TOI Magazine Issue No.08 May 2018

M A G A Z I N E MAY 2018 • ISSUE 8

THE BEAUTY OF BREASTFEEDING WITH PHOTOGRAPHER JAMIE LEE TANG

FPC-NYC

GIVES YOU AN INSIDE LOOK OF THEIR FACILITY FOR PRE & POST-NATAL CARE

SPECIAL EDITION ISSUE: MOTHERHOOD WWW.BOUTIQUEOFTOI.COM

THE EMPOWERING PREGNANCY OF

IVY CARNEGIE

PREGNANCY STORIES

THE EMOTIONS, BREAKTHROUGH, AND SURPRISE OF A WOMAN'S PREGNANCY

TABLE OF

contents

03

04

Our Founders Note

Fulfilling Mothers Day Recipes

14

02 10 FPC-NYC's mission to empower and inspire women to have a smooth pregancy.

32

Cravings, pregnancy reveal, and motherhood talk with 3 different women's pregnancies.

The beauty of breastfeeding in photos by Hawaii based photographer, Jamie Lee Tang.

TEAM:

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : AUTUMN FARR CREATIVE DIRECTOR: TENISHA FARR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: AUTUMN FARR CONTACT: WWW.BOUTIQUEOFTOI.COM (415)689-9465 SERVICES@BOUTIQUEOFTOI.COM SOCIAL MEDIA: @BOUTIQUEOFTOI TAG US IN YOUR INSTAGRAM POST ON OUR PRINT MAGAZINE FOR A DISCOUNT ON YOUR NEXT MAGAZINE PURCHASE!

FOUNDERS NOTE "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him."

PSALMS 127:3 (NIV)

Jamie Lee Tang Photography www.jtangproductions.com

Bangladeshi Potato Croquettes, filled with Spiced Beef recipe by Tasnim Haleem

Instagram @haleemeats YouTube Tasnim Haleem

ABOUT TASNIM "I'm a Houston based Blogger and YouTuber who shares homemade food with South Asian flair! I bring East and West together to create food that inspires people to get into the kitchen, and explore different cuisines.

Born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and cooking since I was five years old, I now want to introduce the amazing Bangladeshi cuisine I grew up with, to the masses. With revamped home recipes, influenced by my many travels and current life in the US, my Bangladeshi inspired food is modern, but classic at the same time.

I started my food page Haleem Eats on Instagram late 2017, and have since had the amazing opportunity of working with several brands, local businesses, and magazines. I also recently launched my YouTube channel, where I share recipes and show people exactly how to execute them. I also plan to share more sides of my food journey there in the near future. "

BEEF FILLING

POTATOES & COATING

1/2 lb Ground Beef

1/4 cup chopped Red Onion

4 medium Potatoes

CILANTRO CREMA & COLE SLAW 1 cup Mexican Crema (or Yogurt)

1/2 tsp Cumin

1/2 tsp Coriander

1/2 tsp Black Pepper

1/2 tbsp Vegetable Oil

1/2 tbsp Mustard Oil (substitute for Veg Oil)

1/2 tsp Garam Masala

1/2 tsp Turmeric

Salt + Sugar for boiling

1/4 cup finely chopped Cilantro

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 Lime (juice)

Coating:

Salt, Sugar, and Pepper to taste

2/3 cup Flour + Salt + Pepper mixture

1 Whisked Egg

Coleslaw

2/3 cup Panko Bread

1 cup sliced Red

Crumbs + Salt + Pepper mixture

Cabbage (soaked for 5 mins after slicing)

Red Chili Powder to taste

Oil for Frying

1/2 cup sliced Green Onions

1/4 tsp Fenugreek leaves

TAMARIND SAUCE

1 bay leaf

1 tbsp Mayonnaise

1 tsp Vinegar

1 1/2 tbsp tamarind Salt to taste

paste

Salt, Sugar, and Pepper to taste

Chopped Green Chilis

1/2 cup water

to taste 1 tsp garam masala 1/8 cup chopped Cilantro 1 tsp Cumin powder 1 tsp finely sliced Ginger (optional)

Sprinkle of Garam Masala

1 tsp Coriander powder

Red Chili Flakes to taste

Salt, Sugar, and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Serves: 4 Time: 2 Hrs. Level: Intermediate

