Babble

Search

Explore

charmedvalerie

Twitter Instagram Pinterest Google+

About

Valerie Rowekamp blogs and vlogs over at CharmedValerie.com about fashion and beauty. She was a frequent blogger for the Pregnancy channel on Babble before giving birth to her son, Rocco.

Posts by charmedvalerie

Hello Rocco, Goodbye Being Pregnant!

This is my last post at Being Pregnant due to the fact that….I’m not pregnant anymore. On September 22 at 4:30pm after just 1.5 hours of active labor, I gave birth to the newest member of our family. The day started out in preschool carpool and when I went to my 9am midwife appointment, I...

Pregnancy

How To Extend The Life of Your Summer Maternity Wardrobe

I have never in my life been so happy to welcome the fall season! Like I said before, August in Texas while 8-9 months pregnant is NO JOKE. Fortunately, that is all behind me now and I am thankful because I was running out of clothing options suitable for the sauna-like temperatures. I have ZERO...

Pregnancy

DIY Maternity Halloween Costume (No Sewing Skills Required)

With fall officially here and pumpkin lattes brewing, Halloween is just around the corner. Whether or not you’ll have parties to attend or children to take trick-or-treating, it’s still fun to get dressed up and celebrate. It’s even more fun to incorporate your blossoming bump in a way that is inexpensive and extremely easy. Check...

Pregnancy

Cervical Checks: Why Do I Insist on Torturing Myself?!

So now that I am officially full term (37 weeks), I am excited and anxious about delivery. I absolutely love surprises and that’s what makes spontaneous delivery so much fun (heh). What birthday will my baby/body choose? Up until yesterday, I was certain that I’d opt out of those uncomfortable and unnecessary cervical checks. What’s...

Pregnancy

More Business of Being Born: Available for Download Now

One of America’s most revolutionary documentaries about birth is back with not one but four follow-up videos aimed to further inform, educate, and empower women about their birthing experiences. Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein’s The Business of Being Born (2007) provided a nation of mothers-to-be with insight into the process of childbirth and the various...

Pregnancy

My Simple DIY Baby Shower

The day before my 37th week of pregnancy, I had the honor of being showered by friends and family. Being that this is will be my second son in four years, I opted for a simple diaper shower and my mom planned and executed it perfectly. All of the decorations and favors were homemade thanks...

Pregnancy

Psyching Myself Up for Another Natural Childbirth

Now that I’m 36 weeks pregnant with my second child, it’s time to get really serious about how we’ll prepare and approach this whole natural childbirth thing for the second time. It feels like this pregnancy has just flown by because I’ve been so busy taking care of my 3 year old which has had...

Pregnancy

Maternity Boudoir: Pregnancy's Sexiest Trend

The last thing you may be feeling as a pregnant woman is “sexy” but the latest trend in maternity photography will have you seeing pregnancy in a whole new way. Boudoir photography has been increasing in popularity as women want to capture their inner vixen for themselves or their special someone. The experience can be...

Pregnancy

What You Need To Know Before Hiring a Newborn Photographer: Tips, Tricks, and Buyer Beware

Are you planning to book a photography session for your newborn? Hiring a newborn photographer is something that you definitely need to do before your baby’s arrival because it is a once-in-a-lifetime event that takes some planning. Knowing how to find the right photographer and what to beware of is important to achieve the results...

Pregnancy

36 Weeks: Last Minute Excitement and Anxiety

I am 36 weeks pregnant today. Just 4 (or so) weeks until the glorious day when I meet my new little guy! While I’m totally savoring these fetal kicks and my “cute” pregnant figure (knowing that there are newborn cuddles in my future), I’m also totally freaking out after my most recent midwife appointment.

Pregnancy

"I'm a piece of art!"–My 34 week Bellycasting Experience [SLIDESHOW]

Bellycasting. Something I originally thought was super cheesy and unnecessary became one of my fondest memories during this pregnancy. My artist sister had tried to talk me into creating a belly cast during my first pregnancy but by the time my belly was big enough, I was just an irritable, lazy mess and I just...

Pregnancy

Fall 2011's Hottest Maternity Trends (that you can wear now)

Fall 2011 is fast approaching and with all the back-to-school and tax-free sales going on it’s a great time to stock up on some stylish, versatile maternity clothing. Learn about the hottest Fall trends, my top clothing picks, and different ways to wear them after the jump.

Pregnancy

It's NOT a Pregnancy Waddle, More Like a Swagger. You Decide. [VIDEO]

So…..I’m currently 8.5 months (34 weeks) pregnant. A LOT has happened in those 8.5 months. I now have an almost fully baked little human riding around in me at all times. I am aware of that at all times….especially when I’m standing, sitting, walking, not walking, sleeping, and ALWAYS. It’s great, totally normal, and I’m...

Pregnancy

Words of Wisdom from Moms to Their Pregnant Selves [VIDEO]

Becoming a mother for the first time is the most life-changing and trans-formative things to happen to a woman in her life. It definitely was for me back in 2007 when I became a mother for the first time. I read every parenting book, took classes, and absorbed every ounce of information possible in preparation...

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Triggered My Deepest Fear

As long as I can remember, I have had a fear of throwing up. Nobody enjoys throwing up but the way I feel about it can only be classified as a phobia–emetophobia to be exact. I am extremely vigilant in avoiding illness, food poisoning, excess of alcohol, and people who vomit. Heck, I even...

Pregnancy

As Good As Used: My Designer Baby Consignment Shopping Haul [VIDEO]

One of my favorite things about welcoming a new baby into our family is shopping for the new baby. I can almost feel myself bonding with the little guy as I imagine him wearing these teeny tiny adorable little outfits. But as much as I LOVE shopping and designer baby clothing, I love finding a...

Pregnancy

Bleeding in Pregnancy, What I Didn't Know…

There are few occurrences in pregnancy that are more alarming than the sight of fresh blood in the first trimester. 11 weeks into my second pregnancy, I had already had one successful pregnancy ending in a live birth and no reason to think this one would be any different. We had seen the sweet little...

Pregnancy

Things I Never Expected To Experience During My Natural Birth

With my first child, I knew I wanted to give birth naturally from the moment I found out I was pregnant (ok, maybe it was a little after I got over the shock of being pregnant in the first place). But, in the whole 9 months of midwife appointments, Bradley Method childbirth classes, and soaking...

Pregnancy

A Lazy Woman's Guide To Summer Pregnancy In Style

Being pregnant in the summer is no piece of cake, I say write this while in Texas where it is currently 109 degrees. It’s hot, humid, and I’m hardly energized enough to put much effort into my appearance. I might blog about fashion, style, and beauty but that does NOT mean I’m above being really...

Pregnancy

Top 5 Breastfeeding Registry Essentials: The Stuff You Really Need

After making the decision to breastfeed, you are going to be overwhelmed by all of the gadgets, doodads, and thingamajigs that are marketed at you in stores and online. After 17 months of nursing my first child, I can honestly tell you that you won’t use the majority of those products 99% of the time...

Pregnancy