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:

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

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.)

Finding Maternity Pants

Honestly, my only qualm with this sprinter (weather speak: winter that just won't leave quickly enough) is the reality of the maternity pants struggle. I have no idea how the few pairs I own have held up so well to the serious beating I have forced them to endure. Even though winter temps beat down upon us, you might be silently asking me why not having pants to adorn my baby belly is a problem, allow me to explain:

1. You say: Why not wear dresses with tights every day, Danielle?
 I say: If I have to choose between fighting with tights or pseduo zipper, pseudo-button-closure pants in the bathroom several times a day, the fake-me-out pants will win every time. Unless they're in the dirty clothes basket.

2. You say: Why not try a belly band so that you extend the life of your pre-pregnancy pants, Danielle?
I say: The belly band is called a band for a reason, but I do not yet know why it attaches belly to the descriptor. I find this rubberband-like torture device choking all other parts of my body (namely my ribcage) versus actually holding up my pants. If it does, indeed, cover the ubuttoned, unzipped part of my normal pants, I then must fight with it in the bathroom several times a day. I have patience with teenagers but not finicky clothing. 

3. You say: I have heard of this "rubberband trick" that involves letting a rubberband stretch the distance between the button and button closure of your normal pants. What about that?
I say: I injure myself walking down two steps. I cannot imagine what will happen when you stick me, a full bladder, and a rubberband keeping my pants together in a bathroom stall. That will be the day the rubberband breaks, I forgot to bring a back-up, and I have no way of actually buttoning my pants.

I keep reading all of these "avoid buying maternity clothes!" posts, which all suggest the belly band, the rubberband, or wear really low rise pants. None of these take into account that my normal low-rise pants still must cover my lower abdomen, which is where baby likes to reside these days. Neither baby nor I enjoy being poked by a button.

So, I have been on the hunt for pants. I plan to try H&M and have a pair of LOFT pants headed my way, so I will update you on them when I try them out for a day. I also scheduled a maternity stitch (my first Stitch Fix plunge ever), so we shall see if they send me pants that pass my test. Note: I refuse to pay full price on any item of clothing, especially maternity clothing. I tried to find stuff on thredUP, but came up empty on multiple occasions. I have scoured the internet for consignment stuff and etc., but that search is exhausting. Plus, I am getting so much wear out of the ones I bought (none full price, some gifts) that it's okay I spent $20-$40 instead of $10-$15.

Here are my results:

Full Outfit Posts: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

 Lavender Pants (Motherhood Maternity—also have in white)--Husband bought on BOGO promotion, but they're originally $44.98

I had to try on SO MANY pairs to find ones that did not make my butt look dumpy. These fit the bill, but the same pants in another color looked awful. Weird. Also, they are full panel, which I know will make me sweat in the summer, but everything will make me sweat in the summer.  

Black-wash jeans (Gap 1969 inset panel resolution slim straight jeans—also have in light wash blue jean and white)--I bought them at 40% off, but they are $69.95 original price

 Inset panel maternity jeans are by far my favorite because they stretch with my abdomen, the button does not jab me, they have real belt loops (not sure how that'd work really, but I still like feeling as though I am wearing real pants), and no belly panel makes me sweat. I do have to hike them up a little more, but I always have to do that with low rise, maternity pants or not.

Dark black skinny jeans (Motherhood Maternity--can’t find online—Mom bought them in store.)

 They are so dark that they don't look like jeans, so I wear them like normal black pants to work. I don't think anyone really notices. At least they're not leggings. They are full-panel, but the panel isn't too tight.

Charcoal gray pants (Motherhood Maternity--can’t find online—Mom bought them in store)

These are the best work pants ever. I really wish they had them in several colors. They don't sag, they hold their shape well, the full panel isn't too tight, they are as comfortable as leggings because they're a ponte-knit, and they go with everything. I am hoping the LOFT ones I ordered in bi-stretch are the khaki version of these.

