SIZING YOU AND YOUR BELLY

Sizes can be confusing in maternity clothing. No need to fear, Posh Maternity is here. You may be a medium in tops and size 6 in bottoms in one vendor and a small in tops and a size 4 in bottoms in another vendor. It can be tough ordering the right size in pre-pregnancy clothing, then add an evergrowing baby belly into the mix and you've got quite a task. Your in luck, Posh Maternity has taken the guess work out of maternity sizing for you. Our goal (I'm sure your goal as well) is to help you find the best-fitting, most comfortable, and flattering maternity apparel for your body. You should buy sizes according to your pre-pregnancy size. You may want to consider going up one size if you are in the latter stages of your pregnancy. We've created a sizing chart to help you find the perfect size for you. Here's a few tips about the size runs of some vendors. Egg is sized 1,2,3, and 4. Size 1 is a small, size 2 is a medium, size 3 is a large, and size 4 is an x-large. Zero 2 Nine generally runs slightly large, so if you want something to be form fitting, think about going down a size. Citizens of Humanity runs fairly small. Buys two sizes up from your usual waist size. All of the maternity novelty tees are made to be form fitting, if you like your t-shirts to be roomy, consider going up a size. Hope this tidbit of sizing information helps. If you have any questions feel free to contact us via e-mail at info@poshmaternityonline.com. Good luck and happy hunting!

NAMING THE CELEBRITY BABY

I was recently flipping through the pages of US Weekly and saw all the interesting and uncommon names of celebrity babies. Are they searching for a name that will set them apart from everyone else? Are they looking for a name that the child would own like Cher or Oprah? I wondered if the average non-celebrity, like myself, could get away with naming their child "Peanut" or "Apple" and the rest of America think it was cool and cute. Could only those that shared in the limelight pull this off? I was watching Tyra a couple of months ago, the show was, "What's in a Name?" It was all about the stereotypes people attach to a name. The kind of person that immediately pops into your head when you hear just their first name? It really made me think long and hard about naming my little one. Would they be discriminated against when they turned in their resume, solely because of their name? What do you think? What is your child's name or what are you naming your child? Is it completely creative and eccentric or totally traditional? Here's a list of just a few out of the ordinary celebrity baby names:
1. Peanut Kai Rademacher (General Hospital actor Ingo Rademacher and finace, Ehiku)
2. Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt)
3. Sunday Rose Kidman Urban (Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban)
4. Kadence Clover Hawk (Tony Hawk and wife, Lhotse)
5. Rio Atticus Dumont (No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont and wife, Mieke)
6. Honor Marie Warren (Jessica Alba and Cash Warren)
7. Jagger Donovan Rooney (Rascal Flatts singer/guitarist Joe Don Rooney and Tiffany Fallon)
8. Ignatius Martin Upton (Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton)

Running with Bump

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Photo By: Nchenga

Running while pregnant can have many benefits, but it's not for everyone. If your already a runner, then running comes second nature to you and continuing to run during your pregnancy is perfectly safe. Deciding to take up running after finding out your with child is probably not the best or safest way to keep in shape the next 9 months. If your not already a runner, read the list of best exercises at the end of the article to find the best workout for you.
There are many runners that continue to run into the third trimester of their pregnancy. The most important thing to remember while running is to listen to your body. Don't expect to be able to run as fast as you have been, and don't try. It's best not to push yourself, and don't expect PR's. Your body is going through quite a few changes, including breast weight and tenderness, stretching of muscles and ligaments, and a shift in the center of gravity. These changes are the reasons why it is so important to listen to your body while running. Invest in a very supportive maternity bra and breathable maternity activewear to keep you comfortable during your runs. Be cautious when running on uneven surfaces or paths with loose gravel and rocks. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and run indoors on days that are excessivly humid or hot. Keeping all this in mind, you can keep running right on through your pregnancy!
If running is not your forte, there are plenty of other ways to stay in shape. Here's a list of other non-contact sports that may be a perfect match for you and baby.
1. Swimming (avoid scuba diving)
2. Low-Impact Aerobics (look for classes especially designed for expecting mothers)
3. Stationary Bicycling
4. Golf
5. Yoga
Just like running, you need to take extra precautions while your pregnant when partaking in any kind of exercise.

