So last night DD woke up crying and DH brought her to me. She took a long time to get settled so I was struggling to comfort her and then I felt the new baby kick for the first time! I was so excited, because not only did it kick, but it was kicking because of DD, or at least that's what I believe. Sibling love already, yay!
@scgirl6113 I woke up at 7 as well, panicking that i forgot to turn DDs monitor on. It was a nice night and at least I can have a slow morning before we up get DD. We miss her and couldn't help but talk about her all the time!
Venting. I went to Destination Maternity today because I was so frustrated at not having a single pair of maternity shorts (I'm literally living in dresses right now). Started looking at blouses while I was there and the salesperson asked if she could help me. "Yeah, do you have any shirts that aren't sad? Because all of these ones back here are bumming me out." She then directs me to a shirt that OH later claimed "somehow managed to make you look 7 months pregnant. I can't even tell you're pregnant in the dress you're wearing right now, so I was impressed by how unflattering it was."
Basically: Maternity "summer" clothes are the worst thing ever unless they are dresses.
We went to Target after that. They had a maternity section. It was a single tiny rack of clothing that held maybe 20 items on it total. And none of it was in my size
Venting. I went to Destination Maternity today because I was so frustrated at not having a single pair of maternity shorts (I'm literally living in dresses right now). Started looking at blouses while I was there and the salesperson asked if she could help me. "Yeah, do you have any shirts that aren't sad? Because all of these ones back here are bumming me out." She then directs me to a shirt that OH later claimed "somehow managed to make you look 7 months pregnant. I can't even tell you're pregnant in the dress you're wearing right now, so I was impressed by how unflattering it was."
Basically: Maternity "summer" clothes are the worst thing ever unless they are dresses.
We went to Target after that. They had a maternity section. It was a single tiny rack of clothing that held maybe 20 items on it total. And none of it was in my size
For reals. I'm going to a bachelorette party next month and they were asking if we could wear maroon dresses one night after we had already decided to wear black for that outing. I almost crying, had to tell them that maternity clothes are so difficult to find so there is no way that I will be able to find a maroon maternity dress. I feel like I can surely find a black maternity dress somewhere.
Oh that is so not a cool demand for something like a bachelorette party. And you just know when you do find that maroon dress, it's going to be the tackiest dress imaginable.
@canavara and @cjs260 have you tried old Navy? I've had really good luck with them, especially for 2nd trimester in my last pregnancy. I've found that their in store selection can be a hit or miss but online is pretty good. The maroon dress is a tall order (yikes! Friends must not have kids yet haha), but it's worth a shot. And Old Navy's prices are hard to beat.
@cjs260 I bought an empire waist maternity dress from Old Navy just a few weeks ago in maroon! It is basically a vneck cotton shift dress with an over the bump belt that ties in a bow. Not sure how fancy you need for your outing, but it's worth a look.
@canavara and @cjs260 have you tried old Navy? I've had really good luck with them, especially for 2nd trimester in my last pregnancy. I've found that their in store selection can be a hit or miss but online is pretty good. The maroon dress is a tall order (yikes! Friends must not have kids yet haha), but it's worth a shot. And Old Navy's prices are hard to beat.
I haven't! It's been about 15 years since I've set foot in an ON because they had really weird vanity sizing back then... an XS would fit like a medium and they didn't go any smaller than that so nothing they made would fit me But maybe it's time to get over it and give them another chance because holy moly, no other physical store seems to sell maternity clothes.
Nordstrom is having their annual sale through tomorrow and they had a couple of maternity items online, woo. It ended up turning into buying ridiculously cute baby clothes though, eeeeee
Maybe I'll continue to look like a hot bag of trash for the next 4 months but LO sure is going to look dapper
@canavara Old Navy's sizing did change a few years ago- their Rockstar jeans fit much slimmer and their XS shirts fit like a S usually (sometimes an actual XS lol but not all the time)
@canavara I went on my first trip to Motherhood Maternity recently, and your husband is so right, everything made me look like I was much further along than I really am. I had really good luck with Stitchfix, have you tried them? It's an online service where you fill out your style profile (and link your Pinterest and any other social media that might reflect your style), define your price point, and their algorithm finds clothes for you. Husband is a data scientist and says that their team has a reputation for being one of the best in the field! They also have stylists for final quality control and to suggest ways you can wear the clothes. You keep the ones you want and send back the ones you don't. They do maternity clothes now, and the ones they sent me were the only ones I've really liked out of any other retailer.
@canavara I went on my first trip to Motherhood Maternity recently, and your husband is so right, everything made me look like I was much further along than I really am. I had really good luck with Stitchfix, have you tried them? It's an online service where you fill out your style profile (and link your Pinterest and any other social media that might reflect your style), define your price point, and their algorithm finds clothes for you. Husband is a data scientist and says that their team has a reputation for being one of the best in the field! They also have stylists for final quality control and to suggest ways you can wear the clothes. You keep the ones you want and send back the ones you don't. They do maternity clothes now, and the ones they sent me were the only ones I've really liked out of any other retailer.
