All non-maternity for one of my last maternity outfit posts

One of my last maternity outfits included all non-maternity pieces, something I really tried hard to refashion throughout both this pregnancy and my last.  I didn't want to invest in a bunch of maternity-wear only to not be able to wear them again in just a few months.  With the pieces in this outfit, I can wear post-pregnancy, and thank goodness because I love this rust skirt (last worn here with bright blue and a lot of other times throughout the last few months).  I've said it before, and it's worth saying again, midi-skirts are the BEST for pre-, during and post-pregnancy!  They are just the perfect skirt to wear all  year around with all body types, fitting well placed at different points on your midsection as your belly grows if pregnant, staying long enough to wear pulled all the way up to your bust.  I just love them.
And now that my pregnancy is over and baby is here, I will still be relying on my midi-skirts as my belly transitions (and boy what a transition...) down to somewhat normal.   What was your favorite non-maternity piece to wear while pregnant?
And on another note, I think this Target moto jacket find might be my favorite Target find in awhile (and that's saying something).  It totally looks more expensive than it was, is uber comfortable and super versatile.  It will be nice to be able to zip it up soon and style it up differently!
{Outfit Details: Jacket; Old Polka Dot Top from Target (similar); Skirt; Leopard Loafers - few years old (similar); Watch - c/o Timex; Earrings; Similar Arrow Bangle; Bag - Phillip Lim for Target}

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38 weeks along // meeting her in 6 days

Wow. Less than a week to go until my scheduled c-section. These last few weeks have felt like an eternity (since I've been awake for most of it), but now we're almost there until our little family grows to four. And just in time for the holidays.  I never intended to intertwine both my babies' birthdays into the holiday season (Liam will be two mid-December), but not everything can be controlled, and it has worked out...
It'll be nice because my sister, other family and close friends will already be in town and around both in November and December.  It's great to have some really special people surrounding you when your in transition with a new baby (whether your first, or what I can guess will be the same for the second).  Last time, I loved having some of my best friends from high school and college coming by, my sister and mom able to come by almost every day to help me get through the days after Greg went back to work, my aunts and cousins stopping in and other friends coming over with dinner to spend an evening in with us.  The holidays lend more time to those kind of happenings, not to mention the family gatherings that are already going to take place.  
Our first day/evening home from the hospital will actually be on Thanksgiving. And I can't wait to have my parents and sister over with Liam back in our home (after a lil vacay with mimi and papa while we're in the hospital) and the new baby out in this world to share it with.  It's a smaller gathering that we're used to (as the rest of my amazing family of cousins, aunts and uncles will be celebrating elsewhere), but it'll be cozy and full of good food - and of course lots of baby cuddles.
6 more days until we meet our little girl.
{These boots have been my go-to.}

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37 weeks along // and still so much time left

Wow, 37 weeks along seems like a huge accomplishment and should be a great point of relief to have made it to, what some consider, full term.  But 2 more weeks until the scheduled c-section seems like 2 years.  I'm sleeping about 3-4 hours a night, in constant discomfort, at many points throughout the day in pain, and not even able to keep up with my toddler in his final days as our only child.  Half of me can't wait for the day to be here...to meet this active girl who loves my ribs, to grow our family by one and to not be pregnant anymore.  
But the other half of me is nervous with a scheduled c-section, surgery for sure in my future, and changing my little boy's life forever.  The upcoming transition from how we operate a family now to how we'll change as a family of four makes me anxious.  For now, I just have faith that everything will go as it should and the moment we meet our little girl, we'll all feel a fulfillment we never knew didn't exist. 
{Outfit Details: Cardi, Sweater Dress - old from H&M (similar), Boots, Necklace - J.Crew Inspired via Ebay (similar)}

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36 week update // painfully progressing

Oh friends... the last few weeks of pregnancy are the pits.  I'm claustrophobic in my own body with no position easing the discomfort.  My ribs feel broken, my hips feel pushed apart to the max and oh so sore, my belly-skin itches and is very tender and I'm constantly nauseous. Help me.
On the plus side, I started weekly doctor appointments last Tuesday and learned that I was already dilated at a 2.5 and 50% effaced.  So that's progress... and even though I'm scheduled for a c-section in less than 3 weeks, it wouldn't be so bad if she decided to come earlier, right?  Because honestly, right now, 3 weeks sounds like an eternity. 
A painful, painful eternity filled with absolutely no sleep (not that that portion will get much better...).   I have another appointment later today and hoping the progress has continued.
How did you get through your last few painful weeks of pregnancy?

