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My “Why We Get Fat” Review and Results

We’ve all heard about “the diet that changed my life” from other people.  It’s so cliche.  However, after reading Gary Taubes’ “Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It“, I have to say it: This is the diet that changed my life!  Or at least the way I think about why people get fat.

When my daughter reached the 8-month mark in January and I was still hanging on to 20 pounds extra baby weight, I jumped on the New Year bandwagon to lose weight.  My husband recommended I read Gary Taubes’ book, which he had heard about from an acquaintance who lost a great deal of weight after reading it. I did read it.  In less than 2 days.  And I haven’t turned back since!

Here is the jest of the book and the diet Gary recommends: eat low carb.  Now I know what you’re probably thinking!  “Those diets are dangerous…it’s just an Atkins diet..etc, etc”.

My advice to you is to read it anyways!  Borrow it from someone if you don’t want to buy it.  But find a way to read it.

After reading the book, my mind was blown away with the idea that eating carbohydrates (sugars) is what ultimately makes us fat.  It all comes down to insulin, the hormone that is released from the pancreas when we ingest sugar (whether it be in brown rice, fruit, or pie!).  Insulin has a huge effect on how our body uses energy and on our fat storage.  Basically by eliminated sugars from our diet, both simple and complex, our body greatly decreases insulin production and starts to burn fat for energy instead of carbs.

This just scratches the surface of what is in the book.  Just read it, and you’ll get why the way I eat will forever be different, and for the better!

So after reading the book, my husband and I started following the diet recommended in the Appendix of the book.  It is simple and to the point.  Basically any type of meat and non-starchy vegetable is allowed.  Any low carb dressings, oils, butters, etc are allowed.  As long as it’s low carb you can eat it.

My first weigh-in was January 3rd at 159.8 pounds.

The first week was awful.  I was fighting cravings for anything sweet, because I was pretty much a chocolate addict.  Day 3 I woke up feeling really shaky and weak.  This is normal however, because my body was in the process of switching form burning carbs for energy to burning fat.  So all-in-all it was a good sign.

Since I got past that, it’s been the easiest way of eating ever!  I can eat whenever I’m hungry, until I’m full.  There is no denying myself food when I’m hungry.  As long as I eat low-carb I can eat until I’m full whenever I feel hungry.  I also have not exercised.  Let me repeat I HAVE NOT EXERCISED!

Here are the results of my weekly weigh-ins thus far:

Jan 3:   159.8

Jan 9:    152.4  (-7.4 lbs)  (this is largely water weight which is typical the first week to lose)

Jan 16:  149.4  (-3 lbs)

Jan 23:  148.6  (-0.8 lbs)

Jan 30:  148.0  (-0.6 lbs)

Feb 6:    145.0   (-3 lbs)

Feb 13:  143.8   (-1.2 lbs)

Feb 20:  143.6  (-0.2 lbs)

OVERALL WEIGHT LOSS:  16.2 lbs in 7 weeks

In 7 weeks I am just about to my pre-pregnancy weight of 140.  I am going to keep eating this way indefinitely.  The health benefits (decreased risk of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, etc) are laid out in the book.  I am hoping to lose another 10 pounds and reach 130, which was the weight I was before having any babies at all!

I am sold on this lifestyle and I just want to shout it out to the entire world because I believe in it.

I will keep you updated on my progress!  Until then, read “Why We Get Fat“!

 

 

 

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THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

One of the things I’ve found most annoying while being pregnant (and now being a parent of two) is when others offer unwelcome advice.  Of course, their intentions are good, but they can also sometimes feel insulting. i.e. “Should you really be drinking that coffee?  You’re not supposed to have caffeine when you’re pregnant, you know!” And then there are those times you get conflicting advice.  i.e. “Just let your baby cry-it out!” and “Letting your baby cry will lead to an emotionally unstable child.”

Being pregnant and learning to adjust to a newborn can be stressful enough without having others make things more complicated with their “advice”.  Luckily, there are great resources available to the new and experienced parent that give trustworthy, time-tested advice from experts.  And best of all, this advice comes only when you need it.  The resource I am speaking of is the highly popular and recommended “What to Expect” book series.

