5 Great Ways to Wear your Expecting Color!

Whether you are expecting a boy or girl,  it's always fun to wear your expecting color! Here are 5 great ways to wear your expecting color:

1. Wear a tunic maternity top, in blue or pink, and pair with your favorite pair of maternity jeans. Dress up your outfit and style by wearing jewelry and comfortable pumps, and by adding a few curls to your hair!

2. Wrap a cute blue or pink patterned scarf around your neck, if you are expecting in the fall or winter months.

3. Put on a blue or pink ball cap on casual days, when you only have time to pull your hair into a quick pony tail. Caps are great to protect your face from harmful sun rays, too!

4. Wear a light weight blue or pink button down or open sweater over a white or black maternity Cami and pair with your favorite maternity pants or jeans.

5. Carry a blue or pink designer diaper bag purse, which can be used as a stylish purse during your pregnancy and a diaper bag for your baby after you deliver.

In my experience as a mom, I found my husband to be the more active and playful parent when interacting with our children. From playing ball to taking them on hikes, he was the initiator of fun activities! I clearly remember our three young children getting a huge burst of energy and jumping up from watching their favorite video, which I had hoped to fully occupy them while I was fixing dinner, when they heard their daddy come in the door from work. Then they would excitedly run to play in the backyard with him, not wanting to come inside for dinner. Their energy always amazed me and I loved the close relationships he built with each of them through initiating and sharing fun activities.

So, what could be more useful, for a daddy of small children, than The Man Sling? This is a rugged looking baby sling which comes in 3 different masculine colors, yet is made of fabric that is comfortable against the baby's skin. It has a handy cargo pocket for a wallet, cell phone, and keys, or even an extra diaper and wipes. Now your husband can take the newest addition of your family on hikes or even carry his little one around the house while helping you with light household chores. This makes a great gift that both daddy and baby will be sure to enjoy!

                       A "Very Comfortable Essential" for your Maternity Wardrobe!

Maternity Leggings are one of the most comfortable & versatile items to have in your maternity wardrobe. They are stretchy, so they will grow with you during your 9 months of pregnancy. They can be paired with tunic style maternity tops for a casual or dressy look. Wear with cute flats, low heels, or boots for great style. They can even be worn for exercise when paired with a comfortable maternity t-shirt and tennis shoes! Leggings are sure to be a staple in your maternity clothes collection!

  "Save" while shopping for Holiday Maternity Dresses!

You may be looking for a special maternity dress to wear for holiday events this year, but wanting to avoid the stress of holiday shopping! The great news is that you can view a large selection of designer maternity dresses in the comfort of your home by shopping online. Get yourself a cup of warm tea, turn on the holiday music, and enjoy a relaxing shopping experience at a time that is most convenient for you! Here are just a few things that you will "Save" on while shopping online:

1. Save Time
*You will not need to wait in line.
*You will not need to spend time traveling to the store or stores.
*You will not need to repeatedly circle the parking lot looking for a parking spot.
2. Save Money
*You will not spend money on transportation (gas, transit fares, tolls, & parking).
*You can easily check the prices at a variety of stores with just a few mouse clicks.
*You can easily view & receive discount offers, free shipping and more.
3. Save Your Health
*You have a much better chance of staying healthy by avoiding masses of people.
*You will not have to use public restrooms.
*You will not have to carry bags or get sore legs and aching feet from walking all over the place.

Sibling Gift Ideas from New Little Brother or Sister!

Are you an expecting mom that has children who are excited to meet their new brother or sister? Although your children are excited, you may notice them having mixed emotions when the family's newest addition arrives! Since your attention is now focused on the new baby, they may start acting out in various new ways, that you have not previously seen or heard. To help alleviate some of their frustrations, over the struggle for your attention, a special gift from the baby, may help make them feel special & focus some positive attention on them. Be aware of the behavior changes that occur and gently love them through this time of transition. Giving them opportunities to help you with the baby, such as getting a diaper or blanket, can be helpful in making them feel important, too!