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LEMON CHICKEN WITH FENNEL GREENS RECIPE BY STEFANIE STEPHAN WWW.COME-ON-IN-MY-KITCHEN.DE/EN/ INSTAGRAM:COME_ON_IN_MY_KITCHEN PINTEREST, FACEBOOK: COMEONINMYKITCHEN SERVES: 4 TIME: 60 MINS. LEVEL: BEGINNER

ingredients: 4 chicken breasts 1 onion 1 fennel 5 stems of fresh thyme 2 organic lemons 350 ml of chicken broth 2 tbsp of mustard 1 clove of garlic 1 tsp turmeric salt, pepper 200 ml of olive oil 1 tsp olive oil for searing

DIRECTONS: 1) Peel the onions and garlic and finely dice.

2) Wash chicken breasts and pat dry.

3) Squeeze out a lemon and slice the other lemon.

4a) Remove the green shoots and the stem of the fennel tuber and cut it in quarters.

4b) Mix the thyme, garlic, mustard, olive oil, the juice of the lemon and the spices (salt / pepper / turmeric). Put the chicken and the mixture in a bowl and massage the chicken breasts with the spice mixture. Then marinate in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes.

5) Preheat the oven to 200 degC. 6) In an oven-proof pan, first heat olive oil on the stove. Fry the onions until glassy and take them out again for a short time. Then fry the chicken breasts with the marinade on each side for 3-4 minutes until crispy.

7) Return the onions and deglaze everything with the chicken broth, put the lemon slices and the fennel into the chicken breasts and then put the pan into the preheated oven. Cook the lemon chicken gently for about 20-30 minutes.

HELLO, I'M STEFANIE. I'M A 37 YEAR OLD MOM OF TWIN BOYS (WHO ARE MAKING ME FEEL SO MUCH YOUNGER :-)), PASSIONATE AMATEUR COOK AND FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER AS WELL. WHAT I LOVE MOST IN MY LIFE IS MY FAMILY, GOOD FOOD AND PHOTOGRAPHY - SO I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO MAKE THE BEST COMBINATION OUT OF THEM: A LOVELY RECIPE BLOG. WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A FAVOURITE KITCHEN. WE LOVE (GERMAN/SWABIAN) TRADITIONAL AND EXOTIC RECIPES, AS WELL.

When they ask, where do you come from?

I will tell them about the homes you left the prayers you prayed the oceans you crossed the belly you stretched I will point to where they cut the cord that God had sewn between us I come from my mother my mother my mother and then my father

POETRY BY AMARA CHAUDHRY OF @ASCPOETRY Jamie Lee Tang Photography www.jtangproductions.com

MOTHERHOOD, COMMUNITY, AND KEGELS!!

WITH THE FPC-NYC TEAM @fpc.nyc fitpregnancyclub Site: www.fpc-nyc.com

Location: 552 Broadway 3rd Fl, New York, NY 10012

HOW DID FPC-NYC COME ABOUT? FPC_NYC began when,"We (Carolina and Joanie) were introduced to one another through a mutual friend and knew from our very first meeting we were going to turn our shared passion into a reality. After a series of pop-ups, we opened our studio doors last October with the mission of creating a space where women can confidently exercise to gain strength and knowledge while being surrounded by a community of other mothers and moms-to-be. "

WORDS BY CAROLINA AND JOANIE OF FPC-NYC: Is it safe to workout while pregnant?

What types of workouts are safe?

It is absolutely safe to workout while pregnant. Ideally, a pregnant and postpartum woman should be working with a pre/postnatal exercise specialist that addresses the muscles of the inner core unit (multifidus, diaphragm, TVA and pelvic floor).

These muscles regulate intraabdominal pressure and keep the core and pelvic floor muscles functioning optimally and safe. Once the inner core unit is engaging correctly, her options for working out safely during pregnancy become somewhat limitless.

In regards to kegels, not many women know the significance of them. Can you explain why they're so great and very important? Do you incorporate them at your facility during workouts?

