Announcing the Arrival of your Baby - Birth Announcements

Babies are fun to have but the anticipation of their arrival and preparing for the baby can be just as exciting! And once your bundle of joy arrives, the joy and excitement is at such a level that you obviously want to announce it to the world. You want to share it at least with your friends and loved ones.

There are number of ways of sending birth announcements. Giving out a notice in newspapers is passé and too impersonal. The other two are sending hand written or customized birth announcements and sending e mails. One thing with e mails is that there is a chance that all may not have Internet access. Moreover, e mails too appear impersonal and designing one yourself to personalize it may require a fair amount of expertise in software that you may not be conversant with.

The age old custom is to buy cards at a card store and fill out information and post them. There are myriads of designs in birth announcement cards available in stores. Choose a card design and an envelope that appeals you the most. Refer to your Christmas card list and add any new names that you feel you should send birth announcements to. Put on your creative cap to add a personal touch to the birth announcement, which may otherwise appear mundane. For example, write a small poem that expresses your love for the baby to convey your feelings to recipients.

Howsoever excited you may be it would be a bit of a bother to arrange for all these immediately after the baby is born. You can of course order or buy in advance but that may require you to compromise on certain features that are determinable only after the baby is born.

However, in the present day scenario of fast communication, the Internet can help you in birth announcements just as it may have helped you in preparing for the baby: buying maternity clothes and loads of stuff that a baby needs immediately after birth. There are quite a few websites and online maternity stores that offer facilities for sending birth announcements, such as www.miraclemunchkins.com. They even offer choices for holiday birth announcements, and the darling driver’s license birth announcements!

Make sure that you choose two designs: one if it is a boy and second if it is a girl. The traditional way is to use a blue theme for a baby boy and pink for a baby girl but you may find some unisex themes also. Make sure to get envelopes delivered in advance. Keep envelopes ready: complete with addresses and stamp them if you are not using a courier service.

After the birth of the baby, click as many pictures of the baby as you possibly can with a digital camera. Choose the best of the lot and upload to send it to the chosen facility by e mail along with relevant information: date and time of birth and birth weight. You may also want to add the names of those present at the time of birth.

Once the photo cards are delivered, which is usually a couple of days after you send the details. You may also choose to give the names of your friends and relatives for printing each name inside just to show them that you care!

New maternity clothing lines coming!

In December of 2008 BellaBlu Maternity & Baby celebrated their one year anniversary of the opening of their retail store in Edmond, Oklahoma. In addition to celebrating a fantastic year, we will be adding several additional high quality maternity clothing and diaper bag lines. Lines such as Jules & Jim, Shade, James Jeans, Spanx, Nest, timi & leslie, and BumGenius. Soon thereafter, when the Fall season of 2009 approaches, even more high quality lines will be added! BellaBlu Maternity & Baby is determined to offer the highest quality maternity clothing options. We understand that maternity clothing is worn very frequently in the 4-6 months it is owned and therefore is expected to last. Our designers are some of the highest respected designers in the industry and know what soon to be moms expect. Buying a top and then having it shrivel up after two washings is not acceptable no matter what you paid for it! Lastly, we also know how important it is to find trendy maternity clothes that don’t have that boring look you often find in stores in the mall. You want to look great during this special time in your life and BellaBlu Maternity is the best online store there is. Locally owned and operated with fantastic customer service. At BellaBlu Maternity, we are here to make your online shopping experience as easy and as pleasant as possible because you deserve it!

Wearing Maternity Clothes

It is almost certain that as soon as women become pregnant, they start to surf the Internet or flip through baby and parenting magazines. Most marketing sales pitches suggest that you shall soon need specific maternity wear if you are to ensure that you carry yourself well throughout the pregnancy. One even tends to look at the model with pearl white teeth and a small baby bump and start wondering whether you will look as graceful when you start showing. That you will definitely need maternity wear is certain but the question is when?

There are no fixed parameters that decide when you need to start wearing maternity clothes. This is mainly because while there are benchmarks to assess whether your weight increase is normal or not as the months go by, there is a wide differentiation in how the body of each woman reacts to pregnancy. The size of the baby, the diet and various other factors like metabolism also affect the manner in which the tummy shall grow.

Maternity wear should ideally accommodate the diversities of the female body and the first thing is to know what is available for your size and shape. Below is some advice that may prove useful.

