obsessed: gifts for expecting mamas

I haven't really used this blog to document my first pregnancy, except for a few posts here and there. However, spending eight months (two to go!) with child is clearly a big life changer, and I'm always thankful for all of the love and support given to Matt and me by our friends and family. Sometimes that love and support comes in the form of awesome gifts. So, today I'd like to share with you some of my favorites. They'd be such thoughtful - and unexpected (see what I did there?) - gifts for the expecting mama in your life.

When she found out I was pregnant, my friend Nikki sent me a "congratulations" gift that included this Bella B. Tummy Honey Butter well before I had to even think about buying maternity jeans. But, I started slathering this on the bump as soon as it sprouted, and I love it. It really does soothe the itching of stretching skin, and (I think, I hope, I pray) so far, so good on the actual marks.

One of the must-haves, of course, for new parents expecting a baby is a baby book. I mean, how else do you make your second kiddo feel inadequate except for filling out the first child's baby book in full and then only sporadically for child number two? I'm, in general, really averse to inordinate amounts of cheese, so I wanted a baby book that was cute but not disgustingly so. I came across the Ruby Love Etsy store via Pinterest, and I recently ordered a white, pink, and green striped book. The Etsy shop owner is a mama herself and a graphic designer, and her books are just my style.

Matt and I have received two really cool nutrition/cookbooks that will definitely help us out when GG moves to solid food. Given that Matt and I are both adventurous eaters, we really need this kid to follow suit. And, as health-conscious eaters, we really need her to love her fruits and veggies. Except for beets. Beets can go to hell. The first book is Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld, given to us by Matt's Aunt Mary and Uncle Rusty. After my anger regarding the annual Seinfeld income subsided, I really had a lot of fun perusing this book. I can't wait to try some of the recipes.

The other cookbook that we received was The Petit Appetit by Lisa Barnes, a gift from my cousin Jessica and Aunt Nikki. This one offers organic recipes for babies and toddlers. A couple of my friends (super moms Alice and Shannon) with little ones have really loved making their own baby food - for the nutritional factor and the cost savings - and I hope that I can join the club. Armed with this cookbook and my Cuisinart Smart Stick, I feel up for the challenge.