Dress: Purse Picasity (Local Shop) // Wrap Cardigan: Old Navy // Pumps: Pierre Dumas via Shoe Station
I recently rediscovered (and learned how to use) our tripod, which makes the whole “take pictures of my outfits” thing way easier. In the past, I would balance my poor Canon Rebel on top of my dresser on the far end of my bedroom, which created crooked, zoomed in, blurry pics. Already, this is much better quality! So I thought I’d try posting outfits again. What do you think? Do you even care? My goal is to document this pregnancy in a way that shows that you don’t have to buy maternity clothes to rock the bump. That’s all I’m sayin.’
Happy Wednesday!
P.S. Notice the bare legs in January? That’s Mobile, Alabama for ya. It’s January and I already need a tan. For serious.
As my belly continues to grow, I’m looking at Spring and Summer styles in a new light, asking myself, “How can I be a stylish pregnant woman without maternity clothes?” I found my answer in the midi skirt! This versatile skirt is flattering on any figure and will certainly boost the cuteness of the bump without giving me that frumpy, baggy look. Paired with the right sandals, this style is sure to be my best friend for months.
Do you have any fashion advice for the girl who refuses to shop in the maternity section?
We said goodbye to our crazy, loving, shit-eating beagle, Molly, on the same day that we announced that other news. At just five and a half years old, it was especially difficult to let her go. But she was becoming more paralyzed by the minute, not responding to meds and unable to control her bottom half. We were going to give her another day on the meds to see what might happen, but as soon as we saw her, we knew. It was time.
We wanted to make the last hour of her life as awesome as possible, so we did the only thing we could think of…we got her a cheeseburger. You should know that I’m a treat nazi, meaning I don’t feed from the table (except for the vegetable peelings and the like…Molly ate that healthy stuff right up!) and the girls get treats about once a month. Overweight dogs break my heart. Anyway, the sweet staff at the animal clinic kept her up front with them that day for a little TLC, so she smelled the cheeseburger as soon as we walked in the door. I swear, that dog thought she could walk when she smelled that coming her way! I’m pretty sure she enjoyed every bit of it.
Drew and I were there. I held her head as she fell asleep for the last time. I felt the life go out of her painful body and I felt like I was losing a child. But I know that she is no longer in pain. She can jump and run and have a buffet of shit in doggie heaven.
And she’ll always be our Molly.
*for more info on what Molly was suffering from, see my post from April 2011
I have a problem. In an attempt to not be the typical annoying pregnant girl, I’ve been cracking jokes and being silly along the way. Turns out, people don’t think it’s funny and I apparently come off as someone “not excited” about having a baby. Seriously?!?! Don’t people know NEVER to take me seriously? I will always make fun of myself, which now includes the tadpole-looking offspring leeching off of me, which it will undoubtedly do for the rest of it’s damn life. (See, that was another joke. Did you catch it?)
So, to appease my family and friends who think I’m just plain crazy (if you don’t think I’m crazy now, wait till you hear about the cloth diapers and other such awesomeness), I have included a journal entry that I wrote shortly after Drew and I decided to give this insane parenting thing a try. Maybe this will enlighten some of you and help you see into my brain a bit.
P.S. Why do I care so much what other people think of me, anyway?
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The Decision – 08/22/11
I’ve never truly had that maternal instinct – that unyielding urge to breed and produce viable offspring. It just never felt quite right. I always knew I was different because looking at babies and pregnant women did not stir up the necessary emotions inside of me unless, of course, those babies belonged to my sister. Her children have been and will always be extremely close to my heart.
Then one September day I married a man who felt exactly the same way as I did: Babies are way too much work and whoever wants them is crazy. It was love at first birth control pill.
During our first four years of marriage, we would occasionally give the offspring matter some thought: Should we just do it before we get too old to decide? Shouldn’t we give our parents grandchildren? Who will take care of us when we’re older? Can we really handle something like that? Are we missing something in our lives? There is only one answer to all of those questions: HELL NO. We would never make such a huge, life-changing decision based on age, other people and the like. And of course we can’t handle something like that. Nobody really can.
But during our third year of marriage I started to feel like maybe this is something we should do. Maybe we should raise someone to be a gentleman or a tom-boy. Maybe this is our chance to teach a child how precious our earth is and why we should do everything we can to protect it. Maybe we’ll raise a psychopath that murders us. The point is YOU NEVER KNOW.
So I decided to just leave it alone. Drew means the world to me and if he doesn’t want children, I’m perfectly happy with having just him and our four-legged children around forever.
