Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
WIWW
Welcome to my pregnancy edition of "What I Wore Wednesday!" I first heard about this from my friend Ashley's blog. She's been doing it for a few weeks now and had asked a few of us to give it a try, so I thought I'd do just one week for now - in honor of my last week of being pregnant! Let me warn you, it's really not very exciting, considering I only have a select few things that still fit and are comfortable. But here you have it...what I wore each day for the past week.
Thursday
(working in my classroom in the morning, doctor's appointment in the afternoon)
belly shot
green ribbed tank top - Motherhood Maternity (notice it doesn't completely cover my belly anymore - gross)
black gaucho pants - Target (I think about 3 years old)
black sequined flip flops - Kohl's
necklace - Tiffany & Co. (a 21st birthday present from my parents - I wear it pretty much every day)
hair will be the same pretty much every day - it's my summer do!
Friday
(working in my classroom in the morning, meeting with grade level team)
belly shot
black dress - Liz Lange maternity (Target) - supposed to be a swimsuit cover-up
black and white striped flip flops - Kohl's
same necklace and hair
Saturday
(working around the house, putting together baby paraphernalia)
belly shot
black tank top - Gap Maternity
pink "cheer" shorts - Soffee (probably from Kohl's)
black and white striped flip flops - same flip flops as Friday (Kohl's)
same necklace and hair
Sunday
(laundry and cleaning the house)
belly shot
blue tank top - Oh Baby! (Kohl's - same gross belly coverage issue as on Thursday)
navy blue "cheer" shorts - Soffee
no shoes - I didn't leave the house!
same necklace, nasty hair just in a ponytail today
Monday
(hair appointment in the afternoon - not sure if you can tell from the picture but I got 3 inches cut off!)
belly shot
black shirt - Liz Lange Maternity (Target)
khaki capris - Liz Lange Maternity (Target)
black sequined flip flops - Kohl's
same necklace
Tuesday
(a few errands in the afternoon, otherwise bumming around the house again)
belly shot
orange tank top - Motherhood Maternity
khaki shorts - Oh Baby! (Kohl's)
striped flip flops - J.Crew
same necklace, hair in ponytail (what else?)
Wednesday
(last-chance laundry, grocery shopping, and dinner at Cousino's with my in-laws)
belly shot
orange shirt - Motherhood Maternity (borrowed from Casey)
brown capris - Old Navy (also borrowed from Casey)
brown flip flops - J. Crew (and check out my newly repainted toenails - I did them myself...what a sight that must have been to anyone peeking in my windows last night!!)
same necklace, hair down!
Contrary to what you may be thinking after reading this post, I do have quite a maternity wardrobe, especially when you factor in what Casey let me borrow. But these days, I'm just too big and uncomfortable to worry about making myself look anything more than barely presentable. I'm not working, and Logan really doesn't care what I'm wearing, so I've resorted to repeating the few remotely comfortable items I have. I am looking forward to being able to change it up a bit once I can fit into some other items (hopefully sooner than later). Can't wait to do this again - any other takers??
Thursday, August 12, 2010
60 YEARS!?!
Today marks my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. I can't imagine being alive that long, much less being married to the love of my life for that many years! My grandparents are the sweetest, most in love people I have ever met and they are truly an inspiration in the relationship department.
I love the story behind their wedding date...My grandpa wasn't allowed to get married until he was 21 years old. They got married on August 12 because he turned 21 on August 11th. They just couldn't wait. So cute!
I love the story behind their wedding date...My grandpa wasn't allowed to get married until he was 21 years old. They got married on August 12 because he turned 21 on August 11th. They just couldn't wait. So cute!
Happy 60th anniversary Grandma and Dadad!
I hope we all have a chance to experience what you have.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Feeling Terrible
If you know me well, this post may not be what you're thinking. I am not going to use this post to complain about how I'm feeling right now or to point out how extremely uncomfortable I am in these last few weeks before baby boy #2 arrives, though that does lead to the other purpose for this post. Though I tend to be somewhat of a complainer, I am aware of it, I hate it, and I'm making up my mind to change that about myself. Rather than complain at this point, when I know there is a wonderful end so clearly in sight, the point of this post is to list all of the things I feel terrible about that pertain to caring for my first baby boy in my current condition. Here goes...
I feel terrible that I have pretty much become a lump on the couch, watching my little boy play and interacting as much as I can from a sitting or lying down position, rather than being able to crawl around on the floor with him, wrestle, and chase him around the house. I just can't move. Sigh.
I feel terrible that in this extreme heat I am unable to take my little boy outside as much as he would like. I can't take it (and usually I LOVE the heat). Logan loves to play outside and I love to be outside with him, but it is completely exhausting to be out right now.
I feel terrible that I can't wait for my hubby to wake up every day so he can keep me company and help out with Logan, only to have him "spend time" with me on the couch.
I feel terrible that my little boy's life is about to be turned completely upside down, and he has NO idea. We talk about the baby constantly. We ask Logan where the baby will sleep, if he will share his toys with him, what the baby will do all day, etc. Logan seems really excited, but he just doesn't know what he's in for. I don't know how else to prepare him.
