The Leonisa winners are:

1) Jillian Jordan
2)  Stephanie (comment #25)

Jillian and Stephanie, please check the email address you used in your comment below. You’ll have instructions there on how to redeem your prize. Thanks for playing!

If you’re expecting or just given birth, you’re probably not wearing all the same undies (or swimwear) you once did. Lucky for you, the nice folks over at Leonisa are giving away $150 worth of their products!

Leonisa has great undergarments for both women and men, so anyone is welcome to enter this giveaway. Choose from swimwear, shapeware, lingerie, and more. And we couldn’t have a giveaway on the Belly Blog without pointing out the products for the mommies and mommies-to-be:

If you’re expecting, your regular undies might not be as comfortable as they once were. Check out Leonisa’s maternity panties and underwear selection. And since hitting the gym right after giving birth is damn-near impossible, why not speed up the slim down with a belly shaper or girdle? (Shhh! We won’t tell!) Leonisa has a great selection of post pregnancy girdles and postpartum belly shapers. And here are a few more.

And of course, if you’re nursing you’ll love the convenience of their nursing bras.

Dads, we haven’t left you out here. Many of you gain a few extra pounds during pregnancy too, so this one’s for you: The Leonisa Powerslim!

So what are you waiting for? Read the details below and enter to win some free stuff!

Here is how you can win:

• Prize: 1st place will get $100 to spend at Leonisa.com and 2nd place will get $50. Yes, that’s two chances to win!
• To enter: Just leave a comment on this blog post (bonus points if you mention the Leonisa product you most desire… sorry it doesn’t give you an extra entry, just bonus points … which make you feel good).
• Number of winners: 2
• Shipping: This prize can only be shipped to the U.S.
• Deadline: Sunday March 29 at 11:59PM EDT.
• Problems? email help [at] whatsinmybelly [dot] com
• Other Details: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Monday as an update to this post. So, head back here on Monday March 30 for the announcement of our winner. Good luck…
• Thank you to Leonisa for the generous prizes!

Coupon Code:

Don’t want to wait on the giveaway? Use “SAVE10″ at checkout to save 10% off your Leonisa order.

Want to promote your product on the Belly Blog? Just fill out this form.

The Coupon Clutch winner is:

1) Jenni (comment #1)

Planning for a baby is a special and exciting time, but it can also be stressful. One of the areas in which my husband Britt and I felt this stress was with financial planning. We are both teachers, which means a tight budget, and we knew that adding a baby to our family would bring additional expenses. We also made the decision that I would take six weeks of maternity leave at the beginning of next school year (baby girl is due this summer), and it will unfortunately be unpaid. Now we really had some budgeting concerns!

We knew it was time to start saving like crazy. With the recommendation of several friends, we looked into Dave Ramsey’s money management system. I went onto his website and reviewed the free articles and information there, and then Britt and I sat down to create a budget system that worked for us.

Reevaluating how we were paying off our debt

Dave Ramsey recommends that you start by paying off your smallest debt first. By putting all of your extra assets toward your smallest debt, you are setting an attainable goal that will be realized more quickly. The immense feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment will motivate you to attack the next largest bill.

This seems so logical, but it was the exact opposite of what we were doing. Our debt consists of my student loans and each of our car payments. We were paying a little extra on all three of these bills each month, trying to knock them all down at once and not making any noticeable progress. By instead focusing all of the extra money each month onto my student loans, I am excited to say that  they will be paid off within the year.

Saving for my unpaid maternity leave

We implemented Dave Ramsey’s monthly budgeting system, which is based on using cash only. For each category in your budget, you withdraw a set amount of cash for the month, and that is all you are allowed to spend. For example, if it is the end of the month, and you only have $30 left in your grocery fund, then your challenge is to raid your pantry and see what you can do with what you have on hand plus $30. It seems harsh, but by following this method, you will be amazed at how your spending and saving patterns can change.

This was something very new for us, as we never carried cash and were very used to swiping the debit card. The unfortunate result was never really being accountable for how we were spending our money, as long as we knew we had plenty left for the month. We were surprised at how much we were spending and on what we were spending it.

Here are the steps we took to get started:

1. We logged onto our online banking and brought up the previous month’s statement.
2. We categorized and totaled up where our money was being spent (bills, groceries, eating out, Sarah spending, Britt spending, household maintenance, etc.)
3. After looking at these figures, we decided how much we thought we should be spending in each area.
4. We created five categories for our monthly budget after bills (yours may be different): groceries, eating out, Sarah spending, Britt spending, and household maintenance. We decided on an amount for each category that does not change much from month to month.
5. We did not budget in for bills since they can fluctuate each month (ex. power bill changes, water bill does not come every month, etc.). We put our gas on a cash rewards credit card and pay that off at the end of the month, so we count it as a fluctuating monthly bill.

