You Wanna’ Be Popular….

What to pack in your hospital bag is something many new moms struggle with.  We'll go over what to pack for mom, baby, and what you need for delivery -- including a checklist of what to bring.  After 17 years of L&D experience, I REALLY know what you need to bring! ...
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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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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! Overweight at Disneyland? I’m not saying I would fall in the category of extremely overweight.  But, my bmi does fall in the obese category ...
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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 commonplace in the United States.  Find out the pro's/con's, procedure, risks and benefits. **As always please take the advice of your physician over any advice on my blog (or frankly, anywhere on the internet).  They know your personal circumstances and health history.** First off, let me ...
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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, how they work and what the numbers mean. Ugh!  The vag (pronounced v-a (short a) g) exam.  No one looks forward to them. The gown, the glove, the whole checking part. No fun. BUT, then you ...
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This baby checklist of what to do before you come to the hospital is straight from an L&D RN -- This to do list is going to get you prepared! Originally done in March 2014, was updated. My hospital checklist might be different from other people's, because I am also ...
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Yup, my blog is Pulling Curls.  You'd be surprised to find out how many people think it's a hair blog. If only they say my daughter's hair every day -- they'd know it truly is not. BUT, I have found something that has entirely made a difference for me lately! ...
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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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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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Using soap for a restless leg home remedy is an easy way to cure an annoying & painful problem! Have you seen those commercials about restless legs -- maybe you even have it?  It is obvious that the pharmaceutical industry has taken hold of this distressing syndrome and sees dollar ...
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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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In this post I'll share an 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 we ...
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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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For me, there are few times in my life that I wouldn't mind missing more -- by being in a coma -- than the postpartum period. It hurts, you're tired, it hurts, your baby sucks on parts of you, you're tired, it hurts.  There's no leaving it behind, it's attached to you ...
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There are a few things, that our moms did wrong.  I get lots of Grandmas asking me why I'm not doing it "this" way -- and then I get to "Educate" them. 🙂  Here's a few of the top ones: ...
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Having a baby is hard work!  Sometimes you don't think about all that your body is going through (or WILL go through AFTER you go through labor).  I know I was guilty of thinking I'd be 100% back to normal when I got out of the hospital.  Wow, was I ...
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