Due Date-iversary

Exactly one year ago today was the date Isla was supposed to make her grand appearance into this world...or something like that. These pictures were taken exactly one year apart. Isn't it crazy what a difference a year makes? We didn't even know that was a little Isla inside of me at that point. In fact, I was totally convinced it was a boy. But what did I know?!

In honor of my due date-iversary, I thought I would share Isla's birth story. Here is the story of how Isla made entrance into the world. 

October 12:

I had a doctor's appointment. I was 3 days past my due date. I asked the doctor to do a membrane sweep and she did. I wasn't feeling too hopeful about the whole thing. After all, they did make a 41 week appointment for me. 

That afternoon I was sitting in Connor's room after his nap and started feeling uncomfortable. By the time Ian got home from work, I was definitely feeling things. My mother-in-law called, I acted like nothing was happening. My sister-in-law was texting me and I again said nothing was going on. For some reason, I didn't want people to know. I didn't want people around me or people constantly asking how I was feeling. Even though at this point I didn't think I was actually in labor, we decided to take Connor to my parent's house for the night...this was Connor's first night ever away from us. At my mom's, I again acted like I wasn't feeling anything. I didn't want anyone to think I was a wuss. I asked Ian if we could get my car washed on the way home, but quickly decided I was in too much pain to tolerate it. We went home. 

At home I got in the bath. It was instant pain relief for me. I could still feel the contractions, but they were much easier. The problem was, I was HOT. So, I got out. I tried laboring while watching tv. At this point, my contractions were coming every 5 minutes and I was having to rock through them and have Ian give counter pressure on my lower back. After an hour of this, I decided to get back in the bath. This time I was smarter, I made Ian constantly feed me ice pops! I texted my best friend letting her know what was going on. I stayed in the bath more than an hour, trying to decide it I was really in labor. You see, my contractions weren't exactly 5 minutes apart. One would come in 2 minutes, the next in 7. I didn't consider that consistent. Still, Ian was begging me to call the hospital. He was afraid I was going to have the baby in the bath. At about 11:15, I decided to get out of the bath. When getting out, I lost my mucus plug. I decided this was reason enough to call the hospital. They told me to come in and get checked out. 

I sat on a towel in the car, as I was afraid my water would break and go all over the seat. On the way to the hospital, we went through the Starbucks drive thru. I remember having a contraction while at the drive thru window. Fun times. We made it to the hospital at 11:50. I asked if I should wait until midnight to check in. The nurses laughed. You see, I had to pay per day at the hospital and a day is seen as midnight to midnight. I was trying to only pay for one day. 

Even though I had pre-checked in, the process still took FOREVER. I tried to act like I wasn't in pain. I would just be quiet when having a contraction. A nurse took me into a bathroom by myself to ask how things were at home. I was having a contraction and felt done with constantly being asked if my husband abuses me. What is with pregnant women and abuse anyway?! Every single stinking doctors appointment I was asked about it. But I digress. 

In triage, when they hooked me up to the monitors, I asked the nurse if I was a wuss. She said the monitor doesn't actually monitor the strength/pain of contractions. Who knew?! The midwife came in to check me. I was 6cm and my water bag was bulging. The nurse said I was in fact not a wuss. The midwife asked if I wanted an epidural. I said I was fine to proceed as is. She told me it was now or never as I would "go fast". I said ok. After I got to my room, I was checked again and was now 8cm. The anisethesologist came in and gave me an epidural. The nurse turned off the lights and Ian and I went to sleep. Next thing I knew, the nurse was waking me up to check me. She said she could see the head. The midwife came in and said it was going to happen fast. My midwife was awesome by the way. Making jokes and being amazing the whole dang time. 

