Dressing the Bump: 3rd Trimester

I told y'all that these posts would get few and far between! I've been saving some of these pictures since May, just so I'd have enough to share! Most of my days are now spent in pj's, sweats, or bathing suits now that summer is here and i'm not working and just home with the girls! And, I couldn't be more grateful because it is hard to dress the bump in your 3rd trimester! 

Here are a few looks I've put together over the past few weeks:

This is a brown sweater dress that came from Motherhood Maternity. My mom bought it for me at the outlet when I was pregnant with MC, and I only wore it a handful of times. I've worn it more throughout this pregnancy and I actually like it much better this time around!

On this particular evening, I wore this dress to G's preschool graduation. It had rained that day and cooled off, so I felt comfortable enough wearing this sweater dress in May. I just rolled up the sleeves a little bit and paired it with a pair of Gianni Binni wedges that I've had for entirely too many years! 

I added a skinny belt just above the bump and chevron bangles. 

I also paired it with a green necklace and earrings.

This is definitely not the most flattering angle, but I paired a chambray maternity shirt (Target) with a pair of green shorts (also Target- not maternity). (Inspiration via.)I bought the shorts in several sizes up, so they fit right below my bump and I should be able to wear them after Adalyn gets here!

The above look is pinterest inspired. I had pinned a picture of khaki shorts, with a black top and leopard scarf. Well, I don't have a leopard scarf and for the life of me never found one this spring, so I used a thin ivory scarf, paired with a black maternity tank (Target) and brown linen non-maternity shorts. These have a draw string waist, and I purchased them from Meijer (of all places) right before MC was born in a size too big, but they fit perfect under the bump, and again, i'll be able to wear them after Adalyn is here.

This is a horrible picture, but I found this jersey blue and white stripe skirt at Target- again, non-maternity and went ahead and purchased it. I paired it with a simple white maternity tank and a blue chunky necklace.

(I'm laughing right now because these angles just keep getting more and more awkward!) Above: I'm wearing a navy and white stripe maternity tank from Old Navy (purchased this spring) with a pair of green non-maternity shorts from Target- also worn above. Inspiration via. 

This spring I've really been inspired to wear color and to mix colors thanks to Pinterest and Pinterest Told Me To blog- thanks Sheaffer!

It was so hot today, but this is another pinterest inspired look! I had pinned it this spring knowing that I use to have a green maternity shirt but I could not find it anywhere! Finally, when going through items for our garage sale, I found a box half full of maternity clothes that I thought I had gotten rid of and this shirt was in that box! I was so excited that I could finally recreate the pinterest look!

In the original look, she's wearing a scarf and has her belt below the bump. I decided to forego the scarf (after all it's above 90 degrees today) and wear my belt above the bump.

I paired it with simple brown jewelry.

I wore the above look today while the girls and I went shopping and I found the look below at Old Navy. I'm determined to start buying a few pieces for after Adalyn arrives (because who wants to still wear maternity jeans after baby?) and I found these coral draw string shorts and I purchased them in a few sizes up! They do button, but I was able to button them, and then tie the drawstring. I love the coral color! 

I also purchased this aqua non-maternity shirt (and picked it up in navy too)! It's a size medium, and even though it's a bit tight with the bump, I'll be able to wear it after Adalyn arrives and that is the running theme right now!

 

We are only about 3-4 weeks away from meeting her, so I don't want to buy any maternity pieces! I just try to buy a size up from my normal size so i'll have plenty of months to wear the pieces afterwards until I loose the baby weight!

I'm also glad that a lot of these looks work right now, because i'm so tired of wearing the same pieces! 

Again, i'm thankful that i'm wearing color again! It's so much fun and I kind of feel like i've been missing out by all the black in my closet!

By: Unknown On 05.00

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Just Some Fun in the Sun

Just some fun in the sun for y'all today! The girls and I have had a blast playing outside and enjoying the sunshine!

It's times like this where I am so thankful for working in the public schools, although i'll admit it's a love hate relationship, but i'm so thankful to have a job where I can be home with the girls in the summer!

By: Unknown On 05.00

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Father's Day 2013

Last night the girls and I had ice cream for dinner! We had spent the later part of the afternoon in G's room/playroom and it was a mess! I told them to clean up, and totally did not expect that either one of them would touch a toy as I ran downstairs to put something away. I decided to give them some time (and me some peace and quiet) before heading back upstairs to find the entire playroom picked up and clean! I was so shocked that I decided that they deserved ice cream for dinner! Yum!

