Body After Baby, Part II: The Clothes

A while ago I did a post on body after baby.  My point was that I was content with my size and shape after ballooning up for pregnancy.  It was worth it, and all that jazz.  I still have a sizable caboose and a soft round belly that protrudes when I sit and some bat-wing arms that jiggle when I wave.  I don’t want that to stop me from living my life and it shouldn’t stop you either. 

I noticed that I could look past my “flaws” if I felt confident and sexy in what I was wearing.  And all of a sudden it didn’t matter what the scale said, I felt good.  When you look your best, you feel your best.  So I went on a mission recently to find some crush worthy clothes.  These are a few of my favs:

Land’s End Boat Neck Dress – The boat neckline is so in right now.  It flatters all shapes.  Throw on heels and a nice necklace for the office or cute sandals for the weekend.  The comfy poly/rayon/spandex blend fabric has enough heft so it hugs in just the right places but doesn’t suction.  Both sides have ruching, which minimize the pooch.  And at 69.97 (on sale) it’s a steal – I will wear this for years to come.

 Ellen Tracy Peplum Blouse- Macy's calls this shirt a peasant shirt but I think it falls into the peplum category so that's what I'll be calling it.  I so loved this shirt that I bought it in yellow as well.  This is a silky, machine washable (Yah!) blouse.  It’s light enough to wear in Houston’s miserably muggy weather.  It has cute detailing at the neck and sits at the waist.  I love this because you don’t have to tuck it in but you still look polished. 

The Wrap Dress – Oh my gosh, do I love the wrap dress.  It’s sexy, elegant, and easy and always makes you look sophisticated and fashionable.  I own 5 wrap dresses – different colors, different prints etc.  These dresses play up your assets (Hello Ms. Boobalicious) and can camouflage that little round belly.  The best part of this dress is you can find these in every price range.   And for those nursing mothers out there it’s easy enough to pull over so you can nurse.

You can go high end, a la Diane Von Furstenberg, who I love.  Too bad I didn't hit that super jackpot last weekend!

For those not with the wallet to support a DVF collection - Christin Michael's on Zappos has amazingly cute wrap dress for terrific prices and a wide range of sizes.    

Old Navy T's:  For the weekend, I'm all about comfort but yet I want to look pulled together.  I've recently stocked up on Old Navy T-shirts in a myriad of colors -blue, black, white, red, striped and different styles - ballet neck, v neck, side ruching etc.  For $10-$15 a pop you can't go wrong.  Since I'm tall I ordered the tall version so they are long enough to camouflage my tummy area and skim my hips.  Pull on a pair of white jeans and sandals and you're ready to rock the weekend!

These are some of my favorite body after baby clothes.  I'd love to hear your favorites!

Karmic Retribution

I’d heard the stories of traveling with babies.  I’ve been on planes where there were screaming children and I’m sure I’ve given a stink eye (or two or three) to those parents of unruly children.  So I’m here to tell you… karma is real. 

Ella and I traveled to Ohio to visit with Grandma and Grandpa over the weekend.  One of us almost didn’t come back.  She’s lucky she’s cute.

Getting to Ohio was easy-peze. She slept the whole way.  I admit it, I got cocky.  And that is when karma put the kibosh on my attitude.

It started when we arrived at the airport.  I thought I heard the check-in-lady say “Gate 18 B”.  So I go through the security at the B Gates.   What she said and what I heard were two different things.  My seat was 18B, my gate was A6.  So I went through security TWICE. WITH A BABY.  I’m going to let that sink in. 

Are you finished imaging that nightmare? Good. 

So with that debacle, I had just enough time to feed her at the gate but not enough time to feed myself.  But I figured I’d just pay the exorbitant amount of money for a meal on the plane.

They call us to board; I pick her up only to find her seat is completely soaked in brown poo.  Did I tell you she developed an ear infection while in Ohio for 3 days and had to be put on antibiotic that affects her system? I run to the nearest bathroom with a diaper and wipes and a change of clothes.  We were the last ones to board the plane.  If you’ve ever encountered 50 people staring you down while walking on board a plane with an infant you’ll know the kind of stares I encountered.  Withering, glaring, villainous stares.  At this point, I could feel the cold fear creeping up my back for what lay ahead. 

