the night there wasn't any traffic and we live about 20 minutes from the hospital. We got to the hospital at midnight, and because of the covid pandemic we had to check in for a quick screening before entering the hospital. My contractions were getting closer and I was ready to get into the tub at the birth center. By the time I was checked in and I entered the birth center room (I was in the room next to the one I had with the first baby) they had to do a rapid COVID test and had to swab my nostrils which was very unpleasant and a bit painful and unfortunately I also had to wear a mask during and throughout my labor. As the tub was filling up, I was having a very hard time coping with the pain, and because of COVID the hospital wasn't providing nitrous oxide (laughing gas) which really helped take my mind off the pain during the first labor. At this time it was about 12:30pm, my husband just got back from parking the car, my midwife asked me if I wanted to be checked before I got into the tub, and I agreed. I laid on the bed, and my midwife told me that I was 9cm and in transition. There was no need for me to go into the tub at this point, I turned around on the bed and a few minutes later I felt the urge and need to push. At 12:40am Kira Genevieve was born, my labor was an hour and 20 minutes from when my water broke at home. I am glad we left right away because if I didn't I am pretty sure I would have delivered the baby in the car. My umbilical cord was very short, in fact, when I went to put the baby on my chest the cord snapped and blood got everywhere! Thankfully we are all healthy and safe. We weren't able to save the cord blood like we wanted but we did manage to keep some of the cord tissue to grow stem cells (Click Here for information on CBR and Cord Blood Banking). 

In Western medicine, it is common to have membranes sweep to help induce labor.  Stripping the membranes involves the doctor or midwife sweep their gloved finger between the membranes of the amniotic sac to separate from the uterus which stimulates prostaglandins. I did not want to go this route so I researched ways to induce labor naturally.

I want to give a big thank you shout out to Tao Suk Oh at Mission Valley Modern Acupuncture for jump starting my labor. 

If you are in San Diego and looking to do Acupuncture, Modern Acupuncture is located in Mission Valley and Del Mar. Its $29 for your first initial Session. 

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How To Handle The Holidays During The Pandemic

12/24/2020

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Image via Pexels
How To Handle The Holidays During The Pandemic

If we had known last year that we may not be able to spend the holidays with our loved ones in 2020, we all may have done things differently. This year we don’t have much of a choice. To keep our elderly and sick family members safe, we have to rethink how we host our gatherings. While we still have the option of gathering in person, many of us will choose to host a cyber celebration.

Here’s how to make the most of a socially-distanced holiday season.

Safety At Home

Just about all areas in the US have enacted restrictions or given recommendations on how to handle family gatherings. Some areas, such as San Francisco, prefer that you host an outdoor event with no more than six people (25 if there is no food). If you choose an outdoor party, there are safety precautions you can take to make it a healthier experience for everyone.

Create a designated zone where everyone will stay put and socialize. Make one bathroom available, and ask that guests use hand sanitizer before going into the house and to wash their hands thoroughly when done. Enhance the mood while keeping everyone warm by building a simple fire pit. This is not a complicated process, but you do have to keep watch on the types of materials you use. If you’re using stone, for example, wait until they are completely dry before lighting your fire; otherwise, you risk a quick burnout. If you have a bigger budget, a few patio heaters can also add warmth.

Something else many health experts recommend is using disposable plates, cups, and cutlery. And, as awkward as it might seem, it’s perfectly acceptable to request that each family bring their own food to reduce the potential of sharing germs from one family to the next. If you are cooking, it might make sense to invest in inexpensive cookware and kitchen gadgets that you can throw away after the event. A can opener, for example, will likely cost less than $15 and will speed up the preparation process; at this price point, it’s disposable so you do not have to worry about lingering germs on your most-used kitchen appliances.

Fun From Afar

A less risky option for the 2020 holiday season is to host a virtual gathering. You can do this using online meeting software, such as Go-To-Meeting, Alexa, or Zoom. Older parents and grandparents may need new technology to make this happen, so a great Christmas gift this year is a smart home hub, like the Echo Show or Facebook Portal.

To ensure your entire family feels together while you’re apart, plan to dress alike on your big day. Other ideas to enjoy a social experience are to cook together virtually, play trivia games, and open pre-delivered gifts in front of your webcams. Depending on what platform you use for your online gathering, you may be able to screen share a photomontage of key moments of your life together as a family. Pictures from your parents’ or grandparents’ weddings, your own children’s birth, and photos of any family service members along with those who have passed will be a welcome reminder of what the holidays are about.

This year is going to be different. But that does not mean that you can’t have a fabulous time with those you love. Whether you choose to get together for outdoor entertainment or stick closer to home and connect online, make the most of your holidays. Although the pandemic has put a damper on many things, the attitude you have about it today will affect your memories of this holiday season in the years to come.

Visit Jennifer Rae Poe’s blog for useful information for moms and other young professionals on navigating life while trying to balance relationships and work.
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FOUR Relationship Challenges You’ll Face After Becoming Parents

11/5/2020

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The first years of parenthood are the hardest on relationships. In fact, two-thirds of couples say their relationship suffered during their child’s first three years, and over 40 percent of couples split by the time their first child turned 5.

Those statistics don’t paint a very promising picture, but it’s not all doom and gloom for new parents. If you can survive the early years of parenthood, your relationship will be stronger for it. However, getting there requires understanding what having a child means for your relationship and being prepared to work at keeping your relationship strong. Below are four of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a new parent and how your relationship can overcome them.

You Start Keeping Score When you have a baby, household duties double at the same time as your energy nosedives. Exhausted and stressed out, it’s tempting to start keeping score on parental contributions and using it as ammo in arguments. However, resentment isn’t healthy for a relationship.

How to Connect: It may feel like your partner is the enemy when they’re sleeping soundly while you’re up for the third nighttime feeding, but the best way to get through these new challenges is as a team. Sometimes, bickering over chores doesn’t mean there’s an imbalance, but rather that both people are desperate for downtime. However, if one parent is carrying the bulk of domestic duties, the best thing to do is to sit down and talk about it.

Couple Time Becomes Family Time Your time together won’t necessarily decrease after parenthood, but most parents are so focused on their child that they forget to pay attention to each other. It’s understandable when you have a baby who relies on you for every need, but in order to keep your relationship alive, you also need to spend time together as a couple.

How to Connect: Carving out couple time is far easier when your baby is on a schedule, so work on creating predictable feeding and sleeping routines as early as possible. That way, you’re both available and present during your time together. In the early days, couple time can be as simple as a quiet chat over a cup of coffee or a movie on the couch while the baby sleeps. As your child grows, get comfortable with hiring a babysitter and getting out of the house. 

Sex Stresses You Out Sex can feel different after childbirth. However, many women aren’t prepared for how they feel differently about sex after having a baby. Bedroom anxiety is common for postpartum women; you may worry about pain, your body, and whether you’ll have the time or desire for sex.

How to Connect: Make time for intimacy once your doctor says it’s safe, but let go of expectations about what that intimacy looks like. Sex can be a lot different emotionally and physically after childbirth. Go at your own pace and maintain open communication to create a sex life that’s satisfying for both of you. Keep a sense of humor and freshen up your sleepwear with a new pair of sexy pajamas or a flirtatious maternity gown.  

You’re Touched Out For some new moms, it’s not just sex. Instead, many women feel like they’re being touched so often that their body isn’t theirs anymore. This is especially common in women who breastfeed, but any new parent can get touched out. 
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How to Connect: La Leche League recommends not shunning touch, but rather, creating time for touch directed toward your needs. Whether that’s in the bedroom or a long hug or massage, having your own physical needs met can remind you why you enjoy closeness with your family.

Of course, it’s also important to recognize your boundaries and communicate when you’re touched out. Many parents find a few minutes or hours alone is enough to decompress.

In order for your relationship to survive parenthood, you need to make it a priority. That’s not easy to do when you’re exhausted, but your relationship is worth working for. If you’re dealing with one of these relationship challenges after the birth of your child and struggling to work it out alone, talk to a counselor for help reclaiming your relationship in parenthood.

Image via Unsplash

Written By: Lacie Martin 

http://raisethemwell.org/


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Labor and delivery Hospital Bag Checklist 2020

9/7/2020

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What an interesting year to be pregnant during a pandemic! We had to cancel our babymoon trip and other family trips this year we planned. This means that we have lots of travel credits for hopefully next year we can finally travel again! 

This is my second baby which means having the experience of going to the hospital I am packing a lot less than I did in 2018 and bringing only the essentials. I am bummed that I won't be able to do a Fresh 48 Photo Session with my favorite newborn photographer Michelle Mattox.  I am hoping that the skills I learned online and some photo props I can capture some similar pictures in the hospital with my iphone.

I also feel it's important that if you aren't going to bank your baby's cord blood that you research how to donate it; for San Diego Moms, you can donate with San Diego Blood Bank. For the sake of science and to save someones life I find this critically important and it doesn't cost anything to donate. To learn more check out My Blog Post on Cord Blood Banking.

You can also check out my birth plan from 2018. 

