Mother Daughter Style at 38 Weeks

Soon, we will have another girl to join our pictures. Since we have no idea when Vincenza will actually make her appearance, I decided I wanted some pictures with Mom before she went home yesterday. Plus, I love this first picture so much that it might have to be framed and placed in Vincenza's room. Jeff took it with the new camera he got for me. Fancy in our pants over here.

Mom's Outfit:

 Dress: Boscov's

Necklace/earrings: A La Mode Boutique

Cardigan: Kohl's (she thinks)

My Outfit:  

Cardigan: NY & Co.

Dress (not maternity): Old Navy

Elephant Necklace (from mom!): Bass & Co.

How far along? 38 weeks as of yesterday, and I will turn 31 years young tomorrow. Wow.

Size? I've gained about 25 pounds, and she is somewhere around 6 pounds (they guess.)

Nursery? Finished (except for whatever else we end up hanging on the walls after she arrives). Feel free to check out a tour of her nursery here. So far, both my mom and I have fallen asleep in that nursery chair, so it was a good choice.

Maternity Clothes? The only thing I can wear with any sort of comfort is a dress, especially a maxi dress. See my tips for shopping and styling in the third trimester here.

Stretch Marks? Not yet, but I am really waiting for my body to surprise me with this one.

Sleep? I try to keep myself from napping so that I sleep more soundly at night, and this strategy has worked relatively well for two weeks. I still use my pregnancy wedge and pillow to make it through the night despite the fact that I have to fight with these things when I rouse sleepily three times minimum to use the bathroom. See what's helped me survive here.

Contractions? I have pretty strong Braxton Hicks contractions, and Vincenza does not appear to like them. She wiggles around when they happen. Contractions + Wiggling Baby = Lots of discomfort for Momma.
 
Celebrations? We have reached "term" as of 37 weeks, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Now I just need to see her sweet face and hear her healthy screams so that I can breathe the last, biggest sigh of relief. All we need to celebrate is her health. I have remained so hyper-focused on her well being that everything else pales in comparison to my prayers for her health.

Cravings? For four days, I have wanted a cupcake. I don't know why. I have yet to eat one. However, tomorrow is my birthday, and I intend to eat a cupcake for my birthday. Cupcake and crabs.

Symptoms? Mainly growing pains. My body is struggling to support the both of us, but I'm powering through pretty well. I even forced myself to go on a walk with Jeff yesterday.

Movement? Despite her lack of space, this kid loves to move. She moves frequently throughout the day, but her movements are relatively relaxed. As soon as Daddy comes home around 2-3, her witching hour starts. I say witching "hour," but she gears up until at least 8 at night. However, once I settle into bed, not to be confused with the couch, she's good about calming down again. I tell her to move even if it hurts me because her movements let me know she is thriving in there.

Anticipating? Obviously, we are all anticipating her arrival. I am also really looking forward to my mom staying with us for like two weeks because Jeff cannot take off after having recently started a new job. The consistent support from someone who makes me feel relaxed and better eases a lot of my pre-motherhood anxiety. 

 

Summer Maternity Style: Third Trimester Shopping & Styling Tips

Every pregnant woman is different--if you learn anything here, may it be that one tidbit of information--so what works for this pregnant woman might not work for you. However, this little lady of mine has turned into a lowrider, and I have become a hotbox breathing fire onto my shivering husband in the dead of night. What do these things signify? They signify that I neither want to wear anything that touches/constricts my lower abdomen nor do I want to wear thicker fabric. Thus, I do not wish to wear pants nor do I wish to wear shorts, not even the maternity variety. If you find yourself in this boat by the end of your pregnancy, I have some suggestions for you. By the way, not one of the dresses/skirts I am donning in this collage is from the maternity section. Only the navy shirt in the last picture is.

Third Trimester Shopping Tips:
Tip 1 --> Shop secondhand or sales:

• Even though we plan to have more than one kid, it seemed unreasonable to spend more on maternity clothes than I would on non-maternity clothes. If you have the piggy bank for it, then have at it. 
• I found most of my maternity stuff from either the sale sections (or promotional deals) of Motherhood Maternity, promotional deals at GAP/Old Navy, or browsing through thredUP's maternity section. I did keep one maternity shirt from one of my Stitch Fix boxes, and that was because I knew it would fit me postpartum and be nursing friendly.

