While it didn't make it into the collage for my postpartum capsule post, this dress from the Nines by Hatch at Target collection is one of the pieces I most love. Partly because it's easy breezy for hot days and has good nursing access thanks to the button front, while still making me feel pretty (a nice break from elastic waists) and "in" on the tiered dress trend of the summer - but also because it was a great maternity piece to boot! And here you can see it in the before and after states:
Here it is at just about 39 weeks pregnant (3 days before Freddie's arrival!), and then again when he was about 9 days old (clearly he is super thrilled to be part of my photo shoot). I'm very glad he's here and overall glad to be done being pregnant, but seeing the "before" photos does make me kind of miss having him in there - so wild now that he's almost 3 weeks old to imagine he fit in there, but also kind of bittersweet to realize that special time and those unique sensations are only going to be a past experience now. But then that's time for you; he's never going to be this tiny again, we keep saying to each other every day.
So I better go back and get some more baby snuggles, or (most likely) start another feeding...
I'm sure there will be plenty of postpartum leggings or pj wardrobe days, but remembering how I craved feeling like myself after Hendrik was born, and how feeling myself means dressing like "normal," I tried to plan ahead a bit on some things to wear that would work to make me feel good in the period of time when I'm not spending a lot of time on appearance, my old wardrobe doesn't quite fit, and I need nursing-friendly access so I can't wear a lot of my old wardrobe favorites yet anyway. Also I remember hating wearing nursing tanks because camisoles are so not me, so I dug around a bit for other top options, and here's what I've got lined up:
It's going to be hot around here for a bit still, so this should hopefully take me through the late summer/early fall with lightweight fabrics and tanks but also layering options that are all very nursing-friendly (lots of buttons here!), comfortable, and roomy/elasticy enough for the still-adjusting body shape - but they still feel like real outfits. And of course, planning it in capsule form takes the guesswork and time out of getting dressed, which is just what I'll be needing.
I've also got a few during/after pieces - this blouse and this dress from Target's Nines by Hatch collection are ones I have especially liked wearing during pregnancy but also knowing that I'd get to continue feeling cute in them later! And I do have a nursing tank or two, even though I really didn't like wearing them before, because that's some good convenience for the inevitable loungewear days, which are okay too.
Well, we're in week 38, and you've already seen all of what I've been wearing lately, so how about what I've just finished packing: my hospital bag. Everything is tucked away into the new diaper bag, just the right size for holding the few things I feel like are essential for me...
It's not all that much - I feel like when I'm in labor there won't be a whole lot I really need to have aside from my trusty support partner hubby + doula, because I am going to be in the zone... but the birkis could be nice as shower shoes, my own pair of grippy socks nicer than the hospital-issued ones, and the pouch of essentials will be easily accessible in case I need to tie up my hair, we need a phone charge, or that trusty support guy needs a snack or breath freshener.
Post-delivery, there's not a ton either, but just a couple of things to help myself feel more comfortable - my own soft, nursing-friendly pjs + a nursing bra, a robe, and some matching accessories for bebe because I couldn't resist. I'll also have some travel-sized toiletries (mascara, lotion, shampoo) that are nicer than the hospital ones. But otherwise, since we live only a mile from the hospital (and also will be checking out of there as soon as we can!), I'm not worrying about packing much more - it'll be easy for Peter to pop out and grab anything we might want, especially as he'll be popping out at some point to pick up big brother for a visit 💙
And then all you really need to be able to take a baby home is the car seat (which Peter installed a couple of weeks ago to help me feel more prepared). Also something to wear for both of us: a roomy/comfy/easy nursing access dress for me, and 2 outfit sizes for the little guy, a super soft footie outfit and also this adorable striped kimono set, depending on how big he turns out to be.
I don't *think* I'm missing anything essential, but it's been a while since I packed one of these... anything else you found you couldn't live without?
Calling this "last of the maternity wear" because at 37 weeks, there's just not much time left... and also I feel like this is about the last outfit I can even show, having exhausted my somewhat maternity wardrobe in blog posts already. But here's one last dress in the collection:
This one hasn't gotten quite as much wear as my other dresses, mostly because it's not easy to do tons of walking with the midi length in a more snug fit, but it's been great for dressing up a few special occasions, including two fun baby showers. I liked the body-con style in my pregnancy with Hendrik - seems like the time in life for wearing this style - so while I tried to mostly buy regular clothes that could stretch to work for maternity (like my black midi and striped midi), I did go for an actual maternity dress in this style. Linked some similar regular styles above as well, because this type of super simple tank dress in a great color is just a summer staple for any lady, I think.
Hard to believe that this basketball belly is going to turn into a real live baby so soon! His room is ready, especially now thanks to last week's shower gifts (thanks, family and friends!) - especially was happy to get the diaper pail, because when we arrived home from the hospital with Hendrik we realized we didn't have one yet and had to quick Amazon one. Then about two years ago I gave it to my sister when she was pregnant with her first... and here I was, about to find myself bringing home a baby to no diaper pail again. Ha! (Best part is that she's actually the one who bought it for us for a shower gift.)
Back with some more pull-on bottoms, after last week's new fave pants, that still manage to work with this already kind of ridiculous basketball belly at 35 weeks (you should see me now, at 36...).