Hospital Packing List

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Herschel Novel Classic Duffle Bag: My last trip to the hospital I brought a backpack full of items for the baby and a bag for myself and its was too much. I had no idea the hospital supplied you with so many items. So this bag is not only roomy but I use it all the time for weekend getaways and I put my items and the baby items in there. I love this bag because it has a separate compartment for shoes. It's very light in weight with handle and over the shoulder straps and can be used as a carry on for planes. It doesn't have very many pockets for small items but this makes a great overnight bag for the hospital. 
Hydroflask 21 Oz. : This water bottle was my saving grace of keeping my coconut water cold. I would just ask the nurses to fill up my water bottle with ice and it stayed cold all day because of the stainless steel technology. Any water bottle will do, but I love the durability of Hydro Flask and they come in some great colors too. 
Cord Blood & Tissue Registry Kit :  Cord blood and tissue, which contains powerful stem cells, comes from a newborn’s umbilical cord and is collected immediately after birth. Once the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, the remaining blood in the umbilical cord is drawn into a collection bag. There is no guarantee that treatments being studied in the laboratory, clinical trials, or other experimental treatments (including regenerative medicine applications) will be available in the future.
Infant Journal : Track and monitor the schedules of Newborns & Nursing moms who need 24-hour (night and day) monitoring. Day & Night journal uses a charting system of activity by time with simple check boxes and fill-in-the-blanks to record and view feedings, diaper changes and sleep schedules and activities. Daily pages formatted with additional areas for notes, a daily checklist, baby needs, and daily developmental notes.
Baby's Going Home Outfit : GOTS certified organic cotton. Incredibly soft and plush fabric to keep your baby snug as a bug. The minimalist style is designed for instant changes, with center snap closure. The gloved sleeves provide warmth and protection for little fingers. This snug fitting footie is just waiting to be cuddled! Available in 5 sizes, these run true to size and are designed to be form fitting. In 7 vibrant colors, this is an essential item for every discerning mom and baby.
Nipple Balm / Cream : Motherlove Nipple Cream is used on sore, cracked nursing nipples to quickly soften and heal skin and relieve pain. All ingredients are safe for ingestion so it does not need to be washed off prior to nursing. Ingredients: extra virgin olive oil*, beeswax*, shea butter*, marshmallow root*, calendula flower* *Certified Organic Ingredients Does not contain lanolin, which may contain pesticides; or Vitamin E which should not be ingested by infants.
Boppy Pillow Lux:  The original, award winning Boppy Luxe Pillow provides your arms and back relief by lifting your baby to a more ergonomic position when breastfeeding or bottle feeding. This fashionable pillow has ultra-soft minky fabric on one side with adorable appliqué and coordinating piping.  The Boppy Pillow and Boppy Pillow Cover are machine washable because little messes happen. 
Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Lite Joggers: These jogger pants are soooo comfortable!!! These high-quality cotton jogger pants are stretchable and provide enough warmth great to wear in any season. Look and feel great in these slim-fit ladies jogger sweatpants. The pants waist conforms to your body for ultimate comfort at the gym or as everyday wear. It features with ribbed ankle banding, elastic waistband, and functional drawstring. It has two side pockets.
Belly Bandit B.F.F. Postpartum Support:  For women, by women, Belly Bandit’s Belly Wraps are OB/GYN approved and doctor-recommended to help slim and support your belly, waist, and hips post-pregnancy. The belly bands are lightweight, breathable, and comfortable making them easy to wear and easy to clean. These supportive postpartum essentials may help speed up recovery, ease the transition to motherhood, and help give you the post-delivery body confidence you deserve.
Other Items:
  • Birth Plan - View My Birth Plan Blog Post 2018
  • ID & Insurance
  • CA Disability Website/Login/SDI Draft Application Saved 
    • ​Employer Information & Date Last Worked
    • Employer HR Info for FMLA 
  • Pediatrician Information: Address & Phone Number
  • Hospital Leave Request Letter for Employer & CA State Disability
This blog post contains affiliated links which means at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if clicked on and purchased.
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DIY: How to make a Framed Flower wall for nursery decor

8/2/2020

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So I spent a good part of my week creating a framed flower wall for my 2 year old daughter Kenna and my newborn daughter Kira. This DIY project gave me much joy because I knew it came from love that I created for both of them even though it was a lot of work!!! I wanted something unique for their bedroom decor and I got the idea as I was researching to rent a flower wall for my baby shower, then decided if I was going to spend the money renting I would rather have something I can keep and display for the baby shower and the baby's room. Overall this project probably took me 2 -3 Hours to complete and cost about $305 each. I suggest if you are going to go to Michaels to collect some of these items take advantage of their 20% coupons to save money. 
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Materials Used:
1 White 24 x 36" Frame - $47
1 Elmers Cork Foam Board 24" x 36" x 3/8" - $18
1 Roll of Clear String or Fishing Wire - $6
​240 - 250 3" Artificial Roses (3 Colors) - Estimate $140 
(2) 50 Pcs Set - Dusty Rose
(3) 50 Pcs Set - Torrid & Shabby Blush
22" Silver Mirror Acrylic Sign - $92

Tools Needed:
Pair of Needle Nose Pliers 
1 Sewing Needle for Clear String
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Gun Sticks
Wire Cutters for Artificial Flowers
Precision Screwdriver (Optional) 
Box Cutter (Optional)

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Instructions:
After gathering all my materials I first had to size the cork board to the frame. I had to remove the metal pieces inside the frame that held the picture in, I used needle nose pliers to do this because my cork board was too thick it wouldn't have fit if I didn't do it. I also had to use a box cutter to trim a VERY small piece of the foam board off, for the cork board to fit inside. You may or may not need to this depending on the size of your cork board and size of the frame. I hot glued the foam board to the inside of the frame for it to stay.

Next, I cut all my artificial flowers wire stems off using wire cutters, I kept an inch intact for the wire to stick into the foam board. I then created a small hole using a precision screw driver in the foam board to place a small bit of hot glue into the hole and then I placed the cut stem of the artificial flower into it. If you don't have a precision screw driver you can use the cut wire from one of the flowers to create the hole. I continued this to create a pattern and started with each of the four corners then made my way around and inward. See videos & pictures below:
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Once all the flowers were placed, to tie this project together I then needed to use the clear string and sewing needle to hang the acrylic name sign to the flower board (be sure to request holes on the name sign to whomever you order the name sign from). I started by placing the threaded sewing needle in the back of the foam board, I used my needle nose pliers to find the needle on the other side of the board where the flowers are placed and then looped the needle and string through the hole of the acrylic name sign, then placed the threaded sewing needle back through the foam board near the initial hole. I tugged tightly to there wasn't much slack on the acrylic name sign and finished by tying a knot in the back. I cut off the excess string and repeated for each hole in the name sign.
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Here was some of my research I used to get inspiration and information on how to make this. Also you can probably save a bit of money if you scaled this smaller (16" x 24") but I wanted to do a large frame for the room because the wall is large and Kenna has a full size bed. You can also choose to do cut out wood name instead of acrylic and if you can probably save a bit of money on the artificial flowers with Michael coupons, I went to Michaels and wasn't impressed with the quality. I really liked the quality of Lings on Amazon and splurged a bit because of it. Here is a picture of my toddler's room, we had to place high above her bed so she wouldn't try to reach for the flowers. 
 
DIY Nursery Flower Nursery Wall Picture Tutorial 



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Parents guide Working From Home

7/16/2020

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Parenting can feel like a series of impossible choices. You want to spend as much time as possible with your little ones, watch as they learn and grow, and see the people they’re becoming. However, you also want to provide for them as much as possible. Many families can’t afford for either parent to be out of work. So how do you manage?
 
One option is to work from home. There are compromises, yes, but it has the potential to be the best of both worlds. Here are some resources to help you work from home productively as a parent.
 
Know Your Limits
 
Setting boundaries is vital for success:
 
●      If you’re a new or soon-to-be parent, try not to schedule work for the first eight weeks of your child’s life - you’ll need time to adjust.
●      Figure out what tools help you focus and have them guide house rules. For example, you could make a rule that you’re not to be disturbed when your office door is closed.
●      If your kids are old enough, you could establish daily quiet time where they read, color, or just play quietly.
 
Find Flexible Work
 
The 9-5 grind isn’t always a good fit for work-from-home parents:
 
●      When searching for jobs, focus on remote job listings that advertise a flexible schedule.
●      Consider freelance and contract work, so you can establish your own schedule.
●      If you’re crafty, you can start your own business selling items on sites like Etsy.
 
Lighten Your Load
 
Take some tasks off your plate and make life easier:
 
●      Consider hiring a regular maid service to knock out big cleaning tasks so your home is easy to maintain.
●      Grocery delivery services and meal kits can save you a trip to the supermarket.
●      Teach your child responsibility (and make your life easier) with age-appropriate chores.
 
Working from home while you take care of your little ones can be a challenge, but it comes with a big reward. You’ll get to be there for all the precious moments and keep your career moving forward. Keep these resources on hand as you explore this path and find the balance that's right for your family.
 
Photo Credit: Unsplash

Written By: 
Lacie Martin
Raisethemwell.org
lacie@raisethemwell.org 

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Jens Green detox Juice Recipe

5/6/2020

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 Green juices are my ultimate favorite and I don't make them often enough as I probably should. They are so refreshing and so good for you. I wanted to do some digging to research the health benefits of my recipe.