PUSH PRESENTS

Recently, I overheard some women discussing the topic of push presents. So what are push presents, you ask? “Push presents” are gifts from husbands to their wives who have just delivered their brand new baby. It’s a gift to say thank you for all your hard work and bringing this beautiful baby into the world. Push presents range from expensive jewelry to a simple bouquet of flowers. While some say the concept is materialistic, others say, why not take home a little extra bonus in addition to the best gift ever, your baby. Bits on push presents have been featured everywhere from Fox News, USA Today, MSNBC, and even the New York Times. Sorry dads, push presents are popping up everywhere and it looks like this trend is taking off. Push presents have been a norm in other countries such as England and Italy for quite some time, but have more recently taken off here in the United States in the last decade or so. In addition, celebrities have helped this trend thrive. Matthew Broderick presented a lovely one of a kind charm bracelet to Sarah Jessica Parker when their son James was born. Jewelry is the most common gift, but there is no set standard to a push present and can be just about anything from a designer diaper bag to a modern rocking chair. If your on the search for the perfect push present, here’s a few suggestions:

Posh’s “Push Present” Picks

A chic designer diaper bag. (The gold studded black leather satchel bag by Nest is our suggestion)
A Wish Necklace by Dog Eared
A luxurious CozyChic robe by Barefoot Dreams
The Bravado Exquisite Nursing Bra and matching panty in European mocha lace.
The Mi Amore Organic Mommy Comfort Pack

Babies and Wedding Bells; Definate Guest Magnets

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Photo taken by: Wiedmaier

Babies and Wedding Bells; Definite Guest Magnets

I was attending my brother-in-laws wedding in the field just outside our front door. It was steamy hot, bugs were swarming the guest’s aroma of perfume mixed with sweat, and my due date was the next day. Due to the not so perfect conditions, I thought it was just having Braxton Hicks and tried to enjoy the festivities. I went home that evening and 3 hours later arrived at the hospital. The labor went smooth and I was in awe of the miracle that I had just delivered. Yet, I didn’t know that my alone time with our new bundle of joy would be so short. Since my husband’s brother had just been married 7 hours earlier, it wasn’t long before every guest from out of town was appearing next to my hospital bed. The visits were all very well meaning, but all very overwhelming. One right after another piled into my tiny room waiting for their turn to ogle over the baby. I spent more time handing my baby over to friends and family than holding and admiring him myself. I kept thinking how I couldn’t wait until I could get home and have some privacy. I started pondering how nice it might be to become a hermit and not leave the house until my son’s 21st birthday.
And then three days later, it was time to go home. Hallelujah, I was finally going home! A sigh of relief and a feeling of anticipation came over me as we pulled up our driveway, when out of the corner of my eye, my eager mother-in-law appears with video camera rolling, ready to capture every moment as I hobble into the house and collapse on the bed in exhaustion. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely appreciated all the help and support from family members, but my emotions were on a roller coaster and I felt like I was being smothered to death. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings and didn’t know how to express my own feelings.
I learned a lot from my experience. I learned you can set boundaries while still being tactful and accept help from family and friends without feeling like you owe them hours of baby time when they drop off a meal. If your due date happens to fall around a big family reunion or you deliver the day after your brother-in-laws wedding, here are some suggestions for postpartum peace:

1. Know exactly what you need and what you don’t need. Make a plan and let your family and friends know what that plan is. Try e-mailing or phoning friends and family to let them know what times you will be accepting company. Maybe Wednesdays and Fridays between 12:00-3:00 work the best for you. If you don’t want any visitors for three or four days after delivery, let them know.
2. Put visitors to work. If your friends and family want to help, make a list of things that you think would be really helpful and ask them to pick one or two off the list. It’s o.k. to be specific. They asked, right?
3. Ask your husband to be the gatekeeper. Discuss with him what you would like for him to be in charge of, like entertaining guests that linger too long.
4. Take time for bonding with your new baby. You need alone time with your baby and husband to share experiences and enjoy your new little family. If you feel like you’ve had ample bonding time with baby, you won’t be so hesitant to share with family.