About halfway thru the pushing process, I decided I wanted to hold my legs myself. It made it easier to push. I held them above my head. Classy, I know. But I promise it made it easier to push. About this time I also noticed what time it was. After 4am. Connor was born at 4:18am. The midwife was making jokes that I should hold off on the pushing so this baby could be born at the same time. When the baby was coming out, I panicked and asked the midwife who was going to catch it. She said "You are! Put your hands down there and grab your baby." It was the coolest and most disgusting experience ever. I wouldn't replace it for anything. Yet, I will also never forget how extremely warm and gooey Isla was. She was born into the world at 4:11am on October 13th. 

We looked, IT'S A GIRL! This was a shock to me. I was convinced I was having a boy. Ian said "Does this mean our house is going to be covered in pink?" Sorry Ian, but yes! Isla pooped on me. Awesome. Then I kept forgetting about it and sticking my hand in it. Double awesome. Ian held Isla and the nurse let me change out of my poop covered gown. Then I nursed Isla. We held her, talked to her and nursed her for about an hour before they took her to weigh and measure her...which happened in my room. Either way, I thought it was cool that we got that time with her. While Ian was taking pictures of her being measured and weighted, I called my mom. 

Pretty quickly we got transferred from labor and delivery to my room. About that time, I was getting tired. Of course, that is about the time that all the visitors started arriving. Ian's parents first, followed closely by my mom and Connor. Connor was afraid and wouldn't go to either me or Ian. He soon warmed up. By the time he came back for another visit in the afternoon, he was his normal hyper self. 

It was a much different, more calm and easier experience than Connor's birth (part 1 and part 2). I was definitely glad for that. 

And in case you want to remember what her birth day looked like in photos, click here. 

Isla's Birth{day} in Pictures

I have been trying hard to post a blog, but it just isn't happening. And I thought, who doesn't like seeing pictures of babies? Seriously, WHO DOESN'T? Because of this, I present to you the day Isla was born in photos.

Soon enough I should have the time and energy to start writing thrilling blog posts again. It will happen. I promise.

Introducing...

Isla Grace Grimbleby

October 13, 2011

4:11am

8lbs, 2oz

19 inches long

Apparently something between the full moon and the membrane sweep worked and she made her entrance into this world last night, well early this morning. It was an altogether much better experience than my labor and delivery with Connor. We are still in the hospital but should be going home tomorrow. More pictures and stories to follow...

40+ Weeks

Today I had a doctor's appointment. It seems I am making progress. I am 2-3cm dilated. And, the doctor did a membrane sweep. Hopefully it works and I have a baby in my arms in the next couple days. The doctor also offered to induce me on Saturday. But I stayed strong and said no. So, if baby doesn't come, I have a non-stress test scheduled for Monday and another doctor's appointment scheduled for next Thursday. By that point I would be 11 days late. I don't want to have to go that long. So hopefully baby will decide to come soon!

In the mean time, I have been getting stuff done around the house. The refrigerator is all stocked. I did all the laundry yesterday. Including our sheets, which I had just washed a couple days before. This may be normal for some, but for me its not. Honestly, I wash my sheets like once a month...on a good month! I am just being honest. Don't judge too much. Plus, now we are getting clean sheets every couple days!

And this morning my mom came over to help me clean the house. She knows how to get things done. I think I need to be asking her to come over every time I need to clean. The place was spic and span in no time at all. I have been obsessing over the house not for baby (after all, baby's room is clean and ready) but because I know people will stop by to see baby and inevitably see the rest of the house, so it should be clean. Wiping down the front door and baseboards might not have been necessary, but that got done too.

The last thing I have on my list is my car. It has been bugging me. I need to vacuum it out. Maybe I can do it after Connor's nap today. It needs to be all clean for baby's first ride!

This must be what nesting is. It only took me being over cooked to get there.

Still Pregnant

I just wanted you guys to know that I am still alive and still pregnant. I have been struggling with staying positive about still being pregnant....well, more trying to be positive about the fact that there is nothing, and I mean nothing, going on to even hint that my body is preparing to expel a baby any time soon.