Tip 2 --> Shop non-maternity (reasonably)

• I read all of these blogs in the beginning of pregnancy that said never buy maternity jeans and provided all of these tips for doing so. Well, that was not in the cards for me. The first things I grew out of were pants, and I had to buy maternity jeans. I tried the rubberband trick; I failed at it. I tried the belly bands and those just felt like rubberbands that never stayed in place; I hated fighting with them to go pee. I tried demi-panel jeans, and they ended up feeling too restricting. I tried inset panel jeans (sold at Gap and Old Navy), and those were great in the beginning. I also bought full-panel jeans, and I liked them best. Those fit, but now in the third trimester I want nothing touching my abdomen. I fold down the panel of my full panel shorts/leggings, and it works just fine for the moment.
• Dresses, unlike pants, are easier to find in the non-maternity section. Make sure you buy stretchy cotton fabrics that have a lot of give! Old Navy is the best place to find these kinds of dresses. 
• You might have to size up for some dresses/skirts and not others. I had to size up for shorter dresses (like the orange one in the collage) so that it fit in the third trimester when my belly shortened the dress' length. 
• As for maxi dresses, I stayed my pre-pregnancy size because I didn't worry about length, and I chose stretchy fabrics that would still fit over my growing chest and belly. 

Tip 3 --> Do periodic pare downs of your wardrobe

• It might fit you one week and not the next. When that happens, do a little inventory: do you even want this item post-pregnancy (don't be fooled by pregnancy hormones here)? If you never even really wore this item to start with, put it in a "maybe" pile that you reevaluate after pregnancy.  
• If you definitely want to keep it postpartum, then just hang it in a different section/the back of your closet. Keep everything that fits you right now located together to make getting dressed easier. Goodness knows just trying to put your foot into underwear at this point is a struggle. Let's not complicate matters by struggling to find something to struggle into. 
• Currently, I have a thredUP bag sitting on the floor of my closet that is collecting items I don't think I will want postpartum. I decided I would reevaluate after she's here to decide if I think these items still fit my lifestyle/body.

Tip 4 --> Realize that you might have to change your style...a bit

• I was staunch anti-leggings before pregnancy. Before I felt like Regina George in Mean Girls who can wear only sweatpants. I still maintain that one's butt must remain covered while wearing leggings, but I will actually wear them in public now. This belly gave me little choice in the matter.

Tip 5 --> Consider postpartum wear now:

• I have already started searching for nursing bras (if that's what you choose to do!), so I took advantage of a promotion at Motherhood Maternity and bought four nursing nightgowns that I can even wear now. They actually fooled my mom into thinking they were real dresses, so I can wear them if unannounced (or announced) company comes to visit without feeling like a slob. Not that anyone would really judge me...harshly. 
• I am starting to section things off in my closet that I think will work for nursing/early motherhood because goodness knows I need to make my life as easy as possible in those beginning months. 
• I started a new Pinterest board called "Easy Mom Style" for things I think I would wear postpartum that still suit my style without letting me get into a yoga pants rut. (Some women rock the yoga pants trend beautifully; I do not belong to that talented group of women. Plus, I'd rather find a reeeeally comfortable pair of jeans instead.)
• I won't buy anything for postpartum that is not easy to clean. Babies poop, puke, and ooze all sorts of bodily fluids. Donning dry-clean-only clothes sounds like a terrible combination to me. 
• I am looking for looser, forgiving tops because I know nothing goes back to exactly the way it was.  

Third Trimester Styling Tips:
Tip 1 --> Belt, necklace, or sleeveless completer piece

• Belt it -- it was not until my belly turned into a shelf in the third trimester that I could actually wear a belt below my bust and have it stay there all day. Oh, it has no problem staying there now. 
• Necklace -- Sometimes a belt looks weird (tried one with the blue/white maxi skirt in the collage...EW), so I opt for a fun necklace. 
• Sleeveless completer piece -- It is far too hot for a utility vest, but that gauzy, black, sleeveless number I have on in the middle picture? Perfection. I have some short sleeved cardigans that also work well. Also, the floral button up in the far left picture of the collage worked that way for awhile. However, I will have to tie it above my belly now if I want it to work, or I can just wear it open and unbuttoned. I have turned several button ups into "cardigans" for now.

