BUMPED by BLANQI Bloggers- Video Reviews!

It was my job to help BLANQI Founders, Valerie and Sabina, round up

a great group of Bloggers to try out their new line BUMPED by BLANQI

which is now available! exclusively on Target.com!

There were some bloggers I knew we HAD to get...

and then some that I found, and fell in love with immediately! You will too.

Here's the first round of blog reviews!

 I'm so happy with the girls we got on board to try the

Maternity or Postpartum cami and do a video review for all of you!

Look below for links to their blog post where they share their thoughts on the new line.

It was so fun seeing the real people behind the blogs through the videos!

And I loved seeing BUMPED on each of them

after we had been chatting about it!

image via lemon and lavender

Some of these girls are rocking the

postpartum and some the maternity...

ALL of them are giving away a cami of your

choice from the BUMPED line!

AND a $25 gift card to TARGET!

I know 2 or 3 of the giveaways have ended...

but go enter the ones that are still going on! hurrry!!!! ;)

Vanessa of See Vanessa Craft- Maternity

Ruthie of Ruthie Hart - Maternity

Jennifer of Baby Making Machine - Postpartum

Nicole of The Style Hatch - Maternity

Kara-Kae of The Mom Diggity - Postpartum 

Sarah of The Stroller Ballet - Postpartum

Heather of Dandy Giveaway - Maternity

Kim of Oh Sweet Joy - Postpartum

Caroline of Chocolate and Carrots - Postpartum

Moriah of Moriah Makes - Maternity

Ashley of Lemon and Lavender - Maternity

ME! Natalie of The Busy Budgeting Mama - Postpartum

Stay tuned ten more AMAZING bloggers who are

set to share their video reviews this upcoming week!!

(and MORE chances to win one of your own and a Target gift card!)

My Sister's new line with Target: BUMPED by BLANQI- My Postpartum Miracle Worker!

This is it!!

The post I've been teasing you about for over a month!

Excited to finally share with you the new

BUMPED by BLANQI Line that my sister, Valerie,

and her best friend, Sabina, just launched exclusively at Target.com!

My sister and sabina are the founders of BLANQI and created a maternity support tank...

I loved my BLANQI..wore it all through my pregnancy with Micah.

Even documenting my growing bump in it each week.

But after I had him I always wished I had something similar to my BLANQI to help smooth me out and make me feel pretty! (I'm 5 months postpartum) I was not the only one!

Valerie and Sabina heard our plea and created not only a new maternity cami, but a Postpartum one..at a more affordable option to their original line. only $34.

It's for sale on Target.com. I'm wearing the Black Nursing Cami size S/M in these photos.
I also have the black M/L :) (Pants from Kohl's. Top from H&M. Shoes from Target)

Check out my video review below!

I decided to include the dorky outtakes. for your viewing pleasure. haha.

Visit Target.com to see their line!

So proud of my sister and Sabina.

BUMPED by BLANQI Postpartum Nursing Cami- Black or Ivory $34.99

BUMPED by BLANQI Maternity Support Cami - Black or Ivory $34.99

Couple key things about my BUMPED Cami:

1. It's a soft light material.. very breathable...tight enough to make you feel secure and slim..but not restricting. wicks away sweat.

2. The straps feel invisible! there are two thin soft straps on each side

and they don't dig into your shoulders at all... comfy.

that was one of the first things I noticed. so many times tanks that are made to smooth you out are too restricting especially in the straps and chest area. this one is under the bust for easy nursing so you don't even have to worry about being smooshed there.

3. It helps smooth me out as I work towards losing the baby weight. It is SO easy to give yourself a hard time about your body after you have a baby...having garments that help you feel good about yourself as you work towards your goal is important.

4. I found myself, even as I lost weight from nursing, still wearing baggy big clothes because of some bumps here or there.. but once I put my BUMPED cami

on I felt like I could wear those tighter fitting shirts again!

Like I said in the video, BLANQI asked me to find some great blogging mamas to try out the new line. I rounded up a great group of girls, both maternity and postpartum, and they will be sharing their video reviews every day for the next couple weeks! a couple a day! So you will be able to check out what they think about it..how they wear it.. AND enter their giveaways!

(A BUMPED by BLANQI Cami and Target Gift Card!)

 Lots of baby bumps and postpartum mamas out there...so go check them out.

I'll be linking them up all week on The Busy Budgeting Mama Facebook Page.

Follow me on Instagram if you don't already to see a pop up giveaway...

win one for you and a friend!

