Baby sale this weekend at Appleseed Boutique in Old Town

Ok that title didn't exactly come out right, did it? 


If you've recently had a baby or are due soon you might be interested in this...


All spring and summer baby clothes at Appleseed Boutique in Old Town are 25% off this Saturday and Sunday only. 


Appleseed Boutique
115 South Columbus Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 535-5446

Want A Chance At A Free 3 Month Membership to Massage Envy DC?

Alright Ladies, I'm still working on my prenatal massage post.  (I am actually trying out 4 in the area- the things I do for you!)  However, I recently learned that Massage Envy DC is running a contest for expecting and new moms until this Sunday (5/16)  and wanted to let you all know about it.


 "Surprise! How I told my partner I was expecting" Contest! 

Get a chance to be pampered for the next three months at a Massage Envy near you! Share your story on how you told your partner you were expecting for a chance to win a free three- month membership to Massage Envy DC.
Contest: Tweet to @massageenvydc or email mom2010@massageenvydc.com your story on how you told your partner you were expecting. The best story told in 140 characters or less will win free a three-month membership for massages.
New Deadline: Sunday, May 16, 2010 11:59 p.m. ET
Good Luck!


For more info and contest rules check out Massage Envy DC's facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=112612052109600&id=114746871873281&ref=mf

La Jobi / Graco Crib Recall

Recently La Jobi (the manufacturer of many Graco cribs) issued a recall for 217,000 Graco branded cribs sold between February 2007 and March 2010.  Nine crib styles and multiple models are being recalled.  I actually have a Graco Lauren Crib at my parent's house in NJ and received both a letter and an e-mail regarding the issue.  Let me tell you how thrilled I was--however I knew this was coming.


The problem? The plastic hardware that connects the drop side to the crib is (and I already knew this)  really crappy and unstable (not their words, mine).  These are their words: "The drop side hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches, a hazardous gap is created between the drop side and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing a risk of suffocation and strangulation. In addition, children can fall from the cribs when the drop side detaches or fails to lock."  Nice, huh?  Well,  a year ago when we bought the crib we noticed the issue and locked the crib rail so it could not be lowered but as my hercules baby gets stronger and stronger I am worried she'll just push the whole front off.  Sooo, while I'm not thrilled with the issue, I am glad LaJobi and Graco are offering a retrofit kit to immobilize the side of the crib.  Also, they contacted me via e-mail and snail mail so I give them props for that.  Took me months to find out that my stroller was recalled last year.  


All of the cribs listed in the recall are fairly inexpensive.  I could say you get what you pay for (and in some respects that's true--this crib is hardly as solid as my crib here), but I have seen high end stuff recalled as well.  Last year another well known crib manufacturer had to issue a recall and stop selling cribs for a few months to remedy some safety issues.  So it happens to even the best of them. 


So in the event you have one of these cribs, please contact La Jobi at 1 888 842-2215 to receive a retrofit kit.  They also recommend that you stop using the crib until you receive the kit.


Here are more details, along with the list of crib names and model numbers:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10212.html

The Skinny On: Maternity Stores in the DC Area

Shopping for maternity clothes can be both fun and frustrating. While it’s hard to hold back sometimes, it’s probably best to buy your clothes in stages since you have no idea how your body will morph. Before you go shopping, think about what your priorities are: Do you work in a formal office where you need to be in a suit or dress everyday? Is your workplace more edgy/fashionable or is it laidback and casual?


Honestly, since you will spend at least five days a week there, your job may dictate where you shop and what styles you buy. It’ll also dictate your budget. A more formal office might work out to your benefit. You might have to buy a few expensive suits/ dresses, but they might be interchangeable with a few different blouses, or accessories. If you work in a more fashionable environment, you’ll have more thinking to do since it’ll be easy for you to go overboard. A few designer pieces (dress, skirt, jeans) mixed in with less expensive shirts and staples might be the way to go. If you are in a casual work environment, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding clothes and you’ll probably be able to do it without breaking the bank.


However, regardless of your job, I think there are a few key items that every pregnant woman should have: A pair of designer maternity jeans that make you feel and look fabulous, a great dress (or two) that can dresses up or down, and a slammin skirt/pant that hides your muffin top (either a secret fit belly or if you’re into spending the dough, an Olian or Nicole Caramel high waisted skirt/pant). Oh and if you find a tee shirt or blouse you really love—buy a few if they’re not too expensive, because while you may want to diversify your shirts, you’ll most likely wind up wearing the one you love all the time and ignoring the “just ok” ones.


I didn’t really pop until the summertime when I was pregnant with Sophie and since I was teaching at the time, I really only needed casual clothes. Luckily, I am on much the same schedule with baby #2 so I am all good on summer clothes.   This time I needed a few nicer pieces…a few I purchased, but a few were inherited.


Which reminds me - before you go shopping, talk to you friends! Most of your friends who are in between or done having children will probably be more than happy to lend you their maternity clothes and get them out of their sight. Once you get your body back post baby, you’ll know what I mean!