I really want this baby to come naturally. And I really want my labor to progress naturally, which didn't happen last time. But each time I go to the doctor and find out my body isn't doing a dang thing, I get a little discouraged. I am trying to not let it get me down. I know God already knows when and how this baby is going to be born. And I know He knows my desires about how I want it to happen. I am just hoping and praying those desires happen.

In the mean time, I am trying to keep my mind occupied with other things...things like decorating for fall and cleaning up after my toddler who seems to be into everything at the moment. And I am pretty excited about hitting up a rather large pumpkin patch tomorrow. That should be fun.

And hopefully, just hopefully, in the midst of me living life, this baby will decide to come out on its own accord.

Fall Fashion Week {Day 6}

The past day and a half have been crazy.

It started off yesterday morning with my doctor's appointment. I almost asked them to NOT check me for progress because I didn't want to be discouraged. Well, I let them check. And sure enough, nothing is going on. NOTHING. Nada. No dilation. No effacement. No nothing. AND to make matters a little worse, they even made me a 41 week appointment. Sniff. I am a big girl. I can handle it. I really have expected to go over with this baby. After all, Connor was 10 days late. And I am not at all for induction and really just want this baby to come on its own when it is ready. I was just kind of hoping that would be sooner rather than later. But then again, I wasn't dilated at all with Connor and my water broke a measly 18 hours later, at home, on its own. So there is hope.

The thing is though, I actually put effort into my outfit yesterday. I even wore jewelry. And there is no photographic evidence of this outfit. It is as if it didn't even exist. Oh well.

Then this morning the newspaper induced hysteria in me about the listeria outbreak from cantaloupe. And of course I recently consumed a whole cantaloupe. So, I called the advice nurse. Was on hold for 30 minutes, when I was told the wait time was 1 minute. And when I finally got to talk to a nurse, she was rude and brushed me off because I wasn't yet sick. Uh, thanks for all the great advice!

Oh, and all this hysteria was going down while I was trying to rush out of the house this morning for a meeting.

Now its 2pm and I find myself totally and utterly exhausted. So, I am going to take a nap. But not before I share an outfit with you. Sure, it wasn't from this week, but from a couple weeks ago when Ian and I went to San Francisco for his birthday. But on a positive note, it is the most fall-like outfit I have been able to wear in months. After all, we are still dealing with temps in the 90's...stupid forecasters lied when they said it was supposed to be in the 80's this week! Where was I? Oh yeah, my outfit...

Shirt: Forever 21 Maternity

Jeans: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Rainbows

Sorry for the rant. I guess its those pregnancy hormones bubbling to the surface. But if someone actually said that to me, I might just slap them! See, more hormones.

What a Day

 I am pretty sure my belly is ten times bigger in person than it seems in pictures.

Yesterday started out like any other day. I woke up to the sound of my little man. Got up. Fed us breakfast. Played. Got in the shower.

That is when everything started to change.

As I was getting out of the shower, I thought I was going to pass out. So I immediately laid down. I thought the feeling would pass. Unfortunately it didn't. So I beckoned Ian home from work. When he got home, he took my blood pressure and we discovered it was low. Very freaking low. 72/52 if you care to know. So, Connor got sent off to my MIL's house, I went to take a nap and Ian worked from home to make sure I stayed alive. Don't worry, I stayed alive.

All afternoon and evening my blood pressure stayed low. Now as low as it was, but still impressively low. So, after some urging from a friend and my husband, I decided to call our 24 hour nurse line. After talking with her for a while and following her instructions, she decided I needed to stay hydrated (who knew dehydration causes low blood pressure) and not get hot (apparently heat causes blood vessels to get bigger, thus lowering your blood pressure).

So I will now have to do without my coveted hot showers. The nurse actually told me not to shower at home alone anymore. Technically I wasn't home alone this morning...Connor was there too. And also, I am supposed to be drinking water like nobody's business.

In my opinion, all of this could be solved if some cool, fall weather would roll in. I mean, it is the end of September and still 99 freaking degrees outside. This almost-no-longer pregnant* gal wants a break in the heat!