But I had no idea that thoughts were stirring in Drew’s head as well. We were simultaneously contemplating the same life-altering decision right next to each other and never even knew it…until we went camping. On Friday night, August 19, after a few beers and some delicious campfire food, my sweet husband told me he wanted to have a child with me. It was weird and beautiful all at once. I thought for sure that those words would never come out of his mouth. I thought it was just us for the rest of our days. Now we get to take a shot at bringing new life into this crazy world. I’m ecstatic. I can’t stop thinking about it. My planning instincts have kicked in and all I can think about is baby names and baby room décor. It’s quite pathetic, really. I’ve already read well into the 2nd month of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and we haven’t even conceived yet. Lord, help us all. This is going to be a seriously bumpy ride.
I’m totally stealing The Daybook’s Awkward and Awesome idea. I mean, let’s face facts here…things are about to get really awkward really fast in the coming months. Why not celebrate it?
Awkward
Hanging out with a friend I haven’t seen in a year and having nothing but baby on the brain. I’ve become that girl already. This is not a good sign. My apologies, Kristi!
Trying to crack a joke with my family about having a kid. It went something like this: “Why are we having one of those?!? They NEVER stop MOVING!!!” Nobody thought it was funny.
Walking into a baby store and saying, very loudly, “Ugh, I HATE baby furniture!” and having everyone give me the stink eye. That totally happened.
Telling my dad I’m pregnant. Might as well have said, “Hi, Dad? I thought you should know that I’m sexually active.” Dude. I was not prepared for how awkward that would feel.
Asking us if our baby was an accident or planned. How rude, people!
Pregnant belly photos. No. Effing. Way.
Going to the girly doctor and getting completely undressed after she told me “bottoms off only.” I didn’t listen, so that was fun when she walked in.
Awesome
Having a wonderful husband who suddenly turned into everything I would need and more, like a butler, a maid and a nurse. He’s always been good at that stuff, but he is going above and beyond these days, especially when morning sickness kicks my ass.
Watching Drew freak out when he accidentally turned the page in a baby book, only to unveil another woman’s lady bits as she was giving birth. Awkward for him, completely awesome for me.
Being with my loving family on New Year’s Eve, which includes snuggling with my youngest niece.
Drew jumping on the bed at midnight on New Year’s Eve and saying, “2012 is going to be awesome! We’re gonna have a BABY!”
My beautiful friend Booyah inspired me to review my year on the blog. I figured that is even more appropriate since, until very recently, I’ve been quiet most of the year. This will be a quick recap because my 2011 New Year’s Resolution will be complete soon! I said I would video-document the entire year and I have done just that. I just have a fair bit of editing before the masterpiece is complete.
Speaking of NYRs, I think I’ve decided on my resolution for 2012. More on that later.
This has truly been the best year of my life. 2011 has been one big adventure after another, with the most amazing husband. It’s going to be hard to top this one, 2012. Just letting you know.
January. We enjoyed our first New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Mobile with wonderful friends, Auburn won the national championship (and I made out with Cam Newton…in my dreams), I had my very first television interview for work, and we took over Washington, D.C. for a few fabulous days. I was even able to meet up with my best friend from middle school while I was there. And the Museum of Natural History? I could live there. Forever. My favorite memory from this month is the fact that we were the only tourists to brave the snow storm that shut down the capitol of our country…well, us and the Asians. I swear they were following us…
February. The month began with the worst birthday of my existence, followed mere hours by the first collision for my beloved Prius.We both took some hits that day. We’ll make up for it next year. The month of February continued to kick my ass when I got that nasty stomach flu that was going around. I remember calling loved ones, BEGGING them to come over, but they wouldn’t because it was too contagious. Therefore, I was left alone to cry in my own filth and sadness. February sucked. I try not to think about it when I make statements like, “2011 was the BEST YEAR EVER!!!”
March. This month totally redeemed the beginning of the year for me. Because we went to Disney. And Harry Potter World. That sums it up for me.
April. This was a very full month. I started running, Molly got very sick, and we began to fall in love with New Orleans thanks to Jazz Fest and the Morrisons. Since April, I quit running because I can’t even do it right without hurting myself, Molly is back to her crazy, spunky self, and we’ve been to New Orleans 3 more times. Thanks, April. I like you a lot.
May. To culminate the busiest work month for me, I worked the Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores, where we were lucky enough to get artist passes and, therefore, free beer, booze and band access. It was an amazing experience, to say the least. Paul Simon, will you marry me???
June. The beginning of June marked the beginning of summer camp season at the Exploreum, which was the true test for all of the hard work I put into those camps for 6 months. The work paid off, thank goodness, and the summer was a huge success. We didn’t go on any crazy adventures in June because I was working non-stop. But it was still one of the most fun summers ever. Oh, and Drew had a birthday this month. As well as an eye surgery or two. Good times.