Regardless of the fact that it is suggested that most women do not start showing or gain significant weight before the first trimester is over, some women do gain significant weight in the first trimester. Many feel bloated and normal clothing may tug against the sensitive stomach. The best thing in this case would be to buy non-maternity clothes that have a drawstring or an elastic band at the hip. Buy a few pairs of maternity jeans, pants, skirts or shorts, whichever you prefer, and you will be able to wear them even after you deliver the baby. You can do the same with dresses as well. Simply buy those with a stretchy material and one size up from normal. A Bella Band is also an excellent device that allows you to continue to wear your current jeans and pants without buttoning them!

This type of clothing may serve you well even during the second trimester when you have a clearly visible baby bump. However, for your own comfort you can look for maternity wear with flat tailored panels and adjustable waistbands that are more discreet and comfortable. You may also have to get yourself good support bras to boost your confidence.

By the time you enter the third trimester you would have outgrown your wardrobe. Maternity wear at this stage is mostly dependent upon your size and selection. The basic theory is the same as in the first and second trimester. Trousers and stretch panel skirts with adjustable waistbands are a must as they fit comfortably over the bulge. Depending upon your mood and inclination you may choose maternity wear that covers the baby bump or shows it. This is also time for you to look for a nursing bra, nightwear suitable for breastfeeding and other loose fitting post-pregnancy clothing.

As stated earlier, when and what type of maternity wear you will require depends largely upon how your body changes during pregnancy. Some women are known to live through the entire pregnancy with adjustable non-maternity clothing while for some it may be necessary in the first trimester itself. The thing to cheer about is that there never was such a huge variety of affordable and fashionable maternity wear as there is today.

Shopping Cart Covers

Get the cutest shopping cart covers from name brand designers at Shopping Cart Cover Shop! We have selections for boys, girls, gender neutral, and even twins! Keep your baby comfortable, clean and germ free while you shop!

Cute summer maternity dress!

Summer's here, and there's no better time than now to look your greatest in our new cotton halter pink Maribou dress! This adorable new dress has taupe silk halter ties on one shoulder, and is very comfortable. Looks great on you even after your baby is born! Sizes extra-small to extra-large currently available.

High Tide Hipkini!

Another hot item at Bellablu Maternity, is the High Tide Hipkini - available in brown and teal patterns, this swimsuit has been a HOT seller! Get yours now while they're in stock!

New Maternity Dresses at BellaBlu Maternity!

Come shop at BellaBlu Maternity and check out some of our new dresses! Floral Plum Print Dress, Contrast Dress in Lilac and Plum Dress, and our Crystal Swing Maternity Dress!

BELLABLU MATERNITY INTRODUCES THIS YEAR'S EXCITING NEW FALL 2009 MATERNITY DRESSES!

With each new fall and spring season we can hardly wait to see what gorgeous maternity dresses our designers have in store for us. This year, they didn’t fail to deliver as we have some of the most beautiful maternity dresses in the industry. With renown designers such as jules & jim, Japanese Weekend, Olian, and others, BellaBlu announces some of our favorite Fall 2009 dresses.

BellaBlu Maternity announces the addition of Caden Lane and Petunia Pickle bottom diaper bags!!

We are so very proud to announce the arrival of Caden Lane designs and Petunia Pickle Bottom to our diaper bag collection. Both of these designers are considered some of the best in the industry and have the track record to prove it. But don’t take our word for it, just check out these gorgeous diaper bags. Plenty of room, plenty of amenities, and simply a fantastic look. Many of them you can’t even tell are diaper bags! All are designed and manufactured with the highest quality and are built to last for the entire duration. Easy to clean and even easy to match with your favorite outfits!

Both Caden Lane Diaper Bags, and Petunia Pickle Bottom, come with several styles to choose from. Some are bigger then others and some are easier to get around for those quick trips. Regardless, you are certain to find one that matches your needs or style.

New Diaper Bag by Timi & Leslie!

BellaBlu Maternity presents the long awaited Charlie Bag by Timi & Leslie - this bag was moving fast before we even had them available! This adorable double handles Slouchy Tote diaper bag comes in black(most popular), brown, teal, and red. It’s made of PVC and is easy to keep clean and always looks great. It has a waterproof lining and comes with several interior pockets and wristlets. As always, this beautiful diaper bag comes with a changing pad, bottle tote and the always important key fob for quick access! This diaper bag is the perfect size as it’s not too big nor too small. It measures approximately 16” x 18” x5”, which is ideal for the on the go mom.

Last but not least, this beautiful diaper bag comes with a removable strap as well as stroller straps for those pleasant morning walks. So come get yours now while supplies last. At BellaBlu Maternity, we are always her for you maternity and baby needs and are always available if you need any assistance whatsoever. We are here to make your online shopping experience as easy and as pleasant as possible!

