Praises of a Wife and Mommy

Varicose veins are an unwelcome side effect of pregnancy, rather like stretch marks. Many women develop varicose veins during pregnancy, so if one of them is you, there is no need to feel upset – you are not alone! The good news is that although varicose veins don’t look so hot, they are not harmful. They can sometimes itch and feel hot, but once the baby comes along they often settle down and, sometimes, disappear. But, even if you end up stuck with unsightly varicose veins, there are plenty of venous disease treatment options. What Causes Varicose Veins? Carrying a baby for nine months puts a huge strain on the body and your circulatory system is particularly vulnerable to stress. As the baby grows inside of you, your body has to make extra blood to support a second (or more) circulatory system. It is hard work pumping blood back up to the heart and blood vessels in the legs and groin sometimes fail. There is also a genetic element to varicose veins, so if your mom has the...

Image  Sour ce  Being pregnant is a big deal. You’re growing a new life inside you, and pretty soon your life will change forever. So, you should take the time to enjoy every second of your pregnancy, making memories that you will look back fondly on when your baby is all grown-up. Here are some great ways to enjoy this special time and celebrate your pregnancy in style: Take Lots of Maternity Pictures You simply must take lots of pictures when you’re pregnant. Capture all of the memories at every stage of the pregnancy, so that you can look back and remember the time with clarity after you  give birth   Obviously, you’ll get the best pictures when you’re in your final trimester, but do make the effort to capture everything. Cast Your Bump A  bump cast kit  enables you to make a plaster cast of your pregnant belly, which you can keep and display to remind you of your pregnancy. It’s also a great way for you and your husband to spend some time bonding over b...

Getting a Home Ready for a New Baby A new baby is on the way and you’ve begun decorating the nursery and clearing away clutter in your house. Chances are you are also working on enhancing your home in other ways as well. There are furniture pieces you can’t do without, such as purchasing a new crib (unless this is your second child). You may also be implementing calming elements, such as cooler tones on the walls that’ll have a calming affect on a baby. Plus, who can wait to organize the closet with all of those fun baby accessories?! All of these elements combined will not only enhance the appearance of your home but will create a tranquil environment for when the new baby arrives. Clear clutter and begin to decorate   If you haven’t already done so -- even if the nursery is currently being used as a place to store boxes or other elements -- go ahead and start sorting and organizing. When you’re able, set up the nursery and implement new toys, diapers, books, and other s...

It is with great honor that I introduce you to one of Wisconsin's finest photographers,   Andrea Larson Photography!   Let me just brag a little and let you all know, Andrea and I go all the way back to childhood, and I truly cherish those days of fun we had!  We may have had a few years of no communication but thanks to social media we have been able to get reconnected!   I am truly proud of Andrea and her success she has created and worked so hard for.  This Madison Wisconsin Family Photographer is sure to take your breath away.   One of the many reasons I love Andrea Larson Photography is the fantastic textures she uses.   You can see in the infant pictures below the amazing use of textures.  The backgrounds and colors with the children really capture something special.  Wisconsin has strange weather but Andrea has a way of using nature in astonishing ways. She truly has an eye for ...

It seems like every few weeks I get that baby urge.  You know the big desire to have another baby.  I am getting closer to 29 but I still have several good years left to have a baby.  I just think about the sweet baby smiles, the many first in that first year of life.  I think about pregnancy and I have been blessed with two pretty good ones.   My husband thinks we are done since we have our boy and girl.  He came from a family of 2, but I came from a family of 3 so its hard!  I know kids are expensive and I know we would love to have an empty nest when we are young still.  :)  We hope that our kids will get married and have children when we are younger too!  :)  I also do not want another c-section!  I had a normal vaginal birth with my daughter but with my son it was c-section.  IT WAS THE WORST EVER!!  Even with those memories I still think about the love from everyone during that time, food brought over, frie...

Do you agree with the image below?  How much are you spending on your child/ren?   Source: WomensPersonalFinance.net

So my baby is 2 months old and I got my period already!  I am so bummed.  When I had my daughter I did not get my period for like 8 months!  I feel like I just quit bleeding and now i get my monthly already.  I am breast feeding so I was hoping that would help slow down it from returning but NO! What is normal?   When did you get your monthly again after having kids??

