What To Expect Book Giveaway!

 

The "What to Expect When You're Expecting" was my go to book during both of my pregnancies.  It was so informative during my first pregnancy and helpful as a refresher during my second pregnancy.  After pregnancy, I read "What to Expect The First Year" and found it extremely helpful as well.  

I was recently sent the new editions of both of these books as well as one I hadn't read before, "What To Expect The Second Year."  This is also an extremely useful go to book for all new moms.  It offers invaluable information about reaching milestones, feeding tips for picky eaters, getting more sleep (something we all need), talking and defusing tantrums. It has wonderful sections on keeping your toddler healthy, dealing with illnesses and a great section on developmental disorders.

What to Expect has generously offered to give away two of each book to 6 different winners.  To enter this giveaway, simply comment on this post and let me know which book you would like.  Please include your email.  If you would like to enter without commenting, please email your entry to contests@stellamaternity.com. 

For extra entries (one extra entry for each of these) please leave a comment telling me you have done the following:

- Like Stella Maternity on Facebook
- Follow Stella Maternity on Twitter
- Follow What to Expect on Twitter
- Follow the Stella Maternity News Blog (Follow button located in top left of this site)
- Tweet about this giveaway
- Blog post about this giveaway and include a link

The giveaway will end on January 31st at midnight EST.  Winners will be chosen at random.  Good Luck Mamas!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Be a Fresh Air Fund Host Family!

THE FRESH AIR FUND is an independent, not-for-profit agency, that provides free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities. The Fresh Air Fund has been doing this since 1877 and nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually. In 2010, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

The Fresh Air Fund is in need of host families. There is no such thing as a "typical" host family. If you have room in your home - and your heart - to host a child, you could be one too. Friendly Town host families are volunteers who live in the suburbs or small town communities. Host families range in size and background, but share the desire to open their hearts and homes to give city children an experience they will never forget. Hosts say the Fresh Air experience is as enriching for their own families, as it is for the inner-city children. There are no financial requirements for hosting a child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. Fresh Air children are boys and girls who live in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city.

To find out more about becoming a host family, visit http://www.freshair.org.

Baby and Maternity Photography!

I am in love with the images created by Annapolis based Bitsy Baby maternity and baby photography. The maternity photographs capture the beauty and ripeness of pregnancy in a tasteful and artistic way. The baby photographs are so pure and innocent. In black or white or color, she uses simple accessories and really captures the sweetness of a newborn baby. My personal favorite is the baby in the basket shown here. A true piece of art!

The artist, Rita, has been in the photography industry for over 15 years. She worked as a wedding photographer in Hawaii for several years before moving to Annapolis and concentrating on maternity and newborn portraits. She serves clients of the greater Annapolis, Baltimore, D.C. and Northern Virginia areas. She can also offer special travel packages if you are out of state or at a greater distance.

For more information visit www.BitsyBaby.com.

Get your body back after baby!

Everyone wants their body back fast after having a baby, but there seems to be no time in the day to work out. The innovative 60 Second Circuits fitness flipbook is perfect for time-pressed women that want to burn fat and stay motivated without going to the gym!

60 Second Circuits works by encouraging you to do as much of each exercise in 60 seconds …with no reps to count! Combining the exercises gives you a workout ranging from 10-40 minutes with guided intensity levels appropriate for every fitness level.

The high-quality flip-book is designed to go anywhere. Take it to the gym, the park or use it while you watch your favorite TV show! No equipment is necessary for this fast and effective total-body workout. This book travels like a personal trainer in your pocket – ready with a new workout every time. Innovative circuit training sequences incorporate strength, core and cardio for complete, time-efficient workouts.

This workout was created by Susie Shina, Fitness Lifestylist, after struggling to lose weight after her own pregnancy. Susie states, "Time is a precious commodity. I prefer getting a total-body workout 3 times a week in 10-20 minutes and have more time to enjoy the things I really love!"

Learn more about 60 Second Circuits at www.60secondcircuits.com.

Win a Laugh & Learn DVD Set!

