Mama's Sew Sweet Baby

Herbal immune boost tea

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 04:42:00 +0000

I'm a tea drinker!! Love it! Especially making it myself and knowing exactly what's in it! It makes me happy to sit down to a nice warm cup of tea and read a good book! Since fall is coming and tea is (so to speak) is 'season', plus the cold and flu season is coming what could be better then an immune boosting tea?? ;-) So here ya go, one of my favorites! ;-)

Immune boost tea:

1 1/2 cups red raspberry leaf

1/2 cup alfalfa leaf

1/2 cup nettle leaf

1/2 cup peppermint leaf

1/8 cup yarrow flower

1/8 cup Lemon grass

Mix and store!

Use 1 teaspoon-1 tablespoon per cup of water depending on how stronge you like your tea to be! Brew as normal and strain off the herbs!

Other tasty herbs you could add: red clover, rose hips, lavender, chamomile, spearmint...

Use dried herbs so the tea will store.

Life these days!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 00:19:00 +0000

Hello beautiful blog readers out there!! I miss you! How has the blogging world be lately?? Have I missed much? Hmm what kind of question is that huh?? There is always new wonderful bloggy things going on!!

I have been so busy with my 3 beautiful little girls lately that blogging has thus fallen off my list of top to do's... But alas I do miss you!!

Life is busy and full!! Do I have advice on raising toddlers? Do I know how to keep the littles busy and occupied? Have I learned how to be the best mom? Um well I am definitely learning a lot and do have some advice but I am no where near perfect and a typical day has me running around fixing everything in my path but getting nothing done! I'm just like you... I get stressed, I get tired, I get busy! But life is good and full and fun!! I have some fun ideas for posts coming up on health, parenting, and homeschool!! I will try and start posting about once a week so keep watching for posts!! Possible giveaway coming up too!!! :-)

Introducing... and a winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 02:27:00 +0000

Our 'Beautiful Baby' Cristiana Grace was born on July 2, at 1:34 am! She weight 8 lbs 2 oz. She is such a sweet darling baby who is always laughing and smiling already! She loves to be cuddled, and to smile at her sisters!! The perfect addition to our family! We are in love!!! <3

Which brings me to say we have a winner for the Baby Guessing Contest! :-) Melody you are the winner!! Please e-mail me at mamasewsweetbaby@gmail.com

Thank you to those who entered!! :-)

Redeeming Childbirth Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:57:00 +0000

Now for another fun giveaway!! :-)

Redeeming Childbirth has been such an encouragement and blessing to me! It contains a message in it that isn't talked about much. I think this message needs to be spread. Right now my copy of this book is in the hands of my sister! And I received this book as a gift from a sister in Christ! I have even mentioned to my husband that I would like to give this book to the new mothers at baby showers!

This book is about giving God complete control over your heart, soul, and mind! Through pain in morning sickness or contractions! Learning to lean on Him in all the hard times as well as the good! It's so beautifully written it'll have you in tears at times!

Angie Tolpin has kindly offered to giveaway a signed copy of Redeeming Childbirth to one of my lovely readers!! Thank you Angie! :D

Enter using the rafflecopter form below:

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A Thank You

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:35:00 +0000

This little blogging series has been so much fun to me!! I just want to keep it going! ;-) I still feel like there are so many more fun posts I want to write and I still have some fun giveaways coming up! I really enjoy hosting giveaways and really enjoy finding out who the winner is. I must say sometimes I just wish I could give you all something, just for being such great readers!! Thank you all so much for entering my giveaways and supporting me on this blog! All you sweet and faithful readers are what keeps me blogging!

May the Lord bless you all!!

Baby Guessing Contest with a giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:46:00 +0000

I am currently 2 weeks and 6 days from my due date!!! ACK! I really can't wait to hold my sweet baby in my arms! I feel ready now! So to keep me a bit distracted from wanting to go into labor every single day I would like to have a contest with you all!!

The giveaway will be for a $10 GC and free shipping to my new etsy store Beautiful Babies Shop!

