Because of gestational diabetes, my midwife referred me to a Perinatologist (high risk OB) to be evaluated. I needed to “pass” his evaluation in order to continue care with the midwives and birth at the birth center. I saw the Peri last week and was given instructions on how and when to check my blood sugars, an ultrasound to check on baby, and an appointment for a non stress test (NST) and if all came back normal, I was good to go with my birth center wishes.

Today was the NST and baby girl didn’t do so well. She wasn’t very active and wasn’t having accelerations like they wanted so the Peri ordered a bio-physical profile (an ultrasound, basically) to check her growth, etc. Eventually, baby cooperated and they have me scheduled for another NST. He also looked over my blood sugars from the past week and my fasting numbers were a bit too high, even with changing my diet drastically, so he started me on insulin. I’ll have to give myself injections every night, on top of the 4 daily finger pricks. Sucktastic.

And there goes my wishes for birthing at the birth center with my midwives. The midwives that I’ve seen throughout my whole pregnancy. My hopes of a water birth. All of it. Because my body sucks.

I am devastated.

I KNOW, that a healthy baby is all that matters in the end, but to switch care providers at 34 weeks and to change plans COMPLETELY so late in the game? Really, really sucks. I sobbed and sobbed over losing the birth that we’ve been planning for the past 8 months.

What makes me even sadder is not knowing. I don’t know what the plan will be now but I do know that I will still strive for as natural of a birth as possible. I’ll know more, and have answers to the many questions that I have, on Friday, but right now I’m just so… Upset. I feel like my body is failing me and this baby and it’s just not fair.

I go for another NST and ultrasound on Friday so here’s to hoping baby doesn’t give us another scare and all goes well..

Sigh. I need chocolate.

Sometimes, it’s hard to differentiate between a scam and the real deal. Here are some great tips to avoid falling victim to scams.

Dos:

Know who you’re dealing with.

Try to find a seller’s physical address (not just a P.O. Box) and phone number. With Internet phone services and other web-based technologies, it’s tough to tell where someone is calling from. Do an Internet search for the company name and website, and look for negative reviews.

Understand that wiring money is like sending cash.

Con artists often insist that people wire money, especially overseas, because it’s nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace the money. Don’t wire money to strangers, to sellers who insist on wire transfers for payment, or to anyone who claims to be a relative or family friend in an emergency who wants to keep the request a secret.

Read your monthly statements.

Scammers steal account information and then run up charges or commit crimes in your name. Dishonest merchants bill you for monthly “membership fees” and other goods or services without your authorization. If you see charges you don’t recognize or didn’t okay, contact your bank, card issuer, or other creditor immediately.

Talk to your doctor before you buy health products or treatments.

Ask about research that supports a product’s claims — and possible risks or side effects. Buy prescription drugs only from licensed U.S. pharmacies. Otherwise, you could end up with products that are fake, expired, or mislabeled — in short, products that could be dangerous to your health.

Don’ts:

Don’t send money to someone you don’t know.

It’s best to do business with sites you know and trust. If you buy items through an online auction, consider using an option that provides protection, like a credit card.

If you think you’ve found a good deal, but you aren’t familiar with the company, do some research. Type the company or product name into your favorite search engine with terms like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.” See what comes up – on the first page of results as well as on the later pages.

Don’t agree to deposit a check and wire money back.

I see this on Craigslist a lot!

No matter how convincing the story. By law, banks have to make funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. You’re responsible for the checks you deposit: If a check turns out to be a fake, you’re responsible for paying back the bank.

Don’t reply to messages asking for personal or financial information.

That goes whether the message comes as an email, a phone call, a text message, or an ad. Don’t click on links or call phone numbers included in the message, either. It’s called phishing. The crooks behind these messages are trying to trick you into revealing sensitive information.

Remember: When it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

If you get unsolicited email offers or spam, send the messages to spam@uce.gov.

Fan LifeLock on Facebook

for more great tips on how to protect your identity! 

While I haven’t purchased a ton of clothing for her, there are some things that I just knew I would be buying once we found out she was in fact a she! It’s been so different shopping for a baby girl, there are so many more options compared to baby boys. Here are a few of my favorite things from baby girls’ wardrobe, most are practical, some are splurges:

Ruffle Diaper Cover

Little baby ruffle bloomers, why? Uh, why not!? They are so stinkin’ cute and I really cannot resist anything with ruffles! This was definitely a splurge but I can’t wait to put baby girl in it! This is from Sherbet Baby on Etsy. Caution: Etsy is dangerous to your wallet. You’ve been warned!

Onesies, Kimono Tops, & Gowns

These are definitely newborn basics essentials and I imagine they will become staples in baby girls’ wardrobe for the first several weeks. Not only are the budget friendly, but I’ve found that these three items were the most used in the early days with the boys and they made life with a newborn easier!

Cotton Ruffle Pants

Again, the ruffles, I can’t resist! Since we are in for one hot summer, I think baby girl will live in these lightweight, cotton pants. Plus, they’ll add flavor to her surplus of onesies!

Adorable Dresses

This is one of my favorite dresses for baby girl. I’ve been told that newborns and tiny dresses aren’t really practical, so she doesn’t have a ton, but this will be super cute for outings and such!