It is time to meet LaToya from Christian-Momma blog .  Take some time to visit her and let her know you read her story.  I am wondering if anyone had a similar experience as her???  Did you not make it to the hospital to have your baby and have it in the car?  Or did you get your placenta ripped out???  This is the first story from LaToya and I will have another one from her in a couple more days... a completely better experience the 2nd time around!  :) My first pregnancy was very exciting and exhausting. I was sick from the start almost to the finish. I was  always thirsty and rarely hungry. When I was hungry it was for Taco Bell and KFC. It was a good day if  I managed to get half a meal down. When I hit about month 5.5 things turned around and I was able  to eat anything I wanted and what I wanted was oatmeal raisin cookies and Hagen Daas Strawberry ice  cream. For the first few months of my pregnancy I was in a new state, thous...

I did one post a few weeks ago but I feel it is fitting to do another one.  Last night I woke up at 12, 1:30, 3:30, 5:15, and 6:30 to use the bathroom!  5 times to pee in the middle of the night when I am not drinking beverages! So today I plan on getting a nap! You know your pregnant when: -your begging your husband to help you get off the couch! -you ask your 3 year old to rub your back -you stand up hoping that your water will break because you want to meet your baby! -you take your socks off and realize elevating your feet would be a good thing to do. I BET SOME OF YOU CAN ADD TO IT!!  I would love to hear them!  I do have a post in Feb. if you want to read that one feel free!  :)

You know in the last week I have had more people/strangers approach me and ask me when I am due.  Most of the people will say something funny like "due at what 6pm tonight"  or "due yesterday"  "I bet you are due any day now."  Strange thing is I am not due till March 28th.  Last night at Olive Garden I had so many people do a double take when they saw me.  I'm not sure if it was me being sensitive but I felt like all eyes on me.  Not a good or a bad thing just noticed it.  Maybe it was the dress I was wearing... my pastor did  say to me when I wore it a few weeks ago "the 70's are calling and they want their dress back."  LOL it is a very comfortable dress and I love not having to wear jeans... leggings = more comfort!  :)  So what did the Doctor say today? We did not check if I was dilated or effaced today but she said we could next week if I don't have baby before then.  Baby's heartbeat was 139!  I did...

So today I had to work for a few hours and through my shift I kept having cramping.  I did not time them but they did not last long.  I am getting so excited that maybe I am thinking they are worse then what they are?  I am 35 weeks and start week 36 on Monday. If I were to have this boy at the same time as my daughter my water would break tomorrow at 3 and he would be here Monday morning at 7!!!  I doubt that will be the case, but I am ready!

I know I should not complain and just love the battle marks of being pregnant... but I am complaining a little.  I got my first stretch marks!  :(  I never got any when I was pregnant with my daughter but here at 34 weeks with my son I have 2 small ones right under my belly button!  I am really praying that I don't get any more and that they do not darken. I lotion up every day but I know that does not prevent them.  Are there any tricks or ideas to keep them from coming or lighten them up?? How many of you have gotten dark stretch marks?  What have you done to lighten them up?  It really is part of being pregnant...take the good with the bad and stop complaining.... right!!!

You know you are 8 months pregnant when: 1. You have difficulties using your laptop on your lap. 2. You drop something and try to pick it up with your toes instead of bending down. 3. You ask your husband to put your shoes and socks on. 4. You become out of breath just doing normal everyday things. 5. You pretend you don't see something on the floor that needs to be picked up. 6. You can't reach the bottom of the washing machine to get the clothes out.... seriously I cant! 7. You can no longer reach up high to get or put dishes away.... yep I am short! 8. Your husband keeps warning you to be careful of ice when walking. 9. Your 3 year old daughter keeps asking when her brother's birthday is... she is eager. 10. You have difficulties getting up out of a chair, bed,  or floor! 11. A stranger thinks you are due any day and when you tell her you are only 33 weeks she responds with "are you having twins?" 12. You go to the DMV for a new drivers lice...