Chapter 10 ~ Pregnancy Photoshoot

Photography. With technology, most everyone has a camera these days. And some phones take excellent pictures! But that doesn't mean that all pictures are great. Just because you have a camera doesn't mean you are a photographer. Myself included!

But there is something special, whimsical maybe about a pregnant mother thinking about the wonderful gift that is about to come into her life. So, I started researching baby and pregnancy photographers. I wanted to see what was available in my area.

I found a few, but the prices (insert "gulp" here!) I am all for paying people what they earn (ie taking amazing pictures) but the price for things sometimes is just way beyond what it needs to be. A photo shoot could cost us more than a crib! Babies cost enough, we couldn't justify paying those prices when we had other things we needed for the baby and other expenses coming for baby.

I didn't do weekly pictures of my bump. In fact I didn't really get many pictures at all. My husband hates taking pictures and he hates being in pictures, so that didn't help my cause. I wanted to make sure that I got some pictures of that precious time in my life, no matter how big I was!

So, I contacted my Mom and asked if she wouldn't mind snapping a couple pictures when that time came. She's not a professional, but I knew that they would be perfect for what we wanted.

I didn't wear a beautiful, long flowing dress. I didn't go bare skin. It was just me being me, fat face and all.

It was not on the top of my list, so when "that time came," I kind of forgot! Ooops! How could that have happened?!? (Anyone relate? ;) )

Seven days overdue, and two days before our bundle was born, we finally got it done! My Mom dusted off her camera and I went out into the beautiful fall leaves. And I am glad we did!

I look at my face and I judge myself. But then I look at my bump and remember all the wonders of carrying that little person inside me for nine whole months! I remember telling my husband we were going to have a baby and the joy of sharing it with our family and friends. I recall the tired days on the couch and feeling her first movements. I remember the pouring out of blessing on our family from so many as we began our journey. I remember all the amazing moments since she's been born. What a wonder pregnancy is!

And I know that though it is not all captured in the photos but it's in my eyes. These pictures will help me remember.

Whether you wear the flowing dress, flaunt your bare skinned bump, or just be you; whether you hire a photographer, take selfies, or talk your Mom into it doesn't matter. Do what makes you feel comfortable, what will help you capture the moment. But I do recommend that capture those moments before their gone. It passes all too quickly.

No matter what you choose, be prepared! Here are some tips to help.

TIPS:

• Casual Photo Shoots
• If you don't know a photographer, ask your friends, they might! See if they know someone who would be willing to take a few casual pictures of you and your bump. Discuss payment or thank them with a gift!
• Have Photo Ideas With You. 
• Scour ideas on Pinterest! Click here to get some. Ask your photographer if you can send some to them, or bring them with you and show them what you want. Or use them yourself for a reference.
• If your idea needs a prop, bring it with you. Most times these items are personal, so you'll have them. If it's generic, ask your photographer. They may have something.
• Bring a Variety of Outfits! 
• Some photographers provide those, so that's ok. But you know us women, we like options and we don't always like something when we put it on later! Being pregnant, I found that happened even more often. So, be prepared for it. Last thing you want is to feel even more uncomfortable because you don't like your outfit!
• Bring Water & Lip Gloss!
• Especially if you're pictures are being done in a studio, under lights, you'll be glad you did!
• Make an Alternative Weather Plan. 
• It may rain, or something else. So if you want to go outdoors, have a back-up plan.
• Don't Stress. 
• Seriously, don't. Yes, you want pictures, but they don't have to be a stress point! Just have fun and be you. Let whoever has the camera do the rest. Whatever your pictures, I'm sure they'll be beautiful. 
• Deals!
• If you plan on hiring a photographer, look for someone who offers a deal by doing your pregnancy and newborn photos.

Hope this helps! Remember, just relax (as much as you can), and say "cheese!"

Until next time,

Canadian Country Mama

Chapter 9 ~ Having a Babymoon!

In my first trimester, I was lucky to get out of bed and go to work. I was exhausted all the time! The couch became my favourite place, my happy place.

Coming into my second trimester, it really changed. Don't get me wrong, I still liked a good nap! But I had a lot more energy. So, my husband and I decided to plan a trip!

The unfortunate part is we don't really watch or follow the news. So, we made plans for a resort in the south. We booked a last minute deal. We were a few weeks away when we learned of the zika virus.