Enter to win a Laugh & Learn instructional DVD set. The Laugh & Learn series is a set of instructional DVDs that help you prepare for childbirth, nursing and newborn baby care. The DVDs are taught by certified Lamaze Instructor and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Sheri Bayles,RN. Sheri's casual and informative approach is easy to understand and fun to watch.

I just finished reviewing the Breastfeeding DVD and found it to be a great resource for new moms. Sheri covers all the basics with great visuals that make it much easier to understand than simply reading a book. All the Nursing Positions are covered in detail and all your questions are answered in a warm and humorous way. Sheri also covers Burping the Baby, How to Breastfeed Twins, How Often, How Long?, Is Your Baby Getting Enough?, Overcoming Obstacles, Diet, Pumping, Bras, Nightgowns, and Pads.

The Childbirth DVD covers the topics of Anatomy and Preliminary Signs of Labor, Three Actual Signs of Labor, Three Breathing Techniques, Labor and Delivery, Pushing, Medications used in Labor, Induction, Forceps, Vacuum, Monitoring, Cesarean Delivery, Post-op C/S and Postpartum Vaginal Delivery. This DVD will really help prepare you for childbirth and make you more at ease going in to have the baby.

The Newborn Baby Care DVD covers the topics of, The Sponge Bath, Diaper Change and Dressing a Newborn, Swaddling, The Tub Bath, Diaper Change and Dressing a 3 Month Old as well as the Baby Supplies You Need. This DVD will really help you once you come home with the baby.

These DVDs are perfect for moms-to-be looking to prepare for and understand all the essentials of childbirth, breastfeeding and baby care. To enter the contest and win your free set, simply either comment on this post or email us at contests@stellamaternity.com. The contest will run through December 14th. Don't miss out on your chance to win. This set is a $79.95 value! Good Luck!

If you don't want to wait or you don't win, you can buy the set at http://www.laughandlearn.com/store/. Laugh and Learn is offering our readers 20% off with coupon code "Stella Maternity". Trust me, you will be glad you have this information once the baby comes.

Vote for Stella!

Stella Maternity has been nominated for a Love! This Site award from Divine Caroline. Show us your love and vote for our site by clicking the Love! link above.

Divine Caroline is a place for women to connect and discuss all aspects of their crazy lives. Women can express themselves on all topics ranging from parenting, travel, home and food to careers and more. Check them out and give us a vote while your at it.

Thank you!

Jackson Reese is Here!

I haven't been posting much lately and here is the reason why...

My husband and I welcomed a baby boy on March 14th at 12:08 am. Jackson Reese weighed in at 8 lbs., 5 oz. and was 20.5" long. He joins big brother Ethan who is 4 1/2 years old. We are so excited and also sleep deprived!

Jennifer Garner on Motherhood!

Jennifer Garner, while promoting her new film Catch and Release, spoke of how motherhood has changed her life.

Jennifer, 34, talked about life with her new baby, 1 year old Violet, with husband Ben Affleck, 34. Garner stated, "Having a baby fills your life in such a way that no matter what you're doing, there's something bigger. I've just been in heaven being with her the past year." Jennifer also said that she calls her mom now and says, "You know all the dinners you made that I said 'No' to and went off and ate peanut butter? I'm sorry. I get it. I slaved over roasting this, and (Violet) goes, 'No, no, no!' "

Garner also stated that she was rocking Violet and she was fascinated by the light hitting the ceiling. Jennifer realized that slowing down and going at her pace was such a gift, "God, for the past five years, I haven't stopped to look at light on the ceiling for (one) second."

Garner also spoke of losing her baby weight. She said it took a long time and she just wasn't motivated. Once she got on the treadmill and stopped eating so much, croissants, bagels, muffins - "all the good stuff," the weight finally came off.

Jennifer stated that Ben Affleck does a good job with Violet. "There's nothing more emotional than seeing your partner – the man you love – with your baby at any time: the first time, the second, yesterday, today. There's nothing more beautiful. "


Source: People