Date Night

John's birthday was a couple weeks ago, and we finally had a kid-free date night!  It's been a few months, since before Baby2 showed up, so it was nice to have some time away from the babies.  I was slightly nervous leaving them, but once we got to dinner, I wasn't too distracted.  We had a fun, low-key evening.  Just ate dinner, hung out at Barnes and Noble for a bit, and then went to a movie.  Bookstores were one of our favorite places to go on dates before we had kids, so it was fun to just wander around and look at things.  We found this book and basically read the whole thing.  It's funny, I promise.  And the author has a blog, which you should probably read, too.  

Anyway, I also learned an important and difficult lesson.  Maltesers might look like Whoppers, but are actually gross.  That's $4 I won't get back.  

If we look a little tired, it's because I forgot to take pictures until after the movie.  So it was past midnight, which is way past my bedtime.  

Top: Old Navy

Cardi and Jeans: Gap factory

Shoes: JCF

The Awkward Phase

Fall is sort of here, at least some days, so I tentatively pulled out my jeans from last fall.  You know, the ones that I searched and searched for, and then barely got to wear before I was pregnant again.  Miracle of miracles, they fit!  I was shocked because I still have about 15 extra pounds to get rid of.  

I think I have generally had a pretty healthy body image, but being pregnant for 18 of the last 24 months has sure taken a toll!  I don't even know how to dress myself anymore.  I managed to go shopping this week with both boys, which is an adventure.  My main goal was to find some tops that would be cute and easy to throw on with jeans or shorts.  Most of my shirts are a little snug right now, and would likely start rumors of a baby 3.  Or at least I feel self-conscious in them.  I need higher necklines, because I'm always carrying a kid that inevitably makes my perfectly modest shirt a little scandalous.  Shouldn't be too hard to find some cute, higher-necked tops, right?  Wrong!  I tried on a lot of shirts, and ended up buying one.  And a random dress, because I just can't help myself sometimes.  

So anyway, I kind of want to throw out my entire closet and start from scratch, but as my shopping outing suggests, that wouldn't solve the problem.  I need to remember that it took 9 months and a lot of ice cream to grow each baby, so I'm not going to go back to my old body in 2 (or ever, let's be honest here).  

In the meantime, I should probably start exercising again, and maybe cut back on the ice cream.

Tee & Jeans: Gap
Cardigan: JCF
Shoes: Target

Orange Blouse

Well, I'm still about a month behind on posting outfits.  This was from early April when we went out to dinner with John's mom and grandpa.  I, of course, took the opportunity to wear one of my maternity box clothing items.  I don't love this orange blouse, but it was something different to wear. Plus we went to dinner at my favorite restaurant, so that was fun!

ETA:  I'm totally cheating and linking up with Third Thursday Threads, because I can't be trusted to pay attention and actually post the theme on the proper day.  But white jeans from last Friday seems recent enough, right?

Jacket: JCF
Top: Lilac via Bella Gravida
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes: Target

Zebra Tee

So here's an outfit that I wore about a month ago.  If I remember correctly, Mr. Baby and I had lunch with John, and then walked around the mall a little bit before going to a doctor's appointment.  But then we were getting onto the elevator for the doctor's office, and they called to cancel, because the doctor had to go deliver a baby.  But then I went up to the office to reschedule, and they said that the doctor actually had time to see me before she left.  So I felt a little awkward because I was worried about the woman who needed to give birth!  But I assume the doctor was being responsible with her time, right?

These are the boring OB visits.  I know baby is fine because he's kicking me all the time, so hearing the heartbeat isn't as important to me as it was during those earlier visits.  It's mostly just "how are you?"  "more uncomfortable than last appt."  "Okay, sounds about right! See you in a few weeks!"

Cardigan: ON
Tee: Everly Gray via Bella Gravida
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes: Target

Floral Blouse

Can you tell that I have no creativity anymore?  I mean, these post titles are truly inspired.  Honestly, when I'm editing pictures and starting posts, I just label them with the item of clothing I'm wearing, and then I usually end up changing the title at some point.  But then there's now, where I don't have much to say.  I wore this outfit to go out to dinner with my 2 favorite guys.  This blouse was another favorite from Bella Gravida, even though it didn't quite fit properly.  It was fine for a couple hours, and I felt very pretty!

