36 Weeks

It's the final countdown!  I'm looking at my last few weeks of pregnancy and as I keep saying, time is a funny thing.  It's all going too fast and too slow.  This is from a couple weeks ago when we went out for a Friday night dinner.  I remembered this skirt that I wore last year on the day before Mr. Baby was born, and thought "hey, I can wear that non-maternity skirt even when I'm hugely pregnant!  And then it's too big when I'm not pregnant!  Maybe in all my free time after baby2 is born, I can take it in a bit (kidding, kidding).

In addition to time playing tricks on me, so is my level of busyness.  I feel like we are always running from one thing to the next, but then I can't figure out what we do all the time.  John and I have big lists of things we want to accomplish before baby arrives, but that's not very interesting, just cleaning and organizing, and getting baby2's room set up.  I'm also trying to hang out with friends a bit, because I know that will be more difficult with 2 kids.

Anyway, happy late 4th of July to everyone.  We just barely survived all the neighborhood fireworks.  I'm officially the grumpy pregnant lady with a 1 year old who wanted to call the police at exactly 11:01 each night and report everyone who was still shooting off fireworks.  I didn't do it, but I sure had mean thoughts about it.

Top: Target maternity
Skirt: Loft
Sandals: Love Culture

Paisley shorts

These shorts were a favorite last summer, both before and after Mr. Baby was born.  I've already worn them a bunch again this summer.  But I've learned that when you are due in July, you need more shorts and tank tops than when you are due in May, so I've had to do some additional maternity shopping.  And I'm also much bigger this time around, so some of my maternity shorts are getting uncomfortable.  Not cool!  Luckily, these seem to have plenty of stretch, so I think they should last me through.  6 more weeks!!

Cardi: JCF
Tank: Kohl's maternity
Shorts: Loft maternity
Sandals: Target

Currently May

This was from a couple Sundays ago.  I had a little helper who was exploring the deck while I took outfit pictures.  Believe it or not, all the pictures where he isn't in the frame, I look ridiculous because I'm nervously watching him to make sure he doesn't do something dangerous!  I also love his rhino shirt sooooo much.  It's one of the few ridiculous clothing items I have purchased for him.  

It's also time for the Currently link up with In Residence and Dearest Love.

celebrating - so much!  I'm officially in the 3rd trimester with baby2.  My sister is getting married this weekend.  I get to celebrate my 2nd Mother's day (and my first when I'm not in the hospital!), and then Mr. Baby turns 1 in less than a week.  It's a wild and crazy time!  

reading - hopefully soon I can start The Nightingale.  I've been on hold for the ebook forever, and I'm next in line!  I've heard it is really good.  

pondering - how the past year has flown by.  May 4th was my due date last year, and then Mr. Baby showed up about a week later.  Some moments he seems so big and grown up, and the next he just seems so itty bitty still.  And baby2 will be here before I know it.  It keeps hitting me that I will have 2 babies soon and what will I even do with them??

Dress: Bellyssima via Bella Gravida
Cardigan: JCF
Shoes: Target
Mr. Baby's shirt and pants: Gap outlet

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)

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

Carrying the Banner

About a week ago, the Newsies broadway show was in town.  I have been waiting for this for years, because well, I was OBSESSED with the movie when I was a kid.  I'm not exaggerating when I say I watched it several times a week (maybe daily) over summer break for at least a few years.  I could probably still quote most of it by heart even though I have no idea when I last watched the movie. So, you can imagine my expectations were high for the show.  And while I was watching it, I just felt very conflicted.  Apologies in advance for my crazed ramblings here.  I obviously care a little too much about this particular topic.

As a standalone show (not comparing it to the movie), I think it was pretty fantastic.  The performers were super talented, and the dancing was insane.

When I compare it to the movie, I just felt disappointed.  As with any book-to-movie type transition, they made changes.  Some of them I liked, some I didn't like but understood, and some were just unnecessary.