New Maternity Hits!

The holidays are over and so far the big hits of the season have been BellaBlu’s Red & Black Plaid Tunic and the Effortless maternity dress. The Red and Black maternity tunic is so wonderfully soft and comfortable and ties in the back so it can grow with you! Great coverage and is one item that can be worn casually with jeans or leggings, or business casual with slacks or trousers. Next is our Effortless long sleeve v-neck maternity dress in black or brown. This gorgeous v-neck maternity dress will give you a classy polished look without having to give up the comfort that some of the more semi-formal dresses lack. So wonderfully soft and comfortable, it will surely turn heads and provide numerous compliments. Maternity clothing at BellaBlu has never been better! So take a look at these trendy new additions along with many other beautiful maternity dresses and tops. We promise, you will find several items that fit your taste. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any sizing or product questions on our maternity clothes as we are always available to help you make the best decision during this wonderful time in your life. You deserve to look good!

New Bella Band Color!

BellaBlu Maternity is proud to announce the new Bella Band color for Spring 2010…Grey! Grey you ask? How can Grey be a spring color? Well believe it or not, Grey is a very popular color for spring and summer as it can be worn with basically any color jeans and top. With a grey Bella Band, you still have some color yet you don’t have that heat absorbing factor that the black Bella Band can have. As always, BellaBlu will have several colors of Bella bands available such as White, Black, Midnight(dark navy), Petal(light pink), Coffee(dark brown) and wine(dark burgundy). We offer two styles of bands….the Everyday style and the Lace style for the more trendy look. Still our most popular item ever, the Bella Band offers great comfort and ease with use. No need to buy new maternity jeans yet, when you can buy a Bella Band and use your current jeans. The Bella Band is excellent for transitional use as well when you cant quite fit into your old jeans after delivering your precious angel. The Bella Band offers superb comfort to help hide your belly when you want to be a little more low profile, or to help support that belly if you are one of those mothers that is carrying the baby lower. So come get yours today at BellaBlu Maternity online store or our retail store located in Edmond. Still free ground shipping whether you order it alone or with any other item BellaBlu has to offer.

New maternity clothing line!

BellaBlu Maternity announces Glam Maternity into their new line of maternity dresses and maternity tops! We are tremendously excited to bring in Glam who has a beautiful selection of maternity dresses and maternity tops. There is basically something for everyone in this adorable trendy line of maternity clothing. All are made in the USA and all constructed of super soft materials to make you feel even more comfortable and stylish at the same time! Glam Maternity, also knows as See You in Miami, is a very well respected designer in the maternity industry and is dedicated to providing high quality maternity clothes at affordable pricing. There are so many styles to choose from. Gorgeous prints to solids make it easy to choose maternity dress for the season. It didn’t take BellaBlu Maternity long to decide that this line shares our vision as well…to provide high quality, trendy maternity clothing at affordable pricing. All their line is made to last throughout the entire pregnancy and even afterwords through the transitional period. What’s even nicer with their maternity clothes is that almost all of the styles are a One size Fits All. Talk about eliminating the fear of ordering the wrong size of maternity clothing! The Unwritten rule is that the One Size Fits all sizing is catered for those sized 2-12. So come take a look at the fantastic new maternity dresses and tops BellaBlu Maternity has to offer. We promise you’ll find something that fits your style and your budget. You deserve it!

New Spring Line Has Arrived!

Spring is here and so are our fabulous new Maternity dresses and tops! As the long winter of 2010 comes to and, we are excited to announce the arrival of our spring maternity dresses and tops at BellaBlu Maternity. With new designers such as Glam Maternity, combined with our stellar lines from Japanese Weekend, Olian, Jules & Jim and Maternal America, we have a wonderful selection of maternity dresses and tops to choose from. All of our maternity clothing is high quality and designed to last through full term pregnancy and even several weeks post-pregnancy during the transition. We have the classy and conservative sleeveless style of dresses as well as Cowl Necks and Halters. If you are the type of Mom to be that likes the prints, we have some beautiful styles of prints to choose from. You can start with Tie-dye, to floral, to 2-color expanded prints that look absolutely adorable. Our trendy line of maternity clothing is becoming more and more popular each year as we understand how important it is to look and feel your best during these trying months of your body making all sorts of changes. The sizing of our new maternity dresses and tops has been even better as the vast majority are true to size, yet most have room for areas where you might be experiencing less or more growth. We are always here to help with any sizing issues and welcome any thoughts or concerns. So don’t wait too long as many of our dresses and tops sell out fast. Our wonderful selection of formal maternity dresses is also getting ready top hit its peak demand as the wedding seasons approach. And last but not least, if you just want something plain and simple, yet comfortable and stylish, you can never go wrong with our fabulous Shad line of maternity tops. Several colors to choose from along with the form fitting style or ruched. You cant go wrong and you wont go wrong with BellaBlu Maternity and its terrific selection of trendy, high quality, yet affordably priced maternity clothing!

