In a perfect world, I'd create two separate posts for these two seemingly separate topics. However, they really do coincide with one another and... quite frankly... I barely have time to write one post, much less two.
I left you all hanging on the Capsule Wardrobe bandwagon... I'm sorry! This is where the pregnancy part comes in - I WAS TOO STINKING TIRED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE! While I did really well with the project, I seriously was so tired that blogging about it crossed my mind but never got farther than that! Sorry!
The past two months of sticking to fifty items was pretty awesome. I loved being able to wear my favorite pieces over and over again without feeling like I was wearing anything too much. I think the number fifty was good for me and I'll try to stick close to that as I work on creating a maternity capsule.
I did stick to the clothes I picked out, but over the past few weeks I have "cheated" a little. Pregnancy has been exhausting (have I mentioned that enough yet!?) so some of the things I picked out for my capsule required ironing... and... yeah... that ain't happening. There were 6-7 items I originally planned for my capsule that I never wore over the entire two months!!! So on the handful of days I "cheated," I didn't feel guilty. The point of this, for me, isn't to be legalistic about what I can and cannot wear... but simply to rid myself of the excess.
Laundry has been a challenge - only having 4 pairs of work pants at a time when I DO NOT want to wear a skirt (because that means I must wear tights) means there's constantly laundry to do! Hopefully my next capsule will be a little more conducive to this growing belly. I also need to pay attention more to how much care I have to give a shirt - I really don't need any items that have to be ironed or dry cleaned in my closet at this given moment. Maybe one or two for work... but that's it!
So, about this next capsule... I was going to start a new one on March 1. But because my belly is growing and the seasons are changing, I'm not quite ready. I'm going to stick with the 50 pieces I had and start including some transitional/maternity pieces into my wardrobe. Hopefully I will have something a little more solid come April 1.
Next Up: Baby Ball 2... a very brief update.
Weeks: 13
Weight Gained: Down 2 pounds
Cravings: My appetite has come back over the last couple of weeks, but I still have my days where not much sounds good. The things that have sounded good: messy nachos from Taco Casa, chips & salsa, milk, orange juice, and salad! Oh and BACON! Bacon and grits. Last week I was able to eat some fresh fruit and vegetables, too!
Aversions: Meat is still touch-and-go - I have been able to eat it, but I have not been able to cook it or smell raw meat. But last week I cooked beef spaghetti by myself from start to finish!!! I do NOT want to go near raw chicken, but I'll eat it if it's already cooked. Just like with Maleah, sweets are a huge EW. I'm starting to turn the corner on that front - this weekend I ate some chocolate ice cream! But for the most part, sweets are not even remotely appealing to me.
Symptoms: Morning sickness is starting to fade some - having more good days than bad. I haven't had to take a Zofran in several days, but I have been sick without it... just not unbearably so. Exhaustion is still my number one challenge. I'm also noticing the big blue veins popping up sooner than I remember with Maleah!
Doctor's Visit: We got to hear Baby's heart beat again last week (and I meant to update then)! It was thumping away at 158 beats per minute. We go back at 16 weeks (when you'll get another update!) and then we'll have our anatomy scan (aka Boy or Girl scan) at the next appointment. Speaking of being a boy or girl...
Predictions: Blake really thinks this baby is a girl - he has said that from the beginning. I'm still somewhat undecided. I'm leaning towards a girl because my symptoms are just so darn similar to what I experienced with Maleah. But it very well could be a cute little boy! So I'm just going to remain neutral. :)
Monday, March 9, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Baby Ball #2: 11 weeks
Well, the news is out! We are indeed expecting a second little cutie pie in mid-September. I was hesitant to share the news before reaching that 12 week milestone, but after feeling sick and tired exhausted, I was just ready to get the news out there. We have had two great visits to the doctor and are praying for another healthy pregnancy & baby!
I posted updates about every four weeks with Maleah and I'm really glad I did! Every now and then, I go back and read my entries and it brings back all sorts of memories from being pregnant with her! I am hoping to do the same with this little one!
So, to answer some of the initial questions:
- We are due September 13. I'm very excited about having a fall baby... except that it means I have to make it through the hottest time of year being super enormously pregnant! Thank God for air conditioning! Also it's early enough in the football season that it shouldn't interfere with any major games. Obviously that's a big priority around here! :) (Kidding!)
