Wednesday, February 2

Featured on Expecting Models Blog

http://www.expectingmodelsblog.com/


Expecting Model: Amilia Brady

Pregnancy is such a beautiful part of life that families experience every day, yet it is so precious at the same time since another person is being brought to life. From being an expecting model to simply a pregnant woman, staying active is essential; after all, she is caring for two.
Our expecting model named Amilia Brady enjoys staying on her feet and being active every day. She shares, “Pre-pregnancy, I always used my son as a fitness tool. I am a big believer in baby wearing.” Amilia loves to hike and is not letting pregnancy prevent her from doing so. She uses a baby carrier to bring her son along, which creates a great bonding time for mother and son.
Amilia
“It's a joy to have your kids be a part of an active lifestyle. Pregnancy is where it all begins, and I know every mother wants the best for the baby, so give them the best start possible by staying healthy.”

Thursday, January 27

Must have mommy essentials

One of the benefits of maternity modeling, is getting to see all the new unreleased products that are coming out! I came across a couple of new products that are a must for any mom on the go. As a first time mom, I thought I knew what I needed, but ended getting things my baby hated and I later on hated as well. A lot of the stuff that I ended up getting was a waist of money to be honest. Whether you are a first time mom, second, third time mom there are always new products coming out that are going to make our lives easier but sometimes they are not easy to find. I have managed to narrow down some of my favorite must have products I wanted to share with other moms.

Things people don't ever mention to you when you are pregnant with your first baby, the biggest thing was diaper leakage. I had received tons of Huggies from my baby shower, but pampers were the only ones that didn't leak for my son. Come to find another mom I knew who had a baby girl said the pampers leaked for her daughter, and Huggies worked.  These are things that as a first time mom you would never know, but do your research! Find out what works best for boys, and what works best for girls. There are always the cloth diaper systems that are super easy to use now, like G Diapers. I plan on eventually switching over to cloth.

Baby Hygiene! You want to always look for natural products. People normally will give Johnsons and Johnsons but it has so many unnecessary chemicals that are harsh on a babys skin and can cause major rashes. Look for natural products such as California Baby. Another alternative is home made lotions, and soaps for you and your little one.

One last thing to mention, strollers and baby wearing. This is all upon preference but baby bonding is essential for any child's development. I am a huge believer in baby wearing. I didn't use a stroller until recently and even so rarely ever use it. You can also wear your baby as they grow older, and even through pregnancy. I am a living testimony to that. You may want to invest in some different baby carriers instead of a huge bulky stroller. I could've gotten 2-3 baby carriers for what I paid for the stroller I never used, was way to heavy, big, and took up alot of space for someone who lives in a apartment with no storage. Do your research and make your decision.

Here are some products that I will be using with my second baby and hope you guys can also benefit from them all. With casting calls for Boo and myself, and soon baby Alex we are always on the go. I have to be able to breastfeed, and care for my 2 while on the go so having the right tools is a must. These will all make my life sooo much easier.
1.
BlueBagShoulderAsaNursingPillowIllustration
IntroPhoto

www.warmmilk.com 




How do you do it on the go?? This bag not only is cute, and has plenty of storage but also turns into a nursing station with a pillow inside.  It is just like the my breast friend pillow. Another investment! I know from experience instead of the Boppy, please get the My breast friend pillow instead. It works sooo much better.


2.
 www.sleepywrap.com
If you have a moby your going to want to re think your baby wrap. The Sleep Wrap is a higher quality fabric and overall better product. Check it out, love the fact that it really tailors to any mom, whether you are tall or petite it will work for you.

3. www.miracleblanket.com
If you have a very strong baby that just always seems to wiggle there way out of there swaddle, this is a must! I love how light it is, my son never seemed hot in it and I used it up until he was 9 months old. It saved my life when it came towards getting a full nights sleep.

4.
Lace Tauts Post Pregnancy Wrap by Brooke Burkewww.babooshbaby.com

These post partum tauts are great! Wear it for 40 days all day and night, and you will definitely feel a difference with your core muscles and uterus shrinking back to its previous state.

5.
http://www.bobababycarrier.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14

The Boba carrier. I had a baby hawk, bjorn, and didnt like them at all. This is the ultimate comfort for mom and baby.

6.http://www.sunshinebabyslings.com




Beautiful wraps, and another must have! The fabrics are soft, light and gorgeous!

I am a big believer in investing in different wraps. You will always need wraps and carriers for different circumstances. I will be wearing both of the boys at the same time, and know it is something that will work with my active lifestyle. More products to come. All I can say is research, research, research! Hope you find at least one thing that can make your life easier. Had to make this short because my little guy wont go to sleep. More products coming on the next blog. Have a blessed night :)

AMY

Monday, January 24

Adventures of Super Mom....