You might like some past information about my previous births to make as good of an 'educated' answer as you can! ;-) So here ya go:

Susannah Jane
Girl
8 lbs 2 oz
Born Sept. 30 @ 7:23 pm.
She was 2 days late

Emmaline Victoria
Girl
9 lbs 2 oz
Born April 23 @ 5:17 am
She was 1 day early

This baby...
Most think we're having another girl... tho I have been told by random people that we'll have a boy
I'm due July 7th... I'm thinking the 4th! ;-)
I like night births! ;-)

So there you have it... your turn:

Leave a comment with the following
-Guess the gender
-Guess Birthday
-Guess time
-Guess weight
-Also to make it fun for me with my new shop... visit my Beautiful Babies shop and let me know what you would purchase if you won! :D

After the baby is born I will choose a winner that has the closest answers! Have fun!! :D

Making Babies Book Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:41:00 +0000

I now have another exciting giveaway for you lovely "Beautiful Babies" followers and anyone else just now jumping in! I hope you all have enjoyed this series as much as I have!! :-)

Have you read my review on the Making Babies DVD set? Let me just say... If you liked the DVDs you will LOVE the book!!! I think the book is a must for any ~~pregnant~~ woman, pregnant or not!!! It is packed full of recipes and tips!! The recipes include everything from delicious healthy deserts to nutritional fiber!! I have already tried some of the recipes from this book and I look forward to trying more! There is a section in the book for Conception through the first trimester, second & third trimesters, birth through six months, and she also includes her pregnancy cookbook! Which I love! She has amazingly yummy and healthy recipes from Zucchini muffins and chocolate milk, to curry-mango Chicken Salad!! Mmm mmm good! :D

Currently I am making a After Birth Cramping Tincture that I'm excited to try (Yes I did just say excited)!! Only 3 more weeks till the due date people!!

This book is so colorful and packed full of beautiful pictures of Shoshanna throughout her pregnancy and after with her new baby! The recipes are so much fun to look through and so easy to follow! Sometimes I just enjoy sitting down and looking through the book, just to see which recipe I would like to try next!!

In the back of the book there is a section of Did you know? Everything from fertility, cal-mag, energy, colicky baby, heartburn, morning sickness, postpartum depression... ect. Such good information in this book!! I love it!

And then there is this darling Baby Diary that you can fill out while your progressing through your pregnancy!! I haven't touched it yet, because I was so far along in my pregnancy, but it looks like it would be a great memory keeper to do during a pregnancy!! :D

Buy it: Would you like to purchase your own Making Babies book? Visit The Bulk Herb Store!

Win it: The Bulk Herb Store has graciously offered to giveaway a Making Babies Book to one of Sew Sweet Baby's readers!!! :-) Enter through the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win! :D

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Introducing Beautiful Babies Etsy Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 05:29:00 +0000

Because of my Beautiful Babies series I felt inspired to start up an etsy shop where I enjoy making things for babies and mamas! :-) So far I have some Beautiful Belly Stretch Mark Butter! This butter I have been using through out this pregnancy and it has helped keep my skin moisturized, itch-less, and thus far no new stretch marks! :-)

I also have a Beautiful Mama Sitz Bath! This sitz bath is so relaxing and refreshing!! Not to mention I always feel great after taking one! I am so excited to take one after this little one is born! ;-)

This is Beautiful Baby Salve! It smells really good, helps heal up boo boos and rashes, and moisturizes all at the same time! :-) I love to put this on both my girls now who are 2 1/2 and 1! And I really look forward to putting it on my sweet newborn soon! :D

Every mama at some point deals with a fussy or colicky baby... or at least a tired teething baby! This Beautiful Babies Calming Tincture really does the trick! It helps the baby sleep better... which in turn helps the baby feel better!

I'm really excited to be on etsy and I hope that you will drop by my Beautiful Babies Shop and take a look! :-)

Blessings on you all! And I look forward to continuing the Beautiful Babies series with some more reviews and giveaways soon! :-)

Goodbye Strawberries

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:46:00 +0000

Strawberries are beautiful!! Strawberries taste SO good! Strawberries make me happy! I love strawberries... but I get hives. :-(

Sorry for the post delays lately... I still have some fun posts that I want to post for the Beautiful Babies Series! But right now I am desperately trying to keep myself sane during this hives breakout... so if need be I will extend the Beautiful babies month into June!

Any ideas or tips on how to ease the itching of the hives or shorten their duration???

Healing Comfrey Salve Review

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:19:00 +0000

Today I want to share with you about my sister Liz's Healing Comfrey Salve! :-)

About the salve:

"Ingredients: Comfrey, coconut oil, beeswax, vitamin E oil & Grapefruit Seed extract, lemon essential oil.
This salve is 100% organic and works Amazing on Diaper rash, cradle cap, cuts, burns, eczema & other skin irritants and has a lovely lemon scent!"

I have used this salve on diaper rash, cuts, eczema, and a few other skin irritants and I love it! Comfrey heals things amazingly fast and a salve just helps take the pain or itch away in a naturally soothing way! I've never liked how with most cuts and wounds putting something on it causes it to sting. Not the case with this comfrey salve! It is so soothing on cuts and wounds.

