Easter

When we planned our trip to Richmond, the best week to go happened to fall over Easter weekend.  Sunday ended up being kind of cold and rainy, but we still had a great day.  We went to church, had a delicious lunch, and then an indoor Easter egg hunt.  The kids found all but 3 eggs, and the grownups couldn't remember where else we had hidden them, so I suspect my sister will find them someday.  Then we put some cheerios in bigger eggs for Mr. Baby and hid them in the middle of the room.  He loved it!  Of course, he was more excited about shaking them to make fun noises than opening them to eat the treat, but that's okay.  Plus he got a big chocolate bunny which I graciously volunteered to eat for him.  

My niece was coaching me on model poses during outfit picture time.  I think I should listen to her advice more often, because I look SO COOL.  

And then I convinced her to join me.  It wasn't very hard.  

And then we lured everyone else out (except my brother-in-law) for some more pictures.  

Cousins!

Girl picture

Smiths

My dress is from Bella Gravida.  It was definitely my most favorite item when I was adding things to my wish list, so I was pretty excited when I got the notice that I'd be receiving it just in time for Easter.  It fit kind of weird up on top, but nothing too noticeable.  I was hoping it would be perfect and I could wear it to my other sister's wedding in May, but alas, it was not.  My search for the perfect maternity dress continues.  It's frustrating, because you can be tall, or you can be pregnant, but good luck if you are both!  

Cardigan: JCF
Dress: ASOS via Bella Gravida

Shoe: Old Navy (similar)

Doctors and Duck Ponds

I wore this a couple weeks ago for my big exciting ultrasound.  John and Mr. Baby came with, and then they went and ate lunch at the duck pond nearby while I had my appointment.  And then I got lunch and found them.  Incidentally, these shoes are not that comfortable for walking around a duck pond.  

Ultrasounds are so weird and so incredible.  We got to see Baby2 doing all his crazy moves, and he stubbornly kept his legs in front of his face so our 3D face  pictures look like he has toes growing out of his forehead.  The tech assured us he doesn't. 

FYI, I won't be posting any ultrasound pics.  I guess I just feel like photos taken of the inside of me shouldn't be on the Internet.  Even though u/s pics pretty much all look the same!  

Jacket: JCF

Tank: ON maternity

Skirt:   Via Bella Gravida

Shoes: ON

Currently March

This is what I wore a couple Fridays ago when I actually had 2 events to attend in the same evening!  What?  I rarely have plans on a Friday anymore, much less 2 things.  Anyway, I stopped by a "going away" happy hour for one of my old co-workers who is switching jobs, and then I went to a friend's house for Bible study.  It also happened to be one of the warmer days of February, so I was happy to wear flats instead of boots and let my ankles breathe a little bit!  

But now it is March, and hopefully we will have more and more of those days.  And it's also time for the Currently link up with In Residence and Dearest Love.


wishing I was on a beach somewhere!  The whole "on this day" feature of Facebook reminds me that this is the time of year I usually went on vacations pre-baby!  We were just getting home from a Caribbean cruise in 2010.  I visited my friend in Arizona in 2011.  It's a good think Mr. Baby is so fun!  
craving nothing specific.  Whether good or bad, I don't have crazy pregnancy cravings.    
going to visit my sister in Virginia later this month!  I'm so excited because we haven't gone to see them since they moved.  I've never been to Richmond, and have heard there are so many cool things to see and do.  
wearing lots of jeans and t-shirts, hence the sporadic outfit posts.  I'm firmly in the maternity jeans camp now.
learning how to organize my days better.  I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of this sahm thing, at least most days.  I'm trying to get Mr. Baby on a schedule so it will be easier to plan our days.  You know, just in time for baby2 to arrive and completely shake things up.  

All in all, things are pretty good!  I'm just looking forward to spring, but I'm sure I will complain about the warm weather when my ankles are swollen this summer!  

Cardigan: Gap
Tee: Loft
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes: ON

Long Week

This week seemed like a month, and I don't really know why.  Probably because Mr. Baby has his first real cold and has been miserable the past couple of days.  He generally sleeps pretty well, but the last 2 nights have been rough.

