Growing bellies have launched a growing trend–one that celebrates motherhood in all its phases. In the last month, The Talking Walnut has reported on more than a few companies making growth labels for expectant moms to affix to their clothing in proud proclamation of their soon-to-be new arrival. Whether you are three months along or in your third trimester, it’s a fun way to announce your pregnancy progress–and a clever means of putting a stop to all those unsolicited inquiries. If you’re more inclined to profess your thoughts on your belly itself, then we may have be just the venue to share your feelings. The Million Moms Challenge, along with ABC News, the United Nations Foundation, Disney Baby and Anne Geddes (phew!), is holding a photo contest for soon-to-be new parents. Dubbed “Imagine You & Me,” the contest invites women in their third trimester to upload a picture of their baby bump, featuring a handwritten, creative message for their little one, on Facebook. Entries will be accepted from now until December 4, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST, and will be judged between December 6-15. The winning entry will be announced by famed baby photographer Geddes herself on ABC News on December 16. The grand prize is a trip for two adults and their lucky baby to Australia where they will be photographed in Geddes’ studio in Sydney. So grab a marker and start thinking about what you’d like to say to your bundle of joy before she arrives. Good luck!

In a Nutshell: Calling all expectant moms…It’ll be a g’day if you win this amazing contest that awards you with what promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Tags: ABC News, Anne Geddes, baby photography contest, Disney Baby, Imagine Me & You, Million Moms Challenge, The United Nations Foundation

The 7-year-old me would be so psyched at just how cool stickers have become. Forget about waiting until you’re a kid to start your collection; if you’ve got a super-hip mom, you can begin your love affair with stickers in utero. Earlier this summer, The Talking Walnut reported on Sticky Bellies, a line of adhesives that moms-to-be can affix to their growing bellies–a clever way of answering the never-ending “when are you due?” line of questioning from strangers everywhere. Now, we’ve just come across another company offering a similar product: Belly Banter from SlickSugar. In addition to a line of pregnancy decals featuring witty sayings like “running out of womb” and “I love pickles,” there’s an assortment designed for new babies’ onesies. Remember propping up your baby next to a sign proclaiming six months (even when she couldn’t quite sit up without being propped up, too)? Well, put away the marker and paper–now your little one can proudly profess his age with Belly Banter decals. They come in unisex-, girl- and boy-themed sets, each containing 15 removable stickers that easily adorn any ordinary onesie. The makings of a memorable baby shower gift, Belly Banter is one way of saying age is anything but a number.

In a Nutshell: Dress up an everyday onesie with an age-appropriate accessory Here’s to one time in life when you don’t mind revealing just how old you are!

Tags: baby shower gift, Belly Banter, growth stickers, milestone stickers, SlickSugar

The first time I was pregnant, you couldn’t catch me within 20 feet of a camera. I refused to be photographed and so have no visual record of my expanding belly. By the time I had my second daughter, I was either as little less vain or not as militant about having my picture taken. For those expectant moms who relish documenting their growing tummy, and for people like me who in retrospect should have taken things a bit less seriously, come the oh-so-adorable Sticky Bellies. This line of removable stickers is just the thing for chronicling an ever-changing pregnant body. They affix easily to clothing, so you can stick one on your shirt, grab your camera and snap away. The Oh Sew Ready assortment comes with stickers for 12-40 weeks, enabling you to start marking those milestones as soon as you start  showing. The fun doesn’t have to end with your third trimester; there are also Oh Sew Adorable and Oh Sew Handsome stickers for baby girls and boys from birth-24 months, so you can show your little one just how much she grew. Of course, thanks to Sticky Bellies, now there’s proof that you did dress her up like a little bunny even when it wasn’t Halloween (or Easter). Ah, the humiliation we subject our kids to at such a tender age…

In a Nutshell: Whether celebrating pregnancy milestones or each month of your new baby’s life, Sticky Bellies make a useful and unique baby shower gift.