- I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow. We found out early this time - at 3w5d! It was January 3 - a Saturday - and I'd wanted to take a test earlier in the week, but decided it was too early. But I woke up that morning and just had the overwhelming urge to take a test! By about 9am, I had convinced Blake to go to the store (yes, by himself!) to get me a test. He did, I took it, it was positive! Yay! We went to the doctor that week for blood work and then for an ultrasound after 8 weeks. The baby measured right on track and it's heart rate was 168!
- Yes, I have been sick. I haven't been quite as sick as I was with Maleah but I'm not sure if that's just because I know how to manage it better or because I am not trying to be a super hero and I take 4 mg of Zofran every day. With Maleah, I was really sick. But since my first trimester came at a time when I was not working full-time, I didn't always take medicine because I could stay home and rest. However, since I'm working full time and chasing around a 2-year-old, I just really don't have time to be nauseated if I don't have to be! I can make it through the work day without feeling too sick until about 4pm - then the nausea hits again and I have a hard time eating dinner. But I'm making it.
- Things have been different. But not terribly different. I am WAY more exhausted than I remember being with Maleah. Probably, again, because I'm working and taking care of her. But I am just absolutely ridiculously exhausted. I am really hoping my energy will return in a few weeks! It would also be nice to not wake up 6 times a night to go to the restroom - SIX times a night, people! I do not remember my bladder being THAT active with Maleah!
- My appetite is actually good! Most days, I am able to eat fairly well. By "well" I mean, I can actually eat enough calories - not that I am always inclined to eat something healthy. Right now vegetables are not appealing unless they are bland (carrots and potatoes) or fried (okra). Meat is hit or miss - some days it doesn't bother me and other days it grosses me out.
- I haven't really had any tried and true cravings, but Blake says I definitely have had stronger preferences than normal. Some of the things I have really wanted recently: fried chicken, lemon flavored anything, and Fruit Loops. Not too sure if the Fruit Loops is a true craving or if it's just because it's the only cereal with flavor we have in the house!
- I mentioned in a Facebook status the other day that this new baby craves fried food and chocolate milk... so I guess maybe I have had some cravings! The fried food is probably just because I've been so queasy - for whatever reason it's a comfort food for me when my stomach is upset (seems counterproductive, I know). The chocolate milk thing does not surprise me - I love chocolate milk pregnant or not! But I'm waking up hungry in the middle of the night craving chocolate milk! I did it with Maleah, too, just not quite this early!
- I am not showing really, but I can tell that I'm growing! I love the tangible evidence that there's a little life in there! But it made me realize I am going to need some new maternity clothes since most of my maternity wardrobe is for the dead of winter! Gee, I really hate that I will have to do some shopping!
- We are going to find out this baby's gender - hopefully in early/mid April. Right now, Blake thinks it's a girl. I kinda think it's a girl - I'm about 70/30 (I've already had a dream that she was a sweet little dark-headed newborn). Maleah's on the fence. Currently she has a "baby guhl" in her tummy. But sometimes her baby is a boy... I don't think she's had the anatomy scan yet. ;)
- And, yes, we have told Maleah - actually we told her right after we took the test! I mean, she's 2. She doesn't really understand it. And we weren't worried about her blabbing to anyone. But she has gotten really good at telling people what we're getting at our house ("BABY!!!!!!"). I think she's going to make an excellent big sister. She has already asked if she can feed the baby a bottle, put a blanket on the baby, and change the baby's diaper.
We are really excited about this new little one! We have been wanting to add to our family for quite a while, but knew it was all in God's timing. We are very grateful for this new life!
I posted updates about every four weeks with Maleah and I'm really glad I did! Every now and then, I go back and read my entries and it brings back all sorts of memories from being pregnant with her! I am hoping to do the same with this little one!
So, to answer some of the initial questions:
- We are due September 13. I'm very excited about having a fall baby... except that it means I have to make it through the hottest time of year being super enormously pregnant! Thank God for air conditioning! Also it's early enough in the football season that it shouldn't interfere with any major games. Obviously that's a big priority around here! :) (Kidding!)
- I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow. We found out early this time - at 3w5d! It was January 3 - a Saturday - and I'd wanted to take a test earlier in the week, but decided it was too early. But I woke up that morning and just had the overwhelming urge to take a test! By about 9am, I had convinced Blake to go to the store (yes, by himself!) to get me a test. He did, I took it, it was positive! Yay! We went to the doctor that week for blood work and then for an ultrasound after 8 weeks. The baby measured right on track and it's heart rate was 168!
