What I Wore Sunday (Vol. 1)

Truth be told I am having a hard time admitting to myself that I am posting this. Not because I think the concept is silly but rather because I usually avoid having pictures taken of me and this requires me to do so willingly. Ah well, yet another opportunity to swallow my pride and just share in the fun!

I apologize if the picture below is not super clear - my actual camera has zero battery so my incredible husband only had an iPhone to work with. Also, he wanted me to make sure that I mentioned him and the fact that he cooperated so fantastically.

1. Will keep hair out of face next time
2. Will try to have better lighting       
3. Will not pose arms so awkwardly  

I was forced to take the picture outside because the lights in our apartment have been on the fritz lately so there is little reliable lighting (iPhone flash is a disaster) and, lest we forget, it is so untidy inside that I am fairly sure that there is no workable background. Anyways!

Necklace : Freshwater Pearls from England (courtesy of my beloved husband)
Earrings (hidden by unruly hair) : Etsy
Shirt/Dress : Amazon
Maternity Pants : Target
Shoes : TJ Maxx

For those of you who are looking for combinations that are more (a) creative (b) thought out and (c) beautiful please visit my amazing sister-in-law Ana or the wonderful peeps over at Fine Linen and Purple!

~ Happy Sunday ~

7 Quick Takes

In the event that you have ever stumbled upon my blog before then you know that the real women you want to be reading are Jen, my amazing sister-in-law, my other amazing sister-in-law, and Grace. If you are still here and reading, however, I really ought to provide some new material. Here goes....

1. Weather : Ben and I currently live in the magical region of Michiana, where forecasters and weather channels use the phrase "Lake Effect" practically year-round. I find it to be a cute euphemism for "Freaking Unpredictable Weather That Will Ruin Your Life." It usually results in lots of shifting snow, cold and strong winds, etc. Usually by this time of year it is in full swing and making our lives miserable. It seems, however, that we are getting an absolutely delightful reprieve this season. We have had barely any snow and today's temperature reached all the way up to 44^°F ! I believe I deserve a little credit for this. Not many other individuals took the time to empty dozens of aerosol cans into the air and do their part to further Global Warming, but I sure did! You're welcome.

2. Fitness : Despite the more moderate temperatures and lack of massive snowfall, Ben and my nightly walks around the apartment complex do take place after the sun has gone down. The drop in temperature paired with the wind requires more extensive preparation and layering. I have overly sensitive ears. Perhaps I had a lot of ear infections as a kid or maybe I'm just a wuss (likely) but even in the Summer I have to wear a protective covering if there is even just a gentle breeze. Ridiculous. Anyways, below is a picture that depicts the measures I have had to take as of late in order to keep our nightly walks possible.

No, I can't see

3. Babies 'R Us : My incredible in-laws visited us this past Sunday and took us to Babies 'R Us. I had never been there before and was therefore completely unprepared for what was in store (literally) for me. I probably could have spent HOURS and God knows how much money there! Seriously, I never realized what a complete sap I am. Just so you know I had to consult my husband regarding the previous sentence to see whether or not I should say "I am" or "I was" regarding my sap status. He thought it over and said that since I am still rather a sap I should use the present tense. I'd be offended if it weren't so darn true....

4. Baby : Speaking of babies, I feel like I would be remiss if I did not have at least one take dedicated to mine. Luckily there is not too much to report. I am hopeful that this will not change until I am deemed full term and go into labor. He is as active as ever (I sometimes refer to him as a human pinball) and when a coworker of mine did my ultrasound (yes, another one!) the other day she could not believe that he was able to move as much as he did, given the general lack of room. You see, Kiddo does not just make one or two movements. No, he issues forth multiple waves of attack that seem to hit every imaginable point. It has happened on more than one occasion that while doing an intake with a client his kicks have bounced the clipboard off my lap. One thing that I find absurdly adorable is that during our nightly reading the baby moves far more when Ben is reading rather than when I do.

5. Nausea : there has been a rather noticeable increase in nausea lately. I am not sure whether or not it is due to Kiddo's movement, hormone levels, or the fact that I simply cannot eat small amounts at a time. I can out-eat almost anyone. While I never watched Sesame Street while growing up, I have always felt a strong kinship with this guy -->

Including Our Crazy Eyes & Facial Expressions

The only real difference between us is that I do not limit myself to cookies. My solution thus far has been to complain, curl up in the fetal position, and pop Tums like they're going out of style (which, incidentally, I think they did quite a while ago). Please feel free to provide theories or advice. I am referring, of course, to the resurgence in nausea and not my bizarre coping mechanisms.

6. Google Maps : Google Maps is a wonderful free service that helps provide individuals with interactive maps and easy-to-use directions. That is, unless I am the individual using it. I seem to have a real knack for misreading both maps and directions and this has proven to be a gigantic annoyance in the past week. This past weekend I needed to go to the AT&T store. I knew there was one at the Mall just a few minutes away but I also knew there were other stores nearby and they would not have the sort of holiday traffic that would be present at the Mall. I looked up another AT&T location and got directions from Google Maps. After driving around aimlessly for over 30 minutes I sank into an angry sort of despair and was forced to pull over and use my phone to get to my desired destination. This happened today with the post office. Much anger and frustration followed. If only updating Garmin maps were free......

7. Reading : Ben and I finished reading The Hobbit in under a week. Even though we have both read it several times before it was hard to put down and finishing it was as bittersweet as ever. We have moved on to one of his favorite childhood series, The Chronicles of Prydain. This is the first time I have encountered this series and do not share the sense of nostalgia that Ben has. Consequently I am more prone to *ahem* making fun of characters, exposition, etc. It has come to my attention that greater sensitivity may be needed, especially because my hope is that the next series we read is the one that I grew up reading - The Exitorn Adventures. I have had a good deal of trouble locating reasonably priced copies, however, so it could be that my plans are thwarted.... Here's hoping!