For example, in the movie, Jack falls in love with David's sister.  She's basically in 3 scenes.As a boy-crazy elementary kid, I didn't understand why he liked her because she barely said or did anything, but that's beside the point.  The reporter in the movie is a middle-aged guy who helps the newsies.  In the musical, they combined these parts.  So Jack's 17.  The girl is working as a reporter, so I assume she's older than that?  And the whole dynamic is different.  And then she's randomly Joe Pulitzer's daughter?  I understand why they made this change, because they wanted the love story to be more central to the plot, but I hated it.  The actress was great, and I actually loved her songs and chemistry with Jack, but I didn't like the way it changed the plot dynamic. And I hate hate hated how it made Pulitzer less of an enemy by the end.  No, Jack would never have gone to work for the paper directly.

But can anyone explain to me why they changed SO MANY of the song lyrics?  And Medda's songs were completely different!  Where's High Times, Hard Times when you need it?  Santa Fe was the first song (and then showed up several more times), which started things off on a slow note.  And the "full" version of it was a lot different than the movie version (which is fabulous, even if Christian Bale is embarrassed about this role).  Besides, if musical Jack is an artist, shouldn't he love living in New York?  Musical Jack wasn't even in the diner for King of New York!  And don't even get me started on the missing Spot Conlon quote "I object... on the ground of Brooklyn!"

And I never really thought about it, but the Newsies rally all the other child laborers in the city, and then Jack makes the deal with Pulitzer, but what happens to all the other kids?  Do they get better treatment??

Anyway, I have a lot of feelings about this particular topic, but I should probably stop ranting now.  This isn't a Broadway review blog!


Scarf: Gap
Cardigan: Gap
Belt: NY&Co
Dress: Loft Maternity
Boots: Madden

Third Thursday Blushing

It's the Third Thursday of the month, so that means I'm linking up with Bri.  The theme for February is blush.  I don't have anything in this color, mostly because it would match my skin and wash me out.  So I grabbed my palest pink item: this necklace.  

I wore it on Valentine's Day, so decided to be as cliché as possible and wear read and pink.  Mr. Baby was still not feeling the best, so John stayed home with him and I went to church by myself.  Which is why i could wear a necklace and my hairdown.  When I got home, Mr. Baby immediately achieved a death grip on the necklace and was heartbroken when I wouldn't let him play with it.  Choking hazard, buddy!!

Anyway, that's my story.  And I'm happy to report the temps are finally rising, so we may not have snow on the deck for much longer.  You know, until the inevitable March snow storm.  

Necklace: h&m

Dress: Limited

Cardigan: Old Navy

Belt: Chinese Laundry

Boots: Madden

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)

Star Wars

Ever since I signed up for LeTote, I've wanted them to send me this dress.  Of course it was never available when I had a wedding or a Broadway show to attend.  When it was finally sent to me, I had no fancy events.  So I just wore it to see Star Wars.  Obviously.

John and I had a little date night with dinner and the movie.  I felt quite overdressed but I really love this dress and am glad I got to wear it! As always with LeTote dresses, it was a tad short for me, but with tights; it was fine.

And the movie was pretty good.  I'd like to see it again, but who has time for that?  I'm sure we will buy it when it comes out on BluRay, because someone in my house is a fairly big Star Wars fan (spoiler alert: it isn't me or Mr. Baby).

Dress: LeTote (use my code to get half off your first month)  (exact)
Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

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

Playing in the Leaves

This is what I wore to church last Sunday.  The skirt is from LeTote, and of course, I liked it because it's a knit pencil skirt and it is striped.  Two of my favorite clothing categories.  I'm sad to be wearing tights already, but it's getting cold around here.  

While taking pictures, John decided to throw leaves at me, because fall.  This is the only picture where I don't look terrified.  

Mr. Baby was significantly more excited about the leaves.  We built up a pile for him and let him play the other day.  It was basically the greatest moment of his life.  He loved it. 

Jacket: Target (similar)

Shirt: JCF (similar)

Skirt:  LeTote (use my code to get half off your first month) (similar)

Boots: Madden (exact)

Box Clothes

Sometimes, I'm like "hmm, what should I wear to such and such event?" and lately my husband is like "just wear some of your box clothes!" I guess he's catching on to the idea of LeTote.