Here’s where you can find maternity clothes (consignment to high end) in the DC area. I’ve broken this down into three sections: local maternity boutiques, chain stores, and online only boutiques. If I missed any, please let me know.


Local Maternity Boutiques


Maryland


Daisy Baby & Mommies Too
http://www.shopdaisybaby.com/
(Predominantly a high-end baby furniture/gift boutique, now has maternity clothes. Well-loved, trendy store.)
4912 Del Ray Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 654-7477




Wiggle Room
http://www.wiggleroom.biz/welcome.html
(Consignment, mainly kids, some maternity, eco-friendly)
4914 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 656-5995


Virginia


Apple Seed Maternity & Baby Boutique
http://www.appleseedboutique.com
(High end maternity and baby boutique, nice selection, multiple designers. It’s a wee bit uppity, but really the only place to get high-end maternity (Olian, Chaiken, Paige, Citizens) in the area other than Pea in the Pod. You can shop online as well.)
115 South Columbus Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 535-5446




The Big Name Chains
(In alpha order)


A Pea in the Pod
http://www.apeainthepod.com/
(High end, multiple designers, excellent for business wear, dresses, jeans)


DC
Mazza Galleria


MD
Montgomery Mall, Bethesda
White Flint Mall, N. Bethesda
Columbia Mall


VA
Fashion Center at Pentagon City
Springfield Mall
Tyson’s Galleria




Gap Maternity
http://www.gap.com/browse/division.do?cid=5997
(It’s Gap. Classic, decent prices, great for jeans and khakis, casual dresses and staple items. Not many locations in area, have to order online.)


MD
Columbia Mall


VA
Fair Oaks Mall




H&M Maternity
http://www.hm.com/us/#/startns/
(Not the highest quality, but cute, trendy and cheap. Can’t shop online though.)


DC
1025 F Street, NW
Washington, DC


VA
Dulles Town Center
Potomac Mills


Mimi Maternity
(A step down from Pea; has a decent selection of higher end clothes but sales staff can be pushy)


Evidently they are closed. Mimi stores are now Motherhood Maternity, Pea in the Pod or Destination Maternity.




Motherhood Maternity
http://www.motherhood.com/
(The more affordable sister store to Pea & Mimi. Still good for some work pieces, more casual dresses, skirts, tee shirts, bras, tanks but often very cluttered)


MD
Montgomery Mall
Prince George’s Plaza
Wheaton Plaza
Lake Forrest Mall


VA
Tyson’s Corner Center
Potomac Mills
Dulles Town Center
Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets




Old Navy
http://www.oldnavy.com
(Less expensive sister store to Gap, quality isn’t great but it’s cute, fashionable and inexpensive. The local stores that have maternity sections are usually picked through. Go during the week if you can or shop online. I like their dresses, tanks, tees, and shorts best. If you want a pair of really nice maternity jeans—don’t get them here. )


MD
Montgomery Mall
Prince George’s Plaza


VA
Potomac Yards  (not anymore)
Baileys Crossroads, Falls Church
Dulles Town Center
Manassas


Target
http://www.target.com
(Target has done a great job of fulfilling a need and as such has a pretty strong following.   As you might have noticed, you have to go to a mall to get some of the other brands and many people don’t want to spend their time fighting with traffic to get to Tyson’s or Pentagon City to get maternity clothes. Target, however, is pretty much everywhere. The Liz Lange brand has incredibly affordable staple items, as well as cute dresses, blouses and bathing suits. A less expensive Bella Band is also available at Target, the BE Band, and it works just as well for half the price. They also carry maternity/nursing bras. It’s not Olian or Chaiken, but for the general working pregnant woman who needs cute comfort over high fashion, Target has what they need)


I am pretty sure there is a maternity section in every location in DC, MD & VA.




Online Only Stores


More of Me Maternity (Bethesda based)
www.moreofmematernity.com
(Local designer. Small line to choose from, but classic looking pieces that few others will have.)


Tummies Maternity (Baltimore Based)
http://tummiesmaternity.com/
(Cute and trendy clothes, higher end designers. Some great deals on designer maternity clothes)


eMommie (Richmond based)
www.emommie.com
(Consignment)


Moody Mamas
http://www.moodymamas.com
(Cool line of maternity clothes. A less expensive version is now being carried by Target. If not in your local store, check Target online.)


It's Hip To Be Round
http://www.itshiptoberound.com/store/pc/home.asp
(Ok this actually does have a store, but it's in Richmond. However you can shop online and they carry some cool up scale clothes and denim)


Ann Taylor Loft Maternity
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/maternity-view-all/maternity.shtml
(I can't believe I forgot this one.  Ok AT Loft has some really cute maternity clothes for work and going out.  They carried the maternity line in some of their stores for (as my one friend put it) "like a minute," but now they only carry it online.  Some cute stuff but mid to higher range pricing.  Don't know how long the line will last) 


Lastly, Macys, Neimans, Nordstrom’s, and even Kohl’s also carry maternity, but not all locations and some just carry repeats of what Motherhood or Pea carry.

