Tag Archives: expecting

Food

Pickles and Ice Cream Cookbook

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Pickles and Ice Cream is a cookbook featuring bizarre pregnancy cravings. It contains random recipes like “Oreos and Toothpaste” or “Tomato Soup with M&Ms.” The finished food creations were then  photographed like gourmet meals and feature short stories about the women who craved them. Hungry much?

TOOTHPASTE OREOS®

Now, I never had any crazy cravings during either of my two pregnancies, but I certainly know some women who have…. So I love that this book takes a look at some of the most bizarre and brings them to life. The book is beautifully done with vibrant photos and honest, funny reviews on the various “dishes.” And — no, I’m not pregnant, but there must be something in the water because, I’ve recently had more than a handful of finds announce their pregnancies! At any rate, it’s a fun cookbook that would be the perfect addition to a home that’s expecting…or can relate.

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Written by award-winning copywriter Vicky Jacob-Ebbinghaus and RPA art director Juarez Rodrigues, the strangely unique book contains a collection of 70 of the most outlandish things moms-to-be have craved during their pregnancy. During their research, they looked at around 50,000 pregnancy cravings from all over the world. They then created a list of the best, worst and most random pregnancy cravings and began shopping for the recipes, which proved challenging, such as when they needed to get cement from a condemned building or a pickled pig’s foot or lamb’s eyes. Press play below to check out some brave souls who dared to take a taste!!

ENTER TO WIN!! I’m giving away 2 copies of this bizarre pregnancy cravings cookbook!!

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Fitness, Mommy 101

Shedding the Baby Weight

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A fellow blogger in my media bloggers group recently wrote a post offering her tips and tricks for how she lost the baby weight (without exercising), and it inspired me to share my story, and  how I have managed weight loss, body shape and (attempted) fitness after delivering 2 baby boys in 2 years.

I’ve never been a fitness fanatic or enthusiast, yes I’ve danced professionally – but the fitness part for me “was part of the job,” so I participated because it was mandatory. I am “lucky” that genetically, my build is thin and the only time I have truly struggled with weight is when I wanted to gain it.

When it comes to food, I am one of those people who could pretty much eat what I wanted and feast on desserts too…but of course that has slowed and changed with age. I had a pretty good run, but once the mid-30’s sneak up on ya, so do the cookies, cakes and carbs!

So all that being said, as I reflect back on my pregnancies and the weight gain…then striving to be at my pre-baby shape, several thoughts cross my mind. I often hear first time mother’s worry about how they will lose the weight after the baby and the the truth is, it just happens. If you don’t give the weight a reason to stick around, it won’t.

I stopped stepping the scale or paying attention to what it said when I hit 180 lbs. at 36 weeks. I’m someone who struggled to even hit 130, the rest of my adult life I have been at a solid 127, give or take a couple pounds. So yeah, picking up at least 50 extra pounds while I was with child just seemed AMAZING! And — it was the same for both of my pregnancies, it’s almost like I delivered the same baby twice…everything was so, so similar.

All in all, as much as weight loss can be about what you do after baby arrives, I believe it’s how you treat, care and maintain your body before the pregnancy that will make the difference and make it easier on you.

Get out and walk. My first word of advice for women who are concerned about the post-prego pounds is to walk. We can all walk, it’s easy. Make it part of your routine while you’re expecting, and if you already have an exercise regimen, stick to it and then modify or scale back as needed, but keep walking. Walking is a simple act of physical activity that will condition your body and satisfy your cardio needs. Go outside, hit a treadmill, whatever it is and get in a mile or 2. And — then post-baby continue to walk while pushing baby in the stroller, fresh air is a good thing, in the months after delivery!

Stay in shape. Another reason I think my body has (for the most part) returned to it’s original weight, is because it knew what to do. My days from dancing and the working out that went with that activity, have “programmed” my muscles and body to know what to do, if you will…I credit MUSCLE MEMORY! If you’re not “in shape” prior to the birth event, you can’t expect your body to know what to do after it.