My daughter has eczema really bad and I'm always trying to find ways to help it. When I put this salve on her it lessens it up a lot and it helps relieve the itch!

I've also put it on diaper rash! Whenever I put it on a rash I am AMAZED at how fast the rash is gone! Next diaper change... no signs of rash! WOW!

This is a wonderful salve to have in your medicine kit especially if you have little ones! Want to experience this wonderful salve yourself? Visit Lizzysherbs on etsy! :-)

P.s. Visit her etsy shop often as she will be adding to it soon! ;-)
P.s.s. Encourage her in her herbal journey... Become her admirer on etsy or comment on this post.

IBasal Digital Thermometer Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:28:00 +0000

I'm really excited about the next giveaway during this Beautiful Babies Month!! For all of you lovely ladies out there who are trying to conceive, this is for you! :D

Fairhaven Health is a source for fertility, pregnancy, and nursing products! Remember my review of the Prenatal Vitamin? Well this time I get to review their IBasal Digital Thermometer!

I think pretty much anyone would be impressed with this thermometer! It's gotta be the smartest thermometer ever!

From Fairhaven Health's Website:

"The world's most intelligent digital basal thermometer & fertility monitor!

The ibasal is much more than just a basal thermometer – it’s an FDA-approved fertility monitor that is able to calculate your precise ovulation date and peak fertile days based on your daily temperatures and a variety of other fertility indicators. The ibasal works for women with irregular cycles as well as regular ones, and it continues to learn your body’s unique patterns month after month in order to provide exceptionally accurate results.

How Can Basal Body Temperature Be Used to Identify Ovulation?

Basal body temperature (BBT) charting is a tried and true method for determining precisely when during your menstrual cycle you ovulate. Your basal body temperature is the temperature at which your body rests, which tends to be a bit lower than your "normal" temperature, usually 97 point something degrees F versus 98.6 degrees F. By measuring your BBT each morning (after a full night's sleep) throughout your cycle you can detect the natural and subtle rise in your basal body temperature that occurs just after ovulation. This post-ovulatory shift in BBT is caused by increased production of the hormone progesterone, sometimes referred to as the "warming hormone".

How Does the ibasal Work?

With the ibasal, BBT charting just got smarter and easier. The ibasal is a computerized digital basal thermometer and fertility monitor that helps you maximize your chances of conceiving by accurately measuring your BBT and interpreting this data to produce a fertility prediction in advance of ovulation.

The ibasal is easy to use. To begin, simply set the time and date in the ibasal and set the alarm. The alarm will sound the next morning and each morning throughout your cycle, reminding you to take your BBT and ensuring reading consistency from one day to the next. The ibasal will measure and display your temperature to the 1/100 th of a degree (e.g. 97.41 F), show your cycle day, and populate a graph of your previous 10 readings on the LCD screen. This graph of readings allows you to easily see the shift in temperature that follows ovulation.

After collecting and storing your BBT readings, the ibasal will interpret this information to produce your own customized fertility prediction, allowing you to time intercourse in advance of ovulation for the best chance of conceiving in each cycle.

How is the ibasal Different than Other Basal Thermometers?

A regular off-the-shelf basal thermometer simply reports your temperature and nothing more. The user must then interpret the data and resultant chart in order to determine when ovulation occurred. In contrast, in addition to providing a highly accurate basal temperature reading, the ibasal actually interprets your data for you to tell you when you will ovulate and when you’re most fertile. Other data points considered by the ibasal algorithm include bleeding, cramping, cervical mucus consistency, and intercourse dates. The ibasal can even tell you when your results indicate a possible pregnancy!

Chart all of your menstrual cycle data, including your BBT readings, atOvaGraph.com - Fairhaven Health's FREE fertility charting website.

The ibasal instructions are also available to view online."

My Opinion:

I must say at first glance the thermometer is a bit scary looking with all the buttons. I though that it would be confusing to use and set up, but I found it rather easy and fun to catch onto. As I was setting it up I kept excitedly telling my husband what all it had... clock, alarm... ect... he finally asked me if it can dance too! ;-) I don't know what more you want a thermometer to do! It is very impressive! It can even predict a possible pregnancy by displaying a little heart! <3 Aww! I think this thermometer would make it fun and easy to take your temperature every morning to find out if you are ovulating! Not to mention very educational! You don't even have to write down your temperature, it records it for you!!

If you want to buy it go here! It is on sale for 10% off right now!