Yup, I know, it was all over. But we weren't listening or paying attention. Needless to say, we did not travel south. It wasn't worth the risk.

Instead, we decided to support Canada and go to our favourite place, Niagara Falls.

It was beautiful! June was warm and sunny, we had the perfect weather! We walked along the Falls, battled in the Arcade, enjoyed Starbucks (multiple times!), crossed the border to buy maternity clothes at Target (that's right - I miss it!), dined out at great restaurants, saw a show, and I went to the Spa. It was bliss!

Honestly, a "Babymoon" is something I highly encourage. Take some time away for the two of you to rest, have an adventure, and enjoy each other's company. So much changes so soon and the last months can be busy with preparations. Make sure you take some time for you and your spouse! Connect, talk, and try and forget about the bump in front of you. Save the baby talk. Just focus on the two of you.

Where you go is up to you. You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a great time! Go camping or to a cabin in the woods if that's your thing. But take a few days at least and get away.

If you want to go to Niagara Falls, here are a few suggestions:

Clifton Hill
Feel like a kid again and check out all the fun that Clifton Hill has to offer! Battle it out in the arcade, go bowling, play mini-golf (indoor glow-in-the-dark or outdoor with dinosaurs), check out Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not, etc. There's so much to do and see!

21 Club Steak & Seafood
The dining room is beautiful, the food is amazing, and when I asked, they brought me a large glass of cold milk! I didn't really have cravings when I was pregnant, but I loved a cold glass of milk. It's very refreshing!

The Spa
Whether you stay in their hotel or not, by booking at the spa that day you get access to the pool and gym. In the Spa there is a steam room, sauna, and hot tub (used them before, not for this trip.)

There is a private lounge with fresh fruit, yogurt, and other snacks. They also have hot beverages and fruit and veggie infused water options. The change room facilities are first rate. The staff is excellent, the service is amazing.

And yes, they have registered prenatal massages available. Uh huh.

I had one bad treatment when I was there. When I contacted them, they made it right and said it would be available whenever I was able to get back. I was very pleased with their promptness in replying and care for me as a customer.

Skylon Tower
We did this on another trip but if you haven't gone up the tower at Niagara Falls, add this to your list! So worth it! My lobster tail was amazing and seeing Niagara at night was beautiful. Plus, we saw fireworks! If you want this, check in advance as fireworks are often but not every night and only at a certain time.

Greg Frewin Magic Show
Lastly, if you like magic, go to this show! It was a lot of fun. We paid extra and did the buffet before. It made it easier than trying to dine somewhere else, the cost was comparable to what we'd pay at a restaurant, and the food was surprisingly good. We had a great night!

That's it, hope you have a fantastic time away! Put those feet up and get a pedicure, I highly recommend it!

Until next time,

Canadian Country Mama

Chapter 8 ~ Free Programs & Samples in Canada

Maybe you started looking already. Maybe you've seen the fancy diaper bags you can get only to find out it's for U.S. Residents only :(.

We may not get the fancy stuff they have available south of us, but we still have a good number of options available to us so do not despair!

I have done many hours of research and compiled a list below. It should covers most, if not all of the main ones. Though there still may be some I've missed. If you know of more (and they are still available), please share in the comments!

Here we go!

Formula & Baby Food

Nestle Baby Program
A month before my due date, I received my package. It included: a Huggies coupon, a 5oz NUK bottle, powder formula, ready to go bottles, feeding information, and coupons.

At 4 months, I received this in the mail. Coupons, a sample pack of rice cereal and information on starting your baby on solids.

Similac Club
Somewhere between 1-2 months before my due date, I received a blue Similac Box. It contained what you see here:

Enfamil
When you sign-up they give you two options. One including print resources, samples, etc. The other "Green" Option, offers digital resources and coupons for full sized samples that you can pick-up in store. I chose this option as it had a higher value and digital resources are fine by me.

Unfortunately just as I'm writing this I realize that I haven't received anything! As having a baby isn't busy or anything ;) I had totally forgotten! I have now contacted the company, we'll see what happens from here.

Heinz Baby Club
Just signed up for this one, so we'll see what comes. I'll update with any new information.

Milupa
E-mail: info.milupa@vandewaterraymond.com to request samples. Be sure to include your mailing address. Still waiting for mine. Will update.