Cardigan: Gap outlet
Top: Olian via Bella Gravida
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes; JCF

Elevator Etiquette

Can I just complain for a minute?  Since having a baby, I need to use elevators.  Once you actually FIND the elevator (which is generally hidden in the furthest darkest corner of whatever building you happen to be in), you have to deal with other people who are also using it.  

The number one problem I have with the other elevator patrons is that they stand with their strollers RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DOOR.  I think they don't realize that whoever is in the elevator might need to get out, before they can get in.  And then they look annoyed when I am like "um, excuse me.. can I sneak past you there..."  This is not rocket science, you guys!  If I stay on the elevator with my stroller, you won't fit.  Just stand to the side and we can all get on with our lives much faster. 

Another common issue is that the people on the elevator are slooooooow getting off, and then the doors close before the new people can board.  Just consider holding the door when you see a pregnant lady with a baby in a stroller.  It's the nice thing to do.

And once we are all on the elevator, if you must stand in front of the buttons, maybe ask the other riders what floor they need?  It's not hard.  

Someday I will use an escalator or stairs again.  But until that day, I just request some common courtesy.  I don't think it's too much to ask.  Of course, the rude elevator patrons probably aren't reading this, are they?  

Cardigan: Loft

Tee: Target maternity

Jeans: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Sperry

Maternity Box Clothes

Here's what I wore on Friday, which happened to be another evening when I had Bible study, as well as a going away happy hour for an old co-worker.     

Anyway, this shirt is from a maternity clothing rental company called Bella Gravida.  After I cancelled LeTote, I remembered that Katie had mentioned a similar company for maternity clothes, so I tracked down her post about it, and decided to give it a try.  The first month was only $5, so I figured it would be fun even if I didn't like it.  Well, I loved my first box!  I'd be really tempted to keep all 3 items if I needed more clothes.  I'm sure I will write more about it later, but so far, I like it.  Of course, I probably won't go past my $5 month, because again, I don't have much reason to get dressed up these days, but I'm hoping to at least get a fun Easter dress out of the deal!  

And yeah, I should have taken pictures before sitting for 4 hours and getting a crease in my shirt.  Oops!

Shirt: Bellyssima via Bella Gravida (Not sponsored)

Jeans: ON Maternity (exact)

Shoes: Target (similar)

Playdate

It's really fun to have a baby close in age to your best friend's baby.  Our boys are about 2 months apart, so we are making them be bffs, even though they currently have no idea what is going on (like at their first meeting when they were both just confused). Anyway, after both babies were sick a lot in the first 6 weeks of the year, we finally were all healthy enough to get together last week.  This is what I wore.  

Let me tell you, it was a lot easier to let the boys "play" while we talked back before Mr. Baby was crawling all over the place.  Now I'm like "so, how are things going?  MR BABY!  Don't go over there!  Stop stealing toys from your bff!  You cannot eat their tv remote!"   I'm sure it will be even more crazy when both of them are crawling, which I suspect will be any day now.  

My kid just stole that ball from his best friend.  And he's proud of himself!

I also realized while putting this post together that I'm almost entirely wearing Old Navy.  My shoes are from Gap, but everything else is ON.  This is my new $1 shirt, and I really like it!  My hair and cardigan is blocking the lace yoke, which is pretty cute.  I think it would have been a good purchase even if it had cost $8 like the tag said!

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

Family Walk

On Saturday, the weather was just ridiculously gorgeous, so obviously we decided to go to the zoo.  As did everyone else in a 200 mile radius apparently.  When we too the exit ramp off the highway, and saw the zoo parking lot, we abandoned our mission and decided that walking around downtown would be just as fun and probably a lot less stressful.  

This was my attempt to be comfortable while still feeling slightly cute.  I think it worked okay, except the wind was like "cute cardigan - let's make it be a cape instead!" so most of the pictures we took ended up as outtakes!  

And of course, I have to include a little family selfie, because these guys are my favorites.  