Wanna win one!! :-) Enter using the rafflecopter form below:

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Pink Blush Maternity Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:20:00 +0000

With pregnancy comes a need for some maternity clothing! Especially cute, fashionable, and trendy maternity clothing! Often times it is hard to find clothing while pregnant. So to help you out Pink Blush Maternity has some lovely shirts and other clothing to choose from! :-)

They sent me this cute lavender Maternity top! :-) I love it's color and style! Pink blush Maternity has quiet a few adorable shirts that would look lovely on a pregnant mommy!

When I received this shirt I was excited to try it on for the first time! However I was disappointed in the tight fit that it has. Even tho I love the style, color, scoop neck, and lace back I'm afraid I wouldn't wear it in the 3rd trimester as it has just to much of a snug fit. I think, however, it would be cute in the first and second trimesters or postpartum.

They do have quiet a few cute shirts that I think would be cute in the third trimester tho... especially some of the more flowy ones! Like the Ivory Flowy Maternity Top!

You ready to win a $25 gift card to Pink Blush Maternity? :-) Enter using the Rafflecopter Form below:

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Journey Through Pregnancies

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:20:00 +0000

Pregnant with Susannah

Each pregnancy is different... just as each child is different. And just as each pregnancy is different they have their own stories to tell.

My pregnancy with Susannah was a joyful happy time! We lived in an apartment and was newly married at the time so so much that happened through that pregnancy is a blur now, but I still have good and bad memories from it. I remember that I was fairly certain of myself at the time and didn't care how much weight I gained... so I gained to much. I wasn't into healthy eating or taking care of my self. I was simply just living and not thinking about health or fitness. Tho I do remember wanting to have a natural birth. At the time my husband and I thought it best not to go with a home birth as we lived in the apartment. So we took steps to make our birth experience as natural as could be. We took Bradley birth classes, got a doula, and had our baby using midwives in the hospital. Overall it was a good birth. Looking back now, I wouldn't want to go that route again, but I am glad we did then! God has something for us to learn in each situation.

During and after Susannah was born I started reading books on natural birth and getting in the know about nutrition.

Pregnant with Emmaline

During Emmaline's Pregnancy I was, well, kind of a mess. I was emotional and depressed a lot. I had tons of ups and downs, and yet I was at peace. Amazing how at times when you feel the worse God can give you a peace that you've never experienced. I honestly haven't been able to feel peace like I felt then since.

I knew more about nutrition and what was healthy. And we were eating "organically"... yet we were mostly eating grains, breads, and meat. Which my body needed, but it also needed fresh fruits and veggies. So I didn't feel good most of the time, I was grumpy, bloated, constipated, and depressed. And yet God had lots for me to learn during that time. I learned to ask Him to grant me peace and give me wisdom! And He did! It was a wonderful time of learning to draw close to God. I just wish I would have drawn closer to Him more often during the times I was grumpy and depressed.

After Emmaline was born I continued to go through ups and downs. I was depressed and then REALLY happy... depressed and then REALLY happy. It was a roller coaster. During the times that I was REALLY happy I would just have this whole joy overcome me that I was extremely thankful for everything! And especially my new little baby! I couldn't snuggle her enough. Then there was the rough, depressed times, I felt like I was in a dark pit and couldn't get out. God is the only one who could ever lift me out of those dark times. I had to pray and meditate on scripture constantly. If I ever got away from God I could feel myself being pulled deeper and deeper into the dark pit. Only then could God shine His light and lift me out. I had to take my thought pattern captive and think of things of the Lord. Philippians 4:8 became a lifeline for me... I read that verse so much. And finally after awhile I started feeling God's joyful Spirit more often and feeling depressed less often. I still really have to keep my thought pattern under control and think on the Lord tho. And I believe it will be something that I will always have to do.

Pregnant and due in July

This pregnancy has been different. At the beginning of the pregnancy I was Morning sick a lot and lost a bit of weight... I was tired, dizzy, and constantly passing out. I didn't know how I could possibly handle it all for 9 months. I felt hopeless. This hopeless feeling lasted for about the first 4 months, then all of a sudden like a breeze of fresh air it was all gone and I felt great! I felt beautiful and happy and just simply amazing! And like I CAN DO THIS!! I was so thankful! I was able to start eating healthy and start a exercise routine! Then I started the 3rd trimester... and there have been more feelings of 'ugh I'm tired' and feeling sorry for myself. Then my friend at A Restful Place gifted me with the book Redeeming Childbirth! God has been speaking to me through that book. I have been learning to grow in the Lord, read His word more, memorize scripture, and pray more. It has truly been a learning experience, learning to keep God as the center of my life. Not dwelling on the negative, but learning to focus on Him! Something we need to remember throughout our whole lives! I think it pregnancy (especially at the end) it is so easy to fall into selfish thinking. God doesn't want us to think selfishly, but to keep Him the focus at all times!