Tip 2 --> Practice not washing your hair every day

• After Vincenza arrives, I doubt I will want to nor have much time to do a lot with my hair. Since third-trimester fatigue has struck, I figured I would try out low-maintenance hairstyles. Here are a few that work for my finer, curly hair:
• Curly--I just use a curling iron for a few pieces that act unruly. This style takes less than 5 minutes. 
• Bangs up and curly--If my bangs are not cooperating that morning, then I clip them back.
• Updo--I cannot frenchbraid (need to learn), but I can twist like a pro. My go-to style is similar to this one.
• Straight hair...for days on end--If I straighten my hair, I can go like four or five days without washing it. Of course, I have to put in the initial 20 minutes to dry it on day one, but I guess it works out in the end. 
• Rock a headband--Most headbands fall off of my head because it's shaped weirdly. This headband does not. My sewing machine is in a corner of the storage room I cannot reach with my belly in the way, so I have not had a chance to try making some of my own headbands. I'll let you know how that goes...or doesn't.
• Shower at night--I hear this works well after the baby comes, and it worked really well when I was teaching because it meant less maintenance in the morning. 
• I pinned these hairstyles to try. (I should try them now....)

Look 1: Button up + maxi + headband

• Button up: The Limited (size XS, would wear open when the belly grew too large for buttoning)
• Maxi dress: Old Navy (size XS, not maternity, bought in a stretchy cotton fabric)
• Headband: Target

Look 2: Patterned maxi + curly hair

• Patterned maxi dress: Apt 9 via Kohl's (size XS, not maternity, very stretchy fabric)

Look 3: Sleeveless cardigan + striped maxi + updo

• Sleeveless cardigan: Apt 9 via Kohl's (size S, not maternity)
• Striped maxi dress: Merona via Target (size XS, not maternity, stretchy fabric)

Look 4: Sized-up dress + belt + shorter necklace + pinned back hair

• Orange dress: Old Navy swing dress (size M, not maternity, bought even larger for length) 
• Belt: Francesca's (old)
• Necklace: J.Crew Factory (old)
• Gold sandals: Aerosoles

Look 5: Maternity shirt + long necklace + maxi skirt + straight hair

• Shirt: Old Navy maternity (size XS)
• Necklace: Sonoma (I think) via Kohl's
• Maxi skirt: Paper Moon for Stitch Fix (size S, not maternity, very stretchy and so soft)

There you have it. Some tips and some inspiration (I hope). Let me know if you want any other tips/suggestions/inspiration. 

35 Weeks

The Outfit:

Dress: Old Navy, non-maternity (I was an XS before pregnancy; I went with a medium in this dress so that it would be long enough to cover my belly. I'm sure it'll still fit without a big belly in there.  Even with this belly, I still wear an XS in their maxi dresses.)

Belt (old): Francesca's

Sandals: Aerosoles (they are really comfortable and have padding!)

Giraffe necklace (old): J. Crew Factory  

How far along? 35 weeks...we're really coming into the home stretch

Size: We went for a growth sonogram (worrywart mom alert) on July 10th when I was a little over 33 weeks. She measured at about 4lbs. 14oz. which surprises just about everyone because they want to know where I "put the baby." It calmed my fears induced (pun intended) by everyone trying to tell me I was too small. The midwife assured me that I am just one of those women who "tucks a baby in well." Overall, I have gained a little over 20 pounds. I texted this picture to my mom, and she said, "How is it possible that you already look bigger than you did on Sunday?" Thanks, Mom. Your granddaughter is packing on the pounds in there.

Nursery: Almost finished. We just need a chair, and I'd like to have more art and pictures hanging on the wall. Granted, she won't sleep in there right away because we have this awesome bassinet for her beginning weeks/months, but what are we really going to accomplish once she arrives?

Maternity Clothes: In terms of shorts or pants, absolutely! I even bought four nursing nightgowns from Motherhood Maternity (on sale, of course) to test drive them before she's born. They are SO comfortable, have built in bras, and will be perfect for when company comes because I can look put together without actually putting on real clothes or an actual bra. If ninjas were clothes, they'd be these nightgowns. My mom even thought they were actual dresses. However, I have gotten away with a lot of non-maternity dresses. I stick with very stretchy cotton and have had a lot of luck at Kohl's and Old Navy.