After she ate her bottle she fell asleep for all of 20 minutes.  That was the only nap she had all day.  Every toy I brought she threw it down. I spit on your toys, Mother.  Every position I tried was the wrong one.  Ha, you think swinging me upside down will work?! Pish-Posh, my friend.  If I didn’t care whether I had hair or not by the end of the trip I would have just let her pull it all out.   That was the only thing she found amusing. 

It was at this point that the stewardess finally made her way back to my seat with drinks.  I asked her which meal option she had left.  She said she’d sold out 3 rows back.  Of course, she did.  Me + rumbling tummy = Grumpy x 70 bazillion.

After an hour or so of Ella crying/squealing/wailing, I took her to the bathroom to change her again.    20 minutes after that, she proceeds to poop her pants so thoroughly that it goes up her back and out her pants.   With her sitting on my lap facing out her poop squashed out on to me.  I’m fairly certain the old man beside me smelled it first because I noticed he scooted as close to the window as possible. 

I had no extra clothes for myself and after the first fiasco none for her either.  So much for traveling light.   I washed her down as best I could and did the same for me.  All the while she was screaming.  Maybe she didn’t want to wear poopy clothes for the remainder of the flight or thought my looks of terror were too frightening.   Either way, she didn’t stop crying until we landed.

By some small miracle, we arrived early.  Early enough that the gate wasn’t ready yet and my husband was not there to pick us up.  So we had to sit on the plane with the air conditioning off (in Houston, do I need to remind you?) for an additional 20 minutes.   Needless to say, Ella was not amused by this turn of events.

When I found out my hubs was still 30 minutes away, I broke down and went to McDonald's.  I may have lost my mind when the girl told me they “don’t got supersizes” anymore.  WHAT THE WHAT?  After trying to wrap my brain around this fact I finally told her to give me the largest fry she had and throw another scoop of fries in the bag and we’d call it even. 

I got a total of 6 bag fries.  Karma’s a real B - - - -. 

High Five for Friday!

It is Friday, y'all!  Hallelujah!

I'm linking up with Lauren from From My Grey Desk for her High Five for Friday series! 





 We couldn't resist plopping my Texas baby in her first field of Texas blue bonnets! 

I'm not one to brag y'all but my hair looked H-O-T on Thursday! Thanks to Kate from The Small Things Blog for the tutorials. 

Vibram Five Finger Shoes

I know they look weird.  I may have made fun of people wearing them before *cough* Husband *cough*.  But I was convinced (cajoled?) into getting a pair.  I'm hoping they'll help my back problem be less of a problem and more of just, you know,  a back.   I plan on writing a review!

Sweet Potato Face - LOVE

I'm looking forward to a weekend with this guy! And Sweet Potato Face  :) 

Happy Weekend !!

 

 

The Old Women in the (Size 11) Shoe

So I bought these the other day.  I loved them with the intensity of a thousand burning suns from the minute my eyes alighted on them at Nordstroms.com until the minute I tried them on.  I lunged at the UPS man when I saw the truck pull up (who doesn't track their packages so they know the exact minute they are going to land on the doorstep?)  He, reasonably, took a double take.  It probably had nothing to do with my manically gleaming eyes and weird pajama outfit plastered with baby cereal goo. 

However, something happened in that second I tried them on.  They were a bit short.  Not squish my toes into them short but just a bit where you notice something is a little off.  Now they are sitting in the box waiting for me to make up my mind.  Do I still love them? Or am I just waiting to print out the return shipping label?  Either way, I'm not wearing them and I'm a bit depressed about it. 

I have a weird relationship with shoes.  I love shoes.  I get really giddy when I go into a shoe store, like I’m about to find a real treasure.  But more often than not I come out disappointed.  I’m a size 11. I’m lucky to even see one box that says 11 much less find that ever elusive *perfect* pair of shoes that will make me feel powerful, sophisticated and glamorous (I know it’s a tall order!).  I have, however, found some online stores that cater to the girls with big feet but who still want classy, girly shoes.  Sorry – no Crocs allowed!  

