2021-04-24T14:07:11+00:00

Teeth are coming!

April 24, 2021April 24, 2021/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

One of the wonders of having a baby are all the milestones that go with it, like getting in those first teeth. Babies are adorable with those gummy smiles, but it sure is sweet to see a couple pearly whites coming through!

Teeth come in at such a wide range of timing. Often times babies start feeling gum pain as early as two months, despite that there is quite a while before they erupt. Once they do finally come in, most children get one or two at a time.

Not mine. My baby boy got in 6 teeth all in the same month! They did break through in the right order, but just didn’t stop coming! First the bottom two then the upper two center teeth and the two on either side of the top. He certainly doesn’t look like a newborn anymore!!

But as all parents know, with teething comes a slew of distressing side effects. Needless to say it made for some sleepless nights and a cranky baby.

So the crying comes with fingers in the mouth, chewing on anything they can get their hands on. Then comes the runny nose and sometimes diarrhea. And of course, they will start biting while feeding. Ouch.

Stop biting while nursing. When the baby bites, say “no” in the ugliest, nastiest tone and gently put the baby down for a few seconds. They will probably cry. After a couple good hollers, pick them up and tell them you love them, but biting is not ok. And it hurts. They’ll get it, but it may take a few times!

As a life long student, and always looking for the best way to get things done, I love to share my findings with those people that I care about. I had some great resources to help make the time a little bit easier. So I wanted to share with you my tips and tricks to get your baby through teething with some comfort and help from you!

Get your tools.

If you are lucky enough to get a baby shower, definitely put some of these on your list! That’s where I got most of mine. Teething toys, boogie wipes, teething necklace and breast milk popsicles are some of the things that eased some of my baby’s pain. So grateful for all the mom’s in my life that had the knowledge to share with me!

One toy that is great for car rides and walks because you don’t have to worry about it being wet or remembering to grab it from the fridge. Baby loves this one that Granny gave him. I like this Nuby Bug-A-Loop Teether ring.

This is one that we liked to put in the fridge or freezer. Initially I had to hold it into his mouth because he wasn’t quite able to get his hands to hold it by himself. He still enjoys this one and I love that it’s easy to wash. We got the Infantino 3-Pack Water Teethers in our health kit from Granny.

And of course the classic Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys are also wonderful because there are several colors in one to keep them occupied and makes it last longer. This one is great cold or room temperature just as a fun toy.

Additionally, I was gifted a Baltic Amber Necklace from a seasoned mom and found it effective for pain relief by trying it myself before baby came. For my back pain that I experienced during my pregnancy, I decided I would try it out and see if it was legit or a hoax. Around my ankle it helped to relieve my achy back. And it really made instant difference for my baby.

Before necklace

After necklace

The other must have for teething is Silicone Popsicle Molds for baby. These can be used to make breast milk popsicles or fruit purées. I would avoid just using juice since it has sugar without the benefit of fiber from the actual fruit. I grabbed a set from BuyBuyBaby that was ready in two hours thanks to the updated customer service we are now accustomed to.

Make it Yourself.

If your like me and feel like your job as a wife is to help spend less of the money your hubby brings home, then you will love the DIYs that I find. You can see how to save money by making your own baby food, using cloth diapers and wipes.

There are a couple things that you want to make quickly when your baby starts showing signs of teething. Easy to make popscibles are breast milk. Be sure to pump fresh milk to put in the mold and don’t use thawed milk.

Additionally if you don’t have time to make fresh fruit purée, you can use applesauce! It freezes well and tastes great.

If you are into making your own baby food, you are going to LOVE this Make-Ahead Baby Food Cookbook. This is fantastic because it gives you a shopping list, meal plan, and recipes for each baby stage. You can check out the authors blog here.

Use the purée recipes to make your popsicles or the recipe for teething biscuits is easy to make and so satisfying! They are eaten straight from the freezer and crumbly nicely so they are safe for baby to chew on.

Teething Biscuits

Ingredients:
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 egg yolk
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a small bowl combine the ingredients until thoroughly mixed. The dough should be moderately firm and not sticky.
*tip* if the dough is too firm, add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of applesauce, if it is too sticky, add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour.
3. Transfer dough to a sheet of parchment paper, or wax paper, cover with another sheet of paper, and use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangle 1/4-inch thick. Remove top sheet and cut dough into 1-by-4 inch rectangles.
4. Transfer the parchment paper containing the dough onto a baking sheet. Separate the pieces of cut dough so they are not touching,m and use your fingers to round edges of each piece so they don’t become sharp after baking.
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the biscuits are dry to the touch and slightly browned along the edges. They will harden further as they cool.
6. Allow to fully cool on a wire rack and serve or store for later.

