Maternity Clothes

Friends, I am struggling with my clothes these days.  At only a mere 18 weeks (almost), I feel as big as a whale and am uncomfortable in most all of my "regular" clothes. It turns out I will NOT be one of the lucky ones that can get away with the "rubberband trick" or just buying one size up for my pregnancy.  No, no.  I will be a maternity clothes girl through and through.  Of course. 

Which brings me to my dilemma...  What does a pregnant girl wear to look cute and still feel comfortable?  Especially one that - in the words of my dear mom - "is pregnant all over, not just in the belly"? 

It's incredible how cute maternity clothes look when you are NOT pregnant.  Now, I just browse the aisles of Old Navy and Target mourning the loss of cute spring dresses and disgusted by the ugly prints and gigantic tie-in-the-back elastic bands in the maternity section.  Ugg.

In their defense, you know how much I love Old Navy's maternity "skinny" jeans. (Thank you ON for calling them that!)  But, unfortunately, I can't wear these every day of my life.  And... I think I can make it (although it won't be cute) in cotton dresses and black stretch pants (they aren't really stretch pants, but that's what they feel like) for regular work... But, I have FIVE weddings and a prom to attend between March and May.  I would really prefer to feel like a cute-pregnant there.  Is that too much to ask?   

**Oh, and don't get me started on the hot summer... I'm already having slight panic attacks at the thought of sleeveless tops/dresses. Dis.gus.ting.**

I know many of you have been there and managed to still look adorable. Please share your tricks! What did you wear to "special events" during your pregnancy?  Where did you shop? 

Thanks friends!

P.S. Has anyone tried to go to Shabby Apple online lately?  I LOVE their dresses and I know they have a maternity line, but every time I try their website it takes SOOOO long to load.  What gives?

No Blog February?

Don't worry... I'm still here.  In response to D's text last night: No, No Facebook February, does NOT mean No Blog February.  Sorry friends for my impromptu nine day blogging sabbatical.

Even with nine days under my belt, I still don't have much to talk about.  Here are a few highlights of what I've been up to:

- Friday, we had our 16 week (even though I was only one day from being 17 weeks) check-up with the doctor.  Baby C is growing right on track and everything seems great.  Our BIG appointment to find out the gender (and also check major organs and such) is on March 2nd.  We are literally counting down the days! (Lots more on this to come!)  In the meantime, Jeff and I were watching one of those crime TV shows the other night, and the opening scene was this horrific murder - I've never heard someone screaming in so much pain and agony.  It was too much to handle, so I asked Jeff to change the channel until that part was over.  Anyway, when we switched back we realized it was not a murder scene, but a labor scene.  Awesome.  I prefer focusing on things like nursery design and baby names for at least a little while longer... :)

- We finally had someone contact us about viewing our house on Saturday afternoon.  (It's been on the market since mid-November; and, although we know this isn't exactly "selling season," it's been slightly discouraging to get NO attention.)  Jeff and I worked like DOGS all day and, if I do say so myself, our house has NEVER looked better.  We pulled out all the stops, even big vases of fresh flowers and chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven.  For a minute, I contemplated not selling.  :)  Anyway, we heard from the realtor on Monday and she said that the people really loved our house, but are looking for something with one more bathroom.  Bummer!  Oh well, we know how to do it now; and, we're hoping this house showing thing takes off as the weather warms up!

- I also had a little "gig" this past week addressing wedding invitations for a friend.  I think I have nice handwriting, but I've never been asked to do anything like this before.  It's a big wedding, so from Thursday to Monday, I addressed over 200 invitations -- each one done very meticulously, and many re-done several times (thank goodness she had plenty of extras).  I didn't mind doing this a bit - in fact, I kind-of loved reading all the old Southern names (perfect for someone naming a baby); but, it definitely made me appreciate my uncle who did this major task for us (for free!) a few years ago.  It is SO easy to forget all that goes into planning a wedding... For example, I bet you didn't know that if a male is invited with a date, you say Mr..... and Guest.  But, if a female is invited with a date, you say Miss.... and Escort.  (Sounds sort-of inappropriate doesn't it?)

Anyway, now you know what's kept me from blogging.  All that, plus watching The Bachelor (I am SO over Michelle), grading massive stacks of papers, and napping whenever I can.  ;)  Clearly, I haven't missed Facebook at all!!  (Anyone else participating... how's it going for you?)

No Facebook February II

Welcome to February friends!  And, goodbye to Facebook!

For the second year in a row, I'm celebrating NO FACEBOOK FEBRUARY! 

I don't have super deep reasons for this decision.  I think it is just a good practice to take a break from mindless stalking & comparing every once in a while.  (Especially as a I continue to grow bigger, get more pimples, and lose more hair!)

There will be one change from last year:  Instead of giving my mom access to my FB during my month off, I had Jeff change my password last night so that neither of us can access it until March.  (Sorry Mom!  I'm making a detox decision for you too... Plus, you always have dad's account.)  I'm a little sad that I will probably miss the birth of a few babies that I've been "following" with weekly pregnancy updates.  But otherwise, I'm certain I'll survive.  (Trust me, I did it once and lived to tell about it.  And, to my knowledge, I didn't lose any friends or miss out on any life shattering news.) Who knows, maybe I'll even get some things crossed off my 30 Before 30 List with all this extra time on my hands.

**NOTE**If you are having a party, will you please just send me a email or text message invite the old fashion way?  Jeff is totally unreliable to check his own account, so that won't do.  Thanks.

So... Anyone want to join me in this challenge? Come on' it'll be fun!  Leave a comment and let me know if you are going to attempt the impossible in the next 28 days. 

I even made a little button you can post on your sidebar to tell your blog readers:

I got a little lazy with this one.  Since there is no 'grab code' just install as a Photo Gadget as your sidebar and link to http://www.emyselfandi.com/.  (If you don't mind.)  You can also use this image as your FB profile picture for the month if you want - that's what I did!

Game on!