Happy Mother's Day

Ok, so maybe you won't be able to convince your husband to sit through this with you, but looks like a sweet movie for you and mom or you and another mom friend to treat yourselves to on Mother's Day.  


"Babies"  (2010)
A look at one year in the life of four babies from around the world, from Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo. 





Here's a link to where Babies is playing in the area:
http://www.google.com/movies?hl=en&dq=babies&sort=1&q=Babies&ei=S1rkS7mBD4GB8ga00KWnBA&sa=X&oi=showtimes&ct=movie-link&cd=1&ved=0CDEQwAMoCA

The Skinny On: Vitamin D & Pregnancy

A few years ago my primary care physician started increasing my vitamin D intake.  Now, I’ve taken a multivitamin every day since I was 18 (well, since December it’s been a pre-natal vitamin) so I thought I was getting enough.  Both the regular vitamin and the prenatal vitamin have 400 IUs of vitamin D.  However, according to my doctor that wasn’t enough and she wanted me to add another 600+ IUs.  I didn’t ask a lot of questions, but remember her saying that it was to aid in the absorption of calcium and was essential for bone health.  Then last summer my mom told me that her doctor in PA had her taking vitamin D supplements as well (about 1,000 IUs).  She recalls it having something to do with osteoporosis prevention. (Turns out that women can’t absorb enough vitamin D from the sun after age 70.)  I remember finding it interesting that doctors were so focused on vitamin D intake, but just sort of filed it away.

Well vitamin D is in the news again, this time in regard to its importance to pregnant women.  According to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, pregnant women aren’t getting enough vitamin D.   Why is this important?  While vitamin D is crucial for bone health, it may also help decrease pre-term labor, preeclampsia and the need for c-sections, as well as cancer and cardiovascular disease later in life.  Many doctors also believe that a mother’s vitamin D intake during pregnancy can help her child, not only by strengthening their bones early on, but also by decreasing their chances of childhood MS and respiratory illness. 

Doctors who took part in the study believe that vitamin D levels have fallen due in large part to decreased outdoor activity and lifestyle.  Sounds about right since more and more women (and especially pregnant women) are trying to stay away from the sun to limit/minimize their skin cancer risk.  I know I am.  Although I try not to get too much sun anymore, I just didn’t have time when I was working at my office job.  I could go most days without spending more than 15-20 minutes outdoors-just enough time to grab a sandwich and get back to the office.  Globally, women in cultures that require their bodies to be covered are seriously vitamin D deficient.  Evidently, Saudi Arabia has a ridiculously high rate of women who are deficient in vitamin D; a result of wearing a hijab that covers more than 90% of their body.

However, getting enough vitamin D from the sun alone isn’t as easy as going outside.  According to one health educator in Seattle, to get enough vitamin D from the sun you need to be in the sun for at least 20 minutes a day with 40% of your body exposed WITHOUT sunscreen.  Not many of us can pull that off, nor do we want to from December to March!

So how much vitamin D do you need?  Most people need 1,000-2,000 International Units of vitamin D from either food, sunlight or supplements.  This recent study suggests that pregnant women need up to 10x that (2,000-4,000 IUs).  Prenatal vitamins alone usually have about 200-400 IUs.  Some years back it was thought that too much vitamin D would harm fetuses, but now researchers are saying no, the harm is in women not getting enough vitamin D.  

What can you do to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D?  First check to see how much vitamin D you are already taking between your prenatal vitamins and calcium supplement (if you take one).  Then consider your diet -- what vitamin D rich foods (milk, eggs, fish) do you eat on a regular basis?  Also consider the amount of sunlight you get.  Then talk with your doctor.  If you’ve had blood work done in the past six months it’ll most likely show your vitamin D level.  If you haven’t had blood work done in a while talk to you doctor and find out if you should and if he/she would recommend increasing your vitamin D intake.   

I talked to my Ob/Gyn and she recommended that I take 800 IUs in addition to my prenatal vitamin.  Between the vitamins, my diet, and my sun exposure (I try to get out for a walk every day now that it's nice out) I probably get 2,000 IUs (more on the days when I am on a hard boiled egg kick...like today).  Based on my health, my doctor didn't seem worried and didn't up my vitamin D anywhere near the 4,000 IU level recommended in the study.  However,  if my vitamin D level drops, she'll adjust accordingly. 

So that’s the skinny on Vitamin D and pregnancy. 

Here's the NIH's list of vitamin D rich foods and how many IUs of vitamin D they have per serving:
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp#h3


Sources: University of Colorado School of Medicine, CNN, Health.com, Mayo Clinic.

FREE WEEK OF STROLLER STRIDES FOR MOMS & MOMS TO BE

Ever wanted to try out Stroller Strides?  Here's your chance to get a free week!  


In honor of Pregnancy Awareness Month and National Women's Health Week, Stroller Strides is offering a free week of Stroller Strides Classes (May 9-15).  Classes will fill up fast so sign up now if you are interested!


Stroller Strides is offered in many locations in DC, MD and VA.  Not in DC?  The offer is valid across the country...check it out!


Click here for the printable coupon:


http://strollerstrides.com/coupon.php