I cannot believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone! With Kaelyn 40+ weeks seemed to take forever, but not with this one. I cannot believe that I'm just 7 weeks away already...and that next month we will meet the newest addition to our family!! It's such an exciting time, but also has me realizing that if time continues to go this quickly, I have a lot of things to get done between now and then.
I guess you could say I've settled into the "nesting stage" a bit early. I want to make sure I have some baking done so that meals and goodies are ready to take out of the freezer during those hectic first few weeks. There's also the baby room that we still need to get organized and so much more!
In some ways I am hoping that these next 7 weeks go by quickly. I can't wait to meet our son or daughter! On the other hand, I suppose it wouldn't be so bad if the weeks slowed down just a little so we can be sure to get everything ready and organized before his/her arrival! Either way I'm planning to enjoy every minute of the rest of this pregnancy....feeling the baby move, getting things ready for his/her arrival and even the expanding belly that gets harder and harder to fit into most shirts that I own. :)
My twin brother and his wife threw us a baby shower yesterday! We had such a great time getting to see many family and friends. We feel very blessed to have received so many wonderful gifts (it was a diaper and children's book theme...a genius idea thought up by my sister-in-law) and feel even more prepared for the baby's arrival now!
Here's a pic of she and I at the shower! As you can see, she's also expecting....we're due less than a week apart!
The winner of the Earth Mama Angel Baby Giveaway is:
Comment #124 Lauren said: "I subscribe to your emails! - 1"
The winner of the Milan Maternity Top Giveaway is:Comment #51 gigi said: "I follow #2"
I also have some other great giveaways going on right now that you won't want to miss! They can all easily be found along the side column! One of which is the Woombie Giveaway...ending TONIGHT! Enter for your chance to win this great swaddler!!
The Milan Maternity top of choice Giveaway ends TONIGHT! If you haven't already, enter for your chance to win! They offer some super cute and stylish maternity clothes!! What a great gift for yourself, or someone else who is expecting!
During pregnancy I always find that it's tough to find clothes you feel stylish in. With most of the maternity tops I bought when I was pregnant with Kaelyn, I felt like they were too baggy and like I looked a mess most of the time. When I found out I was pregnant this second time around, I decided I wanted to find maternity clothes that suited my style more and fit me the way I like. In my search I have come across some really cute and stylish options...especially those from Elegant Elle!
I was sent two tops from Elegant Elle to review and was very pleased with both! They sent me a basic maternity tee....the Celtic Knot Short Sleeve Maternity Tee, and the Tatyana Long Sleeve Maternity Top which will make a perfect top for Fall! When I received them in the mail, my first impression was that they were great quality! I was very pleased with the material and the styles! I could now where something cute, yet something that would still fit my growing bump. I have to say that there prices were great too! As I browsed the Elegant Elle website I was very impressed with the afforability of many of their items! This is a must when it comes to maternity clothes, as they aren't something that is worn for long.
I really liked wearing both of the tops...my favorite would have to be the Celtic Knot Short Sleeve Maternity Tee. It was more simple and VERY comfortable. I find with the temps still fairly warm out, that it's one I've already gotten lots of use out of. What's great is that it's something which can be dressed up, or dressed down. I also like that it's stylish and shows off my baby bump...not too large and baggy. This shirt comes in white, black and heather gray...I'd love to own all the colors at some point!
Both shirts have received many compliments when I wear them out and about. People like the style and the fit the most! I gladly tell them where I got them as I am very impressed with Elegant Elle and the quality of their maternity clothes. They have other great maternity items...like belly bands and swimwear as well!Buy It: The Celtic Knot Short Sleeve Maternity Tee can be purchased for just $15.00, and the Tatyana Long Sleeve Maternity Top can be purchased for $20.00...both of which are available right on their website!
How To Enter To Win: I am very excited because Elegant Elle has offered one of my readers a maternity top of their own! The winner will get to choose between the two styles I received and the color they would like! To enter, visit Elegant Elle and leave me a comment letting me know another item they carry that you like.
How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)
1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the side column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.
2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Elegant Elle) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.
3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)
4. For TWO extra entries, Follow my blog publicly
5. For TWO extra entries, Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste: Elegant Elle Maternity Top Giveaway @MomBalancingAct @EEMaternity http://bit.ly/36aPOj Ends 9/2
6. Follow Elegant Elle on Twitter
7. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!
8. For THREE extra entries, purchase anything from the Elegant Elle website before the end of this giveaway (be sure to leave THREE separate comments when doing so to ensure each entry is counted).
My first pregnancy with Kaelyn went quite slow. It was a great pregnancy, but just did not pass by very quickly. This second pregnancy is just flying by...I can't believe that in less than 15 weeks our little one will be here with us! I know that these next few months will probably (hopefully) continue to go by fairly quickly...so I've started to think about all of the things we still need to get us prepared for our newest family member.
