Save 20% on YOUR item!

 

Print this bad boy out and bring it in to save 20% off of any item!

(restrictions apply)

Last Weekend before Christmas!!!

 

Hey it’s the last weekend before Christmas hurry in to see all the great things we have in stock right now.. We have our Christmas offer of 50% off all regular priced sweaters.  Now is the perfect time to get that last minute present.

Winter Pregnancy Tips

It's amazing being pregnant any time of year, of course, but winter brings on a few special challenges. How to stay comfy and minimize mama-to-be worries when winter hits?

Buy Long Tees and Tank Tops

Stretch your pre-pregnancy winter wardrobe by picking up a slew of long,  stretchy tanks and tee shirts in basic colors. Wear them underneath your sweaters to cover up the increasing distance between the top of your pants and the bottom of your top. And you can wear the tees layered or not after baby arrives, too.  Brands we love? Try Michael Stars, Shade or Lilac all available on our web site. 

 

Get Regular Pedicures

While it's true that no one (except you and the hubby) will be peeking at your toes on a regular basis, pedicures, with that great leg and foot massage, are good for your circulation. Plus, that extra little bit of pampering will help boost your mood, generally improving your overall preggo demeanor. And yes, manicures and pedicures are safe during pregnancy -- chemicals don't get absorbed into your nail beds. Just be mindful of possible nausea from harsh fumes. Choose a well-ventilated salon or grab a station by the door.

Spring for a Winter Maternity Coat -- and Get It Early!)

If you'll be late in your second trimester or in your third during the coldest winter months, don't try to squeeze your expanding bod into your regular winter coat. You'll feel better about yourself, and will be way more comfortable (and warmer), if you shell out for a real maternity coat. They can be a little tricky to find, so don't wait till the depths of winter to start looking -- buy one early or online. 

Drink More H2O

Dealing with the itchy belly -- which many women experience as skin stretches to accommodate the growing baby -- may be more of an issue in the winter months when skin can be especially dry. Keep it moisturized with a basic over-the-counter moisturizer like Nivea and Eucerin, but make sure you're drinking tons of water, too. Make sure you're hydrating from within as well as without.

Get Go-To Winter Wardrobe Basics

Buy these three maternity pieces and you'll never be at a loss. Black pants, black blazer, great jeans (especially if you can wear jeans to work). Pants and jeans will be your wardrobe workhorses -- pair them with different tops and you can wear them multiple times a week. We love the black blazer because it's an instant wardrobe upgrade -- wear it unbuttoned (more flattering) over anything, from tee shirts to sweaters to long winter dresses. Plus, it hides all kinds of this-top-doesn't-quite-fit-me-anymore sins.

Get the Right Shoes
Truth? We obsess about slipping on ice or snow even when we're not pg -- so what's a preggo gal to do about this common winter hazard?  Invest in a good, stable pair of rubber-soled shoes or boots with good traction (i.e., deep treads) -- you'll walk more confidently.

Happy Holidays! - Take 50% off Sweaters

 

A  little before Christmas Gift for you!  Take 50% off all regular priced sweaters.  Now is the perfect time to get that last minute present (yes, you can even buy one for yourself!).

Savings for YOU!

Print this bad boy out and bring it in to save 20% off of any item!

(restrictions apply)

Tip of the Day – Shirts Getting Too Short?

As your belly grows, obviously your shirts are going to get shorter and shorter.  Don’t forget that layering is IN and putting your Bella Band underneath your short shirt will take care of the problem instantly!

KJZZ – watch us!

We’re gonna be talking about layering for the upcoming seasons tomorrow morning, November 11th, on Channel 14 KJZZ between 10am-11am.  Watch for tips and ideas on how to make the most out of the clothes you have!

Skinny Mini

Hey all, Kristy here.  I’m so excited right now, I’m pretty much bouncing off the walls (ask my kids, they’re over it).  Anyway, I’m so so so grateful for this new product that I found after I had my baby that I have to tell you all about it.  Seriously, it is the answer to my dreams (and I was SO skinny in these dreams)...

So, it takes us all nine months to put on the joyous 30+ lbs of pregnancy weight.  But, that weight can just not come off fast enough!  Towards the end of my pregnancy (my 4th mind you), all I could think about was getting this beautiful baby on the outside.  The sleepless nights, crazy bladder urges, swollen ankles, and a bootie to match my belly were all worth it…but seriously - let's get this show on the road.

