Here are a few treats for a new mumma to be –

one. The Bellybean Maternity Pillow® $89.00
Designed to fit a pregnant woman’s body, the Bellybean Maternity Pillow is a double-sided, dumbbell-shaped pregnancy pillow. Finding a comfy sleep position gets harder and harder as you get bigger, having some belly support in bed is a godsend.

two. One line a day memory book $32.95
Write down your memories, one line a day for 5 years.

three. Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected–A Memoir. by Kelle Hampton $16.49
I’m a big fan of Kelle’s blog, Enjoying the Small Things, and would recommend her book and her blog to all mum’s to be.

four. Living with Max – Our Family Story, by Chloe Maxwell $26.40
An honest account about life with an Autistic child, Chloe Maxwell opens up to share her experiences with her son Max.

five. Pentagon Ottoman $79
Put your feet up! I love these pentagon shaped ottomans, buy a few and they link together nicely

six. SAMSUNG PL120 Digital Camera Purple $119
This digital camera uses dual screen technology, meaning you’ll always take the perfect self portrait of you and the bump!

seven. Freedom Foods Triple Treat Brownies around $4 at Coles & Woolworths
These are my absolute favourite biscuits to take to our mum’s group – you can’t stop at one!

eight. Q Teapot Red – Medium $40
This 3 cup teapot is perfect for cosy afternoons on the couch – brew some green tea and start relaxing

A Babymoon is a play on the word ‘Honeymoon’, however this time you’re going on a holiday before baby arrives. Generally taken between 12 and 28 weeks (with doctor’s consultation especially if you’re high risk or are flying), there’s no better time to take one last child-free holiday with your partner. I never got to go on a babymoon, but that doesn’t stop me from recommending one to you!

Just with any holiday, there are so many options for a holiday getaway for two – but today I am going to post about 5 great babymoon destinations within Australia.

Shanleys Huon Valley – Glendevie Tasmania
Set in the gorgeous Huon Valley, Shanleys is a private & relaxing retreat with panaromic views. A great place to stay if you’re after a quiet getaway for two.

The Lyall Hotel – South Yarra, Melbourne
Melbourne’s only privately owned and operated 5 Star hotel – The Lyall is great for those who want to be in the city and have a place to relax at the same time with The Lyall Spa set within the hotel itself.

The Olsen – South Yarra, Melbourne
For something a little more modern, The Olsen is my dream accommodation for a city stay with a difference. This boutique Melbourne hotel is complimented by a day spa and two delicious restaurants – but you’re also located right on Chapel Street so everything is a few steps away.

Echoes’ Boutique Hotel & Restaurant – Katoomba, New South Wales
Located on the edge of Jamison Valley at Echo Point in the Blue Mountains, Echoes is a popular quick getaway spot for babymooners. The fresh air from the mountains, and the services from the private spa will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Peppers Ruffles Lodge & Spa Willow Vale – Willow Vale, Queensland
Peppers is well known for it’s beautiful resorts – but they also specialise in babymoon packages. The Willow Vale resort is ideal for a relaxing getaway and is only 30 minutes from the Gold Coast.

Whether you’re up for some relaxation or are looking to explore, a babymoon with your partner is a great bonding experience before a new baby joins your family. Remember to consult your doctor before you make any solid plans and research your destination before you leave.

Happy Babymooning!

This is where BaoBag comes in ..

Reflecting the generous spirit and life-giving properties of the Baobab tree, the BaoBag is the gift of a beautiful, reusable calico bag. It is filled with useful organic and natural products to nurture women on their journeys through pregnancy and birth.

As you can see from the picture above, expectant mums will receive a wide range of great samples of products that were created to compliment not only the enviroment, but ourselves and our babies. It gives us the opportunity to learn about the products we might not have known about before, and to try them out (and fall in love with them).

Inside the BaoBag, you’ll find samples like a Moisturiser & Serum, Sleeping Bags and Swaddling, a Modern Cloth Nappy, Travel Wipes and even a delicious Special Tea Blend. It’s just enough to test out a bit of everything you can think of, without having to buy the larger size of the product. (Another way to reduce waste!). Contents of the BaoBag varies state by state, check out what’s available in your state.

BaoBags are currently given as a free gift through the private hospitals, obstetricians and other practitioners & centres. Click here to find who is distributing the BaoBag near you.