Breastfeeding. I know so many women swear by that method (breastfeeding), to lose weight… and some have even had to stop because they were losing too much weight. I agree, all the calories burned will certainly help new Moms shed the pounds…but for me, I didn’t, I couldn’t breastfeed. Sure, I tried and I pumped. I even saw a lactation consultant (because I was so determined), and it never happened. In fact with my second son, the consultant boldly commented that my newborn was the worst she had ever seen! So for me, this wasn’t an option… It may help many Moms get rid of the weight, but I can’t attest to it.

Portion Control. There’s this “idea” that you’re eating for 2. Sure, I had my moments where I wanted to eat the house down before, during and after a pregnancy, but ladies, don’t use a pregnancy as a reason to overeat. Sure, it’s okay to give into cravings and treat yourself, but it’s important to still maintain healthy and nutritious food choices and avoid stuffing your face because you’re carrying a new life inside of you. That growing baby will surely let you know when they are lacking..and I’m pretty sure they don’t need to eat an entire cheesecake every week!

Relax. When I had my first baby, I was super determined to get back in the swing of things and hit the gym. A few months into it I just couldn’t shake the last 10 pounds…come to find out I was pregnant again! However, I also felt that my jump to get back in shape, also affected the way my c-section scar healed, like I probably should’ve taken it a little easier for a little while longer. Anyway, after my second son arrived, I didn’t stress. I adhered to the notion above and let my body do what it needed to do, and I was careful not to over exert myself, although looking back, chasing a new-toddler while toting a newborn was exercise enough!

Patience. I guess the last thought I wanted to share is that we need patience. Be patient with your body, it has just performed nothing short of a miracle. I may be back at my pre-pregnancy weight, but my shape is ALL NEW! I’ve done a few stints of juice diets, eating clean and have tried to ramp up my fitness routines…but at the end of the day I’m okay with me. Every woman is different and while I can stand on my soapbox and tell you what worked for me along with all the other Mommy Bloggers who have their own stories, the truth is there is no one right way to lose the weight. So I encourage you to be patient, don’t compare and give yourself some credit, because having a baby is no easy task.

It’s crazy for me to look back and realize it’s been almost 2 years since I was last pregnant, time really does fly. I still have weight and fitness goals and my tummy sure isn’t as toned as I want it to be, but it gives me something to work on. And — if you surround yourself with like-minded people to walk, workout and get fit with, it makes the journey (before and after) even more special.

Mommy 101

Mustache Themed Baby Shower

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One of my baby sister’s BFF’s is having a baby – this actually makes me feel really old, because I’ve known her friends since they were like 5 years old!!! Anyway, in honor of his upcoming arrival, they celebrated with a Mustache themed baby shower! Lots of fun stuff from the decor to the dessert, games, favors and their own unique spin on playing up the “mustache!” The Mom-to-Be, Gaile, was actually sweet enough to give me great descriptions for the photos I’m featuring in this post…as she heads into the home stretch of pregnancy on bed rest…so, enjoy!

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The welcome table. I loved the idea of having a wall of balloons behind the welcome table to separate the space. We used blue, teal, orange colored circles for our guests to “sign in” on, that will be used as balloons for the frame on the left hand side. That way, when our baby boy grows up, he can read the messages, and know who attended his baby shower. We also placed a variety of photos from our baby bump photo session in San Diego. And — we solicited name suggestions and advice with a sign that said, “Edwin & Gaile mustache you a question, advice really and good name suggestions.”