Kegels are the exercise of contracting the pelvic floor. They are the muscles that support the weight of the uterus, baby, enhance sexual health and are vital in elimination. Many of us are told to do our kegels without knowing how to properly engage the pelvic

floor and also not taught the foundation of how these important muscles work in concert with our breath. A healthy pelvic floor engages and releases. Many women focus on strengthening these muscles without taking the time to also perform vital release work or they aren’t working on the correct use of them with their breath. At FPC, we teach women how to engage and release correctly as well as how to use the pelvic floor to support and protect their bodies during physical exertion. You won’t get through a class without hearing us talk about it or cue it at least 100 times.

Does FPC offer any postnatal classes?

What do these classes entail?

We currently offer 2 options for postpartum mothers. We have “Rehab” which is your first step to getting back into your pre-pregnancy workout after gaining fitness clearance from your care provider. It teaches you to reconnect to your entire core from the diaphragm to pelvic floor, and regain the total body strength needed to return to all your favorite workouts injury and pain free.

It’s C-Section recovery, pelvic floor rehab and diastasis safe . The next step up is Postpartum Signature, which is the postnatal version of our most

popular prenatal class. It’s a total body workout, set to music and strengthens a woman to move through her day with more body awareness, better posture, more strength and more confidence for the rest of her life. All our postnatal classes are pre-crawler baby friendly but we define “postpartum” as once postpartum, always postpartum.

How does FPC see motherhood?

We encourage every woman to “do it her way.” There is no one answer to anything when it comes to motherhood and at the end of the day, we all have to do what’s right for our our well being and families. We are also huge advocates of the importance of self-care within motherhood. As the old adage goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

What is the most satisfying thing about working at/for FPC? Working at FPC is unlike any other studio atmosphere because of our emphasis on community. It’s not uncommon to see our women going to lunch together after class, swinging by to sit and chat on the couch or pop in for a nursing session with their new babe when they are out and about and in need of a quiet, supportive place. We love the community we’ve created and whether you are working at FPC as an instructor or coming in to work out, you are surrounded by an unmeasurable amount of support and encouragement.

You gave me life the way soil gives life to trees.

The way the ocean gives life to everything within.

I owe you everything.

You are the foundation in which I've rebuilt my life over and over again.

I am so grateful for you.

POETRY BY BETHANY HARDT OF @FREEBETHANY Jamie Lee Tang Photography www.jtangproductions.com

 Motherhood, with Lisa Kallstrom "I HAVE GIVEN BIRTH TO MY HOME TEAM, A GIFT THAT GOD AND THE UNIVERSE CHOSE ME TO DO."

@LISA11ELEVEN BRINGING MILFEY BACK LISA HITCHCOCK-KALLSTROM

PROFESSIONAL MODEL AND ACTRESS,LICENSED HYPNOTHERAPIST, MASSAGE THERAPIST, AND LOVING WIFE & MOTHER OF 3 LISA KALLSTROM SHARES HER VIEW ON MOTHERHOOD AND HOW HER PREGNANCY WENT WITH HER HEALTHY BABY GIRL ROSALINA MAE.

"I tell my girls all the time “If I ever have any doubts that God loves me, I just have to look at you, then I know he loves me beyond measure to trust me with the gift of you. I couldn’t be given a greater privilege in this lifetime”."

"A gift that has enhanced mine and my husband’s lives in an unexplainable way."

W O R D S

B Y

L I S A

K A L L S T R O M

My passion is acting and am currently taking 4 hours per

had to go to the emergency room a few times to be

week of intense acting classes with a coach that travels

hydrated by I.V. and certainly was having a difficult time

from Los Angeles to the Bay Area to teach and sharpen my

seeing the “sliver lining” of first trimester pregnancy bliss to

acting abilities and skill set .

say the least.

I have been taking acting classes, workshops, improve,

Once the dark cloud of mind blowing nausea and sickness

memorization technique classes, and more, for 7 years now.

lifted around 20 weeks or 2nd trimester, I began to feel like

To say acting is my passion is an understatement, and with

my old self again. I slowly began to develop and appetite

hard work and undying motivation, look forward to the next

and mostly craved carbohydrates such as cheesy enchiladas,

chapter of my life being dedicated to becoming a working

waffles and pancakes. Not at the same time obviously (yuck)

actress.

but I’d crave hearty, filling foods rather than light salads

However, even with a strong passion for working as an

with proteins that used to be my normal diet.