P.s. Look for a review and giveaway of Redeeming Childbirth to come soon!

Exercising Through Pregnancy

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:25:00 +0000

Exercising while pregnant can be rather difficult. Especially if you have other little ones you have to keep an eye on. However staying in good shape while pregnant is so important for you and the baby's health! So I would like to share some exercising ideas with you to get you motivated! :-)

Walk! Walk! Walk!
Walking is SO good for you, pregnant or not. But how do you keep up a good walking program while chasing other littles? Here are some of the ways you could do it:

-My Favorite is, Leslie Sansone! I love her walk away the pounds DVDs! I have the 3 mile walk for your abs. I don't actually ever use the bands that she uses. I just walk the walk! My little 2 year old will even join me for part of it and burn off some energy as well! ;-)

-A Treadmill. I haven't actually done this myself because I'm stuck on Leslie Sansone, but I know several ladies who go this route and love it! You'd probably even be able to find a relativly cheap one on Craigslist!

-All around the house!! It might feel a little silly, but growing-up my family did this! We would just turn on some fun music and make laps around the (inside) of our house!

-A walk around the block or yard! This one can get difficult. Like if it rains, or you have lots of little ones to watch. But here are some ideas that could help make this one work.
*Take advantage of baby carriers and/or strollers. With one or two (maybe even 3, if you have a double stroller) you can put them in carriers and/or stroller and go for a walk.
*You can go for a walk as a family at a park or something!
*You could ask your husband to watch the children while you take a walk.
*Or if you have property you could walk around the property while they nap or play in the yard!
Just some ideas! ;-)

-Pilaties!
Either make up your own routine or find a good prenatal pilaties DVD to follow along to. I really like Lizbeth Garcia's 10 min Solution Prenatal Pilates. These are easy to follow and easy to squeeze in 10 min somewhere in the day!

While pregnant you do want to take caution to what types of exercises you do and always listen to your body. Some women can develop a diastasis while pregnant by doing certain exercises. Also be sure to drink lots of water!!

Diastasis Recti

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:24:00 +0000

Have you ever heard of a Diastasis recti? Do you know what it is? Do you know how common it is in postpartum mommies?

You might have a Diastasis recti if:
-You are repeatedly asked if you are pregnant... and your not.
-You have an outie belly button
-You have back or shoulder problems
-You aren't able to get rid of your 'Tummy' know matter how hard you work out

Here is a way you can check and see if you have a Diastasis:
1)Lie on your back on the floor.
2)Put your fingertips near the center of your belly (horizontally above your belly button).
3)Curl up as if doing a crunch.
4)feel with your fingertips the center of your belly. Is there a gap? If so, how many finger widths is it? Diastasis is measured in finger widths placed side by side.

So what does that mean? How can I fix it? How can I prevent it from happening again?

These are the questions that ran through my head when I first discovered Diastasis recti. I don't know much about them, but here is what I know and what was recommended to me.

Meaning: Also known as abdominal separation. It is a disorder defined as a separation of the rectus abdominis muscle into right and left halves.
-In pregnant or postpartum women, the defect is caused by the stretching of the rectus abdominis by the growing uterus. It is more common in women who have had more then one pregnancy or twins due to repeated episodes of stretching. When the defect occurs in pregnancy, the uterus can sometimes be seen bulging through the abdominal wall beneath the skin.

For some women simple exercises will completely heal a diastasis! I highly recommend getting the book Lose Your Mummy Tummy

From the back of Lose your Mummy Tummy:
"Lose Your Mummy Tummy introduces the Tupler Technique, a groundbreaking set of deceptively simple abdominal and breathing exercises that decreases the diastasis and results in a firmer, flatter, and stronger belly no matter when you had a baby, even if it was decades ago. Like Kegels- those all-important pregnancy exercises - the Tupler Techniques can be practiced almost anywhere, anytime. Including photographs and instructions for a 15- or a 30-minute at-home exercise routine, Lose Your Mummy Tummy ensures:
-A tighter, flatter stomach
-A smaller waistline-A reduction or elimination of back pain
-The ability to safely lift your baby and heavy objects
-More energy
-Better posture
-The perfect preparation for your next pregnancy"

I bought this book and have been doing some of the exercises throughout this pregnancy. The exercises are a lot of Transversus abdominis exercises. Simple things like breathing to work this muscle and like holding your stomach muscles in as often as you remember.