Stretch Marks: Not yet, but my body cannot be trusted not to sneak up on me with this one.

Sleep: HAHAHA. Sleep laughs at me. If needing to use the bathroom for the fifth time does not wake me, back pain wakes me. If back pain doesn't wake me, hot flashes from Hell wake me. If hot flashes do not wake me, this sweet child of mine decides it is time for us to rise and face the day at 4:00 in the morning. I love her so much already that I just roll with it. If a spontaneous nap comes later to relieve me, then so be it. If not, then let the delirium ensue.

Celebrations: This week is my dad's birthday, my sister-in-law's birthday, and the last week of my summer graduate course. This weekend, I'm also attending a grad party and a 1-year-old's birthday party. I think there's a lot of cause for celebration around these parts.

Cravings: Crabs (good thing I live in Maryland), ALL THINGS cheese (Pirate's Booty, cheese sticks, grilled cheese, pizza), and watermelon yogurt. So, it looks like my body is telling me to pack in the calcium and protein. 

Symptoms: I am keeping them somewhat at bay with my weekly visits to the chiropractor and acupuncturist, but my sinuses are really giving me trouble. Holy bloody noses, Batman. The humidifier and neti pot make a huge difference. 

Movement: She is active just like her daddy. She especially loves mealtime. She almost never stops moving, but as uncomfortable as heels trying to make an escape through my gall bladder incisions, toes curling under my rib cage, a mysterious body part sinking into my round ligament, and a head headbutting my lady parts, it reassures me that she is doing okay in there. I might cry out in pain, but I can handle that pain as long as she just stays healthy. I keep telling her that's her only job right now. Happy and healthy.

Belly Button: It came out to play. It's not cute. It's like that neighborhood kid who licks chalk off the sidewalk, so you don't answer the door when he knocks. It doesn't matter though because he finds you anyway. It really emerges when I laugh hysterically, which my husband strives to make happen on a daily basis. In the beginning, I put a band aid over it, but that caused a rash that lasted for about a week. I'd rather have an outie than a rash.

Feeling: Excited and worried--The thought of meeting her on the outside excites me more than anything ever has, but worry always nags at the back (okay, probably the front) of my mind that something will go wrong. I am good about preventing the worry from becoming stress, however. Honestly, I can handle all of the discomfort and pain if she just comes out healthy and happy. I don't care about agonizing labor, horrible postpartum symptoms, or any of my medical stuff as long as this kid comes out with a clean bill of health. I know labor and delivery is NO picnic in the park, and I just don't care. I am feeling such overwhelming love and concern for this kid that those things have yet to nag at me, which is probably because I have already had two car accidents, 8 root canals, gall bladder removal, appendix removal, tonsils and adenoids removal, sinus surgery, and impacted wisdom teeth removal. Clearly, I am no stranger to pain and none of that pain led to the survival of another human being, which makes this pain the most worthwhile. 

Pregnancy is...

Pregnancy is...

* Mapping out the locations of the nearest bathrooms and realizing that you will eventually stop caring whether or not they're clean.

*Assuring every male who works with you that the grunt that just emanated from your entire being was a reaction to a head in your ribcage, not an S.O.S. requiring immediate medical attention.

* Accepting the fact that you might end up needing someone to wheel you to your destination in a desk chair because a tiny dancer is holding a recital on your sciatica.

* Learning how not to pee when you sneeze...or at least learning how to pack another pair of pants...or how to own the wet spot. (Billy Madison tells us only cool kids pee their pants.)

* Consulting webMD to verify that your strange symptoms are frighteningly common and normal.

*  Engaging in pep talks with your closet full of clothes that now pose creative obstacles.

*  Embracing the ugly cry. On an hourly basis.

* Pregnancy is realizing that those familiar spaces you once navigated with ease are now riddled with obstacles in the form of your increasing klutziness and growing belly. Seatbelt? Torture device. Student bookbags and computer cords? Land mines. Shoe buckles? Pointless inventions. Couch? Quicksand. Bed? HAHAHA, SUCKER.

