Can you believe it? Fall is here. Cozy sweaters, Crackling fires, Warm soups. And of course, all things pumpkin. Speaking of pumpkins, you still feel like you're smuggling one under your shirt and you aren't sure how you're going to get through the days till your darling baby makes an appearance. Let us help you with some suggestions to pass the time and leave you feeling completely prepped for baby's arrival.
1. Get a massage - You're nine months pregnant. Need we say more? Yes, there are some great places in town to get treated to a luxurious massage but a loving massage from your partner can feel wonderful too. And, it may help get a little oxytocin flowing too... 2. Bake cookies - Fall and baking feel like they go hand in hand so how about taking some time to mix up a batch of cookies. If you're not the baking type Stacey Cakes has you covered. 3. Take a stroll through Ponderosa State Park - Spend some time wandering through Ponderosa Park soaking in the fall colors. There are several miles of easy hiking trails where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of fall but still keep yourself in cell service and close to town, Just in case. 4. Treat yourself to brunch and a hot drink - As a fun way to pass the morning why not do something unique and take yourself out to a place you don't usually frequent. Bring your friend or bring a book and spend the morning refueling physically and mentally. 5. Stock your freezer with some freezer meals - Maybe this one doesn't sound quite as fun as brunch out on the town but I promise you'll thank yourself later! Pinterest abounds with delicious freezer meal recipes if you need some inspiration. 6. Hire a doula - If you haven't considered hiring a doula it's not too late. A doula is there to help you navigate your birth, understand what to expect and ease your discomfort during labor. 7. Pick up a new just-for-fun book from the library - It's great to feel prepared for what is to come, but put down the baby books and the birth books for a while and let yourself get lost in a novel, a biography, a cookbook - whatever is going to feel like a delightful treat to sit down a read for some YOU time. 8. Put together some "busy boxes" - Not to keep you busy, you will be plenty busy without any additional help of a "busy box." These boxes are to help keep your young kids entertained when you are tending to the needs of your new baby. Pinterest is a great resource for busy box ideas too and they can be as simple or elaborate as you desire. 9. Give yourself an hour to spend on a hobby - Is there something you love to do that you haven't gotten a chance to for a while? Why not set aside an hour or so one night to just do something you enjoy even if it means the dishes or the laundry wait to be done until the next day. If you're looking for more ideas you can check out our Spring and Summer editions as well.
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Admittedly, it's easier to pass the time in McCall in the summer than in the spring, but when your 9 months pregnant the days can seem to drag by no matter how glorious the weather. So, here are 9 things to do in McCall when you're 9 months pregnant in summer to help enjoy your last days of pregnancy:
1. Visit Charlie's Garden - this privately maintained garden tucked around the lake like a tiny oasis of color in the summer. Bring a book, bring a picnic, bring a camera, and enjoy the flowers, shade and beauty of this secluded retreat. 2. Have a Beach Day - A beach day at the lake that is. You may want to do this on a weekday if you can to avoid the major crowds but either way, stick your toes in the sand, and soak up some summer sun (don't forget sun screen and hydration). 3. Treat Yourself to Ice Cream Alley (for the baby, of course) - Pregnant. Summer. Ice cream. Need I say more? 4. Manicure - Maybe you need to get out of the heat for a bit so why not pamper yourself with a manicure before baby arrives if that's your thing. 5. Buy Yourself Flowers at the Farmer's Market - Stop by the Farmer's market if it happens to be a Wednesday or Saturday and treat yourself to bouquet of summer flowers. Something about fresh cut flowers just makes the day a little brighter. 6. Paddle up the Payette River - If you're in need of some relaxation, why not get a friend and paddle up the North Fork of the Payette river? It's beautiful, calm, and you may get luck and spot a moose while you're out. 7. Coffee at Mountain Java - Not just coffee, but coffee with a view. Take a little time to sit outside, sip your drink and dream about the baby you'll soon be holding in your arms. 8. Take an afternoon and put the finishing touches on the baby's room - Still have a laundry list of tasks you want to finish up in the baby's room before their grand entrance? Dedicate an afternoon to getting some things crossed off your list so you can feel one step closer to being prepared for your sweet bundle. 9. Visit the Fire Department and Get Your Car Seat Professionally Installed (for free) - that's right, they have professionally trained car seat techs at the fire department who are happy to install your car seat so you can be confident that it is as safe as possible. If you're looking for more ideas you can check out our Spring Edition HERE. You're pregnant. You're tired. And you want to know why your back has suddenly decided it hates you. Well, there are several reasons for backaches during pregnancy. Hormones create relaxin which loosen the joints and ligaments. It's great for pushing a baby through your pelvis but it can also cause weakness in the back muscles. Pregnancy weight gain and a shifting center of gravity can put more pressure on the spine and contribute to back discomfort. In addition, emotional stress can present itself as back pain and for some pregnancy in addition to other life obligations can increase stress levels during pregnancy. While it can be nice to know some of the "whys" what we really want to know is how to ease the discomfort, am I right? Just as there are numerous reasons, there are numerous options for relief.
