Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Five Favorites

Linking up with Hallie via Grace for Five Favorites

Source
1. The Royal Postpartum Baby Bump.

I might be crazy, but sometimes I get discouraged when I see the seemingly millions of new moms in the blogosphere and on Instagram who seem to have it all together right after they have a baby.  They are out and about in gorgeous, and at a few days or a couple weeks postpartum, it seems like they have no telltale bump leading the way for them. It is silly of me, but I do get down. After I gave birth to Ryan, I still rocked quite the bump (plus a lot of extra weight), my face had swollen so much and was covered in broken blood vessels, I didn't want to wear anything at all because breastfeeding was painful (but I did ... I don't think visitors would have appreciated me in my birthday suit, Ryan's inaugural birthday or not), and I practically cried at the thought of possibly being without reach of my Peri bottle. 


I completely expected Kate to look flawless with her hair and makeup team because, well, she is married to the future king and just birthed another future king! She's a duchess, folks. And I knew she would probably be in heels because again, she is a duchess. But I was floored when she stepped out as a glowing new mama in a dress that didn't hide her bump at all, rather it accentuated it. 

The Duchess of Cambridge brought sleeves back, but my kindred spirit alarm is sounding off because she brought no-baby-in-there bumps back. Girl after my own heart. 

I do have to say that she did an impeccable job hiding any fear of postpartum gore as the whole world watched her family of three debut, although I don't think anyone can top the Mongolian mother who gets onto a motorcycle to ride home on after giving birth.

You can hop on over to Buzzfeed to see Ellie's round-up of photos from the future king's debut!


2. The ice cream truck

Last week for the very first time ever, I took Ryan out to the ice cream truck that constantly roams around our neighborhood letting us know that the weasel goes pop! 90+ thermostat inside the house makes me a fun mom. We will ignore the fact that the watermelon pop stained his skin so that the thorough sprinkler shower didn't suffice. Soap is needed for those suckers.

3. My new last name dictated by Ryan.
Ryan changing our last name from Katrina on Vimeo.

I will be stopping by the Social Security office later to change our surname. Or maybe I should just set Ryan's sights high and not settle for a two syllable pronunciation of a three-syllable last name. 

4. Sweet moments. 

On my parents' last night here, my dad was just sitting out on the porch probably because our house is a sauna, and Ryan just wandered out and took a seat next to Grandpa. It was so sweet. Then they played for almost an hour just the two of them and just on the patio which is a miracle because going outside makes Ryan resistant of staying in one spot.

5. Maternity Swimsuits. 

Okay this isn't a favorite because I don't have one, need one and can't find one that I like that isn't $100. Does anyone have a favorite maternity swimsuit that isn't mucho dinero? If so, send them my way! My bump is in no way fitting into any of my swimsuits. Preferably not a matronly number, although rest assured... I get the irony of that request. Pregnant = mother = matronly by default.

16 comments :

  1. I loooved her dress. I've been trying to find it, but to no avail. When I was pregnant last spring I went to Old Navy and got a tankini top in the next size up from my usual and it was great. I don't know how you feel about something like that, but I didn't want to shell out a lot of cash for something I wouldn't wear that much. Mine is really similar to this one http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5405&vid=1&pid=524905002

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  2. I got a swimsuit at Motherhood Maternity (or Macy's, same thing) that wasn't $100 but it wasn't exactly cheap either. It was a two piece (tankini of course) and was really flattering. I've actually been wearing it this summer too. It's not terribly matronly but it doesn't scream not-matronly either. So basically I'm of no help here.

    And the duchess? Yes. She's amazing. Loved that not-baby-bump so much!

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  3. I so agree with you here! I loved it that she stepped out with her post-partum bump on display, without trying to disguise it. She is just the classiest, most graceful woman.

    The picture of your son and his grandpa is priceless. :)

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  4. I hadn't seen that picture of Kate, or the dress, but...adorable.

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  5. I'm impressed with Kate Middleton's ability to wear heels at 9 months along in her pregnancy and just after giving birth. She looked stunning with her postpartum bump. I'm due in a couple of weeks and I have no clue what to expect from my body after giving birth.

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  6. I saw a few cute ones in my brief search on Target's website:
    http://www.target.com/p/liz-lange-for-target-maternity-twist-front-one-piece-swimsuit-black/-/A-14385883#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=maternity+swimsuit

    Not sure what constitutes "cute" except that I'd wear it sans-bump!

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  7. Totally thought the same thing about Kate! I loved it! I'm sorry, but my rule of thumb is to not look at your body in any way until at least one week postpartum...its just traumatizing...and depressing!

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  8. I've jumped back on the royal family train in a way that I haven't since the royal wedding. And I love the point you made about Kate's postpartum bump- I noticed the same thing yesterday! She is such a trend-setter, and I'm glad she's using that power to relate to us commoners! ;)

    YOUR little boy is adorable, and that picture of him with grandpa is the sweetest.

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  9. Love this list!
    Loved the balance they struck between the world watching and a young couple bringing their first baby home.

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  10. Just was helping my cousin find some maternity suits earlier this summer...she got a really cute and cheap one from ASOS http://www.asos.com/search/maternity-swimwear?hrd=1&q=maternity+swimwear&SearchSuggestUsed=true

    Good luck!

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  11. I got my maternity suit at Target. Cute and doesn't break the bank!

    And love, love, love that royal family. Kate has a real grace about her, yet she just seems so easy to relate to. It makes me happy :)

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  12. I think the same about Kate - so glad that even though she looks fabulous, her body looks like she just gave birth... because she did!! Real life, baby!
    I got my maternity swimsuit at Target, but I only bought a new top and just wore old bottoms. Very glamorous, I was! ha!

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  13. Yes, yes, yes to number one! I am a wee bit obsessed with the royal babe and his charming parents.

    My maternity swimsuit is from Old Navy. It's a one-piece and boring black, but it works!

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  14. My normal swimsuit is a 2piece ranking type suit. We live right by a pool so I definitely needed a suit this summer! I just did some layering to make my normal suit work!

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  15. I shared my Target maternity swimsuit in this quick takes post: http://himwhommysoulloves.blogspot.com/2013/06/7-quick-takes-friday-vol-18.html

    Ideally I wanted something a little brighter, but it was the only one I found I liked much for under 45 dollars (for both pieces). I am happy to say that I bought it earlier in the summer and it still fits me now at 37 weeks! The top has been a great fit with lots of room for my belly to grow into.

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  16. I was happy to see that Kate Middleton totally still had a bump and she wasn't afraid to show it! She is so lovely and down-to-earth. It's not hard to see why everyone obsesses over the royal family. :)

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