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Table seating. Centerpieces/decorations were the mustache props, a mini-diaper cake, and neckties. Mustache props: I purchased a stencil on Oriental Trading and cut out the mustaches and glued them onto sticks. The mustache bag they were placed in had a note that said “Photo Fun! Wear one!” These mustache props were not only at the eating tables but throughout the venue. Everyone loves taking pictures and the props make for great photo opportunities! As for the mini-diaper cakes, they were a simple set of 7 rolled up diapers, bundled up with a ribbon wrapped around them, and a mustache tag decoration sticking out of the center. The necktie centerpieces were inspired by Pinterest and also cut from a stencil, glued onto sticks, and stuck into floral arrangement Styrofoam, topped with shredded paper and wrapped with paper bag wrapping! The persimmon color table runners were actually used at my wedding so that was a bonus to reuse! 🙂

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The dessert table! The decorative cake design idea was found on Pinterest. The actual cake maker was my Sister-in-Law’s coworker, and it was delicious and moist. She also made the full size cupcakes. I made the mini cupcakes and added a mini cupcake sleeves for decorations. I also made a mango trifle that was a hit! We used mustache food tags to label all the delicious desserts.

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Gametime! We had several games on tap for our guests to play… “Guess when Little Man will be born Calendar,” we placed a heart on the due date, 05/13/14, and guests used stamps to stamp their guess with their name. “Guess how many M and M’s in the Jar,” using two Jars of peanut M and M’s. A “Bib and Onesie” drawing contest…surprisingly this game was very popular! Everybody used up each bib and onesie and came up with some really good designs. We did “Don’t Say ___ Game” with clothespins…. We did the “how big is the belly game” with a ribbon, my aunt was dead on! It was incredible!. Then we had a lullaby written game we began, but it was way too difficult to start and stop people. So, after handing out the paper, we collected them ten minutes later and tried to pick out a winner. Other games we did have but weren’t able to play were two more written games: word scramble and word jumble.

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Pin the Mustache on the baby. Unfortunately this game wasn’t actually played at the baby shower. There were so many activities and a ton of people, that it was difficult to gather people to play. I would have enjoyed people playing this. My brother got creative and actually used a baby photo of Edwin, drew it, and used my skin color! Then, I cut out mustaches to stick onto the poster. I thought it was the cutest idea, and I actually kept it because I like it so much.

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Party Favors! We decided to give out favors of pint glasses with vinyl mustache decals. I searched online and it was going to be a pretty pricey guest gift, but luckily I came across a great deal at the dollar store for mustache glasses! However, a couple days later I ended up receiving an email stating the dollar store cancelled my order because they didn’t have enough in stock. Poop! I didn’t know what other favor I wanted, so as I then started searching DIY glasses and found vinyl mustache decals that stick to glasses, and discovered webstaurantstore.com that sold pint glasses for relatively cheap, I ended up purchasing both and making the favors myself. It worked out beautifully because the Dollar Store mustache glasses actually had a different look… so I was completely satisfied with the purchase. It came out to almost the same price as the dollar store, minus the effort of having to make them. The tabled was labeled with a sign stating, “You’re Fanstachtic, Thanks for Combing By.”

Looking back at the baby shower, I had so much fun. Time went by so quickly, and the set up and break down of the decorations was an event in itself, but well worth it.  Thanks to our great support in our family and friends we definitely could not have had such a perfect baby shower celebration.

Food, Mommy 101

Forget Prenatal Vitamins, Drink THIS Up

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Okay, we all know how important prenatal vitamins are for women who are expecting…heck, even women who aren’t pregnant sometimes take prenatals to “get ready” for the event! Well, I’m not saying ditch the vitamins, but I was pretty excited to learn there are now options to get the appropriate nutrients in your system, you know get the “juices” flowing!! 😉 I came across the product at The Biggest Baby Shower in Miami and I even sipped a sample. I mean, you don’t have to be pregnant to enjoy it, it’s an organic juice packed full of the best organic fruits and veggies for pregnancy, along with an extra boost of essential vitamins for mom and baby, including folic acid, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and omega-3.

It’s called Bundle Organics. The company has unveiled their first line of organic juices, that are fully pasteurized and specially designed to address the unique nutritional needs of expecting moms. I love that busy moms-to-be now have a convenient, delicious way to get added nutrients and quench their thirst on-the-go, while supporting healthy prenatal development. Not to mention, some women have issues with the different types of vitamins, tablets and chewables, etc… so options are important!

