Shop Updates

Okay, I still feel incredibly awkward posting a "selfie portrait!" {Hahaha!} But just wanted to post an update and say HELLO to any new friends!:) Thanks for visiting thedaintypear.com! 

I'm Sarah! I'm working super hard on all the orders that have been placed and they should all be out by the middle of the week! I'm so grateful for everyone and their patience while the shop has had a little delay taking all the orders with the Christmas Coupon Code! {CHRISTMASINSEPTEMBER for 25% off!} 

Also! The date that the shop will be closed MIIIIIGHT be moved up to after this coupon code is over! Because this weather has me itching to drink some hot cocoa with my babies and take little fall hikes!🍂 So there are 5 days to get in orders until the new year! {With maybe one surprise day in between!} Don't you fret! There will be giveaways and fun collaborations in between, but the shop will be taking a break!:) 

ALSO, I know I don't say much about it, but still loving LipSense! You can find it right here at thedaintypear.com under the tab "LipSense" at the top of the page, and it will be shipped from the company straight to you! 

ALSO, super side note...I'm terrible at doing my own brows, so thanks to Karli at Elevate Salon for helping me out!

Haha! Thanks for sticking with me, I've said it before but I'll continue to say that The Dainty Pear has the best customers and friends here!:) Thank you!

XO

Sarah

Necklace: The Dainty Pear "The Harper" with Anniversary {THIS ONE}
Sweater: Costco
Shirt: Jane.com {Click HERE}
Lipstick: LipSense {Order HERE}

Christmas in September!

Jingle Bells before Halloween?! You're seeing it right!😂 Being a Wife and Mama is my number one Priority, and between the Holidays and my Brother's wedding in November, the shop will be closing the weekend before Thanksgiving!:) SO, all orders placed in the shop this month will receive 25% off, {which is the biggest discount of the year!} when you use the code CHRISTMASINSEPTEMBER! Thanks for Decking your Halls with @thedaintypear a few months early!:) To shop, click HERE, and don't forget that coupon code!:)

XO

Sarah

Sunday

"Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee. How Great Thou Art. How Great Thou Art." A little pre-bedtime Sunday drive on #HisDay. Whatever religion you may be, or of no religion at all, soaking in some good ol' Mother Nature is just good for the soul, don't you think?! Happy Sunday, Everyone! Watch for a coupon code to the shop this week, but for now, hope your evening is filled with family this gorgeous day!:)

XO

S.C.

Breathing Techniques During Labor

Breathing is such a huge part of keeping everything running smoothly during labor! Here are a few of my favorites during labor, and you might even find them helpful to use in everyday activities!

• Square Breathing.
• When I was growing up, I had a lot of anxiety, and a family friend taught me this breathing before we boarded a plane home from New York, and it helped a lot to not only calm down because I was thinking about something other than what I was so anxious about, but it physiologically calms you down, because when your breath is slowed down, your body isn't producing the fight or flight stress hormones that make you panic.
• The easiest way to remember it is by the number 4! Breath IN for 4 counts, HOLD it for 4 counts, breath OUT for 4 counts, HOLD it out for four counts. And repeat 4 times, or as many as you feel you need to find your center.
• In-between Surge Breathing
• This one is also a super common breathing technique, but I first learned about it in the Curtis Method HypnoBirthing Class. I helped tremendously, and this is actually my very favorite out of all three of these techniques. I use this one often, and in between surges, I found it extremely helpful!
• Breath IN for 4 counts, and OUT for 8 counts.
• When you are in labor, your uterus contracting is using oxygen, and it's so important to be replenishing it without hyperventilating. I've heard before that when you breathe out for longer than you breathe in, that can help prevent that hyperventilation, but it also helps keep everything loose and relaxed, which is a high priority during any type of childbirth!
• Breathing DURING Contractions
• This one I also learned from Lauralyn {find her classes HERE, it's well worth it! You can also read our post about Birth Classes HERE.} As with any relaxation technique, it can be interpreted differently or modified for every individual. For me, I found this helpful because since a contraction, or surge, birthing wave, {whichever you prefer to call it,} is obviously more intense than the time in between surges, it's nice to have a breath to match that intensity. It's a powerful breath that can also help you breath your baby down, {or "J" breathing, like it's called in some birthing techniques. More on that in another post!}
• Breathe IN for 10 quickly paced and powerful counts, and OUT for 10 powerful counts. This also helps to oxygenate that uterus, and the first time we took the class, I was worried about hyperventilating with breathing in an out like that,  and when I asked her about it, she said that because it's working so hard, it will use it up! But, of course, always do what feels right in the moment for your body!:)

So there are just a few breathing techniques that can help you stay loose and relaxed, which in labor can help the dilation and progression that gets you steps closer to meeting your sweet baby! These breaths can also be coupled with noises, like the ones HERE. Really, whatever you feel is right for you in the moment is right. But, the more practice that goes into it beforehand makes for better "muscle memory" and is easier to fall back into on game day. If you have anything that you've found helpful in your own labors, I would love to hear about it! Please feel free to share in the comments below!