Freeze biscuits and serve straight from freezer. Label bag with recipe and date. Use within 3 months.

Good luck to you on your parenting journey. Feel free to share your tips in the comments. Show me your happy baby by tagging me on Instagram or facebook @jessdelachapelle.

Life Blood

November 8, 2020/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

Today the local Trafficking Coalition held a blood drive. So grateful to be a part of a truly life saving event.

I remember the first time I saw someone wearing a t-shirt that said give blood, give life. I wanted to be a part of it. Of course I was still in elementary school and was unable to do it at the time. Then life happened…

During the part of my life when I was being trafficked I gave a lot of blood. But that was just to make sure that I hadn’t contracted an STD. It was shameful. But necessary. And I am grateful that I never did contract anything.

But when I was rescued out of that life, I tried to pursue that lifelong dream to save a life by giving blood.

It crushed me to have to answer yes to the at-risk behaviours of having sex for money, and realising that my past had limited what I could give in the future.

It was yet another thing that had been stolen, along with my virginity. And I would be reminded of it every time I heard about the great gift of life others could give.

Today I followed my curiosity and asked the lady in front of the bus. If I was unable to give because I was a prostitute. She said not if you don’t have HIV.

I learned that as long as it had been over 12 months, it was no longer a disqualification. As long as my blood was clean, I could give.

I think its something about being like Jesus. And how He gave his blood for the world. I want to be like him and give my blood to save. I cried the whole time and for quite some time after.

Just grateful to have the freedom to save a life.

If you can, give blood. Do it for those that can’t.

Thriving While Pregnant

May 23, 2020/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

First off, if you have found this post and are pregnant, CONGRATULATIONS!! I am so excited for you to start this part of your life! And I am proud of you for doing the research to make yourself better during this challenging time. So glad that you have found this post so you can learn from what I have discovered during my first pregnancy. This post contains affiliate links to connect you with my favorite products at no additional cost to you, while helping my out. Thank you for supporting me!

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and bringing another life into the world is such an honor. But I’m just going to say what I wish someone told me, being pregnant is kind of miserable! At least at the beginning anyway, until you fall in love with the little creature that is growing in your belly. Then perception changes and you can see that it’s all going to be worth it in the end. But for now, I want to help you get through your pregnancy as comfortably as possible.

Let’s talk about some of the big issues. We’ve got nausea, sleep problems, and nutrition. That’s what I’m going to talk about today. and I’m going to share with you some of the tips that I’ve found useful to make my life a little better while my body changes.

Please, get rid of the Nausea!

For me the nausea started way early. Like before I even had a positive pregnancy test. My husband and I were trying to get pregnant so I had taken certain precautions to get myself ready, i.e. not drinking, taking prenatal vitamins and making healthy eating choices. But nothing prepared me for the nausea that would come in waves and just knock me down. It wasn’t that I threw up too often, but just felt miserably nauseous. So I began to scour the internet for help.

Morning sickness is not just in the mornings.

So I found a few things that worked for me. The easiest for me to do anytime, anywhere being adding lemon to my water. This did WONDERS for me. I read something about the acid helping to settle whatever was bubbling up out of the stomach. Get some lemons to slice if you want to be fancy or if you’re at a restaurant, but if you are an exhausted pregnant momma, just get some of that lemon juice from the grocery store by the mixers. Make sure it’s 100% lemon juice so you’re not getting any extra junk in there you don’t need. Then just add to your water whenever you’re feeling queasy.

The next thing I added that was Sea-Bands. They use pressure points and acupressure to relieve nausea. They come in a clear case so they stay clean in your purse and you can just put them on when the nausea hits or wear them all the time. You can get them in gray or a different color. Help me out by getting them through this link!

Besides those two things, the other integral part of “feeling better” for me was eating better. Even though I was craving cereal, cheeseburgers, pizza, popcorn or other junk food; they usually made me feel pretty crummy after I ate them. So when I made healthier choices like oatmeal, homemade turkey burgers, or cucumbers as a snack I usually felt better.

This moves us right along into the next category.

Nutrition not for you, but for Baby.

