THIRD C-SECTION TRUTHS
A little over a month ago, I gave birth to my third baby... a perfect boy we named Sebastian. It was my third c-section. And truthfully the easiest one physically. Mentally? That's another story... being pregnant and giving birth during a global pandemic isn't for the weak.
While at the hospital I got to thinking about so many things women don't speak about when it comes to pregnancy and birth. I can only speak on my experience so that's what I wanted to share today. A few truths and things you probably didn't know about c-sections from this third time c-section mama.
I didn't choose to have a c-section, as most women, my first cesarean was a medical emergency. My second was planned and my third also because my doctor didn't perform VBACs so we stuck to what we knew. Cesareans can be scary, I am not going to sugar coat it. It's a lot... the operation room, the anesthesia, the recovery... the gas! Yup, the gas. Add a pandemic to that and this third c-section was emotional different.
Here are 5 things I don't think women share enough or at all, at least no one ever told me before:
1. You get very gassy. Since they open you up to get baby out, the air gets in your body and it's very painful. For me, this third time was terrible, I literally had to have my husband pat my back to get it out. True story lol I had gas in my shoulders and chest and it was terribly painful for the first few days. The good thing is that it's normal and your nurses will give you gas relief medication and help you through it.
2. The first time you stand up can be very difficult. You will realize how much you use your abdominal muscles. Laughing, sneezing and standing up are painful but it goes away the more you move around. So be sure to get up and walk as soon as you are allowed to. Now a days, they make you get up the same day! When I had emme almost 6 years ago, it was the next day... but I actually felt better this time around than with my first and second cesarean. I remember with my second, I almost fainted. This time around, it was painful but I did it much more smoothly than the previous two. The woman body is so amazing.
3. I always hear that going to the bathroom (to do #2) is painful but I have to be honest, I never had an issue. I do take a few days to go but I don't have pain or difficulty but I hear some or most do. So just be ready for that. The upside, you get stool softener and anything you need to help ease it. Even prune juice lol
4. I don't know if it was because of my anxiety this time around but my blood pressure was high pretty much the entire time I was at the hospital. The first day I was fine and all of a sudden it just went up and didn't come down for days. My doctor monitored me and it was scary, to the point where I hated when the nurse came to take my pressure because it made me so nervous. The nurses were amazing though and they understood, they would literally let me relax and apply my essential oils before taking my pressure lol. I had to breath in and out and they would remind to think happy thoughts. They knew it was my nerves and anxiety. So if this happens to you, know that it can be common. The only concern would be if you get a headache because then it can be postpartum preeclampsia. At least that's what they told me.
5. Last, did you know you will feel numb for months to come? Yes, the incision area will be numb for months, sometimes even years. I forgot about that part and now that I am 5 weeks out I remember it. It's a strange feeling but nothing to worry about as this is normal. Just be sure that you clean it as soon as you are cleared to do so from your doctor.
I wanted to share these hard truths because when they happened to me, I was nervous and scared and didn't know they were common. So I don't mean to scare you I just want you to know it's all going to be ok, but it can get a little hard but it will pass.
All in all, with every surgery the recovery does gets easier. I had heard of this but now I can tell you from experience. My first c-section was definitely the hardest. By the second, it was so smooth and calm. I was up and walking right away and felt great, I was even sent home early! By the third, physically I was even better than the second but emotionally it was a different story but that's because of the crazy year we've had with this pandemic. The emotions and hormones were on another level. But all in all my physical recovery was great. I feel really good and I am happy to share that the third time around is definitely easier than the first.
I really hope this post helps answer some questions and raw truths of what to expect and finally to confirm that c-sections are still beautiful and definitely do get easier as the years go by. Just remember, doctors perform these surgeries daily and they are pros. You will do great mama! Prayer and positive vibes!
beauty
hair care tips
haircare routine
hairfood
long haircare tips
Tip No. 2: Wear a sun hat! You guys have seen me wear summer hats all over IG all season long this spring and of course I will be doing the same this summer. First, they add such a cute vibe to any summer day (or outfit!) and second they protect your hair from the sun! You are welcome!