As in my Tory Burch dilemma above, the only bummer with online is that you can’t try then on.  Most online retailers, however, have really good return policies.  Zappos and Endless are the best I’ve seen so far – it’s free to ship and to return! Best deal EVER!    Here are my favs:

1.       Zappos  - Every single shoe imaginable.  Free shipping and returns! Woo-Hoo!

2.       Endless – has oodles of cute shoes for those of us with slightly larger than normal feet and also, ladies…free shipping and free returns!

3.       Long Tall Sally – stylish shoes for those with feet size 9 through 13! Wowza!  Drawbacks are they run out of sizes pretty quickly and they do charge for shipping.   I’ve been pleasantly surprised every time I’ve ordered.

4.       Barefoot Tess – I’ve personally never ordered from here but I have been tempted many times.  They carry sizes 9.5 to 15.   The prices seem a little steep but when push comes to shove and you need a size 15 I’m thinking you’ll pay a little extra.  Hmm?! 

Other brands that I love that usually make size 11’s:  

Sam Edelman – find them here, here and here (among other retailers).

Tory Burch – find her shoes here, here.  They run a tad small, as I mentioned.

Bandolino – find them here and here.  I have several pairs of their heels and can wear these ALL DAY LONG.  Perfect heel height, and padded inside foot bed.  Highly recommend!

Nine West – here.  I see Nine West in almost every shoe store I go into but can never, ever find my size.  Online is the way to go here. 

I'm sure there are more out there that I'm missing.  If you have a favorite, please fill me in! 

Happy Shoe Shopping!

Busy, Busy Beaver

Whewww…aaannnddd I’m back y’all!

I’d love to tell you all (and by “all” I mean my one reader…thanks Judge!) that I have been gone on a super long, super luxurious vacation but alas…it’s just me being lazy and uninteresting.   Life has seemed really busy lately.  You know getting up, showering, making sure the bambina has clean-ish clothes, feeding our two poopses (Code for our dogs, Duke and Oscar & I assure you Poopses is a word.)  And man, does life go quick when you are this busy.  Super-duper quick.   How is it March already? And how is my baby 5 ½ months old? Jeeshhh…

So let me catch you up....

My hair stylist left (why do I want to call them hair dressers?) so I had to find a new one.  Insert weeks of hemming and hawing only to bite the bullet and come out looking like a monkey (albeit an artistic monkey) had painted stripes on my head.  Also, he ruined my favorite Target sweatshirt (you know the one that you wear every single weekend, that is so freaking comfy you think about sleeping in but decide not too b/c you want to wear it the next day? Yeah, that one.) 4 non-returned phone calls and 1 email later and the salon still hasn’t bothered to help me.  Me: Pissed.  I’m still streaky and hating it.

My husband continues to make me laugh till I wet my pants (thankfully that is still just hyperbole).  He is truly the funniest person I know.  Thank God I found him.  He makes my world go ‘round.   The fear that I might lose his silliness to a military deployment for months on end keeps me up at night.      

My nugget has found squealing at glass-breaking decibels is immensely gratifying and gets instant results (please make it STOP!).  Our dogs (see above) have become a source of extreme entertainment for her, which makes making dinner, eating dinner, and cleaning up after dinner much easier for the grownups in this family. 

One of my best friends in the whole wide world deserted me for a better job and a lovely home.  I tried wooing her with nights of babysitting (for my child), endless loops of Sex and City reruns and her favorite fro-yo but my package just didn’t cut the mustard.  The city feels lonely and desolate without her and her husband.  She, however, is back in her hometown of Dallas being all wonderful and happy.  I plan to become very familiar with the Big D. 

Why is Downtown Abbey so freaking good?  My hubs and I are obsessed.  Never heard of it until I saw bunches of “Downton Abbey” posts on Facebook.  (I refuse to be out pop-cultured by the weirdos from high school) I googled, found the first season on Netflix and have been calling people Your Lordship in a horrific British accent ever since.  Also, I’ve fallen in love with zombies and the apocalyptic ruin of a society in the Walking Dead.   Where’s your humanity, Shane?!  So, so good.  And this coming from the chick who hates to be scared and grossed out.  But this show –awesome!