HAPPY FRIDAY

7 Quick Takes : On Time Edition

Occasionally it occurs to me that I have a blog and ought to make attempts to keep it somewhat current. For the sake of full disclosure, when I use the term "current" it does not mean that I am actually keeping up on the latest blogging trends or that I have interesting things to say. If you are interested in that sort of thing then I suggest you visit the blogs belonging to Jen, Ana, or Grace. I find that the best way to view my blog as a sort of web-based Tourette Syndrome. What's that you say? This has nothing to do with "7 Quick Takes"? Very well. Off I go...

1) Part-Time : After 2+ years as a full-time crisis pregnancy counselor I have made the transition to part-time. My work week consists of three (MTW) full days of work and then, in essence, a four-day weekend. This means that I can actually schedule prenatal appointments, keep the apartment in (relative) order, and (hypothetically) make real meals for my husband to enjoy (did I mention that this was hypothetical?). It also means that when the winter weather really hits I will only have to skid down icy, snow-laden roads make my 30+ minute commute two or three days a week! I have looked forward to this for months and despite the constant questioning of my coworkers, YES, I AM SURE THIS IS WHAT I WANT! The only downside is that I now have no idea what day of the week it is and may or may not have stayed up until 1:30 AM Thursday morning to post this...... I remained oblivious to today being Thursday until having a chance conversation with my sister-in-law who gently set me straight.

2) Nesting : I recognize that this is entirely absurd, but whether it is the transition to part-time or the earliest onset of nesting EVER (we are due in mid-February), Ben and I have already set up the baby's Pack'n Play, washed, folded, and put away all the clothes we have received, and moved around the furniture as needed for baby's arrival. Speaking of which....

3) Boy Clothes : What the H is up with boy clothes? I realize that boys tend to like animals, machines, sports, etc. but must they really be plastered over every single article of clothing that they are meant to wear?! I don't see unicorns and mermaids and chocolate enveloping practically every inch of girl clothes! It seems to me that there must have been a man out there, perhaps the younger sibling to sisters who received their hand-me-downs and was scarred as a result, who made it his life's purpose to enter the world of baby boy couture and leave no onesie, overall, or bib without a symbol that proclaimed "I AM MALE!". I am not opposed to expressions of masculinity and I am not some wacky "gender neutral" enthusiast who thinks everything should be nothing but yellow or green. But seriously? Ok. Tirade complete!

"But I'm a real boy!"

4) Third Trimester : Despite having several weeks to go before being considered full-term, I have definitely reached a point where the pregnancy is not all fun and games. In other words, I have yet to find a position that is genuinely comfortable. I am including all positions so this is not merely limited to sitting. Over the course of the past several months I have acquired more and more pillows and now have what my husband affectionately refers to as my "Pillow Throne." Perhaps I need to continuing accumulating and I am just one or two away from complete Pregnancy-Pillow-Nirvana. Somehow I doubt it. As far as standing/walking/moving is concerned, I am pretty sure that my genetic code has a laziness gene so really I cannot be blamed for all that business.

5) Pregnancy & Fitness : I have complained inordinately mentioned in previous posts that my obstetrician and I have differing views regarding fitness/health and pregnancy -- he believes that I should avoid almost all grains, all sugar on God's green Earth (basically), eat mostly protein, veggies and fruits; I believe that no meal is really complete without a dessert, grain, starch, unnecessary fattening agent, or all of them combined! Doc had me meet with the nutritionist this week. And really, since words cannot capture what the experience was like, I have decided to provide a visual aid -->

"Repeat after me - sugar is poison!"

Regarding fitness, my ideal Pregnancy Fitness Program would involve me getting out of bed in the morning, moving around the apartment (as needed), and alternating between lying down and sitting (propped up by pillows) throughout the day. My doctor said that I should get a pedometer and try to aim for 10,000 steps per day. I have gone ahead and purchased a pedometer but I have a sneaking suspicion that my results will fall somewhat short (say by 8-9,000). Since it admits to being only "96 - 98%" accurate I believe the best course of action is to blame the pedometer for not counting properly.

6) Maternity Clothes : This week was huge for me regarding maternity clothes. Up to this point in pregnancy, I have gotten by using one (i.e. less than two but more than zero) pair of maternity jeans, three maternity shirts (one of the perks to liking baggy shirts - it's a trend I keep waiting to see rise up in the world of Fashion), and lots of returns to Gap Maternity, Old Navy Maternity, Motherhood, etc. I am not a short person but, as it turns out, my 5'11 frame is not quite tall enough to usher me into the hallowed halls of "Tall" fashion wear. This has resulted in me having to buy jeans that are either bizarrely long or absurdly short (I mean, in the end I do actually believe that the sexiest part on a women's body happens to be between the edge of her sock and the cuff of her pants. I'm sure you agree). Anyways, short story made long, I found a pair of maternity jeans that, while still overly long, fit. I purchased them and they are safely tucked into my dresser drawer. I plan on wearing them. Eventually. Maybe.

7) Topics : I should probably consider writing on other things beside pregnancy and babies. Maybe art so I can sound cultured. Oh, that reminds me! In preparation for the upcoming release of The Hobbit (midnight showing in 3D what?!) and because every baby-ist out there insists you ought to read to your child while in-utero, my husband and I have been taking turns reading Tolkien out loud at night. I would say that it is one of the nerdiest things I have ever done but my lying quota has been met for the day. At any rate, it has been a blast and even if the movie is just dreadful it has managed to infuse our evenings with a great deal of fun.

How our baby imagines us

 Happy Friday