* I thought being almost-no-longer pregnant sounded better than being HUGELY pregnant. 

Irresponsible, Knocked Up Single Mom

Do I look like that?

I haven't been wearing my wedding ring lately. Ever since reading about a fellow blogger getting her wedding ring cut off, I have been afraid. Which is funny given that I wore my wedding ring the whole time I was pregnant with Connor. But the heat scares me. On cool days I do wear it though.

Because of the lack of wedding ring (even though I have a tan line wedding ring permanently on), I always feel like people look at me and think I am an irresponsible, knocked up, single mom. I guess it shows my own insecurities.

Connor likes playing with the train set at Barnes and Noble. I usually take him during the day and the only people I see there then are moms with their kids. Well, apparently on Friday evenings the place is crawling with dads and their kids. And to be honest, I was afraid to talk to these said dads. One was wearing a shirt from my alma mater, Cal Poly, but I was afraid to ask him about it for fear that he would think this psycho knocked up single mom was hitting on him. See? Insecure. I ended up taking Connor and leaving when he would not leave one of these said fathers and father's baby alone. I was having to have to much interaction with said father and felt naked without my wedding ring; that and the fact that Connor was actually crawling in the baby's car seat. AND I was afraid Connor was going to hurt said baby.

  Now I ask, does any other married person out there feel awkward when not wearing a wedding ring? And how about when you are pregnant? Even more so?

My Pregnant Life

The other day I made a decision. A decision to fully embrace nap time. It started out slowly. Some days me needing them, other days me not. Then they progressed into an almost daily occurrence. I always set an alarm so I could have time to get stuff done around the house while Connor sleeps. But I have turned a corner in this pregnancy. Walking to the curb makes me tired (slight exaggeration, but only slight). Because of this, I have decided that without reservation or guilt, I am going to embrace nap time. I am going to sleep the entire time Connor does and enjoy myself...dang it. Let's be honest, I have been looking for reasons to slack on the housework anyway!

Speaking of housework, I have decided it is much more difficult to be pregnant as a stay at home mom than as a working mom. When I was pregnant with Connor, I was working at Starbucks full time. When I announced I was pregnant, my work life changed. No longer did I have to clean the bathrooms, or move anything that could be considered heavy. The farther along I got, they let me have a stool by me to sit on if necessary and offered me more breaks. Plus, I could take a nap at home whenever I freaking wanted to. They practically catered to my every need.

Lets just say, Connor has not been quite as accommodating. He still expects me to carry him...which at times can be difficult. He still goes 100 miles an hour without stopping. He still finds it funny to run away from me in public and make me chase him...whenever this happens, I fear that people look at me and think I am pathetic; think I can't handle the kid I've got, so why would I have another one. Oh I can handle him. He just thinks its hysterical to run and have me chase him. He even looks back at me and laughs. Then there's all the diaper changes, me still having to do the laundry, the dishes and clean the bathroom. Now don't get me wrong, Ian is a super big help when he is home. He practically takes over Connor duty on the weekends. But I had my "weekends" at Starbucks too. I'm just saying, its work being this far along in the human growing process and chasing a 21 month old around.

I don't even want to think what it will be like when there are two to chase around with a pregnant belly...maybe I will stop at two, but I doubt it.

The Baby's Room

The baby's room is pretty much done, so I thought it was time to share it with the world. Sure the picture frames are empty and the shelves mostly are too, but that stuff will get filled after the baby comes. So I present to you, in its mostly completed state, the baby's room:

A little bit about the room...

