Week 12: Pregnancy, The Second Time Around

This baby. It is not like the first one.

Dress: Forever 21
Sweater: Zara
Tights: Hue
Wedges: Payless

My pregnancy with my son was smooth sailing. My worst memories involve an aversion to chicken and slight nausea for a week or two in the first trimester, followed by extremely swollen ankles in the third trimester. Other than that, I considered bragging that my body was made for pregnancy. I was handling it like a champ.

This time around, things have been rough. ROUGH. And I'm not just talking about how I look when I drag myself to work each morning because admittedly, that has been quite bad. I'm talking about my pregnancy symptoms. My nausea has been on the level of eating bad shellfish on a rocky cruise liner. Cramping in my gut has caused me to pause mid-conversation and then pretend that I forgot what I was saying. Terrible back-ne (back + acne) is an understatement. I'm exhausted at the end of the day and it carries right through to when I wake up in the morning since my pregnancy insomnia has decided to make an early appearance. And all this is occurring while I have a sweet toddler inviting me to play Legos and trains with him in his room when I'm considering lying face flat on the hardwood floor.

As happy as I am to be pregnant...yes, I'm complaining. And that probably comes off as lame since being pregnant is a privilege, not a right. There are many women in this world that would give anything to share these symptoms, without complaint. And I sincerely hope that everyone who wants to get pregnant does - I will be the first to wholeheartedly congratulate you and then direct you towards your own bag of goldfish crackers because seriously, they will be your new best food friend.

I'll admit that I'm feeling better this week. But my complaints are more in the line of keeping a sense of humor in the midst of a bit of physical misery. If you can't laugh at your ill-timed, uncontrollable pregnancy burps, then what can you laugh at?

I'm hoping the trade-off happens in the delivery. First baby: easy pregnancy, 58 hours of labor. Second baby: uncomfortable pregnancy, baby literally shoots out of my vagina. It is only fair.

The Best of the 1st and 2nd Trimester

Since I'm in the process of having my little bundle o'love and I'm looking at a little bit of recovery/snuggling/bonding time in the coming days, I thought this would be a great time to recap some of the outfits I loved the most.  Expecting Chic didn't really get going until week 11, so I'm wrapping the ever-changing, slightly nauseated and extremely exciting first and second trimesters into one post.   

When looking back, what I noticed first is how many items I wore all the way into my third trimester.  Success!  I'll give myself a big pat on the back for planning ahead and resourcefulness.  I spent very little money in the first two trimesters on actual maternity clothes.  Instead, I mined through my closet and I only purchased items that had the right shape and could be worn after the baby is born.  I also marvel at my ability to wear heels. Sigh...heels.  I miss you so.

If you are new to Expecting Chic, or newly pregnant, feel free to click back through the links below to each post.

Week 11:

From Office to Evening  

Week 12:

Baby Blues  *  Dressing To Impress

Week 13:

Dress You Up

Week 14:

Flowery Affair  *  Hello, Maternity Jeans!  *  The Big Belt Theory

Week 15:

Horizontal Stripes  *  It's A Wrap

Week 16: 

Should and Should Nots

Week 18: 

Wide Leg Jeans

Week 19: 

Fall Already?  *  Friday Night Feast

Week 20: 

Back in Boots

Week 21: 

Draped in Capes  *  Cape Camoflauge

Week 22: 

Rubber Soled Shoes

Week 23: 

Sweater Weather

Week 24: 

September Stripes  *  Everlasting Gobbstopper

Week 14: The Big Belt Theory

With this outfit, I was operating under the theory that a big belt might slim down my middle.

Shirt: Macy's sale rack

Skirt: Victoria's Secret

Belt: Macy's sale rack

Shoes: Joan and David, Macy's sale rack

Clutch: Banana Republic

Sunglasses: H&M

Belly Band: Be Band, Target

I feel like my theory proved true!  It collapsed a blouse that I wore in my pre-pregnancy days with skinny jeans into a more compact and sleek line.  Since skinny jeans won't fly at work, I decided the work version would be a pencil skirt.  However, the skirt won't zip up past my hip so I used a black Be Band to keep everything in place.  I was carrying a black bag, but I thought the outfit could use another pop of color, so I chose a yellow clutch as a contrast against the kelly green top.  All day at work, I felt slim and put together, only bumping out just below the belt a bit.  Belts might become my new wardrobe work-around for the next couple of weeks!

Week 14: Hello, maternity jeans!

That's the funny thing about Seattle - one day you are in a halter dress, the next you are in a sweater and jeans.

Sweater: Free People, Macy's sale rack

Tee: H&M

Maternity jeans: Paige, hand-me-down from fashionable friend

Shoes: Old Navy

Earrings: Forever 21

I woke up to gray skies and rain-threatening clouds, which I took as an opportunity to try out my maternity jeans.  I've had lots of friends debate about whether buying designer brands are worth it or not for nine months of comfort.  I fall on the side of the fence where designer denim is a wise investment anytime, pregnant or not, and these Paige jeans only reinforce that.  The length is perfect for leggy lasses like me, though anyone could get them easily tailored to their own specific length.  Despite the elastic waist, I don't feel at all dowdy or frumpy in them.  In fact, since they fit so well, it made me wonder why I didn't have a pair of Paige jeans already in my pre-pregnancy wardrobe!  Thank goodness I have a great friend who is a hot mama that is willing to pass on her designer duds.  I'm now scouring other brands to see which pair I want to invest in myself.  The panel waist is one that I can see myself living in for a few months post-baby while I work on losing weight.  Who wouldn't want jeans that are as comfortable as sweatpants?