July. My dad is lucky enough to share his birthday with our country, so we went up to Nashville to visit him for the occasion. Time spent bonding with my dad is always a pleasure for me, especially when I can see how well he and Drew get along. Love those two men. The last week in July brought 3 kids with it. My 8-yr-old sister, my 8-yr-old nephew and my 11-yr-old niece came to visit us for the last week of summer camps. I had the pleasure of seeing Drew act like a father with phrases like, “No hats at the table,” “Use a napkin,” and “Did you brush your teeth?” It was beautiful.
August. We went camping. It was glorious. I want to relive that weekend a thousand times.
September. We celebrated our 4 year anniversary, Drew had another eye surgery and we went to NOLA to see The Head and the Heart (who just happen to be the artists featured in our 2011 video). This entire month was amazing. I still can’t believe we’ve been married 4 years.
October. I got fired. It was dirty and wrong, and no matter how happy I am now that I left that place, I’m still deeply bitter about it. It is so hurtful to know that after working so hard, I can just be thrown out with the trash and treated like dirt. I know now that it was not simply a lay-off, but a personal attack against me. I always knew it. But you know what? I now work in a place where I am appreciated for my hard work. I am treated with respect. And I’m still doing what I love. What more could I ask for? Also, Drew had another eye surgery.
November. Thanksgiving totally happened. Twice. Once with family and once with Alida, the most beautiful spirit in Seattle. We also played with vampires and werewolves. They’re fun.
December. My blogging and crafting picked up major speed. I finally got my words back after that October fiasco. We became vegetarians/vegans and Drew got a new cornea from who I assume was a very caring individual. My niece is with us this week, which always puts a huge smile on my face. I can’t believe she is 11 years old. I remember the day she was born with such clarity. I remember the first words I spoke when she graced us with her presence for the first time: “Thanks, Doc!” Very profound stuff. Christmas Eve is only 4 days away but our plans are still up in the air. We normally visit my family in Montgomery for Christmas, but Drew may have another eye surgery as early as this Thursday, which will keep us home for Christmas and away from my family for the first time in my life. I’ve come to terms with it, though. As long as I’m with Drew, I’m with family.
I bet you just can’t wait to see the video version of all of this, can you? It’s on its way, I promise! Until then, have the happiest of holidays this year. You are loved.
Everyone has been asking how we’ve been doing with our new vegan/vegetarian diet, so I thought I’d keep you informed. Dinners have been great (with the exception of the corn and red pepper chowder I made last night…thanks anyway, Jim). I quit taking pictures after the first night (because I LOATHE taking pictures with artificial light), but I’ve found that any vegetable-based soup can be veganified, even the creamy ones with the right milk replacer, and anything that involves black beans and avocado is my bestest friend.
Lunches have been easy as well. Drew takes a hummus and veggie wrap and I fill up on a non-dairy frozen burrito topped with lettuce, salsa and avocado. Mmmmm…..
We’ve found that dairy replacers aren’t bad at all. I still can’t stomach almond milk, but I’m not a milk-drinker anyway. I can cook with it and have no problem. Drew actually enjoys drinking the stuff. Yuck. We’ve found vegan cream cheese, butter, coffee creamer and ice cream that we love. I won’t even venture into the realm of fake hard cheeses though. I’ve been a hard core cheese lover my entire life (I swear it’s in my genes), so I can’t even go there.
I have had one glitch…I lost 3 pounds fast. Like in the first week. After tracking my diet on My Fitness Pal, I realized that I’m not getting nearly enough protein, despite the fact that I’m eating tons of nuts and beans. So I starting eating eggs for breakfast and a cheese snack each day at work and my protein intake is under control. Drew is also losing a little weight, but he needs a low-protein diet, so it’s ok for now.
I’ve also pretty much quit looking at vegan-specific recipes. They are all full of weird and crazy ingredients. I would rather look at a regular vegetarian recipe and replace any dairy that might be there. I prefer to keep my chemically manufactured food intake to a minimum, thank you very much.
Thank you to everyone for your love and support! I’m really excited to try making a vegan cheese ball for an upcoming holiday party. I’ll be combining vegan cream cheese with a vegetable dip seasoning packet, then rolling it in chopped walnuts. I have high hopes, people. High hopes indeed.
This gift wrap is so rustic and simple, not to mention extremely inexpensive. All you need is brown postal paper, green raffia ribbon and homemade Wordle gift tags in the color scheme of your choice. I chose the “moss” color scheme and inserted all sorts of lovely Christmas words, making sure to insert the gift recipient’s name multiple times so that it shows up nice and large. Happy holidays!
While snapping gift photos, I took this one of my tree in manual focus. I love how it turned out!
Dress: Purse Picasity (Local Shop) // Wrap Cardigan: Old Navy // Pumps: Pierre Dumas via Shoe Station