In other baby-related news, did I mention Mr. Baby has started eating food?  It's ridiculous and messy and lots of fun.  The other day, he had pears and carrots (parrots) for lunch, and then squash and carrots for dinner (squarrots).  I'm having way too much fun inventing words.  Today, he ate prunes, which look alarmingly like barbecue sauce.  When we finished, he sort of looked like he just ate some ribs.  Which would probably taste much better.  Anyway, I'm going to feed him sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, because it seems like the festive thing to do.

The outfit is from October.  I liked this top enough to wear it twice before sending it back to LeTote.  Remember you can get $25 off your first month if you sign up using my code.  And I really want you to, so I can get $15 off my next month!

Cardigan: Gap factory (similar)
Top: LeTote (similar)
Jeans: Loft (exact)
Shoes:Old Navy (similar)

Blogiversary Quatro

Has it been 4 years already?  I don't know whether to be proud or ashamed that I've kept this up so long.  Anyway, I figured it would be a good time to share my new favorite dress. I picked this up at Loft last week to replace the birthday sweater that didn't fit right.  You know, not that I needed a new dress, but isn't it pretty??  And I've already worn it twice!

Dress: Loft (exact - on sale and extra 40% off!)
Jacket: JCF (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Dog Sweater

A few years ago, there was a similar dog sweater at Old Navy that I almost bought.  I think every blogger had it. But it didn't seem like the type of thing I would wear often enough to justify buying.   So I was kind of excited when LeTote sent me this one, but kind of disappointed because I really want the giraffe sweater instead.  Oh well, maybe next tote.  

I wore this for a recent Friday night dinner with my 2 favorite guys.  It was a big moment for Mr. Baby.  First time sitting in a restaurant high chair.  He's growing up too fast!  

Sweater:  LeTote (similar)

Jeans: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Flare and Hair

These are my new jeans, and I'm kind of loving them.  Except that I'm sure the hems are going to be shredded soon because they drag on the ground when I wear flats, which is almost always.

I've also figured out that I feel fat in pictures when my hair isn't down.  I'm sure it's something about proportions. When my hair is down, it's big, so the rest of me looks smaller, maybe?  But if I'm doing anything with Mr. Baby, I can't really have my hair down, because he thinks it's a toy to pull on and try to eat.  So I guess I better get used to my hair being up!

Sweater: H&M (similar)
Jeans: Loft (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Papa Troll

This outfit is a pretty good example of my mom uniform.  Which was also a pretty good example of my not-a-mom uniform, so I guess what I'm saying is moms are also regular people when it comes to outfits.  Or I've always dressed like a mom.  Who knows.

And now for a random story that is not entirely related to anything.  One of my friends has a 3 year old boy, and was filling me in on the TV shows he is obsessed with.  She was explaining how he LOVES "Papa Troll" and I was imagining some kind of Frozen spin-off with this guy.  But then as she described the show, it became clear that there are no trolls in it at all, but rather dog policemen and firefighters.  Paw Patrol.  Sounds the same as Papa Troll, but I really think my idea is cooler.

Cardigan: JCF (exact in various colors)
Tee: Loft (similar)
Jeans: Loft (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Fall Florals

When this top arrived in my LeTote box, I thought it would be perfect with my white shorts.  But then fall randomly showed up, and it wasn't shorts weather anymore.  So jeans it is!  I just wore this for a day of running errands with my boy.  I really liked the look of this top, but it was a little too wide and short.

Top: LeTote (exact)
Jeans: Loft (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Oc-tote-ber

See what I did there?  That's because this outfit is mostly from my second LeTote box.  The top was my favorite item from this batch of things.  I also liked the necklace quite a bit, as did Mr. Baby.

I wore this to a little baby shower tea party on Sunday afternoon.  And I kind of matched the baby of honor's older sister, who is 3 and super cool.  We should have taken a picture!  If you are keeping track, that's the second tea party I've gone to this year, because I'm so fancy.    