Have you found any maternity jeans that aren't designer label that you fell in love with?

Week 14: Flowery Affair

Lately, patterns have appealed to me because they seem to hide the outline of my belly when viewed from the front.

Dress: Victoria's Secret

Jacket: Abercrombie and Fitch

Shoes: Target

For my husband's birthday, we went to Shakespeare in the Park to see a local production of Romeo and Juliet.  This dress was so comfortable when lying on a blanket on the grass and it even served as a warmer for my legs when the evening chill kicked in.  I brought the jacket as an afterthought for the cold, but I liked how it made a dress that could come off as a bit fancy for sitting the park much more dressed down.  I initially purchased this dress for a wedding later in the summer, but now I'm unsure if it will fit by then.  I better get some wear in now!  Have you found it's hard to plan your size for the coming maternity months?

Weekly cravings: Week 13

As week thirteen comes to a close, here is a round up of my must-haves and wish list...

I'm digging the Love21 Maternity line, but don't take it from me.  Take it from The Skinny at Forever 21.

Fedoras!  I love weekend hats to dress up a casual outfit or dress down something more formal.  They are also great to hide your roots while you wait for a visit to the salon!  Here is my current favorite from Free People:


Flat shoes - While I'm not ready to give up on my sky high heels until I'm bursting a bit more at the seams, I'm already keeping my eye out for comfy flats that will take me into fall.  Here are a couple of my favorites:


Yellow is a great alternative to camel or nude. I'm a big fan of pairing yellow with shades of gray.


Modcloth has finally started carrying more shoes in size 11, and these pointed toe flats will compliment any outfit.

And finally, I'm craving lemonade.  I cannot get enough of it.  I drank a large one and then another half of a large one at the Mariners/Yankees game last night.  To keep my sugar intake low, I'm downing Crystal Light Lemonade by the gallon. **

** UPDATE: Here's a good thing about this blog. One of my great friends just informed me that Crystal Light contains aspartame, which is a no-no in pregnancy. Now I feel super guilty and I'm downing water like crazy to flush my system! Thank you for the heads up.

Week 13: Dress You Up

A friend told me that she thought this dress looks like one of those paintings from the mid-90's that if squinted at properly reveals a hidden 3-D image, like a ship or a smiley face.

Dress:  Liz Lange Maternity, Target

Shoes:  Nine West

Bag:  Gift from friend's trip to Italy

Necklace:  H&M

Sunglasses: H&M

I have to agree that this dress does create somewhat of an optical illusion.  From the front, you can't even tell I'm pregnant!  But, the side view reveals all.  I like that the dress, while from a maternity line, doesn't hold any pleats on the side, thus creating a smooth line.  Instead, it ties in the back and the dress gathers on the side under the arms as you tie tighter.  This is a dress I will be able to grow into and still use in the coming months, whether I wear it over a tank top or pair it with a cardigan and tights.  Plus,at an affordable price, it's very comfy and lightweight, which is perfect for the hot summer months.

Week 13: Introduction of the Belly Band

It's a scorcher in Seattle and none of my shorts fit. Time to bust out the Belly Band!

Top: 7 For All Mankind, Macy's sale rack
Shorts: Gap
Sandals: Target
Belly Band: Be Band, Target
Earrings: Forever 21
Sunglasses: H&M

A friend of mine recommended the Be Band as an affordable option to other bands you might find at high-end maternity stores.  So far, it has been a wardrobe lifesaver.  The band slides over the top of your pre-pregnancy pants and allows you to wear them unbuttoned.  I bought one in white and black.  It also comes in neutral but since I can see it possibly peeking out from under my shirt from time to time, I opted for bands in colors that might pass for the bottom of a tank top.  Even though it's only week 13, not one pair of pants in my closet fit.  The Be Band will give them some extra wear for the next couple of months!

Dressing for the Fourth of July

Putting together an outfit for the Fourth of July is never easy - there is a fine line between fashionable patriotism and kitschy interpretations of the American flag.  No pregnant woman wants to look like a giant mass of stars and stripes lumbering forward.  Here are some simple looks I've put together, keeping in mind comfort, budget, the re-wear factor and style.

Salute to comfort:

Maternity Tops by LOFT
Wedges by Anthropologie

I would wear this to watch fireworks in a grassy park.  I love the cap sleeves on the sleek cotton blouse, and these low wedges are good for walking in search of just the right viewing spot.  Plus, the canvas bag could double as a carry-all later on when baby arrives.

Seersucker chic:

Maternity Pants & Shorts by Old Navy
Evening Bags by Fossil

It's a two-fer with the seersucker in this outfit.  However, since it is so subtle on the shorts, I think you can get away with the double dose on the shoes.  Plus, you can't have enough long layering tanks.  Add a carry-all and you are ready to hit up a backyard BBQ.

Red, white and brunch:

Sandals by Mia
Hobos by Nine West

July 4th doesn't have to be all about overindulging on grilled foods or taking in the colorful sky.  Take the spirit of the holiday out to brunch with friends or shopping the excellent holiday sales.  I love these fun denim wedges and the red dress can be recycled for multiple events throughout the summer.

Wherever your holiday weekend takes you, enjoy!  Happy Fourth!