I hope this information has been helpful for someone... I had no idea about this until this pregnancy. I'm looking forward to trying to get rid of my mummy tummy by exercise after this little baby is born!

The Importance of Water

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Thu, 02 May 2013 06:36:00 +0000

This is an article my midwife gave me when I was pregnant with Emmaline. It has a lot of good information in it! It is important for EVERYONE to drink lots of water, but especially the pregnant and nursing mothers!

"Think your drinking enough water?

If your not, you could end up with excess body fat, poor muscle tone, digestive complications, muscle soreness - even water-retention problems.

Next to air, water is the element most necessary for survival. A normal adult is 60 to 70 percent water. We can go without food for almost two months, but without water only a few days. Yet most people have no idea how much water they should drink. In fact, many live in a dehydrated state.

Without water, we'd be poisoned to death by our own waste products. When the kidneys remove uric acid and urea, these must be dissolved in water. If there isn't enough water, wastes are not removed as effectively and may build up as kidney stones. Water also is vital for chemical reactions in digestion and metabolism. It carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells through the blood and helps to cool the body through perspiration. Water also lubricates our joints.

We even need water to breathe: our lungs must be moist to take in oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide. It is possible to lose a pint of liquid each day just exhaling.

So if you don't drink sufficient water, you can impair every aspect of your physiology. Dr. Howard Flaks, a bariatric (obesity) specialist in Beverly Hills, Calif., says, "By not drinking enough water, many people incur excess body fat, poor muscle tone and size, decreased digestive efficiency and organ function, increased toxicity in the body, joint and muscle soreness and water retention."

Water retention? If your're not drinking enough, your body may retain water to compensate. Paradoxically, fluid retention can sometimes be eliminated by drinking more water, not less.

"Proper water intake is a key to weight loss," says Dr. Donald Robertson, medical director of the Southwest Bariatric Nutrition Center in Scottsdale, Ariz. "If people who are trying to lose weight don't drink enough water, the body can't metabolize the fat adequately. Retaining fluid also keeps weight up."

"The minimum for a healthy person is eight to ten eight-ounce glasses a day," Says Dr. Flaks. "You need more if you exercise a lot or live in a hot climate. And overweight people should drink an extra glass for ever 25 pounds they exceed their ideal weight. Consult your own physician for his recommendations."

At the International Sportsmedicine Institute, we have a formula for daily water intake: 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight if you're not active (that's ten eight-ounce glasses if you weigh 160 pounds), and 2/3 ounce per pound if you're athletic (13 to 14 glasses a day, at the same weight). Your water intake should be spread throughout the day and evening.

You may wonder: If I drink this much, won't I constantly be running to the bathroom? Yes. But after a few weeks, your bladder tends to adjust and you yrinate less frequently but in larger amounts.

And by consuming those eight to ten glasses of water throughout the day, you could be on your way to a healthier, leaner body."

Leroy R. Perry, JR.

Making Babies Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Thu, 02 May 2013 06:20:00 +0000

To start off our Beautiful Babies Month we are going to have a giveaway from The Bulk Herb store! Remember my review of the Making Babies DVD series? Well I am pleased to say that they are giving away another DVD set to one of my readers! :-)

After having had this DVD set now for about a year now and getting to use more of the recipes and tips from it I would say that this DVD set is a must for any mama! Weather you are TTC, pregnant, nursing, or have older children this DVD set has something for everyone to learn! Every time I re watch it I am always learning something from it!

Buy it: Would you like to purchase your own set of these fabulous DVDs? Visit The Bulk Herb Store!

Win it: The Bulk Herb Store has graciously offered to giveaway a Making Babies DVD set to one of Sew Sweet Baby's readers!!! :-) Enter through the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win! :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Beautiful Babies Month~

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:17:00 +0000

Babies are beautiful! Babies are precious! Babies are blessings! Babies are from God!

Because babies have been on my mind so much lately I'm going to spend some time this coming May to write about all things baby, we'll have some fun baby related giveaways to go along with it! I will post every Tuesday and Thursday!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!" Psalm 127:3-5

Visit the other posts in this series:
Making Babies DVD Giveaway
The Importance of Water
Diastasis Recti
Exercising Through Pregnancy
Journey Through Pregnancies
Pink Blush Maternity Review and Giveaway
IBasal Digital Thermometer Review and Giveaway
Healing Comfrey Salve Review

Introducing Beautiful Babies Etsy Shop

Making Babies Book Review and Giveaway

Baby Guessing Contest with a Giveaway

A Thank you

Redeeming Childbirth Giveaway

Babies on the Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:59:00 +0000

Sometimes I just can't seam to get my mind off the fact that in only about 13 short weeks we will, Lord willing, be meeting our sweet little one! I seam to be at a lost as to what to write on my blog lately because it seems like the only thing consuming my mind is BABIES!

