How can you furnish and decorate a nursery for just $50?
1. Hand me downs
It takes a village to raise a child…and to fill their material needs. Start collecting early in pregnancy, so you know what to register for when it comes time for the baby shower.
2. Thrift stores
With a little time, you can come across some really great finds and save yourself a bundle! It helps to make a list of everything you will need, and then keep a lookout when you visit.
3. Craigslist
Never buy big ticket items new without …

Ready to make the big announcement about your pregnancy to your social networking friend’s list? Here are the top ways to update your status: the good, the bad, and the hilarious.
How did you update your status when you announced your pregnancy? Do you have any clever, funny or good ideas? Post it in the comments so we can add it to the list! Include a link to your blog so we can credit your idea in the  article.

…is pregnant…….what’s your excuse?!
…has a baby in her belly.
…is thinking of names.
…is …

Whether it is your first, second or tenth baby, there are so many creative ways to announce pregnancy. Do you have a creative or favorite idea for announcing a pregnancy or a story about how you announced your pregnancy? Post it in the comments.
Ways to Announce Pregnancy to Family

Take a picture of you and your partner and get a blank card. Inside write, “Day Trip to Catalina: $70, Dinner at an expensive restaurant: $100, New Shoes she had to have: $50, Knowing there are actually THREE people in this photo: …

In our younger years we aim to do anything to prevent pregnancy. When we are ready to start a family, we try everything to get pregnant. If you’ve ever wondered what are the chances of, then read on.

If you recently or not so recently had a baby chances are you’ve noticed some changes in your body. The way you feel about your body is important. It affects your attitude and lifestyle. You are also teaching your children very important lessons about body image and self esteem by the way you feel and talk about your self.
Let’s do a little mental exercise.
Step One:
Get naked and stand in front of your mirror. No, I am not being a pervert; there is a lesson to learn here. We are talking …

I haven’t blogged in a while. Lily, my sweet tiny newborn baby, is almost two years old. It seems like yesterday she was sleeping in her bouncer while I uploaded all the beautiful pictures of her to this blog for family and friends to coo over. It is so funny how time flies and everything that can happen in two years. We are living near Los Angeles now – moved here from San Diego. Stan has two semesters left at law school and I am working from home and taking …

Wow. I thought I’d heard it all in terms of natural childbirth and all the baby and mom friendly options we pregnant mamas have to think about. In pregnancies past I’ve taken Bradley Method Classes, Hypno Birthing Classes, read Birthing From Within and done prenatal yoga all second and third trimesters long. I’ve used birthing balls, water and birthing bars to help my kids enter the word drug free. My husband was on the receiving end of my first two deliveries. I held each baby on my belly even as …

If you are or have been pregnant, odds are you know what I’m talking about. Over 50% of pregnant women suffer (and I mean suffer!!!) from these horrible, jaw clenching seizures in the muscles of the legs, usually in the calves, and (for me anyway) the sneaky little devils like to strike in the middle of the night.
I started getting them every other night around 2a.m.  about two weeks ago. One was so bad it lasted into the next day and had me limping… considering a cane or a crutch …

Great baby shower decorations are more about using your imagination than your pocketbook! You can create a wonderful party mood with simple, high-impact arrangements. This article details some of the best ideas for baby shower decorations.
Use balloons artfully
Balloons make it feel like a party! Always have balloons at your events. Here’s a money-saver tip – your local 99¢ store will usually have balloons at a much lower price than most party stores.
A basic use of balloons is to create color spots around the room or area where you’re holding the …

Childbirth classes can be a helpful and informative step for new parents. A detailed knowledge of pregnancy and delivery is helpful for both the expectant mother and father because there is comfort in knowing what the future holds and having the resources handy to make it as easy as possible.
Childbirth Class Locations
Childbirth Classes are often held at your local hospital. You can contact your local hospital or doctors office to get information on locations and times.
Online Childbirth classes are a great alternative for busy parents-to-be. They offer the flexibility and …

What is a Diaper Cake?
A diaper cake is a creative gift for expecting parents made from cloth or disposable diapers and garnished with other baby items like pacifiers, bottles, etc. Ribbons and bows are often used to hold it all together. The diapers are rolled and stacked so that they look like a traditional tiered cake. A diaper cake can have as many tiers as you like. Most diaper cakes have between one and three tiers. They are popular at baby showers, both as centerpieces and gifts.
Supplies Needed to Make …

I was asked to review a new book, called Baby Lists. The book was written by Elaine Farber, a newborn consultant who has three children of her own. (First of all, how do you become a newborn consultant, and where do I sign up?)
Stan and I had a 3 ring binder with all of our baby lists in it: what to buy, birth plan, baby shower guests, etc. Most of which we had gathered from parenting and pregnancy books. On the other hand, this book lays it all out for …

If you are up for making something, here are some other Halloween costumes for the mommy to be! If you are look for one to buy, scroll to the bottom of the page for some great pre-made options.

A treasure troll. Wear a tight nude colored shirt, glue a jewel on your belly button, tease your hair straight up and spray it green or pink.

Skeleton with a baby skeleton inside the belly.

Farmer with a watermelon painted belly.

Pumpkin Belly

A black widow. Wear all black, paint a red mark on your belly and …

After 3 months postpartum I’m starting to miss a few things about being pregnant. I spent over 9 months with a little person growing inside me. I was experiencing a miracle and building a crazy strong bond to my daughter. But even after creating a list of everything I miss about being pregnant, there is no way I would go back because I am so excited to wake up everyday to see that beautiful smiling baby face.

What I miss about Pregnancy

Wearing all kinds of pajamas, on any day …

Here is the second part of my labor video. Watch Part One first.
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