The girls and I woke up this early and spent some time hanging out in Adalyn's nursery. I had hid DJ's father's day gift in her closet, so we went in to get it, and then just decided to play in there for a bit. MC climbed into the exersaucer and had so much fun playing!

We woke up DJ and G sang him a song and then we gave him his Father's day gifts: two football cases for his bowl footballs and told him he could go play golf in the next few weeks when he's off. 

Afterwards, I made breakfast and we got ready for church.

After church DJ decided that he was taking us out for lunch as a Father's day gift to himself. I really wanted Los Cabos, but DJ actually had to go to the office this afternoon, so we didn't have much time to wait, so we went to Chili's instead. 

After lunch we came home and after MC cried for a bit, she finally fell asleep and I turned on The Lion King for Gretchen, and then I took a nap too!

It's been a nice relaxing day! I wish DJ could've been home this afternoon, but i'm thankful we were able to spend this morning together, and that he's finally on his way home now!

I think tonight calls for a simple dinner and a movie! (It's raining outside or we would've made it to the pool!)

By: Unknown On 15.06

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Ice Cube Painting

Last week I had the idea to make colored ice cubes with the girls. Honestly, I couldn't remember if I originally saw the idea on Pinterest or if I just came up with the idea on my own, but I thought it would be a fun way to pass some time, work on fine motor skills, and work on colors. 

I put newspaper out on the countertops and filled three ice cube trays with water. Then, I sat the girls on the counter, and let them squeeze food coloring into the trays. 

Squeezing the food coloring bottles is an excellent fine motor skill! It works on grasping and on those little muscles!

MC is working on naming colors so this was a great way to practice color names! Right now everything is either yellow or green. 

It can also be a great experiment on what colors can be made when you mix two colors together!

G decided to make patterns with her tray. She did one row as an AB pattern, and the next row was an ABB pattern.

When the girls were finished the ice trays were put in the freezer and forgotten about for several days!

Last Tuesday afternoon we spent a lot of time outside, so I thought i'd bring out the ice cube trays and let the girls play with the ice. 

I was hoping that the girls would be able to 'paint' the fence or the concrete with the cubes, but it wasn't working. So, we ended up dumping one tray into their water table and letting them play with the cubes as the ice melted. It was also fun to see all the colors mix together!

Then I went inside and grabbed another ice tray out of the freezer along with some paper. I popped the cubes out and let the girls 'paint' on paper. This worked out much better!

The girls had fun playing with the cold ice and MC even ate a little bit!

Their paintings were more 'pastel' but the girls were able to explore the cold ice, taste, and touch.... we really had fun with this activity even though in my mind it worked out a little different, but we touched on a lot of learning subjects and the girls had no idea that learning could be fun! In fact, G even said, "this is the best summer ever" as she was painting with her ice cubes!

By: Unknown On 05.00

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My Products as Photography Props

I was so excited when I contacted a photographer a few months ago about using some of my hair flair pieces in her photography as photo props! I received the images earlier this week and I could not be more thrilled with the pictures! And the babies, oh the sweet little babies! 

Above: Trio of pink shabby rosettes with ruffled ribbon bow and bling.

I think i'm totally remaking this one for Adalyn.

I wasn't quite sure about the piece above when I started putting it together. It was such a hodge podge of flowers and pieces, and afterwards.... I just love it! 

It kind of makes me giddy inside knowing that a family might have chosen one of these portraits to hang in their house- their new baby girl and MY hair flair!

And how sweet is this little girl for her first birthday shoot! I'm not only in love with the hair flair, but also that tutu!

I hope that she had a fabulous birthday, and it totally looks like she enjoyed her cake!

Hair Flair pieces start out at $10.00 and I'd love to create a custom hair flair piece to match an outfit or for a photography prop! I also offer a discount for professional photographers in exchange for photo's. Please message me to find out more and check out my other hair accessories on my facebook page. 

By: Unknown On 05.00

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A Summer Weekend

Our Summer days have been so enjoyable thus far and i'm loving my time off with the girls! I'm so thankful that I've had this time to spend with them! We've been staying busy, but having a few lazy moments in between. All of which make for perfect summer days!

Last Friday and Saturday we had a garage sale. We had started the Friday two weeks ago, but then storms came through Oklahoma Friday night, and I decided to skip out that Saturday. Since everything was set up, I just figured we would try again. 

It was a bit more difficult this past weekend because DJ was at work and the girls were home, but they were troopers and had fun playing outside!

Friday went fairly well, but Saturday was a flop. We closed down early and packed everything for Goodwill because nothing was selling! I even let G set up a lemonade stand, and she made more money than we did!

