What is Love?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Our Favorite Things

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Reasons Why You Can’t Lose Your Mummy Tummy–Part II

Ok, so this is part two of a three part series of articles concerning your “mummy tummy”. Recently, I discussed how new moms often feel a bulge or layer of fat around their mid-section, and no matter what they do, they can’t shift it! That’s the pillow-like feeling I referred to—and it can be a bit of a surprise postpartum. So, let’s talk about diet and it’s impact on recovery and the mummy tummy! Diet and nutrition work in tandem …

How do I lose my Mummy Tummy?

 PART I How are you feeling about your postpartum belly? Personally, I’ve always been conflicted. Physically, mine felt like a pillow for quite some time and I even remember resting my arm on it while I nursed my newborn son!  What an odd feeling that was!  A belly that had been full and taught for so many months was now loose, overstretched, weakened and distractingly present. I had a sudden desire to obliterate this leftover pillow. Ironic, seeing as it …

The Importance of Hydration

The Importance of Water Intake During Pregnancy “How are you doing with your water intake? Are you staying hydrated?”  These questions have been rolling off my tongue during this remarkably hot Seattle summer.  Hydration is always important at any stage of life, but especially important during pregnancy.  So here’s a quick Q&A regarding this important topic: How much water should you drink per day? Approximately two liters (or eight glasses) per day is how much you should be drinking. If …

Breastfeeding and Exercise Tips

Breastfeeding and Exercise Tips This topic has been on my mind as we are two weeks in to the May Mom & Baby Series. While instructing Mom & Baby, I always keep breastfeeding in mind—allowing fifteen minutes at the start of each class for preemptive nursing and of course, time throughout and following class as needed. As the mama of a boy who still nurses on demand at 18 months, I have had my share of breastfeeding and exercise related …

Diastasis Recti–An Overview

Diastasis Recti: Defined What is this big, scary sounding term and how does it or could it effect you, your pregnancy and ability to recover postpartum?  Diastasis Recti is a term for the weakening and subsequent separation of the connective tissue at the midline of the abdomen secondary to increased intra-abdominal pressure.  In simple terms, it’s the separation of the “six-pack” muscles laterally from left to right and is a symptom of a core that is not functioning well.  This …

Diaphragmatic Breathing: “Ahhhh”

We know that life begins with the first breath and ends with the last.  But it is how we breathe in between the first and last that greatly impacts how well we live this life.     Nancy Zi, The Art of Breathing I am often asked, “What’s the best exercise I can do the prepare my body for childbirth?” You might be surprised to learn the answer…it’s not squats, yoga poses, or kegels. Although each exercise plays an important …

Getting Quiet

I took five minutes yesterday to get quiet.  One.  Two.  Three.  Four.  Five.  It felt like 40 and I swear it added a year back to my life.  I gained a sense of calm, peacefulness, a centeredness and focus I hadn’t felt in weeks or maybe months.  I took that calm with me on a jog and noticed the trees, the signs on buildings, the sun on the water, a homeless man in the woods, trash on the sidewalk, students …

Snowflakes and Labor

Kind of like snowflakes, no two labors are exactly alike. And despite months and hours of preparation, there will be surprises. Now, I am certain that this is the ONLY guarantee! Here are a few of my unlikely surprises. Things I didn’t think would happen or could never have known I would do during labor: 1.) Call out for the comfort of our cat, “Lobo” during contractions. Needless to say, he did not come to the bedside. 2.) Keep only …