- Yes, I have been sick. I haven't been quite as sick as I was with Maleah but I'm not sure if that's just because I know how to manage it better or because I am not trying to be a super hero and I take 4 mg of Zofran every day. With Maleah, I was really sick. But since my first trimester came at a time when I was not working full-time, I didn't always take medicine because I could stay home and rest. However, since I'm working full time and chasing around a 2-year-old, I just really don't have time to be nauseated if I don't have to be! I can make it through the work day without feeling too sick until about 4pm - then the nausea hits again and I have a hard time eating dinner. But I'm making it.
- Things have been different. But not terribly different. I am WAY more exhausted than I remember being with Maleah. Probably, again, because I'm working and taking care of her. But I am just absolutely ridiculously exhausted. I am really hoping my energy will return in a few weeks! It would also be nice to not wake up 6 times a night to go to the restroom - SIX times a night, people! I do not remember my bladder being THAT active with Maleah!
- My appetite is actually good! Most days, I am able to eat fairly well. By "well" I mean, I can actually eat enough calories - not that I am always inclined to eat something healthy. Right now vegetables are not appealing unless they are bland (carrots and potatoes) or fried (okra). Meat is hit or miss - some days it doesn't bother me and other days it grosses me out.
- I haven't really had any tried and true cravings, but Blake says I definitely have had stronger preferences than normal. Some of the things I have really wanted recently: fried chicken, lemon flavored anything, and Fruit Loops. Not too sure if the Fruit Loops is a true craving or if it's just because it's the only cereal with flavor we have in the house!
- I mentioned in a Facebook status the other day that this new baby craves fried food and chocolate milk... so I guess maybe I have had some cravings! The fried food is probably just because I've been so queasy - for whatever reason it's a comfort food for me when my stomach is upset (seems counterproductive, I know). The chocolate milk thing does not surprise me - I love chocolate milk pregnant or not! But I'm waking up hungry in the middle of the night craving chocolate milk! I did it with Maleah, too, just not quite this early!
- I am not showing really, but I can tell that I'm growing! I love the tangible evidence that there's a little life in there! But it made me realize I am going to need some new maternity clothes since most of my maternity wardrobe is for the dead of winter! Gee, I really hate that I will have to do some shopping!
- We are going to find out this baby's gender - hopefully in early/mid April. Right now, Blake thinks it's a girl. I kinda think it's a girl - I'm about 70/30 (I've already had a dream that she was a sweet little dark-headed newborn). Maleah's on the fence. Currently she has a "baby guhl" in her tummy. But sometimes her baby is a boy... I don't think she's had the anatomy scan yet. ;)
- And, yes, we have told Maleah - actually we told her right after we took the test! I mean, she's 2. She doesn't really understand it. And we weren't worried about her blabbing to anyone. But she has gotten really good at telling people what we're getting at our house ("BABY!!!!!!"). I think she's going to make an excellent big sister. She has already asked if she can feed the baby a bottle, put a blanket on the baby, and change the baby's diaper.
We are really excited about this new little one! We have been wanting to add to our family for quite a while, but knew it was all in God's timing. We are very grateful for this new life!
Monday, January 19, 2015
Weekend Wardrobe Update
I'm officially 19 days into my Capsule Wardrobe and so far, so good!!! I really wish I could give you a photo run-down of everything that's in my closet, but... I don't have the skills, the time, the energy, or the patience. Sorry! Maybe next week. Or next month. Or next lifetime. Seriously, though, I am trying to work on that for the Spring Capsule (which will start March 1). But... I *have* been a little better about taking pictures of my outfits this week!
The past two weeks have had crazy weather. One week it was bitterly cold. Then this past week, we had very mild weather. Definitely makes it challenging to dress appropriately! One thing I've found that helps is that the sweaters I own are quite light. Most of them are comfortable enough to wear even in 55-60 degree weather. And, on the days when it is super cold, I can either wear a long-sleeve shirt underneath or add a vest or my handy dandy denim jacket on top.
Something surprising I have learned this week is that even 50 pieces in my wardrobe is too much. Seriously. I really thought I was pushing myself with only 50 items, but there are things in my current capsule I don't even think I will wear during the next six weeks. I am actually going to pull a few more things and put to the side to see how few items I can actually manage during the time frame. I might even shoot for 40 pieces in my spring capsule!
The key is having several pieces that are very versatile. It can, of course, get boring to wear the same outfits all the time. But that is the point of this capsule wardrobe - you may have a limited selection of pieces, but because your pieces "go" together, you can work and re-work them multiple ways so that you wear them differently every time.
