1,2,3, FOUR! (Times 2!)
Tadaaaa! We’re excited to share the BIG news with you: both Courtney and I are pregnant with our fourth babies!! A FOURTH baby!! We feel so very lucky, blessed, and excited too! (A little nervous as well — we hope we’ll be able to manage it all!) We also feel very lucky to be pregnant at the same time. We were pregnant together with our second babies, and it’s so nice to be able to share the excitement, joy, insecurities, inconveniences, etc.
So, for the next coming months, we’ll be focussing a bit more on maternity and newborn essentials. So fun to be back in baby mode again!
Love, Courtney and Esther
p.s. Any guess as to which baby above belongs to whom? Extra bonus points for people who get it right!
Koka Mama Maternity Wear
I am so excited for all you pregnant mamas to announce the launch of Koka Mama. Finally… here is a maternity label which is perfectly spot on in every way. It’s stylish and modern, it’s also quite practical and it’s very thoughtfully designed with clever cuts and special details to fit and flatter the pregnant body.
Tamara Hema, the (very stylish!) founder and designer, came over to my house recently with a big suitcase filled with her collection. She set each piece out on my kitchen table and walked me through all the tiny details which make each piece wonderful. All the trousers, for example, have not one elastic band in the waist, but two — to support the belly from below, and also to rise a bit high in the back to fit, support and stay up. Clever!
Each piece is better than the next, and all available to purchase directly from the Koka Mama website.
x Courtney
Seascape products from Jersey
There’s something incredibly luxurious about the Seascape products — I just love the gentle smell and stylish packaging of them. All products are created with ingredients sourced from the Jersey shores (a little island which is part of Great Britain but located close to France). Lavender, beeswax and milk come from decennia old, local family run businesses who all share in the success of the company. So romantic! There’s a lovely maternity range and some beautiful products for children too — all paraben, silicone, petroleum and sulphate free and without artificial colours or fragrances. Just lovely!
xxx Esther
Lulu Arver — comfy and stylish maternity fashion
I disclosed already how I feel about the fact that that ‘we’re done with babies’. I’m sort of in a mid-life crises about it! Thankfully one of my best friends is heavily pregnant with a little girl, so I have the foresight of having a little baby in my close surroundings very soon. Seeing my friend so big and beautiful, so happy with the little creature growing inside, almost makes me envious of being pregnant again!
Anyway (dream on), I’m writing this to tell you about the beautiful tops by Lulu Arver my friend has been wearing. Super feminine, comfy and fashionable — perfect for working (or non-working) mamas with style! I really like the strong lines and basic colours; they emphasise the best parts of the pregnant body and work for every occasion.
xxx Esther
Yoga for you and your baby
When I was pregnant with Sara I went to yoga class once a week faithfully. I danced around the room with other pregnant ladies and connected with my baby embracing my belly. After her birth I went back to a weekly baby massage/yoga class until Sara was crawling around and yoga wasn’t an option any more. Maybe the fact that she is nowadays such a balanced child has something to do with all of these yoga classes she enjoyed as a baby!
Sadly baby number two and three didn’t get similar treatments; it’s just too difficult to get out of the house these days with three small children and a household to manage. But… I recently received the DVDs Bump, Birth and Beyond by the London Yoga Company and Ava and I have been doing our own private yoga class in the living room, and we are loving it! I really feel so much better after the 5 minute quick fix, just incredible. And the exercises you can do together with your baby are wonderfully simple and effective. I wish I had known about these DVDs when I was pregnant, it’s such a lovely way to relax and connect with your baby… And get in shape at the same time!
Yoga for You and Your Baby is available through The London Yoga Company, together with the Pregnancy Health Yoga and the Post Natal Yoga ones.
xxx Esther
Organic goodies from BabyBearShop
Oh, I’m in love with the cute packaging of the BabyBearShop products. So adorable! This line of organic products is maybe not extensive but it is absolutely enough for what I need. Loving the cheeky baby butter that I’m using for Ava! The lip balms are delicious too (and they come in the cutest packaging), and how cute is the soap with the bird (and again, how beautiful is the packaging with the nest drawn on it and the little holes in egg shape). All available through BabyBearShop.
xxx Esther
Is that a nappy bag? Yes, it is!