Dress (recent): Old Navy

Shirt: The Limited

Cardigan (recent): Old Navy

Sandals: Franco Sarto via DSW

Noises

Our neighborhood makes very little noise. Considering most of our neighbors have reached the "it does not matter what the age minimum for a senior discount is, I get one anyway" age, all is eerily quiet on the home front. In fact, one of our adorable elderly neighbors jokingly called out to my husband this weekend, "you know, Jeff, it was quiet around here until you moved in." I think he appreciates the young blood livening up the place. That's what happens when a spry, young guy who likes to climb trees (for the purpose of trimming them, not building forts...yet), crawl under trucks, lean under car hoods, and tackle just about any home improvement project moves in across the street.

This weekend, we also realized that our house, situated a short distance from the major concert venue in our state, allows us to hear concerts. For free. We stood on our porch last night and listened to The Offspring. I might be a total dork, but my house is super cool. We took a walk to the pond in our neighborhood, and we could really hear the music. Who wants to come visit and go fishing while listening to live music for free? 

We started playing a lot of music in the past few weeks because we want Vincenza to appreciate it as much as we do. Since she has turned into quite the tiny dancer recently, I guess our plan is working. We stopped watching TV during dinner and decided to turn on music instead. (We even have her seat at the table all figured out; she'll sit across from the window so that she has a nice view of the outdoors while she munches.) I stopped watching TV while I get ready in the morning and put on iTunes radio instead. Jeff also sings songs to her on a regular basis. Enjoy the tunes, tiny dancer.

Cardigan: Old Navy

Scarf: Target, I think

Top: Gap Maternity

Jeans: Motherhood Maternity (Jeff picked 'em out and brought 'em home.)

Shoes: Sole Society

I also wore the pants this way:

Dearest Vincenza (letter #2)

Blazer: Lauren Conrad

Tank: Liz Lange maternity via Target 

Necklace: Old Navy

Jeans: Gap Maternity

Flats: Audrey Brooke via DSW

Our Dearest Vincenza,

We have hit 23 weeks today, and people now exclaim that I "have a belly!" What they really mean is that "oh, there IS a baby in there!" (That baby is you, by the way.) Since you enjoy dancing on my bladder and high fiving the inside of my belly, I can assure everyone that you have been our tiny little dancer even before my belly grew large enough for strangers to realize you are hanging out on the inside and enjoying all of the watermelon I eat.

Since your daddy and I have stayed the same size since high school, we do not own a scale in our home. (Always remember that the number on the scale is never as important as how you feel, and you will have every reason to feel wonderful about yourself.) To make sure you are growing, I weigh us at the acupuncturist every week and then the midwives (Tammy is our favorite--we hope she helps bring you into the world!) weigh us every four weeks. On Saturday morning, the scale showed me that I gained 7 pounds total since you started your dance party in my belly. Lucky number 7, little lady. Your daddy weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and measured at 22 inches long when he was born! I weighed one ounce more than your daddy, and I was one inch shorter. We wonder if you will be around 7 pounds like we were.

When I was in college, a car accident left me with a bad back, and it is trying to rain on the parade we are having about meeting you in August.  Your daddy is a kind man, so he is buying me another sleep pillow and a support band today. I think the jungle gym that is our bed (SO MANY CONTRAPTIONS) will prepare us for all of the contraptions that will come with you. Daddy and I picked out a lot of them this past weekend, and we hope you enjoy them. Your grandpa (my daddy) will help install the new windows for your room soon so that your daddy can fix the wiring in your room, and I can paint it!

We love you so much already, and I hope you are enjoying your stay in my belly. Make sure to get nice and healthy. Your momma can handle any discomfort that comes as a result of your good health, just remember that.

Love,
Your Momma

P.S. Daddy wants to write you a letter or two, so that will be coming soon :) He is e-mailing me right now and wants you to know that he can't wait to drive home one day just to look at you. You and I sure are lucky, little lady. 

Other letters: #1

Do not be deceived.

I wore this outfit on a much more spring-like day. Today, despite the sunshine, requires a sweatshirt and a jacket. The poor thermostats must all be suffering right now. I understand now why mercurial means what it means.

I have little with which to amuse you today; however, several things amused me today.