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Baby Care

Huggies
Sign-up and receive coupons as well as a bag of Newborn Diapers!

Honestly, Huggies are awesome! I see their stuff all over in sample packs. They know how to advertise and they have a great product! Can't rave enough! See Chapter 3 ~ Friendly Advice for my Huggies vs Pampers review.

Note: Keep your receipts and submit for points (they no longer have codes.)

Pampers
Sign-up and receive coupons in the mail.

Program: Look for codes on products to redeem for points. Redeem at least one code every month (without missing) to receive extra rewards.

Healthy Essentials (Johnson&Johnson)
Sign-up and receive a coupon in the mail for a Take Along Pack.

The Honest Company
Pay Shipping ($5.95 American) and get all of the below free.

7 diapers (choose your size), 10 wipes, and samples of: multi-surface cleaner spray, healing balm, hand soap, face & body lotion, and shampoo & body wash.

Keep your eye out for my upcoming review on The Honest Company and their products!

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Miscellaneous

Sears & Babies 'R Us
If you register in store, you get a free small gift with some sample. Not sure what the current pack contains. As you may have seen in my Chapter 7 ~ Baby Registry Post, I registered online through MyRegistry.com.

London Drugs
Sign-up and receive welcome package and newsletters.

Catch: package mailed with online purchase. May be available to pick-up in store, but unconfirmed.

Sobeys
Use the link for details. You can sign-up on-line but you get more if you go to a Sobeys Pharmacy.

In Store Participants receive:

• Free Pharmacist Consultation
• Nutrition during your pregnancy
• What to take if you have a headache, cold or other minor ailment
• Prescription medications that you are currently taking
• Which herbals are safe to take
• Any other pharmacy-related questions regarding your pregnancy
• Prenatal vitamins for the duration of your pregnancy
• Informative E-Newsletters and recommended web links
• Ongoing support

Online Participants receive:

• Informative E-newsletters
• Recommended web links
• Baby savings

Free Books

Dolly Parton has created a library program for kids. use the link above to see if there's anything in your area.

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The Unknowns

Parent Life Network (Canada's Lukiest Baby)
I'm waiting on this one. On the website, the last contest was 2015 though Google shows there was a winner in 2016. I'm not sure if it's going on currently or if it's a scam. Doing more research.

Baby Box Canada
According to Huffington Post, this organization is legit. They are simply overloaded; they never expected the response the received. Promising free stuff - what did they expect!?

I should point out that I have contacted them twice asking about the boxes. Both times it took over a month for them to respond! Disappointing.

According to their website, their claim is now that boxes will be sent out April 2017. And if you signed up before and your baby has been born since, you are to receive an age appropriate box.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not Tested (stores not in my area...)

Save-On-Foods
Go to store with baby and fill out form at Pharmacy.
Get: small waterproof diaper bag, pack of diaper wipes, and sample of diaper rash cream.

Thrifty Foods
Register in store to get a free birthday cake for your child's first birthday!

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Discontinued Programs 

Shoppers Drug Mart
Unfortunately according to their Facebook, the Shoppers Drug Mart VIB (Very Important Baby) Program has been discontinued. So if you never received anything, or someone told you to look for it, you won't find it. However, they still have helpful articles and resources on their "Welcome to Mom-Hood" Page. See Some examples below.

• Which Prenatal Supplements Should I Take?
• Tips for Introducing Finger Foods
• Your First Aid Guide to Everyday Injuries
• A Bedtime Routine to Help Baby Sleep

Lansinoh

From what I can tell, Lansinoh no longer sends free samples to Canada. 

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Scams

NewBornBabyItems.com

From my research, this is a scam. The idea is that you give them your information and it signs you up for all the available free programs and samples. When something seems to good to be true, usually it is. Sorry!

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Want More Great Deals?

Download the Flipp App on your device to see multiple flyers online! Search specific flyers or products, create a shopping list, and more!

Community Welcome Wagon
Use this link to try and find one in your area. They will bring you gifts if you've recently moved or had a baby! Provinces available: BC, Alberta, and Ontario.

If you don't find something here, check with your local radio station or information center to see if there is one near you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope this is helpful for you! If all else fails, it's a recent list. When I was registering, may were dated and not relevant. I hope to keep updating this list to keep helping everyone. So, if you have found a new source, or you learn something, please comment below!