The juices are formulated with USDA organic, GMO-free fruits and veggies, such as apples, kale, berries, lemon and ginger, that are particularly beneficial for expecting moms. The juices are preservative-free and have no added sugar. They’re also fortified with OBGYN-recommended nutrients at levels that compliment—rather than replace—daily prenatal vitamins. The nutrients in the juice benefit women from pre-conception through pregnancy and post-natal, including breastfeeding.

logoExperts say the drinks can possibly help with pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, because these beverages have ingredients like lemon and ginger which can offer relief for nausea…and as an alternative to water, can keep Moms hydrated, since you need to “drink up,” while pregnant! Plus, taking this in addition to prenatal vitamins can help women with an extra boost in the large amounts of extra minerals and vitamins required to grow a healthy baby.

All of Bundle Organics’ juices are available in a convenient, grab-and-go 16 oz. bottles that are also BPA-free – so you can sip without the worry. And because they’re pasteurized, they’re not only safe to drink during pregnancy, but easy to ship and transport without refrigeration (though the juices are recommend to be enjoyed chilled). Bundle Organics’ juices are all fortified with an extra bump of folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, omega-3 and iron:

  • Dark Berry and Veggie Organic Prenatal Juice: packed with superfruits and veggies rich in vitamin C and antioxidants to give moms’ changing body extra energy and to fight illness. The spinach and kale also provide another great source of folic acid and beta carotene for baby’s healthy development.
  • Kale, Apple, Lemon and Ginger Organic Prenatal Juice: full of folic acid, calcium, and iron to help with cell growth and development. The lemon and ginger is the perfect combination to combat fatigue and reduce nausea.
  • Orange, Carrot, Berry and Ginger Organic Prenatal Juice: made with the tastiest fruits and veggies full of vitamin C and beta carotene to increase immunity, and build baby’s circulatory, respiratory, nervous system and bones.

Get your favorite flavor now  and save 15% off your first order with Bundle Organics! Use the promotion code BUNDLE15 when you checkout at www.bundleorganics.com

Connect with Bundle Organics on Social Media –
FB: https://www.facebook.com/bundleorganicsjuice
Twitter: @bundleorganics
Instagram: @bundleorganics

Mommy 101

Pregnancy Gingivitis

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When I became pregnant with my first born, my gums freaked out! I went to the dentist for a routine checkup and cleaning, and from the look on my hygienist’s face, I knew something was going on, inside my mouth. 🙁 After the cleaning, she, along with my dentist explained to me that along with all the other symptoms associated with pregnancy, oral health can be affected too…and in my case, I had developed pregnancy gingivitis, and it could very well turn into permanent gum disease! All I knew is that THAT sounded horrible. I had developed deep pockets in my gums that were causing them to bleed, you know the part of your dental visit when they are measuring the spaces between your teeth and gums… My gums were inflamed and they were concerned I could develop periodontal disease! WOW! My hormones were clearly having an affect on my teeth and gums and it was NO BUENO!!!

Expectant mothers (and women who take some oral contraceptives) experience-elevated levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This causes the gums to react differently to the bacteria found in plaque, and in many cases can cause a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis.”

The normal course of action when a person is having these types of gum issues is to get a “deep cleaning,” but because I was pregnant, it wasn’t an option. So, they sent me home with all these natural hygiene products…toothpaste, mouth rinse, etc… Believe me when I tell you I get so paranoid about my teeth, especially after having braces (twice), oral surgery, retainers, lots of fillings as a kid…eek! I used all the products they gave me, religiously and began to floss like there was no tomorrow. I also went in every 3 months (instead of the standard 6), to get my teeth cleaned. We then decided I would come back after the hormones subsided a little to re-assess the gum “issues.”