Cardigan: JCF

Tee: Gap

Jeans: ON maternity

Shoes; Converse

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

Purple Sweater

True story:  I wore this almost a month ago but didn't blog it because my pregnant belly was extra pronounced that day and I hadn't spilled the beans yet.  

This is a scarf from Letote.  I'm still sort of on the fence about scarves at the moment, but they are a good option to add some interest since I can't wear necklaces.  Plus scarves come in handy when playing peekaboo, which is currently one of Mr. Baby's favorite things.    

Sweater: Old Navy

Scarf: Letote

Jeans: Old Navy maternity (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Another Smith Again

Um, you guys? I have something to tell you.

I'm having another baby this year (it's a boy)!  We just like the first one so much, why not have another?  Here's a secret - it's a lot harder to deal with pregnancy symptoms when you already have a baby to take care of.  Last time, I could just go to bed when I got off work, and tell John to fend for himself at dinner.  Mr. Baby does not fend for himself.  So when the websites are all "sleep as much as you can."  I'm like "Yeah, okay..."  Mr. Baby was also an awesome sleeper before I got pregnant, but it's like he sensed a disturbance in the force and started fighting bedtime, and waking up more in the night.  Not cool, Mr. Baby.  It's almost like he read this advice.

The good news is that I have been feeling a little better since I made it into the second trimester, so I'm not exhausted all the time anymore.  The weird thing is that I look pregnant way sooner than I did last time, which I hear is pretty common.  I just feel enormous!

So anyway, that's my story.  Baby boy #2 arriving in July.  It's gonna be a wild summer!

Sweater: Gap outlet (similar)
Top: Loft Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy maternity (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Currently February

File this one under "felt cute in it until I saw pictures."  I do think I'd like it better if my hair was down.  There's just too much torso going on!  I wore this on Saturday to get a pedicure and have lunch with friends.  Full disclosure: I wore flip flops most of the day so my toenails could dry.  It was about 50 degrees, so not too bad.  

Anyway, February is here, so it's time to link up with In Residence and Dearest Love to talk about what I'm currently up to.  

sending my last LeTote back this week.  It's been fun, but just doesn't make a whole lot of sense in my current life.

eating candy **hangs head in shame** Target got me with a sale.  Bad Andi.  

dreaming about summer.  It's been snowing for the last 24 hours or so, and while it is very pretty, I'm just ready for warmer weather so we can get out of the house more easily.  

smelling dinner.  As I write this on Tuesday evening, Mr. Baby is napping, Mr. Husband is shoveling the driveway, and dinner is in the crock-pot.    

hearting this stage of Mr. Baby's development.  He's so funny right now.  Babbling nonstop, always making silly faces, mimicking the things that we do.  He's so close to crawling, which I am excited for and also nervous about!  We need to get serious about baby proofing our house.

Sweater:  LeTote
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Target (exact without captoe)

Zoo Jacket

Friday was a pretty warm day, so Mr. Baby and I took the opportunity to go to the zoo.  I'm so glad we got an annual pass.  We've gone 4 times since October, and I love it!  There are enough indoor areas that we don't get too cold, but on the days where it is 40 or above, we can walk around a little bit and get some fresh air and sunshine, and I can stretch my legs.  Mr. Baby doesn't stretch his legs because he is so lazy and makes me push him around in a stroller.  Also he doesn't know how to walk yet.  Typical baby.

Highlights of this zoo trip:

• The tapirs are usually just laying in the mud, but they were swimming!
• We saw 2 giraffes sit down. I don't think I've ever seen that before.  Their legs go all wonky! 
• Baby orangutan!
• The big male lion was pacing back and forth.  I call him Aslan for obvious reasons.  Anyway, he winked at me.  I wish lions were for snuggling.    
• We sat in the aquarium tunnel for quite awhile.  I think that is Mr. Baby's favorite place because he can see all the different fish swimming around.  