Thank you val and sabina for

looking out for us postpartum mamas.

Final Baby Book Page & Bump Collage!

Excited that Micah's Baby Book is complete!

Each week (more or less) I documented my pregnancy with my

growing bump and a note to baby.

I plan on compiling all my graphics and ordering a photo book!

BLANQI Mama

I took some photos the

other day while the girls napped.

I will post soon on how I got these shots..

from one complete and total amateur photographer to another!

ps. my mom made the hat! so cute right??

Here's the complete series of my growing bump!

I wore my BLANQI throughout my pregnancy..

helped with my back/leg pain (sciatic nerve issues)

The one photographed below was my white, medium, regular length blanqi.

I started taking the weekly photos at 12 weeks..

when I was still feeling sick but at least able to function.

(missed a few weeks near the end due to.....life.)

I actually have been wearing it even more postpartum.

It helps smooth everything out and makes me feel more trim

as I work off this baby weight!

And by "work off this baby weight" I mean nurse

like a champ and chase my 2 and 4 yr old. :)

Thanks for following a long my pregnancy journey!

and also thanks for all the e-mails..

I am feeling the love and so thankful for the words of

encouragement and congratulations!

Baby Book - 38 Weeks Bump

BLANQI Mama

38 Weeks Pregnant! Still chugging a long.

Starting to feel prettyyyyy uncomfortable. The last few weeks are always so hard.

You start getting signs of labor..and you go into constant "could this be it???" mode.

And then when you try and just forget about being pregnant..you can't!

Because every random person and their neighbor are reminding you that you are pregnant! Asking when you are due..telling you you look like you are about to pop.

But...if people didn't say anything.. you would end up crying about that too. ;)

So..it's just part of being pregnant at the end! I must say though..

I decided I love the lady at our grocery's bakery counter. She made me feel awesome.

She knew how to talk to a pregnant lady..telling me I must be having a girl

because I have a glow! Girl or boy..I'll take that type of comment over

the one I got 5 minutes later in the meat department..

"you can't have much longer... can you????"

Contractions are still coming.. and getting more intense.

Hoping they are doing something.

My next check up is friday..and I'm anxious to see if I've progressed at all.

When I was at the hospital for one of our false alarms..they thought I was in early stages of labor with how my contractions were coming in..how I had the bloody show ALL day..

and how I was dilating and effaced.. so they had me walk around for an hour and

then re-examined me. they said jumping jacks were ok....

so inbetween some contractions we did some galloping through the hospital halls.

my husband of course had to video tape it. ;)

I'm happy to hang in there these last couple weeks till my due date.. but I just wish these contractions didn't make me so miserable. Tonight I just sat on my butt the

whole night. I tried to get up a few times and I just couldn't do it.

The contractions and the back pain hurt too much.

I mightttttt have broken down in tears for 2 minutes of a pitty party to my husband.

might have. ;) I'm not officially admitting to that.

Thanks for following a long my pregnancy journey with baby #3!!

I can't wait to share the news when he or she finally stops teasing us and arrives! :)

It's amazing how you forget all these little sufferings once the baby comes

because you are just so happy and in awe of this new life and in love!

I'm going to make myself remember though in the teenage years..

and remind them of my sufferings often. ;)

Baby Book - 37 Weeks Bump

BLANQI Mama

There comes a point in your pregnancy..

You just don't to talk about your pregnancy...haha.

I'm ready to stop talking about my symptoms and

start talking about a cute newborn!! way more fun. ;)

But..I'm almost there! Trying to smile and ignore the random ladies

in the grocery store line who tell me I look like I'm about to POP.

My husband later told me (after witnessing a lady say that) that he

was thinking "ooohhh no...now she's done it" haha.

He thought my hormonal pregnant lady wrath was about go off. 

You already FEEL like you are about to burst..

you don't want people to tell you you LOOK like it. ;)

However, a perk of being pregnant... Nesting.

We've been deep cleaning... organizing... finishing projects!

and by "we" I mean me... and my husband who gets

dragged into it because I need him. :)

Ben doesn't believe in nesting..

he thinks it's just how pregnant women try to get the baby out.

There is some truth to that. ;)

Grow baby grow! Can't wait to meet you. xoxo.

Comparing Bumps - Looked back at week 37 with sienna!

boy or girl this time?! we shall see. :)

The only difference I see is my bump now goes down while

my bump before goes up..even though it's hard to see with my shirt!

My Baby Book is filling up!