Tip No. 3: Don't skip your conditioner! Whether it's summer, fall, winter or spring. You hair needs conditioner all year round. I use the Manuka Honey & Apricot Moisture Conditioner every time I wash my hair. I don't wash it often, only about two times a week. This conditioner leaves my hair feeling healthy and smooth. Then I just towel dry and done. Pro tip: Finish it off using their the Avocado Oil & Shea Nourishing Hair Butter!
And that's it you guys! Whether you are out enjoying summer this season or making the best out of your backyard, make sure you protect your hair, long or short! Moisturize, moisturize and yea, moisturize. Happy summer 2020 you guys... let's try to make the best of these days.
3 TIPS ON TAKING CARE OF YOUR HAIR THIS SUMMER
So, while we are still quarantining around here, summer has officially arrived, thank you Mother Nature! Therefore, we are making the best of our time at home and that means setting up our yard and making it fun, pretty and enjoying as much time outdoors in the pool, as possible. With that said I am taking care of my hair even more this summer so that the heat, pool water and humidity don't ruin my long locks!
A few months ago, I shared my hair care journey with Hair Food and I've been using the products since the beginning of the year and honestly, I can't stop, won't stop! Now that I am almost 8 months pregnant my hair has never been more luscious and healthy. So, for today's post I wanted to share my love for Hair Food and how I use the Manuka Honey & Apricot Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner & the Avocado Oil & Shea Nourishing Hair Butter this summer to maintain my long healthy locks shiny and moisturized. Here are 3 tips on how you should be taking care of your hair this summer!
Tip No. 1: Stay away from chlorine as much as possible. I normally tie my hair up in a bun (you can also do a a nice braid updo!) when going in the pool. Sure I like to get wild and go underwater some days but I keep that to a minimum. Chlorine is known for drying out your hair and breaking it so make sure you have a good moisturizing shampoo like Manuka Honey & Apricot Moisture Shampoo.
Tip No. 2: Wear a sun hat! You guys have seen me wear summer hats all over IG all season long this spring and of course I will be doing the same this summer. First, they add such a cute vibe to any summer day (or outfit!) and second they protect your hair from the sun! You are welcome!
Tip No. 3: Don't skip your conditioner! Whether it's summer, fall, winter or spring. You hair needs conditioner all year round. I use the Manuka Honey & Apricot Moisture Conditioner every time I wash my hair. I don't wash it often, only about two times a week. This conditioner leaves my hair feeling healthy and smooth. Then I just towel dry and done. Pro tip: Finish it off using their the Avocado Oil & Shea Nourishing Hair Butter!
And that's it you guys! Whether you are out enjoying summer this season or making the best out of your backyard, make sure you protect your hair, long or short! Moisturize, moisturize and yea, moisturize. Happy summer 2020 you guys... let's try to make the best of these days.
baby store
bambi baby
el bambi
lifestyle
nj baby stores
nj mom
ny baby stores
shopping for baby
MY BAMBI BABY EXPERIENCE
Can you believe I am almost 33 weeks pregnant and we still hadn't selected a car seat and stroller set!? You guys, I tell you, after the first child, things are not the same. Life gets crazier with each kid and the timelines during pregnancy are so different. Nonetheless, we needed a car seat/stroller so we headed to Bambi Baby to make our selection and test out some products.
To be honest, even though this is our third baby, I feel like a new mom because it's been 5 years since my last baby was born. There are so many new baby products and brands these days, that it can feel overwhelming. I've heard so many amazing things about the inventory and mostly the reputable service at Bambi Baby, that we decided to head over and I'm so happy that we did.
If you are a mom or mom-to-be, chances are that you've heard of Bambi Baby at least once in your lifetime, especially if you are in New Jersey/New York. Bambi Baby has been a staple baby store here in the tri-state area for years and with time they have revolutionized the baby world becoming the preferred baby store destination for all moms and moms-to-be and now I know exactly why.
Bambi Baby prides itself in their impeccable service and VIP treatment and of course, having the best selection of top notch baby items. From the moment we pulled into the store - yes, literally, pulled our car into the showroom - we felt like we were getting the royal treatment. We visited the Paramus, NJ location and I fell in love! The aesthetics are so pleasing to the eye and it doesn't feel as overwhelming as other stores at all. The selection was amazing and Enelio (owner) was so informative and patient during our one-on-one visit. He answered all our questions and I felt super confident that we made the right selection for our new baby. Honestly, I've never experienced this kind of service.