See?  Busy, I tell ya. 

And dear, dear reader(s) what have you been up to?

Me Likey!

As I’m sure you’ve noticed from reading this blog, I’m a new mom.  You don’t say?

And as a new mom, I’ve run across some items that I cannot live without.  And I’m not talking baby products (who needs that dumb wipe warmer, anyway?) but products for ME.  They make my  life WAY easier and really, just more fun!  Truly, though, these items are for anyone with a busy life and not enough hands.

The Amazon Kindle

Two days before I was induced the hubs asked if I wanted my “Push Present”.  Uhh..Yes.  Thinking it was going to be some form of shiny (due to my not so subtle hints); I almost leaped off the couch.   Total truth, I wasn’t “leaping” off of anything at 9 months preggo but I think I did manage an enthusiastic YES, PLEASE!  To my shock, I opened up a Kindle.  Now, truth be told, this little gadget wasn’t at the top of my Push Present list or even my Christmas list or for that matter my Memorial Day gift list (I really don’t have a Memorial Day gift list but now that I’m thinking about it, I totally should.)  However, it is one of the best presents I have ever received. 

Love this little guy!

What do you do at the 3:00 am feeding when you can’t turn on any lights (for fear it will really wake up the baby) and you can’t fall asleep (for fear you’ll drop the baby) and you only have one hand free?  You read your Kindle.  You can hold it and turn the pages with one little finger all at the same time.   You can’t even hold a regular book with one hand, much less turn the pages.   I got through all five of the Game of Throne’s Books (highly recommend) and so much more.   I know they have the new Kindle Fire out now (color and all that jazz) but really for $99.00  the black and white Kindle is awesome.   Also, totally splurge and get the case – it has a reading light built in! So genius.  This baby fits in my purse, the diaper bag and can be flipped open at the bus stop, at lunch or at the doctor’s office.    



The super stylish Kindle case with built in reading light.



The Cole Haan Hadley Messenger Bag

I’m a purse whore.  I love all purses - big ones, small ones, black ones, red ones etc. But what really gets my blood pumping is sumptuous leather bags with lots of room and ones that generally have hefty price tags.  It’s really a sickness.   I had been on the lookout for a bag like Tom Ford'sflap-over-zip bag - see below (but one that I can afford). 



Tom Ford's Flap-Over-Zip Bag loved by celebrities and me but not by my budget! Boo!



So I was slack jawed when I ran across this Cole Haan Hadley Messenger bag which mimicked the Tom Ford bag, with about a ¼ of its price! 

This purse is genius!  It has the signature Cole Haan trademarks – the weaving on the flap, wonderfully soft leather, brass hardware and sturdy construction.   It has a fabulously long shoulder strap to sling across your body for when you need more hands than you have, plus a smaller strap that sits easily atop my shoulder.   It is big enough and wide enough for an umbrella, wallet and other miscellaneous crap I always seem to accumulate.  Plus it has two inside pockets, big enough for my IPHONE and a handy-dandy Sephora mirror, and a large zip pocket.   

There is also an outside pocket that closes magnetically, which is usually where you can find my Kindle!   

This bag is classic and sophisticated.  It’s understated while being roomy enough to go from the office to a nice dinner out.   

The Land’s End Boat & Tote Bag

I am in love with the Land’s End Boat and Tote bags.  For my wedding, I gifted each of my bridesmaids with a medium sized bag in my wedding colors (navy and silver) with their monograms.  They still use them 3 years later!  The bags are well designed for day to day and travel/overnight trips.  Personally, I have one that I carry my lunch, magazines, extra shoes etc in for the office.  And I also have a large one for days at the beach, for my yoga mats for class, or an overnight with the girls.  I also will monogram anything and everything so, of course, these bags also have my monogram!  They are such sturdy bags made out of heavy duty canvas, most of the bags have pockets and a key fob, and they come in a multitude of colors and color combos (genius!).  They spot wash easily and have generally held up really well for years.  The best part, they start out at $25.00 for a medium bag and $9.00 for monogramming! You can’t beat it!