What you put into your body is going to nourish your sweet baby! They say what you eat is what your baby will crave. So let’s try to get JR off on the right track and make healthy eating choices. I’m not telling you to count calories or be a drill Sargent, but to use the 80/20 rule. 80% healthy good choices allows for 20% not so great choices… Basically you have to give in a little bit, that’s what keeps you on the wagon, per say.

Following the advice of my OB, I don’t recommend drinking any alcohol, because is it really worth it? Studies are unclear about what amount of alcohol will cause fetal alcohol syndrome, so its better to just stay away. Mocktails are fun and plentiful these days. Just think of this as one of your first sacrifices you are giving up for your growing family. Don’t be resentful. This is just the beginning of what you will do for the love of your family and your child.

Moving on, soap box away… Let’s talk Prenatals. Now, I’m not going to give you a breakdown of which vitamins you need and how much, since I’m not a doctor. But you want to get a prenatal that has Folic Acid. This is the important one that helps to prevent birth defects. Another thing that is great for brain health of baby are Omegas or Fish Oil. Talk with your doctor to see if there is anything else they recommend for you. Personally, I also take Magnesium for headaches and Vitamin B for energy. This is my prenatal that has pretty much everything expecting mommas need in it.

Another thing that is good to consider, especially if you are dealing with a lot of nausea, is taking what I call green juice. It’s Amazing Green powder or capsules you can take to get your greens in without having to work to actually eat all your veggies. Although eating fruits and vegetables is really good to help you feel better, if you can manage. This is pretty much the next best thing. You can find these in the grocery stores or health food stores, but be sure to check the expiration dates. Or you can get them easily delivered from Amazon. Personally, I prefer the berry flavor. But you can get the original flavor and mix it up with anything. Put it in a smoothie or juice. My preference is to have it with a Gatorade. We get ours delivered from Amazon. Just put water and gatorade powder in a gallon jug in the fridge. That keeps Momma from having to carry it in from the store. Plus, it’s better for the earth, than having to recycle all those bottles.

Sleep is good for Momma and Baby.

For me, sleep has always been a challenge. As a trafficking survivor with PTSD, nightmares tend to keep me up. But we’ll leave that topic for another day. Besides that, being pregnant has brought a whole new set of sleeping issues. For one thing being comfortable.

My husband knew my hips were going to be needing support so he got me this pillow for between my legs. That has been great! It stays between my legs whichever side I roll to. You can get it here.

Once my boobs started growing and getting heavy, it was just uncomfortable to lay on my side and have them hang there! So I started looking for sleep bras and other helpful tools. Eventually, I just used one of our king size fluffy pillows to hug and support my chest while also being able to tuck it under my belly and support me there. That works perfectly for me! I didn’t feel the need to buy a special pregnancy pillow. I hate buying things just for the name… So I’m glad that I could use what I already had! You can get pillows anywhere, just make sure it’s got enough support but is still soft enough to be form fitting for your spaces.

Since I have allergies coupled with the swollen nasal passages from being pregnant, my breathing has been a challenge. The thing that has been super helpful for me is the Breathe Right Extra Strength Tan Strips. I found the best price through my Costco membership, but you can easily get these on Amazon too. I like the sensitive skin ones. It’s AMAZING how much better you can breathe with those suckers on! You can also get it in Calming Lavender.

Now you have everything you need to get you through your first set of symptoms during pregnancy! Hope that you have found this helpful. Please feel free to leave comments about what you have liked in the comments below! If you have any other questions, definitely leave a note and I’ll be happy to share my wisdom. Good luck!

Surviving the Quarantine.

May 21, 2020/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

These days for most of us, life includes a lot of isolation, social distancing and safe practices. We cannot forget to take care of our self and exercise good coping skills.

Tired of being at home, whether you are working, out of work or still in your regular job status? There are things you can do to keep the rhythm going and practice being productive. For someone like me, who is a type B, go with the flow, see what happens personality, it can get pretty slippery out there. It’s easy to feel like you just can’t get anything done, even though you KNOW your doing somethings…

So here is what I did to help myself feel and be more productive, therefore feeling more useful and content with my home life.

MAKE LISTS. – I created lists for my routines. I have a list of my morning routine, that includes brushing my teeth and putting clothes on. And I have a night time routine, which keeps me from leaving food out on the counter and makes sure all the doors are locked.

You can find printables for these lists here.