Until next time,

Canadian Country Mama

Chapter 7 ~ Baby Registry

Early on in my pregnancy, I started doing research. I know that the baby market is CRAZY! There are so many different products and options!!! I wanted to not just get things because they look cool but because we needed them.

First, I went to my friends, I wanted to know what they felt was a need and what products they recommended. I took their suggestions and what I had seen and experienced (while babysitting and at work) and went to the internet to find out more!

Some things I have already broken down in previous posts (see Chapter 3 & 4.) I will break down more in the future as well. This post is just a list to help you along the way.

CREATING A REGISTRY
Though not everyone in my life is into technology, I knew the easiest way to share our registry was to have it available online and to have it all in one place.

This led me to "MyRegistry.com"

PROS:

• It's like Pinterest! You download a bookmark and you can add anything you want, from any website to one registry.
• Allows you specify number of items desired, colour, etc. It also allows you to post the cost of the item.
• When someone opens an item, it directs them to the site you added the item from. MyRegistry gives them your address, if they want to ship it directly to you. It also has multiple reminders for the the viewer to come back to the MyRegistry website to mark the item as purchased.

CONS:

• If you create separate registries (through amazon.ca, Babies 'R Us Canada, etc) you can't link them. This has not been made possible in Canada yet. 
• When you check or update your registry, purchased items are revealed. There's no way to keep them hidden. If you don't want to know what you're getting, stop looking a few weeks before your Shower, etc. You'll only see who the gift is from if you open the item from your registry.
• You'll get e-mails for contests that Canadians can't enter. They are apparently working on a filter for this. I suggest unsubscribing until this is resolved. 

TIPS:

• Some items that you register for can disappear quickly and not come back. Be aware and check your items and links often (this will no appear on MyRegistry.) 
• Have back-ups. Our crib disappeared and was no longer available in Canada except for three times what I had found it for. I hadn't kept my list of other options, so I had to research all over again. When doing research, keep track of your top three for major items.
• Stores like Costco.ca, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Babies 'R Us have the majority of the products only available online, not in-store. Be aware of this and let people know in advance.
• Ask for gift receipts! I had a large group shower at my work. Many people there didn't look at my registry. As a result, I had duplicate gifts. So, make sure people get gift receipts! You don't want to make those calls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am a big believer in saving money where we can. I didn't want to get items that aren't needed or useful, and I wanted to try to get the most of of our space and money. I expanded on this in my first post, check out Chapter 1 ~ Nesting: The Nursery, to see some examples of how we accomplished this.

Without further ado....

MY REGISTRY LIST:

Pre-Nursery:

• Bassinet 
• Sheets (2-3)
• Swaddle Blankets and/or Wraps

The Nursery:

• Crib
• Mattress (watch sizes!)
• Sheets (3)
• Mobile

• Dresser and/or Change Table
• I suggest a dresser, more versatile and gives storage
• Change Pad
• Waterproof Pad
• Sheets (2-3) 
• Diaper Genie
• Bag Refills
• Odor Puck Refills
• Laundry Bin

• Rocking Chair
• Humidifier
• Night Light
• Baby Monitor
• Size Dividers (for closet)
• Toy Bin

*I suggest that you don't stock up on diapers, wipes, diapering items, or bath items as you don't know what your baby's skin will be like.* But if you want a specific product, let it be known on your registry. Personally, I like Live Clean (proudly made in Canada!) and I will expand more in another post.

The Bathroom:

• Baby Bath Tub (with different stages)
• Bath Thermometer (if you feel it's needed)
• Wash Cloths
• Baby Hooded Towel
• Nasal Aspirator
• Thermometer (make sure it's good for infant)

**I suggest that you don't register for clothes, books, or toys as you will get plenty. But if there is something you want specifically, add it to your registry.** 

House:

• Swing or Vibration Seat (you really don't know what your baby will like but so helpful!)
• Play Mat (for multiple stages)
• Toy Bin(s)
• Play Yard
• Sheets (1-2)
• Baby Carrier
• Make sure it's versatile if you both plan on wearing it. Most men don't want to wear a sling. Be aware of colour (attracting sun, and mess.)