I think it’s a wonderful gift to receive as an expectant mum! I’m familiar with alot of the products and have tried them myself, so I’m be happy to recommend BaoBag as the most helpful resource for a mum to be. We’re often pressed for time (and money) so a sample bag like this is a great way to learn more about what is available and what works for us.

To find out more about the BaoBag, please visit the website
www.baobag.com.au

If you’re looking for something unique, then have a look at Bambam.

Their range of baby clothes, toys and accessories is so beautiful, you’ll no doubt find a few things to add to your cart. Based in The Netherlands, Bambam do ship their range to Australia – lucky us!

My favourites include the unisex giftbox (1), snowglobe dreams (2), the mug (3), magic musical box (4), wooden xylophone (5) and the Pregnancy chain (6).

Visit Bambam today!
www.bambam.nl

Beautiful photographs of your pregnancy are a real treasure – I opted to take my own, but looking through Kirsten Cook‘s photography portfolio makes me want to turn back time and book myself in for a maternity sitting!

Her photographs are sublime, you feel like you just want to reach out and hug them – so beautiful and gentle. She photographs everyone from weddings, newborns to their families – aswell as commercial photography in Melbourne.

But I just really adore her gentleness with her maternity photographs, what a beautiful way to remember such an important time in our lives.

Kirsten Cook – Newborn, Baby and Maternity Photographer
kristencook.com.au

I love finding great pieces for maternity wear but have never really come across anything like birthing wear before! Different to the maternity hospital gowns I’ve featured previously, Womama’s birthing wrap dress has been created as a dress for a woman to wear during labour and birth.

This comfortable practical wrap, is specifically designed for labour and birth, made from super soft cotton, allows for quick easy access for skin to skin contact once your baby in born.

Easy to move in and be monitored in. Feel feminine at home or in hospital knowing you are fully covered when you want to be.

I absolutely love wrap dresses for a pregnant and post pregnant body – so I would absolutely recommend the Womama Birthing Wrap Dress as a gift to a mum-to-be, or yourself at any stage, age or size! This wrap has been designed for a large 40 week tummy, so be assured that it will grow along with you!

Pictured above –
Birthing Wrap (Raspberry) – was NZD$125.00, now NZD$99.00
Birthing Wrap (Black) – NZD$125.00

For more maternity bras, briefs and nightwear for women, please visit Womama today.

Womama
www.womama.co.nz

Dr. Meredith Nash has been on tv shows such as Today & 9AM, talking about women’s pregnant or post pregnancy bodies. I love her candid talk about the subject that has no doubt been a part of every woman’s mind, pregnant or not.

On Kendra Wilkinson’s post baby body debut -

Is anyone else sick of this? FOR REALS. I haven’t even had a flipping baby and already I’m feeling the pressure.

On Kourtney Kardashian OK! Magazine retouching –

Looks like the secret to post-baby weight loss isn’t diet and exercise. It’s Photoshop

As someone who shudders at the term ‘yummy mummy’, it’s great to hear that other women identify with the pressure to look a certain way or feel a certain way after pregnancy. The Baby Bump Project is worth checking out!

If you’re anything like me, Kikki-K is IRRESISTIBLE as you walk past any one of their stores. And now luckily for us, they now have a range of pregnancy and baby specific products to love even more!

1. Celebration Greeting Card : Pregnancy – AU$4.95
I don’t think there is a cuter way to announce your pregnancy via the post, or to congratulate an expectant mum!

2. Baby Photo Album – AU$59.95
A lovely way to keep all those early photos and keepsakes together, stick down your photos with magic dots and away you go

3. Baby Height Chart – AU$29.95
A stylish way to keep track of your growing brood!

4. My Pregnancy Organiser – AU$39.95
I’m a big fan of organisation, and if it’s wrapped in a beautiful folder – well, I’m sold! I actually did buy a Kikki-K folder for my last pregnancy, to keep all my scans and info together. It really helped keep things organised – something that I could pick up at a moments notice before heading to an appointment.

For more Kikki.K products, please visit one of their many stores or their website
www.kikki-k.com

I used the Baby Ticker by Babystrology alot for my first child, and this last time around I’ve found even more great baby and pregnancy tickers available to use – and all for FREE!

The Bump – Baby Tickers

Even Health Pregnancy & Baby Development Tickers

Lilypie Pregnancy Tickers

AlternataTickers

Belly Belly Pregnancy Tickers

Widdly Tinks
families.com
tickercentral.com

What was your morning sickness saviour?