One of the coolest parts of our visit was the Car Seat Center, you are able to get your car seat installed right on the spot and for free! Enelio showed us exactly how to use our new car seat and installed it for us. Honestly, it made me feel so good to know the car seat was installed properly and safely for baby. No other store does that. They even have a stroller repair shop on site. They thought of everything to make our lives a breeze.
I received so many DM's this week when I shared I would be stopping by the store, all amazing messages. I would 100% recommend you drop in and check it out or you book a one on one at any of their 4 locations throughout NY/NJ. If you are not in the areas, you can always shop Bambi Baby online too. I am genuinely so happy with our experience and can't wait to go back for a crib. We haven't picked a crib since we don't know what gender the baby is and both styles are like are very gender specific, so we will wait for now.
I hope this post helps you guys and inspires you to shop at Bambi Baby, trust me you'll thank me later! For now... I'm off to Instagram to share a few stories from our visit. See you there!
Thank you Bambi Baby for partnering with me for this post. In full transparency, I received baby products in exchange for this review. As always, all opinion are my own. Thank you for supporting me and reading.
diy family photoshoot
family photo ideas
family photoshoot
pregnancy photoshoot
summer family photos
DIY Family Photoshoot? Yes, please! Last weekend we did a last minute family shoot at a local beach and to be honest it was short and sweet, zero stress and I love the shots we got. We had originally scheduled a professional photoshoot a couple of weeks ago but I had a little pregnancy scare and had to cancel last minute. At this point, we have so much going on that a last minute shoot sounded like perfection.
So whether you don't have a budget for family photos - they can be pretty pricy sometimes - or you simply enjoy DIY anything... this post is for you! I'm so happy with our photos and can't wait to print them and display them around the house.
Here are five ways to save money and still get some pretty nice shots during a family photoshoot:
Tip No. 1:
Ask a friend or relative that you trust or that has an eye for photography to shoot your pics. Or you can always shoot with a tripod and remote! It's actually super easy and you can have full control. I asked my cousin and she was able to capture these sweet images.
Tip No. 2:
We used my Canon EOS Rebel T7i DSLR with a 50mm lens for these but you can pretty much use an iPhone these days and get some really nice quality photos too. I say test the shots first. Select a location and shoot some pics at the time you desire for lighting and location purposes. We shot these at around 7-7:30 pm in June.
Tip No. 3:
Editing makes a worlds difference! I used Lightroom for these and was able to adjust the colors to my liking. I love Lightroom, it makes photos so much more beautiful. In my opinion, editing is everything.
Tip No. 4:
Coordinate your outfits but don't get too crazy over them. Over the years I've learned to not strive for perfection with family photos because kids are kids... and you'll be stressing more than it's worth. As you can see, we are coordinated and matching tones but not exactly the same prints or colors. I made sure the kids were extra comfortable and well fed lol!
Tip No. 5:
Have fun! Sure we "pose" for some pics but the best shots are always the ones we are just hanging out talking and laughing. The kids had so much fun on the sand and we were able to capture that on camera. Don't make your expectations too high, just go with the flow. Trust me! I've done many shoots, pro and not... and the best is to let it go and have fun!
I hope these 5 tips helped you and please DM or tag me if you decided to do your own DIY family photoshoot! I'd love to see!
DIY FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT | TIPS & IDEAS
Here are five ways to save money and still get some pretty nice shots during a family photoshoot:
Tip No. 1:
Ask a friend or relative that you trust or that has an eye for photography to shoot your pics. Or you can always shoot with a tripod and remote! It's actually super easy and you can have full control. I asked my cousin and she was able to capture these sweet images.
Tip No. 2:
We used my Canon EOS Rebel T7i DSLR with a 50mm lens for these but you can pretty much use an iPhone these days and get some really nice quality photos too. I say test the shots first. Select a location and shoot some pics at the time you desire for lighting and location purposes. We shot these at around 7-7:30 pm in June.
Tip No. 3:
Editing makes a worlds difference! I used Lightroom for these and was able to adjust the colors to my liking. I love Lightroom, it makes photos so much more beautiful. In my opinion, editing is everything.
Tip No. 4:
Coordinate your outfits but don't get too crazy over them. Over the years I've learned to not strive for perfection with family photos because kids are kids... and you'll be stressing more than it's worth. As you can see, we are coordinated and matching tones but not exactly the same prints or colors. I made sure the kids were extra comfortable and well fed lol!