Gap Flare leg jeans (1969 demi panel long and lean jeans--currently $69.95, promotion though) 

These worked for a little while until the baby decided to set up shop very low in my abdomen, which means the demi-panel squeeeeezes my lower back and abdomen, and I get the worst backaches. I thought it was a fluke until it happened more than once and with the Old Navy pair. Demi-panel is not for me, but it might work for you. (If I sized up, the pants would float on my legs.)

 

Old Navy Dark wash skinny jeans (Maternity Low-Panel Skinny Jeans--currently $28, promotion though) 

Same issue as the Gap demi panel: bad back pain. They just plain hurt. They cover my bum very nicely and look soooo good on, but dang, I think I cut off circulation to me and the baby. Again, sizing up would have made the pants fall down, so that wouldn't have solved the problem.

 

Maternity Side-Panel The Pixie Chinos (tried olive and navy--$34.94, promotion though)

I had the opposite problem with these, but I struggle to find pants when I'm not pregnant. Therefore, these might work for you. I found that when they fit in the legs, they were HUGE in the waist. Maybe I'll need to get these when I'm much bigger? I even got the smallest size, and I was swimming in them. Dude, where's the happy medium between these and the demi panel? These pants are also inset panels like the Gap pants on my good list, but I guess Gap does inset better than Old Navy. 

Maternity Foldover-Waist Linen-Blend Pant ($34.94)

Yes, I want them in the light blue because I am becoming quite fond of this color. I watched a "maternity haul" video on YouTube, and the girl looked to be about my size with the same complaints about most maternity pants (dumpy butt). She posted the video last year, but these are the same pants from Old Navy. You know I got them on super sale, of course.  

Maternity Bi-Stretch Skinny Ankle Pants ($79.50)

I really want these to work because I love LOFT, and I have to pay the return shipping because you cannot return maternity stuff to LOFT stores. Dumb dumb dumb. I bought them on a 40% off promotion.

 

MAMA treggings from H&M (in olive—$34.95)

 The outlet mall near me has an H&M that also sells maternity. I am hoping they have this pair or the next pair in their store. We'll see. If not, I might be tempted to order them online. I wear a lot of pants to work, so it'd be nice to wear something other than a jean material.

MAMA Slim-Fit Pants (blush, navy, and black--$34.95)

 Recap of what I have kept:
1. Full panel Lavender jeans (gift from Jeff)

2. Full panel white jeans (gift from Jeff--bought on BOGO by him, with a coupon! Go, Jeff!)

2. Full Panel Dark black jeans (gift from Mom)

3. Full Panel Charcoal Pants (gift from Mom)

4. Inset panel, light wash, casual black jeans (Gap--bought by me on 40% promo)

5. Inset panel, light wash blue jeans (Gap--bought by me on 40% promo)

6. Inset panel, white jeans (Gap--bought by me on 40% promo)

**I got another white pair b/c I think the full panel will fit me better when I'm bigger, and the inset panel will fit me better now. 

Recap of what I will donate:

1. Gap flare leg jeans (I think someone carrying higher would appreciate the demi panel more, OR a woman earlier on in pregnancy. These were perfect for early pregnancy.)

2. Old Navy skinny jeans (same reason as #1)

Recap of what I'd like to add:

1. Super casual, comfy pants (light blue from ON)--I think these might work for the hospital, too.

2. Khaki pants (let's hope the LOFT ones work)

3. Olive pants (I did not realize how much I wore my normal olive pants until I stopped being able to wear them.)

4. Dark wash skinny jeans to replace the Old Navy ones that sadly no longer work.

 General Notes:

1.  I considered some DIY fashion for maternity, but I'd rather use my DIY efforts on a nursery, not pants for me. Plus, as evidenced by my increasing road rage, hormones have played games with my patience level.   

2. Between eBates rebates and money I've made through thredUP, that money has pretty much paid for the stuff that hasn't been gifted to me. 

3. Pretty much the only "maternity" things I buy are pants. I try to buy everything else in non-maternity styles that will fit me before, during, and after baby. 

Linking up with Style Sessions  

Navy & Lavender

First of all, Jim Parsons (Sheldon of Big Bang Theory) turned 42 yesterday. HOW? I feel utterly befuddled. Remove Cindy Crawford from all of those youth commercials and replace her with Jim.

