Werkin' It

I told you I've been living in stretchy skirts and I wasn't kidding. A few of these inexpensive babies in multiple colors have helped me transition through the awkward 'pre-pregnancy clothes are too small yet maternity clothes are too big' phase.  They're a dream for showing off the bump, if you're into that, (I'm a believer in less frump, more bump!) and give a little more life to the tops that have become a tad too short to cover the belly appropriately, especially for the office. 

It's crazy how big she looks compared to hidden under this tee, believe it or not these pictures were taken around the same time! 

Blazer - Lauren Conrad (similar) / Top - Aerie (similar) / Skirt - Forever 21 (similar) / Shoes - Aldo (similar) /  Earrings - K.Amato (similar) / Sunnies - Sears

Week 25 Recap: Hello Hormones

Dunkin Donuts gave me a free chocolate sprinkles "for the baby". 

This week was one I'd like to erase. All my pregnancy posts have had a positive tone up until this point so if that's what you're expecting just skip this one and come back later. Things are getting real today.

I don't think that I can blame everything on hormones, as a few weeks of increased work stress, a sudden bout of sleepless nights (tossing and turning and needing the restroom every hour - I do NOT function well on lack of sleep, which has always been the case and a major concern for when baby girl arrives), and an overall uncomfortable feeling (back pain still, bigger belly, etc.), could have equally contributed but it all just became too much this week. My patience meter was set at zero, and my tolerance for stupidity, annoying-ness, and frustrating situations was non-existent.

It was like having an alien take over your body. Many times I thought, "Who is this person and what has she done with me"?? I didn't want to be at the office, I didn't want to be home. I wanted to be productive but didn't feel like doing anything, and then felt irritated for wasting time. I felt bored and restless but lacking ambition. I would pull the car over to cry for no reason at all. And all along I was aware of it, which would almost make me chuckle in way, but yet I couldn't control it. Everything felt like too much, then I would get angry for this sudden change. (I've felt so happy, so alive, so good. Is this a sign that my golden trimester is nearing and end? Am I going to feel like this until December?? Somebody pleeeease make it stop!) I took a depressing walk around the neighborhood (which you know I typically LOVE) and suddenly perked up looking at a baby bunny and anticipating being able to share a moment like this with my daughter someday. And when I realized I was standing alone, on a college campus with people everywhere, staring at a rabbit with a huge smile on my face I felt like a huge psycho and got mad. I tried to think of things that would get me excited or hopefully pull me out of it, like tasks I needed to do for our baby shower, or researching items for our registry, but it would only make me feel overwhelmed. There was literally nothing I could do but ride the wave. And what a crappy wave.

I know it's part of the process. And I was digging deep not to be hateful and impatient, but it took every ounce of energy I could muster. At one point I considered the pros of being in physical pain rather than mental agony. And yes, I know there are bigger problems in the world, and this is all sounding a bit dramatic. But I'm not apologizing for keeping it real up in here.

In other news, the baby is totally fine, which is kind of the only thing that kept me going. My belly button is now flat, and a little tender. We've been eating loads of fresh veggies and fruits, it all tastes so amazing lately. I'm gaining exactly one pound per week, while she's about the size of a cauliflower and around 13 inches long. And we're both putting our faith in week 26 being much, much better.

Week 24 Recap: The Best Is Yet To Come

I am majorly in love with this shirt.

Since singing this song to Alex at our wedding, anything insinuating that even better is coming down the pipeline is special in my book. Once this top was spotted, my brain took about half a second to deem it a must have. It's not maternity, but luckily roomy enough and tunic length (I actually have it tucked under a little here) because life simply couldn't go on without it.

 24 weeks

Tee - Forever21 /  Jeans - H&M / Shoes - Seychelles / Bracelet - BGBG / 

Sunglasses - Sears / Lips - Clinique

Preggo life was wonderfully uneventful this week, besides our midwife appointment confirming a healthy heartbeat (140 beats per minute) and a spot on fundal measurement (24 centimeters). My upper back is still bothering me but this video in the mornings seems to help. Our little lady is the size of an ear of corn, which sounds so delicious every time I think of it, and she weights approximately one pound. My appetite is still pretty normal, although certain foods taste better than ever, especially savory sweets. We also started our registry and it was hilarious. I hope our girl finds her dad as funny as I do.

Have a lovely week!

Week 23 Recap: Weeknight Walkabouts

Isn't he glowing?

No bump pic in week 23, we were slackers! 

Well, another week down and only seventeen to go. Hey time, slow down, would ya? I've still got tons of studying to do before we reach the end of pregnancy and the beginning of parenting...