I try to be organized, so I've started a list! One of the first things I've started searching for is a multi-child baby monitor! Kaelyn does very well in her big girl bed, but I still like to have the monitor on to make sure she's ok during the night. I know when the baby gets here I will of course also want a monitor in his/her bedroom. I haven't come across too many, but one I that I did find was on Pebble.com. It's an online shopping comparison site that is quite new to me, but I appreciated the help it provided in my search. I was able to search for "multi child baby monitors" and find the lowest price possible. Currently I am looking at the Graco iMonitor Multi-Child Digital Baby Monitor, but haven't made a set decision yet. Anyone ever used this paritcular model before??
If anyone has any helpful tips on a good multi-child baby monitor that you used, or even what you did when you had a second baby as far as baby monitors were concerned...I'd love to hear about it!!
I remember the first time I had to go out and buy maternity clothes I was shocked at the prices!! I had no idea they were so expensive. Unfortunately it's a necessity, so I found the things I knew I would need and tried to find the best deals possible. I am thankful that this second pregnancy is around the same time of year as my first....so all of my maternity clothes will work for me as far as seasons go. As I recently began to wear some of the things I already own, I realized I really needed some cute and comfortable tops. It's sad to say, but I've never owned a cute AND comfortable maternity top. They are either cute and very uncomfortable, or comfortable and not very cute!
I happened to come across Milan Maternity a couple of months ago and couldn't have been
happier with the collection of maternity clothing they offer. Not only was everything affordable....but it was also very cute and trendy!! I was given the opportunity to review a Milan Maternity top and was very excited to see if their stylish clothing was also comfortable. I was sent the Emilia top in the Slate color. I was extremely pleased when I opened the package and tried it on! It is honestly the most comfortable maternity top I've ever owned, and really cute too! The quality is great and I love the way it fits. The elastic empire waist allows it to fit just perfectly, while leaving enough room at the bottom for my growing bump.
When I was asked which top I wanted to review, it was such a difficult decision for me!! There are so many cute ones to choose from! These are two others I thought were absolutely adorable!! I love the colors and unique style each offers.
Buy It: You can purchase Milan Maternity clothing on their website.
How To Enter To Win: I am very excited because Milan Maternity has offered one of my readers a maternity top of their choice!! To enter, visit Milan Maternity and leave me a comment letting me know which top you would choose if you won.
How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)
1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the side column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.
2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Milan Maternity) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.
3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)
4. For TWO extra entries, Follow my blog publicly
5. Become a fan of Milan Maternity on Facebook
6. Follow me on Twitter here and tweet about this giveaway! You can copy and paste: Milan Maternity shirt of choice Giveaway @MomBalancingAct http://bit.ly/Ilehg Ends 8/19
7. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!
8. For THREE extra entries, purchase anything from the Milan Maternity website before the end of this giveaway (be sure to leave THREE separate comments when doing so to ensure each entry is counted).
I've often said that once I entered motherhood, it became even more important to me to make sure I was using the safest products available. I want to give Kaelyn, as well as our little one on the way, the very best start in life...and that means choosing the very best products for them and our family! I've always been a fan of Earth Mama Angel Baby for this reason! They offer a large variety of body care items and teas that are perfect for Baby and Mama! You'll find products which support the entire birth process...everything from pregnancy to delivery to caring for your baby! The best part is...all of their products are 100% natural, organic, and toxin-free! It's great to know that there are safe products out there for baby as well as the expecting Mama!
I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to try the Angel Baby Kit from Earth
Mama Angel Baby! It has all the necessities for your little one, including the organic bath blossoms which help to calm fussy babies, their diaper rash balm which is absolutely amazing, mild shampoo and body wash, organic baby lotion, oil for sensitive skin, and the Angel Baby Sleep CD!! It's a wonderful set and one I'd recommend to any parent with a little one!! I found all of these natural baby care products to be perfect for Kaelyn's sensitive skin and am so happy I have them to use with our second baby once he/she arrives! I also received the Peaceful Mama Tea which is great for those of us who are expecting and need something to help us relax, naturally and safely with a delicious blend of calming herbs! Both products I received were beautifully packaged! Any of the Earth Mama Angel Baby products would make remarkable baby shower gifts!!It's great to know that the products Earth Mama Angel Baby offers are as safe as possible. I learned even more about this and the products I was using at the time, when I visited the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ Skin Deep Database!! I began entering everyday products we use...like Johnson's Baby Shampoo for instance...and it was truly shocking how toxic a product like this is!! The toxicity rating was 5...out of the most toxic rating being 10! Yikes! It was eye opening, that's for sure!
How To Enter To Win: To win, visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' Skin Deep Database and enter a personal care product you use (shampoo, lotion, etc). Leave me a comment letting me know these three things (Your answer to these three simple questions will count as your required, initial entry):1. What your Skin Deep toxicity rating for that product was
2. How did you feel about the score (surprised??)
3. If you entered an "organic" or "natural" product, did the rating surprise you?
How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)
1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the side column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.
2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Earth Mama Angel Baby) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.
