DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
1WorldForum
HTML https://1worldforum.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Relationship/Marriage/Family
*****************************************************
#Post#: 78--------------------------------------------------
WOW! A Real Mom Answers Everything You’re Dying to Know About
Pregnancy and Motherhood
DIR By: jannyluv
Date: September 10, 2016, 10:56 am
---------------------------------------------------------
As a non-mom who will most likely become a parent at some point
in the next decade, I have a lot of questions for new
mothers—birth stories both terrify and fascinate me, and the way
women adapt their beauty routines and style to their new roles
as moms is always intriguing.
So with Mother’s Day around the corner (this Sunday; set a
reminder), Joanna Simkin—celebrity makeup artist and mom to an
adorable 16-month old girl called Noelle—answered 15 burning
questions about pregnancy and motherhood. She delivered intel on
the whole epidural experience, the time-saving beauty tricks
she’s picked up in the past year, and more insight into her life
as a mother and (very) talented makeup artist.
What time do you wake up, on average, and what time are you in
bed?
Unless I have an early call time—usually one to three times per
week, and I’m up way before the sun, around 5 am—I get up with
my daughter around 7:30 am. In a perfect world, I would be in
bed by 10 pm, but it’s usually closer to 11 pm.
Has your sense of style changed since having kids?
I love that athleisure is so fashionable now, because I LIVE in
cool sneakers, draped sweats, and T-shirts. It’s great that
there are so many options now that look current and
well-tailored, so sweats and a T-shirt is no longer sloppy
looking. Growing up in California, I’ve always had a casual
style, but I never thought I’d be so into finding cool
sneakers—long live the Yeezy!
What’s surprised you the most about motherhood?
The way I’ve changed emotionally. I feel so much more about
EVERYTHING. I can’t even read a news story about kids—good
bad—without crying. And it’s so wild how just a smile from my
daughter can turn my whole mood around in an instant.
What’s the one thing nobody ever tells you about actually giving
birth?
That an epidural does not help when you’re pushing. Yikes. But
also, that you kind of naturally go into a Zen place, and that
you can do it, no matter what you think!
Tell us what the epidural was like.
I had planned to labor as long as possible and get one only if I
felt I needed it. During my childbirth prep classes, I was under
the impression that labor would be a slow build and that my body
would acclimate to the intensity of contractions. But as they
say, every labor is different. I had very mild cramping for a
few hours, then my water broke and I had full-blown contractions
every three minutes immediately. I had no time to adjust and got
an epidural the moment I was admitted to the hospital!
What do you typically eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
I wish I could get it together to make myself a juice or a
smoothie every morning like I used to—I should really start
prepping that the night before—but I usually have a coffee, and
whatever bites of my daughter’s breakfast she feeds me as she
feeds herself; it usually equates to about three bites of
scrambled egg and two avocado chunks. For lunch I try to find
healthy options on the go. As a makeup artist, I am either on
set or running around from job to job, so places like Chopt and
Sweetgreen are my savior. Sometimes I miss dinner, or on days
when I didn’t have to work, I will make the family fish chicken
with vegetables.
What brands did you wear most while pregnant?
I tried not to go overboard with maternity clothes, as I knew I
wouldn’t wear any of them after I lost my baby weight. I mainly
bought loose T-shirts from T by Alexander Wang (pro tip: they
are always on sale on The Outnet); oversized sweaters from
Theory, Helmut Lang, and Phillip Lim (thankfully already in my
closet); and the maternity jeans I bought were … Jessica
Simpson! She has some really cute styles that were awesome and
affordable and carried me through. Also, you can’t beat a
stretch cotton dress in the summer.
What three beauty products did you swear by while pregnant?
I had crazy breakouts in the first trimester, so I swore by Mac
Pro Longer Concealer ($21). It’s my absolute favorite—great
coverage and all-day wear. Pregnancy gives you amazing full
lips, so I didn’t feel a need for lip liner or lipstick at all.
Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm ($5) was awesome—a rosy glow on full
lips was all I needed. Also, vitamin E oil rubbed all over the
itchy belly and thighs and hips faithfully. Not a single stretch
mark!
What is your idea of the ultimate indulgence?
I didn’t realize how much I’d taken for granted a pool or beach
without a baby. I recently had a work trip that gave me about
four hours off in Las Vegas, and I went down to the pool,
ordered a glass of wine, read Glamour, and dozed off to the
sound of music and people splashing and laughing. My God, I
can’t wait for another day like that! Kids at the pool are super
cute and fun, but you don’t relax for one second!
What’s the one thing you miss doing that you did regularly
before having kids?
I miss being able to run to the gym for classes. They just don’t
work with her schedule at my gym, so now I have to find the
motivation for a good old regular workout either when she’s
asleep or with our nanny during the day.
Any secrets to getting kids to bed?
Sleep training and a routine. I was opposed to sleep training
when I first read about it, but it’s amazing what no sleep for
five months will do to change your mind. It really only took
about three days and she, her dad, and I are all much happier
every day! Also, a routine is clutch. It’s nothing crazy or
long—basically a couple of stories, the alphabet, two songs, and
down she goes. But she knows when that first book comes out it’s
about that time, and she starts to settle down immediately and
never fights it.
What books or websites did you read when you first became a mom?
The Mayo Clinic has an incredible book about Baby’s First Year
($15.71)— I would read it month by month, then reread it at the
end of the month, and it was always spot-on development-wise.
Also, you can never go wrong with What to Expect When You’re
Expecting ($8.85)—the app is amazing!
What do you do on the weekends to keep your kids entertained?
On the weekends, we go to brunch and the playground, weather
permitting. She also has a music class at Kidville that she
loves. We like to schedule play dates, and she is just getting
to an age where she is really engaged with other kids, so it’s
fun to watch!
#Post#: 115--------------------------------------------------
Re: WOW! A Real Mom Answers Everything You’re Dying to Know
About Pregnancy and Motherhood
DIR By: GlobalPrincess
Date: September 11, 2016, 11:59 am
---------------------------------------------------------
great
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1