Fashion Friday With the Bump

Well...it's no secret anymore. We've told everyone that we're expecting! I still wear lots of flowy tops, though, so you may not notice right away. This pregnancy is already so different from when I was pregnant with Hallen. I hardly felt Hallen kicking at all...throughout the whole pregnancy! This one started kicking at 16 weeks...yes 16...and hasn't stopped! And I have to pee at least twice an hour. The joys! I'll take that with a healthy pregnancy, though!

These are some of my favorite new pieces I've snagged...well, Kevin snagged the new diaper bag for a surprise! I don't know if you've ever tried to buy a Fawn Design diaper bag, but when they restock, they're sold before the hour is up! So, being the stay at home mom that I am, when a package got delivered that said Fawn Design on it, I immediately smiled from ear to ear, but then pretended I didn't see it. I dropped it and walked away, so he could still "surprise me." Kevin usually tells me about a surprise the day after he he formulates the surprise, so I wanted this to be special for him too! He got the gorgeous new plum color they designed exclusively for fall! It's gorgeous. I want to sleep with it, but Kevin said no to diaper bags in the bed. It's seriously changed my life, though. I liked my old diaper bag, but my shoulder began to hurt so bad, which led to a nerve problem in my back from always carrying it on the same side. I load my bags down, so I knew I needed a back pack bag. And this is perfect! It has pockets for all the essentials, plus I can thrown my heavy camera in there and still feel fine.

My last pregnancy, I didn't buy any new jeans. I wanted skinny jeans, but I resorted to my Lululemon leggings or just my regular jeans with a hair tie looping the button and button hole together. This baby is in a completely different position this time, though. The baby is right under my pants waist line, so it hurts after a couple hours wearing normal jeans....or after I eat! So much pressure. So, I broke down early and started wearing maternity jeans. These beauties are from Pink Blush Maternity, and "whoa baby," as Hallen says these days, they feel so good! My stomach can breathe; I can eat; and baby can squirm all around. Plus, they look like normal jeans I'd wear when I'm not preggo. 

These adorable booties are from Zoo Shoo. They're the perfect fall color, perfect height to chase a toddler in, and the perfect touch of "I can still dress normal and look cute while pregnant."  They're super comfortable, and Zoo Shoo always has free shipping! What's better than that?

Another favorite item that I've worn a lot is this kimono from Shop K La. It's a local boutique here in Charlotte that handpicks from all of my favorite brands. I'll continue to buy pieces there throughout this pregnancy, because it's stuff I can wear now and after this little nugget is born!

Bag: Fawn Design

Jeans: Pink Blush Maternity

Shoes: Zoo Shoo

Kimono: Shop K La

Mommy and Me Monday

So, this may not be an every Monday occurrence, but this Monday is a mommy and me kind of day! It's JUST starting to become fall-ish around here. And I'm going to use the -ish part very strongly. It's still humid and muggy some days, but the cool mornings have come! Over the next two weeks, we have two mountain escapes planned too, so then I think fall will really feel like it's setting in. The best part about the little mountain escapes is that they'll be free of toddler drama! I love Hallen with every little bit of my heart, but I haven't been away from her in months and months. And I'm at that point of just needing time to remember what it's like to have no responsibilities for a night or two. I mean really...what's a responsibility as important as keeping a child alive!? 

Between now and then, I'm squeezing in as much time with this little gal as I  can, because I know I'll miss her. She's why I stay at home. And time together means dressing alike, right? I know you do it too...or you want to! 

These skirts from Ashley Rose Clothing are the perfect fall piece to have in your wardrobe. First and foremost, they're comfortable. You can add some stockings or leggings once it starts to cool down a little bit, or if it's still hot during the day and cool at night like it is in the Carolinas, go without leg wear during the day and throw a cute pair of tights on at night! Two outfits in one. You can't beat that.   To top it all off, grab a mommy and me headband set from Sassy Bow Co. in a great fall color that'll go with everything else pumpkin spice!

I paired my skirt with some older pieces in my wardrobe. Everyone has a denim shirt and a tank top laying around that is so easy to throw on and make this outfit look seamless. Take out last year's booties if you haven't had a chance to go shopping yet, because kids make it impossible to leave your house sometimes. That's what I did! 