Working our monthly budget:

1. After pay day (once a month at the end of the month), we pay all of our bills.
2. We look at what we have left in checking and subtract out the total for the bills we have just paid.
3. From the remaining amount, we subtract out the money for our monthly budget categories (mentioned above). We go to the bank and get this money out in cash.
4. From the remaining money in checking, we subtract out additional savings for our baby nest egg.
5. Anything that is left in checking is our safety net for the month. Dave Ramsey teaches that every dollar has a purpose, and that you should never just have extra money sitting in your checking account. We leave ours in the bank until the end of the month as our safety net, but we do not use it unless there is an emergency or unexpected (and unavoidable) expense.
6. At the end of the month, whatever remains in checking that we have not had to use (which is hopefully everything since no swiping is allowed unless there is an emergency!) is also transferred into savings as a second payment into our baby nest egg.
7. Each month when you sit down to pay bills and figure out your budget, you may have to make changes based on what is coming in the month ahead (ex. a car is due for an oil change, a birthday or anniversary, etc.) Money for these expenses should be taken out in cash also.
8. You should decide how you will handle the cash that is left over in one or more categories at the end of the month. If we were really strict, we would deposit that cash into savings, but we often end up using it to go out to dinner or get a little treat. We work so hard to live by such a strict budget that the extra treat is nice.

Results we have seen

We have been using this system for a few months now, and it has made a huge difference in our spending and saving. It does take time to figure out how to make the system work for your family, and each month we have made adjustments to our plan. Although it is hard when we want go out to dinner or do some shopping and the money is not there, it feels so good to be accountable for our spending and to know we are doing what is financially right for our family.

Every family’s budget will look different, and it will take time to figure out what works for you. Be patient and stick to it and you will see great results. Happy budgeting!

Coupon Clutch Giveaway

*** This contest is over. Congratulations to the winner! ***

The Coupon Clutch winner is:

1) Jenni (comment #1)

We started out using envelopes for the cash in each of our categories, but have found that they are bulky to carry around and harder to keep track of. We will be moving to an organizer that will hold the cash for each category all in one place. Here is what we will be using:

This coupon clutch from Thirty-One Gifts has five interior pockets, each with its own tab and label — perfect for keeping track of your categories and keeping cash organized.

Here is how you can win:

• Prize: Coupon Clutch
• To enter: Leave a comment on this post with the words “Time to save!” and…
• Bonus question: Tell us your favorite money saving tip.
• Number of winners: 1
• Shipping: This prize can only be shipped to the U.S. (Sorry, we’re working on getting some giveaways that are available outside the United States.)
• Deadline: Wednesday April 3 at 11PM EST.
• Problems? email help [at] whatsinmybelly [dot] com
• Other Details: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Wednesday as an update to this post. So, head back here on Wednesday for the announcement of our winner. Good luck…
• Prize courtesy of Dory Doyle, Thirty-One Independent Consultant
  email: dorydoyle [at] gmail [dot] com
  website: www.mythirtyone.com/dorydoyle/
  blog: timanddory.wordpress.com

Sarah and her husband, Britt, live in Glen Allen, Virginia, and are expecting their first baby (a sweet girl!) in June 2013. Sarah is a kindergarten teacher and has a home-based business, both of which keep her very busy. She unwinds by sharing her adventures in cooking, decorating and life on her blog, A T-Shirt and Pearls.

The Journal winners are:

1) Susan Smoaks
2)  Michelle (comment #17)
3) Valerie Taylor Mabrey

One of the best routines I began early on in my pregnancy is journaling. I am not someone who normally writes in a journal, but I wanted a way to remember all of the experiences I was about to have, and a journal seemed like the best option.

At a little over halfway through my pregnancy, my journal is already a treasure. It is amazing to look back through my journey so far and dream about what is yet to come. I am so thankful that I started journaling right away; although it is not too late for you, no matter where you are in your pregnancy.

For someone like myself who is not typically into journaling, starting a journal was intimidating. The first time I opened up my journal and saw hundreds of blank pages staring back at me, I wasn’t sure where to begin, and I honestly felt a little awkward writing down my feelings and thoughts.

I started my journal right after I had a positive pregnancy test. Not sure where to begin, I decided to just jump in and start writing to see what I came up with.

Using a blank journal has allowed me the freedom to write as much or as little as I would like. I have been able to organize it in a way that works for me as I reflect on my pregnancy.

The basic format I follow in my journal is to create a new section for each week of my pregnancy. I label the page with the day of the week, date, and the number of weeks pregnant that I am. Underneath of that I write a variety of things.

Topics about which I write include:

• Physical symptoms
• Emotions
• Cravings
• Pregnancy milestones (getting my bump, wearing maternity clothes for the first time, finding out the gender of our baby, feeling baby kick for the first time, etc.)
• Doctor’s appointments
• Feelings and experiences happening in my life that are not pregnancy related
• Questions for my doctor which I mark with a sticky tab for easy reference at my appointments (This has been so helpful!)