Baby Book - 36 Weeks Bump

BLANQI Mama

I'm 36 Weeks (and a few days) Almost full term!

Thanks for following along my pregnancy journey..

I love hearing your comments via my blog and

especially all our chit chat on my blog's facebook page!

Getting to the end of my pregnancy..and with labor fast approaching...

along with it comes pregnancy symptoms that are sometimes TMI.

SO......

if you don't want the details. Stop Reading! haha.

but If you want to hear how I'm progressing than keep reading...

I know I liked hearing how other people experienced

their pregnancies, so... sharing my journey! :)

Because the baby has dropped so low, my previous sciatic

nerve/back/leg pain has gone away. yay! Very excited about that.

Still sore..but nothing like it was.

Now, you know those lists you get of "Signs of Labor"...

well, I pretty much have experienced all of them..

but that means nothing with my body! Labor is still holding off.

Saturday I had excruciating back contractions ALL DAY.

Regular front contractions were happening as well..but the back pain was the worst.

I thought that my water broke sunday. We did the whole trip to the Hospital..

kids picked up by our friends and everything. It was a good practice run! ;)

The test ended up coming back positive and negative..with the 2 most reliable tests coming back as negative. so they sent me home. We were a little bummed, but not too much because we didn't feel ready yet! We really wanted to get past 36 weeks.

One of the most confusing labor topics is your water breaking...

It seems everyone says if your water breaks it will gush!!

But that never happened with me.

With sophie it was just a trickle..and then she stopped it up with her head!

But I also learned with this pregnancy that you can have watery cervical discharge..

which can seem like your water breaking. But it's better to get tested then wait..

because you can risk infection or go into labor really fast within 24 hours.

Yesterday(monday,) I put myself on unofficial bed rest. The contractions were just too painful..and taking a toll on my body. Every time I move I have them..and even though they get time able up to every 6 minutes for almost an hour....they always space out. They are only getting more painful. which is good....but also makes me sooo sore!

The back contractions are still coming off and on as well.

So yesterday I did nothing. it was hard. and by the afternoon I was going stir crazy..

so when the hubby got home we went to run a couple errands

that were on my "do this before the baby comes" list. :) (return library books...

get flashlights for storm.. deposit a check in the bank..etc)

I seriously thought I was going to give birth in a store haha.

The WORST contractions of my life. It felt like when they had to give me petocin with sienna...and the contractions got super strong. They were every 6 minutes for almost an hour..and then spaced out. false alarm again.

Had an appointment today.. I'm 2.5 cm dilated. 80% effaced.

My doctor said she didn't understand what was holding that baby in haha.. lovely.

I just don't see how these contractions aren't giving enough pressure to break my water.. they are insane. Ben was joking that with this baby I'm going to be "that lady"..

Let me explain. When I had sophie.. I was checking in and wasn't in much pain at all.. but then this other pregnant mama comes rolling in with her husband and I seriously thought she was going to choke her husband and give birth at the same

time right in front of me... "Youuu...can go ahead"  I said.

So yeah...that will probably be me this time around with

how bad these contractions already are. It's not gonna be pretty. ;)

We are so anxious to find out what we are having!! The suspense is killing me!

I'm also so much more nervous about labor this time around..

which is funny because it's baby #3!

I think the end of pregnancy is always so hard because you have the fact..looming over you..

that you are about to experience something (most likely) super painful..

you know it's coming..you just don't know when!

So, trying to hang in there physically and not freak out emotionally ;)

Hope everyone is staying safe with the storm!

Luckily Pittsburgh wasn't/isn't being hit that hard.

Prayers out for all those hit hard by Hurricane Sandy.

Baby Book - 35 Weeks Bump & What I Wore: Maternity Edition

BLANQI Mama

35 Week Update- So Baby has definitely dropped.

Last week...I thought it was all in my head.

I felt so much more pressure.. and felt like the baby was literally in my lap.

But I got confirmation from my doctor that I wasn't a crazy person

and that in fact the baby was soooo low. The head is fully engaged.

I'm almost completely effaced (80%) so that is why I have felt so much pressure.

I told her I feel like my water should be gushing at any moment haha.

I'm only 1.5 cm dilated. I was happy to hear that some sort of progression was happening because my contractions that I've had for months..are starting to become less like braxton hicks and more like 'wow this one is kicking my butt..

Knock the wind out of me..don't touch me...' contractions.

And they have only been getting more intense since my appointment.

(Last week they were every 10 minutes for over an hour...

then a couple days later every 3 minutes for an hour and a half.

intense ones. but they went away.)