Green Detox Juice Recipe:
Yields Approx: 24 fl. oz. 

4 Large Dark Green Leaves (Swiss Chard or Kale) 
4 Celery Ribs 
3 Handfuls of  Baby Spinach Leaves
1/2 Cucumber
2 Apples (Gala or Fuji)
1 Lemon

Grocery Shopping Costs / Shopping List that makes (2) 24 fl oz green juices above:
1 Bunch or Kale or Swiss Chard $1.49 - $2.49
1 Stalk of Celery $1.49 
1 16 oz clamshell of Baby Spinach $4.99
1 Cucumber $.89
3 lb bag Apples  $3.99
2 lemons $1.58 

The costs is about $15 to make (2) 24 oz large green juices. Prices vary depending on the area  you live in and if you buy organic. I live in Southern California and prices are typically higher. My neighbor also has a lemon tree and I borrow some lemons from time to time to save costs.


​Health Benefits:

Kale: 1 Cup of Kale or 2.4 oz (2-3 Leaves) contains Daily Value diet percentages: 206% Vitamin A, 684% Vitamin K, 134% Vitamin C, 9% Vitamin B6, 26% Manganese, 9% Calcium, 10% Copper, 9% Potassium, 6% Magnesium, 3%+/ - Iron, Vitamin B1, B2. & B3. High in antioxidants, anti inflammatory, lowers cholesterol, high in minerals. 

Swiss Chard: 1 Cup of Swiss Chard contains Daily Value diet percentages: 214% Vitamin A, 53% Vitamin C, 17% Vitamin E, 716% Vitamin K, 10% Calcium, 14% Copper, 38% Magnesium, 29% Manganese, 22% Iron, 27% Potassium. High in antioxidants, loaded with fiber. 

Celery: Packed with 12 antioxidants including vitamin C and beta carotene and approximately 25 anti inflammatory compounds this vegetable supports digestion, reduces blood pressure.

Baby Spinach: Excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C and folate as well as being a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron and vitamin B2.  Includes health promoting beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Can help lower glucose levels.

Cucumber: Great for hydration this vegetable is 96% water, but also contains Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Manganese, and Potassium. It also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and can also reduce blood sugar. 

Apple: Rich in fiber, vitamins C, and potassium and manganese, they also contain antioxidants and small traces of calcium, iron, vitamin A, B, and E . 

Lemon: 1 lemon provides 51% daily intake value of vitamin C and contains soluble fiber. 
Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite 1000-Watt Juice Extractor,Brushed Stainless

The machine is I use is called the Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite. I love this machine because I can literally put all the fruits and veggies in whole and not have to chop up veggies which is time consuming. It is also very easy to clean. 

The cost of this machine is pricey, Amazon has it listed for $299. I purchased mine 8 years ago and have probably used it 500 times and it still works great! It is a great investment and you can order replacement parts such as the filter. 

Disclosure: I am an independent blogger and the reviews and recommendations are done based on my own opinions. This post includes affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. 
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20 Useful Gifts for New Parents that Have Nothing to Do with the Baby

12/3/2019

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Guest Article Written By: Kristin Louis from ParentingWithKris.com

When a couple becomes parents for the first time, their life focus is all about the baby. But that doesn’t mean their holiday wish lists should too! Instead of buying yet another baby-related gift (trust us — they have enough!) give new parents something to remind them that they’re still important too. From gifts that simplify life at home to presents designed to pamper, these gifts will show new parents you care without breaking the bank.

Creature Comforts
 
Best Meal Kits for New Parents
 
Streaming Service Gift Guide: What to Give Beyond Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon

6 Top Food Boxes for the Holidays and Beyond
 
Keep Them Warm: Look to Rakuten  to Find Cozy Pajamas or Slippers


5 Self-Care Massage Tools Everybody Should Own

Around-the-House Helpers
 
The Best Robot Vacuums for Every Home and Budget
 
9 Reasons Why the Instant Pot is Perfect for Busy Moms

A Doorbell Camera So Don't Have to Get Up to Check the Door
 
7 Smart Home Gifts that Even Renters Will Love
 
Hire a Housekeeper to Help Keep Clutter Low and Sanity High
 
Partner-to-Partner Gifting

Best Wine Subscription and Boxes for When It’s Time to Wind Down
 
A Hands-Free Pumping Bra So She Can Multi-Task
 
Straight to the Wish List: The Best Smartwatches for Mums

A LeTote Subscription to Boost Their Wardrobe
 
The Best Weighted Blankets for People Who Are Always Cold
 
Other Gifts
 
The Best Things to Do for a New Mom
 
5 Reasons Why Aromatherapy is a New Mom’s Best Friend
 
17 Stress Relief Christmas Gifts for Mom
 
30 Unique Gifts That Both Dogs and Their Humans Will Love

The 13 Best Sleep Gadgets to Help You Fall Asleep Faster
A holiday gift doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful, especially when it comes to new parents who want a good nap and a proper meal more than they want anything fancy. Instead of going all-out buying presents for new parents (or presents for baby disguised as gifts for them!) focus this year’s holiday gift giving on simple, affordable presents that make a big difference in the daily lives of exhausted new parents.
 
Image via Unsplash
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Surviving Months 3-6

4/7/2019

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I originally started this post in April 2019 but haven't had time to finish it till now. Life is so busy and its hard to keep up but the time is flying by so quickly that I want to make sure that I post about these months before they are a distant memory. Kenna is growing so fast and learning so quickly I want to make sure I remember these moments and be able to share them with our friends, family, and other moms out there that are following our story.

SLEEPING:
Kenna stayed in her bassinet/co-sleeper in our bedroom till she was 4 months, which is right around the time she started to roll over onto her stomach and was getting too long for the bassinet. I felt this was a good time to move her into the crib which this is also where we transitioned her to the sleep sack instead of swaddling her. Kenna’s nursery was barely used in the first 3 months, it was more for diaper storage and where we stored her clothes. The transition from bassinet to crib overall was very easy, I don’t think the baby even noticed, which I was a bit sad about. Thankfully, we were blessed with a baby that LOVES to sleep, but we have also kept her on a routine that she is familiar with and she would go to sleep at 6pm like it was clockwork. Kenna would only have 2 naps during the day, roughly an hour for each, once around 10am and her second nap around 1pm. Kenna started sleeping 10+ hour stretches at 6 months and it was bliss! 6pm - 6am was her schedule and very rarely would she wake in the middle of the night. However, Kenna didn’t start sleeping through the night (6+ hours or more) without a feeding till she was 6 months. I didn’t try to drop the nightly feeding because my milk supply wasn’t producing as much as I would like to. Our nightly routine started at 5:30pm, we would start with a bath, we would read a book, and then I would put her in the sleep sack. I would turn on lullaby radio on Alexa as well as turn on her white noise machine and I would nurse her on the Boppy and shortly after she would fall asleep and I would transition her to the crib. We have black out film on the windows so even at 5:30pm there is no light that could peek through the windows. I never had to sleep train Kenna, however, it's now biting us in the butt now with month 9. Instead of turning the heat on for our entire house we invested in a Dyson air purifier that has a heating and cooling feature too. I love it because I can set the temperature automatically and it will turn on and off as needed, you are also able to control the unit with the app that also monitors the humidity in the room. We live next to the ocean so we don't have a problem with the air being too dry so I hardly ever used her humidifier. 

FEEDING:
My goal is to breastfeed for 1 year and I honestly didn’t know how rewarding as well as demanding it was going to be. My supply isn't consistent, but Kenna is happy and healthy and that is all that really matters but I constantly worry about my supply of milk and if she is getting enough. The maximum I can pump in the evenings is 4.5 oz. but that was only on a good day, and before bed I usually pumped 3-4oz. I didn't pump in the middle of the night which is why I probably struggled with my breast milk supply but thankfully I never felt the need to supplement. When Kenna turned 10 months I had to switch her to formula, I just wasn't making enough milk and started to mix breast milk in with the formula to get her used to the taste. Kenna started with eating rice cereal with pumped breast milk and purees around 4.5 months. With the rice cereal I would mix in the Ready Set Foods powder that consists of Milk, Egg, and Peanut to reduce the allergies. For purees I started off with veggies such as spinach, baby kale, sweet potato, butternut squash, and artichoke that I would steam and puree for her. After a few weeks of veggies I then introduced fruits like banana, apples, and pears. Feeding Kenna with the spoon was very messy, after some research I then discovered the sippy tops with the twist pouches I use for breast milk which was genius because Kenna started to feed herself. If I didn't use homemade purees I really like the brand HappyBaby, EarthsBest, and Once Upon A Farm for food pouches. 

PLAYING:
I signed up for LoveEvery, they have such wonderful kits based on Montessori methods of child development on what they should be learning and focusing on. Each kit is based on 1-2 months of development. The Jolly Jumper was gifted to us and it kept everyone entertained for at least 10-15 minutes.  Overall Kenna is a happy baby and its been a joy watching her grow. 

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First Time Mom Holiday Checklist

12/11/2018

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Happy Holidays!!!! 2018 flew by! So did Kenna's 4th Trimester! This week Kenna turns 4 months and she is no longer a new born! She is learning and growing which makes me excited about all the milestones she has been hitting and a bit sad because she is no longer a newborn. This is Kenna's FIRST Christmas, so I have been making a list and checking it twice! Here is my First Time Mom Holiday Checklist!