Second of all, my students amuse me. Sometimes, they do and say things that would be shocking, inappropriate, and unsettling if an adult were to do or say the same thing. For example, one of my juniors fist bumped (gently, fear not) my baby bump yesterday. I laughed hysterically because I am weird, awkward, and easily amused. If a four-star general from Jeff's work were to fist bump my baby bump, I might not laugh so easily. (I would probably do so nervously and walk away quickly.) About ten minutes later, another student crouched down and began talking to my belly and excitedly exclaimed, "It's SO CUTE. There's a THING in there!" Seriously, teenagers make me laugh every single day. Once this baby comes out, can't it just help me teach my classes? Let's all hang out and appreciate the English language together.

Third of all, I love these pants. Guess who picked them out all on his own? Yeah, Jeff. I'm still shocked, too. The first item of clothing he surprised me with was a pair of lavender maternity jeans. Remember that he would wear a "You Got a Purdy Mouth" shirt ever day had I not thrown it away on the sly. However, he managed to buy me a pair of pants I totally love. Good job, Jefferino. You've made your wife proud.

 

Let's just say she is singing to the baby, not screaming at Jeff for preventing her from jumping on me with her dirty paws. 

The Look:

Shirt: Target

Tee: Gap (Maternity)

Scarf: Handmade by Momma

Pants (gift): Motherhood Maternity

Heels: Aerosoles (also have them in burgundy--love 'em)

 Forgive Squirt as she nibbles her leg.

And now she's nibbling a stick. Oh, these dogs.

On Point

Two days this week, two different students referred to my outfit for that day as being "on point." They even flashed me the little a-okay sign (which always makes me think of Buckwheat from The Little Rascals...ooooootaaayyy). I guess I'm figuring out this maternity style thing. Granted, it's a lot easier now that I'm not trying to hide it.

I did not do a bumpdate yesterday (this whole weekly thing is a bit overdoing it), so I am going to leave you with some random thoughts before I show you today's "on point" outfit:

1. I cannot stop craving barbacoa bowls from Chipotle. I have eaten three of them this week alone. If this kid becomes a vegetarian, you can color me surprised.

2. Because of my white gold allergy, Jeff finally sent my rings off to have a full rhodium coating applied. Hopefully, I will be able to wear them without suffering from an allergic reaction.

3. I experienced a prenatal massage today. My body is now made of Jell-O, and I feel glorious.

4. Yesterday and today, we held junior interviews in the media center. These two days rank as my favorite school days of the year (in sharp contrast to my least favorite day, Wacky Tacky Day) because so many students are dressed up for their interviews. Why can't students dress professionally every day, or even once a week? Who doesn't feel like a BOSS when they get all gussied up?


By the way, this outfit might be one of my favorite ones in awhile. I kept looking for a cardigan to wear for this outfit and realized a chambray would be a better choice. I can't believe I pulled this look together in the morning. Sometimes my brain surprises even me.

 

The Look:

Shirt: LOFT

Chambray: Old Navy

Pants: Motherhood Maternity

Necklace: Francesca's (recent)

Flats: ModCloth (old)

 

Originally, we took this picture to show off the bump (HA...it's hiding), but I posted it simply because of Roxy showing off in the background. Those dogs entertain me on a daily basis. 

16-week Bumpdate: Ask and You Shall Receive

People at work keep asking about "the bump" and feeling disappointed because I inadvertently hide it under flowy shirts. Today, I really wanted to wear this shirt because I love the color (a light blue). The clingy shirt highlighted "the bump" effectively, I suppose. One of my fifth period students exclaimed, "OH! The bump is just so cuuuute!" My sophomores, whom I have yet to tell since my intern has been teaching them (it'd be awkward to yell randomly, "hey! I'm pregnant!" at them), kept eyeing my stomach today. I considered addressing the elephant in the room and then decided against it. Several colleagues simply pointed and said, "BUMP!" I feel as if I invented a fun game.