XO

Sarah

Stekki Bebe + Disneyland

Adventure in Adventureland! Also, this @stekkibebe wrap is SO handy! Use the code TDP for 15% off their {also waterproof} wraps!👶🏼 Back to jewelry posts soon!😉 Getting away with the family is so much fun! This wrap has saved my booty multiple times. We forgot the jump seat to our triple stroller {working in a coupon code on that one, because it's A-MAZ-ING for my 4 kids 4 and under! But since we didn't have it and Disneyland is so much fun and so tiring for the littles, they needed to take turns in the stroller, so I whipped out my Stekki and all was right again. Haha!:) Stekki Bebe for the win. Again!;)

XO

Sarah

Solar Charger + Favorite Blazer

When I asked my hubby if he had seen my solar panel on the way out the door, he legitimately made fun of me! But really, this solar charger that I bought last year has become my favorite invention here on our vacation! Hahaha! Moms know that taking pictures of your kids at Disneyland and doing a quick Periscope can drain your battery, so it was nice to just have this on top of my bag and charging my phone throughout the day! I also get paranoid about having a charged phone in super public places because if we get separated for some reason, I want to be able to call my hubby! Haha!:)
Also, as we drove to California, I-15 was closed because of a fire, and my hubby and I want to take a second to thank all of our armed forces who protect us! Thank you!

XO

Sarah

{Glasses: BB Styled Boutique via Jane.com}

{Shirt: Lucy and Lyla via Groopdealz}

{Blazer: Coco and Main-Use coco10 for a discount!}

{Backpack: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale}

{Shoes: Jane.com Click Here.}

{Necklace: The Dainty Pear. This one.}

{Lips: LipSense in Razzberry. Click Here.}
{Solar Charger: jane.com CLICK HERE!}

Sphincters and Childbirth

*Quick note about the video: In one line, I say, "The more comfortable you are, the more successful it's going to be." Just wanted to make a note so that it's perfectly clear that it's referring to the sphincter relaxing that will be more successful! There's no such thing as a birth that isn't successful! Every Mom, every Baby, every avenue of labor and delivery, it is ALL beautiful, perfect, and successful in its own way! Yay for birth and for celebrating it in every way, shape, and form that it may come!*
Who says childbirth has to be a serious and scary? {Of course, in the right situation, with an uncomplicated labor, which the great majority are!} things can actually be really fun! Afterall, you are about to bring new life into the world...and although it can seem heavy and maybe even overwhelming, that also seems like a pretty exciting thing! I understand that it can be scary, though, there's no denying the anxious jitters or plain out fear that can take over when you don't know what to expect. So it feels important to say that women have been birthing for thousands of years! Your body knows what to do. And if you are having a medicated birth, or an Unmedicated birth at a hospital or birthing center, your medical personnel know what to do, too. Even though three of our four births have been Unmedicated, I still have always loved being at the Hospital where people smarter than me in these types of situations are there to help and make sure everything is going smoothly! But as for my sweet friends who love their Home-Births, during an uncomplicated  childbirth {and MOST are!} that's a great option too. Your body really does know what it's doing! And how lucky are we that for the most part, we can choose where and how we birth! We aren't limited to the woods, or the plains, or in a stream, {although some people legitimately choose to do that!} And no matter the avenue of birth, it's all beautiful!:) And fun! My hubby is pretty convenient to bring along to births...okay, he's the best thing ever, not only because he's my rock and support, but also because he's funny. He can crack me up even during the nervous moments or in between the toughest contractions.

Here is some science behind laughter during labor! We've talked about low noises before {here,} and laughter has the same effect. When your sphincters are relaxed, {the cervix is a sphincter!}they an function properly, and as t relates to this, you are able to dilate and progress in labor. Laughter not only sends signals to your brain of happiness and therefore being relaxed, but I want you to try to clench up every muscle in your body right now. Now try to laugh out loud while still being clenched! It doesn't quite work too well. When you are giving a natural laugh, your muscles are automatically more loose. And THAT is a plus!:) If you need a laugh today, below is a little video that I found that had me cracking up! Don't be afraid to make labor and delivery an enjoyable, fun experience!:)

XO

Sarah