I've done one maternity fix so far. I liked almost everything. I only kept one top because the other things they sent fit me right now, but they wouldn't for long. I requested things that would lady me until the end next fix. We'll see how they do.
I might have to retry Stitchfix. I used them for about 4 fixes last year and finally called it quits when they sent me a really awful one last fall. The first 3 fixes were amazing and then that one just really seemed egregiously overpriced and poor quality. I just remember it had this cardigan in it that was priced at like $130 but it looked like something that came off a clearance rack at Forever 21. I had explicitly upped my budget in hopes that they'd send me something higher quality. But I guess not haha. I forgot they had a maternity option (I think they had that when I first signed up).
I've done stitch fix a couple times and have really liked what I've gotten. I have two issues though, majority of the clothes have been hand wash only and they don't seem to wash all that well. Anyone else have that problem?
I've done stitch fix a couple times and have really liked what I've gotten. I have two issues though, majority of the clothes have been hand wash only and they don't seem to wash all that well. Anyone else have that problem?
Hasn't happened to me, but I can see how that would be really irritating. the hand wash-only can probably be solved by including a note when you request a fix, but the second problem is a real bummer. Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience!
I might have to retry Stitchfix. I used them for about 4 fixes last year and finally called it quits when they sent me a really awful one last fall. The first 3 fixes were amazing and then that one just really seemed egregiously overpriced and poor quality. I just remember it had this cardigan in it that was priced at like $130 but it looked like something that came off a clearance rack at Forever 21. I had explicitly upped my budget in hopes that they'd send me something higher quality. But I guess not haha. I forgot they had a maternity option (I think they had that when I first signed up).
Ugh that sucks! Especially since they really sell the convenience aspect of their business. Let us know if you decide to do the maternity fix, I'm curious to hear other people's experiences! The jeans I got from them were particularly good, they were the first pair of maternity jeans that didn't make my butt look "saggy", if that makes sense.
@marynog is maternity fix though stitch fix or is it a different company? I've been so skeptical of those types of services, but have had so much trouble finding cute maternity clothes so I'm willing to reconsider.
Shorts are the only things I found at Motherhood Maternity that were passable. I almost started crying in the fitting room there and told my husband that that place is where beauty goes to die.
^ I think she was short-handing Stitchfix's maternity option as "maternity fix" -- you just set your profile settings on Stitchfix as "pregnant" and they start sending you maternity clothes instead of normal clothes.
I've done stitch fix a couple times and have really liked what I've gotten. I have two issues though, majority of the clothes have been hand wash only and they don't seem to wash all that well. Anyone else have that problem?
Put a note in your profile about not wanting hand wash or dry clean clothes and you shouldn't get them. I actually just through the hand wash clothes in the same load on delicate and then let them air dry. So far I haven't had an issue with them. I'm too lazy to hand wash anything.
@canavara I've heard that if you have a really terrible fix, you can contact customer service and they will sometimes send you a new fix and waive the $20 fee (it kind of depends on what the problem was). Worth a shot if it ever happens to you again.
Are you guys getting more summer types of maternity clothing or have you gotten any wintery things? I guess layering will be the way to go when it gets cold. My friend is giving me a bunch of her hand-me-downs but she was pregnant in Hawaii so her stuff is all summer clothing. I've considered just wearing my giant ugly Christmas sweater all winter and staying at home so nobody notices.
I have been trying to just wear elastic band type shorts, I found cute cargo ones on sale today from Joe Fresh and love them. I find most maternity bottoms too big right now and I feel like they won't fit until its winter so I don't want to invest in many shorts. I have been buying most things from Gap Maternity because Old Navy doesn't have maternity online for Canada and the store barely has anything.
I was wondering if any of you ladies have any type of stretch marks yet. I was absolutely shocked to find I have pretty intense stretch marks all over my boobs this last week. I know they have grown substantially (from 34D to 36D/DD) but I didn't expect to see such obvious stretch marks. Makes me pretty worried about my belly in the next few months!
@sarahmsoda I have some on my upper thighs that have never gone away, I also have a few remaining belly ones from previous pregnancies (with my first I was totally stretch mark free until 39 weeks when I woke and literally overnight my belly was totally covered ) last pregnancy I had a few on my boobs but they went away and haven't come back yet.
Are you guys getting more summer types of maternity clothing or have you gotten any wintery things? I guess layering will be the way to go when it gets cold. My friend is giving me a bunch of her hand-me-downs but she was pregnant in Hawaii so her stuff is all summer clothing. I've considered just wearing my giant ugly Christmas sweater all winter and staying at home so nobody notices.
I'm waiting to shop until fall. I'm only 15 weeks (due 1/28) and my bump is still small enough that I'm fitting into all my normal clothes except for stuff that was more snug to begin with, which is odd since I'm almost positive that by this time last time I was exclusively wearing maternity clothes and I've heard that people typically pop earlier with 2nd babies. But yeah, I'm waiting until after Labor Day because I know I won't get a lot of use out of summer stuff and I want whatever I get to last until the baby's born.