Last week was made for lots of walks around the 'hood. We live near Loyola University and its beautiful campus set on Lake Michigan, which just so happens to feature the best bunny spotting for our weeknight walkabouts. These evening strolls, that could also be known as "Walk and Talks" since they help us reconnect at the end of the day, are something I look forward to on the regular. (We don't really call them that, it just flowed out of my fingers as I was typing...) Despite being within city limits there's a nature vibe in the area that's calming and rejuvenating for me; the water views, pretty flowers, and baby bunny spotting along the way - it's a wonderful chance to step away from devices and daily life. Plus the exercise (if you can call it that) is a nice bonus. Given that these jaunts are so much a part of our summer (even winter!) routine I was a bit surprised to realize that we'd never actually documented them. Maybe because they're somewhat of a sacred "live in the moment" tradition. But considering we won't always reside nearby and are bound miss our sunset saunters someday, we decided to carry along the camera just this once and capture some of the beauty we're so fortunate to enjoy. Walk with us!

And here's what's new in pregnant-ville.

• Back pain. Ugh. Sitting is the worst. Prenatal yoga seems to be helping though. #thankful

• Alex rubs my belly and points it out to people constantly. "Have you met my wife? And this is my baby!" as he motions to the bump. It's so endearing and sweet. I'm amazed at how much deeper our relationship feels already, there's like this unbreakable connection that's not new, but so much more intense and neither one of us can explain it. 

• I've become a plate cleaner. If it's on there, I'll finish it. 

• The belly button has almost popped. I've always had sort of a halfsie button (half innie, half outie) so I figured this would happen sooner actually, I give it another week or 2, and boom!

• I've been surprised by how genuinely interested men are in the whole pregnancy thing. Don't get me wrong, women are great, because they just get it. But the male attentiveness was unexpected. From the cafeteria guys at work asking, "So, what does she want to eat today?" to strangers just being helpful, it seems like daily I encounter a male with some sort of comment or question. I don't mind though, the conversation is actually kind of nice! Several new dads have given some great advice that I've yet to hear elsewhere, and the guy perspective is quite interesting. 

Lately I've been feeling even more grateful for this pregnancy experience. I can't really say why, just that more pinch me moments are happening. Maybe because the belly keeps right on growing and sometimes when I pass a mirror it stops me in my tracks that there's a real, live baby in there. Or perhaps because symptom wise I feel pretty normal so it's easy to forget until someone asks how I'm feeling or how far along I am, then it hits me, "Holy crap, that's right, I'm growing a tiny human. What a freaking miracle!" Even on the days that my back hurts so bad I'm hunched over and could burst into tears, I make myself remember that my body is only her temporary home for a little while longer and for every knife stabbing spine pain I endure, at some other point that day I'll also get to enjoy her many little kicks and flutters. I'm really trying hard not to take a single day for granted. I'm so thankful for feeling good, for having healthy baby reports so far, and for the ability to enjoy this process rather than resent it.  I know pregnancy can be/become difficult, I still have a way to go, and my luck could change at any moment so it felt like the time to put my gratitude out into the world before I change my mind. (Just kidding. ;)

Week 22 Recap: 11 Year Anniversary!

"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling twenty-two." Weeks that is. 

Our eleven year anniversary happened to fall this week so baby girl got to celebrate with us. Even though she's not technically here yet, it's fun having her along for our adventures in utero. Since we normally travel for our anniversary we decided to do a Chicago stay-cation this year and it ended up being one of the most incredible yet. Things seemed to fall into place in that way that you can't just plan. We used our favorite travel credit card points to book the W Hotel - Lakeshore - it's the city's only lakefront hotel, it's just been remodeled, and it's fabulous. We were kindly upgraded to a larger, water facing room and a few hours later the staff sent champagne, goodies, and anniversary wishes to our door. It was the sweetest surprise and really started our stay off special! Normally when we travel we spend very little time in the hotel room, but with a comfortable layout (also known as, "where's my robe?"), modern decor, and a gorgeous view (plus maybe being five and half months pregnant) we were content to lounge for a few hours before dinner.

We've spent many hours in the Playpen so it was fun to get a view from the other side.  

We dined downstairs and forgot to ask someone to snap a picture so we staged this one in our room just before the Navy Pier fireworks started. Over the years I've watched this show from several great spots in the city but I have to say, the 26th floor was my favorite to date.

In the morning, Alex woke up long enough to snap this Sunday sunrise photo from our room and we slept in for a few more hours before brunching, trekking around downtown, and journeying back home.


More baby girl updates this week:

• She's kicking on the regular and I'm kind of obsessed. I could seriously lay and watch/feel it constantly. Everyone says, "just wait" (which drives me nuts... I CAN just wait, thankyouverymuch) so I'm enjoying each little nudge and flutter, even the ones to the bladder that send me running to the nearest ladies, before they get harder and maybe painful.

• We talked a lot about baby names and Alex's main requirement is for her name to be so lovely that when you say it, it melts your heart. No pressure... ;)

• We also talked about what kind of personality she might have, what she might look like, and what we want her to learn from us. I hope she gets his entrepreneurial spirit, and he hopes she gets my kindness. I might have teared up a little at that point. Okay, teared up a lot.

• I literally have 5 things to wear. 

Hope your week was happy!