Friday afternoon, we had a picnic outside. G had so much fun having the picnic with daddy at football, that she wanted another one.

The girls also had fun just playing on the couch together. They totally ruin my pillows and throw them everywhere, and my type A personality has to take a deep breath and just appreciate them playing together!

Saturday afternoon we had friends over for a cookout and I didn't get a single picture! I can't believe I didn't take any, but I was so tired from the failure of a garage sale and making sure the house was picked up and food was somewhat prepared before they arrived. 

DJ grilled burgers and hot dogs, and we sat outside while the kids played in the sprinkler and water table.

After they left, we all took naps! 

We put the girls to bed that evening, but G came downstairs around 10 to use the bathroom, and she crawled up in DJ's lap for a bit and instantly fell back asleep.

Sunday morning we got up and got ready for church. I love the girls in their matching watermelon dresses!

After church we ran to Old Navy, and grabbed lunch at McCalisters, then came home for naps again. G even fell asleep and I was able to lay out for a bit and read and relax! Unfortunately, I got too hot and came inside to cool off, and fell asleep on our bed!

I woke up around 3:30, and had to wake G up for our neighbor's birthday party. DJ stayed at home with MC until she woke up and then they came down.

They had set up a little pool in the front yard along with some toys and MC dove right in and played!

G was so busy running around with her friends that I barely got any pictures of her!

MC eating a chicken spring roll. 

I think this is the only time the girls sat still (especially Gretchen). They were eating cupcakes and blue jello!

They were given stickers as goody bags and the girls decided it would be fun to put stickers all over their bodies! 

We stayed outside until after 8, and finally drug the girls inside for baths and bedtime! It was such a fun filled weekend!

By: Unknown On 05.00

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"How Do I?" Take Time for Me

Welcome back to the fifth week of "How Do I?" I'm actually proud of myself for continuing this series and I can't wait for the rest of the posts! Today, I'm going to share with y'all how I take time for myself! As a mother it is so important that you remember to take care of you! We are so busy taking care of our children, our husbands, our jobs, our house, that we often forget about ourselves! Well, not today ladies! I want to challenge you that you'll do one thing for yourself as soon as you're done reading this post! Or at least by the end of the day!

For my other "How Do I?" posts go here. You'll see how I make time for my family, clean my house, buy groceries, and meal plan all while running a work-at-home business, working a full time outside the house job, and with being a wife and mom to two (almost three) girls!

So, how do I manage to do all of that and still keep myself sane?

First of all, my sewing business is my stress relief.  I honestly think that every wife/mom/woman needs a hobby- something that she enjoys just for herself. In college, it was scrapbooking, my first few years of marriage, it was shopping, now it's sewing & bow making. Any time my husband is home and can watch the girls, or once they go to bed, I spend about an hour sewing; sometimes two hours.  

I had to find a balance between sewing and family time, so I don't sew every day, but I do try to sew two to three days a week.

Because I work outside the home and I travel between schools with my job, I make sure that I take myself out to eat at least once a week. My favorite has been Backyard Burgers, and i've made that a weekly lunch stop. I rarely go in, just to avoid that awkward eating by yourself, but i'm more than happy to drive through and then sit in my car and eat and scroll through facebook or instagram on my phone.

I often do some light shopping while i'm on my lunch at work. I might run into Old Navy to pick up shirts for appliques or dresses, or I run into Hobby Lobby for fabric or just to browse. Getting a few moments of quiet really puts my mind at rest and then i'm ready to get back to work.

If I don't get a lot of "me time" during the week, then I make up for it on Sunday afternoons while MC is down for a nap. I can get a lot done in that three hours!

DJ and I also take turns sleeping in on the weekends. Getting an extra hour or two of sleep makes a world of difference!

It is much easier for me to relax while DJ is home more. I know in the fall I can pretty much throw any dreams of 'me time' out the window, so I make up for it in the spring & summer. It's also helpful to have a spouse that understands that sometimes I need a break. I know there are times where he wishes I would be spending more time with him, but having those breaks away are so refreshing, and I feel make me a better wife & mom.

There are times where I can't get away, so I'll be honest that I can easily sit on the computer reading or pinning while watching t.v. at the same time. Sometimes, you just need to veg out and do nothing!

Here are a few other ideas:

Take a bubble bath

Get or give yourself a mani/pedi

Enjoy a glass of wine

Go running or workout

Get a massage

Go to bed early

What are a few ways that you get 'me time' and your favorite ways to revitalize yourself? Leave a comment, and then start relaxing!

By: Unknown On 05.00

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