• The Pregnant Walnut Archive

    When I was pregnant with each of my daughters, my husband presented me with a stash of gourmet sodas in unusual flavors: key lime pie, pomegranate and even Shirley Temple (a throwback to my youth when my dad treated me one whenever we went out for dinner). It couldn’t have been more thoughtful…and depressing at the same time. Did I really think I could make it through nine long months without a sip of Chardonnay? Amazingly I did, but not without developing a strong dislike for pineapple-flavored bubbly stuff. If I’d hand my hands on Momosas while I was pregnant, I would have been able to ditch those fruity sodas once and for all. This paperback book is filled with more than 130 non-alcoholic cocktail [&hellip

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    I continue to be amazed by design innovation in baby products. Not unlike the technology advances in smartphones, tablets and other devices, the look becomes sleeker, the products credit-card thin. Following in these footsteps is the latest in high chair design, Mima moon chair (distributed by Muak Baby) is getting lots of early buzz. We got wind of the product that everyone will be talking about at next month’s ABC Expo, and think it will quickly join the ranks of  must-have baby gear. It’s one of those items that you can begin using right away: first as a newborn lounger (with a support pillow), next as a high chair for 6 months and up and then as a booster seat (simply by removing the upper [&hellip

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    I admit that I’m not much of a  personal shopper, but when it comes to kids’ clothes, I can’t resist. This time of year, our mailbox has been stuffed with catalogs ranging from Growing Up Garnet Hill , to crewcuts. I love every minute of paging through the glossy spreads and perusing the frilly frocks, sweet sundresses and tons of stylish warm weather items. Maybe all these clothes remind me of my own teen years, as I lay sprawled across my canopy bed with magazines like Sassy, Seventeen and YM checking out all the back-to-school possibilities. Or maybe it’s because checking out kid stuff is so much more satisfying than all those women’s swimsuit catalogs that quickly find their way into the recycling bin (thanks, [&hellip

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    When you’re pregnant, everyone always talks about that healthy glow that magically appears. But I’m pretty sure they weren’t talking about me. As someone who suffers from dry skin on a regular basis, being pregnant actually made things worse (was it all those crazy hormones or was that growing babe of mine already draining me?).  No matter the culprit, these days when I see a pregnant mom during these cold-weather months, I truly feel for her…and will gladly offer up my moisturizer. If you’ve got a gal pal who’s expecting soon, what better way to indulge her than with a skin-centric gift set? Noodle & Boo’s Pregnancy and Newborn Gift Set is the ultimate in prenatal pampering. From an invigorating hand and foot balm, to [&hellip

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    When someone you know announces her pregnancy, it’s amazing how infectious that happiness can be. It seems like the whole world smiles at an expectant mom’s baby bump, sharing in her joyfulness at the prospect of a new life coming into the world. No one ever likes to associate an impending birth with anything negative, but the truth is life isn’t always perfect. Pregnant women, especially those with a preexisting medical condition, need to take extra care of themselves during those precious nine months. It’s why we’re recognizing the m*a*m*a necklace, a  jewelry line designed with expectant mothers in mind. The oval pendant subtly shares the important information of your condition in the event of an accident or medical emergency. The stainless-steel design features a [&hellip

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    Congratulations! You just had a new baby and you’ve been invited to your cousin’s wedding, all in the same week. But before you hastily turn down the invitation (who wants to get all dressed up when you’re not exactly feeling like your absolute best?), consider the new line of postpartum body ware from Ameda Intimates. Their collection of nursing bras and camisoles are especially forgiving, offering you sleek coverage for special occasions, while keeping you comfortable all the while. Made from a flexible microfiber, they are lightly absorbent, so you can dance the night away (if you’re up for it) without feeling sticky. Dual side knit panels  won’t cut into your skin, allowing you to move about freely, while the special drop-cup design provides easy [&hellip

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    I never breastfed my daughters, but from what my mom friends tell me, latching on isn’t the only challenge they faced. Once their baby was happily fed, moms still have to contend with that uncomfortable feeling of …well, for lack of a better word, fullness. And for those who had to endure severe breast pain, they were really in need of some relief. Enter Lansinoh Thera Pearl, 3-in-1 breast therapy. At first glance, these purple bead-filled gel sacs look too cool to be tucked away in a nursing bra. But looks aside, they offer tremendous benefits. Toss them in the freezer for a couple of hours, and they help relieve engorged breasts. If you’re suffering from clogged milk ducts, pop Thera Pearl in the microwave [&hellip

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    Lucky mom that I am, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of having my first trimester during the summer with both kids. Because I love my daily glass of vino like every other person, I needed to get creative and come up with a non-alcoholic alternative that quenched my thirst, but was a tad more exciting than a slice of lime in ice water. Let’s just say that by the time I gave birth to my girls, I had sampled more fruit-flavored beverages than I knew existed (key lime pie soda, anyone?). If you happen to be expecting your own bundle of joy later this year and could use your own daily dose of fun in a glass, you may have found your ticket to bliss [&hellip

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    Jessica Simpson is expecting again…but this time, it’s a new fashion collection she’s happily anticipating. And frankly, we weren’t at all surprised to hear about the launch of her maternity apparel collection. After the birth of Simpson’s first child earlier this month, not to mention a staggering amount of press devoted to the very-pregnant celebrity, a stylish line of clothing that accentuates an expectant woman’s changing shape seemed only natural. Given her prior successful stints in apparel, accessories and cosmetics, Simpson clearly knows a thing or two about what women like when it comes to fashion. (Either that, or she has a knack for picking talented, perceptive designers.) And since she just walked the walk of a pregnant woman herself, we give her the thumbs [&hellip

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    How many Facebook friends do you have who’ve shared their cute pix of their kids? You can put your hands down. Now, how many of those pals have posted their sonograms or photos of their pregnant bellies online? Yup, we’ve gotten those updates, too. But now matter how many telltale shots they upload, you don’t need to see documented proof to know that every mom-to-be is in need of a little TLC. If you’ve got a faraway friend or relative who’s expecting, let her know you’re thinking of her–even if you can’t see her–with a Pampered Pregnancy Box from Citrus Lane. This well-stocked package contains a ton of treats reserved for those times when she’s in need of a boost (think tired skin, swollen feet…). [&hellip

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