I actually got this top in a recent tote, but it was too tight across my chest, so I didn't end up wearing it.  Then I requested it in the next size up in my next tote, because I thought it was pretty cute and wanted a chance to wear it.  It was still a smidge tighter than I would have liked (seriously, they expect you to be very flat!), but I wore it anyway.  Spellcheck is mad about smidge.  Is that not a word now?  Am I just making things up?

Cardigan: Gap factory (similar)
Top: LeTote
Jeans: Gap (exact)
Shoes: Target (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)

Rehearsal Dinner

On Friday, we loaded up our car and drove down to Topeka, KS for our friend Ben's wedding.  You may remember him from the Montana trip.  Anyway, it was a crazy and fun weekend celebrating with him and his new wife!!  Mr. Baby added some complexity and a whole lot more stuff!  Our car was pretty full for a 3 day trip, and not just because I brought 5 pairs of shoes (and only wore 3 pairs).  

John was a groomsman, so we went to the rehearsal dinner on Friday evening.  Of course, I had to figure out what to wear.  My plan was to stock my Letote with 3 dresses and hopefully be able to wear one for the rehearsal and one for the wedding.  I also picked jewelry that I thought might be cute with the dresses.  Here's what I got:

The black dress was too short.  The geometric one was too short and too bodycon (but I love it so much, I was tempted to wear it anyway.  I might request it again during tights season).  The windowpane dress was too low cut, but I fixed that with a cami.  It was cooler in the evening, so I threw on my denim jacket and pink shoes because I always need some color.

We took a couple pictures at the dinner and then in front of the Kansas Capitol building, but I completely spaced on a full outfit picture until we got back to the hotel and I was already in my pajamas.  Blogger fail!  Anyway, I decided to try the "lay the outfit on the bed and take a pic" trick.     

Don't worry, I remembered to take a real picture of my wedding outfit. But more about that later.

Jacket: JCF (similar)

Dress: LeTote (sleeveless, sleeveless, cheap)

Shoes: Target (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)

One Time in Class

Every week, Jimmy Fallon asks Twitter to share stories on a certain topic.  A recent prompt was "one time in class" and you were supposed to share something funny or embarrassing that happened.  I immediately thought of a few things, so I figured I could just write a whole blog post about it.  So here are a few embarrassing things that happened to me way back in the olden days when I was in school.  Pretty much 100% due to my general clumsiness.

• Freshman year of high school, I couldn't get the lid off my white-out pen.  Not one to easily give up when my classwork needed corrected, I pulled really hard and the whole thing broke in half, spraying white out all over me.
• In my college accounting class, I was playing around with one of those clicky pens, that has the spring inside.  Long story short, I accidentally shot my pen at the professor.  
• Same accounting class, during a test, we were sitting in the chairs where the desk thing swings up from the side.  Getting frustrated, I put my elbow up on the desk, and rested my head in my hand.  Desk became a catapult, and rocketed my calculator to the other side of the hall, landing at the feet of one of the well-known basketball players.         

So let this be a warning to you - watch out for school supplies that might break apart and/or fly across the room!

Top: JCF (similar)
Jeans: Jessica Simpson (similar)
Flats: Target (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)

Twofer Tuesday Turkey Tracks Top

Extra points for SUPER ALLITERATION!  This top came in my first ever LeTote box (more about that later), and it was my favorite of the 5 items, so I wore it 2 ways.  Granted, it was the same day.  But I wore one outfit to lunch, and one to dinner.  You can tell I look significantly more frazzled in the second outfit pictures, because Texas Roadhouse isn't a great restaurant to have a 4 month old with you.  I mean, the rolls are delicious, but the wait staff is line dancing when I could really use a drink refill, and I just get annoyed by that whole thing.

Anyway, according to LeTote, this shirt is covered in wrens, but according to my father-in-law, they are turkey tracks.  And I can't really disagree, if Google images is telling the truth.  Either way, I love a black and white printed top, so I don't really care.

Shirt: LeTote (similar in navy, similar)
Necklace: H&M (similar, similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Sandals: Carlos Santana via DSW (similar)
Cardigan: JCF (exact in various colors)
Jeans: Gap (exact)

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)