The Blossoming Bump

Who the heck is THAT, Mom?: 5 Ways to Prepare Older Kids for a New Baby

1. Books ‘I’m A Big Brother’ by Joanna Cole //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=theblossomingbump01-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0061900656&asins=0061900656&linkId=C2NM2YP43JFW5CLI&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true ‘Brothers Are For Making Mud…

Delayed Cord Clamping: Why we did it (and will again)!

There’s something stirring birth wise over in the UK. It’s not unheard of certainly, yet neither is it considered common practice in western medicine. Well, at least not until now. And what is this exciting new ‘fad’ that’s causing an ever growing stir among UK midwives, you might wonder? Delayed cord clamping, that’s what. I think that The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists sums…

The Second Pregnancy: Labor Induction; what’s the RIGHT thing to do?

Facing a second labor and birth is a lot like rerunning a marathon. Ideally, you’d like to do better than last time; be more physically capable, exercise a greater level of mental stamina, and beat out your personal time record. Also though, because you already know what to expect, you also know what’s ‘coming’. And that can be daunting. My labor with my first son was simply awesome (if you…

PINCHme Box September Review: Free Samples for All!

So, it’s my favorite time of the month again. That’s right, it’s PINCHme time y’all! Guys, if you haven’t checked out this truly awesome free sample service yet then you’re missing out. And you need to haul your tired mama butts over to their site and get signed up. Like yesterday. Every month the mailman drops off a box of sheer joy on my doorstep, and I spend at least 30 minutes with a smile…

The Two Kid Trapeze: Surviving The Second Child Dynamic (A KMB Post)

Dear Moms in the Two Kid Trenches, I get it finally. I really, really do. Here I am, donned in day old pajamas and staring bleary eyed at the same near blank computer screen that’s been taunting me for the past half an hour. And it’s officially 7:15pm. And my day isn’t over yet. It’s not because I have a lot of pressing tasks to complete or an upcoming busy day out there in the world to prepare…

Super Easy DIY Fall Wreath Tutorial!

Well, it’s that time of year again. Everything has begun to take on a certain pumpkin-like quality and the hue of UT orange has infiltrated the wardrobe of even the most stoic of Knoxvillians. Folks, it’s Fall time in East Tennessee. In case you haven’t worked that out yet. So, in pure submission to this glorious season I’ve spent the better part of weekend so far this September, delving into all…

10 Ways to Help Prevent Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

1. Herbs Please contact your healthcare provider before using any herbs during your pregnancy or in your postpartum period, especially if breastfeeding or if you’re on any medications! Common herbs used during postpartum recovery: St. John’s Wort Chamomile Hibiscus flower Lavender Rose Hips Lemon Balm Leaf 2. Nutrition Iron rich foods such as spinach, chicken and fish, and nuts and beans have…

‘New Mom’ Blueberry Zucchini Crumb Muffins!

So, in the midst of stocking up my freezer for baby number 2 (stocking up is putting it lightly, this poor appliance is fit to burst!) I decided to branch out a little on the muffin front. I knew I needed something that would help with lactation for nursing Thing Two (why, hello raw oats and flax seed!), something I could sneak a veggie into for added nutrients (s’up zucchini!), and something…

Parent Rivalry: When Our Kids Play Nicer Than We Do

Ever witnessed a toddler the moment they realize their little playmate isn’t on board with their way of thinking? Perhaps they aren’t stacking something quite in the order they ‘should’ be, or they don’t see a scene play out exactly so, through their own imagination – whatever the reason, chances are said toddler may demonstrate that age old act known as ‘the epic meltdown’. And isn’t it just…

The Ultimate Freezer-Friendly Vegetable Lasagna

As the countdown to Thing Two’s arrival began to speed up (at least that’s how it seems in those last few weeks, am I right?), I decided to get my freezer cooking groove on once more, since it provides such a help with readying my family for the newborn chaos ahead. When our first was born I went all out with a million different recipes, many of them new and a bit over the top if I’m honest.…

New Mom Sleep Deprivation: Laugh in Public, Cry in Private & Why I Finally Used the Cry It Out Method

Ever feel like you can’t take part in ‘normal life’ due to the fact that your eyes are burning too much to drive, shower, or some days (seriously) dress yourself? Ever consider hauling magazines and children’s toys across the doctor’s waiting room, right at the other new mom who you just happened to overhear bragging about her newborn’s straight through the night sleep schedule (if only you had…

6 Healthy and Easy Toddler Breakfasts! The Ultimate Recipe Round Up!

We’ve all been there, haven’t we moms? It’s a busy weekday morning (or weekend coz let’s face it, they all blend into one nowadays) and the ultimate challenge appears once again – I need to feed my picky toddler fast and I need it not to be junk! Well, here are just a few of my favorite healthy and easy toddler breakfasts! No fuss, minimal clean up, and nothing but simple, clean ingredients. Go…

Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator: An Honest Mom’s Review!

So our couch gave up the ghost the other day. This might not sound like a big deal to many, but only a few days into having baby number two and with limited financial resources due to hospital bills and paternity leave (see reason above for that), we were hard pressed to go sofa shopping in the footloose and fancy free manner we’d have liked to. So we meandered to Goodwill. Naturally. What we…

8 (sorta) Fun Observations About Becoming a Second Time Mom

1. Watching the nurturing side grow in my eldest. There’s nothing quite like watching your oldest child meet with, and bond with, their new sibling… or so I was told all the way through my second pregnancy. Well, I can confirm it ladies, my heart being the weepy, hormonal puddle on the floor that it is right now. I’ve been blessed enough to see a whole new side of growth, caring, and kindness…

Standing Up in Love: Why Postpartum Anxiety Won’t Stop Our Family From Growing

No one saw it coming for me. Postpartum anxiety hit me like a freight train after the birth of my first son, caused supposedly by a dramatic drop in hormones and I imagine the sheer overwhelming shock that becoming a parent for the first time can create. Whatever the cause, at some point during the struggle and recovery (which lasted the better part of a year for me), I found myself questioning…

Why It Took Me a Year to Submit to Being a Mom

There are changes in our life that we choose, and there are those that choose us. Motherhood is a weird one. A strange dichotomy of the two. For some of us it’s a surprise sure, but for many it’s a planned adventure, filled with expectation and excitement for all that it’s known to bring into our lives. This was how it was for me. I was thrilled to learn that the hubster and I were expecting our…