I feel terrible that when baby boy #2 does come, I won't be able to give Logan my undivided attention anymore. I keep thinking of the things I can't wait to be able to do when I don't have this gigantic belly attached to my body any longer; I only hope that I can find the time and the energy to do them.
I feel terrible that I'm going back to work so much sooner with this baby than I did with Logan. I feel like, in some weird way, it's showing favoritism toward my firstborn. Logan was 14 weeks old when I returned to work, and baby boy #2 will only be nine weeks old. Contract guidelines give me two choices - return after my eight week leave, at the end of the first quarter (or the nine weeks I'm planning on taking), or wait until the end of the first semester (a total of 18 weeks that would leave us completely broke - my original plan, but now no longer an option).
I feel terrible putting the burden of responsibility on my father-in-law when I do return to work. He is wonderful with Logan and really enjoys spending the time with him. And we definitely appreciate the free child care. But caring for two is definitely different than caring for one. I am very confident that he will be able to handle it, no problem, but I'm sure there will be many challenges along the way.
On a more positive note, I feel that I learned SO much about being a mom from my experiences with Logan. He was, in no way, an easy baby. And I was, in no way, a laid back mommy. I was probably the most uptight new mommy ever and I stressed us both out, I'm sure. I complained a lot. I cried a lot. I often wondered what the heck I was thinking becoming a mom because I was sure I was terrible at it. My mom was constantly telling me that all the torture would come to an end eventually, but I had a hard time believing it without being able to actually see an end in sight. Now I know it does end. I know it gets better. And I know that it all happens far too quickly.
My goals for this baby? Be more positive. Enjoy the newborn stage (though I've realized I'm not really a lover of that stage, and it's ok). Remind myself, when things get tough, that this too shall pass. Ask Todd for help when I need it and not try to be a "super" mommy doing everything myself. Accept help when others offer and not let myself feel guilty about it. Take time for myself every once in a while, and let it make me a better mommy and wife.
We have (at most) 18 more days as a family of three. I'm excited but I'm scared. I'm anxious but I'm ready. Bring on the family of four!
I feel terrible that I have pretty much become a lump on the couch, watching my little boy play and interacting as much as I can from a sitting or lying down position, rather than being able to crawl around on the floor with him, wrestle, and chase him around the house. I just can't move. Sigh.
I feel terrible that in this extreme heat I am unable to take my little boy outside as much as he would like. I can't take it (and usually I LOVE the heat). Logan loves to play outside and I love to be outside with him, but it is completely exhausting to be out right now.
I feel terrible that I can't wait for my hubby to wake up every day so he can keep me company and help out with Logan, only to have him "spend time" with me on the couch.
I feel terrible that my little boy's life is about to be turned completely upside down, and he has NO idea. We talk about the baby constantly. We ask Logan where the baby will sleep, if he will share his toys with him, what the baby will do all day, etc. Logan seems really excited, but he just doesn't know what he's in for. I don't know how else to prepare him.
I feel terrible that when baby boy #2 does come, I won't be able to give Logan my undivided attention anymore. I keep thinking of the things I can't wait to be able to do when I don't have this gigantic belly attached to my body any longer; I only hope that I can find the time and the energy to do them.
I feel terrible that I'm going back to work so much sooner with this baby than I did with Logan. I feel like, in some weird way, it's showing favoritism toward my firstborn. Logan was 14 weeks old when I returned to work, and baby boy #2 will only be nine weeks old. Contract guidelines give me two choices - return after my eight week leave, at the end of the first quarter (or the nine weeks I'm planning on taking), or wait until the end of the first semester (a total of 18 weeks that would leave us completely broke - my original plan, but now no longer an option).
I feel terrible putting the burden of responsibility on my father-in-law when I do return to work. He is wonderful with Logan and really enjoys spending the time with him. And we definitely appreciate the free child care. But caring for two is definitely different than caring for one. I am very confident that he will be able to handle it, no problem, but I'm sure there will be many challenges along the way.
On a more positive note, I feel that I learned SO much about being a mom from my experiences with Logan. He was, in no way, an easy baby. And I was, in no way, a laid back mommy. I was probably the most uptight new mommy ever and I stressed us both out, I'm sure. I complained a lot. I cried a lot. I often wondered what the heck I was thinking becoming a mom because I was sure I was terrible at it. My mom was constantly telling me that all the torture would come to an end eventually, but I had a hard time believing it without being able to actually see an end in sight. Now I know it does end. I know it gets better. And I know that it all happens far too quickly.
My goals for this baby? Be more positive. Enjoy the newborn stage (though I've realized I'm not really a lover of that stage, and it's ok). Remind myself, when things get tough, that this too shall pass. Ask Todd for help when I need it and not try to be a "super" mommy doing everything myself. Accept help when others offer and not let myself feel guilty about it. Take time for myself every once in a while, and let it make me a better mommy and wife.
We have (at most) 18 more days as a family of three. I'm excited but I'm scared. I'm anxious but I'm ready. Bring on the family of four!