Outfit Fail

I think I'll be having quite a few of these outfit fails while I'm trying to fit my between baby and normal body. Should be fun. This dress is a go-to for me whether pregnant or not. It's just been an awesome tent that I can belt or wear a cardigan with. I even want to get a slouchy sweater to wear over it in the fall for a completely shapeless look. Sounds sexy, right? I think I lost my style over the last year. I've got some work to do. Anyway, I wanted to wear my dress, but it's strapless and I'm nursing... I really need a good, supportive nursing bra and can't go strapless right now. I thought if I threw a top over and belted it, I'd still get the boho vibe I love from the dress and cover my straps. In looking at this, though, I remember how much I really dislike short sleeves and man, I look matronly. I tried.

 dress: F21, top: Old Navy (it's going to Goodwill), shoes: Fergie, belt: Old Navy

awesome lioness hair: c/o Summertime

I need to do myself a favor and not wear a belt until the belly is all the way gone. And while I'm at it, I'll do myself another favor and not wear sleeves this length, ever. Win some/lose some!

Baby Bean Update: 35 Weeks

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday, which was 35 weeks. Spending most of the day cleaning doesn't call for any picture-worthy outfits (or hair... or anything, really). This is what I wore to church this morning after trying on four different dresses. Nothing fits and surprisingly, this non-maternity dress was the ticket. Granted, it's a total tent (I obviously belted it, pre-pregnancy), it felt like a weightless nightgown and really, that's all I'm asking for at this point. I couldn't even bear to wear my black heels, so these casual sandals had to fill in and as much as I don't like the two together, sometimes comfort overrules. 

dress: Simply Vera for Kohl's, shoes: Fergie, earrings: Anika Burke 

(30% off your purchase by clicking on the Anika Burke ad on my sidebar!)

35 weeks has been a tough marker for me. I'm seriously at the point where I cry when I open my mouth to talk, everything is in my way or is making me anxious, I'm hungry, but can't eat much, indigestion is like... outrageous, and honestly, when people ask, "How are you feeling?" All I can think of is, "Pregnant." Because if I said what I really wanted to say, they'd look at me like I had five heads and totally didn't appreciate this miracle of life that God has given me the opportunity to grow. And trust me, I AM THANKFUL and blessed and I know it to the core. There just comes a time when the baby should come out. I'd like it to be yesterday.

I have to sit down halfway through music worship at church because my feet get so swollen and I swear that whatever is going on to my left hip/pelvis/back strap better be reversible or I'm going to be icing my body for life. When husband touches me, I tell him it hurts to live. AND my maternity photo shoot is this weekend with my best friend, Jackie. She's the sweetest, most patient, motherly person I know. I hope I don't get her to yell at me... That would be bad. I can just see her suggesting a pose and me saying, "Are you KIDDING ME right now?" 

(Jackie, I promise I'll try to keep my opinions to myself and trust the professional.)

I said I felt like I was carrying a watermelon around. 

My brother corrected me and said Bean looked more like a beach ball.

Gee, thanks.

Also, my back does NOT come out as far as this dress. I told you it's a tent.

Don't forget to stop by for the Mommy Moxie giveaway, tomorrow!

Check out my review, here!

Baby Bean Update: 34 (point five) Weeks

My parents and brother spent the weekend here for Memorial Day, so I didn't get to do a baby update! I'm so glad they came, though, and left my brother. Now I have someone here with me other than Little S while Husband's at work all day. It's good to have that security in case of an emergency! I became 34 weeks pregnant on Saturday, May 26, and today's May 29! That means ONE MONTH until d-day at the latest!

top: c/o maurices, jeans: Motherhood, sandals: Fergie

4.5 weeks. 4.5. weeks. 4.5 weeks. 

Apparently in that last photo, that's all I'm thinking. I definitely forgot to smile. Sorry 'bout that. Also, Readers, meet my Summer Hair. Summer Hair, Readers. I don't blow-dry in 100% humidity. Because, really, that's just dumb. I'm sorry if you choose to fight that battle, but I have wavy, frizzy, baby-fine hair and it's a super huge pain to dry it and have it go all lioness on me within 10 minutes.

So, 34 weeks... Let's see what we're working with, here. Back pain, pelvic pain, lots of contractions, my tummy is SO TIGHT that I feel like it's going to rip open, sciatica in both legs, but mostly the left one, numbness in my left elbow/forearm/wrist (pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel), and major feet swellage... on the other hand, though, I'm feeling happy, hopeful, uplifted, and almost (alllmost) ready. Can't ask for more than that!

Exciting news: Check out Mommy Moxie on Etsy!

I have some awesome things to show you at the end of this week and a fun giveaway coming on Monday!

Don't forget that if you place an order with Bitty Bug Designs through June 15, 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Fund for Officer James Winslow!

