Get a Move On! Exercises to Do with Your Baby to Lose the Baby Weight

Exercise is often the last thing on the minds of many new moms, especially when taking into account what to do with a little one while you workout. You may be surprised to learn that there are a wealth of exercises you can do with your baby!

Many women celebrating the early months of motherhood share the same complaints: fatigue, lack of energy, and an inability to “get going.” The irony is that daily exercise has been proven to help increase stamina and improve bodily functions.

Exercise has many benefits for new mothers that extend beyond physical fitness. Increased mental improvement and ability to cope with stress and anxiety as well as more energy are additional benefits of postpartum exercise. There are many exercise options that involve working out with your new addition.

Consider the following benefits of exercise for moms:

• Healthier and stronger bones, muscles, and joints.
• Reduction in body fat and controlled weight level.
• Increased mental improvement, reducing occurrences for postpartum depression, anxieties, or stress.

Dance with your Baby
Literally. Wear your baby and dance yourself in shape.

Yoga
Yoga is a workout option that helps to increase range of motion, muscle tone and breathing. Babies often enjoy the up and down movements involved when changing positions in yoga.

Walking
Walking with baby in a stroller or in a carrier is an exercise that can be performed at your own pace. You are able to control the length and intensity of each walk, increasing each of these factors as you build endurance. There may also be some stroller walking groups in your area.

Postpartum DVDs
If you’re not yet ready to work that body in public, consider using a post partum exercise DVD.  If you are self-motivated and feel like you are more likely to get it done in the comfort of your own home.

Other workouts
Your baby can be incorporated in other, more typical forms of exercise as well. Airplane ride, crunches, baby leg lifts and flying baby all provide entertainment for your baby as well as exercise for you. Using your baby in these exercises also provides extra resistance, such as if you put your baby on your stomach or lap when doing crunches.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW LE TOP BABY FALL 2012 COLLECTIONS
HERE

Le Top Baby “Toy Zoo” Collection Striped Footed Coverall

Read Full Post »

New Mom Acronyms – Learn it…stat!

The more I hang out with my friends who are “moms-to-be” or new moms, I feel like they are constantly using lingo and acronyms that are foreign to me. Or if I am searching through an online forum with message boards, I noticed how many acronyms are being used and there are so many LO’s, FTM’s, DD’s and FWIW’s, that I feel I need an interpreter! I am relatively young and feel like I am becoming outdated!

That’s when I found this amazing interpreter on BabyCenter.com called an online guide to motherhood-related acronyms.

Here are the acronyms and emoticons that I find to be most useful, IMHO, to help you navigate the vast sea of motherly message boards.

BF: breastfeed, or boyfriend
BM: breast milk, or bowel movement
CIO: cry it out
CS or C/S: cesarean section
 DD: dear daughter
DF: dear fiancée
DH: dear husband
DP: dear partner
DS: dear son
DW: dear wife
EBF: extended breastfeeding, exclusively breastfeeding
FF: formula feeding
FTM: first time mom
LO: little one
MC or M/C: miscarriage
ML: maternity leave
MM: mother’s milk
PG: pregnant, or pregnancy
PPD: postpartum depression
SAHD: stay-at-home dad
SAHM: stay-at-home mom
SAHP: stay-at-home parent
WAH: work at home
WOH: work out of the home

Okay – enjoy and TTYL (talk to you later!).

CHECK OUT CUTE CLOTHES FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE AT
www.letop-usa.com

Read Full Post »

Kristin Davis is a new mom!

Courtesy Kristin Davis

Sex and the City star, Kristin Davis, confirmed that she welcomed daughter Gemma Rose Davis through a domestic adoption a few months ago. For those that don’t remember, the name Rose is the same as her character’s adopted daughter on the show.

Davis told PEOPLE. “This is something I have wanted for a very long time. Having this wish come true is even more gratifying than I ever had imagined. I feel so blessed.”

Le Top "Fantasia" Collection Stripe Jumpsuit

We are so happy for you Kristin.  We think Gemma would look picture perfect in the Le Top “Fantasia” collection stripe jumpsuit. Congratulations on your little bundle of joy!

Anything but ordinary.
Made of luxurious soft cotton,
this teal blue jumpsuit features simple puff sleeves, contrast ric-rac neckline and lettuce-edge ruffle cuffs for ultimate comfort and style. Lime colored 3-D velour flower pops out of front pocket
for fantasy style. Back and underneath snaps for easy dressing.

VISIT OUR LE TOP HOME…
www.letop-usa.com

Read Full Post »

The Milky Way: STORE SPOTLIGHT PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

We were lucky enough to interview one of the CUTEST boutiques in Charlotte, North Carolina this week for our Premier Store Spotlight – The Milky Way! Owners Wooten and Adam Schmitz gave us their insight on what items a new mommy needs, their rule of thumb on children’s style and being prepared for parents looking for the hottest items to buy their kiddos this summer. Read more below to find out about this adorable boutique and their “fun in the sun” summer sales!

The Milky Way
1419 East Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28203
704.374.9200
http://www.amilkyway.com/

Join The Milky Way’s Facebook page and click HERE

1.    What was your inspiration/ behind opening your children’s clothing store – The Milky Way?
Wooten: The original idea behind the store was to have everything for new and nursing mothers. We started out with a lot of very practical products for mothers and a few very adorable things for kids. But the cute kid piece of the business very quickly became our favorite.