actress and sharpening the tools in my acting tool belt with

Once the third and final trimester hit, I was still wanting

hours of intense weekly instruction, being a mother and wife

hearty meals however, my growing uterus wasn’t allowing

trump it all.

much room to add a lot of food to my tummy. I naturally

I have been given the most amazing gift of being a mama,

gravitated towards homemade organic Non GMO protein

and dedicate myself to being the best possible mother and

shakes and fruit. If I ate hearty carbohydrate filled meals I’d

role model for my children that I can be.

notice cramping and a very uncomfortable feeling of

I also enjoy cooking and working out to keep not only myself

fullness would set in and cause major discomfort. The

but my family healthy and strong from the inside out.

shakes that I made were delicious and contained

I take pride in cooking meals that are healthier versions of

phytonutrients, Collogen, fiber, vitamins, chocolate,

foods most people crave while dieting and sharing my

bananas, and peanut butter. I didn’t feel deprived at all, I

recipes with friends and family on social media and even

felt excited to drink them each and every time I made one.

have a YouTube channel documentary that shows my daily

To say the least they were delicious, and now exactly 1 week

regiment, workout and cooking regiments when getting my

after giving birth I’m still making them!

exterior body back after gaining 80 lbs each pregnancy. My YouTube channel is called “Bringing Milfey Back” and is not

My expected due date was May 1st, but the baby came 7

only informative but fun too!

days early via C-Section on April 24th 2018. This was the first C-Section I had, my previous two pregnancies were all

My husband, Kris and I found out I was pregnant one

natural deliveries with no drugs. I have to say, the c-section

morning after just finishing a discussion of bagging up our

was actually more pleasant than I expected. I am 1 week

girls clothing and giving it to some family friends since we

post op and moving around with minimal pain. I do however

had decided that we were finished having children.

have to be wary of picking up heavy objects, as good as I

Literally 30 minutes after having our discussion I decided to

feel I tend to forget that I just had major abdominal

take a pregnancy test because of an off menstrual cycle

surgery. I am working on “taking it easy”, a task that needs

that seemed to begin 9 days prior but never actually

to be relearned by a mother of 3 humans, 3 dogs, a goldfish

“showed up”. We jokingly laughed saying “could you

and a vibrant schedule!

imagine, oh geeze”.... Ten minutes later, we were in complete shock when we read the word “PREGNANT” on our

On April 24th I gave birth to a healthy 8lb.4oz. 20.5 inch

at home pregnancy test! After the initial shock, and me

beautiful baby girl, Rosalina Mae! The C-Section took less

rushing to the local drug store to purchase 3 more at home

than 30 min. from start to finish.

pregnancy tests, all which were positive, the excitement began to settle in and we realized we were buckled in tight

The most difficult part of this pregnancy was hands down

to the roller coaster ride of pregnancy for the 3rd time!

the 1st trimester with the 24 hour intense nausea and vomiting. I would not wish that on anyone, but for some, it’s

As for cravings they changed all throughout the different

a necessary part of a healthy pregnancy. If anyone is

trimesters of pregnancy. In the first trimester I had ZERO

struggling with this today, I’m here to reassure you that it

cravings. I was beyond ill with severe 24 hour morning

will eventually go away and when you hold that baby in your

sickness and had a hard time even keeping water down. I

arms you’ll be reminded that you’d do it all over again in a

heartbeat for your little miracle of a baby.

The best moments of my pregnancy was probably the entire 2nd trimester. I was feeling great, looking cute, moving easily, and mentally sharp. During the second trimester I was able to feel our baby kick and move in my belly and my children could see a noticeable bump that they could get excited about.

I was able to take a family trip to Hawaii and relax on the beaches and enjoy the last months of being a family of 4.

Yet, as glorious as the 2nd trimester was, the absolute best time of the ENTIRE pregnancy was when the nurse laid baby Rosalina on my chest for the first time once she came into the world. There is nothing more pure, honest, and magical than your brand new baby in your arms after a long 9 months of pregnancy. It’s love in its purest most innocent, heart filling form, and that moment makes everything in life make perfect sense and completely worthwhile.

I see motherhood as the most blessed and sacred job this world has to offer. I have been given the gift to care for 3 human beings who’s lives have infinite possibilities. Our children are our simplest reminders of how to live in the present moment, how to love without conditions, and remember that the smallest things in life hold the most beauty and wonder.