Trumpette Socks

These were definitely a splurge, but again, how could I not!? I have always loved these socks and they have been a go-to gift for friends with little girls so it only made sense that they were one of my first baby girl buys!

Lightweight Rompers

Again, since baby girl is due smack in the middle of summer, lightweight clothes are must haves. Rompers from PaigeLauren Baby are my absolute favorite, although they are a splurge. Made with supima cotton and micro modal, they are soft, soft-er,soft-est, smooth and agreeable to the touch. These rompers are super light and airy and will be perfect for summertime in Florida. They come in super cute colors, we have and love the light pink (Purity) and lavender (Aspiration). I really can’t wait to put baby girl in them! These rompers sell for $44 each. We also have a couple PaigeLauren Baby gowns and LOVE them just as much!

Leggings

I am pretty much addicted to baby legs and leggings. They will go great with onesies and make diaper changes quick and easy. Plus? Hello cute!

Shopping for little girls is way too much fun! Every time Adam sees something for a baby girl, he says “Can we get this? I always wanted it for my sister!” Ha, he loves shopping for this baby too!

45 days (or so!) and counting…

At Nohi Kids, they are known for creating comfortable, high quality, and eco-friendly clothes that appeal to both: kids and their parents. Kids can run and jump in comfort while being the best dressed kids on the playground, thanks to Nohi Kids.

Nohi Kids is a bit pricey. Adam received a short sleeved spider tee which sells for almost $30. That is a lot for a play shirt, in my opinion, even though I love the shirt. Nohi Kids short sleeved shirts are made with soft and cozy organic fabric, 50% certified organic cotton, 48% fiber from bamboo, and 2% lycra. It is made to last, so once it doesn’t fit Adam, Lucas will be able to wear it.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not that I am a pro, or anything, but as a seasoned beach-goer, I have come to know what we need so we can get out the door for a day full of fun. I used to dread beach days, as it took planning and packing, and usually me forgetting something important, but now I’ve got the beach bag must haves down to a science! We don’t leave home without:

• Sunscreen – super important
• Beach toys – buckets and shovels for sandcastle building
• Sunglasses – cheapies so if they get lost it’s okay
• Sun hat – for me, so my face doesn’t get burned and it controls the hair pretty well
• Beach towels – duh
• Bag – a big bag to store everything in
• Bottles of water – to keep hydrated
• Lipton tea & Honey pouches – new must have, SO tasty

Lipton Tea & Honey pouches are deliciousness in every sip. Lipton Tea & Honey adds flavor to an ordinary day. Available in three flavors: Lemon, Blackberry Pomegranate, and Mango Pineapple, these bad boys are great for on the go, especially at the beach! The tea is only 5 calories per 8oz serving, is sweetened with honey, and made from real tea leaves and fruit flavors. The Blackberry Pomegranate is my personal favorite (SO yum!) and contains only one gram of sugar. I’ve been drinking water by the gallons lately so this is a nice change up and definitely adds flavor to my life. 

Free Sample!

To receive free samples of the new Lipton Tea & Honey, click here!

-OR-

Tell me how you add flavor to your life and the first three people to comment on my blog will win a sample of Lipton Tea & Honey to try for themselves!

For an extra entry to win the Lipton Tea & Honey kit share this sweepstakes with your friends on Twitter and Facebook by clicking the buttons below. Learn more about the amazing Lipton Tea & Honey Flavors on their Facebook page

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Lipton Tea. The opinions and text are all mine. Official sweepstakes rules.

As a Step2 Test Drive Mom, I get some pretty awesome perks, one being the opportunity to test drive products. It’s a gig that Adam and Lucas are really enjoying! To kick off summer, we were sent the Kangaroo Climber to play with. This all-in-one toddler activity gym offers crawling, hiding, sliding, and best of all, climbing!

The Kangaroo Climber features a crawl-thru tunnel, dutch door, archway, and unique exterior step-up walls, for climbing to the heart’s content.

It takes up pretty minimal space and fits nicely on our patio porch. While it was fairly easy to put together (as task delegated to DH!) it’s rather wide and doesn’t fit thru doors too easily.

All activity elements are appropriately sized for toddlers. Adam is five and really enjoys playing on this climber, although he is a bit tall for it.

It is the perfect size for Lucas, who is two, and I like that it isn’t too far from the ground so if he happens to fall, he won’t get hurt. The age recommendations on the Kangaroo Climber is 1.5-4 years of age, and while Lucas fits it perfectly now, I imagine the boys will only be able to enjoy it through this Summer and Fall. Together, they are barely under the weight limit of 60 pounds total.

I like that the Kangaroo Climber is made of sturdy plastic, is weather resistant, and easy to clean. That’s a huge bonus, and one thing I love about all Step2 outdoor toys.

BUY IT:

You can purchase the Step2 Kangaroo Climber for around $150 at a store near you.

WIN IT:

One lucky Mama B reader is going to win the Kangaroo Climber, courtesy of Step2, just in time for Summer!