{Outfit Details: Old ASOS dress; J.Crew inspired tassel necklace (similar); Maternity tights c/o Preggers; Boots}

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Favorite Wears: Pops of Berry

My love for mixing patterns is old news, but my love for all things berry colored is growing this fall.  Love how the different shades pop against the black and white. Featured in this outfit is my second pair of maternity tights in "mulberry", or a berry color, which allows me to still don my favorite fall-time piece and have fun with bright legs. You can still win $50 in credit to Preggers to pick out your own pairs of maternity legwear, just check out Monday's post here to enter! Another fun berry feature of this mostly black and white outfit is my newish wallet that doubles as a clutch by Hobo (which I got a month or so ago and have been using it since).  I have been wanting one of these forever.  It's been great to throw in my big bags and then pull out to use as a clutch, as it even holds my phone and a couple lipsticks... everything a girl really needs. :)  Kind of thinking this is a great gift idea for the girl that has everything... What color are you loving this fall?
{Outfit Details: Shirt; Skirt - oldie/good find via Target (similar); Maternity Tights c/o; Boots; Clutch/Wallet; Earrings; Necklace via KC boutique, Tulip (same style, different color); Pyramid Bracelet - Urban Outfitters (similar); Round Bracelet - Target (similar from Target); Sunnies - Hello Cheeseburger; Lips}

If you haven't yet... go here to enter to win free maternity tights (or make sure to tell those pregnant loved ones in your life, if you are not in need)!

Linked up for Monday Mingle and Trend Spin.

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35 weeks along // missing my midsection space

I'm really looking forward to having my midsection back - even the gooey one I have in-store.  I am at the point where my pants don't want to stay up, but shirts don't want to stay down.  Last night I was at the grocery store - just popping in for a few things, so I grabbed a basket instead of a cart.  Well, we all know how these things go... those few things multiply fast!  I was wondering around the store with my over stuffed basket growing too heavy for my deteriorating muscles, over-sized purse, could-it-get-any-bigger belly and coordinating waddle when I kept feeling a bit of air on my tummy. With my barely free hand, I was tugging at my shirt every 2 minutes.  
Even my favorite maternity tank (great to add length to non-maternity clothes) can barely contain this bump any longer - it's huge!  I'm so ready to slip on a shirt and have it cover my full midsection, or keep pants up on my hips, or wear a skirt at least a few inches below my bust - oh and not to mention breath a little easier.  This girl is all up in my ribs, just like her brother was making it painful to breath at times.  It is the last month of pregnancy is so testing.  So close, but so far away with the most uncomfortable day always tomorrow.  Four more weeks till we meet this girl.
{Outfit details: Tee; Vest - older version from Old Navy (newer version here); Scarf - old from Target (similar); Old Gap Jogger Jeans; Boots}

{we're all pretty amazed how big this bump is... me making a face at Liam}

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33 week along // getting sh*t done

Good news, friends!  The past two weeks we've accomplished a lot!  After feeling overwhelmed and short on time two weeks ago with a list of way too many BIG things to do, I got really fired up to make a dent.  Here are some of the major things we have accomplished:
1. Attic: It helps to have an awesome mom, who helped me start cleaning out the attic.  We spent about 2.5 hours breaking down boxes, vacuuming and starting to go through items to donate, then she and my husband hauled it all away.  We plan to take another night to finish up with cleaning more stuff out for donation and organizing what's left.
2. We got Liam's new big boy room set up (with a few more decorative things still to do), but the main stuff done!  My husband spent several nights updating the electrical outlets in that room (grounding them and installing some kinda of safety outlets or something - electrical speak I do not make).  He also installed our new wood blinds in that room (now for the rest of the house...) and then my dad came over and helped him install a floating shelf! I transferred all Liam's little clothing, favorite books, toys and set up his reading and play nook {see a sneak peek of the room here}.
3. We transitioned Liam to him new room with new big boy bed and all! {more on that later}
4. I need a new car before baby #2 arrives, as my current one doesn't fit 2 car seats!  I got my current car cleaned, took it to CarMax for an initial estimate and sent out a bunch of emails to area dealers for quotes on the new car we're looking to get.  I'm currently going through those bids and working out the details... hope to have a new car in a week or so!
We still have a lot more to do... but all in all, that's progress!  With Liam in his new room, I can get to work on updating the nursery for baby girl.  And husband will be hanging blinds around our house for weeks...  I'll share both the nursery and Liam's new big boy room in more detail soon!
Oh and as far as my health... things have been good there, too. I started physical therapy and with doing all of the above house work, I've been pretty sore (hip and belly area), but I think PT is going to ultimately help.  I'll be going once a week until they deem otherwise. 
What are some important home updates or to-dos before you had your babies?
{Outfit Details: Denim Shirt (one of the few maternity pieces I own); Skirt; Boots (on sale!); Earrings}