The “What to Expect” series provides an amazing wealth of information for nearly every question or concern one may have from pre-pregnancy to post-partum and beyond.  I purchased “What to Expect Before You’re Expecting” prior to getting pregnant with our second child as it seemed to be taking longer than it did with our first.  The book answered a lot of questions I had that I otherwise would have been to embarrassed to ask someone about.  It also covers some very practical things, such as changing your diet to get your body as ready and healthy as possibly to carry a new life.

If you’re already pregnant, then “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” is the next step.  This book gives a month-by-month look at your baby’s development, changes in your body and emotions, and special questions and concerns.  It was in this book that I discovered I had restless leg syndrome during my second pregnancy.  If I hadn’t had come across the information in the book, I would have never convinced my husband that I was not crazy for thinking I had RLS.  But seriously, this book covers the whole gamut on pregnancy, from the common to the not-so-common issues that may arise.  Even better is the book ends with chapters on labor and delivery, 6-weeks post-partum, and even has a special chapter just for dads.  Every pregnant woman should have this book!

As we all know, pregnancy is just the beginning.  Once the baby is born, the real work begins.  “What to Expect the First Year” and “What to Expect the Second Year” cover the basics and beyond to help guide you through baby’s first two years of life.  Breastfeeding, sleeping, first aid and illness, and baby-friendly recipes are covered in these books, and that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface.  These books are big, but they conveniently come with an index that makes it quick and easy to find a topic you’re specifically looking for.

This series of books has become my go-to guide for any advice I am looking for.  I know the information is current and from a source I can trust.  If you haven’t already, make sure you buy these books and visit their website for even more information and resources to help you from pre-pregnancy planning and beyond.

****NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN YOUR OWN WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING BOOK****

Thanks to the people at What to Expect, IntoBaby is giving away one free WHAT TO EXPECT book! Enter the giveaway now by doing the following:

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CONTEST RULES:

  • All entries must be submitted by midnight on July 30th, 2011.  No late entries will be accepted.
  • Winner will be chosen at random using the generator at Random.org
  • Winner will be contacted via email the morning of July 31st, 2011
  • Winner must respond within 48 hours or the prize will be forfeited
  • This contest is open to U.S. residents only

Come back and visit us again soon at IntoBaby!

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With the near arrival of Baby #2, I decided it was time to get my nursing bra wardrobe in line.  The nursing bras I had bought at Target for Baby #1 were looking pretty tough, plus I never loved them in the first place.  I decided that it would be worth spending more money on a nursing bra that I loved.  After doing a lot of research, one brand continually surfaced as a favorite: Bravado.But since I am a sucker for a great deal, I spent an equal amount of time scouring the internet for the best deal on Bravado bras.  That’s when I came across Nurtured Family.  Nurtured Family is an online retailer offering everything from maternity and nursing clothing and supplies to diapering and baby gear.  It also has a brick-and-mortar store located in Houston. Let me note that Nurtured Family neither contacted me to do this review or compensated me in any way. I’m writing this all on my own to pass on my good find to you!

The first thing that caught my attention was the fact that their prices were lower than those on the Bravado website, and were equally as low or lower than Amazon.  On top of that, by signing up for the Nurtured Family newsletter, I received an extra 10% off of my order.  I was able to get the Bravado Original Nursing Bra, normally $35, for under $30 with this deal!  By far this was the best deal I could find online.  I also ordered a few Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bras with the 10% off coupon and secured another fabulous deal.  Even better is the bras were shipped for free!Nurtured Family offers a lowest price guarantee so you know you’ll get the best price you can find.  Returns are also easy and there is no cost to exchange a bra.

I won’t be buying nursing bras from anywhere else now that I’ve found Nurtured Family.  Their prices and newsletter deal can’t be beat.  Trust me, I’ve looked!  Go for it: Try Bravado nursing bras and Nurtured Family!

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After a nearly disastrous grocery shopping trip with my 19 month old son, I knew I needed to do something different.  The problem?  He refused to sit in the shopping cart.  And, being 7 months pregnant at the time, I tried holding his hand and having him walk next to me through the store.  That didn’t work either.  He wanted to do what he wanted to do, and would collapse on the floor when I’d try redirecting him.  Being we were desperate for groceries, I packed him on my hip the rest of the shopping trip.  By the time I got home, I was completely exhausted.  Thus, my search for a toddler carrier began!