DISCLOSURE: The affiliated links that are listed in this blog post means at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if clicked on and purchased.
​​Baby Gifts (0-12 Months)
This year I started Christmas shopping early, but toys for babies in general are hard to come by because babies don’t need a lot to be entertained when they are little. Quite honestly, I would rather invest money into her 529 education account.  You can get great deals on Prime Day/Black Friday/Cyber Monday, but here are some great ideas to gift your little one or someone else's little one! 

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The Lovevery Play Kit Subscriptions are great for babies and their brain development. Using methods similar to Montessori the play kits come in boxes every 8 weeks. Time Magazine rated Lovevery one of 2018 top inventions.  You can purchase each subscription box for $80 or sign up with monthly payments of $39/month. 

*By clicking on the affiliated link on this blog post, you receive $10 OFF your purchase.
CuddleBarn makes the cutest animated gifts. My favorite is the Mother Goose. Perfect gift for any age, this sweet talking plush toy recites 7 different nursery rhymes including Jack and Jill, Hickory Dickory Dock, Little Bo Peep, Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Little Miss Muffet and This Little Piggy. 
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I am an 80's kid, and I remember that Teddy Ruxpin was one of my absolute favorite toys when I was a child. Story time is a special time for children any age. What's great about this toy is that it works hand in hand with the smart phone, ipad, or tablet to enhance the storytelling feature. It also works without the digital book. It runs on batteries so you can take the bear anywhere you go! With 45 minutes of free content it will be sure to keep your little one occupied when you are traveling.
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Foreo ISSA Mikro Rechargeable Baby Toothbrush made of food grade silicone. Just because baby teeth are tiny doesn’t mean they can’t cause a whole lot of trouble. Tooth decay, and the cavities it causes, is the #1 chronic disease for children, and 40% of children will develop dental problems before they even reach kindergarten. To set up your child for success, start good oral hygiene habits early by caring for teeth and gums even before their first tooth emerges.
Christmas Decor & Tree
I am slowly building up my Christmas decor around the house. This is the 2nd Poe Family Christmas and Kenna's First Christmas, although artificial trees are easy to put up every year, growing up in my family we always had a REAL tree! This year, Amazon sold LIVE TREES from Hallmark to be delivered straight to your door, this required a preorder in November. I paid $110, the last few years I had used a local service in San Diego called Pinery Christmas Trees that charged me about $160, so I saved $50 this year. The pictures below show the Hallmark tree in the box, the tree undecorated out of the box, the tree decorated in the day light, and the tree light up at night time. My tree decor is a mixture of items purchased from Michaels, CB2, Pier 1, Amazon, and Pottery Barn. ​Below is the image of large cork board of a "P" I made with A LOT of corks I saved up through the years, it's where I post all our holiday cards we get in the mail from friends and family and where I hang our stockings from Pottery Barn.
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Family Holiday Pictures and Santa!!!!
2018 was the first year we got to take family pictures for our holiday card and also pictures with Santa! I am very fortunate to personally know two amazing photographers in San Diego that I will use EVERY year. Walter Wilson Studios who also did our wedding photography did an amazing job capturing our first family photo and Michelle Mattox Photography who took the adorable Santa photos with Kenna as well as took Kenna's Fresh48, Newborn, and Milestone pictures.

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Holiday Cards & Newsletter
Over the last three years I have been using Shutterfly for all my announcements and holiday cards. We used one of the family pictures above for our Christmas card this year and another NEW tradition is our family holiday newsletter which you can download underneath the picture. 

*Use the link in the post for 25% OFF your order with Code: 25OFF2018
2018
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the_poe_family_newsletter.pdf
File Size: 1772 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2017
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2016
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Christmas Parties
Now that Kyle and I are parents, we need to schedule our Christmas Parties way ahead of time with a babysitter. Thankfully we have our family that live in San Diego and Orange County. We also have a great part time nanny we can rely on as a backup. Be prepared for themed holiday parties whether its ugly sweater, cocktail attire, grinch theme, or holiday disco!
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Lastly, Holiday Cookies!!!!
My favorite food blogger that also just so happens to be based in San Diego is Whitney Bond!!! Not only is she a great friend of mine but she has the most AMAZING recipes! Tis the season to bake! My ultimate favorite cookie recipe is from Whitney, just head over to her blog to print or view these delicious cookies!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups with Nutella® Hazelnut Spread

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Confessions of a First Time Mom - Survival of the first 8 weeks

10/12/2018

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Its been a little over a month since my last post as I have been VERY busy taking care of a newborn. Which made me realize I needed to write a post about this experience before I forget. 

First thing I want to say before I write anything for this blog post is “I’m sorry”, I want to apologize to all the moms out there, because before I became a mom of a newborn, I was judgmental about what new moms did with their time, I mean all babies do 18 hours a day is sleep... Bahaha (insert evil laugh here) ohhhh did I have a rude awakening when I brought home that precious little baby. I just had no idea... and I don’t think anyone can understand unless they go through it themselves. May be it’s Gods evil plan for women to have to birth a 7 lb little human out of your who-ha and then not let you sleep for 7 days straight on top of dealing with hormonal changes. I read so many books on pregnancy and newborns, took the classes, and NOTHING can prepare you for that first week with your newborn. It’s beautiful and horrible all at the same time. I am hoping this blog post resonates with all the moms out there and gives some guidance to the newborn mom that might be searching on the internet at 3am who is sleep deprived looking for clarity, or someone who they can relate to because they think they are going bat shit crazy.
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Sleeping: Sleep? What’s that? Babies sleep 15-18 hours a day as a newborn... but what they don’t tell you is it’s 15 min here and an hour there and don’t forget they will have roughly 12 dirty diapers a day, that’s roughly changing a newborn every 2 hours and you have to feed every 2 hours.... and if you are pumping... you have to find time in that 2 hour slot too. So between changing, feeding, pumping, and putting the baby to sleep... that gives you may be a 20 min nap time every 2-3 hours if you are lucky because you also need to find time to eat and use the bathroom!!! How do you survive? Well you kind of don’t, you become a zombie mom for at least that the first week. On top of that, the hormonal stress and the pain in your who-ha will leave you crying in the 5 min shower you were able to get while your husband watches the baby. I don’t know how all the single moms do it?! Hats off to you! It truly is the hardest job in the world! The sleep deprivation will KILL you and if you were like me as a first time mom, waiting for your milk to come in while the pediatrician is telling you your baby is dehydrated did not help the situation! Which leads me to...

Breast Milk & Formula: I had to supplement with formula which I felt horrible about because I wasn’t producing the nutrients my baby needed. My milk came in on day 3, I can’t imagine being a mom and the milk not coming in till day 5! This added on a lot of stress, especially because my baby was born 7 lbs 2oz and dropped to 6 lbs 4 oz. I knew I had to supplement because the baby needed it, and man did she down that formula! We bought a pack of @Enfamil Liquid Formula, no mixing... just screw on the nipple cap and go. When my breast milk came in, it was learning to get the baby to latch right. Your nipples HURT! Mine bled, they were very very sore. I highly recommend hiring a lactation consultant to come to your house and help you with breast feeding positions. Your back will hurt from leaning over a lot. The side lying hold was my saving grace, I would be able to get a cat nap while feeding the baby. I had my husband watch over us so I didn’t roll over on her in my sleep. YIKES! I am sure there are accidents as such, because again, the Sleep Deprivation is real!

I got SUPER lucky with a sleepy baby. Kenna was sleeping 4+ hours on week 1 and has been consistent so far all the way up to 8 weeks. Her record is 9 hours straight. I let her feed and sleep on demand but have been super strict with a nighttime routine and she has it down. Let’s just hope it stays that way.
The first 4 weeks we were going to bed at 10pm, right before bed I would feed Kenna on the breast, but at night my milk supply was depleted, she was always still hungry. So we would give her pumped milk from earlier in the day and get her super milk drunk and that allowed her to sleep longer.
After week 4, Kenna started to refuse the bottle and would cry and cry until she exhausted herself and pass out. So we stopped giving her the pumped milk after feeding after she had tantrums 2 nights in a row. She was going to sleep just fine without the pumped milk which was great because then I was able to start a stash.
There is a down fall for having a sleepy baby... I have a bit of a supply issue. She would fall asleep when breast feeding and not empty the breast. I let her become a snacker and that hurt my supply. It took me 3-4 (15 min) pumping sessions to get 2 oz of milk and worrying Kenna wasn’t getting enough, we were weighing her with the Hatch Baby to make sure she was gaining. I was taking Lactation Supplements and Mother’s Milk to help with supply but both had the ingredient Fenugreek which made me SO GASSY and the Baby Gassy! It was awful, she was so fussy and we looked to Gripe Water and Simithicone. The gripe water did not work and the gas relief only seemed to work a little bit. A girlfriend of mine told me to look into Legendairy Milk who sells products for breast milk supply. None of their products have fenugreek in it, which is great! After switching, I am no longer gassy and neither is the baby. I am also pumping more now; 3-4 oz in one 15 min session, I think that is help from the supplements and tincture but also because baby is eating more as she is growing.