One of the best uses though is for Ella’s diaper bag.  For me, diaper bags were either waaay to “diaper baggy” – code for spill proof and LOUD BRIGHT COLORS screaming “I carry bottles and butt cream” or they were either too utilitarian, “I just took out my lap top and stuffed some bottles in here. “  No one gifted me with a $170.00 bag and I certainly wasn’t paying that for a diaper bag.   Two of my aunts gave us two bags both with Ella’s name embroidered on them– one medium tote with long handles and a large, zip tote.  The medium bag works best for day to day diaper bagging.  The large tote zips for those nights at Grandma and Grandpa’s house or for traveling up to Ohio to visit family.   

One note of caution, on the website you can’t really tell how big the bags are.  The large bags are LARGE – big enough for 3 or 4 huge beach towels.   The medium bags can easily fit two Tupperware containers, a pair of heels, and a couple of magazines no problem.   Before baby, I also used this as a carry-on for flights. 

The IPhone

By this point, everyone has heard of the IPhone and how great it is.  From my perspective, It is truly the best little gadget around. I am not sure how I survived before this baby came out!   As I mentioned above with the Kindle, you only need one hand to use many of the apps on there.  So baby in one hand, IPhone in the other.    

To compliment the Kindle, you can download the Kindle app for the IPHONE and IPAD.  So if you forget your Kindle or its out of juice, you can still read your book on your phone.  With a wifi connection, it syncs to the Kindle so you never lose your spot.  How cool is that?  Again, one flip of your finger and your turning pages.  So easy! 

Other apps that I really love are the People Magazine and US Magazine apps.  I catch up on all my celebrity gossip with these little pieces of gold.   They can keep me entertained for hours!

 

And last but not least, the IPHONE camera.  This tiny little camera has captured more moments just because it’s always with me.   I am a big follower of the blog Moosh In Indy.   She is a genius with a camera.  Her pictures are so artistic, and lovely (her subject matter doesn’t hurt!).  She’s really a sculptor working with her chisel.   Me, not so much.   With apps like Instagram though I can try to fake it!  Plus, uploading the pictures to Facebook or emailing them to family has never been so easy. 

You and your silly games annoy me.



There you have it…products I can’t live without!  So, what makes your life easier? 

4 Months and 6 Days

4 months and 6 days.   That is how long I've been a Mom.  The first two weeks and then the next two weeks were the hardest weeks of my life.   I was fairly certain I’d made a mistake – I wasn’t cut out to be a mom.  The thing I thought I wanted was so unfamiliar and so tough and so demanding that thoughts of sending her to Grandma and Grandpa’s for a few years flooded my brain.   I was unsure of every move I made.  I slept in increments of minutes not hours (standard practice, I know).  I cannot be certain of how many showers I took those first weeks but let’s just say it wasn’t a lot (again, fairly standard).   I cried many days, some for hours and some for only minutes but I cried almost every day.  For those crazy, stressful, mind-numbing weeks, I clung to the one piece of hope I had: “It will get better”.  My best friend, who lives states away, would text or email me that sentence every few days – when she was diagnosed with reflux, when the first medicines didn’t do anything, when I got mastitis, when I got the second round of mastitis, when we had to stop breastfeeding, when the formula didn’t agree, when the 2^nd and 3^rd formula’s didn’t work.   I clung to that little piece of hope. 

And now…it is beyond anything I could ever imagine.  I didn’t get that burst of baby love when they plopped her on my chest after she was born.  It took me a while to feel that deep emotional connection but I think I’ve made up for that.  She fills my heart with a joy I wasn’t prepared for or believed was possible.   And I can’t imagine life without her.   I’m sure it sounds cliche and sappy (I would have said the same thing 4 months and 6 days ago!) but it’s cliche for a reason.  

Our lives were so thoroughly enriched when Ella came into our world.   She is our little nugget of wonderful.   I've been told it gets even better than this...but I can't imagine how.