If you would like to try using a blank journal, here are some beautiful blank notebook journals:

1) C.R. Gibson’s Penny Lane Bound Personal Journal
2) You Are My Sunshine Handprinted Leather Journal
3) Lined Spiral Journal Notebook in Teal Floral Pattern
4) Lined Spiral Journal Notebook in Colourful Bird Pattern

If you prefer more of a guided journaling approach, there are some wonderful options for pre-made pregnancy journals. These journals include prompts with space for recording your answers. Some journals have space for pictures and mementos. Here are some great choices:

1) “Anticipating Baby” Pregnancy Journal Book
2) Pregnancy Journal Planner or Binder
3) Pregnancy Journal in Gender Neutral Cover Design — Heart
4) The Nine: A Pregnancy Countdown Journal 

No matter how you decide to do it — a blank journal or a pre-made pregnancy journal — I encourage you to start a pregnancy journal as soon as possible. Whether you are five weeks pregnant or 25, it is not too late to record your memories. There is no right or wrong way to organize and use your journal. Do what feels right for you and record anything and everything that comes to mind. What seems silly or trivial now will most likely be a treasured memory down the road. Make sure to leave space for adding sonogram pictures, weekly/monthly bump pictures, and any other keepsakes you have.

Maybe it’s the “pregnancy brain,” but I already feel like it’s hard to remember my exact thoughts and feelings during those early weeks of pregnancy. It is so wonderful to be able to turn back the pages in my journal and relive them. I can only imagine how meaningful this journal will be to me in the years to come.

How about a free journal to get started?

If you’re reading this article, I’m guessing you are interested in starting a journal of your own. (Or, maybe you know someone who might want one.) Well, we are lucky enough to have three different journals to give away!

1) C.R. Gibson’s Pregnancy Journal — Expectant Stripes
2) Pregnancy Journal/Planner by Stephanie Adams (PDF to self-print)
3) Leather Pregnancy Journal by Mary Lynn Schroeder

Here is how you can win:

• Prizes: The 3 different pregnancy journals featured above.
• To enter: Leave a comment on this post with the words “Get my journal started!” and…
• Bonus question: Tell us if you’re new to journaling or need another journal to continue recording your memeories. If the book isn’t for you, feel free to share that. Also, we’d love to know what you’ll record in your journal.
• Number of winners: 3
• Shipping: This prize can only be shipped to the U.S. (Sorry, we’re working on getting some giveaways that are available outside the United States.)
• Deadline: Tuesday, March 12 at 8PM EST.
• Problems? email morgan@whatsinmybelly.com
• Other Details: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Tuesday as an update to this post. So, head back here on Tuesday for the announcement of our winners. Since we have three different items to giveaway, the first winner gets first pick, the second winner gets to pick from what’s left, and the third winner gets the remaining journal. Good luck…

Sarah and her husband, Britt, live in Glen Allen, Virginia, and are expecting their first baby (a sweet girl!) in June 2013. Sarah is a kindergarten teacher and has a home-based business, both of which keep her very busy. She unwinds by sharing her adventures in cooking, decorating and life on her blog, A T-Shirt and Pearls.

One day, I was visiting one of my best friends who is a mother of two, and she caught me giving my side a little scratch with my thumbnail. She asked what I was using to moisturize my belly, and I told her just my regular-old lotion. “Oh, you need Mama Bee Belly Butter,” she insisted. “It’s made by Burt’s Bees.” I said I’d look for it and promptly forgot.

A few weeks later, she surprised me with a tub of the stuff, and I haven’t been nearly as itchy since. I guess the combination of cocoa, shea and jojoba butters really does the trick to keep a pregnant belly smooth and supple.

It’s natural, as most of Burt’s Bees products are, and fragrance-free, which I really appreciated in those earlier days when I was still nauseated by perfumey smells. The 6.5-ounce container will probably last me through the rest of my pregnancy and beyond, so I’d definitely say it’s worth the $13 it usually costs, even if I’d had to pay for it myself.

Win Free Belly Butter

Speaking of not paying for things yourself, how would you like to win your very own Belly Butter? We have three tubs to give away to three different lucky readers in the United States. You’ll have through Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 at 11PM EST, to enter. Winners will be notified by email.

This contest is over, and the winners are:

1. Cindi Simon
2. Jaymee Wolfe-Deblieck
3. Anaiah Younger

Note: We are NOT associated with Burt’s Bees and are not receiving any compensation for this contest.

Want to win $50?

This contest is over, but you can still win $50 by making a guess in the Baby Makin’ Mama’s Baby Pool. (Guesses accepted through March 18, 2013.)