Well, my darling little Avery was born healthy and perfect!  It sure made all the weight gain and hormonal rages worth it.  But, as I left the hospital and my belly had gone down (barely) I felt that the rest of my body had ballooned up!  I was fat and bloated and kept thinking, "This is the last time I will ever be the size of a whale – EVER"!  At least I had an excuse 2 days earlier, not the case anymore now that baby was born.......so sad.

After recovering from the delivery and taking it easy for a few weeks, I was ready to get this squishy body back into shape!  I lined up my workout plan, renewed gym membership and was READY to go!  I woke up early and dragged my tired, sleep- deprived body to the gym.  I worked out like crazy trying to get my body back in shape as quickly as possible.  The weight.........was not coming off.  After chatting with a trainer about my frustration of my slow weight loss, he told me "Kristy, just EAT LESS and EAT HEALTHY".  He then told me that I could run 10 miles a day, but if I'm eating like a pig, the weight won't come off.  He totally figured me out.  I ate like a PIG.

Well, (and here’s where it gets good) our sister Heather had been losing weight with some new weight loss product.  I have never really bought into the whole world of weight loss scams, but this one seemed different.  I noticed her at family meals.... EATING LESS.  She didn't talk about it, she didn't complain about what she couldn't eat - she just wasn't eating as much.  This is out sister Heather Hansen who was one of the finalists on NBC's "Biggest Loser", so this girl normally really likes to eat.  It was then that I wanted to know more about the product she was taking (she is also the spokesperson for this company so I figured she’d give me the REAL scoop).  Well, after she explained to me what it was and how it worked I was on board.   It seriously is brilliant! 

Click here to watch the video and see how it works.

Within 10 days, I lost seven pounds.  I didn't feel like I was depriving myself, I was just eating less.  Eating smaller portions, but still eating what I wanted to.  I was just full - all the time!  Anyway, the concept is so smart: put something into your stomach to make it feel full, and VOILA  you eat less.  It is even safe while nursing, which was very important to me.  The gist of it is that you take a pill 30 minutes before eating, it expands, takes up space in your stomach and solidifies, and then after 4 hours or so it liquefies and passes out of your body.  It doesn't absorb or digest, so absolutely no side effects.  I lied, one side effect..... WEIGHT LOSS.  Yeah!  Pretty dang crazy, but like I said earlier – I really am grateful that I found this product.

If you want to read up and get more information CLICK HERE.

Signing off,

Kristy

Little Angels Photography

Here are some pictures that Kristy just had done with little Avery Grace and the rest of her kiddos…

Right now for those that spend over $250 at Expected we will PAY YOUR SITTING FEES at Little Angels Photography!

Whenever the girls in our family have babies we always go get  newborn pictures done.  Babies are tiny for such a short period of time that it's just too precious to not capture those moments...not just for our sake, but for our kid's too. 

Here's one reason why…

For my birthday a few years ago my mom took me to lunch and told me all about her pregnancy with me...how she was on a jump roping team until she was 9 months pregnant and then had to stop because her teammates wouldn't "turn" for her anymore (that would explain my never being able to sit still), how I was a cholicy baby and she would lay me in the sun and move me as the rays moved across the carpet throughout the day (I still prefer to take naps in the sun on the floor), how I was the easiest baby and most pleasant out of all my siblings (suckas!), she told me about funny things I said as a toddler and other sweet things that only a mother would know.  Then she gave me a photo album with pictures of all those stages she told me about.  The first picture was done professionally and took my breath away.  Was I really that tiny?  Was I REALLY that bald?  It was honestly one of the sweetest birthday presents I have ever been given. 

So my sisters found a really great photographer that captures those tiny moments just perfectly.  And of course, as a mother to a newborn you HAVE to have proof of how darling your baby is!  Bragging rights ladies!  The photographs are timeless and classic.  Anytime anyone asks me where to go for infant pictures I always send them to Tanya at Little Angels Photography.  Her and her digital artist, Brooke, literally make magic.

You can visit the website at www.littleangelsphoto.com or click here to visit their their blog.

What's New?

Do you gals ever think, "Come on Expected, get some new stuff up on your website already" ... because we do.  :)  But since we're just a little mom & pop (ok, sister & sister) shop we have to rely on either funding our own photo shoots or getting photos from our vendors, and because it's so expensive to do photo shoots we aren't able to do it as often as we'd like.  So for those of you who don't know, we have TONS more things in the store than we have online and until we're millionaires and can have everything photographed we're going to have to rely on our sweet little blog to tell you about new fun things we have.