1. A student tried to fix the printer on our mobile computer lab cart. When the "fix" he tried based on a Google search did not work (twice), he grumbled, "This really grinds my gears." Ah, man, I am still chuckling.

2. One of my students wrote a vocabulary story about how she prohibited farting in her car once she got her license yesterday. Her younger brother said he was "going to blow," so she made him stick his butt out the window. I made them write these stories as comic strips, so the accompanying pictures made the tears that streamed down my face from laughter all the more inevitable.

3. When my sixth period was completely silent, my intern decided to pop a mini rice cake into his mouth. What he did not realize was that another rice cake had accidentally adhered itself to it, so he literally bit off more than he could chew...quietly. The look on his face as he realized that the crunching would be deafening in such a quiet room sent me into a fit of laughter, which I had to contain as quietly as possible, a nearly impossible feat for someone with a laugh as boisterous as mine.

 

Dress: Express (found it in clearance section for $20)

Vest: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Necklace: Old Navy

Sandals: Franco Sarto via TJ Maxx (honestly, Franco Sarto makes THE best sandals.)

Edgy and Classy?

Who needs an iron when you have a hair straightener? The hair straightener did the trick to smooth out wrinkles at the bottom of this top today, and I did not need to lug the ironing board out of the laundry room. Hooray.

Custodians came in after school to replace a bulb that blew above our desks. I remarked that it smells AWFUL when those things burn out. The cologne of the one custodian lingered in the room after he left, and I swore he smelled like my brother who's worn the same cologne for over 20 years. Naturally, I followed him into the next room and asked him if he wore Eternity. He said no, but it does smell like Eternity. As my intern and I walked out of the building, I complained that the trashcan reeked of fish. I'm both impressed by and disappointed in my nose these days.

This outfit, of course, impresses me.  Most impressive of all? I managed to pick it out this morning instead of last night.

The Look:

Jacket: via thredUP

Pants: Motherhood Maternity

Top: LOFT

Flats: Sole Society

Necklace: J.Crew Factory

Headband: Target

Talking in Your Sleep

When I thought of a title for this post, I started singing this song. Oh, hair bands, your music was as great as your frizzy, voluminous, Marge Simpson hair. Guys, I like this week. I would give it a fist bump if it had hands. 

The other day, Jeff and I had a conversation that went like this:

Jeff: Did you wake up while I was watching Mrs. Doubtfire?

Me: No, you were watching Mrs. Doubtfire!?

Jeff:  Yes, when your favorite part came on and he says "it was a run by fruiting!" you laughed and said, "it never gets old."
One, I did not know I talk in my sleep. Two, my love of Mrs. Doubtfire extends beyond my waking hours. Three, I was telling the truth; that line NEVER gets old. It makes me laugh every time, even in my sleep.

Vincenza has been a somersaulting maniac the past week, and I cannot stop laughing at her antics. She definitely grew over the past week because the kicks are much more forceful and not simply flutters. In fact, she gives an entirely new meaning to "the wave." At this point, people waffle between utter confusion that I am five and a half months along and that I finally "popped." As long as she rocks and rolls on the inside, keeps growing as she should, and comes out happy, I do not care how big or small I look to anyone. Just keep growing and wiggling, little lady. We will have a dance party when you make it to the outside.

The windows for her room finally arrived, so Jeff and my dad can install them when it's nice outside. Maybe this weekend for Jeff's birthday? He will also finish the dogs' den this week, so we can get rid of their crates, move the guest bed to the dogs' current room, and really start working on Vincenza's room.

Yes, I am 22 weeks today, but no bumpdate, just an "I love life and everything about it" post. Also, my dogs are hysterical. See picture one for evidence.

This picture is really about what Roxy is wearing.

The Look:

Dress: Old Navy (not maternity)

Cardigan: Old Navy

Necklace: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Boots: Ralph Lauren via DSW

Dresses and More Dresses

I would like to thank spring for swooping in to save the day. No need to fight with tights anymore when I want to wear dresses and skirts, and do we not all think that makes spring so glorious that we can overlook allergies? I think so.  I would also like to thank Old Navy for bringing its consistent A game this year with the cute dresses and skirts at affordable prices.

This chambray received little play time in the past, but it has officially become a frontrunner in my maternity wardrobe. Hey, guess where I bought it? Oh, that's right: OLD NAVY. They should pay me for these unsolicited advertisements.

