the ballerina

Matt's little sister Ciera graduated from High School this week, so we did a quick photo shoot.  She'll be leaving for college at the end of summer and dancing on scholarship there.  Gosh, she is beautiful.  She makes taking pictures easy peasy.

Dressing the Bump

19 and a half weeks.  Next Friday I will be halfway!  Lately I feel like I've "popped out" and I'm starting to feel uncomfortable.  Even though I'm still sensitive to smells and gag a lot, the throwing up has stopped.


Now let's talk about clothes...  I've gotten better at finding "bump friendly" clothes.  I call them "bump friendly", because I have yet to buy actual MATERNITY clothes, although I'm sure I will have to sooner than later.  The thing about "bump friendly" clothes is that (if I'm not sick of them by October) I will hopefully still be able to wear them after the baby comes.  I guess that's the cheapo in me.  I also really haven't been able to find any super duper cute maternity clothes that I feel are worth buying.  So hence the "bump friendly" clothes.

It's a bit surprising how many normal clothes work on the baby bump.  Hopefully this gets me through at least the whole second trimester.

"Bump friendly" dressing guide:
1.  Find long and loose blouses/tees
2.  Find dresses without waistbands
3.  Long flowy skirts work - just gotta pull them OVER the bump
4.  Buy shoes without laces or buckles, leaning over is gets harder every day
5.  Get large bags that snacks fit in - eating for two requires constant snacks

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Recent Snapshots

I apologize to those who have seen most of these on instagram already.  I'm just not as good at documenting  with pictures as I used to be.  We'll blame the weather, and the fact that I have a 20 pound furnace stuck to the front of my stomach that often times makes me feel off balance, but I'm just glad I don't waddle-- yet.  By the way, that sushi is pregnancy friendly, it's homemade, and not raw.  Yep, I decided I would not miss out on one of the best things in life for 9 months, however I do miss eating turkey sandwiches from Subway.

We're moving out of the apartment this week.  We'll be moving to California this October after the baby comes, but more on that later.  We've got a couple weeks before we have to be out of the apartment, but we're trying to downsize our stuff before we begin the move.  I can't believe how much stuff we have accumulated!  We've found a place for Lola since we won't be able to bring her with us, I've got a friend willing to take our antique (meaning piece of work) kitchen table, and the sofa is going to DI, unless someone claims it.  Moving is rough, even though I know I won't be doing any of the heavy lifting, but thinking about putting things in boxes is beginning to stress me out, I don't even know where to begin!

BabyCakes

We had an ultrasound on Thursday, but decided to do something fun to reveal our baby's gender.  We had the tech put the gender in a sealed envelope and took the envelope (WITHOUT peeking, Matt made sure of that) to have a cake made.  Last night we got together with family and cut the cake!

BabyCakes from Mikelle Mann on Vimeo.

a new chapter (almost)

On Friday, Matt and I graduated.  Well, I fake graduated, because I still have a few classes to take this summer, and then I'm done.  But they only hold the commencement and graduation ceremonies once a year, so I got to walk with Matt, who REALLY graduated.

Now we face the big big big world in front of us, and I know we'll be seeing a lot of big big big changes soon.  But I'm excited, and so lucky that I have Matt by my side, & I'm so proud of him. 

Even though career plans are still in discussion, and we're still deciding what is best for our little family, I know that no matter where we end up, I'll be happy, because I have him.

We find out this week if the little one is a boy or a girl, and I am so excited!  I really just wish it were Friday already!

I wish I could turn my nose off.

So here we are at 16 weeks.  All I could think about when I saw this picture after Matt took it, was "geez! do I really look like that!?"  I think it looks like a huge gut.

Everyone's been saying to me lately: 
"The second trimester is the best!"
I contest.  it's a big fat lie.


I have had zippo morning sickness thus far, but ever since I entered the "best trimester" my nose has been insanely sensitive, and the smallest wiff of food gone the tiniest bit rank makes me up chuck.  Perfumes, flowers, cleaning products, and even poopy diapers don't bother me, just food.  It's strange because I'm not nauseous, it's just my sniffer.  So our trash is taken out everyday, I have to make Matt get stuff out of the fridge for me, our food is cleaned up in a timely manner (that's definitely a plus) and I stuff tissues up my nose when our neighbors are cooking.  This also means no more leftovers at our house, and I had to tell my coworkers not to throw away their food in their office.