I know that in my book if you can carry a human being inside of you for 9 months, birth it,  and raise it you're a super hero. I didn't realize how much I have been doing up until lately. It seems like I have somehow transitioned from stay at home mom, who has no life, to busy stay at home mom who is always tired and busy. The fatigue has gotten worse lately but I know it is just my body's way of telling me "slow down". Of course in my mind I can't slow down because I'm suppose to be a super hero right? Well, being pregnant really gives me no other option except to do just what my body is telling me to do. I have always felt like the more I do, the more I have achieved, the happier I am. When it's time to rest and slow down, I begin to think I have no purpose anymore. Coming to terms with the fact that this couch and I are going to be much more acquainted over these next few weeks is hard, but I have to accept it and be content. Still hoping the doctor will call me with some magic pill, or vitamin to get me up and going again. Even though I am up, working out, and awake, I can zone out VERY quickly now.

Sunday, Boo woke up with Pink Eye. Not just any pink eye either, a big swollen looked like he got punched pink eye. I couldn't help but feel powerless in the situation. Not knowing what was wrong, what caused it, I couldn't make it better...how could this be if I am a super hero? Well, of course I am not a super hero but I sure do have super hero powers when it comes towards my babies. Was able to get the eye to open with a warm bath, and that helped calm me down. Notice how I say "ME" he was not happy about his eye but once he saw I was okay, so was he. I realized at that moment that he's the super hero, not me. Somehow kids manage to always see the good in every situation, no matter what's going on. Here he is in pain, but still managing to play peek-a-boo and smile. He was a doll at the emergency room with the nurses and doctors as long as he wasn't being touched. We bribed him with a peanut butter brownie cookie to last the whole 5 hours of waiting to be seen. I just see how much I learn from him. I panic a lot but have to learn to be like him. Happy regardless of what's going on around me.  This applies to all areas of my life. Not holding onto the bad in a situation but all the good that surrounds me while I am going through tough situations.

Positive thinking is not a easy train of thought, but I know if I can visualize it, I am going to live by it. Home Depot has a giant dry eraser board for only $10. I say invest in one. Create a board with what you want and look at it everyday. I am going to challenge anyone and everyone who reads this to do just that and see if it helps you put into practice whatever it is you need to do. Goals, scriptures, positive affirmations, pictures..whatever you need to remind yourself of where you are going.  Super mom to the rescue! Have a casting for Disney tomorrow. Yippee. Wish me luck

AMY

Sunday, January 16

Maternity Photoshoot

With my due date rapidly approaching, I have to take any opportunity to photograph this little guy while he's in my belly while I can. I didn't know what to expect today when Agnes and I met, but it was such a pleasure meeting such a down to earth photographer. Today was the first time I worked with a women photographer, and I don't think I have ever felt so comfortable before. Being pregnant is a blessing, and a amazing experience but it also is a time when you feel like a whale cow so trying to feel and look confident is one of the difficulties with being a maternity model. Agnes, along with her fiance were a great team. I HIGHLY recommend her services to any person looking to not only have beautiful photos taken but, also amazing service. A lot of the time we go online, and look for a photographers portfolio..what can they capture on film... how awesome is there website, but you never know what you will get when you end up shooting the photos. What if you don't get along, what if it wasn't as enjoyable as you imagined it would be? It's the person that takes the photos that really defines there photography...who they are...how at ease they can make there clients feel. Pregnancy, with each child is something you want to look back on and smile about. I may have more children one day, but this baby is only going to be in my belly once. Each pregnancy is different, and will be remembered differently, so maternity photos are a special thing for any mom to be. As a mother, I know the first thing I want is someone I can trust around my child, and be myself with. Thank God, Agnes and I had the opportunity to do just that today. Moms, check out her stuff!!!

http://www.artsychameleon.net/

Boo, what can I say about him? I love him beyond words and he's growing so much each day. He had a blast at the park, although there were a few meltdown moments, that was to be expected. Enjoying each and everyday with him while I can before his brothers arrival. As we speak, Nemo is entertaining him, and I need to put him to bed.  Be Blessed.

AMY

Thursday, December 30

Hitting Milestones

Here I am 27 weeks pregnant, dealing with so much then I ever imagined. This babys coming and there's no stopping him. It's so different the second time around. You dont seem to realize you're pregnant because you're so busy focusing on your little one. Other than the ever expanding belly, constantly being tired, it's not that bad. I am already approaching the "I want this baby out" phase, and I've got 13 weeks left!

