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Thriving in Motherhood {Guest Post}

February 22, 2013

We thought we would wrap-up our Baby Week with a special treat!

A guest post from our friend,

Britton Lunde!

She is a proud mom of three beautiful daughters

who can relate to all the challenges that motherhood brings!

Her passion is to reach out to all new mothers

and empower them to be the mommies that they are made to be!

She continues to support expectant mothers

with her mother/baby support program throughout

Orange County, California.

Here is what Britton shared with us about her lovely business…

“Thriving in Motherhood, LLC 

 is about 10 years in the making and was officially born in 2009.

 I first started the class at Irvine Regional Hospital in 2001

when my second daughter was just 3 months old.

I saw a real need for a new moms support group

and found that need not being met in Orange County.

With my teaching background, I developed the curriculum

and started the program in the Spring of 2001.

I wasn’t sure how the program would do,

but I obviously met a need for new mothers,

because it grew very quickly.

My passion has always been teaching,

but now I found exactly where I was supposed to put that passion…

into new moms and their babies!

I taught at Irvine Regional Hospital for 7 years until it closed its doors in 2008.

I then was asked to bring my program to Kaiser Irvine

and started in 2009 where I have been for 3 years.

My class has grown to be very successful and I am finally expanding!

 I am excited to now offer my classes in multiple locations.

 My goal is to reach as many new moms as I can,

and help them adjust to their crazy new journey…  

motherhood!

My desire is to have no mother feel like they are just surviving motherhood.  

I want them to thrive in it!

So…

if you are looking for a comfortable and nurturing place

to get out of the house and bring your baby,

then come and share some special time

by meeting other moms going through the same phase of life!

Learn relevant, useful information to help you transition

into your new role as a mom. 

I offer a unique mother baby support class

with informative topics each week, such as

Infant Sign Language…

Infant Massage…

Feeding…

Sleeping and Routines…

Soothing Your Fussy Baby, and more!

The class is designed to empower moms and expectant mothers,

while providing a stimulating and engaging environment for infants

{newborn to 9 months}.  

All new mothers have mixed feelings of joy and fear,

love and doubt,

empowerment and also feelings of inadequacy.  

My goal is to help you find new and supportive friendships

with other moms and receive the support that you need to be successful!  

My passion is to help mommies and babies thrive!”   

{Britton earned her Bachelors Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Child Development from UC Irvine.  She received her Childbirth Educator Certification and Postnatal Educator Certification through the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) and is a certified Kindersign Instructor. She has 12 years experience teaching Early Childhood, Kindergarten, Childbirth, Parenting and Postnatal classes.}


Visit Britton’s informative website…

{Thriving in Motherhood}

to view her blog, gather resources & register for local classes!

You can also email Britton at

{thrive2motherhood@gmail.com} 

for information about private consultations & classes.

 {Click HERE}

to “like” her Facebook page for updates!

**********************

Britton is a wealth of knowledge in the field and a fabulous resource,

so take advantage of her classes and pass on the information to other mommies you know!

It is so great to support other local moms

that are reaching out to help empower women!!!

 

Filed Under: Family

Top Ten Baby Essentials

February 19, 2013

 

Here it is!

Our

Top Ten Baby Essentials

that every mama should have!

All products are ones we have personally had… and loved

{with the six children we have had between the two of us}!

These products are not only stylish…

but completely practical, affordable & great quality!

 

 

 

ONE // Ju-Ju-Be ‘Be Right Back’ Diaper Backpack

Ergonomic, Teflon-coated diaper bag with plenty of pockets

and a well-organized interior features adjustable straps

and a breathable mesh panel in back for comfort.

**********

This diaper bag was Nicole’s personal favorite… and she had many!

This one was super functional & easy to carry around!

 

TWO // Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny Cradle ‘n Swing

This swing offers a comfortable, relaxing environment that will soothe your little one.

Featuring a soft head rest and airy canopy,

the swing stimulates the senses with a mirror globe,

a bird mobile that plays gentle tunes, and six speeds.

**********

Having a swing or bouncy seat is especially important if you plan to take a shower!

The perfect safe place to keep your baby in eye-sight

while getting a few things accomplished around the house!

 

THREE // Cloud B ‘Sleep Sheep’ Stuffed Animal

Cuddly stuffed sheep helps lull little ones to sleep by providing four soothing sounds:

a calming heartbeat, ocean waves, spring showers and tranquil whale songs.

**********

Finn actually still has the giraffe version of this stuffed animal in his crib.

He loves the sounds it makes as he drifts off to sleep!

The heartbeat is a favorite of newborns.

 

FOUR // Aden + Anais Bamboo Muslin Collection

For countless generations, mothers have swaddled and cared for their children with natural muslin.

aden + anais® has gone one step further to bring you soft,

silky rayon from bamboo fiber muslin.