Pregnancy and Your Body

Post partum blues? Not anymore! The evolution of maternity clothing never ceases to fail as now it continues into after the baby wear. BellaBlu Maternity has added a wonderful new nursing bra line from Bravado. A high quality, affordable nursing bra line with top of the line nursing bras. Maternity pajama sets are all nursing capable so they work great during and after pregnancy. From Japanese Weekend to Olian Maternity, you will certainly find a cute style that suits your interests. Lastly is probably the most important to many moms these days and that is how do I get back to my "normal" body? Well that question has been answered with the induction of the pregnancy belts. Not the kind that hold your belly up for support while you are pregnant, but the kind that get the belly back down so you can work on getting that 6-pack back….or at least try! At BellaBlu Maternity we have 2 brands of after the baby belts to choose from. We have the ever popular Belly Bandit which comes in three styles. They are the Original, the Couture, and the Bamboo(most popular), with each having a color and/or design you will love. All are very easy to size and can be worn right after having your baby(once cleared from the doctor of course!) The next line is one that has been taking off rapidly and is soon to become our best seller and that is the Cinch. The Cinch belly wrap is a uniquely designed wrap that comes in two styles and two colors. Sizes are very simple as they only have two! The Cinch is very simple to use and offers stronger support and allows a wide range of adjustment. Their Signature Cinch even has pockets for warm or cold packs! So don’t let the post partum blues get you down as BellaBlu Maternity offers a great selection of nursing bras and pajama sets to choose from and as the always so wonderful belly wraps to get help get your body back the way you want it! Come take a look!

Maternity Swimwear

Swimwear season is here!

BellaBlu Maternity is excited to announce this years beautiful new selection of maternity swimwear. As the season has rapidly approached, it’s time to pick a maternity swimsuit that will make you feel as wonderful as you are. For many, this is the most exciting time of the year with fun filled outdoor activities, BBQ’s, and parties. Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t join in the poolside, lakeside, or ocean side fun. Picking a maternity swimsuit has actually become far easier and even more important, more fun as there are so many adorable suits to choose from. From Prego to Maternal America, you just can’t go wrong with the selection and styles of suits available. Most maternity swimwear fits true to size, though the major rule of thumb is that if you are in between sizes, you should order up. Bust size is the most important to focus on as you have to make sure you have enough support. Some women can’t have strapless while others prefer halters. Do you want a full coverage maternity swimsuit to cover those areas that you would prefer not be seen….for now. Too tight in the bust area is another area to avoid as a tight top can be very uncomfortable. The vast majority of the maternity swimwear have padded cups and/or are lined for better support. Swim bottoms are very flexible and a there are several styles that have tie-side bottoms for even better adjustment. So now the decision is yours. Take a look at BellaBlu’s fantastic selection of maternity swimwear. We’re always here to help if you have any sizing questions or need s suit delivered by a certain date. We always try to accommodate our customers needs whenever possible. And don’t forget the .95 flat rate ground shipping which just can’t be beat!

Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Bags

BellaBlu Maternity announces the addition of Ju-Ju-Be Diaper bags to our online and retail store! We are very proud to announce that we have added the legendary Ju-Ju-Be diaper bag line to our beautiful selection of diaper bags. Ju-Ju-Be has a very strong reputation as a high quality diaper bag line. They have a wonderful selection of diaper bags to select. They have diaper bags for every type of mom….from conservative and trendy styles to the radical floral beauties! All their BeAll bags have the Waterproof and easy cleaning Teflon as well satin linings which are waterproof as well and are ideal for cleaning. Their lining are also bright colors which unlike many standard black linings, allow mom to find what she’s looking for much faster. All of their hardware is metal and not plastic for better durability. They also use magnets instead of Velcro for pocket closures. And boy do they have the pockets as you can never have too many pockets on a diaper bag! And as always, each bag comes with a removable Memory Foam changing pad to help evenly support your baby as well as help with pressure points. BellaBlu Maternity will be carrying Ju-Ju-Be’s BeAll bag line. These are by far the most popular and most practical. So come take a look at the wonderful selection of Ju-Ju-Be diaper bags we have to choose from. If you decide these may not be the bag for you, don’t worry, we have a tremendous selection of diaper bags to choose from and the vast majority come with free shipping! We even have a great selection of diaper bags for Dad’s too!

