Leave it to Chrissy Teigen to stir up the controversy again! The beautiful 31-year-old model wife to John Legend and mom to Luna, 9 months, started the conversation at the SAG awards last week. (That was, of course, the conversation about having more children.) When asked if she and John would be having another baby, Chrissy confidently replied: “Oh my God, a little boy is next for sure!”

Chrissy and John have been very open about their struggle to conceive. They tried for years to get pregnant before finally turning to IVF to conceive Luna. Of course, as soon as the words left Chrissy’s mouth, social media was aflutter as to how she could be so confident that she would be having a baby boy next.

That’s when Chrissy took to Twitter to clear things up. “Since this is coming up again, I said our next baby would be a boy because that is the embryo we have left. A boy. So. Yeah.” She also updated one minute later, saying: “And no, I am not pregnant.” (Well, that should definitely clear things up.)

It’s nice to see a couple being so open about their infertility struggle, as well as their decision to use specific boy and girl embryos. Chrissy’s comments are opening up the lines of communication about infertility, IVF, and gender selection. These are controversial topics, for sure, but very important ones as well. Personally, I wish Chrissy nothing but the best and I’m looking forward to more updates about her journey along the way.

Should couples pick their baby’s gender? Yes or no?

During pregnancy, every lady expects that some significant—and often scary—changes will happen to her physically. While most of these are temporary (nausea, heartburn, weight gain), others can continue for years! Yes, I’m talking about stretch marks, saggy skin, and a doughy stomach.

As a first time mom, I truly, naively believed that after the delivery, my body would simply go back to “normal,” and I’d look exactly the same as I did before pregnancy. Unfortunately, that never happened!

Nothing I’ve ever tried completely eliminated the stretch marks and sags, but following a plant-based, low-carb diet and exercising definitely helped me shed the unwanted pounds. I was able to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, yet an over-all lack of muscle tone persisted, especially in the mid-section. (Seriously, my stomach was not just a muffin top, but a muffin middle and bottom, too.)

After doing some research online, I stumbled upon a belly band. I knew those could be used during pregnancy, but I was unaware it also provided post-delivery benefits. (Healthline has a great article about them and WebMD does as well.)

Bands come in two styles, pull-on (like a panty) and cinch (wrap style). Some are strictly for the abdomen and another kind covers both the abdomen and thighs. As I worry mainly about my stomach, I chose the former. 

The feel of the band can range from suffocating to merely snug, depending on the size and model. I like a firm fit, but need to breathe as well! It can take some experimenting to figure out what works best. The right one is noticeable but still comfortable. For me, the smooth fit and look of a panty band was so much better than a Velcro wrap.

I picked a black model because most of my clothes are dark and I wanted it to blend into the background. However, some ladies consider them to be fashion accessories. A quick search on Pinterest brings up over 1,000 images, many of which are extremely colorful.

While there are no quick fixes, with regular use over the course of a few months, I did see improvement. Because they’re relatively inexpensive and non-invasive, a belly band provides a safe and affordable option for ladies who want a smoother middle.

Moms, when was the last time you took a “time out” just for yourself? Probably not lately! Luvs—the official diaper of experienced parents—conducted a formal poll of moms across the country to take a look at what parenting is really like and to uncover what they truly value most. The survey revealed that nearly 2 in 3 moms have never taken a day completely for themselves. (I am very guilty of doing this!)

As we welcome in the New Year, perhaps the best resolution for parents is to give themselves a well-deserved bit of “me time.” In 2017, I am setting aside 20 minutes every morning to drink my coffee, journal, and enjoy a quiet, uninterrupted moment without any distractions. This allows me to start off calmly and helps me to be more focused and less frazzled.

All moms know that parenthood is a roller coaster ride, but I try to take it in stride and not sweat the small stuff. Instead of dwelling on the negative, I look for little things that help me get through my busy days and make life easier. Using products that get the job done and don’t break the bank can be so helpful! That’s why I buy Luvs diapers.

Luvs recently introduced the new and improved Luvs Ultra Leakguard Diapers with NightLock Plus™. Softer and more absorbent than before, with large stretch tabs for easy fastening, ultra-leakage protection and a money-back guarantee, Luvs provide features babies and parents need for less cost than premium brands.
 
Also, to make sure everyone gets their share of value, Luvs is offering a  printable coupon, good for $1.00 off any one diaper pack. All Luvs diapers are included in this particular offer, except trial/travel sized packs.

Parenting can be difficult, but diapering doesn’t have to be when you choose Luvs. 

This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.

Little known fact about me: Thursday is usually the worst day of my week, and it’s caused by extreme exhaustion! You’d think it would be Monday, since that’s always my busiest day, but no, like clockwork, it’s Thursday. This year, I’m focusing on adopting healthier habits. A big part of that is accepting limitations, being honest with myself, and being fully accountable for my behavior. 

Realistically, I know that I need to rest and relax. I need to manage my stress and do a better job with time management. I try, oh boy, do I try! But it needs to be a lifestyle, not just a one or two-month experiment. Based on where I’m currently at, going at a slow pace is the best option. By cramming way too much into Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, there’s nothing left by Thursday (no wonder!).

That’s why I had to do a recharge tonight, alone, focusing on myself! And, no, that’s not being selfish, it’s practicing self care. (It’s taken me thirty-five years to understand the concept.)

In the past, when I’ve needed some quiet time, I’ve done at home spa days. While I LOVE to do that, I couldn’t find the hours right now, so I decided to make a delicious dinner and watch some TV instead. That may sound like nothing special, but for me it was pure heaven.

Doesn’t this vegan stir fry look tasty? I tossed every veggie from the fridge into a pan, added a little lemon juice, garlic, and cilantro, then finished by mixing in some black beans. The effort was minimal and it took less time than heating up a frozen pizza (what I’d normally do).

Entertainment-wise, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the Season 2 premiere of Growing Up McGhee. For those who don’t know them, the McGhee family consists of two very likeable, down to earth parents and their adorable sextuplets. Unlike the other mega families, they don’t pretend to be living in paradise and openly discuss coming from poor, abusive backgrounds. I find it refreshing to see someone actually admit that having six kids all cry, scream, and freak out simultaneously not only happens, it happen a lot.

Did my recharge transform my life? Nope. Did it transform my night? Absolutely! And that is sometimes the best we can hope for.

How do you recharge?