I have given birth to my home team, a gift that God and the universe chose me to do. A gift that has enhanced mine and my husband’s lives in an unexplainable way. A gift that will continue to grow throughout my lifetime and down to future generations to come. There is no greater honor than to be trusted with the love and company of children.

I tell my girls all the time “If I ever have any doubts that God loves me, I just have to look at you, then I know he loves me beyond measure to trust me with the gift of you. I couldn’t be given a greater privilege in this lifetime”.

welcome home girlie...

APRIL 24TH, 2018 8LBS. 4OZ. 20.5 INCHES Rosalina Mae

Words by Danielle Vonlandkammer

AN AWAKENING TO

MOTHERHOOD WRITTEN BY DANIELLE VON LANDKAMMER I am New Zealand born and currently live in Australia and am currently a laser & dermal technician! I have always been incredible passionate about the beauty industry and in educating people in their skin and how to get the best from it. I've worked for some amazing companies such as Sephora, The Body Shop, Chanel and YSL. But my current project I'm working on Is an online clothing boutique for women and I'm very passionate about this as Id love to

@daniellerosevon

be able to work from home so that I can spend every moment with my little girl to be able to be her teacher in the world.

INTERVIEW: What was you and your partner's reaction when you found out that you were pregnant? Did you find out together? We actually found out through ultrasound so it was an amazing surprise, and we got to see the baby right away. Of course I was only 5 weeks along so it was nothing

more then a little dot on the screen but nonetheless we fell in love in that moment.

How are your cravings? Are you having any at all? If so what are they? I haven't had any odd cravings so far, but I am all about the sweet stuff! My partner says he hears me daily telling him I need chocolate or ice cream. I've gone right off chicken though and am in love with seafood. So I guess its changed a little! I'm just so focused on making

sure everything I eat has something that bubs can benefit from.

How many weeks are you currently? I am currently 31 weeks 4 days, Due June 24th.

What has been the hardest part of your pregnancy? The first trimester came with its emotional ups & downs, which are always hard because you know its just hormones but when you feel sad or you get snappy quickly you still cant control it, so you just have to ride the waves! But once you start feeling babies movements and developing that bond everything else seems easy!

What is one of the best moments you've had with your pregnancy?

The first few times I felt her kicks are always an amazing moment, I feel her every hour of everyday now at this stage of pregnancy but back when I was only 20 weeks along an feeling one or two kicks maybe a day, those were magical moments! Also seeing her at the 10 weeks scan, we couldn’t believe how much she had turned "human like"

and was bouncing around inside me!

The first few scans you don’t really know what your looking at but once she started taking shape it was so amazing to see and watch her.

How do you see motherhood? I see it as my awakening, I've always felt like this was the one thing in life I was made to do, there's nothing I've wanted more than this. To be able to grow and nurture a new soul, teach her the beauty of the world and help her to become her own beautiful person is the greatest gift of all.

What do you think one of the best things about motherhood is? I believe it will be seeing all the growth, the new things she learns that mold her into her she will be.

That first smile, laugh, word, steps.

There will be so many things!

Madeline's Story...

about madeline...

"I had an interesting childhood. I didn’t grow up in one place – I grew up all over the world! My father was a pilot in the US Navy and we moved quite a few times during the first 13 years of my life. I’ve been to over half of the US and around 10 different countries including China and Iceland. I’m currently a part time caretaker for my grandfather (who has Parkinson’s disease) and a full time student. I completed my first two years of undergraduate school at Gordon College in MA and am finishing my B.S in Psychology through Liberty University Online.

I spend most of my free time with my husband, Tim, and our two cats. We live a pretty active lifestyle and enjoy many outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and fishing in the summer months. I also love downhill skiing, although I didn’t get to go this season because of the pregnancy. I have always had a passion for helping people, which is why I decided to choose a career in Psychology. Since becoming pregnant, I have looked for alternate ways to help those I come in contact with. I decided to start a blog with the intent of sharing some of my thoughts and struggles as a young wife & mother with other women. It’s all about support. We are capable of so much more than we think, yet a lack of support can cause us to doubt our own abilities! A lot of women aren’t blessed with the kind of support that I have and I’m hoping that my blog can be that support system for some of these women."

What was you and your partner's reaction when you found out that you were pregnant? Did you find out together?