Tags: baby shower gift, Oh Sew Adorable, Oh Sew Handsome, Oh Sew Ready, Sticky Bellies

When it comes to gift-giving, I’m a stickler for presentation. I always notice a package smartly wrapped with a satin bow that looks like it belongs in a young girl’s hair, or a gift bag that’s fashionably stuffed with crinkle cut shredded paper (how very eco-friendly). So when you’re sitting ringside at a baby shower, as so many of us are at some point, you tend to zero in on the presents that stand out from the rest of the pack. What better way is there to select such a gift than one whose wrapping cleverly disguises its contents until further investigation? One present that really piques our interest is the Baby Bunch, a surefire companion to the ever-popular diaper cake. Nestled inside a floral presentation box is a carefully concealed bouquet whose flowers are actually made up of baby clothing! Imagine the “oohs” and “ahhs” that will fill the room as your family and friends pass around this adorable assortment of soft good essentials. Each Medium Baby Bunch contains one bib, one hat, one T-shirt, two Onesies and two pairs of socks–all fashioned from 100-percent cotton. We love that every piece of clothing is styled as a flower bud surrounded by fabric leaves and rosebuds, though we would have loved the addition of some baby’s breath, naturally. Nevertheless, the Baby Bunch is one gift that warrants all the attention and fussing it gets…much like that new baby herself.

In a Nutshell: When you’re tired of giving the same old Onesie and bib combo, consider this innovative baby gift, destined to be the talk of the  shower.

Tags: baby bibs, baby bodysuits, Baby Bunch, baby hats, baby shower gift, baby socks, onesies

When you’re 9 months’ pregnant and caring for an older child, trying to bathe your kid can be a truly agonizing experience. I remember not so long ago how much I dreaded bath night for fear that once I was down on m knees, scrubbing away, I wasn’t so certain I’d be able to get back up properly. Little did I know how that level of discomfort would intensify after I gave birth…via a surprise C-section. Suddenly, bathing one kid seemed like a walk in the park as compared to managing a squirmy, crying infant while keeping an eye on a soaped-up preschooler. The Baby Diego is an ideal solution for handling the baby bath side of that equation. A century-old trend in Spain and Mexico and inspired by the old-fashioned concept of bathing in the kitchen sink, this portable tub is elevated to an adult’s height, enabling you to bathe your child at your own comfort level. Aside from the fact that you won’t have to squat on the floor, this bathinette doubles as a changing table. Once tub time is complete, slide back the top back over the tub and you have a secure, dry place to diaper your freshly scrubbed baby in an instant. No need to worry about bending over backwards to drain the tub water, either; a long tube on the bath’s side takes care of the job. The Baby Diego boasts plenty of storage space for baby bathwash, shampoo, diaper and wipes.

In a Nutshell: Anything that helps moms recover from C-section deliveries gets points in our book. Aching postpartum backs everywhere can appreciate this elevated baby bath.

Tags: baby bath tub, Baby Diego, C-section care, infant bath tub, postpartum baby care

When I was pregnant with my firstborn, my co-worker ventured their guesses as to when I would go into labor.  Much to my chagrin, one guy was banking on May 5th and went so far as to yell out “Cinco De Mayo Baby!” whenever I’d waddle down the hall. (My actual due date was May 19th.) Turns out it was more like Memorial Day Babe, as she was born at the start of the long holiday weekend. Trying to figure out when a pregnant buddy or family member will give birth is a great way to build the momentum of the Big Day, and to further up the ante, there’s a new online game that gives even more of an incentive to come up with the winning day. Aptly named the Baby Guessing Game, simply visit the 4moms site to set up your own contest and then invite people to guess your baby’s arrival date, gender and birth weight. After your baby is born, you’ll be able to enter the correct info and the game will automatically calculate which person’s answers were right or who came closest. Winners and game hosts have a chance to earn Insider Points, which can be redeemed for discounts on 4moms baby products, like the mamaRoo Infant Seat (pictured here). To add to the anticipation, players can even converse with other guess makers and view their predictions. Very soon, the Baby Guessing Game will also include an Announcements feature, so proud parents can e-mail the good news, along with a photo of their new baby and one of the winner, if they so choose. Who’s claiming Cinco De Mayo now?

In a Nutshell: The office pool finally catches up to the modern day with a hi-tech baby guessing game that gets everyone in on the action. And if you win, you truly do earn your bragging rights!

Tags: 4moms, Baby Guessing Game, guessing your baby's due date, mamaRoo

When I was pregnant with my second daughter, my belly was bigger than I remember it being with my first. By the time I made it to my third trimester, I felt ready to pop nearly every day. I can only imagine how any woman pregnant with twins or triplets must feel on a daily basis; she deserves a medal and more. It’s difficult enough just getting around without having to feel uncomfortable in clothing that doesn’t fit properly. Buying maternity clothing a size or two up doesn’t quite do the trick; while tops can feel fine in the belly area, they tend to hang off the rest of your body in an unflattering light. Not fun at all. Kudos to the folks at For Multiples Maternity who know a thing or two about outfitting moms-to- be expecting twins. Created by a mom who’s “been there, done that,” this line of tunics, dresses and bottoms fashionably accommodates a growing belly without having to reshape an entire wardrobe. Generous cuts give way to changing body shapes, while accentuating the silhouette of a glowing pregnant figure. We think the tunics (shown here) are particularly pleasing, offered in an array of fresh prints and fabrics just in time for spring.

