Um, guys? Give Kim a break!

    I don't generally go out of my way to follow Ms. Kardashian, but I feel compelled to stand up for her, because this picture is earning her a lot of flack. My feet did the same thing when I was pregnant. At first, it shows up in your strappy sandals, but for me, it eventually happened with my flats and sneakers! All thanks to late-blooming pregnancy-related high blood pressure, which eventually resulted in the risk of preeclampsia, which then resulted in me being induced into having my baby by c-section a week early. But seriously--it's uncontrollable, and now that I'm not pregnant, my blood pressure is normal and my feet don't swell. I don't miss it, but the experience makes me and Ms. Kardashian have something in common (can I enjoy how unexpected that statement is?), and I don't feel that insults in the comments are deserved. Do you know how common swollen feet are in pregnancy? Hella common. And pregnant ladies want to wear shoes too! How shoes on feet look in the morning versus later that day when you take them off is two different things when pregnant, so it's very easy to think, "Sure, these will work!" and then later think, "Ouch, bad idea!"


Kim Kardashian's Pregnancy Symptoms Include Swollen Feet
    So srsly, guys. Chill out.

Fav Apps: Water Your Body

     I have a smart phone, and I use it to its smarty-pants capacity. If I can track something, I generally do, and there are so many clever programmers out there who improve the way we use our time and technology, largely for free. And so, I'm starting a blogging series about my favorite smarty phone applications. I use a Samsung Galaxy II on Boost Mobile, and I feel that gives me a nice mix of ability and affordability. I mention this to note that I use Android, and therefore, all of my recommended applications are Android.

Check out "Water Your Body"
     So yes, I use an application to remind myself to drink water. Why? Because:

1. water is important for the human body to function;
   
2. water intake markedly improves milk production for breastfeeding mothers; and
   
3. without a reminder, I honestly don't drink enough.

     This application gives notification reminders at timed intervals to remind the user to drink, and this interval is based upon the last tracked intake of water. It also keeps a number on your intake. If you drank sixteen ounces of water, track it, and at the end of the day, you can see the sum total. You can also set water goals based upon your weight and level of activity. I find it all very easy to use after the initial setup, and my lactation has been healthily aided by the application's reminders.

     If you know you need more water, for any reason, try this application!