To top it off, yesterday my goat had her sweet little baby! She looked so pleased when she finally got to lick and clean up her little goat. And she hasn't let that baby out of her sight since then. It is so precious!

Plus I just can't help but remember that almost a year ago I finally got to meet my little Emmaline for the first time. What a precious time it was to first hold her in my arms. What a beautiful, precious time in my life! I can't even express the excitement I feel for wanting to hold this new little one in my arms for the first time!

This pregnancy I have felt a joy that I don't remember feeling in my last two pregnancies. Every little kick, every little movement, every little hick-up reminds me that this is a precious little one nestled safely in my womb, being perfectly knitted together by my Awesome God! What a miracle! I don't think I treasured these moments in my heart enough through my last two pregnancies. After this baby is born I will never again get to feel this baby move, kick, or hick-up inside me.

Treasuring each moment with our little ones is so important. For they grow up so fast... the newborn stage is but for a season, the pregnancy stage is but for a season, as is the 2 year old stage. Each stage is beautiful and precious in their own way!! What a blessing to be the mama to our sweet children! To be the one the Lord has put in charge of the way they are raised! WOW! He has created this little life inside me, He has a plan for this little person, and He has chosen us to fulfill His plan in this sweet little life! Thank you, Lord, for this blessing!

Super Skivvies review

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:26:00 +0000

Super Skivvies provides adorable and affordable cloth training pants, making it easier and cheaper for you to potty train your toddler! I simply love all of the cute designs and colors to choose from!

From Super Skivvies website:

What ARE Super SKivvies Cloth Training Pants ?

Super Skivvies cloth training pants are convertible training underwear that aid in potty training and bed wetting.
Super Skivvies feature a removable insert which allows them to convert to regular underwear after potty training is complete. This saves you money! Not to mention they can be used with multiple children which saves you even more!
Super Skivvies unique design and choice of materials allows a child to feel the wetness from their accident (which is of greatest importance) but keeps clothes, floors, and furniture dry.
Super Skivvies are made with sustainable materials which reduces waste in our landfills helping to save our environment and create a sustainable future.
Super Skivvies contain no chemicals! Disposable training pants (like Pull-Ups and Goodnights) contain toxic chemicals to absorb liquid that can harm your child and lengthen the time it takes to potty train.
Super Skivvies are not waterproof because PUL (Polyurethane Laminate - a man-made petroleum based plastic) that is used for waterproofing is not eco-friendly or biodegradable and damages our precious home, Earth.

My review: Super Skivvies graciously sent me a pair of their cloth training pants to try out on my little, in the mist of being potty trained, Susie! I love how adorable and affordable these cloth training pants are! I like how they allow the child to realize when they are wetting as opposed to after they already wet. They act like underwear, but allow for a little mistake to happen so that you can run the child off to the potty chair before their legs and everything gets wet. And the great part about these is when the child is fully potty trained you can use them as underwear by just removing the insert! How great is that!!!?

Going with cloth training pants can save you a tremendous amount of money!! And who doesn't love to save money?? ;-) I love how much I have saved just by using the one Super Skivvies I have! Apart from using my Super Skivvies, I have gone with going with just underwear... which works, but the Super Skivvies REALLY helps when a bit of an accident happens. They are still absorbent enough that not EVERYTHING gets wet! Which saves money on laundry! ;-)

Buy them: Head on over to Super Skivvies now to check out what they have in stock for your little one in the mist of getting potty trained! Psst ... they're having a sell right now so now is a great time to buy!! ;-)

Sharing a Glimpse of my heart

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:05:00 +0000

I guess I just couldn't really feel like leaving until I shared a glimpse of my heart...

I was talking to my husband the other day about how so many people just don't know how to be real and be themselves anymore... even me. Its an everyday struggle to try and keep up with how we 'think' other people view us. When in all reality we just need to be ourselves and quit trying to be how you 'think' everyone else wants you to be. Being ourselves isn't easy. Other people may see that we don't believe the same way as them. They may see our faults or the points we are weak in. People from now on... I just want to be me! :-) Who am I you might ask... Well I'm just me! I'm a simple little wife and mama here, who loves God with all her heart, adores her husband and babies, loves learning about health and fitness, and enjoys the quiet country life! I long to encourage other ladies in their walks of life... however ladies I'm walking it along with you! I don't have everything figured out... far from it actually. But God gives us the wisdom to be the women He wants us to be as long as we simply ask for it! So today I want to challenge you ladies... read a chapter in Proverbs everyday and PRAY PRAY PRAY that the Lord will give you the wisdom to be the wife and mama that HE wants you to be! Don't be someone else, be who He wants you to be!