The Look:

Dress: Old Navy (exact in solid colors)

Chambray: Old Navy

Boots: Franco Sarto

Necklace: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's (couldn't find it online, but it's in stores)

Blame it on the Brain.

These pants came in the mail, and I finally wore them. In other words, I finally blogged them. I felt that taking a picture of them while I was in the dressing room of the same store at which I bought them online was fitting. (See what I did there? Dressing room = fitting? AHA.) Anyway, the belly band on these pants officially ranks as the most comfortable and the softest belly band of any of the million and one maternity pants I have tried. I ordered my pre-pregnancy size (a 0, which is a weird number because it makes me feel as if I do not exist), and they fit well, minus a bit of give in the front, a presumably intentional design decision since I will need to fit in them at several different weights. After all, I don't want to end up large, in charge, and pantsless.

Of course, pregnancy appears to serve as an excuse for just about everything. Oh, you spilled water all over the front of yourself? It's the hormones. Oh, you cannot find your way back to the receptionist's station after having been in the office ten times before? It's the hormones. Oh, you snarled at someone unknowingly? It's the hormones. Oh, every time you get on the road, the drive turns into a round from Need for Speed? It's the hormones. Oh, you fell asleep in a pile of gluten-free Cheeto goodness? It's the hormones. I still find myself perplexed by this social phenomenon, but I will not complain because my brain has quite honestly turned into a large (or perhaps small) slice of Swiss cheese.

I reread something that I typed and find about three errors in it, which probably frustrates me more than any other brain blip. An English teacher who has lost her command of the English language? UGH.  I recently e-mailed a parent and continually referred to the son by his older brother's name. (In my defense, I taught all three of the sons.) I felt rather sheepish when the father e-mailed asking me which son I really meant. At least the e-mail was a really positive one? GET IT TOGETHER, BRAIN. Prevail over the hormones, dangit.

I can, however, still put together a coordinated outfit, so I take comfort in that materialistic whim.

The Look:

Cardigan: Forever 21 for $8.90 (check out their insane color selection here.)

Top: Old Navy maternity (floral not online, but it's this style.)

Pants: LOFT maternity (exact, 40% off sale this weekend!)

Shoes: J.Crew Factory 

Necklace and earrings: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's  (couldn't find it online)

TIP: LOFT online says that you must return all maternity items via mail, which forces you to pay $8 return shipping. Some stores, however, DO take maternity returns, so ask your local LOFT before you pay that money or decide against buying stuff online.

 

Dear Daughter (Food Edition)

Dear Vincenza,

Your momma is 21 weeks along right now. According to Parents magazine, you are the length of a carrot, which is interesting because your daddy loves carrots. Sometimes, I call him Bugs Bunny, a character we will teach you all about when you come out to meet us. He likes to nibble off part of the carrot and feed it to our crazy dogs, Roxy and Squirt. I like carrots only when I get to dip them in hummus or ranch dressing. They also taste quite delicious when they are steamed with some butter. You better like vegetables because your daddy and I love vegetables. I just sent him out for some kohlrabi because your grandpa said Wegman's has really delicious kohlrabi right now.

If you are anything like your momma, mom mom, and big cousin, Jules, then you will devour watermelon, and you will probably want it with some salt on it because that is how the women on the Wojcik side like their watermelon. You might also be a big tea drinker like momma and mom mom. Please remember that the only good tea is sweet tea, and your mom mom makes the best batches of it. Daddy and both of your grandpas love coffee, but your mom mom and I think it smells terrible, so terrible. Your great mom mom, however, drank hot coffee even when the thermometer read 100 degrees outside. When your daddy first met your great grandparents, he was sweet enough to drink some coffee with your great mom mom during the sweltering summer heat. He sweat the entire time, but he made me love him so much more because I realized, once again, what a wonderful man your daddy is.

We hope you like to eat meat because momma loooooves Chipotle barbacoa bowls, and one of your daddy's favorite meals is steak and potatoes. Your daddy likes to fish and cook what he catches, but I think the freshwater fish taste a little funny. I try to eat salmon or shrimp once a week so that I can get those omega-3's and grow that big brain of yours! Sorry I cannot eat gluten for your right now, but your Italian daddy will show you the wonders of bread when you are old enough to eat it. Hopefully, you do not inherit any of my food allergies because I want you to enjoy eating every food. Let's pray that you take after daddy in that department.