Well, lucky for me, everything in my mouth returned to normal post-pregnancy. The frequent visits to my hygienist and my “anal” oral care routine at home made the difference! And — I never want to be a possible candidate for gum disease ever again, so those “anal” habits have stuck with me, and that’s a good thing! 😉 So, if you are pregnant, a visit to the dentist should be on your “to-do” list. We only get one set of teeth, so be SURE to take care of them..pregnant or not! On a side note, if you use bleaching trays, my hygienist told me that can actually help kill the bacteria that causes plaque! YAY!

Here are good FACTS to know about “Pregnancy Gingivitis”

  • 65-70% of pregnant women develop pregnancy gingivitis
  • Research suggest a link between pre-term, low birth weight babies and gingivitis
  • It is most common between the second to eighth months of pregnancy
  • If you already have gingivitis it will likely become worse during pregnancy, especially without treatment
  • Symptoms include swollen, red gums and bleeding of the gum when you brush
Mommy 101

Maternity Photo Session Tips

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Maternity photos are a big deal these days, and if you choose to have professional photos taken, it’s an investment to capture a special time in your life. So, if you’re going to have them done, you want to make sure you get photographs that will serve as lasting, beautiful memories you can always look back on. I never went “all out” on photos, either times I was pregnant, and I kinda sorta wish that maybe I had… But — in the interest of those of you who are making sure you don’t let this moment in time escape you, I thought I’d reach out to Amber Renee, who photographs some gorgeous maternity photos, to get her thoughts on how to make the most of a maternity photo session…

  • Plan and book an appointment for photography to fall in the 28-34 weeks pregnant range, be sure to book the appointment in advance.
  • For those that have been put on bedrest….dont let that discourage you! A beautiful maternity session can be done in your home. Most photographers will be more than happy to work with your restrictions.
  • Choose a photographer who you feel comfortable with, meet for lunch or have a phone chat, look at their portfolio/website, get a feel for the style of pictures that they produce and their artistic style. Everyone photographer has a different style, make sure that their style matches your vision.
  • I recommend 100% that you put some thought into what you want and to communicate it to your photographer
  •  Search sites like Pinterest for inspiration!
  • Plan your photo shoot wardrobe – www.shoptaopan.com is GREAT for all things maternity and newborn
  • ETSY is another one of my favorite websites to find something different.

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  • I love to create magical moments in my images! I have found those moments come through the most during a well planned session. My goal is to create a session that shows my clients style. so, as a photographer, I ask a lot of questions and spend a lot of time finding that perfect location, or assisting with style tips. I like to incorporate the location, clothing choice, hair & makeup style, and any personal items that have special meaning, to make my sessions a unique experience.
  • YES!!! Please get your hair and make up done! It makes all the difference!
  • Clear your schedule (and mind) for the day >> pamper yourself!
  • Eat and drink before your session, and bring a snack and some water with you.
  • Include your other children too! And, relieve stress by bringing a babysitter to help out with the kids, until its time for them to join. Bring snacks for them. Let them bring a favorite toy or a blanket.
  • Hiring a Photographer is an investment of your memories, so, DONT FORGET TO ORDER PRINTS! So many people just get the digital files and end up never printing them.

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Amber Renee is a San Francisco Bay Area based photographer. To contact and book a photo session with her, visit www.amber.zenfolio.com
Amber Renee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amber.renee.fuhtogruhfee
Amber Renee on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AmberRenee36/

 

Mommy 101, Uncategorized

Snoozer Dreamweaver

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When I became pregnant and we invested in a body pillow designed for an expecting mother… I fell in LOVE! The “Snoozer” Dreamweaver pillow was truly heaven sent. It’s a 100% Goose Down Hypoallergenic full body pillow, shaped like a candy cane. And since many pregnant women have trouble finding a peaceful nights sleep due to the rapid ongoing body changes on the inside and out, this can definitely help…I remember thinking it’s THE BEST and totally worth it!