The crib is Pottery Barn Kids. I scored it for free off of craigslist. Connor slept in it before his crib from Scotland arrived. We Ian then painted it white to match the changing table, which is Connor's old one. The bedding is the same bedding we used for Connor. The dresser is from Ikea. And the rocker? Another Pottery Barn Kids item I scored off craigslist. It wasn't free, but I did get it for next to nothing. It was a huge plus that it was red. All the wall shelving and picture frames are from Target. They are waiting to be filled with things after the baby is born. People gave Connor all sorts of knick knacks, so I am sure they will come in handy for little baby things. The rug is another Ikea find. The curtains are from Pottery Barn. We stole them from our house in Pasadena when our renters left a couple weeks ago. They go perfect in the room and were free...well, paid for years ago, so kind of free.

So there you have it. My version of a gender neutral baby's room. I am definitely happy with how it turned out and can't wait to find out if it's going to be lived in by a little boy or girl.

32 & 33 Weeks - Pregnancy Style

I'm getting big. There is just no denying it. And my clothing options seem to be dwindling daily. Okay, so not daily, but you get the picture. I think I am at the point that wearing non-maternity shirts is no longer a good idea. They just aren't long enough to cover this ginormious belly of mine. And I am just not confident enough to bare the bump all over town. So, it is maternity clothes (at least shirts) from here on out for me.

I joked with my father-in-law last night that getting dressed isn't hard because I only have 5 options to choose from (slight exaggeration). He said it was really only 3 because 2 are probably dirty at all times...so true. Because of this, I am sorry that these posts really aren't showing style anymore (not that I had any to begin with) and really are just showing the bump baby continuing to grow.  Which, by the way, the nameless baby is said to be somewhere around 5 pounds right now. How crazy is that?!? This whole human-growing thing boggles my mind every time I do it (you know, all two times!).

Shirt: Topshop Maternity

Gachos: Old Navy Maternity

Flip Flops: Reef

Hair: It's been so hot, wearing it back is essential to my livelihood these days...though I am thinking of chopping it all off. Completely gone. Well, mostly gone.

Shirt: Old Navy Maternity

Necklace: Pac Sun

Skirt: Banana Republic

Shoes: H&M

An Open Letter

This is an open letter to all the strangers in the world. This letter is necessary due to not one, but two different strangers making comments about my size today. 


Dear Ignorant Stranger:

Please, I beg of you, do not come up to me and tell me I look like I am going to pop. And to make it worse, you make a horrible face when I tell you I have 6 weeks to go. So not cool. Many women before me have been in this position. Let me tell you, none of us like the size of our bodies being commented on...and pregnancy does NOT give you that right. If you don't watch out, I may start saying things back to you. I am thinking something like, "well, what's your excuse for your stomach?" And I won't even feel bad about saying these things. You see, I have an extraordinary amount of hormones flowing through me right now, so it is no telling what I will do or say. Because of this, and because of common courtesy in general, if you have nothing nice to say, please don't say it at all!!

And in case you are looking for tips on what to say to a pregnant person, here are some good examples:

You look adorable.
I wasn't that small when I was pregnant.
Pregnancy looks good on you.
Can I help you with your bags? Or perhaps your squirming toddler?

See? There are appropriate things to say to a pregnant woman. I thank you all for your kindness and complements during the last 6ish weeks of my pregnancy. And if you do happen to say something not so nice, remember I gave you fair warning.

Sincerely,
Jessica


Note: I seriously don't get why all these stupid comments always come from women. And older women at that. Women who have most likely had babies back in the day.  They are probably the same ones that offer the stupidest parenting advice too.

30 & 31 Weeks - Pregnancy Style

I believe that pregnancy and children are a gift. There are so many people that aren't blessed with children and long for them. Because of this, I really have never taken advantage of the fact that I can bear children. I don't like complaining about the downsides of pregnancy (well, except to Ian so I can get a back or foot rub out of it!) because all of it truly is a blessing. Being pregnant really is a miracle. Hearing that heartbeat for the first time, feeling those kicks and movements. All of it is truly amazing. But at the same time, none of it even compares to having that child in your arms. Playing with them on the floor. Raising them to be men and women of God. I am just so thankful for the blessings God has given to Ian and I in the form of children.