Disappointments:

• the bears are all hiding in their caves.  It's almost like they hibernate or something.
• The gorilla building was significantly colder than outside.  We walked all the way through and saw exactly zero gorillas.  
• Mr. Baby lost his mind in the rain forest.  I guess he's scared of humidity or bats or something.  I had to carry him and hurry through.  We will have to try again.  

shout out to the random stranger who took our picture

Outfit note: this jacket is from LeTote.  I don't remember seeing it on my list when I approved the tote, so I was surprised to find it, but I really liked it.  The buttons are a little weird.  At first I thought one of them was broken, but then I realized they were all different for FASHUN reasons.  It was a perfect jacket for a moderately nice January zoo trip.  

Jacket: LeTote (exact)
Sweater: Gap (ridiculously priced option, tunic option)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

The Coldest Day Outfit

So here's an outfit from a week ago Sunday.  It was the super most freezing day ever (church was cancelled because of the cold), but we had lunch plans for my MIL's birthday, so we ventured out in the frigid temps to a new barbecue restaurant in town.  Mr. Baby was in head to toe fleece and was wrapped up in a blanket as close to me as possible.  This is what I wore, mostly because all of my normal jeans were in the laundry.  And miraculously, I didn't get any BBQ sauce on these!

I bought this shirt back in March, and this is shamefully the first time I have worn it.  I thought a printed chambray would be a fun addition to my closet, but I am learning that I don't know what to wear with it.  Sure, in my working days, it would have looked pretty cute with my red pencil skirt, but now?  I don't like the denim on denim look too much, so normal jeans are out of the question.  I guess it will probably be a "bad" purchase when I get to the March rewind.

Shirt: Loft 
Cardigan: JCF (similar, similar)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Errands Outfit

Well, happy Friday!  Here's a super casual outfit that I wore for running errands the other day.  This is a sweatshirt from LeTote, which I really like, except why the 3/4 sleeves??  I just don't know what kind of weather would make a 3/4 sleeve sweatshirt necessary.

Also, vests.  I really don't get winter vests.  If I need a coat, I want it to have sleeves, thanks.

Sweatshirt: LeTote
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Converse

Giraffe Sweater

I'm pretty jealous of Kate's giraffe sweater.  I've never seen a similar option, but this one from  LeTote was close enough for me to request.  On their website, it looked more black than gray, so I was surprised when I got it out of the box.  As with everything from them, it was a little short, so my tank tops get to make a little appearance.  Cute enough, but I'd still love a striped version like Kate's.

This has been the first normal-ish week in awhile.  December was just crazy, and then I had a terrible cold and John was out of town the first week of January.  So it's nice to be somewhat back to normal.

We even had some above-freezing weather this week, so the boy and I went to the zoo!
Ironically, given the title of this post, we did not make it to the giraffes.  I'll be honest, I love the giraffes, but they are down a pretty steep hill and I didn't feel like pushing the stroller back up it.

This sweatshirt cardigan thing is also from  LeTote, but I didn't take official outfit photos, because I was at the zoo, and babies are terrible photographers.

Sweater:  LeTote (closest option I could find)
Jeans: Gap (exact)
Boots: Madden (exact)

#momlife

Being a mom is sometimes ridiculous.  A lot of days (especially these snowy frigid days), Mr. Baby and I just stay at home and those days are usually pretty chill.  But I tend to get stir crazy if we haven't left the house in a few days, and you know, sometimes we need to buy groceries.  On Tuesday this week, I was feeling like going out, but didn't have any specific errands to run, so I was like "hey, I'll go to Which Wich, my favorite lunch place!"  Seemed like a good plan.  It was after the lunch rush, but I didn't think about how tricky it would be with the boy.

If you've never been there (you should go!), you fill out a bag with your sandwich order on it, and then you go up to order and pay, and then they call your name when your food is ready.  Simple enough.  Unless you are carrying around a tiny menace to society!  As I was filling out my sandwich bag, Mr. Baby managed to grab a sign off the wall, ripping it in half.  Oops.  I took the pieces up to the cashier and apologized.  I was so relieved it was the manager who basically knows me because I went there like once a week when I was pregnant.  So as I'm trying to pay, Mr. Baby decides to be as wiggly as possible, and do his best to dive out of my arms.  Not cool, baby!  Anyway, I got my order in and paid, and then went to find a table.  But then I needed to grab a high chair, which are way back in the corner.  I'm not going to leave my bag unattended, so I lug everything back and somehow manage to wrangle a high chair off the stack, and carry it back to the table.  (Note - chivalry is absolutely dead, according to the 5 or so businessmen who just stared awkwardly at me.)