To be honest, we were pretty shocked when we found out that I was pregnant. I was on birth control at the time and we had only been married for 3 months. He knew that I was late for my cycle so we both assumed it was a possibility, but it was still a surprise to see the pregnancy tests come back positive. I took the first test while he was at work and told him when he got home. I was crying so hard I couldn’t even get the words out and he just handled it like a boss. I knew that neither of us wanted a baby this soon, but he never said a negative word about it (and still hasn’t). His positivity has been so helpful throughout this journey.

I was initially heartbroken because I had all these things I wanted to do with Tim before we had kids. I had everything planned out: marriage, then my degree, then a house, and then children. I can laugh about it now, but at that point I felt like my life had spiraled in a direction I just wasn’t ready for yet. I even wrote a full post about this on my blog because I wanted to share those emotions with other women who might be feeling the same way. Besides the sadness, anger, and frustration, I also felt guilty. I felt awful for even feeling this way because I know that so many women face the struggle of infertility and are never able to have a baby of their own. The important thing to remember is that those feelings are valid! It’s important to be validated in feeling a certain way over something, even if it is different than what’s “socially acceptable”. This is why I initially struggled over whether or not to share my feelings publically: I was afraid how people would respond. Since my blog post I have received nothing but positivity and encouragement. Many other mothers have thanked me for their honesty, saying that they experienced the same feelings but were unable to say them out loud.

Thankfully, I was able to get to a point where I was excited about the baby. I recognized that my life was going in this direction whether I wanted it to or not and that the best thing I could do was embrace it and enjoy the ride. A large part of that is due to my wonderful husband, my family, and my friends, who have all been so supportive and encouraging throughout the pregnancy.

I think that anytime your life goes in a different direction than you want, things are bound to get a little stressful. The funny thing is that we can never really plan our lives. As a Christian, one of the things I believe is that God has a will for each of us; and often it doesn’t match our own. I also believe that though His will is different from mine, He will work everything out for my best. He truly brought us the joy and anticipation we prayed for and we can’t wait to meet our little one in just 8 weeks!

How are your cravings?Are you having any at all? If so what are they?

I have definitely been having cravings. I can usually tell the difference between a pregnancy craving and my sweet tooth by how random it is. Often it is something from my childhood or something I haven’t had in a long time. Some of the most random ones have been frozen fruit bars in coconut and lime (both from my childhood), veggies dipped in ranch dressing (which I usually can’t stand), and stroopwafels, which I had in Holland over a decade ago.

Expected Due Date; How many weeks are you currently?

Due date is June 13th.

Girl or Boy? We are expecting a beautiful baby girl.

What has been the hardest part of your pregnancy?

The hardest part has probably been learning to embrace the mental, emotional, and physical changes that pregnancy brings.

Having a baby is a big deal! It’s scary and amazing at the same time and brings so many new aspects to life. You have to start thinking about life, yourself, and your partner in a completely different way! Although it’s been difficult, I look forward to the changes that a growing family will bring to our relationship as a couple.

What is one of the best moments you've had with your pregnancy?

I think one of the best moments during the pregnancy was when my husband had his hand on my belly and felt her kick for the first time. Although I felt her kick before that, seeing his face light up and the excitement in his eyes brought me more joy than I ever thought possible. Thinking about the life that we created together brings emotions I’ve never felt before. It’s just amazing to see this side of him and I know he will be a wonderful father.

How do you see motherhood?

Motherhood is a blessing, always. I haven’t even had my baby yet and I know that. I might not have thought it at first, but I know it in my heart. I love this baby so much already and I haven’t even met her – how is that possible? Motherhood is also a show of strength. It is suffering and making sacrifices and always putting another before yourself. The one word that I would use to describe motherhood would be “selfless”.

When I think of motherhood, I think of my mother. Did I mention I’m a triplet? Well I am, and my mother is amazing. She and my dad struggled to have a baby naturally for 10 years. After two attempts at IVF, however, she was blessed with triplets! (I have one brother and one sister). When I think of what true motherhood is, that is it. She powered through a triplet pregnancy like it was nothing. She changed more diapers a day than any mom should have to. She homeschooled the three of us all the way through high school and never complained. I look up to her both as a daughter and now as a mom-to-be; I hope to be the kind of mother that she was to us.