Luxuriously soft, it is the ideal fabric to use on delicate baby skin.

**********

Both Nicole & I have swaddled our last babies using these wonderfully soft & versatile blankets.

Perfect to drape over a stroller to shade from the sun,

to use to cover-up when nursing,

or as a personal favorite cuddly blanket

{Finn’s favorite — to this day… he can’t go to sleep without one}!

 

FIVE // Ergobaby Carrier

An exclusive Petunia Pickle Bottom pattern updates a convenient,

ergonomically designed baby carrier that can be worn in front, back or hip position.

Strategic padding ensures comfort for both you and baby,

and a stowaway sleeping hood protects your slumbering little one from sun and light rain.

**********

We have both had many different baby carriers, from slings, to wraps, to this!

The Ergobaby Carrier is our favorite!

By far… the most comforable on your shoulders and neck.

It comes in many different colors and patterns

{Finn — who is nearly two, still fits comfortably}!

 

SIX // Boon Flair Pedestal Highchair

No cracks. No crevices.

This one-piece seat is the sleekest, smoothest thing going and it makes cleanup unbelievably easy.

Its dishwasher-safe tray cover actually fits in a dishwasher.

The continuous height positioning with pneumatic lift

is just a fancy way of saying you can pick the exact height you want to fit any table.

**********

Holy Moly!

I personally, have been through quite a few highchairs with our four children!

Most have fabric and many spaces for food and liquid to seep in.

This highchair from BOON is amazing!

It is so easy to clean, and I LOVE how modern it looks,

especially in comparison to others on the market!

 

SEVEN // BOB Revolution SE Stroller

BOB Revolution SE is a great stroller for active parents!

It has great stability and is lightweight, making it easy to push.

The stroller has an ultra padded, adjustable reclining seat and a five-point safety harness

to provide maximum comfort and safety for kids.

A swiveling front wheel provides great performance on the road.

**********

You can also purchase an infant car-seat adaptor

making this our all-around favorite stroller lasting from infancy through toddlerhood!

You can honestly buy this one stroller and be DONE!

{they make a great double, as well}!

It’s a fantastic investment!

 

EIGHT // bumGenius 4.0 All-in-one Cloth Diapers

bumGenius One-Size Cloth Diapers fit most babies from 7 to 35+ pounds.

No more sorting by size or having to carry multiple diapers when going out.

Three snap-downs on the front of the diaper allow you to

easily adjust the size of the diaper as your baby grows.

The soft, waterproof outer fabric keeps the diaper trim on your newborn and toddler.

Soft, sueded inner fabric gently wicks moisture away from your baby’s skin.

**********

I know that most of you have probably never thought to cloth diaper,

I assure you…

that I didn’t either with my oldest two boys.

I decided to cloth diaper Sophia for economical reasons,

for the benefits to her, and to our lovely planet.

I did so for about a year and was also able to re-use them on Finn for several months!

{Click Here to Learn More About the Amazing Benefits of Cloth Diapering}

It’s worth considering and doing a little research!

Please let me know if you have any questions about my experience!

 

NINE // Sophie the Giraffe Teething Toy

Sight: The dark and contrasting spots all over Sophie the Giraffe’s body

provide visual stimulation and make her easily recognizable to baby.

She soon becomes a familiar and reassuring object.

Hearing: Her squeaker keeps baby amused and stimulates his hearings.

Taste: Sophie the Giraffe is very flexible and has lots of parts for baby to chew like ears, horns, legs.

She is perfect for soothing baby’s sore gum when teething and is completely safe.

**********

Every baby needs a good quality teething toy, since everything ends up in their mouths!

This is one of Nicole’s favorites!

 

TEN // Lansinoh HPA Lanolin

For breastfeeding mamas,

this is the leading product in its category.

It soothes, heals and protects sore cracked nipples.

It is the only topical nipple cream endorsed in the US by La Leche League International,

which is considered the foremost experts on breastfeeding.

**********

This is the only product that truly worked when starting to nurse!

A must-have product… for sure!

Note: it also works on chapped lips, cracked heels & dry skin!

 

****************************************

Nicole & I hope that this list helps!

It was super difficult to narrow our favorites to 10,

because we honestly have so many!

We would LOVE for you to share with our readers some of your

“must haves”

in our comment section!

We can’t wait to hear about your all time favorite baby products!

Filed Under: Family

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About

bioSara and Nicole are sorority sisters that simply “happened” to end up in the same small town. They have many things in common, which have set the tone of their blog. They hope that you will join them in their journey of motherhood, dreams that may be, the daily life, and their passion for cooking, yoga, fashion, and design!

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