I am a review junkie, so I started by scouring Amazon for reviews on different carriers.  I originally thought about getting a woven wrap so I could use it for both the new baby and my son, but I wanted something quicker and with less of a learning curve, as well as something my husband would be willing to wear.  There are a lot of options out there for soft structured carriers, but I found most of them to be either really girly or awkward looking, both of which I know my husband would never wear.  Or myself for that matter!  Luckily, I came across Boba.  Not only did it have the look and style I was going for, but it got nearly perfect reviews from Amazon customers.There were many color options that I liked, which made the choice a hard one.  I wanted a color that would be neutral for a boy or girl, which really most of the color options would be perfect for.  After consulting my husband for his input, we decided to order the Boba in Mist.  The gray straps, I thought, were a little more “manly” than the chocolate brown, and the lighter color would hopefully make it cooler to wear in the summer.  But what I love is how the apple green accent adds a pop of color and is perfect for a boy or girl.

The Boba arrived in a nice boxed package which included a full-color booklet with wearing instructions.  The instructions were very easy to follow.

I practiced putting my son in at home with the help of a mirror.  It felt a little awkward trying to slide him in on my back, but then again I was 7 months pregnant at the time.  With that said, it only took a minute to get him situated, the straps adjusted, and then he was securely, and comfortably, on my back.

But now the real test; wearing him in public!  We went to one of the first garage sales of the season, which is always a huge event in our small town as people are excited to say goodbye to winter.  I decided to bring the Boba along, but honestly didn’t think I’d need to use it.  In a last minute decision, I threw it on with my son, and boy am I glad I did!  A huge crowd was at the sale and it would have been literally impossible to weave through the people and items if he hadn’t had been on my back.  So my first Boba debut in public was definitely a success and I could see it was already a worthwhile investment.

The second time the Boba was used, my father-in-law wore it.  A group of us went to a train show, which was another extremely crowded venue.  My father-in-law insisted on wearing my son since I was now 8 months pregnant at the time.  I was a little reluctant since he has a bad back, but he had no complaints and wore it comfortably the entire time.  My son loved it too!

I am now 9 months pregnant and can still comfortably wear him on my back.  The straps are very comfortable on my shoulders and below my expanding belly and are easily adjustable.  I am 9 months pregnant in the following pictures.  We are not using the foot straps but it gives you an idea of the fit.

My son, who is now 21 months old and under 30 pounds, loves to be carried around in it.  He will see it sitting out, point and say “backpack” when he wants to go for a ride.  I really couldn’t be happier with it and I’m excited for all of the use it will get from my son and our new baby on the way.

Unfortunately, since I have been very pregnant since we’ve had our Boba, I haven’t been able to test the front carrying feature, but it’s definitely something I’ll be trying with our new baby.

Here are some of the key features of the Boba Carrier:

  • For infants/children 15-45 pounds
  • Removable sleeping hood
  • Adjustable foot straps for toddlers- (keeps their knees at an ergonomic 90 degree angle)
  • Padded, fully-adjustable straps
  • Daddy friendly color options

The Boba Carrier is very reasonably priced around $128.  I highly recommend the Boba to all of my friends and family, and to anyone in search of a soft structured carrier.  We couldn’t be happier with ours and it’s been a great purchase!

What do you think of the Boba Carrier?

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Maybe I’ve been living in the dark ages for far too long, but I recently came across the Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pod and immediately wondered two things:  Why didn’t I think of this? and Why didn’t anyone tell me about these? 

I think we’ve probably all been there before…desperately digging around the bottom of the diaper bag searching for a much-needed pacifier for an unhappy baby.  You know there are at least half a dozen in there, somewhere, but you can never seem to find them when you need them.  And then when you do find one, its got all types of fun little things stuck to it from hanging out in the bottom of the diaper bag.

And now enters the Paci Pod.  A cute, round little bag that clips directly onto your diaper bag and neatly (and cleanly) stores 2 easily-accessible, ready-to-go pacifiers.  So simple and ingenius.  And so practical.  Again, I ask, why didn’t anyone tell me about these?

The Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pod retails for $8 and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.  Here are just a couple of many options:

So glad I stumbled across these before Baby #2 gets here!  Make sure you enlighten someone today about these Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pods today!