3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)
4. For TWO extra entries, Follow my blog publicly
5. Follow Earth Mama Angel Baby on Twitter
6. Follow me on Twitter here and tweet about this giveaway! You can copy and paste: Earth Mama Angel Baby: A Little Something For Baby Kit Giveaway @MomBalancingAct http://bit.ly/3eKfvZ Ends 8/17
7. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!
8. For THREE extra entries, purchase anything from the Earth Mama Angel Baby website before the end of this giveaway (be sure to leave THREE separate comments when doing so to ensure each entry is counted).
This giveaway will end August 17th and is open to US Residents Only!
I wanted to pass the word along about the great sale going on over at Milan Maternity!! It's a 25% OFF summer sale, this weekend only! It's the perfect time to buy yourself, or someone you know who is expecting, some stylish new maternity clothes! To take advantage of this great sale, use the coupon code 25SUMMERBABY before you check out and visit Milan Maternity to start shopping. This sale and coupon code are valid through Sunday, August 2!
Also...stay tuned for a fantastic Milan Maternity Review and Giveaway coming in the VERY near future!!
I came across a fun contest going on over at Due Maternity that I thought many of you might be interested in! You can enter for the chance to win 50 FREE Tiny Prints birth announcements!!They are absolutely adorable and would be a perfect way to celebrate the birth of your little one! Enter here for your chance to win!!
Also...stay tuned for a Due Maternity Giveaway coming soon to A Mom's Balancing Act! You won't want to miss it!
As I woke up this morning to the ultrasound picture lying on my nightstand that was taken yesterday (Yep! I'm pregnant with our second baby!!:)), I was reminded of the many blessings I have in my life to be thankful for! We couldn't be happier about our growing family and the soon to be arrival of our new addition in November!! What a blessing children are from the Lord. Kaelyn has been such a joy in our lives and we can't wait to meet this baby too!!
At 18 1/2 months old, Kaelyn doesn't quite understand what's going on or that she's going to soon be a Big Sister in just a matter of months. However, she does know that there's a baby in Mommy's tummy that she likes to kiss throughout the day! We find her walking around the house rocking her arms from one side to the other and saying "baby" (learned from the Baby Signing Time
We decided to tell our parents and families a couple of months ago, shortly after we found ou
t, and did so by having Kaelyn walk into the room with her "I'm Going To Be A Big Sister" shirt on. It was quite the surprise for everyone and such an exciting time. As you can see in the picture...Kaelyn was pretty excited too! She knew something big was going on. We always do something special when telling our parents the exciting news! With Kaelyn we did a really neat poem and with this one we decided to do the shirt. I have to mention on a side note, that in looking around for a Big Sister Shirt, I found the best quality and deals at Cafe Press. Not only that...but Cafe Press is connected with Ebates, a great site to shop through and receive money back on your orders. I was so excited to find out that I would not only get money back for my purchase by going through Ebates, but a whopping 10%!! That's pretty good when you consider that most stores are less than 5%.
It's a very exciting time in our lives and we have much to be thankful for, that's for sure!!
I have to say, once I became a mom I thought of everything in an entirely different way. Throughout my pregnancy I found myself more aware of what I was eating, as well as what I was using on my body. Everything from lotions to foods...I knew that I needed to provide the very best start to life for our little one that I possibly could. Then, after having Kaelyn, I did the same thing with the things I use on her and the foods I feed her. I search for everything from BPA free eating utensils and tableware to organic foods and organic skin and body care products.
One of our favorite brands of supplies to use on Kaelyn is Earth Mama Angel Baby® Organics! If you've never heard of them or tried them, you really should! They offer natural pregnancy products, baby products, and postpartum products that you won't find anywhere else! Using this line of products has really put my mind at ease knowing that I am using the very best shampoos, body washes, diaper salves, etc for her. Whether it's items like this, or stretch mark oil and breastfeeding care products....Earth Mama Angel Baby® Organics has it all! It's definitely worth the money to use something that's 100% safe for me and Kaelyn.
My husband and I have been married for 2 1/2 years now and always knew that we wanted children!! Last February we found out that I was pregnant and were extremely excited about it!! We couldn't wait to become parents and meet our little one! :) Those next 9 months went by very quickly, and this month our beautiful daughter was born!! She is everything we had imagined her to be and more. What a blessing she is and has been to our lives so far. Becoming a mother is something I had thought about and dreamed of since I was a little girl. Now, this dream has become a reality and I'm loving every minute of it. The biggest change to becoming a mother is learning to balance all of the other aspects of my life at the same time. Between being a wife, a mother, a stay at home mom who tries to make a little extra cash here and there, as well as keeping the house clean, making meals and getting exercise in once in a while...I've learned that the balancing act of motherhood is not always an easy one, but an adventure I am living daily, learning about with each moment that passes, and loving with all of my heart! I wouldn't change a thing and thank God for each and every day and all that He has blessed our family with! With that said, I thought it would be fun to begin a blog about the adventure of motherhood and the balancing act it entails! I'm looking forward to sharing my life as an everyday mom and relating to other mothers out there who are also experiencing this wonderful adventure and journey of motherhood!!