I started with just those two lists to help me start organizing my day, then I had all the time in between to get my other tasks finished. For me that looks like ordering groceries, doing laundry, checking in on my home business and walking the dog. And any other daily items that needed to be attended to. Then I realized that I have tasks that should be getting done every week, that really weren’t. Enter next list.

MAKE A WEEKLY TASK CHART. Here’s mine.

Depending on how large your family is, it will look different for every one. Since its only me and my husband right now, mine is pretty straight forward. It includes paying bills, filing paper, doing the ironing, making phone calls to friends and family (self-care), business checks and mailing thank you cards. These are the things that should be at least touched on each week to keep them under control.

ADD A BI-WEEKLY or MONTHLY CHART

There are definitely some tasks that I want to complete on a regular basis but if I don’t schedule them, I’ll probably forget. So on this list is where I keep clean the fridge, vacuum the furniture (I have dust allergies, they’re the WORST!), pick up prescriptions and wash the mattress cover.

Once I got the basics of the household essentials down, I needed something that was going to make me not feel like I’m drowning in housework. I put the focus on HOME PROJECTS and SELF-CARE. These lists were a bit more fun to make, especially since we are expecting our first baby boy in August! It is imperative to have some positivity in your life! So don’t skip these lists of goals and care!

CREATE A LIST OF SELF CARE. 1-2 activities, 30 mins to 2 hours, daily.

My SELF-CARE example list.

It is so important to take care of YOU! Becuase if you don’t do it, no one else will. These should be activities that you enjoy doing, that make you feel good about yourself and are relaxing. Therapeutic activities that can be very relaxing are repetitive and have some back and forth action. This can be coloring, taking a walk, doing a craft, cooking dinner or any number of things! Some other things I enjoy are listening to audiobooks, painting a picture or my nails, doing a face mask, working out, playing a game, and calling a friend. For me when my day is just feeling like a bummer it’s super helpful for me to have a list I can go to and just pick something instead of making my brain work. Other times I want to feel productive like I have accomplished a task. That’s when I look to my HOME PROJECTS LIST.

CREATE A LIST OF HOME PROJECTS.

My list is separated into organize and to-do. This is a great place to get those thoughts out of my head when they pop in and try to distract me. My current to-dos include replacing light bulbs, create a hobby space, and clean out freezer. So I can be thinking about these things, but not focused on them when the timing isn’t right. Some of my organizing places are the work bench, baby’s closet, guest closet, kitchen cabinets, laundry room and bathroom cabinets. These are all little projects that I need, or would like to have finished before the baby comes. And its so nice to cross those things off! When I cleaned off the work bench and organized the whole garage! AWESOME! And sometimes projects take me more than one sitting. That is OK. I’ve been listening to this great podcast called The Organize 365 Podcast. This is especially helpful when I want to get myself in the organizing MODE.

This is just one thing that I have incorporated into my life since the quarantine that has really helped me to stay positive, keep focused and gain momentum. I would love to hear some of your home projects and incorporations that have made your life better since the quarantine! Leave them in the comments below.

My Favorite Cookbooks!

May 3, 2019May 7, 2021/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

Would you LOVE to know the cookbooks that I have found most useful as a learn-it-yourself homemaker?? Yes, I know that you would! This site does include links to purchase my favorite books, I may receive compensation when you buy through my site.

One of my first cookbooks that I got as a birthday gift is really my go-to with SO much knowledge that it has nearly every basic cooking recipe I have ever looked for! This cookbook has foundation information about all the food types, different meat cuts, vegetables, fruits, and more. It can even help with proper cooking or prepping techniques to properly execute a recipe. These tips have been exceptionally useful for me as I started cooking different types of food!

Joy of Cooking

My current hot cookbook is created with active people in mind. Very appropriate for me! It has everything from smoothies, muffins, and meals. This is where I have found the absolutely AMAZING Superhero Muffins that are a staple in my home. They are great for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a dessert!

Run Fast. Eat Slow.: Nourishing Recipes for Athletes

Definitely looking forward to their more recent publication focused on quick recipes!

Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow.: Quick-Fix Recipes for Hangry Athletes

The food experiment book that I was finally talked into after all my in-laws went through it is The Whole30. This provides an eating plan that strips down the diet to include only meat, fruit and vegetables. After being off these foods for 30 days, it takes you through a step by step process introducing each food type and assessing the body’s reaction. It also has lots of tasty recipes that can provide inspiration for creating your own dishes! This is how we determined that my husband didn’t really have a problem with dairy, but it was actually GLUTEN that was the problem. I’ll go into more detail in another post about the food sensitity epidemic that our country is going through.