Enough with the mushy stuff (I get a little emotional when I am pregnant) and on to what I have been wearing:

 Tank Top: Michael Stars Maternity

Gauchos: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Reef

Shirt: C&C California

Sweater: Made Well

Jeans: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Rainbows (not shown)

I've determined that I need to take more pictures with the regular camera and less with my phone. They just come out better. And if I really want these memories to last a lifetime, they should be better quality. 

Speaking of pictures, I just booked my maternity photo session for in a couple weeks. I am really excited about that. I already can't wait to see how they turn out and to see pictures of us as a little family together. 

Name

Picking a name for a baby is the hardest part to the whole life creating process for me. Pregnancy and labor have an end to them. A good end. But picking a name, it is so freaking stressful. I will have to say this name numerous times a day for the rest of my life. I better pick right. No pressure.

The thing is, I don't want to use a baby name book for inspiration. Thus I am left looking and listening to every name out there I see. I was never the person who knew from when I was a teenager what I would name my kids. I am starting to envy those people. They are obviously decisive people and don't have trouble making these life altering decisions.

Ian and I have differing views on naming babies. He is more traditional. I am more out there. As you can see, last time he won. My crazy name didn't make the cut when Connor was born (we decided on a name after he was born). I personally believe I am more out there about names because of my name. I recall there being 3 other Jessica's in my class one year at school. And most places I have worked had other Jessica's at it. That is one thing I loved about Scotland. My name wasn't as common. Anyway, back to the story...

At church on Sunday, this verse was used during the sermon:

A good name is more desirable than great riches. Proverbs 22:1

No pressure Jessica! You just need to pick the perfect name. Ugh.

Oh and one more thing, Ian and I aren't the best at sitting around talking about names. Thus we make up our minds under pressure. So in approximately 10 weeks, I am sure we will come up with something. Until then, Ian probably won't think about it and I will be stressing about finding the perfect moniker for my little bundle of joy but having no direction whatsoever as to what that name should be.

28 & 29 Weeks - Pregnancy Style

Its been hot and dresses have become my new best friend. They are so comfortable, stretch and help keep me cool. Its a win-win for everyone when I wear a dress.

Dress: Forever 21

Funny story about this dress. I have had this dress for years. When I first got it, I wore it at a party I was hosting at my house. The next week, paparazzi photos of Tori Spelling wearing the dress emerged. I sent them to my friends telling them how flattered I felt that Tori Spelling would wear the same $20 dress as me. Being the good great friends that they are, they responded letting me know how much better I looked in the dress. See? Great friends! Now here I am years later, squeezing into the dress while 7.5 months pregnant.

  

Dress: Liz Lange Maternity - Target

 Tank Top: Forever 21 Maternity 

This is another dress  I scored on clearance at Target, for $8. Such a deal. I would like to say that the second picture makes me laugh...my stomach is poking out on one side and my butt is on the other. Thankfully they aren't even with each other. That would look really tragic.

Tank Top: Topshop Maternity

Gauchos: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Reef

We started on the baby's room, which brings joy to my heart.  Actually getting prepared makes this feel real but also makes me feel prepared. We painted one wall in the baby's room red. The room is going to be done in red, white and brown. I found a Pottery Barn rocker on craigslist for super cheap and we picked it up this weekend. In fact, when we went to pick it up, the lady gave us a ton of clothes for Connor (good clothes) and gave Connor a ride on toy too. It was a score for everyone. Next on the list is finishing painting the crib, which Ian is doing. In the next week or so, things should start taking shape...maybe then I will be willing to share a sneak peak of the room.

27 Weeks - Pregnancy Style & Update

I have to admit, I am starting to feel pregnant. My skin is starting to stretch to the point that sitting weird or holding Connor makes it stretch even further causing discomfort. Also, I no longer enjoy unnecessary bending over, or having to get up from the floor for that matter. So, I moved the changing pad back into Connor's room and put it on his dresser. Its easier to hoist him up then for me to climb down to the floor to change him. And, sink baths have become my bath of choice for Connor. It is right at my level and I don't have to bend or lean. Perfect, if you ask me.

