You Wanna’ Be Popular….

In this post I'll share an editable after school checklist and why it has been so helpful for my kids -- along with a FREE printable to get your afternoons in order! Hello. My name is Hilary and I am the mother of a new Kindergartener.  She is adorable, but ...
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Here are some handy postpartum recovery tips from an L&D nurse.  You likely won't be "comfortable" but here's a few ways to make recovery a bit easier -- including pads, pain medicine and the timeline you'll likely follow. Having a baby is hard work! Sometimes you don't think about all ...
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Have you wondered what to pack in your hospital bag -- WHEN to pack it and maybe even what NOT to pack for labor and delivery?  This hospital bag checklist will give you a free, printable PDF that you can customize for just what YOU need so you just bring ...
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This checklist of things to do before baby arrives will give you THE things a nurse thinks you need to do before hospital, delivery & the baby comes. My hospital checklist might be different from other people's, because I am also thinking on the hospital end.  I'm a labor nurse ...
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What does a contraction feel like? We'll talk about what to feel for -- as well as a way to monitor your contractions & track them from home with the BloomLife Monitor (and a promo code). What does a contraction feel like? I spent MUCH of my first pregnancy wondering ...
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Do you think you are too fat for Disneyland? Being Overweight at Disneyland sounds like it might make for a horrible day -- but with a few tips, you can still make it very magical! This post explains the Disneyland rides for fat people and whether or not Disneyland is ...
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The signs of labor can be confusing.  The early signs of labor approaching can give you an idea for what's to come -- sometimes even a little diarrhea. Boom!  Labor happens.  One minute you're making out with your baby daddy, and the next minute OUCH -- OMGosh the baby is coming!  That's ...
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Let's talk Dressing Your Truth -- specifically Dressing Your Truth type 1 -- this is my 30 day transformation with Carol Tuttle's Dressing Your Truth. I got dressed to cover my body.  Sure, I found a small amount of joy in the colors and how they worked together, but I'm ...
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In this post we'll go over how to create your own cleaning schedule template and make it work for your family -- and even how to use a house cleaning schedule app. I had just moved to California after my first child had turned one. My whole world had been ...
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Labor and Delivery -- the main action happens at delivery and it is a busy time! Right before the delivery of your  baby, there are ton of things your labor and delivery nurse does.  This post is going to review those steps so you can be familiar with what is ...
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Epidurals during labor are a hot topic.  This post is going to talk about the meaning, risks, if it hurts, side effects (both in labor & after the baby), the procedure and other alternative pain meds you can use during labor. **As always please take the advice of your physician ...
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When I started my blog Pulling Curls -- I was reticent to write pregnancy posts.  I mean, what did I know (at the time I had only been a labor nurse about four years)?  I wrote a bit about childhood illnesses, and slowly labor started to creep in ...
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Tearing during birth can happen at delivery. Why does it happen, how can you prevent it and recover? I’ve been seeing a lot of posts on Pinterest lately on preventing tearing during birth.  I always click greedily into the post to see what tips they have (this is what labor ...
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Vaginal Exams are a part of pregnancy.  Find out what they are used for, if they hurt, how it's done, and what the numbers mean when you're in labor. Ugh!  The vag (pronounced v-a (short a) g) exam.  No one looks forward to them. The gown, the glove, the whole ...
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This ocean water spray for curly hair is an easy DIY way to get beach curls at home! Yup, my blog is Pulling Curls.  You'd be surprised to find out how many people think it's a hair blog. I HAVE found a service that will test YOUR hair under a ...
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Home organization ideas are all over the internet, but you don't need matching products to get organized (even if they're nice) Home organization ideas are so tricky considering each area of your home, and each home has its differences.  This DIY tour is going to give you products for bedrooms, ...
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Picture a blurry-eyed Hilary, fresh from ripping the band-aid off and leaving the life she knew in California.  I think I cried for a good hour on that car trip, but then it was time to wipe my eyes off and look forward. I had left a super-tiny galley kitchen ...
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This post will share some of the most comment pregnancy fears and face them head on with some good information along with a labor nurse of 15 years Did you know that your diaphragm rises and your rib cage expands while you're pregnant?  Otherwise, you wouldn't get enough oxygen for ...
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Having C-section can feel really scary.  Will you be left cut in two like a bad magician’s assistant or will it be easier than a vaginal delivery?  So many unknowns!   I've had a lot of people emailing me asking for c-section tips. And you know me, I love to give what ...
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Oh, the feeling of a stocked pantry.  The idea that you'll never run out of anything.  You'll always have the item you need at your finger tips.  Likely, for the next year.  It's taken a lot of time for me to admit this, but I have a buying problem.  When ...
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I have a confession.  I always forget to write the right year on the baby's bands for the first few shifts of the new year.  I dread it, because I have the pull them out and fix it.  Anyway.  I dread that which will come. But I LOVE year in ...
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I don't make a secret that having a newborn really beat the crap out of me.  I had some fairly serious anxiety for MONTHS after I had princess P.  I have no idea if it's hormonal or whatnot, but I know that a large part of it is the lack ...
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Sick people desperately want to know how to cure stomach flu -- this blog will give you an easy treatment plan to feel better! Ew.  The flu.  I'm talking about the stomach kind (which isn't the flu at all, actually, that's just a stomach virus -- but that's a blog ...
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SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is a horrible thing.  I think it is something all parents have had to come to terms with.  The reality of parenthood is that you truly can't control ALL things, but science has made a few things you can control with your newborn to give you ...
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How far apart should kids be?  Child spacing is a hot topic and one that there are many pros and cons for each spacing. As a labor and delivery nurse, I get asked by expectant moms how far apart are my kids.  I often get wide eyes -- they're awfully far ...
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Using a bar of soap for a restless leg home remedy is an easy way to cure an annoying & painful problem!  You can use almost any brand -- I've heard good things about Ivory and Irish Spring.  This post might just give you an idea of how to get ...
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I have one best tip for curly hair. It's not using a t-shirt to blot dry, or a microfiber towel {although those are good tips -- check out this one on Amazon WITH a wide-toothed comb, a necessity at my house} It's not a certain brand of gel. But it ...
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Sure, you think pregnancy will last forever. BUT, here are a few things you can try at home. How to go into labor is right from a labor & delivery nurse since 2001. You feel fat, you're tired, your baby is like a parasite taking every ounce of energy you ...
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Sure, pregnancy is great.  9 months ago you made a baby.  You were sure it was the right thing to do (or you weren't, either way is fine) but picking at clothes and bedding and dreaming what your little bundle of joy will look like is fun!  Babies are fun, ...
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I am a firm believer in a Sunday bag.  I don't show up to church with a pen I am hoping to entertain my baby for 3 hours with. If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear - and I think that goes for church with kids as well (or ...
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