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The Best BIG Diaper Bag for Your Budget

Whether you’ve got multiple small children, twins or multiples, or are simply an over-packer, you may be on the search for a large capacity diaper bag.  In less than 2 months, my husband and I will enter the “two kids under 2” Club, and we’re already feeling the pressure to upgrade from our daddy-friendly Skip Hop Messenger to a bigger bag.  And since I’m becoming an obsessive-compulsive baby product reviewer, I have spent the past few days searching high and low for the best reviewed BIG diaper bags available for every budget.  Keep in mind that if you don’t have multiple small children or if you’re a light packer, these bags will likely be far to big for every day use.  With that said, let’s review the winners for each budget!

The Steal:  Lands’ End Do-It-All Diaper Bag 

Unique feature:  Opens like a doctor’s bag

Measurements:  11”Hx15”Wx8.75”D

Price:  $39.50

Although it’s definitely not flashy, the Lands’ End Do-It-All Diaper Bag was routinely recommended by moms in the forums I came across.  It also gets the highest rating I’ve seen in a budget diaper bag, with a 4.5/5 rating.  Overwhelmingly, the favorite feature of this bag is “doctor’s bag” opening, which allows for easy viewing and full access to all the items within.  It’s also one of the more “daddy-friendly” bags I’ve seen.

The Do-It-All comes in six colors and can be monogrammed for only $5, which would definitely help add some style to this basic bag.  Land’s End frequently has promotions for free shipping and other discounts, so keep your eyes open and get a great bag at a great price!

The Standard:  Skip Hop Duo Double Deluxe Diaper Bag

Unique Feature:  Comes with stroller straps that make it fit a side-by-side double stroller

Measurements:  13.5”Hx18”Wx4.25”D

Price:  $80

From what I’ve seen and read, the Skip Hop Duo Double Deluxe sets the standard for all other large diaper bags.  It gets nearly perfect reviews with a 5/5 rating on Amazon and has been highlighted as the bag of choice in many parenting magazines.  The Duo Double comes great color choices, many of which are daddy-friendly. 
Many reviewers commented how they have tried several diaper bags and the Duo Double surpassed them all.  And for only $80, it’s reasonably priced.

The Splurge:  Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared

Unique Feature:  Color-coded, tabbed mesh pockets to keep each child’s items organized and identifiable

Measurements:  14”Hx18.5”Wx6.5”D

Price:  $180

In all of my researching for the best big diaper bag, the Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared was by far the most mentioned, recommended, and longed-for bag.  It receives nearly perfect ratings from a variety of websites, with a perfect 5/5 from Diapers.com and 4.5/5 from Amazon.  Although the price may leave some sticker-shock compared to most diaper bags out there, this bag packs a lot of extra features that leave moms raving that there is no other bag that can compare.  Just have a look for yourself:

Not only is the bag functional, but it’s fashionable.  It comes in several color options and prints.  My personal favorite is Evening Vines (shown at the top of the Ju-Ju-Be post).  Evening Vines is new for Summer 2011 and is pre-order only.  It will be available in May 2011.  Here are some of the other color options:

The Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared may be a splurge at $180, but it also comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects (NOT normal wear and tear), which offers a little peace-of-mind for the price paid.  Many moms also mentioned that they love how this bag can double as their hospital bag or travel bag.

Of course, there are MANY more options out there for large diaper bags.  But, as far as I’ve seen, these 3 bags are a recurring theme when searching for the best of what’s available for every budget.

Do you have experience with any of these bags?  Please share!

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Developing stretch marks are never a welcome sight to see, even when having the excuse of being pregnant.  In my previous post “How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy“, I shared the frustrating news that my doctor gave me: Stretch marks are genetic, and there is no amount of moisturizer that will keep them from forming if you’re predisposed to developing them.  Of course, not what I wanted to hear, but I got over it. 

Until now.  Whether it’s because I’m pregnant with my second or the fact we’re having a girl, whatever the reason may be, my developing stretch marks have increased exponentially.  They are no longer confined to my breasts with a few light ones on my hips and belly, but have spread to my thighs, butt, and *gasp* my calves.  Not only have they popped up on just about every spare surface of my body, but they are much bigger and darker than with my first pregnancy.  My doctor says I have been gaining weight at a healthy rate, so I’m not sure the difference this time around. 