Feeding:

• Breastfeeding
• Pillow (optional)
• I found a regular pillow worked just fine!
• Breast Pump
• Storage Bottles/Bags
• Storage Container (optional)
• Formula
• Again, be careful! Sign-Up for samples and see what your baby likes first. They could take it fine but don't digest it well. Formula isn't cheap so see what works before you stock up! Then, get coupons and look for sales!!!
• Both
• Bottle Drying Rack
• Not a need but handy. All the little pieces can fill your dish rack. Having designed for this, is very helpful as my dishwasher did not wash bottles well.

Car & Travel: 

• Car Seat
• Additional Car Seat Base (optional)
• Allows you use seat in multiple cars without removing base.
• Stroller
• Car Seat Cover (optional)
• I say optional, but it's really handy! Blocks out distractions and light. Helps protect from the cold in the winter....
• Reflective Shades (optional)
• Rear View Baby Mirror (optional)
• Car Seat Protector (optional)

Diaper Bag: 

• Diaper Bag
• Change Pad

3 Months+:

• Booster Seat or High Chair
• We choose a multiple stage booster seat. Needed for travel, suits all stages, and easier to store.
• Making Baby Food (if you choose to do so)
• Food Processor/ Steamer
• Ice Trays or Containers (to freeze food)
• Baby Dishes (Plates, Bowls, Spoons, etc.)
• Don't register for bottles, babies can be picky about nipples. No sense getting a bunch of bottles that you can't use!
• There are pieces available to help you know when food is the right temperature. 
• Munchkin White Hot
• Keep in mind items that will work for travel as well.
• Snack Catchers
• Water Bottle 
• Look for one that can convert through different stages (bottle, sip top, regular.) Klean Kanteen has a great one.
• Exersaucer or Activity Gym (optional)
• Like a swing or a bouncy seat, it is not necessary but helpful! 
• It can help give you a needed break to get a couple chores done or just finish a hot cup of coffee or tea! ;)

Please comment below if you want specifics on an item we choose, have questions, or think I missed something! We help each other!

Until next time,

Canadian Country Mama

Chapter 6 ~ My Experience with Maternity Clothes

Why is it so hard to find good quality stuff these days? More specifically, why is it so hard to find clothes that are made well, especially for pregnant women?

I go to stores like Sail and they carry quality clothing brands that last. Yes, you pay higher prices for them, but if I have to pay to replace cheaper items, in the long run, I pay more. To me, it makes more sense to pay $150 for good winter boots that will last me 8 years (and counting - Thank you Merrell!) than to pay $50 on boots that may last a season or two.

I am less willing to pay top dollar for something that I will only be wearing 9 months or so. Maternity stores charge just as much or more than regular stores at the mall. Not having options, we're forced to pay. And their quality is disappointing.

And what makes it even harder? Poor selection, tight fitting or extremely loose fitting styles (making it hard to feel good about yourself), and return/shipping policies that are lacking.

Unfortunately, with this post, I don't have solutions. Although at the end I have a few suggestions.

But I am hoping that as we stand up, as we ask for more, we will make a difference. After all, if you've seen Pocahontas, you know the difference a ripple can make! Let's get on social media. Let's ask for more clothes made in Canada. Let's ask for quality. Let's ask for companies to stand behind their products!

Do you remember when Zellers had their jean program? You could bring in jeans, no matter how worn, and get a replacement! That was believing in your product, supporting your customers. If we ask for that, if we stand for that together, the ripples will grow!

Let's get #bringqualityback trending. Let's make ripples. Let's ask for more!

This is my story.

Being from a small, rural community in Ontario, I am not close to many maternity stores. Ones that were closer are Thyme Maternity and Motherhood Maternity. These are probably the most popular. H&M has a small corner that is so poorly stocked, it shouldn't make the list. And The Gap was worse. Otherwise, my options were to go online.

These were my problems:

1. I have curves. I am not ashamed of them but I don't want everyone to see them either. So, I don't wear skin tight clothing. It was hard to find styles that made me feel comfortable. Many tops were low-cut and tight fitting. This is not my style.
2. I believe that stores where you can shop on-line should allow you to return to the store. This is not always the case. I don't want to pay to try on clothes. (Paying to return items does not make sense to me.)
3. I have a problem paying high prices for clothes that will not last. It's a waste.
4. Pregnancy isn't the only thing you have to buy for! You need to think about clothes for nursing too (if you make that choice.)

So, when I could no longer fit into my pants, I went to Thyme Maternity as it was the closer store. To go to Motherhood was double the time and more traffic.