 

The Look:

Top (has cute sleeves you can't see!): Old Navy (exact)

Cardigan (old): LOFT

Pants: Motherhood Maternity

Necklace: gift 

 

Wearing: I bought a pair of white maternity jeans, and I cannot wait to wear those bad boys. I have a student who is vehemently opposed to white jeans before Memorial Day. The class and I argued with her about Easter being a totally acceptable start date. In fact, we all felt white jeans were fair game any season of the year, so several of us plan to wear white jeans tomorrow just to mess with her.  I don't really want to make her brain explode all over my poorly decorated bulletin boards (good thing I teach high school), so I might spare her. This time.  In other news, I cannot wait to wear dresses and maxi skirts!

Reading: Résumés. So many of them. My brain hurts. So much.

Eating: Frequently and whatever sounds appealing, which changes hourly. I haven't really stuck to one thing because I think diversifying my diet will benefit both baby and me. I do really love olives and apples; they have yet to "get old." Steak and sweet potatoes one day, pasta another day, and a salad another day. I also crave oranges, which I cannot eat because I am allergic to them. To cope, I stood by the man making fresh orange juice in Whole Foods today and took in a few big whiffs.

Feeling: My threshold for pain is impressive after three surgeries (appendix, gall bladder, sinus), two car accidents, and a host of health problems. However, back pain has begun to settle in the past few days, and my Sjogrens is flaring up. My threshold is being tested. Granted, I would like to blame work stress for the Sjogrens flare and not this sweet baby. Of course, work stress is not causing things to stretch and making my back throb so badly that I rock back and forth while sobbing. We two tiny humans are trying to coexist in the tiny space that is my body; we'll eventually make it work. After the kid arrives, it will take over the house. Right now, it feels satisfied just taking over my body. I'm totally cool with that arrangement and just thankful it wants to share some space with me at all. To cope with the pain, I scheduled an acupuncture appointment for Saturday (first ever, came highly recommended) and a prenatal massage appointment next Thursday. Jeff so kindly bought me a foam roller to stretch out my back. I'll make this work, kid. I always do.

Anticipating:  Spring break. I want to sleep in. Desperately. Mom, Dad, and I might take a mini trip in their RV. That would be exciting! 

Bumpdates:

15 weeks

Overwhelmingly Wonderful Day

While the adults of this world often leave me feeling fearful of our future, my students remind me of what's good about this planet. Thank you, students, for continually redeeming my faith in humanity. It makes me feel much less worried for this little one of mine. Today, with a trumpet, sign, flowers, and a crown, the senior class brought me the greatest honor, Teacher of the Year. I am surprised these pregnancy hormones did not push me into a pool of tears when you came into my fifth period class and surprised us all with the news. Even my fifth period juniors standing to clap for me did not bring tears to my eyes.

After I realized that the trumpet call was for me and not NHS tappings, all I could think of is how much joy you all bring me every day. I felt nothing but warmth (and no, I did not pee myself early, thank you), and that is why I could not shed a tear. I can only smile. The honest (yet cheesy) truth is that working with such a witty, talented, and sweet group of students for the past four years (and every year of my career) truly is the greatest honor of all. This kid of mine will need a closet dedicated to the shoes it needs to fill. Your overwhelmingly wonderful gesture humbles me. I hope the speech I have to write for your graduation (which leaves me feeling a little...a lot...scared) makes you as proud as I am of you.

If you'd like to see the tweet and a picture of my ever-so-flattering smile, here you have it:

Congratulations to Mrs. Wojcik, senior class Teacher of the Year! pic.twitter.com/OXPcz37VwU
— RH Spirit Hawk (@hawk_pride) February 19, 2015

Good thing I washed my hair this morning. Oh, speaking of which, I dressed myself, too. Here you go:

 

The Look:

Sweater: Old Navy (thanks, cousin Lisa!)

Top: Apt. 9 via Kohl's (thanks, Momma!)

Pants: Motherhood Maternity (thanks again, Momma!)

Note: the pants are actually gray, not black.

Earrings: New York & Co.

A few people have requested a bump picture. Ask and you shall receive. 

Finally, it's not gas.