Baby Bean Update: 31 Weeks

Ohhh, 31 weeks. We have seven weeks and 4 days until Bean comes. As soon as that sounds when I type it or say it out loud, it really feels like ages and eons away. I am so ridiculously uncomfortable and there just isn't enough room for a whole lot more stretching. I'm praying and praying that my previous c-section scar stays in tact with how low the baby is and how much pressure I feel. Quote of the week from innocent bystander: "Hold onto Jesus, girl." That was in reference to how big I am and how much longer I have left.

 dress: Old Navy Maternity (gift from Whitney), shoes: Sbicca from Ross

I sang the National Anthem at the Down East Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday morning and it wasn't horrible, but it didn't go as well as I'd hoped. As much as I'd practiced, I really thought I would nail it, but I was so nervous and shaky that I felt like I had no control over what was coming out of my mouth. Fortunately, I stayed on pitch and hit the high notes just fine. It just sounded like I had an outrageous vibrato since I was shaking so badly. And I was EXTRA uncomfortable because the MC was quite literally 6 inches away from me. I wanted to move, but couldn't make sense of sashaying 4 feet to the right in the middle of the song. Anyway, I wore this and it was light, breezy, comfortable, and almost patriotic. Thanks, Whitney, for buying it for me!

Symptoms include, but are not limited to: Lots of baby rolling around movements and not so much jabbing, long spurts of baby not moving at all and giving me serious anxiety, Braxton Hicks contractions that are getting stronger and a bit painful, growing bigger every day (so much so that maternity clothes that fit me two weeks ago are too tight, now), cravings for watermelon and strawberries (strawberries replaced pineapple due to the pineapple contractions), swelling in my hands, ankles, and feet, low and mid-back pain... I guess it's all normal. I'm thankful that I'm not nauseated, but still can't believe that my symptoms are so strong and I'm so uncomfortable and I still have almost 2 months to go!

 My husband thinks it's hilarious to start walking around me like what he thinks a fashion photographer would do, point the camera in my face and moving all fast at different angles, saying stuff like, "Oh yeah, that's good. Yep, like that! Keep posing. Smile, pretty lady." Sometimes I laugh. And sometimes I'm really pregnant, hot, uncomfortable, and hungry... so I look like this.

Two of my best girlfriends, Whitney and Jen, sent lots of awesome stuff for Bean and S this weekend. Well, Whitney visited (ie: no blog post over the weekend) and brought the stuff from Jen (and Jim!). Bean has enough clothes to probably wear 3 outfits a day for her first 3 months. And she has a sporadic sprinkling of jammies, onesies, and t-shirts for 6, 9, and 12 months. I hope that eventually, she'll fit into S' stuff, but they're so far off season that I'm not sure how it'll all work out. I guess spring and fall are pretty interchangeable as far as weather goes. I'll have to investigate the attic. S got some princess makeup (don't worry- it's for liiitttle girls), shoes, and a big sister/little sister doll set. SO CUTE! My little girls are so blessed to be so loved and I'm blessed to be loved and taken care of. 

Baby Bean Update: 20 Weeks

Halfway! Halfway! Halfway!

But really more than halfway since Bean is coming a week early!

YAY!

dress: Old Navy Maternity

cardi: Old Navy

shoes: Sbicca from Ross

This week:

- Heartburn started

- I drank some caffeine (oopsie)

- Got tons of maternity clothes because NOTHING fits

- Highlights made me feel more like myself

- Bean is moving 24/7

- Dogs got groomed so my house smells normal (not like dogs!)

- I'm getting HUGE

- Finished buying Bean's cloth diapers

- I AM HUNGRY

- Still have eczema on my scalp

- Under eye circles are insane because I cannot SLEEP

Sunday Besties

Most of you know from reading my big announcement on Friday that my husband and I have embarked on a juice fast. Well, I felt so awesome Sunday morning that I just about skipped church. Headache, exhaustion, dizziness, weakness... Awesome. I'm glad to report that I'm feeling much better now! I think the second day was kind of a shock and then possibly BOOM. Day 3 - under control. I've got this. Right? Hope so.

In related news, I did end up getting my lazy bum out of bed and dressed for church (after slicing, dicing, peeling, and juicing). And I'm really glad that I didn't give up! Plus, I got to break out my brand new olive top from Old Navy!

top: Old Navy

cardigan: Target

jeans: New York & Company

shoes: Sbicca via Ross

necklace: New York & Company

If you have any questions about my juice fast, feel free to email me at alittlebitofthisblog(at)gmail(dot)com. I know there are concerns and opinions, which I'm willing to take in as well. I'd rather talk to everyone who has questions or comments about the fast via email so we can actually converse! I'm also making a daily vlog on what I did, victories, concerns, etc. You can find them on my YouTube channel. Comments and questions are very welcome there since it's all about the fast! If you'd like more information about the program I'm using, check out Reboot Your Life!

