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Maternity Photos 101: Tips and Advice from our Maternity Photographer
We’ve all heard of engagement photos and wedding photos; and who can look past those adorable newborn photos? But maternity photos? That’s “a thing?” You better believe it. Recently, there has been a major influx of mothers-to-be seeking to capture those precious moments of pregnancy on film. The intimacy, excitement, and anticipation of bringing life into the world can only be captured at very select moments in time. When I found out I was pregnant with Pistachio, maternity photos were a no-brainer, for a few reasons: 1) The obvious chance to capture a rare moment in time 2) An opportunity to embrace my pregnant-self through the lens of a professional…
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Healthy Holiday Travel Tips
Can you believe we’re actually talking about the holidays right now? Personally, I love the holiday season. I love the family time; I love the gift-buying; I love all the feelings associated with the holiday season:. Who can argue with a solid dose of nostalgia, love, joy, charity, and a sense of “home?” At the risk of sounding really cheesy, I 100% get warm fuzzies. However, I’m also not ignorant to the stressors that surround the holidays. From diet insecurities to travel stress to financial pressure, the holidays can really weigh us down. In my current health coaching practice, and in my past experience in weight-loss counseling, I’ve witnessed how…
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Baby Girl Names I Love, But Won’t be Using
Happy November friends! I can’t believe we’re almost at the end of 2018. If you’ve been following my blog since the beginning, you know November is one of my favorite months. If you’re looking for a few ways to spice up your November, check out my Newvember post from last year. I challenge you friends to NOT wait until the new year to make changes. Try something new without the “pressure” or the “hype” of the New Year’s resolution frenzy. Remember, there’s no time like the present. While you’re trying to figure out your “Newvember” challenge, I’m bringing you one of my highly requested baby girl name blog posts! Since…
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Gestational Diabetes: Our First Scare & The Facts
Hi friends, so this is a bit of an impromptu blog post, and not something I initially planned on chronicling. However, I just had my first “scare” and wanted to share it with my blog community. This also feeds well into a blog I will plan on writing concerning health before pregnancy and what you can do to set yourself up for a healthy pregnancy. So, here we go. Last week, I went in for my gestational diabetes screening… My Gestational Diabetes Testing Experience The first screening, or the Glucose Challenge Test, is a non-fasted blood test. It tests to see if you’re “at risk” of having gestational diabetes. So prior…
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Second Trimester Recap, Must-Haves and Baby Name!
Well, folks, we are officially in the HOME STRETCH. Peace out, second trimester. Hello, third trimester. Instead of doing an update this week, this blog will be more of a reflection on the second trimester. But before we get into that, one big news moment: Matt and I finally agreed on Pistachio’s real name! This is big. Want to know what it is? Sorry…can’t tell you that. But I will be including one baby name hint at the end of each pregnancy blog post (including this post) moving forward. I won’t confirm or deny, of course, until his birth announcement. If you guess the full name (first and middle), you’ll…
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Essential Oils 101: The Essentials with an Expert
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past five years, I’m sure you’ve heard the term “Essential Oils.” Long used for aromatherapy and in eastern medicine practices, essential oils have been well accepted and utilized in holistic wellness practices, massage therapy institutions, and within a niche group of natural wellness constituents. However, as we’ve all begun to embrace more holistic practices, engage in proactive health initiatives, and reduce the amount of chemicals/toxins we expose ourselves too, mainstream society has really started to embrace these oils. Even the western medical community has become more accepting of the benefits of these oils. Many studies at prominent institutions like Johns Hopkins,…
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Baby Registry Advice and Bumpdate: 26 Weeks Pregnant
Hello friends and happy fall! Can you believe it’s fall already? I’ve always deemed myself a “summer” girl. I enjoy the hot weather, outdoor dining, and social nature of summer. But man, at 26 weeks pregnant, this lady has never been MORE ready for sweater weather and legging season. For all you mamas out there that endure the 3rd trimester in the heat of the summer, I bow down to you. Speaking of which SIX MONTHS. That means only three months (god-willing) left until we get to meet the Pistachio. I mentioned this in a recent post, but for the past month or so, I feel like the “preggo-planning” has…
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Prenatal Exercise & my 23 Week Pregnancy Update
We are just cruising along now friends! I’m in the middle of my 23rd week of pregnancy and overall, I’m feeling pretty good. I’m starting to adjust to my new exercise/work/commute schedule, my new house, and my science experiment of a body. We have an ultrasound on Friday to make sure that Pistachio’s offset umbilical cord isn’t causing any complications, but when I asked the OB-GYN about this, she reassured me that it’s nothing to worry about. So, fingers crossed, all is well with little ‘Stash. If my belly size is any indication, his growth rate is just fine. Speaking of the above changes, I recently had quite a few…
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Labor Day Weekend: A Healthier Approach
Hi friends! Happy Labor Day Weekend! Personally, I love Labor Day weekend. Yes, to some it may signify the theoretical end of summer. Everyone knows that it isn’t ACTUALLY the end of summer, right? For those of us still living in a 90 degree heat wave, summer is far from over. So, I’ll take the three-day, long weekend in September to usher in some #basic essentials like football season, dreams of leggings and flannels, apple scented candles and my favorite…pumpkin everything (dairy-free, of course). Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons (if not the most beautiful), and I’m excited to spend my first autumn in the country. Now, back…
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Twenty Week Update: Anatomy Scan, Gender Reveal, and Life Update
Helllooo second half of pregnancy!I’m currently in my twenty-first week of pregnancy and excited to share this twenty week update! A lot of life changes have happened since I last blogged, both preggo and non-preggo related, so I’ll give you a quick recap below. It’s has been a roller coaster of emotions and, working through all the highs and lows while pregnant has been…a challenge. It has never been more apparent to me how important it is to surround yourself with people that lift you up and provide unwavering love and support. So, let’s just get into it. WE MOVED! Remember my changing of the seasons blog? Welp, in true…
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