With that said, I somewhat hit “desperation mode” and decided, “what the heck, I might as well try some moisturizer.”  After doing some online research, I whittled my options down to either Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Balm or Burt’s Bees Cocoa and Macadamia Nut Body Butter.  Although the Belly Balm is specifically marketed to be used during pregnancy, I decided to try the Body Butter instead, since the reviewers said it it much easier to spread on the skin.  On top of that, I love the smell of Cocoa butter!  There were also a few reviewers who swore by the Cocoa butter and said it helped fade their stretch marks and prevent others from appearing.  So I decided it was worth a shot.

The product itself is wonderful.  It has a very smooth, silky, whipped butter-like texture which makes it very easy to apply to the skin.  It is a very light, non-greasy formula that won’t make you uncomfortable when you get dressed for the day.  On top of that, the aromais delicious (typical Cocoa butter) and makes me want to eat it.  And, if I really wanted to, I could eat it, because Burt’s Bees products are made of all-natural, safe ingredients.  Of course, these natural ingredients come at a price with a 6.6 ounce jar running around $13.  However, I have been very surprised with how far the body butter is lasting.  It’s light texture and easy spread-ability makes a little bit go a long ways!  I have been using it on the majority of my body since I got it 2 months ago, and I still have a little more than half the jar left. 

But putting all of these positive qualities aside, it all stems down to the results: Is Burt’s Bees Cocoa and Macadamia Nut Body Butter a stretch mark cure?  Unfortunately, I’m going to have to give it a big N-O.  Since using the product, I have not noticed any positive change in the color or development of my stretch marks.  They are still there when I hop in the shower in the morning and they don’t appear to be going anywhere.  In fact, they are still multiplying.  Am I disappointed?  Sure I am.  Even though I should have learned with my first pregnancy that they can’t be prevented, I still had a glimmer of hope after hearing from a few lucky women who swear moisturizer kept them stretch-mark free.  Am I devastated?  No.  Unless you count those random moments where the pregnancy hormones take control and the smallest thing causes an emotional meltdown.  Then yes.  But no, it’s definitely not the end of the world.  I actually take confidence in knowing that my doctor knows what she’s talking about and that my husband can see right past the stretch marks as if they’re not even there. 

So do I recommend Burt’s Bees Cocoa and Macadamia Nut Body Butter?  YES!  Are you surprised?  Although it didn’t do a thing for my stretch marks, I am loving it just as a regular moisturizer.  I have never used something that has left my skin feeling so soft and silky.  Even my husband has taken notice and commented on how soft my skin feels.  And although it’s a little more expensive than some moisturizers out there, Burt’s Bees Cocoa and Macadamia Nut Body Butter is the perfect way to treat myself as I complete this task of growing Baby #2.  I would recommend you give it a try too!

Is there a certain stretch mark product you can swear by?  Please share!

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Moby Wrap vs. Boba Wrap: Which is Better?

There is no doubt about it:  I loved using my Moby Wrap when my son was an infant.  Now that he’s a toddler, I handed my Moby over to my sister-in-law to use with her baby girl.  And what do you know?  She loves it too!  But now that we’re expecting baby #2 soon, I was feeling a little anxious to get my Moby back, clean, and ready for use.  The only problem is my sister-in-law is still using it on a regular basis with her 9 month old, plus she is expecting another baby as well, so I really don’t want to take it back from her.

With that said, I was thinking of just letting her keep my old Moby and upgrading to a new one for baby #2.  My Moby is chocolate brown, and being that we’re going to have a summer baby, I was hoping to get something in a lighter color to help keep a little bit cooler in the summer heat.  So while shopping around online for the best option, I came across a wrap similar to the Moby that I had never heard of before: the Boba Wrap.

In all reality, the first thing I thought of the Boba Wrap was “it’s a Moby knock-off wrap”.  It is the same concept: a very long strip of material that you use to wrap your baby snugly to your body.  But after doing some research for myself, there are definitely some subtle but important differences to take note of.