I get Mr. Baby all situated with the high chair and the cover, and then realized I needed to get my drink.  Well, I'm definitely not going to leave him unattended, so I pull him out, go get the drink.  Get back to the table, put him back in the chair.  Then they call my name.  Okay, get baby back out, go grab sandwich.  It's ridiculous.  So I finally have everything I need, and he is happy in the high chair, so I got to eat in relative peace.

**An aside: the table next to me was 2 girls who are in college. They were cracking me up, talking about getting ready to graduate, and the guys they are dating.  I should have been live tweeting their whole conversation.  Did you know there's a formula to determine whether a guy is too old to date, and therefore creepy?  The one girl is dating a 28 year old, but I guess you take his age, divide by 2, and add 7.  Since she's 21, it's just barely not creepy.  Who comes up with this stuff???  Also, apparently really smart guys can sometimes be socially awkward.  Who knew?  (everyone).

Anyway, I finished eating and decided we should head to Babies R Us, because I needed to buy my friend a baby shower present.  I just needed to feed the boy before we left.  I got him out, went to refill my drink, and came back to the table to feed him.  He was in my lap, and I was digging in the diaper bag for his bottle, when he slapped my drink right off the table.  All 20 ounces went into the high chair seat cover, and then spilled onto the floor.  And I can't even do anything about it, because I am holding him!  The college girls sprang to their feet to help.  One of the workers looked like he was coming over, but he was actually going to dig through the trash to look for a lost cell phone (oh it was a crazy day for the Which Wich employees).  I knew we were going to need more than paper towels, so I went and talked to the manager again.  And again, she was very gracious.  She mopped everything up, and I went ahead and fed the boy.  Then I got a refill again and we went out to the car.  I got him into the carseat, got the soaking wet high chair cover into the back where it wouldn't ruin anything fabric, and started the car.  Right before I backed out, the manager comes running out "your drink is on the top of your car!"  Oh man... I'm a mess.  We didn't go to Babies R Us.  We just went home where I could avoid any more embarrassment!

Just in case you thought I was one of those moms who has it all together.

Cardigan: H&M
Tee: Loft
Jeans: Gap
Flats: Target

Bird Sweater

So 2016, huh?  That's crazy.  I just realized that this will be the year I go from having lived most of my life in the 20th century to living most in the 21st century.  If you are good at math, you know how old I am now!

Anyway, this sweater was from my recent LeTote.  Again, I really liked it, but it's so short!  Is there a clothing rental service for tall ladies??  I intended to cancel, but I missed sending my tote back because we were out of town, so I guess I'm in it for another month.  I'm trying to pick more casual options for my SAHM lifestyle!

Sweater: LeTote
Jeans: Old Navy
Flats: Target

Currently December

First Wednesday of the month means it is time to do the Currently linkup.  Go check out In Residence and Gold and Bloom.

wishing - that it wasn't quite so cold outside.  I am not a winter person, and with a baby, it's even worse!  I'm worried we will be staying home a lot during these cold months.  
remembering - last year around this time we were just starting to plan the nursery and figuring out what to register for.  And I hadn't told the blog that I was pregnant yet!  It's crazy how quickly time has gone!
wrapping - nothing yet!  I just started my Christmas shopping yesterday.  I honestly don't even think I have any wrapping paper.  Better buy some.  
baking - this again?  I don't really bake much, okay!  Or maybe I should edit my first category to "wishing I was baking chocolate chip cookies"
decorating - again, oops!  Nothing so far.  We need to get the Christmas box out of the storage closet and make our house somewhat festive!  

So I looked up my Currently post from last December.  Not much has changed!  I hadn't wrapped anything yet then either!  

And since I've been the worst at outfit pictures (or really outfits) recently.  Here are a few family photos from Thanksgiving.

*Mr. Baby is a bit of a drooler these days, but he's still pretty cute.