That's right.  I'm a thrower-upper.

I think I've already tripled the amount of times I've thrown up in my life just in the last week.  Fortunately, I was one of those lucky children who only threw up 3 times in my entire life until these past couple of weeks.

I think the hardest part so far is that my body is craving protein, and I'm a big chicken fan, but I'm beginning to see a pattern in eating chicken and throwing up.  So I have to try to avoid it for a while and see if it gets better.

Other than not keeping anything down, I feel great.  My energy is back for the most part, and I'm trying to do a little exercise here and there.

In a couple weeks we'll only be 5 months away from this baby, it's still a long ways to go, but hey we can count that on one hand!

a bump

Well we're a little more than 14 weeks along, and officially into the second trimester.  Woohoo!  Can I just say that the most frustrating part of my growing stomach -other than wondering if other people are wondering if I have a baby bump or am just gaining weight- is finding clothes. Last week I broke down in tears because I couldn't get any of my skirts to zip up all the way.  I was really banking on getting through the first half of this pregnancy on my existing closet, with a few tweaks here and there. Yes, I was naive, I realize that now.

People keep asking me if I can feel the baby yet.  Not yet.  And if I know what I'm having yet.  No, not until May.    Or if I've picked out a name.  Maybe, maybe not, I don't think we'll tell everyone just yet anyway.  They also like to give me their opinions on having an October baby, or being pregnant at all during the summer.  They ask about it's heartbeat, and then give their guess if it's a boy or girl.  Then the conversation ends with a tummy rub.  Yes, a tummy rub.  I guess I have to start getting used to the fact that my bump is public domain until October 12.

Even though I'm frustrated with so many parts of being pregnant for the most part I am grateful.  I realize I am so lucky I get to be a mom, so I have to step back and (try to) enjoy the time I spend growing this bump.

That's what I've been up to

I'm such a slacking social networker-- I posted this here and here last week, but neglected the blog.   

We are due October 12th, and we're getting really excited about the little one!  Pretty much this whole semester I've been a hibernating bear, sleeping nonstop, but I guess I'm lucky because I haven't had an ounce of morning sickness.  I'll take the sleepiness over throwing up any day.  I just can't believe the little tike is already wearing me out!  We are on to the second trimester now, and everyone tells me it's much much much better.

I hope you all enjoyed your Easter weekend!

Fondue and Resolutions

I'm not one to usually set New Year's resolutions, but this year I'm going to try.   I'm not going to kid myself and make goals about cutting out Dr. Pepper and making time to work out, those will never be accomplished.  I think 3 simple goals will be the best way to handle it.

1. Make better use of my time.
Sleep in less, study more, watch TV less, clean the house, the list could go on and on....

2.  Drink more water.
For every glass/can of Dr. Pepper, I must drink a glass of water.  That's a much better compromise.

3.   Do something creative.
Not sure what this will be yet.  But let's just say the most creative I've been getting lately is with my spreadsheet color combinations, I need an outlet.

What are your goals for 2012?

page 137

I hope you all enjoyed your holidays!  Santa and the parents were good to me this year.  I have been MIA lately, and I don't even have an excuse this time.  I guess I just want to sit back and relax before the craziness (AKA school) starts back up again on the 9th.

Some of you know I have this dilemma (I'm exaggerating) of having to dress for the office where I work part time after school.  Finding office appropriate clothing that is unique is a bit of the struggle, (because I don't want to look too business-y, but I also don't want to look like I'm going to church) so when I found Page 137 I did a little happy dance and instantly sent the link to my momma for my Christmas wishlist.

So I thought I'd share because they make the cutest clothes with a vintage touch that won't break the bank!  I ended up picking out this jumper and I love it, it's lined and even has pockets!

Jumper: page 137 / Top: Bohme / Tights: F21 / Loafers: Steve Madden

PS this is my ombre'd hair!