After being evacuated from our home in Poway, California due to the recent wildfires that struck (and in some instances devastated) our community, I learned (and re-learned) valuable lessons I’d like to share with you. And perhaps my lessons learned will resonate with you or help remind you of what is important in your life.

The 5 Most Valuable Lessons I Learned from the Fires

1: Nothing is more important than family. (more…)

How come nobody told me that after I had my baby I’d still look like I was pregnant? Even the fittest of us look five months pregnant right after having a baby. Even stranger is our bellies are no longer firm because our baby is in our arms instead of our bellies. So the question I often receive is “Will my body ever be the same as it was before I got pregnant?” The answer, “The same? No, but it can be even better!”

Your body has to work hard to prepare for the birth of your baby. For example your hips and pelvis will widen, and your breasts will become fuller and (or) larger. After having your baby it can take time for your hips and pelvis to return to their pre-pregnancy state. (more…)

When you’re pregnant your body experiences dramatic physical changes but this doesn’t mean you have to give up looking and feeling great just because your body is changing.
Many moms-to-be want to be fit and look and feel beautiful, but they’re concerned they’ll do something wrong that could harm their growing baby. Fear no more, once you have received the thumbs up from your doctor to exercise, follow these five simple tips to look and feel great from the beginning of your pregnancy and beyond.

One: Get Moving! Even if you have never exercised before, it’s now more important than ever that you start exercising. And here’s why: your body and baby will benefit—in big ways. Exercise improves muscle tone and strength, decreases muscle pain commonly associated with pregnancy (alleviates back aches!), increases your energy, improves digestion and mood, and, here’s a big bonus: your body will bounce back much quicker after having your baby. Your baby benefits because your oxygen intake increases and your body is releasing happy hormones (endorphins), which can also have a positive effect on your baby. (more…)

One of the things I constantly stress during my group coaching sessions with moms is the importance of taking care of yourself. When you take care of yourself, you are in a better position to take care of your family’s needs. This simple analogy demonstrates my point, when you are on an airplane the flight attendant says “in the event of a loss of air pressure place an airbag over your mouth and nose, then secure the airbag over your child’s mouth and nose.”

In one of my groups a mom noted, “There are basically two kinds of moms, a mom that takes care of herself, dresses cute, wears makeup, and the frumpy mom who wears baggy sweats, no makeup, and rarely takes the time to do anything with her hair.” She admitted that she found herself turning into a “frumpy mom” because with the weight gain of having her baby, she didn’t fit into her cute clothes. Because she no longer fit into her cute clothes, she didn’t feel good about herself and stopped taking the time to put on makeup and do her hair. (more…)

The third trimester of pregnancy is marked with excitement, anxiety and irritability. Your belly feels big and there’s no hiding that you are pregnant. Everyone you meet makes a comment about how big or small your belly is, saying things such as, “you look like you’re about to pop any minute”. (more…)

A few days ago, my oldest son’s pre-school called to inform me he had a fever. When I picked Ty up from school, he was not his usual talkative self, he sat quietly and said he felt, “OK”. Once buckled into his seat he began to have a seizure. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

I had no idea that seizures are a fairly common occurrence for children under the age of 6. (more…)

There are plenty of good reasons to love the second trimester. With the second trimester, you’re over the hump of feeling “big” or “fat” and begin to look and feel pregnant. Everyone else starts to notice too. This trimester is also marked by an increase in libido which is great for connecting with your husband or partner. With Mother’s Day around the corner, there is a realization that you will soon join the ranks of other women honored for being mothers.

Here are 3 simple tips to make the most of your 2nd trimester:
1. Daydream. On Mother’s Day, take some time to fill your mind and soul with pleasant thoughts of being a new mom. You will soon hold your baby in your arms. Daydream about your little one growing up and drawing pictures for you or picking a flower and saying “Here mommy”, or best yet, “I love you mommy”. Take it all in, and celebrate that you are momma to be!

2. Relish the Libido. In the second trimester hormones are fired up and your sex drive typically increases. Take advantage of a higher sex drive and use this opportunity to connect with your husband/ partner physically and emotionally. Keep the lines of communication open by letting him know what feels good. Certain positions such as him on top will likely feel uncomfortable because of the pressure on your belly. However, you may be able to still make love on top, and if so both you and he will enjoy looking into each others eyes while he caresses your new full breasts. (more…)