Here are a few fabulous new jeans we recently got in:

7 for all Mankind - "A" Pocket Jeans in Medium LA Wash

 

Rock & Republic - Tyler Maternity in Varnish Wash

 

We also have a BUNCH of cute stuff by Michael Stars and Sweet Pea.

And as always, if you ever have ANY needs or specific requests ("I need a fuchsia dress with puffy taffeta sleeves and a tutu skirt for a wedding…also dyed to match shoes, do you carry dyed to match shoes?") give us a call and we'll try to round up what you need, or at least point you in the right direction.

Birth Control is for Sissies!

You're pregnant, and people are just automatically going to look at you and notice your growing belly.  So why not have fun with it?!

Our moms and grandmothers always tried to hide the fact that they were pregnant.  I can't tell you how many baby-boomers say to me, "When I was pregnant you hid that belly as much as you could".  Well I say be proud!  Show the world that you are growing a sweet little baby inside of you and that you couldn't be happier about it!  I also say, every now and then push the envelope.  Go for shock value, or even just a little chuckle.  Nothing goes over better than a good sense of humor, and we all know that when you're pregnant a good sense of humor is necessary!  My cousin was pregnant with her 8th (yes EIGHTH) baby and she bought one of our shirts that said "Breeder" on it.  She would wear it to Costco or soccer games with her hubby and kids (who I must say were mortified) and she just got the best reactions.

We've got some pretty cute tops at the store that you should check out, and if you can't figure out where to wear them remember - they are always perfect for the gym!  My favorites are:

• "Birth Control Is For Sissies"
• "I Doubt This Is The Threesome Husbands Had In Mind" - for those with a serious sense of humor!
• "MUTHA"
• "Wild Child" - screen printed across the belly where that wild child is living!
• "Baby Love"

 

 

The Belly Bandits - WIN ONE!

Cultures all over the world have a history (and a long one) of belly binding after women give birth - and for good reason...Every woman wants to get her post-baby body back to it's pre-pregnancy hotness as quickly as possible.  It's actually unbelievable to me that this product just barely made it on the market here in the USA - it's one of those "duh" things (like the Bella Band) that should've been around forever.  Well luckily for us, NOW IT IS!  Hurray for The Belly Bandits!

For centuries, Japanese mothers have used their “Sarashi”, while Hispanic mommies can't live without their “faja”. No matter what she calls it, women in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Latin America, Mexico, Spain, England, and the Philippines have benefited from using an abdominal compression wrap after childbirth. No wonder so many US celebrities have gotten on board!  And PS, have you noticed how many of these cultures are known for their teeny tiny women?  It's all making sense to me now.

So here is why belly binding has stood the test of time (they do WAY more than I thought, I was just going for the vanity reasons myself!).

1. Speeds up weight loss, for real
2. Toning of the abdominal muscles & skin
3. Gets organs back in place after the baby
4. Brings pliable hips back together to post pregnancy width (I've even heard people say they get SMALLER after using compression wraps...SOLD.)
5. Closes the birth canal
6. Speeds up getting rid of waste blood
7. Promotes great posture
8. Protects back, core and legs - think of weight lifters on this one

And I thought Spanx were best thing ever!  Well, they are too - let's be honest.

If you're finding that you just can't live without one of these click here to get your own.

TO ENTER CONTEST: Leave a comment!

• Click on "Comments" link at the bottom of the post
• Be sure to fill out your email address.  It won't be displayed and will not be used except to notify the winner.

"I Just Want My Baby To Be Healthy"

Yesterday one of our favorite customers, Kathryn, was in the store and had just found out the gender of her baby.  I asked if she had a preference of boy or girl before she found out what it was and she said, "You know, I always heard people say it but never really believed it until I was in this position, but to be honest I didn't care what the gender was - as long as my baby was healthy".  Even though this is her first pregnancy, that was spoken like a true mother.

I think (and hope!) that most everyone who goes through those months of having a baby develop in their body is always concerned about the health of the baby, wanting to bring a perfectly happy child into the world.  It's difficult to know what tests to have, since some of them can potentially be harmful to you or the baby.  But on the flip side - not having them could put the baby at risk.

Many women undergo tests during pregnancy to check for birth defects, genetic disorders, and other problems. A few of the most common tests are ultrasound scans, the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test, amniocentesis, and chorionic villi sampling (CVS). Each of these can be helpful in diagnosing problems, but the tests are not necessary for every pregnancy. Check with your doctor about what tests, if any, are appropriate for you.