Pumping: I purchased a Naya Smart Pump in January 2018 for $800, it was back ordered and arrived in June. My insurance doesn’t cover breast pumps because I am grandfathered into an older insurance plan. DO NOT buy a NAYA! Waste of money, the pump is great itself but the company's customer service is horrendous.  I ended up buying a Spectra S1. 

Clothes: I bought Kenna a TON of clothes and she only wears 1/4 of them. Why? Because I realized baby clothes need to easy and with 12 changes a day I put her in the sleep and play outfits because then I didn't have to worry about socks and I knew she wouldn't be cold. One zip and done! 

Overall, its been a rough 8 weeks but also wonderful, I have been enjoying all the cuddle time I can get, lots of pictures and videos to remember these memories by. And now I go back to work! Thankfully, husband and I work from home so Kyle will be able to take care of the baby and we hired a part time nanny to come over and help as well. Looking forward to going back to work as its been a long time and will be playing catch up.  To all the mamas out there... I commend you, newborns are not easy!
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Pregnancy Journal

9/4/2018

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It's finally done!!! This Pregnancy Journal took me months and months to create. As my first pregnancy I wanted to document about the pregnancy before I forgot. Shutterfly has a great template to use for this and they always have great promos to use, in the end I paid $100 for my book with some upgrades. Below is a sneak peak of my Journal. 

Click here to view this photo book larger

You'll love award-winning Shutterfly photo books. Start your own today.

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Welcome Kenna Charlotte Poe! Fresh 48 Photography

8/22/2018

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Photo Credits: Michelle Mattox Photography & Design
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My Birth Story 8/14/2018

8/20/2018

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I first want to say I think every Birth is amazing regardless of how any woman delivers. It’s amazing what our bodies can do and it truly is something to celebrate, as “Birth Day” to me, has a whole new meaning!

On 8/3 at 9:45pm I lost part of my mucus plug and that night had Some mild contractions. But no other signs saying labor will be soon... I finally reached 39 Weeks on Sunday 8/12, and it felt like it took me forever to get there. Very pregnant during the most humid and hot summers in San Diego, my hormones have been raging and I was uncomfortable waking up 4-5 times a night whether it was because I had to go to the bathroom, extremely thirsty, felt some crazy contraction, or wanted to rip off the covers as I was sweating. I was getting consistent Braxton Hicks since week 33 and was tracking them through the Bloomlife App. Also starting week 37, I was taking 1000 mg Primrose oil Supplements, drinking Pregnancy Tea, and eating about 4-6 dates per day. I needed relief with sleep and wanted to wait till I reached 39 Weeks tio schedule acupuncture just in case it induced labor. My midwife at UCSD Villa La Jolla said they would allow me to go to 41 weeks into my pregnancy without being induced. So after I had acupuncture on Sunday, I got back home and took the longest nap, it felt so great. Monday 8/13 came and It was a regular work week day for me and still no sign that Labor is near. It was 6:50pm and my husband Kyle and I were hanging out on the couch watching CNN and I was also working on some school work for my anthropology class as I am enrolled into Ashford University. I felt a weird sensation and thought the baby jumped and then immediately felt a warm gush of fluid. I got up quickly to go to the toilet and checked a PH strip and it turned blue for alkaline and knew right away that my water broke. I called the midwife hotline and they asked me to get my bags packed, grab something to eat, and make my way over to the hospital. My bags have been packed and ready for weeks so Kyle got all the bags in the car While I ate some chicken salad with crackers that I made earlier in the day. We got in the car and started calling our family and close friends letting them know Kenna is on the way! We live about 20 min from the hospital, and while on the drive to the hospital I felt 3 labor contractions, I breathed through them using hypnobirthing techniques imagining the ocean waves coming in and going out. I wanted to have a short labor in the most calm and relaxed environment I could create. I knew if i tensed up that might make the labor more painful and longer. The contractions were definitely different from the Braxton Hicks contractions, these contractions were in a pain scale of 3-4, dull achy and very low similar to an uncomfortable period and would last about a min. My Braxton Hicks were never this uncomfortable. I continued to breathe through each one and we arrived at the hospital around 7:30pm. We got to the triage room where the nurses took my vitals and because my water broke, was going to be admitted and get the birth center room ready for me. The nurses said they will come and monitor the fetal heartbeat with a Doppler but will allow me to continue to labor and let the contractions do their thing and will check my dilation around 1am. Because I chose the birth center at UCSD, there is no medical interventions and no epidural which allowed me to labor in whatever position I chose. The only position I found myself comfortable in was on my knees kneeling over the sofa with a pillow underneath me. The air conditioning in the room was blowing right on me which made me cold so my husband threw on his hoodie on me. I labored in the Birth Center listening to Jack Johnson Radio on Apple Music. The lights were dim and being on the 9th floor I had a beautiful view of La Jolla and the city lights. When 11:30 came around the contractions were getting pretty rough and I asked if we could start filling the labor tub. 
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The tub was massive and took over an hour to fill it up so I am glad I requested it. I wasn’t even sure if I would really like it as I was afraid to try any other positions because none of the ones I did try were comfortable. Kyle helped me into the tub around 12:30 and the water was a warm, 99 degrees, i felt so relaxed and felt it helped with any tense muscles I did have. After a few contractions in the tub, the midwife (Erika Vu) checked my dilation as I laid back in the water, I was 5cm. As I transitioned into active labor I sat on my knees and leaned over the tub, it became more and more uncomfortable as my contractions were getting stronger and longer! I needed more relief, so I asked for the nitrous oxide gas. One thing that also helped during the contractions was to make a low and deep moaning sound when I breathed out. It felt a little animalistic but felt it saved my energy. I am not sure if the nitrous oxide was actually doing anything for the pain but it gave me focus on my breathing and mentally helped me through the active stage of labor. I was in the tub for nearly an hour and half and as 2am came around I couldn’t help the feeling but to push, there was so much pressure. The midwife checked me again and stated we were very very close and that she could feel her head! At 2:30am they got me out of the tub as I was not allowed to deliver in the tub. I got on the hospital bed again on my knees leaning over the bed and was now in pushing phase. I remember feeling the ring of fire which was the ultimate pain I felt during the process following a huge relief as Kyle helped me flip over and Kenna was placed on my chest for skin to skin. I was so exhausted and so happy to be done with the labor and never felt so much love for the little person who was relaxed and alert on my chest. I still needed to deliver placenta. It wasn’t very comfortable as I was now laying on my back. After the placenta was delivered the midwife said I had a small tear and asked if I wanted a stitch. That area was throbbing and painful, I couldn’t stand anyone else touching that area anymore so I passed on them stitching me up and would rather have the tear naturally heal itself. After about an hour of skin to skin, they took Kenna’s measurements. She weighed 7 lbs 2 oz, and was 20 inches with a 31.5 head circumference. We didn’t sleep much that night as nurses were coming in to check on us consistently. We called the Grandmas and they came over in the morning so spend the day holding Kenna so we could get some sleep. From the time my water broke to delivery it went by so fast, I am sure I am missing so many details but it’s all I could remember of those 8 hours. All in all, my birth plan went exactly to plan and I am so fortunate that we didn’t have any complications or interventions. I couldn’t have asked for a better team. My husband Kyle was my rock and was supporting me all the way through. My midwife that delivered Kenna was amazing and couldn’t ask for a better nurse staff. Thank you to everyone who made mine and Kenna’s birth day possible. With Kenna not even 24 hours new, Michelle Mattox came and took Fresh 48 pictures of Kenna.
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Sneak Peak - Nursery

7/28/2018

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Wanted to give some of friends, family, and readers a sneak peak of Kenna's nursery. The theme is neutral (grays and creams), calm, and cozy! Its literally my favorite room in the house and I enjoy spending time using the rocking chair even when she hasn't even arrived yet! Her room is ready to go and now we are just waiting for her arrival! I thought I would share some of my favorite items and how I organized her dresser. 
Glider / Recliner: Best Chair Storytime Bilana in Granite ($499) 
Throw Blanket on Glider: Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw ($147)
Hampers: Sedona Grey Hamper and Hamper Liner Crate and Barrel ($129 Each)
Storage Cubbies: Better Homes and Gardens 6 Cube Organizer Rustic Gray ($85) 
Storage Bins: Crate & Barrel Kids Alphanumeric Cube Bins ($15 Each)
​Dresser: Ikea Hemnes 8 Drawer Dresser in Dark Gray ($279)
​Changing Pad: Hatch Baby Grow Smart Changing Pad & Scale ($129.99)
Wipe Warmer: Hiccapop Wipe Warmer and Baby Wet Wipes Dispenser with Changing Light ($35)
Diaper Pail: Ubbi Diaper Pail in White ($69.99)
Essential Oils Diffuser and Humidifier: Pilgrim Collection Teo Aroma ($80)
Baby Monitor/Camera: Arlo Baby Monitor ($199)
Infant Oxygen and Heart Rate Monitor: Owlet Sock 2 ($299)
Wall Decor: WallPops Silver Confetti Dot Decals ($34)
Dresser Storage Organizers: mDesign Soft Fabric Organizer Set of 6 ($27.99 Each)
Co Sleeper: Arms Reach Clear Vue ($149.99)
Crib (Not Pictured): Babyletto Hudson 3 to 1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Conversion Kit ($379)