(Ends June 12th, 2012. Open to US mailing address only.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Next up on my list of things to tackle are the bathrooms. I’m a little embarrassed to admit how filthy they are. The tile and tubs need a good scrub and I need to do some organizing. I’ve been staying away from harsh cleaning products, because of all the chemicals, and recently learned that baking soda makes for a fabulous tile and bathroom cleaner. Up until now, I have only used baking soda in the kitchen, while baking and as a refrigerator deodorizer, but it turns out that it can work wonders around the house. Who knew baking soda had so many powers!? 

During this Arm & Hammer Switch and Save Challenge, I will be tossing out my harsh chemical filled cleaners and giving A&H Baking Soda a run for it’s money in my bathroom. I love that it’s natural and cheap. Let’s hope it gets the job done.

Do you have any tried and true household uses for Arm & Hammer baking soda? Tell me below and enter into an amazing sweepstakes!

The maker of ARM & HAMMER® products challenged me to switch to ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda and this summer, they are giving away $12,000 in the ARM & HAMMER Switch & Save Challenge Sweepstakes. To be entered to win one (1) of twelve (12) $1,000 prizes, simply reply to the question below!

Remember to join other ARM & HAMMER Switch & Save conversations for even more chances to win!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Arm & Hammer. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Flowing Dresses

Okay, so I don’t purchase these in the maternity section, but have been loving, and living in, flowy dresses lately. They don’t constrict and I’m able to wear them through every stage of pregnancy, and beyond. I’ve been loving the maxi styles lately.

Leggings 

I could LIVE in maternity leggings! SO comfortable. I love them because they are cheap, can be used for lounging around or paired with a cute tunic or dress, and they are stretchy. I wear a pair at least once a week.

Maternity Tanks

It is already brutally hot here in Central Florida and we are in for one hot Summer. 100 degree weather at 8+ months pregnant is so not my cup of tea so I have stocked up on maternity tanks. I wear them just about everyday and have also scored some non maternity ones in bigger sizes for cheap.

Seamless Bra

Love love loving the Bravado Designs Seamless Nursing bra. The soft and stretchy fabric is super comfortable and molds to fit me. I love that I’ll use it long after this pregnancy is finished and it is going to be fabulous to wear to bed. It’s easy to unclip, allowing for full access for easy skin-to-skin and nursing, and can be clipped / unclipped with one hand. Bonus: It comes in pretty colors!

Versatile Maternity Tees

While I refuse to spend much money on maternity clothes, I stock up clothing that can be used for maternity AND nursing. Comfort is key and I want something that will grow with my belly and beyond. I am loving the Orca Tee by Mountain Mama. I love the Bellyglove feature, the tee hugs my belly just right, and doesn’t create a frumpy or tent-like look. The double layer cross-over front allows for easy nursing. It’s the perfect amount of stretchy and washes up well. I really do wish I had an Orca Tee in every color! I pair it with leggings, jeans, or skirts and a cardi and I’m good to go.

32 weeks

I love that my Mountain Mama tee is longer in the front than the back, so it fits over my belly completely unlike a lot of shirts that are coming up short.

All the items above are how I am getting by without spending way too much on maternity clothes. They are very basic items and I’ll be able to continue to wear them throughout nursing. Win!

BUY IT:

You can purchase the Mountain Mama Orcas Eco Tee in 4 different colors for $44 each. It’s a great price considering it’s also great for nursing.

WIN IT:

One lucky Mama B reader is going to win an Orcas Eco Tee in their choice of color courtesy of Mountain Mama!

(Ends June 2nd, 2012. Open to US and Canadian mailing addresses.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Novena makes an organic maternity skin care line. Their products are organic, vegan, and environmentally safe. They are free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, chemicals commonly found in personal care products.

Fruit Wash

The Organic Fruit Face Wash is packed with certified organic ingredients. It’s a concentrated formula, a little goes a long way, and will run you $28 for a 100ml container. It’s definitely on the pricey end.

I wash my face with the Fruit Wash twice daily, in the morning and before bed. While my face does still break out, I have noticed the breakouts are not lasting as long and don’t come as frequently. I’ve been using this product for about a month now and still have plenty left, so it really does last a while.

Bearberry Brightening Moisturizer

I am forever on the hunt for a good moisturizer, something light and smooth. The Bearberry Moisturizer helps combat the dreaded “mask of pregnancy” and dark spots that can pop up. I have “problematic skin” lately, which this moisturizer is ideal for. I will admit, I do not like the smell, but it is light and airy on my skin and I really love it. At $38 a bottle (yikes, why is good skincare so expensive?!) I am definitely squeezing every last drop out of it!

The Fruit Wash and Bearberry Moisturizer both score a 2 on the EWG Skin Deep Database, which is low hazard and awesome in my book.

I haven’t had any adverse reactions to the Novena skincare products that I’ve been using. I don’t expect anything to work wonders on my skin at this point (thank you hormones!) but I do feel a little more confident that breakouts are not as frequent lately. Having a safer, more natural, alternative to skincare, especially during pregnancy, is very important to me and I am so glad I have Novena to turn to.

Be sure to “like” Novena Skincare on Facebook to stay up to date with promotions and product news!