Maternity Style

Maternity clothes have definitely come a long way, but there is still a lot to be desired when shopping for clothes to fit a pregnant body. Department stores used to carry maternity clothes, but I have been noticing that more and more stores are going to an online-only policy for maternity clothes. What about those of us who actually like to try things on before we buy them? My local JC Penney has a sign in the store that directs you to the maternity section, but it turns out that the "maternity section" is the plus-sized section...definitely not what I had in mind.

My local GAP and Old Navy have small maternity sections, but you just can't find everything you need there. Target also has a maternity section, but selection is limited and I frequently find that they are out of the sizes I need.

I've been finding that it is easiest to mix a few nice maternity pieces in with my regular wardrobe. I can make a lot of my regular pants and skirts work with a Bella Band as long as the top I wear is long. Also, I've been shopping for regular clothes in sizes and styles that accommodate my growing and changing body. The dress I am wearing in the picture above is not a maternity dress, but I'm betting the styling will allow me to wear it through the summer. Plus, I don't feel so bad spending money on clothes that I can still wear next summer (because I'm hoping I still won't be wearing my maternity clothes 6 months after birth!).

Tomato Baby

I am officially 19 weeks today, and baby is about the size of a large heirloom tomato. This has been a long week because we are awaiting our next midwife appointment and ultrasound on Monday. If baby cooperates, we will know if we are having a boy or a girl!

I have definitely started mixing in maternity clothes with my regular clothes. I have a few nice things to wear to work in addition to some comfy clothes to wear on the weekends. Most of the clothes I have will last me into the fall, and then I'll need to go shopping for a few long sleeve shirts and sweaters and a few pairs of leggings to wear under skirts/dresses/tunics. Until then, I think I'm pretty set for a while!

Once we find out the baby's gender, I'll be ready to start shopping for baby. We want a convertible crib (changes into a toddler bed and then a full sized headboard), a dresser with room for a changing pad on top, and a nice glider rocker for the nursery. However, our nursery room is kind of small, so maybe we should start with the crib and see how much space we have after that!

Belly Shots

OK, here they are...pictures of my belly progression so far. I am a little embarrassed about sharing pictures of my round(ing) tummy, but pregnancy is supposed to be beautiful right?

MONTH 1

MONTH 2
(I had a cold when this was taken. Notice the red nose.)

MONTH 3

MONTH 4

And....the close up:

MONTH 4 again

I also tried to take a picture of myself last night in the bathroom mirror. This one came out the least blurry.

MONTH 4
(17 weeks 5 days)

I'm also wearing one of my very first maternity shirts that my mom bought me in that last picture (above). I'm not quite at the phase where I really need maternity clothes, but they are just so comfy with all of the extra room!