Baby Bean Update: 29 Weeks

Happy Saturday! Aaaand... we're at 29 weeks! In my mind, I just think of it as 30 weeks. Not only because they're so close to each other, but because Bean is coming a week early, so at 29 weeks, I have 10 weeks left. Sorry, this wasn't meant to turn into a math post. That's the deal, though. And this is where we are! People keep saying things to me that you shouldn't ever say to a pregnant woman, which is really fun. My reactions are not so much rude as indifferent. Example: In WalMart last week, a lady said, "Oh, wow. That baby is coming soon." I said, "Sure." I mean, maybe 10 weeks is soon to some people. Maybe she thought I was going to have Bean next week (something makes me think choice B is more along the lines of WalMart lady's mindset). I get tired of explaining the laws of physics to people: I grow out, not up. I don't have up room. I'm not 5'7". I'm 4'11" (okay, 4'10 1/2ish"). I don't look like *most* other pregnant women. So, "Sure" is just an easier and more efficient response, lately.

 dress: Forever 21, belt: Old Navy, scarf: Happy Scarf, shoes: Fergie

Bean is ON my spine/sacrum. I feel her kicks in my back more than my belly and last night, I literally crawled to bed. When I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I sat on the toilet and cried because my low back was hurting so badly that I thought I might just sleep right where I was. Back pain is boring old news, although it's much more acute now. The unfortunate part about that is that it's probably only going to get worse. The fortunate side to everything is that all the pain and discomfort has the best outcome, ever. A new symptom: Crying. I mean all.the.time. I've always been an emotional person, but I've gotten better over the past two years. Over the past week, I've become a blubbering idiot and it's not been fun! Today, I cried because my husband walked S across the street to talk to our neighbors' (for 5 minutes) and she didn't have any sunscreen. In my defense, I've been reading a lot about early-onset melanoma, so I'm totally freaked out... AND it was 1:00- sun way high in the sky. I totally overreacted, though. I cried for almost a half hour.

Here's to the next 10 weeks! We still haven't done anything in the nursery. Oops.

Baby Bean Update: 28 Weeks

I thought last week was my warm welcome to the third trimester, but apparently there are some discrepancies as far as when the third trimester starts (27 or 28 weeks). So, I'll officially announce that it's finally the third trimester, starting today! I'm really not sure why 40 weeks are split into three trimesters... 12, 13, 14? 14, 12, 13? Does anyone know the real breakdown?

shirt: LOFT, tank: Old Navy, skirt: Oh Baby, sandals: Fergie

I did the pregnancy questionnaire for two weeks in a row and I kind of hate it. It's a bunch of repeat information each week that really won't change. I guess I'll just go back to my normal quick updates with what's been going on with Bean and me. Let's start with my white legs. Newsflash: They're really white. And after some skin cancer scares, I think I prefer to keep them that way. However, if anyone knows of a great self-tanning product that isn't stinky, doesn't stain sheets, and doesn't streak (magical?), please suggest it in a comment! 

I'm still at my parents' house and S and I will make the drive back to North Carolina tomorrow. I think I'm missing home a little bit, but I feel so at home here that it's hard to say. I definitely miss my husband and my bed. Mostly, I miss routine. S and I have been having late bedtimes and early wake times, which make for crummy afternoon times for all. Bean has been moving a lot, but where she was jabbing me before, now, it seems like she's more into rolling around and making long, slow movements. I think she might be working her way out of the breach position, but what do I know? Coffee isn't on my usual schedule, but since I've been on "vacation," I've indulged every other day or so. Bean really likes coffee. Her dance parties definitely prove that caffeine affects a growing baby! One thing that's new this week is that my belly is breaking. Yes, at only 28 weeks, my stretch marks are becoming battle wounds. I've been putting Palmer's Tummy Butter on three times a day and it's barely touching how torn up I'm becoming. Either I have less of a capacity to grow than I did with S or this baby is going to be huge. Or... I'm not 24 anymore.  She's actually growing at the exact rate of her fetal age and is right on target with the measurements. I'm afraid I have to take this moment to come to grips with the fact that I don't have a 24-year-old body this time around. Dang. 

My brother, S, and I drove up to meet two of my best friends and their respective significant others today. It was so awesome to see Jen and Whitney (and Jim and Tommy!), but I was really sad to only be able to spend a little bit of time with them. Thankfully, I'll see Whitney in a few weeks so we can catch up more. But it'll probably be Christmas time before I see Jen, again. I've been so blessed to be able to see all four of my best girlfriends in the past two months. I'm lucky to see them once or twice a year and I got to see them all in a short period this time! I'm still hoping Jackie and Christina will be able to come stay with me after the baby is born, and that Jen and Whitney won't have to wait too long to visit her! All four of them met S before she was six weeks old! 

The above photo is for your viewing pleasure. It's a prime example of what happens when: My brother is taking iPhone pictures and I don't know he's snapping, bugs are flying around my dome, and my back hurts from standing up/sitting down too long (really a win/win there, huh?). So pretty. I just wanted to share a little slice of ultra-reality with you.

I Never Thought I'd Wear Capris

Yet, this is the second time during my pregnancy I've done it. They're actually regular jeans that I cuffed because it's mediocrely hot outside and I've just got some errands to run. Overall, I hate capris. I think they do nothing for the body or legs. These are a bit longer, anyway. Just not a great choice for my height... But let's face it, at almost 26 weeks pregnant, comfort without looking super lazy is really all I can push for each day.

top: Old Navy, tank: Old Navy Maternity, jeans: Motherhood, sandals: Fergie

We use an old blanket on our patio when we put our daughter's little pool outside so it doesn't get scratched. Over the past day or two, the strong winds had blown it into the yard, right where I was about to take my pictures. I picked it up and shook it off... and a wolf spider jumped on my chest! I felt like it was two tons of bricks. I couldn't breathe and started to hyperventilate! I couldn't get it off, so I just screamed. S came to the sliding glass door and yelled, "What's wrong Mommy?!" I said, "SPIDER!!!" And she ran back inside. Helpful little munchkin! I finally got the strength to flick him off into the grass, but it almost felt closer to a near death experience than the car accident we were in last week.

Oh, hey, Bean!