WIWS: When Baby out-dresses Mommy

So I may have slipped up a bit in the dressing up for Mass last night. We have started going to 5:00 pm Saturday mass with Elena because it is less crowded. Our usual mass is the 10:30 Latin novus ordo, which I love (even though I'm still learning all the latin), but it's packed. Standing room only packed. And, I figured if we got stuck in the middle of the pew, it'll be just that much harder to climb over everyone with a baby carrier. Of course, we haven't even had to get up once in the last two weeks. Elena has been PERFECT! Well, she sleeps the whole time, so there isn't a lot of room for error on her part if she's actually sleeping. I feed her, pop her in her car seat, and by the time she arrives wherever we are going, she is fast asleep.

Of course, last night, I was running a little behind in the feeding department. We got to mass during the opening hymn, so it could have been worse. But, I didn't feel quite as put together as last week, and I didn't get to the whole putting on jewelry goal, but at least I was out of sweatpants (Don't worry, I would never wear sweatpants to mass)!

Top: Express

Cardigan: New York and Company

Black dress pants: New York and Company

Elena: Adorable Carter's outfit

I actually did get to the make-up, but obviously, my hair kind of flopped. It was in a much better put together pony-tail when I left the house (Or that's what I told myself). I had Elena beat in the shoe department, but she totally wins for cuteness. 

Mass was wonderful. I'd say I was a bit less distracted than last week, but Jeremy sat next to Elena, so that probably had something to do with it. The readings were about not worrying about the next day; God has everything in control, and He will always take care of us. I really needed that reminder. I've been worrying about Elena, about being on my own and not accomplishing "anything" (see previous post), and the house we are in the process of buying. Obviously, I still need to care for myself, home, and family, but I need to worry less. God will always care for us. 

I also felt pretty humbled when I found this post after writing my last one. I was hoping my complaints came across slightly amusing despite my desperate tone, but I kind of missed a major point that I have observed about motherhood. It's already been the most rewarding thing I've ever done. It's the most important job I'll ever have. Even though I'm tired, and sometimes it's not "fun", I'm so grateful for the gift God has bestowed upon our little family. I just pray that I can be the best steward of this little soul God has granted us. 

Happy Sunday, and please head over to Fine Linen and Purple for more WIWS. 

WIWS: Baby Edition

WIWS: Baby Edition

I haven't posted in a few weeks because I went and had a BABY!

Elena Marie was born on February 5th, 2014 and weighed 6lbs 10 oz. Labor was a total of six hours, and I only got to the hospital with an hour and a half to spare before she made her debut.

She is amazing and perfect and I have been overpopulating Facebook with lots of pictures.

She is also incredibly time consuming. She was two weeks this past Wednesday and my mom has been with me since day 2. I have no idea what I would do without her and Jeremy. Between breastfeeding, trying to rest, cleaning her up, and attempting to clean myself up, I have an hour here and there to either nap, read, or blog. Right now, I'm sacrificing nap time.

I finally got to mass last night! I had wanted to go earlier, but my mom talked me out of it since I was still hobbling around, and Jeremy wisely pointed at a wooden stool and said "If you can sit on that for an hour, then you can go to mass". The last two days, I have felt immensely better. Elena was perfect and slept through all of mass in her car seat. Of course, I was extremely distracted, and kept peeking at her to make sure she didn't wake up and was still breathing.

Here is our little family photo. I apologize for not having a full length outfit shot.

I felt pretty accomplished that I put on make-up.

Shirt: Express
Cardigan: New York and Company
Pants: Kohls (gray dress pants)
Shoes: Kohls (sparkly, silver flats)

Elena sported a red fleece dress with white leggings and really cute socks that looked like black ballet shoes with satin ribbons.

Next week's goal: put on jewelry.

Now go join up for more outfit posts at Fine Linen and Purple!

WIWS: 38 weeks

 

WIWS: 38 Weeks

 

Don't worry, the end is nearing, I think baby has dropped, and hopefully you won't have to endure maternity WIWS much longer ;) Last night I actually didn't even know if I would make it to mass since I felt terrible from a cold and cough. After lots of praying it would subside, a long night in bed, and a nice hot shower this morning, I was definitely feeling well enough to venture out. But, I consciously sat in the back and abstained from the sign of peace, in the hopes of not passing along any germs. Please ignore my tired look and overall lack of make up due to feeling under the weather.

 

Here is what I wore:

 

 

 

Top: Motherhood

Scarf: Target

Cardigan: New York and Company

Pants: Apt 9 (Kohls)

Shoes: Vera Wang (Kohls)

Bracelet: Gift from my mom

 

And, of course, another belly shot. I remembered to take off the scarf this week.

 

During the homily today, the priest spoke about "why we are here". I'm sure most people remember from the catechism that we exist to know, love and serve God, yet so many people still wander this earth wondering what their purpose is. One thing Father reminded us was that we need to remember we aren't here to necessarily marry, have a family, get degrees, work amazing jobs, or make money. Of course, we can still know, love and serve God through all of those things, but we need to remember that we have a family out of love for God, to raise children to serve him and know him, we work for love of God for others, and all this is done with the ultimate goal that we end up in heaven.

 

None of that is anything new or profound, but it was great for a reminder because with baby coming, it's so easy to get bogged down under all the items we "need" and worrying about all the extras.

 

Of course... I'm still having a little bit of anxiety whether she is definitely a girl or not... but it's all in God's hands :)

 

Happy Sunday and please join others for more WIWS at Fine Linen and Purple.

 

 

 



 

WIWS

What I Wore Sunday Vol 1:

Ok, this outfit isn't really anything special, but I figured I should document since I'm officially FULL TERM! 37 weeks today :)

Normally to church I try to wear a dress or skirt (just to switch up my look so I don't wear the same thing as I do to work), but as I mentioned previously, my wardrobe is getting pretty limited. For me, at least...

Top: Forever 21 (from forever ago!)
Cardigan: Old Navy Maternity
Scarf: Wal mart (last year $5!)
Pants: Express (held up with Target's beband ;))
Shoes: No clue, but they're old

The Beband from Target has been such a life saver for me during pregnancy. I HATE maternity pants and am yet to find a pair that fit me properly AND have a proper band. The pant part either fits well, but the band cuts my poor tummy in half, squishing my baby, or the band fits, but the pants are dumb looking. I got two Bebands since I use them almost every day, and figured I should wash them occasionally.

Here is one more shot, where you can actually see my belly better (if for some reason you were interested).

Now go join other bloggers for WIWS here!