I passed my glucose test with flying colors. I was nervous because it seems like so many people fail, but I didn't have a problem. By the end of the test, I was buzzing and ready to run a marathon from all the sugar in my system, but it seems I am processing it like I should. Baby is not head down, but the doctor said it still has plenty of time to turn. And I am not concerned. Connor managed to turn head down just in the nick of time.

We still have yet to do anything to prepare for baby. But I am starting to get antsy, so I am thinking things will start coming together here shortly. First up, cleaning the rest of the non-baby related boxes out of the room. Then painting, bringing the crib over from my parents house, finding a dresser, decorating...

What I wore this week:

Shirt: Splendid

Shorts: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Reef

When I was pregnant with Connor, I remember someone telling me that any non-maternity clothes I wore while pregnant, I would never look at the same again. This shirt I am sporting, I actually wore to the hospital in labor with Connor. And I never looked at it the same. Wearing it when I wasn't pregnant made me feel fat. I mean, I could wear it at 41.5 weeks pregnant!

Shirt: Topshop Maternity

Gauchos: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Reef

Shirt: Forever 21 Maternity

Jeans: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Rainbows

Three things about this outfit: 

1) I actually started out wearing cute shoes, but by the time the picture was taken, I was back to my trusty and comfortable flip flops

2) This shirt is really billowy and hides my belly. I almost don't feel pregnant when I am wearing it. Maybe because it doesn't accentuate the bump?

3) If you look at these pictures closely, you will notice my belly button is just starting to pop out.

Weeks 24 & 25 - Pregnancy Style

This pregnancy is seriously going at lightening speed. I am thinking I will soon need to be getting ready for this babe to make its appearance. I am slowing cleaning out the boxes from said babe's room. Once that is done, I can begin setting up and organizing.

So at 24 weeks, the baby is supposed to be the size of a piece of corn. I think I was liking 2 weeks ago better when the baby was the size of a spaghetti squash! Whoever came up with this comparing baby to food items didn't do a good enough job for me. Oh well. Here I am at 24 weeks posing with a piece of corn...hoping the baby really is bigger than that.

Dress: Liz Lange Maternity for Target

Sandals: H&M

I scored the dress for $6 on clearance at Target. I was pretty excited about that. There was a bow that went over the belly (I seriously will never get that about maternity clothes...bows on the belly). I cut it off and ended up making little knots out of the bow material where the holes for the bow were. I realize you can't see any of this in the pictures, but I thought I would tell you anyway!

Over the weekend, I went to Forever 21 and got a much needed boost in my clothes selection, so you will get to see some new outfits popping up on here. Also, a friend kindly donated a pair of maternity shorts and a tank top to me. I was so excited about the shorts, I wore them the next day. 

Shirt: Forever 21 Maternity

Shorts: Hand me down

  

Shirt: Forever 21

Pants: A Pea in a Pod Maternity

Shoes: Steve Madden

Bracelet: Tiffany & Co. (a 5 year anniversary present from the hubby)

This was the outfit I wore out to dinner with Ian for our anniversary.  And please pardon the sub-quality iphone pictures. This last set of pictures really didn't turn out well. Oh well. Can't win 'em all, can you?

22 Weeks - Pregnancy Style

Technically I am 23 weeks along, but since all these pictures are for last week, this post is for 22 weeks. Catch my drift?

One thing I really like about being pregnant is the bigger my belly grows, the smaller my legs appear. You see, I think of my legs as my worst feature. They are....sturdy legs. I haven't always liked that, but I also realize all of us have a place that we "carry" our weight and for me, its in my legs. Anyway, as the belly grows, it causes my legs to appear smaller. Its a win for me!