1. Mild exercise can help strengthen your back and relieve stress, though always talk to your care provider before starting any new exercise programs. 2. Gentle yoga that is safe for pregnancy can feel fantastic to stretch and strengthen your back muscles. You can either do this in the comfort of your own home or visit one of the yoga studios in McCall as they are usually more than happy to help you modify any flows to be pregnancy safe. 3. Alternating heat and cold packs on your back can relieve some discomfort. 4. Acupuncture and chiropractic care are also ways many women have found beneficial in combatting back pain. 5. And, there are also some simple tips like squatting to reach things on the floor instead of bending over and wearing a pregnancy support band that can be helpful. If you are interested in learning more, our private birth classes are full of tips to help combat common pregnancy discomforts. Those last few weeks of pregnancy. They're tough. You are SO ready to meet your precious baby, but your baby seem to be in no hurry to enter the world. Plus, it's spring. In McCall. Which means mud, rain, slush and some teases of warm beautiful days tossed in the mix. To help you pass the time we have put together a list:
9 Things to do in McCall When You're 9 Months Pregnant - Spring Edition 1. Treat yourself to some Stacey Cakes (because, well, it's Stacey Cakes and therefore amazing) 2. Stock up on some easy to grab snacks for those early postpartum days. You will be ravenous. You will be exhausted. And you will be constantly attached to a newborn. Granola bars, fresh fruit, cheese sticks, Stock up on things that are easy to eat one handed and will nourish you. 3. Take a stroll along Legacy Beach. The tourist haven't flocked in yet, so take advantage of a sunny spring day to breath in some fresh mountain air and get your heart pumping. 4. Create a list of ways to people can help you when they stop by. New babies often mean lots of visitors. It also often means many people eager to help you out in anyway they can so take a few minutes to write up a list of things that would really help you out as you recover and adjust to life with a newborn. Tossing in a load of laundry, grabbing some milk at the store or walking the dog are some ideas that most people are more than happy to assist with and can really feel like a big relief to you. 5. If you already have kids, try to have some special one-on-one time with them before baby. Life will be busy for a while after baby is born so take advantage of the semi quiet now to plan a special date with your kids at home. It could be as simple as a park play date, building a fort together or going out for ice cream. 6. Call a girlfriend. Sometimes a good chat with an old friend is just the thing to brighten our day. 7. Book a Postpartum Placenta Specialist to encapsulate your placenta. Not sure what that is? You can learn more about it HERE. 8. Take 30 minutes to sit down and do some coloring. Put on some music, pull out your colored pencils, crayons or markers. Sound childish? Maybe, but it's also an incredibly relaxing way to unplug and put everything else aside for a while. 9. Make sure your hospital bag is packed and ready to go. If you're looking for idea of what to pack and what you don't really need you can check out our Hospital Packing List for the Minimalist So there you have it. And when you just can't take one more person asking if you've had the baby yet, you can always start sending them to www.haveyouhadthatbabyyet.com! That’s right folks. Placenta consumption isn’t just for the carnivores out there. In fact, almost every type of mammal on earth consumes their placenta. Crazy right? Deer, elk, zebras, lions, pandas, you name it, from ravenous meat eaters to grazers who have never consumed anything but plants. Science can’t yet pin down why they do it but what they are certain of is that it’s a biological norm in mammals. Something inside signals to them that there is value in doing this. It makes no difference if you’re talking about carnivores, herbivores or omnivores, placenta consumption is seen across the board. But you’re not a giraffe. You’re a human being. And perhaps also a vegetarian. And you aren’t sure if you should encapsulate your placenta as a vegetarian. While only you can make that decision, what we can tell you is that many vegetarians feel that it is acceptable for them and their values. The placenta was produced by their own body and after birth serves no additional purpose. It is consumed for a limited amount of time and for a specific reason. And, they know exactly where it came from and how it was treated (especially with in-home encapsulation). .If you are a vegetarian and you don’t feel that you should have your placenta encapsulated we support you 100%. It is a personal decision. If you’re a vegetarian and you do wish to consume your placenta, however, you can rest assured that what you are doing is something seen in herbivores throughout nature. Or if you're really not sure why you would even WANT to consume your placenta you can check on more info on that HERE. The day is fast approaching. Maybe you’re 32 weeks along in your pregnancy, maybe you’re 39 weeks and 6 days but either way you’ve decided it’s time to pack the hospital bag and be prepared for “the big day.” Great! But...what do you pack? We’re so glad you asked! The standard lists can be overwhelming for some of us due to the sheer amount of “basics” that are recommended. If you’re more of a minimalist at heart we’ve got you covered. Our list is broke down into the "essentials" and the "extras." We want you to be confident you've got what you NEED and suggest a few extra perks that some people like to have but aren't necessarily crucial. As you select what goes in your hospital bag here are a couple things to keep in mind. What’s going to make you comfortable? What’s going to make you feel at home and at ease? It could be a cozy pair of socks, your favorite pillow or a certain scent. Pack the basics, throw in a few cozy touches if that’s your thing and get ready to meet your precious new baby. Download our free printable minimalist packing list HERE |