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Sleep Training - No Cry Sleep Solution For Newborns

7/27/2018

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The No Cry Sleep Solution for Newborns by Elizabeth Pantley 

Summary of the 15 Keys to Amazing Newborn Sleep:
1. Your Top Priority: Get to Know Your New Baby
2. Have Realistic Expectations
3. Learn to Read Your Baby's Sleepy Signals
4. Respect the Span of "Happily Awake Time"
5. Differentiate between Sleeping Noises and Awake Noises
6. Use the Southing Sounds of Pink Hued White Noise
7. Set Your Baby's Biological Clock
8. Ensure Adequate Daily Naps
9. Understand and Respect your Baby's Sucking Reflex
10. Help Your Baby Make Friends with the Bassinet
11. Swaddle Your Baby at the Right Times in the Right Way
12. Give Your Baby Opportunities to Fall Asleep Unaided
13. Provide Motion for Peaceful Sleep
14. Develop a Hint of a Bedtime Routine ​
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The primary regulator of newborn sleep is frequent nourishment. Infant Sleep Cycles: Lots of light sleep & wake easily between cycles. In the few weeks of life baby will sleep 15-18 Hours per Day. Baby sleeps in utero 20 out of 24 hours. Babies who typically have long stretches of awake time during the day (3+ hours consecutive) appear to have more disjointed sleep and short  sleep stretches. Babies who sleep beside their breastfeeding mothers wake up more often through the night but mothers get more overall sleep. 

Professional Views on Bed Sharing:
  • http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/e200
  • https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/t0112-safe-sleep-babies.html
  • https://cosleeping.nd.edu/
  • http://www.attachmentparenting.org/infantsleepsafety/

These are my favorite go to items for newborn sleep based on this book and sleep training philosophy:

Arms Reach Clear Vue Co Sleeper sits next to my bed side so baby has a designated area to sleep in. Plus it has tons of storage to store diapers, burp cloths, breast pump and other items that make it easy to access next to me keeping baby in that sleepy state for middle of the night feedings and diaper changes.

Sound Bub White Noise Machine provides a handful of relaxing white noise sounds such as ocean waves, and rainfall, and also acts as a bluetooth speaker to play music such as Nuryl  a high information music app that promotes brain development.

Night Nursing Light is a dim soft glow night light that clips to your nursing bra for nighttime feedings. Also has a vibration timer for 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes that will keep you alert so you don't fall asleep during late night feedings and keeps track of how long you were nursing. 

Owlet Smart Sock 2  tracks your baby's heart rate and oxygen levels while they sleep using clinically-proven pulse oximetry, and be notified if something appears to be wrong. The Smart Sock connects to a base station that glows green letting you know everything is okay, but uses lights, sounds and app notifications if heart rate or oxygen levels are too high or too low. Parents can sleep better and have less anxiety knowing they’ll be made aware if levels go outside of preset zones.

Coconut Water is great for hydrating and for breastfeeding. Keep some in a water bottle on your nightstand to keep hydrated and is packed with potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, vitamin B, and phosphorus. It’s known for its soothing effect on the digestive system and its active support of a well-functioning immune system. 

Lactation Cookie Bites this recipe from The Baker Mama are no-bake and are perfect for a nursing mom or anyone who needs a healthy, hearty, handy boost of energy. Making a batch of these cookies and keeping a couple next to the nightstand for night time feedings are a good idea too. 

Tranquilo Mat  soothes baby in the crib, stroller, or on the go by vibrations.  The large mat provides hands-free soothing when placed under a baby on top of a mattress, hard surface, or activity gym. 

Swaddle Blankets that are a
djustable for girls or boys to create a womb-like feeling for newborns and prevents startle reflex. 
These adjustable sleep sacks have soft fabric wings that fasten securely with hook and loop attachments to create perfect fit for summer or winter. 100% Premium cotton that are lightweight and breathable. 
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Arms Reach Clear Vue Co Sleeper
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Coconut Water 
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Sound Bub White Noise Machine & Bluetooth Speaker
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Lactation Cookie Bites
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Night Nursing Light​
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Tranquilo Mat​
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Owlet Smart Sock 2
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Swaddle Blankets
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The Ten Realities About Breastfeeding New Mothers Need To Know (Number 7 will surprise you! Number 9 will give you the warm fuzzies!)

7/16/2018

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This week I had a fellow San Diego Mama Blogger reach out to me about Breastfeeding and how I can provide more information to my readers about expectations when getting ready for breastfeeding. I am so happy to share this information because as a mom-to-be and getting ready for baby, I can use all the advice I can get! Thank you to the author of this amazing post!

This post was written by Stacey Lichter is a San Diego writer, voice teacher, and proud mom to one amazing daughter.

Read more on 
www.luckymamablog.wordpress.com

#1 - Breastfeeding is difficult for everyone, especially in the very beginning. So if it is not immediately a magical experience, don’t beat yourself up or waste too much time thinking that this should be an innate smooth process for both you and your newborn. The hospital’s lactation consultant can assist you, and you can meet with her weeks or even months after the birth if you’re still having concerns. 

#2 - Your breasts don’t start producing milk right away, especially if you’ve had a C-section. They make a substance called colostrum, and it can take a few days for your milk to come in. This may cause the baby to get a little bit hungry and frustrated, and your doctor might suggest putting a syringe filled with formula with a tiny feeding tube next to your nipple and pressing the plunger slowly while the baby nurses on you so she can “get something” while you wait for your milk to come in. You haven’t failed! Your milk is just a little late to the party.

#3 - A lot of hospital personnel will see your breasts in the first few days after the birth. Some other folks as well. They will all give you advice about the breastfeeding if it doesn’t seem to be going well. Hospital gowns and blankets don’t hide much, but the bigger issue is, you will be receiving assistance from lactation consultants,  and other nurses. Some of their suggestions and methods may work for one feeding but not for other times, and so much advice coming from so many sources all at once can be confusing and overwhelming. Pick the strategy that works best for you, and stick to it. 

#4 - Babies are born with the ability to suckle, but your nipples will need to toughen up to deal with newborn sucking efforts. It takes a while for you and your baby to find the sweet spot in which nursing doesn’t cause pain. She doesn’t know what she’s doing, and neither do you, so you’re figuring it out together. Hang in there, though. It’s totally worth it and the painful part does end.


#5 - Breastfeeding will cause your uterus to get back in shape - by causing uterine cramping. You’ll be in the middle of a feeding and your uterus will start to cramp more than you might have anticipated. The nursing is helping it shrink back to its original size (ouch! but yay!)

#6 - Breastfeeding will help you lose pregnancy weight. Breastfeeding actually expends 300-500 calories a day. I’d rather nurse than jog!

#7 - It is possible to continue nursing even after your baby starts teething. Don’t let the teeth scare you! If you’ve made it to the teething stage, you’ve been nursing for about ten months, and your baby can learn to avoid biting you, though he may take some experimental nibbles. Tell him, “No!” He can’t talk yet, but he can understand you.

#8 - If you choose to breastfeed for longer than a year, you’ll be in the minority (at least, in the United States.) When it comes to breastfeeding, other people will express outward approval of you in the first six months. If you continue for a year, most people will still say, “Good for you!” But if you continue for longer than that, many folks will start asking you when you plan to stop. If you don’t want to stop, don’t! Research shows that babies experience the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as they breastfeed. Also, you won’t need those nursing pads forever. Your milk production will decrease naturally as the baby incorporates more solid foods into her diet. (Pro tip: if you nurse for two years or longer, the weaning won’t make your breasts ache!)

#9 - You and your baby will be intimately, physically bonded in a way that cannot be duplicated. Your partner, Grandma, Grandpa - anybody can give baby a bottle - but only you can nourish her directly from your body and feel the mutual release of oxytocin as she nurses. 

#10 - Nursing fixes (almost) everything that makes baby cry. Nursing is great for when she is hungry, but it also calms her when she’s upset or frightened and lulls her to sleep easily. (This may make self-soothing more difficult, but that’s a topic for another article!) Nursing is also a great soother right after vaccination shots or when she’s ill, and breastmilk is easy to digest if she gets a stomach bug and won’t take any other food. 

In short, breastfeeding is one of the most amazing things a mother’s body can do and it has tangible long-term benefits for both mother and child. 
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Threatened Preterm labor 34 Weeks

7/11/2018

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I had a bit of a preterm labor scare this week... thank goodness everything is okay right now but I thought I would post a blog about it this week, after all I am sharing my experiences and if I can help one additional person who might be going through the same thing it's worth it to me to write about it.  For the most part I've had a VERY easy pregnancy, I've actually quite enjoyed being pregnant as a first time mom I love documenting everything about it, hence why I started the blog. 

This post will contain information and research for:
Inhibin A Hormone
Early Labor Contractions
Tracking Contractions with Bloomlife 
Steroid Betamethasone
Nitrofurantoin (Antibiotics)
Probiotics

​
WARNING: This post may contain "TMI" so please read on your discretion... Click "Read More" in the Bottom Right Corner. 