Once Upon a Friday Night

... a sweaty chick threw some clothes on and pulled her frizzed out hair into the ever-famous "blogger bun," ate Thai food for dinner and frozen yogurt for dessert, and lived happily ever after.

And then she spent the rest of the weekend recuperating from difficult workouts, shopping for Jillian Michaels' Ripped in 30 meal plan, and recovering from a week of fussy children. Is it sad that I look forward to "getting dressed" even for the quickest errands?

shirt: LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's

jeans: Charlotte Russe

wedges: Sbicca via Ross

earrings: Cat Moore Design via Ariana's giveaway!

For you busy moms, do you enjoy getting a little bit dolled up just to grab take-out or go to the store? I'm curious to know if I'm one of the rare ones who looks forward to these little opportunities to put on something other than yoga pants and a sports bra!

Girls' Father's Day Best

Ironically, I don't actually have photos of Husband from Father's Day. But I do have a photo of ALL FOUR of his girls!

Left to right:

Little S, Me and Bella, Zoe

dress: can't remember the brand from Ross (birthday gift from my sweet Rochelle)

shoes: Sbicca from Ross (from same shopping trip!)

hair: c/o of au natural

Little S.' dress: JCPenny's, gifted from Grandma

Little S.' shoes: Once Upon a Child Consignment

Zoe's and Bella's collars: Petsmart :)

If you follow me on Twitter or are my friend on Facebook, you probably know that Zoe ran away, yesterday.

Twice.

Because one near heart attack experience wasn't enough for me.

Husband was out of town for a family member's funeral and I was watering the garden yesterday morning. Zoe nudged through the very small crack in the open front door and took off. For an hour and a half. I stuck Little S. in the house with Bella and ran after her. Bad parenting. I know.

Then I ran home, put Little S. in the car and we drove. She promptly pooped everywhere after saying, "Momma! I need to poop!" She was so upset that she made a mess. Of course, I was already hysterical over the dog, so I tried to be really kind to her and tell her it wasn't a big deal and we'd clean it up.

Poor thing.

I brought her home to wash her off, and we got back in the car, Little S. was in a towel. And as I started the car, Miss Zoe showed up in the driveway. I have NO idea how she found her way back or how far she went. But I cried for an hour after she returned because I was just SO happy to see her.

Later in the day, I found a wasp in the house and texted my neighbor to see if she'd send her husband over to help me kill it. As soon as I opened the door to let him in, Zoe took off, AGAIN. I said bad words and Mr. Neighbor RAN.AFTER.HER with bare feet. For fifteen minutes. And finally caught her behind the funeral home across the street.

Mother of ALL THINGS holy and good.

You know... I really think I need to fill that anxiety med prescription that's been sitting in my center console for a month. Good for days like yesterday.

Mrs. Neighbor's cocktails also helped.

I wore this out to Husband's Father's Day dinner. I'll admit it's a little dressy for Texas Roadhouse (Husband's a steak hound), but weekends are my fashion show. And I'm taking Little S. down the runway with me, obviously.

Eventful weekend for anyone else?

Purple People Eater

If I could eat people, I would have eaten three toddlers, today.

That's all I have to say about that.

Also, did anyone catch my awesome lack of knowledge about what day of the week it is? Yesterday, I posted that I'd be back with We Love Colors Wednesday, today.

Um. Yep. We Love Colors... Thursday version.

yellow tank: Target

purple tank: Walmart

skirt: Charlotte Russe (I know, I'm appalled that I didn't just make it.)

shoes: Sbicca via Ross

fishnets: c/o We Love Colors

tan: c/o outdoor summer nannying

Now, let's be honest. It's 100 degrees, easily, with a heat index of up to 110. 

Humidity is 100%.

I run around with three toddlers, carrying an infant all day.

Did I wear fishnets and wedged sandals to work today?

Hell. No. 

For the record, I can't wait to have somewhere to wear these puppies for real. SO comfy!

But I did wear the rest! With purple flip-flops for easy removal. 

I'm on my monthly Miss P, which is totally wreaking havoc on my general comfort levels, personal body thermometer, and skin. It's really awesome.

Bella's fur is growing back just a bit and her face is getting fuzzy, again.