Shirt: LeTote (similar in black)
Necklace: LeTote
Skirt: Loft (similar)
Bracelet: LeTote
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

New Hairstyle: The Frun

In the last month or so, I keep hearing about the "hun" hairstyle, which is just a half-up bun.  But sounds stupid and disappointingly has nothing to do with Attila.  So I invented a new, even dumber sounding and looking hairstyle, called the "Frun."  It's a bun, but with SO MUCH FRIZZ!

Seriously, I didn't realize how bad my hair looked until we took pictures.  This is a risk you take when getting yourself ready at the same time as a 4-month-old.  I thought the bun was higher, and less frizzy.  More like this one.    I'm sure taking pictures in front of the white garage door made it worse, too.  Maybe in a few years, I'll be able to wear my hair down all the time again.  

Anyway, it's the next big thing!  Tell all the movie stars and bloggers!  A quick google search assures me no one else has invented this hairstyle yet, so I'm pretty sure I'll be famous.  I also learned that Frun is the definite singular way to say lady or wife in Swedish, and is also a Star Wars thing.

Necklace: Limited (similar)
Top: Loft outlet (similar, fancy)
Jacket: JCF (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Third Thursday Plaid

September is flying by, which means it's already time for Third Thursday Threads with Bri!  This month's theme is plaid, because people like to wear plaid in the fall.  I don't wear much plaid, which I've previously explained is probably due to my high school uniform involving a hideous plaid skirt.

Anyway, this is one of my only plaid items, and it doesn't exactly scream FALL!  But that's okay, because it's still pretty warm here.  And I don't really love fall colors, so I'll continue to wear my brights as the weather cools down.

Shirt: JCF (this year's color)  
Jeans: Gap (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Green Stripes

After recently discovering that I had actually NEVER blogged this green striped blouse, I figured I should make sure to wear it again soon.  I was playing around on Polyvore and thought it would look pretty cute layered under this lace-front sweater, and and outfit idea was born.  I quite like how it came together - and a random woman that I walked past at the mall agreed, so I think it was a winner!
Here are some of the other outfit ideas I came up with.  I'm hoping to think of even more!

Top: Old Navy
Sweater: Loft outlet
Jeans: Old Navy maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Starry Skies

This tee shirt makes me happy, because it's just a basic navy tee, but then it's covered in glitter.  It reminds me of a starry sky.  And more specifically of that line from the Incubus song where he says "the sky resembles a back-lit canopy with holes punched in it".  Which I thought was a super romantic and profound description when I was about 15.  And I still think it's a kind of cool line.

As a city girl, I don't get to see the stars as much as I wish I did, especially in the winter when it is too cold to be out at night.  I don't particularly like camping, but I do love getting out away from the city lights to see the stars.  I took an astronomy class in college, and I've forgotten most of the things we learned.  My professor was an old British guy with a terrible stutter who apparently was really into medieval instruments on the side.  He was a character for sure, but I wish I remembered more of what he tried to teach me.  As is, I can pick out just a few constellations.  My favorite is Cassiopeia, because it's just a big W and pretty easy to spot most of the time.

Cardigan: Gap
Tee: Gap Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Coral and Floral

I hadn't paired my current favorite skirt with coral yet, so I had to do it.  And you know I love mixing prints, so the stripes were also pretty much a given.  This was one of those outfits that probably just has too much going on for the average person, but I quite liked it.  And I am quite fondly looking back on those balmy fall days when I could get away with bare legs.  Don't worry, I'll run out of these type of outfit photos soon, and then I won't keep talking about it.

Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Tee: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact, Similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Thanksgiving Week

Well, it's Monday again and apparently Thanksgiving is this week.  How did that even happen?  I swear, every month is going by faster than the previous one.  Anyway...

Thanks to everyone who linked up for Blazer Week!  Remember, you can still join in until midnight tonight.  I think I'm going to skip December for theme weeks.  There's just so much going on with holiday stuff.

Jacket: JCF (exact)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Sweater: Gap factory (similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (this style in this color)
Shoes: Old Navy(option, option)

November Currently

It's time for the Currently link up with In Residence and Dearest Love!  Hopefully I do better than last time...