Now.... with most pregnant ladies... when you see these signs

(intense contractions.. effacement.. starting to dilate...)

you would think it's almost baby time!

But with me..my body likes to contract for a LONG time.

The doctor told me that I have an "Irritable Uterus"....haha. lovely.

I can tell though the difference now between a contraction that is just from moving and agitating that muscle..and from a real one that is coming on it's own.

My appointments are weekly now... so I'm anxious to see if

I've progressed at all or if I am going to stay like this for weeks. :)

I'm known to do that. but..the only difference is this time the contractions are HORRIBLE...compared to the girls. So we'll see!

The doctor said if they go time-able again to call and then just go to the hospital...

when this baby comes it'll probably come fast. eek!

My Baby Book is filling up!! ;) Can't wait to have all of these photos

printed in an album! Of course the first few weeks are skipped over

due to me trying to just survive through the morning sickness... ;)

Top: Black Sweater - Target (non maternity)

Pants: Maternity Jeans - Motherhood Maternity

Shoes: Boots - (I think target?? old.)

Our bags are packed! I shared all the details

with lots of photos and links in my Hospital Bag Post.

I have been feeling soo slowed down.

Which can be very frustrating for a busy bee like me.

I have so many things I want to do or work on and there are times..

it's just not possible.

I'm also feeling super emotional. even in my dreams!

I had a horrible dream the other night.. I was re-living the initial grief of losing shannon..

and then suddenly she became sophie..and it was like I lost sophie.

it was HORRIBLE. I woke up with tears streaming down my face..

ben had to help me calm down. and then as soon as he got me to sleep..

he had to go be on daddy duty and get sienna back to sleep. ;)

Soo excited for the day I can nurse my baby..

put her in the crib..and sleep on my stomach. I miss that. ;)

And I can't wait to not waddle and be able to bend over without grunting.

bending over is a bit tricky.. I feel like I'm smooshing the baby every time!

I have to do a special maneuver to pick up toys and such now.

I'm sure I look ridiculous. hehe.

We are so close!!!!...trying to hang in there. :)

Baby Book - 34 Weeks Bump

BLANQI Mama

The baby is feeling SO LOW. I'm not sure if he or she dropped..but it sure feels like it!

More pressure..and I find myself holding the baby with both hands when I walk...

Like that really helps... ;)

To quote my mom "Do you feel more like a hammock?"

Yes. yes I do. And this baby is rocking the hammock constantly.

Sienna: I wanna sit in mama's lappp!

Me: Sienna..you ARE sitting in my lap...that's as close as you can get. ;)

She is still getting used to my bump as it expands..

But a growing bump has it's advantages....

In church she sat in my lap facing me

using my bump as a ledge to hold her book on and read...........

I guess she sees me put my phone on my bump. ;)

And Sophie is very aware of how I'm slowing down as we get closer to the due date!

Earlier this week she was on the floor with me helping clean up the play room..

I told her thanks for being such a big helper for mama..to which she replied:

"I'm helping because you can't bend over anymore. you're growing a baby"

true true. actually I CAN bend over...

but I make a grunting noise and hold my back as I get up....

haha....lovely.

(Ignore the scary pumpkin...I just realized how wierd it's face was!! haha.

I showed ben and he was like ooOOH!

The ones from walmart this year are less creepy looking..

need to grab a new one. ;)

On the home stretch!

I can't wait to put together all the Weekly Bump Photos I've

taken in my BLANQI and do a video of my bump growing...

It'll be so cool seeing it all together.

Happy Monday everyone!

VLOG: Baby Book- 33 Weeks Bump

BLANQI Mama

33 Weeks!

Today I scheduled all of my remaining

doctor's appointments... only 5 left if I go full term!

Something new this week.. sensitivity to smells.
I made dinner in the crock pot and I seriously couldn't
handle the smell our house filled up with!

BUT.. it actually was delicious. haha. Wierd.

I have been going to the Physical Therapist for my back/pelvic/leg pain...
(It's hard to know where it's coming from.) But today they really worked on my sacrum..
and I left feeling amazing!! That REALLY really helped.
Still sore..but saw an improvement. I'll take it.

I keep talking about how active the baby is..
I got some of the little baby kicks and punches on video a
couple days ago so you could see what I'm talking about!
Stretch marked belly and all!
This baby bump is very loved.. my 2 yr old Sienna gets
so excited when she sees the baby move..
It's been fun seeing our big sisters experience the pregnancy. :)