I titled this "Hitting Milestones" because I feel like I am hitting some major milestones in my life. Now 22, with my second in the oven, I realize how much Motherhood has changed me. My son, has made me into a women. I had so many dreams, expectations of what my life would be before I became a Mom. Having a son who is delayed really made me change the most. I expected him to be the smartest baby in the world, and hit all his milestones, never get sick, and basically be super baby. I thought if I ate healthy, exercised, and tried to do everything by the book I would have the healthiest, awesomest baby. He ended up being the complete opposite. I noticed early on, he was set in his ways. He was late with sitting up, crawling, walking, and of course talking. He is now 26 months, and starting to say words. He's been in speech therapy for a good 4 months, and it's been leaps and bounds ever since he started. I think alot of women don't talk about there kids having any type of delay because people automatically assume that means your child is "slow" or has some type of learning disability. My son is DELAYED, and I am proud of him! He has no problems learning, or doing things he just takes longer to do them. When I go to the Child Development Center and see the other children, I think of how crazy it is that these kids are labeled as delayed. All of them are so bright, and eager to learn just in different ways. I really would love for these standards that are put onto our kids to be changed. You can't expect all children to develop equally, and that's what makes them who they are, one of a kind. Boo, seems to be catching up with his age group because he is now at a almost 2 year old level with his speaking. The thing is..at first I wanted him to talk, and reach all the goals the therapists had for him, but he has surpassed those goals in weeks. He has done more then we expected and it just makes me think he is looking at us as if we are the fools. I know he is a perfectly healthy, happy 2 year old and that satisfies me. Yes my 2 year old is in a crib, still loves his binky, and isnt potty trained. Does that make me a failure? No. That is where he is at, and I can't force him to be anything else but himself. I think when mothers have had a child who does all those things easily, they look at us moms who have the children set in there ways as if we aren't pushing them enough...or "how could you let him sleep with a binky at 2?" The best advice I have for any new mom is, accept your child for who they are! I wanted my son to get rid of his binky when he was a baby, but he wont sleep without it. I've restricted it to bed time only, but when he's ready to give it up, so am I. He's just about to start potty training because he seems ready to start. I've had some moms brag about how there baby gave up there binky at 6 months, and was potty trained at 12-18 months, and thats awesome but it's not fair to judge other peoples parenting if there child doesn't do the same.

I never thought I'd be in the position where my child would'nt just do what I wanted him to do. Amazing how I thought I could control everything. I have done everything I could possibly do and know how hard I have worked to give Boo the best life possible. One thing that has been amazing to experience recently is reading with him. He never was into it but I still have more books then toys. Now he brings me his books, and we read all the time. He points and says words, it's hard not to cry sometimes just watching him look at picture in a book! How ridiculous is it that I want to cry just looking at his face? My hormones have gotten the best of me. When he kisses me, hugs me, smiles and talks to me I feel out of this world. God gave me a amazing gift that I am unworthy of but he still gave me the chance to experience the most precious love in the world. When I think about Alex being here....it's so surreal. I can picture him here. I see him already even though hes not here yet. Infact there are moments, where I see my "3" children fighting, crying, and playing together. It's as if the Lord is showing me a glimpse into the future. Boo becoming the Big Brother is also a huge milestone in his life. He is going to be taking on the role of the "leader." I know he's going to be great. He seems to think Scout (the green puppy) is his baby. He loves his Scout, and is so gentle with him.

I'm ready for this baby no matter what. The year of breastfeeding, getting back into shape to start Fitness Modeling, and then going for baby number 3. Seems like the years are going by too fast. I was 19 when i got pregnant with Boo, now 22 having alex...where has the time gone? I'll probably be 25,26 when I have our third...then 30 will be here before I know it. I just think about how as a kid you can't wait to grow up, but as a adult it sucks growing up. I hate seeing my baby boy,  become a toddler, soon preschooler. All the sacrafices we make as mothers are temporary. Our babies dont stay small forever, we dont lose sleep forever, we dont breastfeed forever, pregnancy isnt forever...were on borrowed time so it's important to take in everyday even if its a bad one. I guess I realize I am now a grown up, and my dreams have changed. I have changed so much. Now I dream of 3 kids, a successful modeling carrier for myself and children, a great marriage, sleeping in, and time to take a shower and blowdry my hair..hahaha. I am sure 5 years from now I will have new dreams..but for now these are it.

Have a audition for a maternity fitness video on Tuesday and really hoping I get it. Boo and I have doctors appointments the day before, hes getting 3-4 shots, Tuesday he also has speech therapy. Wish me luck on finding a sitter and managing to get to the casting on time looking fabulously pregnant and fit hahaha. Happy New Years to you all





AMY