When it starts to get cooler out, throw on your blanket scarf and some knee high boots. You can't go wrong with these skirts. They're so versatile and leave you with a lot of fall styling options.

Hallen: Boots - Old Navy, Skirt - Ashley Rose Clothing, Tunic - Gracious May, Headband - Sassy Bow Co.

Me: Boots - Zara, Skirt - Ashley Rose Clothing, Denim Top - Toms for Target, Necklace - Koco and Viking, Headband - Sassy Bow Co.

Our November Rainbow

There's been a little nugget of hope hiding away these past few months. I began with very little optimism, trying not to get attached to any ideas or future plans. Most days, I tried to push the notion of being pregnant again so quickly out of my head. What if it happened again? I couldn't lose two babies in a row. The pain would be too difficult.

A week before Father's Day, I innocently started taking pregnancy tests. It had been 5 weeks since our miscarriage, and I just wanted to see. The first one was the faintest positive. I had left it on the counter and walked out for a while. I started holding it up to every different type of light I could find. Could it be? Most likely, it was just left over hormones. I couldn't be pregnant so quickly. I rushed out of the house with Hallen to go buy 10 more tests...yes 10...you ladies who have been in the limbo stage of not knowing if you are or if you aren't know why I'd buy 10!

I didn't take them all at once. Only like two a day. Just to make sure. The lines kept getting darker and  darker. I didn't dare tell Kevin. I scheduled an appointment with my OB first. Went in two different days that week for blood draws. Sure enough, on Friday morning, I received the most unexpected phone call. "You're pregnant. Your levels went up. It's definitely not left over hormones from the last baby." I tried to contain my tears, because I was meeting up with friends, but I bawled like a baby to her, and told her she was an angel sent by God!

I decided to wait until Father's Day to tell Kevin the good news. After Hallen went to sleep, I handed him one last present. I'm sure he thought it was going to be something sexy, but low and behold it was a big box of 10 pregnancy tests!

We laid low on telling anyone for a long time. I wanted to make sure the pregnancy was progressing well. Right on the mark at nine weeks, we walked into church, and I went to the bathroom because I wasn't feeling quite right. Blood started rushing. Not a tiny little spot. Bright red blood covering everything. I rushed to Kevin and Hallen. I told him we had to go to the ER again immediately. Tears pouring down my face, trying not to look at anyone directly on the way out. I felt numb all over again. How could this be happening? And why? We were at the ER for hours. They took me back to have an ultrasound after about an hour and a half. The technician looked worried, but was so kind and gentle. After five seconds, she said, " I just want you to know that your baby has a heartbeat. You still have a baby." Just like when the nurse told me I was pregnant, I told this lady she was an angel. It was so hard to believe. It was nothing short of a miracle. God was telling me that He's protecting me. He always has and he was will. And in this moment, He was there. He was holding my baby and pumping blood through it's veins.

I did have one more episode of a giant bleed. I have what's called a subchorionic hemorrhage. The doctor said that it happens in so many pregnancies, but usually nothing comes of it. I was one of the lucky ones that got to see what can happen when something comes of it. I haven't bled in almost 6 weeks now, though, so I'm just now starting to get attached to this baby of ours. It's strange pretending that nothing is going on inside of your body; trying to block out emotions; holding back fears and hopes. It's something I really shouldn't do. There's joy in just being able to get pregnant, because I know that's not the case for so many. 

I'll be 19 weeks on Monday, so almost halfway through, or maybe more than halfway through if this one comes a little early like Hallen did. We're so thrilled to be announcing that we're having baby number two this February. A little miracle. 

Kevin felt the baby kick earlier this week, so I think that brought it even more to life. We both wanted to thank our friends and family who have been in constant prayer for us through our miscarriage and the scary times during this pregnancy. We have so much to be thankful for right now, and have no one to credit but our amazing Creator. 

Most Versatile Cardigan

So in love with this simple, light weight cardigan from Mila Chic Boutique. It's a little longer, so it covers your tush, which is something I look for when I'm wearing leggings! I've only worn it in the summer so far, but when you go into a restaurant or a store where the AC is blasting and all of a sudden your sweat starts to form icicles, this is going to be your go-to cardi. You can throw it in your tote, and it comes out in perfect form. No wrinkles. Just a chic light layer.