What do you think one of the best things about motherhood is?

Although I have yet to hold my baby in my arms, I believe that one of the best things about motherhood is the kind of love it brings into your life. The love a mother has for her child is like no other. There’s no way to explain it and no way to experience it unless you have a baby of your own. That is what’s so beautiful about it; we have different types of love for our partner, our family, our friends, and our children. Being a mother gives you a chance to experience a different kind of love than you’ve ever experienced before.

@gracefullifehq www.gracfeullifehq.com

IVY CARNEGIE

Holistic Health Enthusiast and Professional Model, shares her perspective on motherhood and her pregnancy.

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Her Site: www.getprettynourished.com Instagam: @ivycarnegie YouTube: Pretty Balanced

What was you and your partner's reaction when you found out that you were pregnant? Did you find out together?

Confused and excited, haha. I knew I was pregnant right away, (we were not trying) but I felt my body dramatically different. I just felt a sense of calmness and empowerment almost. I waited a few days and picked up a pregnancy test from target. I have been married for ten years, so I have thought we were pregnant many times in the past. This time, I knew, without taking a test that I felt different. I picked up a test one evening after attending an evening gym class. A few days prior I had went to the store and picked up a jar of pickles, a watermelon and gallon of ice cream. That should have been my first clue haha. I got home that evening I picked up the test.

My husband was on a business call. I patiently waited for him to get off his call, which literally seemed like hours. I took the test while he was still on the phone. It immediately said "pregnant". I obnoxiously laughed and cried with excitement and awe at the same time, while looking at my abs in the mirror having just come home from a workout class. I didn't want to alarm him so I pulled myself together and began putting away from items from Target while waiting for him to end his call. He hung up and I allowed him to share with me his work conversation and responded with my two cents about this situation before handing him the positive pregnancy test.

All he said was " no, no... are you sure? Sh**, no, How? " haha It still makes me giggle thinking back. Its just been us for nearly 16 years. I allowed him to process it all freely, calmly without any harsh response as I had already had my private moments while he was on the phone. He paced the living room for a while, apologizing at times, expressing excitement, shock and fear then excitement again. He was a really neat moment for me to experience with him.

Are you getting any cravings?

In the beginning I was craving beets, salmon and egg yolks. I called my husband one day after being on set shooting a campaign, in an emotional panic. I told him if I didn't get a hard boiled egg with a yolk I was going to die. This sounds silly but I was shaking and crying and I was really concerned about my blood sugar levels. The really interesting thing is I had been a vegan for 3 years prior to pregnancy. My Dr called the next day and said my blood work showed my vitamin D levels were dangerously low. Sure enough, egg yolks and salmon are high in vitamin D. There certainly is a stigma with obnoxious cravings and some women abuse it but in all honesty, most of them are coming from a real place of need. If I can advise anyone in early stages of pregnancy, it is to listen to your body. ( it is probably not saying ice cream, but if it is saying cheese or egg yolk, you are probably in need of a vital nutrient.)

Expected Due Date June 10th is my current due date.

Girl or Boy? We did not find out. We are so excited for the surprise at birth. We are really stumped about what it may be.

What has been the hardest part of your pregnancy?

Feeling vulnerable, especially now. I love doing things on my own and I am currently pregnant in crutches. So I need help doing pretty much everything. That is hard, but I am trying to embrace it. Thankfully I have an incredible husband.

What is one of the best moments you've had with your pregnancy?

Enjoying the process with all the family and friends that love us. We have been together for so long and enjoying just marriage and life, starting a business, etc. It is so fun and incredible to feel an army of people standing behind us rooting for us in this next season of our lives. Im not sure what I thought would happen but I did not anticipate that incredible feeling of that aspect.

How do you see motherhood?

Messy but beautiful. I have always strived in chaos. When we had our store front I was working 80 hours a week and I was never more productive. Believe it or not, I never read more books, never watched less TV and didn't waste time or money. I anticipate the chaos of motherhood to have the same energy. Will it? I don't know yet, but I can't wait to see.

What do you think one of the best things about motherhood is?

I hope it is humility, but we will see.

THE BEAUTY

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PHOTOGRAPHER JAMIE LEE TANG WWW.JTANGPRODUCTIONS.COM

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