The Moby Wrap is made of 100% cotton, while the Boba Wrap is 95% cotton with 5% Lycra, giving it more stretch and “bounce-back” ability than the Moby.  I contacted Boba Wrap to see what they said about what sets them apart from Moby.  They quickly replied with the following:

“The fabric is the main difference. This affects two things, how you wrap it and how you wear it. The fabric is a blend of cotton/spandex which allows some stretch. No need to leave room for your baby as the spandex will do that for you. Just tie it nice and snug and go about your day. No need to retie or adjust, even after nursing.”

One thing I did notice about my Moby was that it seemed to lose its shape once I removed my son from it.  Although I have not yet tried a Boba Wrap, it sounds like the fabric blend they use takes care of this problem.  Many reviewers rave about the Boba Wrap and love how they can tie it tightly, have enough stretch to insert their baby, and once they remove it it returns to its normal fit.  The Moby tends to sag once baby is removed and may need to be retied.

One advantage the Moby Wrap fabric has over the Boba Wrap is the fact that it will likely be a little bit cooler in the summer months.  Since the Moby is 100% cotton, it has the advantage of being a little more breathable than the Boba Wrap which contains spandex.

Both Moby and Boba Wraps come in a wide variety of appealing colors and retail for  approximately $39.95.  There are also organic fabric options offered by each company at a higher price point.

So, which one is better?  Being that I haven’t tried the Boba Wrap, yet, I can’t say which I like better from first-hand experience.  However, upon reading reviews and forums online, I would say that the majority of the people who have tried both tend to lean a little more in favor of the Boba Wrap overall.  The general consensus is that its ease of use due to the stetchability gives it the advantage compared to the Moby.

With that said, I plan on gifting my well-loved Moby to my sister-in-law and taking a chance on the Boba Wrap for baby #2.  I honestly think I would be happy with either (and would still recommend the Moby Wrap to anyone).  But I’m excited to try something a little different and share what I find.

Do you (or would you) prefer the Moby Wrap or Boba Wrap?

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My second pregnancy has wreaked havoc on my eczema.  Thank you, pregnancy hormones!  Usually, my eczema breakouts were very mild and were rather quickly healed up using a simple steroid cream.  However, pregnancy turned my mild eczema into a permanent cycle of moderate to severe breakouts that lasted for months.  Despite religiously using the steroid cream, it simply would not be contained. 

After finally realizing that what I was doing to remedy the problem was not going to work, ever, I mentioned it to my OB/GYN.  She confirmed that, indeed, pregnancy can definitely cause a change in eczema outbreaks.  She assured me that using a steroid cream was safe to use in small amounts, but since that hadn’t been working for me, she recommended trying Aveeno Eczema Therapy

Aveeno Eczema Therapy is simply a moisturizing cream with no steroids, which is a little added safety when you’re pregnant.  It is accepted by the National Eczema Association and demotologist-recommended.  It’s natural active ingredient is Colloidal Oatmeal which apparently is great for dry and sensitive skin.  So the question was, did it work?

I went out and bought the moisturizer immediately and started using it.  I paid about $12 for the bottle.  A little bit of moisturizer goes a long ways.  My eczema is contained to my antecubital areas, and just a small pea-sized amount was more than enough to cover.  The formula is very light and non-greasy. 

But the real question: does it work?  I was amazed!  I noticed my eczema was better within 24 hours, and it was totally cleared after 2 days of use.  This wouldn’t have surprised me, except for the fact that I had been using steroid cream for months with no improvement.  I honestly wasn’t expecting a steroid-free therapy to work.  But it definitely did, and still does.  Now that my eczema is under control, I don’t use the lotion every day.  I only use it when I see a small breakout starting to form, and it has always kept it from turning into a full breakout.  I’m never going back to a steroid cream again, even when I’m not pregnant. 

As always, talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant and dealing with eczema.  And definitely keep Aveeno Eczema Therapy in mind.  It’s been a very effective product for my pregnancy-induced eczema outbreaks.

How has pregnancy changed your eczema outbreaks? 

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I was recently introduced to Polka Dot Pear, a company that specializes in creative stationary, announcements, invitations, and other related items.  But what sets Polka Dot Pear apart from the rest is that all of their products are completely customizable.  Try getting that when you order your Christmas cards from Walmart or Shutterfly!  It won’t happen!  That’s just one of the things that sets Polka Dot Pear above the rest.  The design team at Polka Dot Pear will work with you to create a unique and custom invitation, announcement, or stationery that will be sure to stand out from the rest.