The best part is that Mila Chic Boutique makes mostly baby-toddler clothing, so you can buy a matching one for your little girl or boy!!

My outfit details:

• Top: Altar'd State
• Necklace: Francesca's
• Pants: Old Navy
• Shoes: Amazon
• Bracelets: Alex and Ani and Templeton Silver

Hallen's outfit details:

• Bows: Air Beans Bowtique
• Top and boots: Gracious May
• Jeggings: Gap Kids

Both cardigans from Mila Chic Boutique

Summer Days Ending

I seriously thought I wouldn't be sad to see these stifling hot summer days be done with. Every time we've stepped out of the house, we've rushed to the car to sweat as little as possible on the 2 minute trip from door to door, and cranked the AC to the max as soon we settled in. But, as soon as we said goodbye to our pool last weekend, I realized that hot hot summer days are still amazing. Hot hot summer days mean more family time for us, more traveling, being a little more tired from the travels and heat, more grilling, and more outdoor time. Summer is as much the end of the year as December 31st is in a way. School starts, school buses come and go in flocks, rush hour is a little more stressful, and kids go back to living for the weekend (at least I did when I was young)! Sunsets come a little quicker and you start to give in to warm comfort foods just a little easier since you don't have to wear that bathing suit tomorrow...or is that just me?

We've had such a great summer. As soon as it began, I knew it'd fly by. We started off with our big move from Baltimore to Charlotte, and then 3 months later, moved into our dream home that still has several projects to do! We also suffered a miscarriage that rocked our world for a few months, and when I still dwell on that day when I knew we lost her, tears still come to my eyes. But, God is good. He is sovereign in all His ways and plans.

There have been so many reminders of God's graciousness this summer. I'll be the first to admit that, at first, I thought it may have been a mistake that we moved.  I didn't like our apartment, because my allergies were on fire in that place; we had a miscarriage; Kevin struggled in his job at first; and no one was buying our home in Baltimore! But, remember that quote that goes something like, "don't look at your circumstances..." There are a lot of variations of it, but the gist is: Don't focus on your circumstances, because circumstances ALWAYS change. They are variables in life that we have to take in stride. Sometimes (okay...most of the time) I'm not good at that. I'm great at taking it in stride when the variables are always in my favor, but when it starts going downhill, my circumstances tend to take the limelight in my life over my faith and all the blessings.

But, I've come to learn that even if my circumstance don't change for a long time or don't end up like "my perfect plan," He is and always will be forever good. I'm trying to learn to start each day with a grateful heart. Count my blessings at the beginning and the end of each day.  I am so much a work in progress, but I always will be! That's the joyous news! God uses us when we're broken and learning and not perfect. He wants our struggles to intertwine with our neighbor's struggles and stories so that we can see the bigger picture of God's grace. Isn't that so cool?! No, I don't want to struggle. No, I don't want to hurt or be hurt. But, I do want to see God's kingdom grow, expand, and reach people who are deemed "unreachable." 

Pastor John Gray came to speak at our church today, and wow! I was blown away by his words. He spoke of how David was anointed as king when he was still dirty shepherd boy, but that's exactly how God wanted him. He was the last one chosen from his brothers. He was the unexpected answer. And I'm in a time of my life where I feel that big things are going to happen. We've been in a weird place (and also great places) since coming to Charlotte where we need to just listen and follow God's direction He's planned for us even when we feel unusable or out of touch with Him. We've been wanting to go, go, go, and fix, and get new things, and meet new people, but very few times have I intentionally sat down to listen to God's plan for us now that we're back in the Bible Belt. 

And it's time for me to listen. To be quiet. Turn off my rambling, spaghetti, woman brain, and rest in His promises or I'll always feel lost. I challenge you to do the same thing! Fall is upon us, and it opens up a new chapter for this year. Let the cool breeze be a gentle reminder that God can change you as well as the season. He can use you where ever you are in your walk with Him. Be proactive in your faith ( I know I need to be)! Maybe set "Fall and Winter 2016 Resolutions." The year isn't over! Take time to sit down, listen to Him, invest in His word, and I promise you'll reap the benefits. He's waiting for you and me to do this.