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3rd Trimester Must Haves 2018

7/8/2018

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Hiccapop Pregnancy Wedge Pillow : Not a fan of the oversized pregnancy pillows that take up two thirds of the bed and serve no purpose after pregnancy? Take this sleeping wedge anywhere. Whether traveling from room to room or out of town, the Hiccapop Pregnancy Wedge Pillow goes with you. Also, the handy travel bag makes it even more compact, and keeps it clean as well, the cover zips up to wash and there are perforated holes in the pillow allow airflow and let heat escape. It also has a LIFETIME WARRANTY!
The No Cry Sleep Solution for Newborns : Elizabeth Pantley, a world-renowned expert on children's sleep, created this guide to explain the ways we unintentionally prevent an infant's natural sleep to occur, and to teach us the simple but powerful ways to maximize our newborn's naps and nighttime sleep. Once you've learned the 15 Keys to Amazing Newborn Sleep you'll easily make adjustments to how you treat your baby's sleep. You don't have to keep logs nor follow schedules or rules. Just by being aware of this information you will do things to improve sleep that you wouldn't have known to do otherwise. Read My Notes on Sleep Training for a Condensed Version of the Book. 
Stainless Steel Water Bottle : 17OZ /500ML CAPACITY, BUT LIGHTWEIGHT! Weighs just over half a pound, keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours. A pregnant woman needs, on average, approximately 10 cups/2.3 liters/80 fluid oz per day. That is at least 5 refills of fluids for this bottle. Carry it around with you through out the day. My favorite is to add a little lemon or lemonade to the water. 
Maternity Dress : Modal is one kind of super soft natural and healthy material. So the dress is prefect for pregnant woman and the fashion design is best for baby shower and parties. It looks great on even a non pregnant woman. Sold as a long or short dress in many different colors. Great for maternity photos or to wear for the baby shower!
Vitafusion Calcium Gummies : Women who are pregnant should be taking 1200-1400mg of calcium per day. ​Baby is growing strong bones and if you are calcium deficient then baby is going to take the calcium from your bones! Support Baby and Mama's bones and teeth by taking these daily, 500mg of Calcium and 1,000IU of Vitamin D.  Calcium has also shown to decrease preeclampsia. 
Thank You Cards : The gifts will be rolling in from Family, Friends, and Co Workers during your third trimester. It is best to keep these on hand so pregnancy brain doesn't settle in and you forget to thank everyone for generosity. I got a head start from our registry to see who purchased us gifts before the shower so I wrote them ahead of time and were out in the mail the day after the shower!
Non Toxic Laundry Detergent : Grab & Green Laundry Detergent : Getting ready for baby means doing LOTS and LOTS of laundry!! I stopped using Tide and switched to a non toxic laundry detergent for the entire family. I feel in love with these pods and they smell HEAVENLY!! Save time and money with three products in one: detergent, fabric softener and stain remover.
Non Toxic All Purpose Cleaner : This set includes a variety of household cleaners and soaps and when Nesting mode starts to kick in... this is so helpful to have. I switched to all non toxic cleaning supplies through out the house so its safe for baby. I love this brand and I think you will too. 
Bloomlife : Bloomlife monitors all uterine contractions. Its best to start at week 31-34. Unfortunately this device isn't covered by insurance but you can use your FSA/HSA money. Being able to track my contractions in the evening gives me peace of mind of what my body is doing and allows me to share the information with my midwife. Use the link for $20 OFF total Bloomlife Rental, which is a Free Week! (Value: $20 per week). ​
Birth Ball : Prenatal - Use Baby Bump during your pregnancy to sit comfortably, get gentle exercise, change the position of your baby in late pregnancy, or practice labor positions. During 0-6 months - soothing your baby is easy with Baby Bump . Hold your baby high on your shoulder or face-down on your forearm while sitting on the Baby Bump and bounce away. The rhythmic bouncing helps to calm babies and the gentle pressure on their tummies can help with discomfort. 
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What To Pack in Labor & Delivery Hospital Bag 2018

6/30/2018

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Baby's Bag:

Hospital Baby Diaper Backpack : Bag dimensions (17.3 x 13.3 x 7.4) Roomy enough for holding items you want to carry for baby. Lots of functional pockets. Include a side tissue pocket, a side insulated Pocket. Two front waterproof pockets for diaper. In the bottle compartment, include three insulated Milk bottle pockets; A net compartment for towel.; A hidden pocket with zipper for keys. The main compartment for baby items. Includes changing pad and an extra insulated sleeve.
Stainless Steel Water Bottle : ​Keeps your drinks hot or cold for up to 12 hours using double-walled insulation and seal tight cap. It is made with a stainless steel body that is built to last to ensure that it is leak proof, rust proof and scratch resistant. The perfect water bottle to bring with you to the hospital.  I am taking mine with coconut water!
Car Seat &  Seatbelt Strap Covers : You can't go home without a proper installation of a car seat! These easy-to-attach strap covers are soft and comfortable, with plush owls. Perfect for use with car seats and strollers. These help to protect baby from strap irritation and includes velcro closure for easy removal. They are machine washable and add the extra style to your baby's travel items.
Nursing Cover / Car Seat Cover : MULTI-USE, FUNCTIONAL AND UNIVERSAL – Simplify your life as a mother. The Parker Baby 4-in-1 multi use cover can be used as an infant car seat cover, breastfeeding cover, infinity nursing scarf, or a shopping cart cover and fits most carseats, shopping carts and nursing mothers. It can even be used with most strollers!
Swaddle Blankets : PREMIUM – Pre-washed super soft 100% cotton muslin gets softer wash after wash; includes four 44” x 44” (111cm x 111cm) perfect for wrapping and swaddling infants to toddlers.
Baby's Going Home Outfit : GOTS certified organic cotton. Incredibly soft and plush fabric to keep your baby snug as a bug. The minimalist style is designed for instant changes, with center snap closure. The gloved sleeves provide warmth and protection for little fingers. This snug fitting footie is just waiting to be cuddled! Available in 5 sizes, these run true to size and are designed to be form fitting. In 7 vibrant colors, this is an essential item for every discerning mom and baby.
Infant Journal : Track and monitor the schedules of Newborns & Nursing moms who need 24-hour (night and day) monitoring. Day & Night journal uses a charting system of activity by time with simple check boxes and fill-in-the-blanks to record and view feedings, diaper changes and sleep schedules and activities. Daily pages formatted with additional areas for notes, a daily checklist, baby needs, and daily developmental notes.
Cord Blood & Tissue Registry Kit : Cord blood and tissue, which contains powerful stem cells, comes from a newborn’s umbilical cord and is collected immediately after birth. Once the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, the remaining blood in the umbilical cord is drawn into a collection bag. There is no guarantee that treatments being studied in the laboratory, clinical trials, or other experimental treatments (including regenerative medicine applications) will be available in the future.
Bloomlife : Bloomlife monitors all uterine contractions. Its best to start at week 31-34. Unfortunately this device isn't covered by insurance but you can use your FSA/HSA money. Being able to track my contractions in the evening gives me peace of mind of what my body is doing and allows me to share the information with my midwife. Use the link for $20 OFF total Bloomlife Rental, which is a Free Week! (Value: $20 per week). 
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Important Paperwork:
  • Birth Plan - To View My Birth Plan Blog Post
  • State Disability Paperwork
  • ID & Insurance
Newborn Hand & Foot Print Frame : Easily create and frame your baby's precious prints with Pearhead's "Clean-Touch" Ink Pad ensuring baby's skin never touches the ink; 100% baby safe. with an Included Clean-Touch Ink Pad to Create Baby's Prints. 
Infant Nail Clippers : NailFrida the SnipperClipper Set solves all of your trimming trouble.. The SnipperClipper Set includes a uniquely designed nail clipper with a safety spyhole that enables parents to see exactly what you're cutting - no more nicks. It's curved, overlapping blades allow for safe, smooth and silent snipping. The uniquely shaped s-file is perfect for newborn nails.
Nipple Balm / Cream : Motherlove Nipple Cream is used on sore, cracked nursing nipples to quickly soften and heal skin and relieve pain. All ingredients are safe for ingestion so it does not need to be washed off prior to nursing. Ingredients: extra virgin olive oil*, beeswax*, shea butter*, marshmallow root*, calendula flower* *Certified Organic Ingredients Does not contain lanolin, which may contain pesticides; or Vitamin E which should not be ingested by infants.
Nipple Shields : Lansinoh Contact Nipple Shields are ideal for short term latch on issues with premature, small, or ill infant, flat or inverted nipples, tongue or lip tie, or overactive let-down; use under the direction of a lactation professional. 2 nipple shields and carrying case included in pack. Nipple shields are 24mm or 20mm size with a protective case for hygienic & convenient storage; The special cut out design allows moms to maximize skin-to-skin contact with baby while nursing
Nursing Pads : The Kindred Bravely ultra-soft, hypoallergenic, Bamboo Nursing Pads include an adorable carry bag for easy storage and discretion. The highest quality reusable nursing breast pads that you can buy! Softer, more absorbent and durable than cotton. Super absorbent with a waterproof layer. Use with or without your favorite nipple creams for breastfeeding comfort. Perfect for chafed or sore nipples and nursing mothers sensitive skin.
Nursing Pillow : The original, award-winning Boppy Nursing Pillow and positioner celebrates over 25 years of supporting moms, dads and babies. This versatile nursing pillow lifts baby to a more ergonomic position for comfortable breastfeeding and bottle feeding, giving relief to your arms and back. Bond with your new baby by using the pillow while you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding. In addition to breastfeeding and bottle feeding, it transitions to the perfect support pillow for different stages of development including propping, tummy time and learning to sit. The Boppy Pillow supports baby as she grows and develops and this multi-use pillow can be used for babies up to one year old. The Boppy Pillow and Boppy Slipcover are both machine washable.