My experience? It was hit and miss. One visit, helpful and friendly. The next, the complete opposite.

Early on, I bought: a pair of jeans, some leggings, two nursing bras, a top, a maxi dress, and a jean jacket, and a rain coat. I also got the Marcelle stretch cream. I received 2 coupons.

Win: the sporty nursing bras are comfortable.

Win: the top looks great with leggings and could be worn after birth. 

Win: the maxi dress and jean jacket are the same, I can wear them pregnant and not. 

Win: I got coupons.

Then it all went downhill.

Coupons

The coupons were only for their fancier clothing. I hadn't bought anything that it would apply to and I wasn't going to. The coupons were limited and useless.

Rain Coat

One spring day, I was out at a park. It started to rain. No problem, I was wearing my rain coat! Wrong. It took 3 minutes for the rain to seep through the coat. By the time I got to my car, I was soaked. Completely soaked. Their jacket was regular $115. I got my waterproof Salomon coat at $99. I have never been soaked, I've never been wet! Why do I have to pay more because it's maternity? And why do they charge so much for something so poor?

I contacted Thyme about their poor product and I got this:

"We value the time you have taken to inform us of your comments and suggestions regarding our merchandise as well as our coupons. Rest assured that we have forwarded your e-mail to the appropriate department to review your concerns.

Comments from our customers such as yourself are the key to improving business, and we appreciate them tremendously. 

Thank you and we hope to serve you again soon."

Then I got another e-mail saying that my case was closed. That was it! Nothing to try and make it right.

Stretch Mark Cream
After a week of use, I had zits all over my stomach. When I contacted Thyme, they told me because it was opened, it was nonreturnable. Even stores like Shoppers will allow you to return a product if it causes that type of reaction. They offered nothing. They made no attempt to make it right.

Pants

The jeans and leggings were ok for the first couple months. Then, they started wanting to come down. The dryer didn't help. (Note: After birth, still unable to wear my normal pants, these want to keep falling down and roll over.) This was annoying but nothing compared to my biggest disappointment. 

I sat down on the couch and R-IIIIIIII-PPPPPPP! My jeans split open. They ripped right across the back of my leg like shorts...very short shorts. 

Two days later, wearing my leggings, I sit down...

Yup...R-IIIIIIII-PPPPPPP! These ripped right on the seam.

I had the pants for about 6 months. When I called Thyme, they said there was nothing they could do. When I asked to speak to a manager, they said no one was available. 

I know things wear, I know they don't last forever. For me, my frustration lies more in their unwillingness to make it right. 

I have jeans in my closet (unable to wear them) that I have had for years! Why are these maternity jeans made so poorly!? Why won't they stand behind their products? Why do they charge so much for things that are so poorly constructed?

Because we'll pay. We have to.

I know this is a big rant on Thyme Maternity. Honestly, the products I got from Motherhood (other than the nursing tanks), weren't much better. Other company's return policies made it too hard/costly for me to try. And the things I tried from Amazon were sized all over the place. At least I didn't have to pay to return.

As a whole I am disappointed. I am frustrated. I am broke. Ok, not really, but with all that money spent and wasted, I could have bought things like diapers! I needed that money!

Suggestions:

• Buy clothes that you can wear while pregnant and ones that you can wear after too. Longer tunics with leggings are comfortable and stylish. Also, maxi dresses are great in the heat and trendy too.

• Be aware of styles that you can wear for nursing too. Wrap tops that cross in the front allow you to pull down one side for easy nursing. They can also help hide unwanted rolls ;). Pulling down a top is much easier than having to roll one up (and keep it there!)

• Try the rubberband trick. If your pants still fit, just not in the waist, tie the band to your button hole and loop over your button. Not good enough? Try a belly band.

• Some tanks are slack enough you can just pull them down. Or, go to Pinterest for DIY Nursing Tank Ideas! Unfortunately I looked to late. Summer was over and the spaghetti strapped tanks were gone. 
• Be comfortable! And invest in some good shoes! I bought new shoes, but I made sure that they were styles that I could wear during and after, even if my feet did grow a bit (possible!)

That's it! Sorry this post is more negative, I promise this is a rare post!

Remember: Let's get #bringqualityback trending. Let's make ripples. Let's ask for more!

Until next time,

Canadian Country Mama