Beautiful, this nappy bag by new company Rubizu! Rubizu is formed by two sisters Roba and Azza and together they design and produce a series of exquisite nappy bags that are not only beautiful and luxurious but also very practical indeed. It works as follows: the pretty turquoise insert pops out completely. The ‘empty’ bag can be used independently from the interior compartment as it has its own side pockets and is beautiful as is. The interior compartment can be easily organised once out of the bag. Very soon, a laptop insert will be available too which transforms the bag from mummy bag to business bag in a few seconds! (I’m particularly excited about this feature because my laptop bag is such an embarrassment — I think my husband got it for free at a conference about 15 years ago. It’s gross.) All in all, these Rubizu bags are pretty amazing. For available styles and more info on the functionality, check the Rubizu website. The pretty leather bag featured here is available through Blossom Mother and Child.
xxx Esther
Sweet Swimsuits from Sabina Swims
I’m not going to go in to detail about where exactly my body needs to be lifted and by how many centimetres, but let me just tell you that Sabina from Sabina Swims picked the exact right bikini from her gorgeous collection. A little bit of padding here, the exact right cut there… really does the trick!
Sabina Swims Swimwear is the perfect place to browse to if you’re looking for a swimsuit or bikini, especially if you’re a mum with a bit to lift or hide. I love how you can select your own ensemble — you can pick the top that suits your boobs best, and then choose a matching (or not!) bottom in the size and shape of your preference. There are more daring and more modest choices, cute swimsuits and tankinis too. I also love the look of the maternity collection! And Sabina very kindly included a tiny swimsuit for Ava in my order — in matching fabric to my bikini — so sweet!! Bring on the summer; I’m all set for the beach!!!
xxx Esther
Baby’s home… what now?
Yesterday I sat down with a friend who is expecting a baby in June, and we watched the DVD ‘Baby’s Home… What Now?‘ together. Cozy!
When I was pregnant with my first child, I read about 5 different ‘What to expect’ books. Looking back, it’s sort of funny to realise how I was sweating it — the scary unknown made me reach out to all of the written wisdom I could find! I wish this DVD had existed then: yes, you can study how to swaddle a baby from books, but seeing somebody actually do it makes a LOT more sense! Same for breastfeeding, changing a nappy, or filing your baby’s nails! Even for baby number 2 or 3, this DVD is a nice refresher course for how it’s done best. Available online through Amazon.com
xxx Esther
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Can’t beat the cuteness — Noonies from Lala’s• Papaw ointment — an Australian treasure
Cute, cool and practical. The DRIA cover.
OK, technically I’m not pregnant anymore, but I still love to wear my stripy DRIA top! Made of a high quality thin, silky-like jersey, this poncho t-shirt really looks very trendy and elegant over leggings or skinny jeans. It also works wonders as a nursing cover — it really hides it all, and still looks great! I think this poncho will stay a much loved clothing item; I can imagine it would be great on the beach as well, to quickly throw over a bikini. But that’s for the future — first, there’s winter (and second, there’s the question of whether I ever dare to wear a bikini again)!
Oh, the DRIA also doubles up as a car seat cover (the neck opening provides easy access to the carrying handle). I would say this poncho/cover is almost annoyingly perfect. A very good investment if you’re pregnant!
xxx Esther
Nyp Balm, food for your boobs (and baby’s bottom)
The third time around, breastfeeding was easy. I knew exactly what to do, and the baby also got it immediately — she was breastfeeding within minutes after she was born, as if we both had been doing nothing else for years. Life is beautiful.
I also knew exactly what to expect a few days after the birth. Painful boobs the size of melons, hard, hot and with red blotches. Sleeping sitting up. Sore, cracked nipples, feeding bra size 100Z (too small). Have you ever had to pull a cracked nipple sticking to your bra? Ouch. Life is a bitch.
Enter Inlight Nyp Balm. A natural, 100% organic, wonderful smelling soothing balm that does the trick. Before birth, it’s used to help stretch the skin and prevent stretch-marks. After the birth it soothes and heals sore nipples. And, what I possibly like best about it is that now that I don’t need the Nyp Balm myself anymore (yay), I can use the rest for my baby’s bum. No spills! Because it also calms red and irritated baby bottoms wonderfully well.