Make pumpkin chip cookies, wrap in clear bag, add personal gift tag

                                                 Pregnant for the Holidays?

Are you due to have your baby around the holiday season or shortly thereafter? If so, you may be looking to find a special maternity evening dress for an upcoming holiday event.  A neutral black dress is always great to have in your maternity clothes wardrobe, to dress up with accessories or to simply wear for a more casual look by wearing comfortable flat sandals or shoes. Visit ModMomMaternity online for a wide selection of beautiful maternity evening dresses and more!

                                          

                   Carrying everything, but the kitchen sink?

You may have heard someone say that a mom carries everything but the kitchen sink in her purse! Well, this may be quite an exaggeration, but it seems that this comment has come from the fact that a mom learns to carry many things in her purse, just in case the unexpected happens! And, perhaps she began to learn this when she became a new mom!  As a mom or dad of a newborn, you will find yourself carrying just about everything but the kitchen sink in your newborn's diaper bag, too! We all quickly learn that we need to be well prepared, just in case the unexpected happens, especially when it comes to being a new parent!

One day, when I was happily driving my 2 young children and newborn to get their hand prints pressed into clay to make a beautiful ceramic plate, the unexpected happened!  As I carefully took my newborn out of her car seat, she had a projectile explosion all over her & my new outfit! This is when I learned that not only did I need to carry an extra one or two outfits for her, but also for myself! Most of the time, a diaper bag is the home for diapers, wipes, bottles, baby food, bottom balm, lil' outfits and pacifiers, but wouldn't it be nice if it had room for a change of clothes for mom or dad, too?

Needless to say, I soon came to realize the need for a larger diaper bag, one that could come in handy on those days when bigger things were to happen than I had expected, which seems to happen quite often in the life of parents with newborns! If you are going to be out and about for the day,  ModMomMaternity suggests the backpack diaper bag. Our online store offers a wide selection of the best diaper bags by Kalencom. We would love for you to stop by and see for yourself! Oh, and by the way, we'd love for you to share your story of when you could have used a larger diaper bag for your "unexpected happening!"

                          Acne during Pregnancy

The hormone changes that occur in a pregnant woman's body sometimes cause acne flare ups, especially in those who already have a tendency towards acne. Why does this happen? Hormone imbalances can cause the oil glands to produce excess oil & dead skin cells, clogging pores. Since bacteria like to hang out in this type of environment, they get trapped inside the clogged pores, resulting in inflammation & the formation of pimples! A key factor in helping to control acne breakouts is to keep your skin clean, thereby decreasing bacteria. Since particular ingredients in acne products can be harmful to pregnant women, choose skin care products that are natural, safe, & gentle. Always be sure to consult with your doctor for questions & concerns.

                             "Signature Dish," a Great Family Tradition!

Do you have a particular recipe that others really like and that you are repeatedly asked to bring for special family occasions and holiday feasts? Creamed corn has become my "signature dish." It has been a family favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas and I would like to share it with you!

To make corn mixture, heat the following ingredients in a large sauce pan over the stove. Bring to a boil & simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat.

Corn Mixture Ingredients:

2-1/2 bags of frozen corn (16 ounce size bags)
16 ounces (1 pint) whipping cream
16 ounces (1pint) whole milk
2 teaspoons salt
4 Tablespoons sugar
2 pinches white pepper
2 pinches of cayenne pepper

Thickening Agent:

In separate small sauce pan, mix 4 Tablespoons of melted butter & 4 Tablespoons of flour together. Then add to the corn mixture, as a thickening agent.

Put mixture in a 9x13 casserole dish & dust with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Broil in the oven until cheese is lightly browned. May take 8-10 minutes, but keep a close watch!

From the time I was a new mom, I have found cooking to be a very special part of motherhood. Since children love to help in the kitchen, cooking is a great way to create fun & special memories. Think of a favorite recipe or ask a family member or friend for a recipe idea that you can make this year. If you have children, they would love to help you prepare this new recipe! Soon, it may be your family's "Signature Dish" and become a great family tradition!

Jen's Journey: The "Power of a Praying Parent" Week # 9