 

Shirt: Old Navy

Gachos: Old Navy Maternity

Flip Flips: Reef

I am not normally an "all black" person, in fact I love me some color, but it worked, so I went with it. I also am not normally an "all Old Navy" person, but for some reason during pregnancy, that seems to be where all my clothes come from. 

Shirt: J.Crew

Shorts: Old Navy Maternity

Flip Flops: Rainbows (not pictured)

This was my first time ever rocking maternity shorts. I lived in Scotland when I was pregnant with Connor and never needed them. I am not a shorts person, but was happy to find some long-ish ones. Normally I like my shorts to cover my knees (remember, I don't like shorts...or my legs for that matter), but these work, so I'll go with it. 

Shirt: GAP

Tank Top: C&C California

Gachos: Old Navy Maternity

Flip Flips: Reef (not pictured)

I realized just yesterday (the last day of me technically being 22 weeks) that the baby was the size of a spaghetti squash that week. I happened to buy one at the grocery store for a meal this week, so decided to pose for a couple pictures. Thinking of the baby as being that big made me think my stomach didn't look so big after all! It was quite the boost to my self esteem.

20 Weeks - Pregnancy Style

Do you have the time, to listen to me whine
About nothing and everything, all at once
I am one of those, melodramatic fools
Neurotic to the bone, no doubt about it

- Green Day

That song came on the radio today and I couldn't help but laugh. Because about now, that is the direction my life is headed. I am having one big pity party for myself over here. Part of it is about the move and feeling totally overwhelmed. But most of it is about my expanding waste line and my lack of clothing options. Getting dressed every day has become something I dread. I seem to be forced to put on the same things every stinking day. And I don't want to waste money on more clothes. So, I am kind of stuck with with I have...stuck in my pity party. Only sort of, really. Once I unpack my clothes from Scotland, I anticipate finding some more options to wear. I don't remember feeling this way last time. Then again, I spent most of my time in oversized men's polos at work and sweats when I was at home. 

All this to say, I am challenging myself. Challenging myself to NOT look like a slob everyday and to have some sense of style throughout this pregnancy. Because of this, I am going to start posting pictures of myself on here. That way I have a reason to try. You see, I don't want you all judging me and thinking of me as a total slob, so I will try, even if just to impress you. So there you have it. 

Without further ado, I present me today:

Jacket: Old Navy

Tank: Topshop Maternity

Jeans: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Rainbows

And me yesterday:

Tank: Michael Stars Maternity

Jeans: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Rip Curl flip flops

Just for you, I promise to get out of jeans and into something else soon. I can't make the same promise about ditching my flip flops though...sorry.

Cute Outfit

Originally I had some other things I thought I would share with the blogging world today...you know, important things like my disdain for people being on their cell phones at all times or the yummy food I made and ate yesterday.

But then, the weather was nice and I am wearing a cute outfit, so I decided to share that instead. Part of me cannot believe that I am already 18.5 weeks pregnant. That is almost halfway through. Kind of crazy. With Connor, I felt like I was pregnant for-stinking-ever. This time, it seems to be flying by. I still consider myself to be in the awkward phase where people can't tell if I am pregnant or just eating too much. A worker at Coffee Bean last week said something to me about me being pregnant. It threw me for a loop, but in a good way. At least she didn't think I was just fat. Anyway, enough talk about the fat on my belly, here is me today:

Scarf: Gift from a friend for my birthday

Tank Top: Topshop (I miss that place)

Jeans: Old Navy

Shoes: H&M...and I always feel a little glamorous wearing them!

Though I am rather certain I am showing a lot more with this baby than I was with Connor, I have yet to blow up like a house, so that makes me happy. Of course, I still have plenty of time to let myself go...and Taco Bell is ALWAYS calling my name!

**Pardon the low quality pictures. I was feeling too lazy to lug out the big camera and then have to download the pics to my computer. So, iphone shots it is!

**And mom, thanks for letting me use your bathroom without your permission. It is WAY cleaner than mine, so thanks for keeping your bathroom so clean!