All ingredients in Nyp Balm (like moisturising olive and coconut oil, protective beeswax, anti-inflammatory lavender and restorative rosehip oil) do not alter the flavour of the maternal milk and are easily tolerated by babies.
xxx Esther
Eco Nursing Pads from Itzy Ritzy
Although breastfeeding is in my opinion the easiest and cheapest way of feeding a baby, it does require some necessary investments to keep up appearances. Like a sexy maternity bra — Elle MacPherson does it for me. And, trust me, good nursing pads are an absolute must too. These glamourous Glitzy Gals nursing pads from Itzy Ritzy are my all time favourites. They are thin, soft and made from eco sustainable baby bamboo which is naturally anti-bacterial, deodorising and super absorbent. They are really comfortable to wear, easy to wash and can be used over, and over, and over again. And they look really cute too, with those patterned fabrics!
Available through our favourite eco store Shakshuka, where you can also find a matching nursing cover.
xxx Esther
Fresh Press, cool cards with bold backs
I recently got thank-you-cards printed at Fresh Press. They are of the Later Gator range, and they are very cool! Love the green alligator, and love the funky red/green back, which is very refreshing. All Fresh Press cards have the signature patterned back, which gives the cards that special distinction… I also had address labels printed, and some note-cards and calling cards. All from the same range, all very cool.
Together with my order, Fresh Press sent me a sample pack and these delightful birth announcements were part of it. I think they are just adorable. They’re printed on beautiful linen paper and have that classic yet contemporary look that I love. If you’re expecting a baby and are looking for the cutest birth announcement — you should surely consider these! Personalising your cards is extremely simple at the Fresh Press website, but if you still have questions the people behind Fresh Press are really super kind and attentive!
xxx Esther
Gittabags
I was never really into the diaper bag thing. I think that the litany of awful maternity bags out there screaming ‘I am an unsightly post-partum bag’ with very little in the style-stakes really ruined it for me. Instead I opted to use one of my larger handbags, although I never found them particularly practical — mainly for want of a milkproof lining. Yes…sigh…regrettably I ruined a couple of my beloved bags (consider this a warning for those entertaining the very idea — milk spillage, inside bag, ruins bag). But, maternity bags have come a long way and if I had my time again I think the Gittabag would be a strong contender. In terms of practicality, it ticks all the boxes and then some and there is a design and color combo to suit almost everyone.
These diaper bags run the gamut from small backpack to medium and large messenger bags and even a handy tool-belt style kit for your waist. The colors are bright but neither too baby nor too feminine. The bags are of very high quality materials, meticulously sewn and machine washable with so many nooks and crannies that it is impossible to mention them all. But the standout feature is the ‘Activefold‘, a patent pending foldout, collapsible activity bar. (more…)
A good maternity swimsuit from Blossom
The other day, I was talking about swimsuits with some friends, and they told me one of us should write a post about the best swimsuits for mums. ‘Mums’ meaning: boobs a tad less firm, a belly a little less flat, a bum just slightly wobblier, possible stretch marks, maybe some scars, etc. And ’swimsuit’ meaning: a piece of cloth strategically covering, lifting and enhancing the right pieces of the mum’s body. I thought it was an excellent idea, but of course at the moment, being 8½ months pregnant, the only thing I can personally talk about is maternity swimsuits!
A maternity swimsuit is a good thing to invest in if you’re going to be pregnant throughout the summer, or even in winter, as swimming is one of the most pleasurable maternity exercises (think weightlessness). The ‘tankini’ varieties are perfect — very flattering and covering strategic parts of the body. This beauty from Blossom is a good choice as it gives hidden support and has plenty of room for a growing belly. I tried normal bikinis but I can tell you — this tankini looks a whole lot better on!
If you make your way over to Blossom you should also check out the gorgeous maxi dresses in their new collection… Almost a pity that I won’t be pregnant anymore in summer… (Just kidding!!!)
xxx Esther
Wrapped up well with Isabella Oliver
Michela wrote about this dress a long time ago, but I’m currently enjoying the wonders of it so much that I had to rave about it again. I must say that I sort of live in a few outfits at the moment, the only ones I can stand on my very pregnant belly! The Tie Knot Dress from Isabella Oliver is definitely one of them as it is totally comfortable, flattering (as far as one can be flattering in the third stage of a pregnancy) and is a really interesting, vibrant purple colour. I wear it with leggings or pregnancy tights (it’s till cold here in Amsterdam!), and my ever present pair of Shabbies. Voila pregnancy uniform number one!