The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom

My new favorite book right now is what I have been using to cook for my new baby! I have been grateful to be able to reach into the freezer to grab dinner for the little one as I cook fresh meals for me and my husband. One thing I love about this is how it includes a shopping list a meal plan for each eating phase children go through. So for phase one I could make purée from peas, mangos, or prunes. Phase two peach oatmeal. It even goes into how to include meals for the whole family, once the toddler is eats the same thing as everyone else. Grab it here!

The Make Ahead Baby Food Cook Book

Keep an eye on this page as I will add on as I find new favorites!

Confidence in Christ

May 2, 2019/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

In our world there are many places people try to get their worth, confidence or value from. Unfortunately, those things, jobs and accomplishments never quite satisfy. Well there is a reason for that. Because we are not supposed to get our confidence from this world. But from our Father in heaven. But if we do not believe in Him, then he cannot give us that security. (Hebrews 11:6) There is no excuse, for He makes Himself known to ALL. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Despite what the world says, this is what God says about His children.

You are LOVED by God. Romans 8:38-39, John 3:16
You are the LIGHT of the world. Matthew 5:14
You are WISE. Proverbs 2:6-11
You are FREE. Galatians 4:7
You are at PEACE. Philippians 4:7
You are STRONG with Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:9
You are WORTHY of the kingdom. 2 Thessalonians 1:5

Due to our sinful nature, or human habits to live selfishly, we are doomed to hell. An eternal punishment and separation from God. As a believer and Christ follower, you have been transformed into a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) You are called righteous and covered by the blood of Jesus which has made you blameless in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Regardless as to how the world makes us feel. Be comforted by the truth that GOD says you are enough. And he wants to spend eternity with you. That is why He sent his son Jesus to walk on the earth as a perfect sacrifice to atone for all the wrongs that we have and will commit, since the beginning of mankind. (Philippians 1:9-11)

As Abraham obediently took his son to be a sacrifice, yet God spared his life and provided another sacrifice. (Genesis 22) Equally we no longer need to give a blood sacrifice to ensure our eternal future, because Jesus obediently gave up His life to satisfy our indebtedness to God. (Hebrews 1:8-10) This is what Easter is all about.

Jesus not only died as a sacrifice, but even in death, He overcame satan and has defeated him and all the power of the devil over our eternal future. (2 Corinthians 5:21)Three days after being laid in the tomb, Jesus came back and appeared to over 100 witnesses. (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21) This God, our God of miracles, the God of endless love and mercy, the God that is all knowing and almighty, has called you by your name and wants to have a relationship with you. (John 17)

He loves you more than you could ever imagine. (John 3:16) It doesn’t matter what you have done, he still loves you, even then. No matter on your best day or your worst day, He would still die to have you in eternity with Him forever. (Romans 5:8)

He has commanded us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that He has commanded us. And behold He is with us always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20) So this is why I share with you today. I want you to experience the love and the freedom that God has for you.

Do you want to know Jesus, the human incarnate of our Father God, who is with us now as the Holy Spirit, guiding each movement? It starts with a prayer. This includes a confession of wrong doing, a declaration of faith, and invitation of Jesus into your heart. This is how you start seeking God. (Hebrews 11:6)

Jesus Christ, you are God that came to earth as a man to live a perfect life. I want to know you. You already know everything about me. I admit that I am a sinner, I have been living for myself and disobeying God, and I am ready to trust Jesus Christ as my savior. Thank you for living a perfect life and paying the penalty that I deserve. I believe that you died to save me and that you want to spend forever with me. Please bring your Holy Spirit in my heart and live through me. Thank you for all you do for me. We pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

If you have just prayed that for the first time, CONGRATULATIONS! Your eternal salvation is secured. (John 5:24) The next step is to tell someone that you have asked God to come into your heart and guide your life. (Romans 10:9) There are other followers of Jesus that want to help you through your transition! You can reach out to me, a friend or family member or a local church. (Luke 21:13) Know that God is forever with you. (Joshua 1:9) He wants good things for you. (Genesis 50:20)

Welcome to the family. You have been adopted by the Father and are loved as His own. (Romans 8:15, John 16:26-27)

The Journey Begins

March 29, 2019March 29, 2019/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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Faith to build health and gain confidence.

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