GOH Woes

18 Feb

I have a confession to make: I am a terrible guest of honor!  There are basically two types of GOHs in the world:  the type who relishes every moment of her parties and embraces all of the surprises.  And then there is the type who worries about everything from nobody showing up to opening gifts in front of everybody with spinach in her teeth.   I’m the later.  And with my baby showers on the horizon, my anxiety is on the rise.

When I got married two years ago I had three wonderful showers and a fabulous bachelorette party.  They were all special experiences but my anxiety was so strong I had to talk to my doctor about it.

"wedding shower"

Opening a gift at my wedding shower!

Maybe it’s because I’m a bit of a control freak and having a party planned for me without any input scares me.  My friends are amazing event planners but I just can’t deal with the element of surprise.  Shower stress is definitely a form of social anxiety and it’s no piece of cake to manage.

I have a friend who is the perfect GOH.  She walks into her parties totally at ease and relishes every moment without a worry in the world.   I only wish I could be that confident and present.

Mr. Q recently said to me, “I can’t wait until your showers are over so you can relax!”  It made me sad to realize I am missing out on living in the moment and maybe it’s just mind over matter.  So this time around I will try my best to go with the flow and truly enjoy the experience.  Of course it’s easier said than done but practice makes perfect.

Being a pregnant GOH does have an additional downside.  I used to calm my nerves by downing a couple of glasses of bubbly.  I have a feeling that this time around Sprite just won’t  do the trick.

SDBB

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Babymoon Bliss

18 Feb
"Maui Beach"

Beautiful beach in Maui

Who says a special romantic getaway for two is only for after the wedding?  Babymoons are becoming a popular tradition for many parents-to-be.  It’s a great way to enjoy some relaxing time away before your twosome becomes a threesome!

A babymoon can be any type of trip,  from a night away at a local B&B to a weeklong jaunt on a tropical island.  It only depends on your budget and imagination.

Traveling when you’re expecting can present its own set of challenges so here are some tips for making sure you have a pre-baby blast.

-Try and schedule your trip for the second trimester after the nausea is gone and before the third trimester aches and bloating set in.

-One way to make it extra special is to have your ultrasound technician put the sex of your baby in a sealed envelope and then open it together on your trip.

-Look for resorts that are adult only so you can enjoy some peace and quiet (while you still can).

-Check out special packages that may include extras like breakfast and spa treatments.

-If you and your hubby prefer to be active when you travel make sure there are plenty of appropriate prenatal activities in the area (aside from things like wine tasting and bungee jumping).

-Whether you are traveling to your destination by car or plane make sure you wear comfortable clothing, pack plenty of snacks and water and get up and stretch/walk around often.

-Bring your medical information with you and locate a hospital near your destination in case you need anything while you’re away from your doctor.

-Make sure the hotel knows it’s your babymoon so they can give you special treatment! Sometimes it won’t make any difference but occasionally you’ll be treated to extras like fruit and chocolate or a room upgrade.

-If your schedules are flexible, look for last-minute deals on sites like travelzoo.com.

-Don’t forget the romance!  Bring some lingerie that fits and flatters your new curves so you can feel confident and beautiful.

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Building Your Maternity Wear Wardrobe

10 Feb

We are lucky ladies to be pregnant with so much amazing maternity clothing on the market!  Now it’s easy to maintain your sense of style even while you’re sporting a bump!  But for first time moms it can be overwhelming to know where to go.

Before you even start to show, invest in a BellaBand for about $25.  It ‘s a stretchy and comfy band that will allow you to wear your pants and skirts for a while before even stepping foot in a maternity store!

When you’re ready to start shopping, there are options in every price range so let’s start with the lower-end.  Old Navy and Target are great for building some basics without breaking the bank.  Liz Lang tank tops at Target (about $10 each) have been my staple for working out or layering under non-maternity tops to cover my tummy.   Motherhood Maternity also has very reasonable prices but I found their stores to be cluttered and it was tricky to find what I was looking for.

Moving up the maternity ladder are shops like Ann Taylor Loft,  A Pea in the Pod and Nordstrom.  The prices at Pea are pretty steep but I found some great tops and sweaters on sale.   My big splurge there was on a couple of pairs of designer  jeans which were worth every dollar.  Ann Taylor Loft is great for work attire.

If you’re looking for high-end at low-end prices, check out your local upscale consignment stores where you can buy and sell designer duds.    They often feature children’s clothing too so if you find one you like it can be a great resource even after the baby comes.

San Diego, as well as most major cities,  is also full of adorable boutique shops.  My favorite is Baby Mabel’s which sells maternity, non-maternity and children’s clothing.  If you’re looking for a great shopping experience you’ll get personal attention in an adorable setting!  It pays to do a little research on Google to find the hidden gems in your neighborhood, or just ask your mommy friends!

Think outside of the brick-and-mortar stores  if you want something more unique like a shower dress or an edgier going out ensemble.  Three of my favorites are Belly Dance Maternity, More of Me Maternity and Isabella Oliver (also a celeb favorite).

Regardless of your style there are lots fabulous options out there at every price point .  So get shopping!

SDBB

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Will You Be My Galentine?

9 Feb

Remember when you were little and Valentine’s Day was so much innocent fun?  We all made cards for our classmates with fancy lace doilies and candy tucked inside!  Sure my heart raced a little more when I opened the ones from the cute boys in my class, but other than that it was pretty carefree. My mom always made it a special holiday with treats like heart pjs and  festive cookies.

But then as I got older it became all about how a boyfriend or significant other proved their love with clichéd red roses and overpriced dinners.   Don’t get me wrong, I love watching Mr. Q squirm each year trying not to disappointment me, but it’s never our most romantic night.

So, I  decided to bring the fun back to this holiday and honor my favorite women, or my galentines.  It’s a great excuse to buy cute girly gifts and celebrate all things red, pink and chocolate.

I send my mom a box of See’s candy every year because she’ll always be my first and favorite galentine.  And this year I’m sending my sister and best friend gifts as well!   And the best part of all?  Galentines never give each other cheesy lingerie.

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Are Pregnancy Cravings Real?

7 Feb

My first odd pregnancy cravings consisted of vinegary salad dressings and sour candy. I had never craved or even liked sour candy before!  So I was expecting another nine months of unusual culinary longings.

But after the first trimester was over and the nausea subsided, I started to crave, well, what I normally crave. Pizza, sweets (of the non-sour variety), and Mexican food among other usual bumpbabe treats.

This leads me to ponder how many “pregnancy cravings” are just wanting what we normally love to eat? It seems that it’s just accepted that you should indulge any cravings since you are “eating for two,” or because it means that your body needs something. Well the sad truth is that you only need an extra 300 calories a day! That’s not eating for two, that’s eating for one plus a small bird.

I do still crave specific foods that I feel my body needs that I don’t normally long for like citrus fruits and lemonade. And I do believe in treating yourself a little more than usual when you’re pregnant being that you can’t  do other fun things like drink or go on roller coasters. But if I’m honest with myself, baby bump or not, when do I not want pizza and cake and chips and salsa? Just a little food for thought.

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