Tip No. 5:
Have fun! Sure we "pose" for some pics but the best shots are always the ones we are just hanging out talking and laughing. The kids had so much fun on the sand and we were able to capture that on camera. Don't make your expectations too high, just go with the flow. Trust me! I've done many shoots, pro and not... and the best is to let it go and have fun!
I hope these 5 tips helped you and please DM or tag me if you decided to do your own DIY family photoshoot! I'd love to see!
leather pants
spring outfit ideas
spring trends 2020
$13! Yes, and they are the ones I am wearing in my photos above! They are more of an orange color but the quality is pretty good for the price. I love the wide leg look and can see myself using it in so many ways all through winter!
SPRING TRENDS: LEATHER PANTS
Spring is that you? I can smell the tulips... my favorite season is just about to arrive and so are 101 trends I am loving this season. Exhibit A, leather pieces! I love a good pair of wide leg (or straight leg) pants and when I saw these online, I had to grab them. But if you know me I don't splurge on trendy pieces because in my eyes (and wallet) it's just not worth it. For today's post I am sharing 3 leather pieces I love and you should get your eye on too this spring season!
Obsessed with these for just $39.90 and this taupe color is to die for!
These are very similar to the ones I have, the color is such a match too, the difference is that is has pleats and no button. Such a good price too.
I hope you guys enjoyed this little Spring Trend Report! As always, happy shopping!
beauty
beauty tips
hair care
hair care tips
hair food
healthy hair tips
If you ask me, hair care goes hand in hand with self-care, at least in my book it does. I get a lot of compliments on my hair and I've been blessed with thick, full hair - thanks Mom! But of course, I still have to maintain and nourish my hair so that my long tresses are always shiny, healthy and hydrated. So many of you ask me how I care for my hair, so keep on scrolling for all the deets!
3 TIPS ON HOW TO ACHIEVE HEALTHY SHINY LONG HAIR
If you ask me, hair care goes hand in hand with self-care, at least in my book it does. I get a lot of compliments on my hair and I've been blessed with thick, full hair - thanks Mom! But of course, I still have to maintain and nourish my hair so that my long tresses are always shiny, healthy and hydrated. So many of you ask me how I care for my hair, so keep on scrolling for all the deets!
If you have thick, long, wavy hair then this post is for you! As a social media influencer, I've used many different hair care products, but I always go back to HairFood. I used it for the first time about 2 years ago and loved it. Now that they've launched new hair goodies, I knew I had to give it a try, so for this post I partnered with HairFood to share 3 tips on how to maintain gorgeous full hair! So let's get started:
1. Hair Wash: I wash my hair twice a week with my Hair Food Manuka Honey & Apricot Moisture Shampoo. I love the scent and most importantly the hydration and softness it gives my hair – thanks to the manuka honey. The plus? it's safe for colored hair (I recently highlighted my hair). Hair Food believes in nourishing the hair as you would your body and I love that! My hair is my signature feature and I am all about giving it the TLC it deserves!
2. Treat Yo Hair: I have to be honest, I used to highly dislike hair treatments, I have so much hair... and it just took too much of my time so I wouldn't put much effort into applying treatment to my hair, that's until Hair Food launched their Avocado Oil & Shea Butter Nourishing Hair Butter! I love that I can use it on my dry hair and style it right away. I don't have to sit and wait. This hair butter gives my hair so much shine and softness. You can use it daily but I only apply it twice a week.
3. Stay away from the heat! I love to curl my hair and I don't do it very often but when I do, it's only probably once a month. Normally right after I wash my hair I brush it all out and let it air dry and apply a serum or oil for frizz. Now I know we all don't have this luxury but for my type of hair, it works! If you are looking for a good hair oil, Hair Food has the Tea Tree Sulfate Free Repairing Hair Oil. I recommend this one if your hair is feeling a little dry - it'll give it hydration and shine.
Besides all the visual goodness Hair Food gives my long locks the nourishment it needs. I genuinely love that they are products which are sulfate, dye, mineral oil and paraben free. The best part is that the products are inspired with the same superfoods we use to nourish our bodies. I hope you enjoyed this post and that it's helpful, as I had so much fun creating this content for you guys!
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