"A wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands." Proverbs 14:1

"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;" Proverbs 24:3

"A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power." Proverbs 24:5

Crunchy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Pancakes

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:31:00 +0000

I also wanted to share a new favorite recipe that I found last month!

Crunchy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Pancakes
1 cup flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 Tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
dash of salt
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup buttermilk, milk, or water

Preheat pan to medium heat.

In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. Cut in the peanut butter till all mixed up. Then add the vegetable oil and milk/water and mix till smooth.

Cook 1/3 cup of batter in pan with butter.

Makes 6-8 pancakes... basically enough for 2 people.

Book reading list

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:25:00 +0000

Who out there loves books??? Can I say 'I do' enough? Books lately have become a big part of my life. I haven't always enjoyed reading. In fact when I was younger you could say I hated reading. But since I've been married and got pregnant with our first baby I have loved to read and learn! I can't say I enjoy fiction all that much yet... I like reading more non-fiction.

My friend at A Restful Place has inspired me to blog about the books I am going to try and read this month (February)! :-) I just bought 4 books that I thought looked good at a new bookstore in town so I am excited to be reading again!

I have currently been reading "Mommy Diagnostics"! I'm looking forward to continue to reading this one and hopefully sharing a review with you on it!

I have also just started reading "for women only". This book is a total eye opener. I think any wife should read this book!

This book I found at a local bookstore and thought I would give it a try! Sounds really good!

This is another that I found at a local bookstore and decided to buy! :-)

Mommy Diagnostic's is so good I need to read The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy as well! :-)

As you may have been able to tell I have been into health and family lately! ;-) What good books have you read lately? :-)

Second Trimester Bliss

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:21:00 +0000

The Lord works in such wonderful ways!! Just when I was doubting the most that I wouldn't be able to get through this pregnancy the Lord showed me how wrong I was and that I further more needed to trust in Him. Oh how blessed I feel to be able to know that He truly will only give me what I can handle! I feel a renewed energy! Even tho I'm still tired a lot I have more strength and my morning sickness is mostly all eased up! I pray that the rest of the pregnancy goes well and that I will trust Him in all things! And that He will help me be the woman He wants me to be!

Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Mama) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 22:53:00 +0000

I've been thinking a lot about my little firstborn baby... er toddler. I'm still trying to remember when she switched from being a baby to being a toddler. I guess when she was a baby I thought it was so far away before she became a toddler. Oh how time passes all to fast. How life has changed. Oh how she has changed our lives. She is such a blessing in our lives.

Lately she has been taking to giving more hugs and kisses!!! Much to my delight! As she has always been more of a quality time little girl. But now she is a total snuggler! I love it!

She has got so much energy I don't think she even knows what to do with it all. It's precious watching her run around the house singing! She adores music so much! She loves to sing and dance around the living room! It is just darling!

She has such big beautiful blue eyes! And right now she has tons of little curls. They are getting so long they are starting to get into her eyes more. I try and put her 'bangs' up in a little pony tail, but she loves to pull anything out of her hair and off of her feet. I can't keep hair clips, socks, or shoes on this little girl.

She loves being a little farm girl. I think tho out of all our animals her favorite is the kitten. Sometimes the kitten gets in while I'm out getting wood. I come back in and it's in her arms. She's talking to it like a long lost friend and then exclaims to me "I LIKE! AWW"

She absolutely adores her little sister! When she's crying she comes to me looking all serious "Umline (her way of saying Emmaline), sad." She runs and tries to give her a toy or cover her up saying "I know, Umline" or "I know, baby". Sometimes she calls her baby. The other day Susie was coloring a picture and Emmaline was watching her. She then held up her picture to show Emmaline and said "See!"

She loves to show people things! When someone comes over she has to show them all her toys and she loves to share them with them! She loves to give people things! When I'm making dinner sometimes I'll give her something to snack on... she always asks "Dada?" And she runs to take it to him. I then have to cut her up a piece as well!

She thinks that brushing her teeth is a hobby! Whenever I go into our bathroom to brush my hair or something she runs in as fast as she can and says "teeth!!!?" And proceeds to get out her toothbrush!

Needless to say she is such a blessing! She loves to help me do things! She loves to pick up her toys, run dirty clothes to the laundry room, sweep, and put the silverware away. And most of those things she does without being asked. She just loves doing them! Bless her heart! <3 I LOVE HER!!!