Summer season in full blast!

Summer is upon us in full force. Are you ready? Do you have one or two maternity swimsuits? Do you have enough cami’s and maternity tee’s? Now is the time to get your summer collection of maternity clothing before it’s too late. Swimwear is one of the biggest things mom-to-be’s overlook as they forget how much they wore their swimsuit last year! Maternity swimwear is abundant at BellaBlu Maternity. Casual maternity tee’s and tops are also a huge summer favorite. Since many events are held outside, you nee to find a sleeveless or short sleeve tee that fits you well and makes you feel good. Some moms like the maternity tee’s with cute little sayings on them, while others like the solid bright colors that breathe well. Ruching sides is also a big hit for maternity tops as it helps the fit and flexibility as there is no riding up or gathering. Most maternity tops for spring and summer are designed to breathe better as pregnancy seems to increase your sensitivity to heat anyways. Seems like we are always hot as those hormones don’t give up! Shade brand of tee’s are still the most popular casual maternity top around. Solid vibrant color maternity tops and by far the most comfortable you will find. And last but not least, the most affordable of any high quality maternity tee! A maternity cami or tank is also a big favorite. Ruching tanks are great but we would suggest you get white. Same goes with maternity cami’s as the whites and pinks are always a big summer hit. Most have a fit that will satisfy all moms since they are so flexible. Enjoy your summer and make sure you have all the maternity summer clothing you need to make it even better!

New Fall Maternity Clothes!

Fall tends to be a warm welcome for many mothers and expecting moms. With the hot weather coming to an end, and school starting, there are plenty of new things on the horizon to look forward to. One of the best things for the expecting mother is the wonderful new styles and designs of maternity clothing. One thing is for certain in the maternity clothing industry…..Fall spells style. There is no doubt that the Fall season brings out the absolute best in the newest fall maternity clothing styles. From vibrant prints to soothing solid fall colors, we have it all. It’s so much easier to dress warm than to dress cool. You can have a wide array of choices of maternity dresses that look so beautiful, they can literally be shocking to many as being for expecting mothers. Each Fall season the selection of maternity dresses and tops gets better and better. With the new trends, and the classic that never die, there is always something that will fit your taste. For many expecting mothers, the dresses are the most popular desired item. With the new season, not only does the temperature get cooler, but the holidays become a more profound time in our life. Holiday parties and get-togethers are such a wonderful time for new moms as they are glowing from the expectancy of their new precious angel to the celebration of family, life, and the religion or spirituality that makes up their life. What a great combination! Fall maternity dresses and tops are usually not form fitting so pay close attention to your bust size when ordering. Make sure the dress doesn’t go down too far in the front that could reveal more than what you feel comfortable with. Most dresses on BellaBlu Maternity breathe well so you don’t have to worry about getting too hot, so focus on style and color. Find a color that complements you or even gives you the slimming effect many expecting mothers crave.

Spring has Sprung at BellaBlu Maternity!

You know the feeling… it comes every year. That feeling of spring in the air where the fresh smell comes back, the color comes back, the sunlight stays longer, and yes, the clothes get even more beautiful! Spring is here and is an exciting time for new moms to start looking for a new spring maternity dress for those baby showers, Easter holiday, or just to wear casually around the town. The styles change every year as to the trends and we are very excited about this years crop of top quality maternity clothes. Short sleeve and sleeveless dresses come into play with a wide variety of styles including wraps, faux wraps, maxi’s, empire waists and many others. There are many things to look for when buying a maternity dress. Your height might be something to consider if you are looking at a maxi dress or even a dress where you want to fall above your knee or below. Skin tone can be important as well, as some colors and prints look more vibrant with women who may have a fair complexion or those who might have a darker complexion. Most women know what colors they tend to look best in. Obviously, black is the most popular color, yet more and more we are seeing vibrant colorful dresses hit the market. Prints are also more common yet are not for everyone so you have to make sure the print really brings out the best in the dress. The type of neck line is also a consideration that must be taken as some women prefer v-necks while others prefer a crew or scoop neck. Some of the new flattering styles are the square neck dresses which seem to be more flexible with more women since it does reveal the bust area, yet not too much to where you feel uncomfortable. You are glowing! So let your maternity dress express it!