Aimee from Polka Dot Pear contacted me and was nice enough to offer their services for my son’s 1 year birthday invitations.  I spent a lot of time scouring their website trying to find the perfect layout.  Polkadotpear.com is very easy to navigate, and they offer full-color photos of their designs.  With so many options, it was difficult to make a decision.  There were so many designs I liked!  I finally decided on a layout, shown below:

I liked this layout because it allowed room for a large photo to be showcased across the top, and I love it’s simplicity.  I knew it would be perfect for a birthday invitation. 

Once I had selected a photo to go with the invite, I contacted Aimee at Polka Dot Pear and she took it from there.  I mentioned my ideas for color scheme and the birthday theme I had chosen: sock monkey.  Within only a couple days of communicating and proofing, we had the final product!  And here it is!

Let me mention that I have altered the invitation’s information and photo for privacy.  The actual invitation is done in a matching font and is perfect!  This is just to give you a general idea.

As you can see in the before and after, the design team beautifully transformed this into a unique, one-of-a-kind invitation based on my suggestions.  Going with the sock monkey theme, they added the clever wording announcing “our little monkey” is turning 1.  I love how the “1” is big and bold.  The blue monkey in the corner perfectly adds a pop of color to contrast the red and ties in with the color on my son’s shirt and the sky in the picture.  Polka Dot Pear is so good with the little details!  I was extremely happy with this proof and gave Aimee the okay to proceed with printing.

At this point I want to mention how great the customer service was with Polka Dot Pear.  Aimee was quick to reply to my emails, and took all of my suggestions and wishes into consideration.  I wanted to make some changes to the invitation after they sent the first proof, and they gladly made them and even offered ideas that I never would have thought of.  It was obvious they wanted me to be very satisfied with the end product.

It took only a couple days from final approval for them to ship, and I received them within a week.  Upon opening the shipping box, I found the invitations to be beautifully packaged in a white box tied with a ribbon.  The invitations and their envelopes were neatly stacked inside and wrapped in tissue paper. 

I am so impressed with the quality of the invitations!  The colors are vibrant and the matte finish of the photo paper  makes the photo pop.  On top of that, the photo is mounted on a heavy duty, luxury paper to give it a more elegant look and feel.  Included with the invitations were gold foil lined envelopes, which are very classy addition!  The overall size of the invite is a little larger than 5” by 6” and the envelope is a custom fit.  These invitations are meant to “wow” your guests when they receive them in the mail.  I have gotten nothing but great feedback from the guests I have sent them to.

Overall, I have been extremely satisfied and impressed in every aspect of Polka Dot Pear.  Their products and service can’t be beat.  I would highly recommend using their services for any announcements or invitations you may need in the future.  You simply can’t beat custom!  Thank you, Aimee and Polka Dot Pear for allowing me to try your product!

IntoBaby is into Polka Dot Pear!

******NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A POLKA DOT PEAR PRODUCT******

Polka Dot Pear is generously giving away a $25 credit towards the product of your choice!  To enter the giveaway, follow these instructions:

  • Required:  Leave a comment including your favorite Polka Dot Pear product- Can be viewed here
  • Earn 1 extra entry:  Subscribe to my RSS feed and let me know in a separate comment
  • Earn 1 extra entry:  Follow @intobaby on Twitter and let me know your Twitter name in an extra comment
  • Earn 1 extra entry:  “Like” IntoBaby on facebook and let me know in a separate comment
  • Earn 1 extra entry:  “Like” Polka Dot Pear on facebook and let me know in a separate comment
  • Earn 1 extra entry:  Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in a separate comment
  • Earn 1 extra entry:  Share this giveaway on facebook and let me know in a separate comment
  • Earn 2 extra entries:  Write a post on your blog linking to this page and to the Polka Dot Pear website and post the URL in the comments

CONTEST RULES:

  • All entries must be submitted by midnight on Tuesday, September 14th,  2010.  No late entries will be accepted.
  • Winner will be chosen at random using the generator at Random.org
  • Winner will be contacted via email the morning of September 15th, 2010
  • Winner must respond within 48 hours or the prize will be forfeited
  • This contest is open to U.S. residents only

Come back and visit us again soon at IntoBaby!

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