If any of you have had any experiences with one or more of these please comment about it.  Everyone is different and your comments could help somebody going through your same situation.

ULTRASOUND - Ultrasound technology uses high-frequency sound waves to form pictures of the fetus on a computer screen. The test can verify a due date, determine causes of bleeding, check the overall health, development, sex and position of the baby, measure the amniotic fluid, and check the condition of the placenta. There are no known risks from the tests, and many women have one or two ultrasounds in routine pregnancies. However, there is little scientific evidence that normal pregnancies benefit from ultrasound tests.

ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN SCREENING (AFP) - A simple blood test that poses no risk to the fetus, AFP screening measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein in the mother's blood. Abnormal levels can indicate a brain or spinal cord defect, the presence of twins, a miscalculated due date, or an increased risk of Down syndrome. Because AFP levels can be elevated for a number of reasons, a positive test is usually repeated or followed up by other tests before a diagnosis is made. Very few women with elevated AFP levels are found later to have babies with birth defects.

AMNIOCENTESIS - This test examines the cells shed by the fetus into the surrounding amniotic fluid. Performed about 16 weeks into pregnancy, the test involves inserting a long, thin needle through the mother's abdomen to extract fluid from the womb. The cells must be cultured in a laboratory and it may take up to a month for test results to be ready. The test is a reliable indicator of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome or genetic disorders such as Tay-Sachs disease, Hunter's syndrome, and others. While usually safe, amniocentesis can trigger cramping, leakage of amniotic fluid, and vaginal bleeding, and it may increase the risk of miscarriage by about 0.5 to 1 percent. The test is only done on women at increased risk of having babies with genetic disorders or to assess the maturity of the baby's lungs in the last trimester.

CHORIONIC VILLI SAMPLING (CVS) - Performed between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy, CVS can detect the same genetic abnormalities as amniocentesis. It involves inserting a catheter or needle into the womb and extracting some of the chorionic villi (cells from the tissue that will become the placenta). The chorionic villi contain the same chromosomes as the fetus. The test is relatively safe but it has a greater risk of miscarriage than amniocentesis. While there has been some concern that the test itself may be associated with limb deformities, many geneticists believe that CVS performed between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy does not increase that risk.

Comment away!

What is a Healthy Eating Plan for Pregnancy?

So APPARENTLY it’s very important to eat healthy while you’re pregnant.  Hmm, who knew.  So what is eating healthy?  We all know what you’re NOT supposed to do (raw fish, alcohol, smoking, etc.), but what SHOULD you do to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and the lil’ guy or gal in your belly?  Have you ever heard of the 5 food groups?  Sounds familiar doesn’t it.  Well a healthy eating plan contains a wide variety of foods from the those very same food groups.  Try to stick within eating these foods every single day:

• 6 or more servings of bread, cereal, rice, or pasta.
  • One serving equals one slice of bread, 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal (about 1 cup of most cereals), or 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta.
  • If you are physically active, you can eat more servings (up to 11 servings if you are very active).
• 3 to 5 servings of vegetables.
  • One serving equals 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables such as spinach or lettuce, or 1/2 cup of chopped vegetables, cooked or raw (raw is always better).
• 2 to 4 servings of fruit.
  • One serving equals one medium piece of fruit like an apple, banana, or orange; 1/2 cup of chopped fresh, cooked, or canned fruit; 1/4 cup dried fruit; or 3/4 cup of 100-percent fruit juice.
• 2 servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese
  • One serving equals 1 cup of milk or yogurt, 1 1/2 ounces of natural cheese like cheddar or mozzarella, or 2 ounces of processed cheese like American.
  • If you are 18 years or younger and pregnant, you need at least 3 servings of milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  • Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products most often.
• 2 to 3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, or nuts.
  • One serving equals 2 to 3 ounces of cooked meat, poultry, or fish-about the size of a deck of cards. Choose lean cuts and eat no more than 5 to 7 ounces of meat, poultry, or fish a day. One cup of cooked beans such as kidney beans or 2 eggs count as a serving.
  • Four tablespoons of peanut butter or 2/3 cup of nuts also equals a serving.
• At least 8 glasses of water.
  • Drinking milk, 100-percent juice, seltzer or other non-alcoholic beverages counts toward your amount of daily water.