Review: The Über Mom Wipebox #holidaygiftguide

The Wipebox by Uber Mom- See the review on My Life: A Work in ProgressTo me, part of being a mother is making practical choices for my family, but still exhibiting my own identity. Whether it’s maternity clothes, nursing, clothes, diaper bags, or wipes cases, I try to choose functional but fashionable options. You’ll rarely find me with anything completely utilitarian. Because of this, I was excited when I came across the Über Mom website, and they agreed to send me a wipebox to review.

The Über Mom brand produces unique designer wipeboxes, perfectly suited to the stylish diaper bag or purse and mother. Über means outstanding, supreme, over and beyond.

Since we’re a Navy family, I was immediately drawn to the White Anchor Wipebox. Retailing for $6.99, this case is 8.25″ long, 4.25″ wide, and 1″ high. It’s made from recycled polypropylene and can be washed with soap and water. Their many designs include blue turtle, green football, yellow gumball machine, blue pirate, pink lollipop, and vanilla ice cream cone.

Using a wipes case that every other mom has means that your case is more likely to get lost or mixed up at day care, nurseries, or even play dates. Not so with the cases by Über Mom! I love carrying this case around.

The Wipebox by Uber Mom on My Life: A Work in Progress
At the doctor’s office
The Wipebox by Uber Mom on My Life: A Work in Progress
At Colonial Williamsburg
The Wipebox by Uber Mom on My Life: A Work in Progress
At the National Zoo
The Wipebox by Uber Mom on My Life: A Work in Progress
With moistened cloth wipes
The Wipebox by Uber Mom on My Life: A Work in Progress
With disposable wipes

Visit www.ubermom.co to see the designs they offer. The Wipebox Mini, a perfect sized box for tissues, is now available. For a list of stores and sites that sell The Wipebox, click HERE. Several of the styles are also available on Amazon (affiliate link):

Which design is your favorite?

General Disclaimer- Floral

Continue Reading

Review: Nuby Foam Bath Animals

One of my favorite roles as a blogger is being an official ambassador for the Nûby product line. The first teethers we bought for Baby J were by Nûby, and I’ve been a fan of the brand ever since! Nûby recently sent us their Foam Bath Animals to review.

Nuby Foam Bath Animals on My Life: A Work in Progress

The older Baby J gets, the more interested he is in playing with any and everything. He loves baths for that reason. These foam bath animals are made for kids his age (18 months) and up. The animals are made of soft foam and float in water. They’re designed to stick to the bathtub or wall, but we’ve discovered they will also stick to wet toddler tummies or backs! That aspect makes bath time even more fun for Baby J. =D

Each set includes 16 brightly colored animals, and they are -of course- phthalate and BPA free. I’ve been using these foam animals to teach colors to Baby J.

Nuby's Foam Bath Animals on My Life: A Work in Progress
There are some Nuby Splish Splash Stacking Cups floating in the tub too!

Nûby’s Foam Bath Animals can be found at the following retailers:

Are you following Nûby on their social media accounts? Nûby USA is constantly holding fun giveaways and contests, so I recommend checking them out to see what you could win!

Nuby Mommy Blogger

Nuby Mommy Blogger Disclaimer

Continue Reading

Body after Baby: Beth

Please read the disclaimer at the bottom of this post!

Have you been reading the Body after Baby guest posts? You can read posts and product reviews HERE.

GUEST WRITER BIO: Beth O’Donnell is a military wife and stay at home mom. She is a prior service member who only stayed in shape because she had to. Now she actually enjoys it and no longer says hateful things while she runs. She now lives a lifestyle of clean eating and regular exercise and plans to keep it that way. Since she has gotten a taste of the fitness Koolaid, she has decided to go back to school to become a personal trainer to help women become their very best. She also vows to quit using Dr. Google.

Diastasis Recti: the ugly words that no woman post pregnancy wants to hear, especially those who are anxious to begin getting back in shape. Diastasis Recti is the separation of your abdominal muscles which untreated, can lead to hernias. (More info HERE.)

After I had my son in 2011, my doctor indicated to me that I had diastasis recti, but I blew it off. I was in the military and had no choice but to hurry back into shape. Shortly after receiving the go ahead from my doctor (who, looking back, really should not have given it to me), I quickly got back into running, pushups, and situps/crunches (huge no-no!). I noticed that I had a ridiculous amount of lower back pain and a funky belly bulge but chalked it up to post pregnancy body changes. I figured it would just work itself out. Then I got pregnant again just before my son’s first birthday.

Diastasis recti/ Body after Baby- Read the series on My Life: A Work in Progress
Courtesy Photo

At one of my first doctor appointments, the doctor made a remark on how bad my diastasis recti was and that it was only going to get worse (total fail on my part!). After I had my daughter, I was extremely worried, and in denial, about having it. I did not ask my doctor how bad it was, because I did not want to know. So right before my six week checkup, I started working out on my own. I was doing crunches, sit-ups, twists, you name it! After about a week or so, I was hurting. It was not the “good” pain you feel when you are working out, it was the “I seriously just busted something up” hurt. Although it killed me to stop working out so hard, I knew I had to take diastasis recti seriously.

So, I Dr. Googled it. I found a youtube video which thoroughly explained how to test yourself for it (Please do not follow my footsteps, ask your doctor first!). I also found out that the exercises I was doing were absolutely terrible for the condition and was only worsening it! The good news is, there are exercises that can be done to help heal your abdominals! So, I googled those too. As much as it pained me, I took it easy and did these exercises every day religiously.

At 12 weeks postpartum, I checked myself and to my surprise, my abs were back to a two finger gap! I have been working out pretty hardcore the last few weeks (thanks to Anna Reed!) and as I wrote this, I checked again and I am down to a one finger gap above, at, and below my belly button.

Diastasis recti/ Body after Baby- Read the series on My Life: A Work in Progress
Courtesy Photo- Beth checking for Diastasis recti.
Do you or have you ever had Diastasis Recti? What are some ways you strengthened your stomach muscles as a result?

Disclaimer: All information presented during this event is purely personal opinion and shared for educational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician before beginning any exercise, weight-loss, or nutrition program. Please note, My Life: A Work in Progress does not necessarily endorse any opinions presented by guest writers during this event. Not all exercise or nutrition programs are suitable for everyone.

Continue Reading