My last little point this week is about color... for so long, I have felt like I needed to have something in just about every color to have a diverse wardrobe. I even bought tops in colors I hated (like yellow) simply because I felt like I needed to have them to complete my wardrobe. But, what I have found is that there are colors I'm really more drawn to and who cares if I wear them a lot!? And, I'm learning to put new colors together so that more of my outfits can go together. Orchid and navy? Would've probably never really tried it had I not done this capsule wardrobe. One of my favorite outfits this past week was a simple orchid stretch turtleneck with my navy faux-leather vest. So simple! I've really felt stretched the past two weeks branching out of my comfort zone, but so far... I'm feeling great about this project!!!
Without further adieu, here are a few outfits from the past week. Sorry if you follow me on Instagram and have seen these already!
The past two weeks have had crazy weather. One week it was bitterly cold. Then this past week, we had very mild weather. Definitely makes it challenging to dress appropriately! One thing I've found that helps is that the sweaters I own are quite light. Most of them are comfortable enough to wear even in 55-60 degree weather. And, on the days when it is super cold, I can either wear a long-sleeve shirt underneath or add a vest or my handy dandy denim jacket on top.
Something surprising I have learned this week is that even 50 pieces in my wardrobe is too much. Seriously. I really thought I was pushing myself with only 50 items, but there are things in my current capsule I don't even think I will wear during the next six weeks. I am actually going to pull a few more things and put to the side to see how few items I can actually manage during the time frame. I might even shoot for 40 pieces in my spring capsule!
The key is having several pieces that are very versatile. It can, of course, get boring to wear the same outfits all the time. But that is the point of this capsule wardrobe - you may have a limited selection of pieces, but because your pieces "go" together, you can work and re-work them multiple ways so that you wear them differently every time.
My last little point this week is about color... for so long, I have felt like I needed to have something in just about every color to have a diverse wardrobe. I even bought tops in colors I hated (like yellow) simply because I felt like I needed to have them to complete my wardrobe. But, what I have found is that there are colors I'm really more drawn to and who cares if I wear them a lot!? And, I'm learning to put new colors together so that more of my outfits can go together. Orchid and navy? Would've probably never really tried it had I not done this capsule wardrobe. One of my favorite outfits this past week was a simple orchid stretch turtleneck with my navy faux-leather vest. So simple! I've really felt stretched the past two weeks branching out of my comfort zone, but so far... I'm feeling great about this project!!!
Without further adieu, here are a few outfits from the past week. Sorry if you follow me on Instagram and have seen these already!
Above: This is what I wore last Saturday to run errands. When I go out on Saturday mornings, I usually have not fixed my hair and I don't wear makeup. So wearing something a little more pulled together helped me feel... well... pulled together. Also, this was so comfortable! I hate you can't see the detail of the shirt - it's actually a baby pink thermal tee with some gold glittery flecks in it. Really cute!
Maleah gets her own spot in this post! I'm trying to pull my Capsule Wardrobe project into Maleah-land. It's hard because baby clothes are so cute and usually I can find "justifiable" deals. But, I'm really going to try to reign in my spending on her spring wardrobe. One of my favorite websites for her is Southern Tots. I would explain it to you here, but they do a much better job! This little outfit was $19 plus $6 for the monogram. NOT BAD AT ALL! Especially considering the pants can be worn with multiple outfits and the top will most likely still fit her next year! (And yes I have already let my child wear a Valentine's Day outfit!)
Okay, back to awkward me. This outfit was one of my favorites this week. Again, iPhone photos aren't great for capturing detail. The tunic is a a teal sweater tunic that's very form-fitting. I LOVE wearing it! And, again, the denim jacket... it's my comfort item. Teal is definitely becoming one of my staple colors. A lot of blue tones do not look good on me, but teal... teal hits the spot!
Hi, it's the black & white striped tunic again! I mentioned on my IG that I really feel like different shoes (cognac leather booties) would make this outfit pop. I almost bought some during the fall, but I'd already purchased 2 new pairs of shoes (the boots you see in the top picture and my black leather booties) and decided to wait on another new pair. But, even though I feel like this outfit is a little lacking, it is still a favorite. Also, Maleah is wearing an outfit made by a lady from Facebook - Sew Adorable. Look her up. The ENTIRE outfit was $25. You cannot beat that.
That's all for me tonight!
Until next time...
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