The poor thing lost about three pounds of fur in the Great Hair Cut of 2011.

I got her an "I love my human" tee to keep her warm in our house.

Another bit-o-random for the day?

Little S. is walking around with my blush brush, talking about putting on her make-up.

I'm in trouble.

Please don't forget to stop by and LINK UP for tomorrow's (second edition) Project Self post! I can't wait to see how you're bettering yourself!

The Real Yesterday

I had to fake you out, yesterday, by using a polyvore set to kind of show you my outfit! Today, I have yesterday's outfit photos and I hope you don't mind that it's almost a repeat post. I'm busy trying to get a zillion things together before I leave my current job + I have a "sick" baby with me, today. She was up, tossing and turning all night with a stuffy nose and cough. This morning, she was extra clingy and fussy, so I took her temperature and it was over 100. I brought her to work, and of course, she's full of spunk and energy. 

Yesterday was another speedy self-photography morning with the help of my trusty tripod ... I mean... grill. So, you know the drill.

dress (as skirt): Old Navy

top: Old Navy

shoes: Sbicca via Ross

headband: Goody via Walgreens

earrings: Bridesmaid gift from Casey

Oh wow, this one's almost clear.

If you haven't yet, you should really go enter my 

Nanny Styles Contest/Giveaway!

Ahem, I might be desperate for your assistance.

Just maybe.

And perhaps there is a really fun prize involved. No bribery or anything.

What Does a Nanny Wear - CONTEST & Giveaway!

Well, someone borrowed my camera cord at work, took it home, and didn't bring it back. So I don't have a transfer cable and that means you get to pretend you see me. Fun game, right?!? At least you can see the basic idea of my outfit with this fun polyvore set!

 

dress: Old Navy - Still there! On sale!

henley (mine's a BIT different): Old Navy

wedges (mine are a bit different): Sbicca, via Ross

earrings (mine are a bit different): Bridesmaid gift from Casey

Know what else will be a fun game? The game where you help me put together cute outfits for my NEW JOB and win a sweet prize! Yep, that's exactly what's just about to happen. For those of you who don't follow me on twitter, though, let me fill you in. Remember how I thought I was having a heart attack on Friday, but it ended up being a severe anxiety attack? And remember how I've been re-evaluating life and my job and not being with my family or using my degree, etc? Well, my sweet friends, God gave me a sign that morning and then He answered my prayers. A faculty member who's been through the ringing with caregivers in the past few months knew that I wanted to try and take care of kids, including my own. She asked me if I'd be interested in taking the position with her family... and as much as I wanted to scream, "YES!" as soon as she asked, I was calm and cool-headed and took the weekend to discuss the options with my husband, mom, grandmother, and some other friends and family members. It was a no brainer for everyone. So, I put my resignation in at the university, yesterday, and I'll be starting my nanny position on May 16. Breaking the news to Little S' daycare provider was heartbreaking, but I hope she'll eventually understand that S. is going to be with her momma and still with other children. Little S. will stay with her Nana (that's what the kids call her) until May 27 and I'll start bringing her with me on May 30.

*****

So, here's where I'm challenging you (because I'm lost and feel very challenged, myself!). 

What does a nanny wear?

Sweatpants are not an option. I'm still me and I want to be the stylish mom I've set out to be. But I think the wedged heels and possibly the chiffon dresses might have to fly by the wayside (or be saved for weekends, of course)! So, what do you need to do?

1. Go to Polyvore (set up a free account if you don't have one!) and create an outfit that you think I should wear as a stylish nanny. 

MANDORY:

Please use main pieces from clothing currently found in Old Navy, Target, New York & Company, or Kohl's!

Keep in mind, I'll be taking care of four kids, including mine, playing outside, walking to the park, and feeding a 6.5 month old! Bending, lifting, cooking, and light housework are necessary. And lots of hugs are going to be happening, too.

2. Submit the link to your outfit in the comments! 

Super easy, right? I'll narrow the submitted outfits down to mine and my husband's top five favorite and we'll all have a vote! That means you get a say in who wins, too! And all of the entries are going to help me reorganize and rebuild a comfortable and chic wardrobe, so please, please play along. I'm in desperate need of your help!

ENTRIES accepted until Thursday, May 12, 11:59 ET.

United States and Canada entries, only! Sorry to my international readers.

The winner will choose a $25 giftcard from ONE of the following stores:

Target

Old Navy

New York & Company

Kohl's

P.S. - You can totally submit more than one Polyvore set! Each set is one entry, so you can enter as many times as you want!