Reading: Since November is here, I'm starting on my Winter reading challenge books. I finished The Storied Life of AJ Fikry in about 2 days, so now I'm reading The Eyre Affair.

Wishlisting: Christmas is coming, and my birthday just passed!  So I'm trying to keep my wishlist updated, because people are always asking for present ideas.  My current big ticket wishlist items are a new seatbelt bag, some opal earrings, and perhaps a fitness tracker (but I can't decide on a Fitbit vs a Garmin Vivofit - any advice?).

Loving: well, this is embarrassing, but I'm loving my birthday present from John.  We are only about 8 years behind the times, but I've always wanted a Wii, so he surprised me with one this year.  I currently just have MarioKart and Just Dance, so what other games should I get?

Appreciating: my part-time schedule.  I hated the days in past winters when I would leave the house when it was dark and get home when it's dark.  At least with my reduced schedule, I have a better chance of seeing the sunshine.

Creating: well, as I type this, I'm trying to create some dinner.  New recipes are always a gamble for me, so hopefully it turns out like it is supposed to.

Jacket: Old Navy (similar)
Shirt: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Unexpected Visitor

I wore this outfit to church a few Sundays ago.  After lunch, we ventured into the backyard to take pictures.  John was trying to get me to go over by the tree, but I was freaking out because there was an uninvited guest that had made the tree home: 

I'm guessing this cat belongs to one of our neighbors, because it looked a little too fat and fluffy to be a stray.  We went ahead and took pictures, but I was nervous the whole time that this cat would jump out and tackle me.  I really don't trust cats. 

Cardigan: Loft
Tank: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Winter Book Challenge

Well, after almost completing the summer book challenge, I'm going to try this again.  I think the categories are much harder this time, so there's a good chance I will be distracted by reading things that don't apply, but hey, it's still fun to try!  Details on Megan's blog.  The challenge starts on Nov 1st if anyone wants to join in!

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules.  Probably The Rosie Effect (411 pages), but I suspect I will read a few books that don't fall into any of the other categories. 
10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books. - Funny Girl: A Novel (464 pages)
10 points: Read a book of short stories - My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories(320 pages)
10 points: Read a book with a food in the title. - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (274 pages)
15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you (so no rereads for this one!). -
The Eyre Affair (374pages)
15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language. -
Love in the Time of Cholera (348 pages)
15 points: Read a book written by a local author (either an author from your state if you live in the United States, or from your country if you live somewhere else). - My Antonia (232 pages)
20 points: Read a "bookish book" (in which books play an important role-the setting involves a bookstore or library, a major character is an author, or a book that celebrates reading and books -
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry (260 pages)
20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title (e.g. north, south, east, west or any combination of those).  East of Eden reread (601 pages) or I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High (264 pages)
25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read.  - Not sure yet
25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. Be sure to tell us the song name and artist as well!  - maybe Peace Like a River(312 pages)
30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title (e.g. breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, brunch update: meals like feast, banquet, picnic will also count, but try not to get too "creative" with your meal words!). - Breakfast of Champions  (302 pages) and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (303 pages)

And a huge thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!  I had a very nice birthday weekend celebrating!  More about that later this week.

Jacket: JCrew Factory: (exact)
Scarf: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Dress: Limited (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Graphic Tee Week - Cardinals

A pretty decent section of my t-shirt drawer contains St. Louis Cardinals tees.  Even more have come and gone over the years (and I'm about due for some new options - birthday hint!!).  I've mentioned before that Cardinals games were a big tradition for my Dad and me, for at least 10 years.  I wish we could still go every summer, but it's been harder since I've been a real grown-up.  Anyway, I couldn't let the week go by without working in one of these tees.  I was hoping they'd be playing in the World Series right now, but they couldn't quite make it.  So I'm voting for the Royals!

Since this is a sporty t-shirt, I decided to go the "opposites attract" route and wear my frilliest floral skirt.  I really loved this outfit, but I suspect others thought it was a bit weird.  I'm okay with that.   

Jacket: J.Crew Factory (exact)
T-shirt: some sports store at the mall
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)