Do you have any pregnancy favourites?
xxx Esther
A non-frumpy nine months
Seems like everyone I know is having a baby all of a sudden. Funny how it always happens in waves.
With “three being the new two” and “twins being the new singleton” in NYC, the maternity business is booming! When I was pregnant I was determined to remain somewhat stylish (well with the roots growing in and the adult onset acne, the least I could do was wear a semi-decent outfit.) One of my very favorite brands to discover along the way was Nom de Naissance, which is based out of LA and is carried at my very favorite maternity store in NYC, Belly Dance Maternity. This adorable West Village shop carries a well edited selection of labels like Splendid, Diane Von Furstenburg and Ripe with the premise being that you can still dress like you did before you got prego. Two other amazing stores that I discovered along the way were Cappucine in Tribeca which does not have an on-line website but is definitely worth the visit. The owner carries both maternity wear and adorable regular clothes in larger sizes (and the owner is French so you know it’s cool). The other place that I found was Bump in Brooklyn which opened after I had the girls but it looks ultra, ultra swank. For the gals that are not into “Pea in a Pod” and “Liz Lange” – these stores are for you.
-Dina
AngelSounds: listen to your unborn baby in a heartbeat
Good news! I had my 20-week scan, and the little girl (!) in my belly seems to be happy and healthy, at least as far as the echoscopist could tell at this stage. Hurray!! It was of course a major relief, especially given the doubtful scan I had had at 12 weeks… And I’m super excited!
I’m also feeling the baby really well now — of course I had been feeling little things before twenty weeks, but nothing compared to the clear kicks even my husband can now feel on the outside! Even though we just saw our baby alive and well on the hospital screen, it is always nice to feel the baby’s movements just to prove she’s doing alright in there. I admit that in my first two pregnancies I sometimes poked my belly to make the quiet baby inside of me move, just to put my overly worried mind at ease. Poor baby!
Thankfully, I now have an AngelSounds fetal heart detector at home so I don’t have to disturb my little girl in her fetal sleeps. I can hear her heartbeat at every moment I please, no hospital or midwife needed! (more…)
Ma Mère for a Sexy Mama… even when pregnant!
The moment I found out I was pregnant, my boobs grew a full size. Crazy! (But very attractive, according to my husband…).
So my usual selection of bras was not only too tight, but since they’re all under-wired they’re not recommended for pregnancy. Under-wired bras are not advised during pregnancy because they put too much pressure on your breasts, which can result in blocked milk ducts or mastitis. They also aren’t flexible enough — apparently our boobs live their own life during pregnancy and can change shape during the day.
Good maternity bras accommodate all of these needs, but are sadly not always the most attractive ones around…
Now take a look at the selection of Ma Mère! Hello, mama! These bras are seriously super stylish and sexy!!
Surviving bed rest and pregnancy in general
I knew being pregnant with twins was not going to be a walk in the park but when I went into pre-term labor at 27 weeks I was shocked and terrified. After a short stint in the hospital I spent the next ten weeks on an IV drip at home, in bed, on my side, exactly 23 hours and 55 minutes a day.
You would be surprised how much of a routine you can make for yourself from bed and I must say, as the days wore on I did fall into a rhythm that made the time pass. While I did purchase a few books offering ideas on what to do while on bed rest, most suggested things that were not up my alley, like scrap-booking or knitting. I turned to Plan B which was to just suck it up and deal the best I could. I watched A LOT of television. I read all of the books that I have been meaning to read for years. I made special appointments with family and friends to come visit and bring me food. And most importantly I leaned on my husband a lot and would call him at work to just cry for a few minutes every day.
One of the best finds that come out of the whole experience was the gigantic U-shapped pillow which I would recommend to anyone who is pregnant. We found it on-line and it was life changing. I lived in that U. We still laugh about “the U”. We would joke about me being in U-niversity during the day and would sing all sorts of songs about it. Corny, yes….but your mind goes to mush when you are pregnant as you know.
-Dina