@Dinozaur I bought a puffy vest from motherhood maternity last month. It was on clearance and I love wearing my black puffy vest in the winter but there is no way I'll be able to zip that thing up. I also bought a few plaid tunics/dresses on clearance.
Are you guys getting more summer types of maternity clothing or have you gotten any wintery things? I guess layering will be the way to go when it gets cold. My friend is giving me a bunch of her hand-me-downs but she was pregnant in Hawaii so her stuff is all summer clothing. I've considered just wearing my giant ugly Christmas sweater all winter and staying at home so nobody notices.
Putting the hunt for winter clothing off until the last possible moment. I know it's going to suck. I did find the most amazing pair of pants recently that are super soft twill ankle pants but I'm still in a love-hate relationship with them because I haaaaaaate "flesh"-colored full panel tops. None of my shirts ever manage to full cover the panel and it looks so so so tacky having what looks like pantyhose netting sticking up at the waistline. Ughhh.
Kohls has some decent maternity shorts. I am looking forward to fall maternity clothing. Last time I was pregnant in Phoenix, so I never really got to do fall/winter maternity stuff. My cousin gave me a bunch of her old fall stuff so that will be a good start, except that it is all black or dark purple, so I need to get some things to lighten it up and not look like a pregnant goth.
Giving the final exam in my class- just conferences on Thursday and I'll be done teaching for the foreseeable future. I decided to not teach fall term and will take a break after this baby comes. I'm looking forward to more time with my family, but I also know I will miss the professional part of my life.
@marynog is maternity fix though stitch fix or is it a different company? I've been so skeptical of those types of services, but have had so much trouble finding cute maternity clothes so I'm willing to reconsider.
Shorts are the only things I found at Motherhood Maternity that were passable. I almost started crying in the fitting room there and told my husband that that place is where beauty goes to die.
It's the same company, you just check the "are you pregnant?" box in your profile.
Giving the final exam in my class- just conferences on Thursday and I'll be done teaching for the foreseeable future. I decided to not teach fall term and will take a break after this baby comes. I'm looking forward to more time with my family, but I also know I will miss the professional part of my life.
Not quite the same thing, but after my daughter was born, I became a SAHM after being a lifelong student (graduated with my master's 7 weeks after her birth). I wasn't expecting it to be a difficult transition - who doesn't want life with no obligations other than to care for the adorable little human you just brought into the world? - but the lack of mental stimulation after ALWAYS being challenged by my studies was one of the hardest changes for me after I became a parent; for a long time I felt like I'd lost a part of myself because being a successful student was such an integral part of my identity for essentially my whole life and then all of a sudden, it wasn't. Enjoy the free time, but know that if you find yourself missing your profession, you're entirely justified in that and it would be beneficial for you to find an alternative outlet for that part of you until you're ready to return to work.
@karaelaine1991 that's exactly how I think i will feel. I went back to teaching when my DD was 5 months and I've struggled so much with balancing all the grading, prepping and planning I have to find the time to do at home since I'm an adjunct professor. The only time I have is at night after she's asleep and I'm drained. And I teach nights. It's hard for me not to feel like I'm giving 100% to my daughter and also 100% to my students. Some mothers are really good at doing both, but I just can't. My heart isn't in it right now but I know I will miss it and return eventually. thanks for the encouragement!
Anyone familiar with UCLA or West Los Angeles in general? My husband has an interview for a post-doc residency at UCLA this Monday to start in a program next June. I'm not picturing that I would love living in Bel Air/Hollywood area. The thought of it totally freaks me out.
Re: Randoms 2.0
15 weeks today
@scgirl6113 I woke up at 7 as well, panicking that i forgot to turn DDs monitor on. It was a nice night and at least I can have a slow morning before we up get DD. We miss her and couldn't help but talk about her all the time!
Due 1/21/17
Basically: Maternity "summer" clothes are the worst thing ever unless they are dresses.
We went to Target after that. They had a maternity section. It was a single tiny rack of clothing that held maybe 20 items on it total. And none of it was in my size
Nordstrom is having their annual sale through tomorrow and they had a couple of maternity items online, woo. It ended up turning into buying ridiculously cute baby clothes though, eeeeee
Maybe I'll continue to look like a hot bag of trash for the next 4 months but LO sure is going to look dapper
Also, the world should see this.
https://www.facebook.com/baconbitspiglets/videos/521362858049709/
Shorts are the only things I found at Motherhood Maternity that were passable. I almost started crying in the fitting room there and told my husband that that place is where beauty goes to die.
@canavara I've heard that if you have a really terrible fix, you can contact customer service and they will sometimes send you a new fix and waive the $20 fee (it kind of depends on what the problem was). Worth a shot if it ever happens to you again.
Jan '17 August siggy challenge: Cat fails
I was wondering if any of you ladies have any type of stretch marks yet. I was absolutely shocked to find I have pretty intense stretch marks all over my boobs this last week. I know they have grown substantially (from 34D to 36D/DD) but I didn't expect to see such obvious stretch marks. Makes me pretty worried about my belly in the next few months!
Due 1/21/17
Jan17 Sept Sig: Pumpkin Spice gone too far