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Favorite Wears: Maternity Style at Fashion Week

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending Kansas City Fashion Week 2013.  I wasn't able to attend all 4 days, but Saturday, I made sure to do it up right.  Some of my blogger friends and I hit up the Rieger Hotel first for dinner and drinks (me: lemonade) and then headed to beautiful Union Station for the fashion show. This was the first time KCFW set up shop at this venue and I loved it!  Besides it already being gorgeous, there was plenty of room for a long runway and lots of attendees!  I'll share my favorite looks from the fashion show tomorrow!
But... what does a 32 week preggo wear to a fashion show you might wonder (I certainly did as I tried on outfits for my husband who gave me questionable looks)? Anything that stretches is what I came up with. The key to maternity styling when you are this big: go for a more fitted look around the mid-section. Otherwise, you just look really wide (so I balanced out the look by wearing my puffy sleeve top).  Here, my bump is pronounced and on display, but there is no hiding it at this point!  And this look is comprised of all non-maternity pieces! Thanks Erin for taking these pictures (you should vote for her super rad look here for a chance to win a $100 Ross gift card)!
{Outfit Details: Shirt (also in black); Skirt; Wedge Booties (similar in black); Clutch - old from H&M (similar)}

Our pre-fashion show date include this yummy dinner and a shared sweet potato pie dessert:

My dates for the evening... Carrie, Jana, Sandy and Erin

Stay tuned for my favorite looks from the show tomorrow!

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31 weeks along // this house is falling apart

Ok, it's not really falling apart (like Walk the Moon sings), but it's getting a little chaotic as the time we have left before bringing home a newborn gets smaller, yet our to-do list gets longer.  Not to mention, our little toddler man is all energy these days (and keeping us laughing through it all, though aiding in distraction from those to-dos).  
We did not intended to wait until I was in my third trimester to outfit our entire home (every window in this joint) with new wood blinds, get a new car (thus also selling my current one), transition wild man into his whole new room (thus first finishing it), updating the nursery for little miss on the way, cleaning out the attic that is spilling with the unneeded and hiding the newborn items we'll need to fish out nor insulate the basement and then rearrange and organize the current pile pushed to the middle.  No, but now that we're here, there is little I feel I can do and now just feel stressed by these big things that need to happen.  I want to bring our new baby and start our family of four out in a more organized environment.  Hopefully in the next 8 weeks we can pull it off, and also spend some special and quality time with our little Liam as his final days as an only child.
Any advice?
{Outfit Details:  Shirt - old from Forever 21, Skirt - way old from Old Navy (like this floral midi or this one),  Wedges - old from Urban Outfitters, Necklace - Tulip Boutique}

P.S. Have you entered the current giveaway going on now?  

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30 weeks along // a little peek at our little girl

The turning of the weeks was an exciting one this time!  We got to get an ultrasound yesterday to check on little lady's position and growth.  I can't tell you how exciting it is to get a little glimpse (albeit blurry due to her constant movement) into what your child is shaping up to look like, reconfirm the gender (especially as the pink is starting to roll in) and the best part, double check her health. This little peek gave me that little nudge I'd needed after several rough weeks.  It's really a baby in there. And she's already forming a little personality.
Much like her brother, she is a mover, even at this young stage in her life. She was kicking, punching and turning her head - making it hard to get some good shots, though fun to watch live on the screen.  We saw that she has a lot of hair already, full lips and chubby cheeks!  She is measuring about a week ahead (though back at the beginning of all this, according to my cycle, I calculated a week ahead of the given due date, so maybe I'm right after all...), but all healthy and no concerns.  She is sure making plenty of space for herself in there (while she can) and laying diagonal.  Her head is under my left rib, while her little feet are actively kicking my right hip (so that's why that hip hurts so bad...).
{Outfit details: actually wearing maternity pants... but at least they are on trend with a little leather detail; neon sweater - Gap last year (similar); favorite flats; similar necklace}
Now, you be the judge on these sonogram photos - can you make out her face?   Hint: She's looking out (forward-facing), at a slight angle and at the top:

 {her little profile}

P.S. A huge happy birthday to my husband!  We'll have a little birthday party tonight for him with our little family.  He had a fun weekend celebrating at a couple of sporting events - so tonight we're taking it easy by grilling out, a cake and singing (hopefully the practicing Liam and I have been doing will pay off)!

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