In a Nutshell: Twins or triplets on the way? No need to trade up to XL. Here’s a line of maternity clothing that’s the Goldilocks of mom-to-be fashion: it fits just right.

Tags: maternity clothes, mutiple pregnancies

As one of my favorite PSA ads professes, it’s too bad babies don’t come with an instructional manual. Do you remember what it was like to leave the hospital with your bundle of joy, only to arrive home and realize you didn’t have the slightest clue what you were doing? (I’ve been a mom for nearly seven years, and some days, I still feel that way!) To make newborn care a little less daunting comes a new book that aims to take the guesswork out of much of the day-to-day crying/burping/feeding/sleeping that has become your routine. Written by occupational therapist Megan Faure, The Babysense Secret focuses on picking up on your baby’s cues by reading her body language. Does that cry mean she’s too warm or that her diaper needs to be changed? Is she fussing because she doesn’t want to play anymore or because she’s bored? This book seeks to provide answers to questions like these that can practically drive newbie parents to the brink of insanity. Hey, when you’re the one going through it, you know how flat-out exasperating and exhausting it can feel! To complement the teachings of Faure’s book, there’s an entire line of baby products that hinge upon the concept of interpreting and understanding your baby’s “language.” From winter- and summer-weight swaddling blankets, to nursing pillows that promote bonding, these products encourage new parents to fully immerse themselves in this all-too-fleeting period of their child’s life. Because even if it’s not always easy, caring for a baby is one experience in life for which there is no substitute.

In a Nutshell: “Baby” and “sense” in the same sentence? Don’t laugh just yet. This book may be just the ticket to the most pressing, head-scratching moments of your child’s first year.

Tags: Baby Sense, fussy babies. how to calm fussy babies, Megan Faure, newborn care, The Babysense Secret

Move over, pickles. There’s a new flavor of ice cream in town, just begging for pregnant women everywhere to indulge in a scoop. Would you believe that TV host/comedian Jimmy Fallon has inspired Ben & Jerry’s to introduce their latest ice cream that pays homage to the young king of Late Night?  The perfect combination of salty and sweet (just like Jimmy himself!), “Late Night Snack” pairs the ubiquitous vanilla with caramel swirl and fudge-covered potato chip clusters. An acquired taste, this is the stuff that second-trimester cravings are made of! This unique blend of ingredients was reportedly prompted by an on-air skit during which Jimmy and The Roots performed an original song entitled “Ladysmith Snack Mambazo.” We predict many a late-night run to the local convenience store to fulfill a pregnant woman’s wishes.  And with the Fallon connection, it’s all the more reason to indulge during those early morning feedings when you’re camped out in front of the TV.

In a Nutshell: Put down the remote and pick up a pint of this not-to-be missed flavor for yourself (or your significant other). On second thought, better make that a few pints…

Tags: Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Late Night Snack, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, pregnancy cravings

Pregnancy can do cruel things to the female form: the stretch marks, extra “tummy padding”…and did we mention those hips? After my first daughter was born, I didn’t notice a tremendous change in my figure (hardly an hourglass one to begin with). But after the second girl, whatever beauty I had acquired during those nine months was gone for good. All I had left was a pair of hips that wouldn’t slide into my favorite jeans anymore. Perhaps if I’ve had the HipSlimmer after she was born, I wouldn’t have cursed myself on a daily basis. I recently checked out this post-pregnancy corset at a baby products convention and was admittedly a bit skeptical. Could this lingerie-inspired device truly get women’s hips back to their pre-baby bodies? I wanted to get the scoop. Turns out it’s the hormones that are the culprit; they’re released while you’re pregnant in preparation for childbirth. Once you’ve delivered your not-so-little bundle of joy, and your hips are still malleable (and you’re feeling relatively good), you can wear the HipSlimmer either over your clothes or at night, if you’re especially modest. It’s designed to apply slight pressure to your hips, and ultimately return them to their..ahem “previous condition.”

In a Nutshell: Wearing the HipSlimmer every day for a couple of months might seem like a big commitment for some, but if your shape means that much to you, make like a Victorian and lace up. You might just be able to get your Calvins back on again…

Tags: post-pregnancy corset