Mama's Bag:

Overnight Bag : The Herschel Novel duffle is an ideal weekender that features a functional side-access shoe compartment, keeping footwear separate and easily accessible. Bag Dimensions are: 23.4 x 11.5 x 11.5 in. Signature striped fabric liner and a Two-way waterproof zipper. 
Flip Flops (Shower): Hipper Women's Top Quality Soft Comfortable Rubber Flip Flops Thong Sandal. Comes in Size 5 - 11 womens in various colors. Perfect for wearing to the shower room, the pool, the beach, the park, the garden, the shopping mall or anywhere you want to go.
Slippers : Isotoner Women's Halthered Jersey Knit Jilian Ballerina Slipper with all around Memory Foam for indoor comfort. Durable rubber outsole provides skid-resistant traction. The 360° Surround Comfort technology molds to your foot's shape for the perfect fit. Ballerina style easily slips on and off.
Comfy PJ Set : From Jaclyn Intimates, this 2-pc pajama set features a solid V-neck tank top and dot printed drawstring capris. Rayon/Spandex. Imported; Machine Wash; Tumble Dry.
Maternity Robe : SIORO is a brand makes products with heart, and we believe that high-quality of life is not expensive. We are committed to bring people a comfortable life. Get the highest-quality Custom Fabric with exceptional wearability no more cheaply-made women's robe like many similar products on the market. Our Well-made ladies' cotton robes that won't shrink, fade or lose their softness after washing!
Nursing Bras : The Belly Bandit Women's Maternity Nursing Bra is best in clasp. Any easier, and you wouldn't be wearing a bra. The removable contour pads mold to your body's new shape and a simple release feature means baby can easily access your breast for a stress-free latch on. Great for sleep, nursing and everyday wear - this anytime bra has everything. Made from super soft, breathable fabric, our seamless and wireless bra is designed to grow with you during and after pregnancy.

Postpardum Items:

Depends Maximum : Depend FIT-FLEX Incontinence Underwear for Women are now in more sizes for better comfort, Depend disposable underwear feature Confidence Core Technology – our fastest absorbing material – to instantly absorb wetness for dry, comfortable protection. Drawing wetness away from the skin, the thin, contoured pad locks in urine and odors. The slip-on style of this incontinence pant has all-around leg elastics for a close-to-body fit that's unlike bulky adult diapers. And with the improved waistband for added security for an underwear-like fit, are latex-free, lotion-free and fragrance-free.
Dermaplast : Temporarily relieves pain and itching associated with sunburn, insect bites, minor cuts, scrapes, minor burns and minor skin irritations. Provides fast relief, moisturizes, soothes and refreshes with Aloe, Lanolin and Menthol. Painless no touch application, just spray. Contains Benzocaine 20 and Menthol .5. 2 oz aerosol can.
Tucks : Tucks Medicated Cooling Hemorrhoidal Pads provide immediate relief from burning and itching caused by hemorrhoids. Witch Hazel soothes and protects irritated areas and the pads can be used daily to cleanse outer areas or can be folded and used as a moist compress on inflamed tissue. Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads are pH balanced, hypo-allergenic, and dye-free.
FridaBidet - The Mom Washer : Simple, portable, and perfectly designed with new moms in mind. The Mom Washer is a peri bottle designed to make your post-delivery healing process cleaner and easier. It's way better than that hospital squirt bottle. A convenient tool both for home use and on-the-go, getting you back to baby faster. Lifetime warranty, no questions asked. 
Belly Bandit BFF : Designed to emulate the contours of the female form, our patented B.F.F. features latex-free, eco-friendly material, corset-inspired construction, six support panels and 2 compression panels to reshape your belly, waist and hips while providing all-day comfort. Note: The B.F.F. is especially ideal for petite or short-waisted women.
Lactation Bars : Boobie Bar, the original lactation bar, was created by a neonatal nurse and lactation consultant to assist breastfeeding and pumping moms who wish to support and maintain a healthy breastmilk supply. Each individually wrapped bar is filled with a proprietary blend of organic herbs and natural galactagogues (milk making ingredients). Boobie Bars sources Non-GMO ingredients & contains no dairy or corn, are 100% vegan and kosher, a good fiber source (16% DV) and require no refrigeration. Three delicious flavors, sold in boxes of six. 
Lactation Supplements : NO ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS, GLUTEN, DAIRY, OR OTHER COMMON ALLERGENS in our lactation support formulas. Everything is made in the USA, and governed by strict GMP guidelines for safety and quality assurance. Compare our herbal proprietary blend to any other product on the market today. No other Lactation Supplement comes close to the quantity of quality herbs used in our formula. The “Mommy Knows Best” Special Lactation Blend contains a WHOPPING 2600 mg of tried and tested ingredients (in the proper amounts) that have been proven to work time and time again.
Prenatal Vitamins : Zahler Prenatal DHA is a complete prenatal multivitamin supplement which includes 25 vitamins and nutrients plus 300mg of DHA. Zahler Prenatal contains 1 full mg of Quatrofolate which is body ready requiring no complex conversion, which many people cannot perform for genetic reason. The Folate found in Zahler's Prenatal is the full amount required in the most bioactive form to ensure a most healthy mom and baby.
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Gender Reveal & Party Ideas

6/20/2018

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 I LOVE Technology!!!! When it comes to birth and pregnancy, technology is advancing faster than ever. No more do you have to wait for your 20 week ultrasound to confirm the sex of your baby. You can find out the sex of the baby with a urine test at 10 weeks in the comfort of your home! Based on independent research, GenderSense® has an accuracy between 80-92%* If you feel like knowing your baby's sex is important and going to cause too much emotional stress if the prediction is wrong, then this test may not be for you. 

I've teamed up with GenderSense to offer one of my readers a free Gender Prediction self test kit. A value of $49.87!!! Go to my Instagram Account: @JenRaePoe for details on how to win! Entry Deadline is Monday July 2nd 2018 at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be announced Tuesday July 3rd 2018. 



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Pregnancy Belly Photos

6/12/2018

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Created By: BabyPics App
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Freezer Meals & Food Prep Before Baby Comes

6/8/2018

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I am in full blown nesting mode and want to prepare a family menu before baby comes so I don't have to worry about cooking for a while. We are Amazon Prime Members and live in an area where they have 2 hour grocery delivery which is extremely helpful. We also have an annual subscription to Postmates Unlimited, but eating out all the time is expensive and I want to prepare some healthy meals that will be easy to pop into the convection oven or microwave. I am picky with my food, I like a variety of chicken & beef, I spent hours trying to find recipes that look appetizing for both my husband and I and that I wouldn't get bored of eating. Below are some of the recipes I had researched on the internet. 

Here are some items I purchased for food prep:
(9) Silicone Freezer Bags or Plastic Freezer Bags
(30) Plastic Containers
Foil
Crockpot Liners
​Parchment Paper

Recipes: 

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili & Corn Bread by SallysBakingAddiction
8 Plastic Containers, 1 Freezer Bag, Crockpot & Liner, & 8 Inch Square Baking Dish 
- Reheat in Microwave 

No Bake Lactation Bites by BakerMama.com  
1 Freezer Bag (2 Dozen) &  Parchment Paper 

Freezer Crockpot Beef Stew by DiaryofaFitMommy.com
​1 Freezer Bag (Serves 6), Crockpot & Liner, 6 Plastic Containers
- Reheat in Convection Oven 

​Homemade Chicken & Pepper Jack Cheese Taquitos by HappyMoneySaver.com
3 Freezer Bags (Makes about 30), Parchment Paper, & Foil
- Reheat in Convection Oven 425 Degrees for 15-20 min.

Freezer Meatballs Recipe & Freezer Mashed Potatoes by HappyMoneySaver.com
6 Plastic Containers 
- Reheat in Microwave

Slow Cooker Carnitas by OnceAMonthMeals.com & Mexican Rice by SpicySouthernKitchen.com
8 Plastic Containers 
​- Reheat in Microwave  

Chicken Piccata Freezer Meal by HappyMoneySaver.com
1 Freezer Bag (Serves 6)
- Cook on Stove & Oven 
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 DISCLAIMER: This is a blog not a website, a website has permanent content and this blog contains the opinion and research information of Jennifer Poe, whom at anytime can change and delete the content posted. Jennifer Poe is not responsible for comments and conversations generated from the blog postings. Since this is an opinion-based blog, these opinions do not reflect the ideas, ideologies, or points of view of any organization I am potentially affiliated with. The information on the blog is authentic to the best of my knowledge but can be prone to errors and absence of key information.  The content of this blog is for entertainment and informative purposes and not to be perceived as professional advice. Readers who rely on this information will be doing so at their own risk. Jennifer Poe has the right to change, add, delete, and decide how to manage the information posted on JenRaePoe.com. This blog contains affiliated links which means at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if clicked on and purchased.  
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