Belly Blessed Fest 2013: A Festival for Expecting Moms

Calling all expecting moms and dads!

Celebrate the many joys of pregnancy with Belly Blessed Fest 2013! A three-day event dedicated to expectant moms, Belly Blessed Fest will be held from July 12 to 14, 2013 at the 2nd and 3rd Level Atrium of The Podium Mall in Pasig City. 

There’ll be exciting interactive stations to delight expectant moms and dads-to-be like the Pregnancy Portrait Booth sponsored by Little One’s Portraits, Clay Medallion Making Station, and a wishing wall where moms can write special messages to the miracle growing inside their wombs. 

Alongside the activity stations will be booths showcasing the latest mom and baby products and services in the market today at the 3rd level. Moms-to-be can also browse and shop for essentials at the mompreneur booths. There will also be products for toddlers and children, Crumbs and Grubs Lactation goodies and snacks for expectant and nursing moms. As part of the Mommy Mundo events' tradition, there will be raffle draws throughout the day. 

On July 13, Saturday, there will be an all-day program of informative talks and refreshing entertainment. Music and entertainment Gentle Universe and a belly dancing session with the Goddesses of Belly Dance by Jill Ngo will get moms-to-be gently grooving while various and informative talks like that of Rome Kanapi, Childbirth Education teacher to reveal some Labor and relaxation techniques while importance of Safe Sleep will be discussed by Halo Philippines. Protect your baby for life! Listen to Dra. Aurora Tajan of CordLife Philippines, and Teacher Jeannie Castillo of Kindermusik Mama, will help get them more ready for the big Delivery day. A Keepsake Journal Making by Namaste and Craft MNL might just encourage many of them to make one-of-a-kind keepsakes of their pregnancy. 

The event is open to everybody, but expectant moms are encouraged to pre-register to get Belly Blessed Fest goodies; interested attendees may simply text their name and the number of weeks that she are pregnant to 0917-8162524 limited slots available! 

Belly Blessed Fest is presented by Mommy Mundo, the Manila’s go-to resource portal for active, modern moms; PACE, Mommy Matters, Nurture Nook, and venue partner, The Podium Mall. It is supported by Cordlife Cord Blood Banking, GlaxoSmithKline, Cycles Mild Detergent, Cradle, Philips Avent, Crystal Clear, Cluebebe, Little One’s Portraits and Crumbs and Grubs Lactation Goodies. Media partners are Urban Mom, Mommy Pages, Working Mom, Lifestyle Network, Crossover 105.1, and When in Manila. Logistics partner is Creative Juice Communications (www.creativejuiceph.com). 

For more on Belly Blessed, like Belly Blessed on Facebook or visit www.bellyblessed.com or www.mommymundo.com. 

To check out photos of last year's Belly Blessed Fest, click here.

Watch the Belly Blessed 2012 video here. 

The Jessica Alba Way to Losing that Post-Pregnancy Belly

 

Moms! Expecting moms! Young ladies who will eventually become moms years from now! Here's a tip from Jessica Alba, hot momma of two, on how to lose that post-baby paunch:

"It was brutal; it's not for everyone. I wore a double corset for three months. It was sweaty, but WORTH IT."

The secret to getting her pre-baby bod back at The Edit via net-a-porter.com

Actually, I can vouch for you that this works. Like a charm.

Unwittingly, I had done the Jessica Alba tactic and wore a belly wrap (just one, not 2. But I also wore a hip shrinking band) for 2 months (ok, I should have worn it an extra month pala!) day and night as soon as I popped Berry and Xavi. Well, not right after, but on the day we left the hospital, which was about 2 days after I gave birth.

This is me a few days before I gave birth

 Ten days after I gave birth

Xavi and me five weeks after he popped out

Yes, it was sweaty. Yes it was uncomfortable. Yes it bulged under my clothes. Taking it off after 2 months felt very liberating. But it was also a relief to have the semblance of a flat tummy after months of just seeing it protrude. Which was good enough.

Unlike Jessica Alba, I need to work on strengthening my core and toning my tummy. Now if only I can find the discipline to do plana forma and yoga religiously. Next week, promise!

P.S.

Oh, I have to say that using a belly wrap  has to be used in conjunction with a belly tightening cream like Palmer's Post Natal Firming Lotion or the Clarins Tonic Oil. My therapist at the Clarins Spa says you have to apply a tightening cream or lotion day and night, and soon after giving birth to see the full effect. I noticed that when I gave birth to Berry, I was younger and my skin just bounced back  with no help from a firming cream. But since I was 34 when I gave birth to Xavi, skin wasn't as elastic and got a bit loose and saggy, hence the needed boost, ahihi.