Here’s the official description:

The unique, patented SNOOZER Full Body Pillow is ergonomically designed to follow the natural motions and positions of your body all night long. This proven design has been the benchmark for ergonomic body pillows since it was introduced over 14 years ago. By providing the support of 3 pillows in 1 design it is just the right answer for those that suffer from arthritis, injuries, pregnancy discomfort, back pain, or sore muscles.

It also has other uses, like wrapping it around your expanding belly, so you set things on the pillow and not use your stomach as the “tray!” You can also use it to help position baby for breastfeeding once she arrives.

The one I purchased came with its own custom “candy cane” shaped pillow case and the case and pillow both wash very easily in the washing machine!

Mommy 101

Pregnant with Edema: Compression Socks to the Rescue

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One of my unexpected battles during my first pregnancy was extreme swelling in my feet and ankles..and now that I think about it, my legs in general got a lot bigger, especially my calves (which have always been far from skinny)! The swelling condition is also referred to as edema and I had it BAD. I was probably carrying an extra 20 pounds in water weight around my feet and ankles… And — not that I really wanted to share a photo of my feet and ankles, toes too…but the above photo is just that, the day I checked into the hospital to give birth. My ankles and calves all sort of started to blend into one and I seriously was thinking I had more than “cankles,” more like elephantiasis! All jokes aside, I didn’t feel too cute and it was very uncomfortable. Thankfully I didn’t experience anywhere near this amount of swelling in my second pregnancy, but my shoe size did increase in both pregnancies.

Okay, so the point of this post…what saved me were compression stockings! The support hose or socks, whatever you want to call them were nothing short of amazing. You may associate them with little old ladies, but the truth of the matter is athletes use them, as well as lots of professionals who are on their feet all day. My baby sister who is an RN gave me a pair of hers after observing how puffy my lower extremities were and as soon as I started wearing them I noticed a real difference. The swelling started to go down tremendously, my circulation improved and I could again make out the bones in my feet – my “regular” feet are quite skinny and boney!

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So, if you are pregnant and experiencing issues with swelling and circulation, I recommend getting some of these ASAP! They have a variety of styles and compression levels available, I used a knee-high version with the open toe. These are also great if you’re not pregnant, but spend a lot of time on your feet, as they help with circulation and can possibly help fight the appearance of varicose veins!

 

Mommy 101

Maternity Modeling

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When I became pregnant the first time around, I was signed to a modeling agency that is named, and specializes in “Expecting Models.” I figured it would be a great opportunity to possibly pick up some extra work (and cash) with my growing belly. Well, while I was submitted and considered for several jobs the first pregnancy, I did not get booked for any jobs until my second pregnancy. During my second pregnancy I was luck y enough to be in the right place at the right time! The place being Miami and the time being about 16 weeks pregnant with a small baby bump. It was a fun shoot for American Baby magazine in the Florida Keys. And — as you can see in the print (above) that made the cut, it was for a maternity swim spread! It was published in their May 2013 issue.

Now if you are thinking about maternity modeling and are interested in putting your belly to work, here are some helpful tips on how to possibly find work and/or know if it’s for you:

Getting work – Expecting Models is the only one (in the US) who specifically represents pregnant models, and they have locations in NYC and LA or you can submit to other agencies if they have a maternity division. If you’re interested in getting signed, you’ve got to act quickly because it’s a small window of time that your are pregnant!
Location – For the most part you need to be in LA or NYC to be booked, as most of the go-sees and castings are held in one of the 2 cities. Since I’m based in Miami, there are occasional opportunities in the area, but I was also willing to travel to NYC for work.
Photos – Many of the women who work as maternity models are already working models and have photos to show their work. When you have a growing belly, it is important to provide current photos every few weeks, since your shape/size will be changing quickly.
Up Keep – And, since jobs can pop up very quickly, you need to maintain your physical fitness and appearance during your pregnancy to be ready to go!

If any of the above doesn’t sound like it’ll work for you, I would recommend checking local classifieds like craigslist where there may be job posts for pregnant models or contact an agency in the city you live in to see if they may have any upcoming jobs for maternity models. Good luck!