Love,
Momma


Dear, Readers,
Please enjoy the periodic installments of "Dear, Vincenza" that will include snippets from my life and my wishes for this little lady of mine. Also, if you came around these parts yesterday, you might have cast your vote for which Stitch Fix item I should keep. I ultimately decided on the top versus the necklace because the print makes me SO happy. Based on the plethora of compliments it elicited today, I think I made a good choice. I have zero regrets. It gives me an opportunity to wear one of my cutest pairs of flats, these little red numbers. What a perfect little pairing that turned out to be. I imagine it will look lovely with some white jeans/shorts as well. I could not wait to wear it, and this hurried outfit combination this morning came together way better than I anticipated. 

 

The Look:

Cardigan: Old Navy

Top: Stitch Fix

Pants: Indigo Blue via Motherhood Maternity

Flats: Sole Society

Belt: Francesca's

What's in a name?

Jeff encountered his first "I don't know about your kid's name" experience. Jeff, my ever-animated husband, jubilantly almost-runs into the OBGYN's office for every one of my appointments. He pops his face in front of the secretary's (always the same one), and amuses her with his antics. This time around, he told the secretary that we're expecting a little girl.

As is common, she asked about the name. We will call her Vincenza Leigh. Vincenza (pronounced Vin-chen-zuh) is Jeff's beloved Nonna's name; she passed away when Jeff was younger, and we decided to pay her homage by naming our sweet little lady after such a prominent woman in Jeff's life. We would have named her after my Mom Mom, but Mom Mom would come out from the grave and pull me down with her if I EVER considered naming one of my children Geraldine, which sort of sounds like the name of a female gopher. Sorry, Mom Mom.

As for Leigh, it's my brother's middle name. It just so happens to be unisex, and I just so happen to love my brother a lot. He also prayed to baby Jesus for a little sister, and here I am. He also prayed for me to have a little girl so that his little girl has a best friend, and here we are having a girl. Additionally, my mom named me Danielle because Dad's name is Danny. Giving our girls names after the important men in their lives sounds like a pretty good tradition to continue.

Obviously, we love the name because it is profoundly personal and sentimental to us. The secretary argued that our little girl will hate us when she tries to spell her name, and her teachers will hate us when they try to pronounce it. Jeff, a little flustered, sputtered out some responses. Very calmly, I responded, "Her momma's an English teacher; she's got this in the bag." The name is extremely easy to pronounce once you learn that the c sounds like a ch. Any adult who cannot master that pronunciation probably should not be instructing the youth of our nation. At least we didn't put an r you have to roll in there. (If we had, I would not be able to pronounce my own child's name.)

Finally, she suggested we call her "Vina," and Jeff argued that the name sounds "like the name of a lotion." HAHA. He does not want to call her anything other than Vincenza because "why give her a pretty name if you don't call her by it." People are natural nickname givers, so I am sure she'll go by Vinnie or Enza or something other than Vina. 

He better get used to hearing people's unsolicited opinions because everyone else wants to tell you how to carry your child in the womb (gain more weight! gain less weight! eat more fish! eat NO fish!), how to name your child (too long! too hard to spell! too common! too unique!), and how to raise your child. Want to know the theme that exists in all of those phrases? YOUR CHILD. Listen to sage advice, forget all the rest, and simply do your best. (I have learned this same strategy as a teacher, and it has served me well.)

Here is one of my favorite, most recent outfits. The last picture shows the truest color of my pants, which are olive. I found olive-colored maternity pants on the sale rack. I call that superb luck, my friends.

The Look:

Cardigan: Gift from Target

Necklace: Francesca's

Striped Shirt (my top ten item): Gap Maternity

Pants: Motherhood Maternity

Flats: Audrey Brooke via DSW

 Headband: Target (I want more of them, so I might have to make them since I cannot find anymore as soft and stretchy. Headbands always choke my cranium and fly off the back of it, but this one has proven to be quite perfect for my noggin.)

 

(Forgive the mess here, but I wanted a clearer shot of the pant color.)