Le Top "Beechy Keen" Seahorse Monokini

2.    Tell us about any special events that you have planned at your store this summer and fun deals we can expect.
Wooten: We always have a couple of great summer sales in which customers can get great deals on “fun in the sun” items. We offer adorable swimsuits from Le Top, re-usable swim diapers with cute prints, wide-brimmed sunhats and the safest and most eco-friendly sunscreens from California Baby.

3.    Describe the neighborhood of your store in Charlotte, North Carolina where your store is located. Did you grow up in the local area?
Wooten: We are located in the Dilworth area of Charlotte, which is a really interesting mixture of affluence and funkiness. It boasts lots of clothing and gift boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. I did not grow up in Charlotte, but it has long been considered the Carolina’s shopping mecca. We used to travel regularly to Charlotte from my small hometown in eastern North Carolina in order to shop, get our hair cut, and then eat at great restaurants. That was many years ago, but Charlotte hasn’t changed a bit in that respect.

4.    Summer break from school for kids is just around the corner. What are 3 vacation clothing must-have items that are in your store for summer?
Wooten: Our swim and skincare products, of course. We still have some beautiful sundress for girls, including this year’s best seller – Le Top’s Poppies collection.

 

5.   Where are your favorite family hangouts in the Charlotte, NC area?
Wooten: We love Discovery Place located uptown and have always enjoyed our visits to the Charlotte Nature Museum right here in Dilworth. And, of course, many summer hours are spent at our neighborhood swim club.

6.    Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?” Please share!
Wooten: There are so many things I thought I’d never do that I ended up doing.  It’s really kind of embarrassing to think about how little I knew. But if I had to choose one, it would be “buying” my children’s good behavior with the promise of ice cream — or some other delicious treat – later.

Le Top "Poppies" Stripe Umbrella Top & Print Capri Pants

7.    Tell us about a “special” moment that made your day working at your store.
Wooten: Honestly, the best moments for me are the ones in which I feel I’ve really helped make a struggling new mom’s life a little easier. Recently, I helped a young woman with a bra. She and her mother were both there. They’d been over the Charlotte metro area looking for a properly fitting nursing bra and were an the point on giving up until they got to The Milky Way. We fitted this new mom with three comfortable new bras and also reassured her that she was not alone in her difficulties. I got a hug and the most heartfelt thanks from both mother and grandmother as they departed, and it really did make my day!

8.    What do you think are the 3 perfect ingredients if there was a “recipe” for dressing a stylish child? Always having solid basics? The perfect tutu? Great jeans that are durable for the everyday play for boys? Tell us your ‘secret recipe’ on style.
Wooten: A stylish child is a happy child, so I’m big on comfort. I think some nice solids look great. Happy colors are a must for me. And I really believe that all children’s clothes should be from natural fibers. 100% cotton just can’t be beat from comfort, style and durability.

9.    What collection or piece from the Le Top or Le Top Baby line or Rabbitmoon do you love from the Spring/Summer 2011?
Wooten: I love the Le Top “Poppies” Collection! It’s so bold yet so feminine, and I think it really looks lovely on all skin types.

The Milky Way
1419 East Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28203
704.374.9200
http://www.amilkyway.com

 Join The Milky Way’s Facebook page
and click HERE

Read Full Post »

Lily Pads, Lullabies and Love!

Jackie and her Family inside Lily Pads & Lullabies

Jackie Frazier and her husband live in an area that is a virtual paradise for families – Centerville Utah, nestled up to the Wasatch foothills and a stone’s throw from the beautiful Great Salt Lake.  Skiing is heavenly during the winter, and summer brings recreation from water sports to hiking.  Jackie couldn’t wait to add a baby to her family!  After waiting far too long for the blessed event Jackie turned to every expectant mom’s favorite ‘sport’ – shopping!  Jackie was disappointed that she couldn’t find a children’s store in her area that provided the special experience she craved for her long awaited baby.  Once her beautiful daughter Alexa was born she couldn’t bear leaving her in day care – so she put 2 + 2 together and a very special children’s store was born – Lily Pads and Lullabies!

Alexa, Jackie's Inspiration, Wearing Butterfly Wishes from Spring 2009

Jackie’s daughter Alexa spends her days with mommy, very fitting since the name of the store was inspired by one of her cute baby poses.  Jackie told us that “she always slept with her little bum in the air, sucking on her pink binky.”  The store logo was inspired by this sweet and innocent vision.  Jackie has created the atmosphere she herself dreamed of finding – the store is beautiful, warm and inviting.  Her customers love the exceptional customer service, the inviting ambiance and the large play area for children.

Jackie loves watching the reaction of new mothers who come into the store – “Aw!” –  their expression of excitement when they realize they have found that ‘special place’ that has everything to welcome their precious newcomer!  Jackie feels that her store is the perfect place for “everyone” – and through her website anyone can enjoy all the warmth that she has poured into this wonderful boutique.  One customer writes:

“I love it! Warm, happy environment. Great play area for kids. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Finally, a baby store that makes me feel special! ‎”

If you are fortunate enough to visit this beautiful area stop in and pay Jackie a visit!  Otherwise pay a ‘virtual’ visit at www.lilypadsandlullabies.com.

Lily Pads & Lullabies  
380 N. Main Street
Centerville, UT 84014
801-397-0305

 

 

Read Full Post »