I happened upon this pair of (non-maternity) elastic waist shorts from Old Navy and am very pleased with this little trend they're on: the material is from their activewear line, so they're really lightweight, cool, and comfy - but the cut and print make them very easy to pass as a "regular" short. Also love a patterned short to jazz up a super simple outfit, especially when the current "tops" section of my wardrobe is made up of about 4 solid-colored tees/tanks. Paired with my comfy and still going strong from last summer Rothy's slip-ons, it's the perfect casual but still put-together outfit for walking down to the farmer's market on a warm day... and even better that it all just so happens to coordinate perfectly with my market tote!
Lined up a few more pull-on shorts below that look like they would also have this happy combination of lightweight/wicking material but not looking like you're heading out for a run, in case you're feeling the summer heat too:
Okay, let's be honest - if we're talking "lately" when it comes to wearing pull-on/elastic-waist pants, I'm going on a solid 23 weeks of it (and before that, 2020 probably had more than its fair share of this type of pant with or without pregnancy, amiright?) - but today I've got a cute new pair that nicely walks the line between pajamawear and cute style, a great summerweight seersucker cropped pant from Madewell.
Even better for me, these pants also nicely walk the line between being "regular" pants that can fit during maternity days (never mind that it's a bit obvious under my shirt where I've got them hiked up to on my basketball belly...), so that I don't have to invest in another pair of maternity-specific ones - but that elastic waist will also be great for the awkward transition phase back to actual regular stuff in early postpartum. This is part of the little postpartum capsule I'm assembling for myself to help feel a bit normal in those hazy days, with the Madewell seersucker mix & match collection as the base (the shorts version is great too).
Plus right now they're a great base for showing off some of my favorite pink things that I mentioned in Friday's post - my sorbet-hued ombre manicure and my favorite maternity tank. And then also my birthday shoes (thanks, mom!) with the sweet pink tulip embroidery.
As I'm starting to collect, wash, and even be gifted some new onesies for baby, it seems only fitting that it's also what I've been wearing lately too...
Okay, this one maybe feels like it's in falling a bit into the muumuu realm, but this great find from the Nines by Hatch collection at Target has been one of my favorite actual maternity items. Easy and breezy and a fun color and I can easily look past the fact that I've dressed myself in a onesie that would twin with a lot of baby outfits. Of course it helps to call one for a grown lady a "jumpsuit" to make oneself feel a little more sophisticated, but the effect is the same of how darn easy the outfit is.
I have been into jumpsuits for the last couple of years for that - they're really quite easy to dress up or down, fun for something a little different from my usual sundresses, and a bonus that they can go to the park or hop on a bike with a kid a lot easier than a dress. Above are some similar options to this maternity one - and also several that I would have been very tempted into ordering this summer had I not needed the extra room to accommodate a little growing somebody.
Speaking of that little somebody, also couldn't resist sharing a few of the onesies that are on deck for dressing this little guy in - 6 weeks or sooner and it'll be happening!
After a brief hot spell, our Michigan June has taken a turn for the unseasonably cool. Not so bad for a pregnant lady, but kind of a bummer for anyone who happened to be vacationing on our lake's shores, including some extended family of mine in town... or for really anyone who might like to step foot outdoors in the last week. So. Much. Rain.
But on the bright side - because our gray skies need one: it's the right weather for a summer sweater, and even better, that elusive sweater + shorts combo that is always cute but rarely temperature-appropriate. I love a light cotton sweater (particularly a stripey one, of course!) for cool summer evenings, especially paired with white jeans, but for daytime the shorts combo is kind of refreshing for a different way to wear your wardrobe.
I realized, when I started to pop out of all of them, that my sweaters are pretty much all cropped ones these days, so I thought this one was a great find for my situation - something a bit longer to cover the expanding belly, not to mention very cute, great price, and wears well for summer and fall depending on the rest of the color palette you go with. Here it's with a favorite summer neutral, navy, styled in a way that's perfect for a walk to the library or farmer's market, with the help of a coordinating canvas backpack... when there's a break in the rain, anyway.
Here are a variety of cute summer-weight sweaters, if you've got the weather (or overbearing a/c) for 'em too:
School's out for summer... and summer momming is on. For which my mental preparedness has felt varied, but at least my apparel preparedness is good to go: enter the big tote, easy dresses, comfy slip-on sandals, and cute baseball cap, and I'm ready for action. Ish.
Summer parenting has always come with a bit of mixed feelings for me - I've got a kid home, and it feels like we should be doing outings and swimming lessons and trips to the park and family BBQs and all that kind of stuff - and I'm lucky to work from home with a fairly flexible schedule to accommodate having a kid on summer break... yet I do still have job obligations, and often a very busy June for work that involves a week of travel (obviously not in 2020 or 2021). Plus I don't love being thrown off my usual routines in general. So it can end up feeling like it's just a lot of juggling, or like I'm only half paying attention to him while I try to answer an email, or like there's a lot of should-ing going on in my head while H is at camp or with a babysitter and I'm working or taking care of the household but feeling like I should be doing all the summer activities with him. And meanwhile some days all I want is to be home alone again, and to read a book in the backyard. Ha!
This year the feelings are even more complicated as my work commitments have a lot more scheduled things (Zooms, bah) than my usual flexible timing. not to mention that I am 31 weeks pregnant...so I'm sometimes rather tired and can't take a whole lot of heat. But at the same time feel like I ought to be doing even more dedicated time with Hendrik to make up for my irritable hormones of the last few months plus the fact that he's about to have his only-child world completely blown up before school starts again. Gah, not helpful mom guilt!
BUT on his last 1/2 day of school I came up with a picnic lunch for us to ride our bikes down to the park with (and in his mind it was an amazing one: pizza Lunchable! I had an avocado, goat cheese, and basil vinaigrette-dressed greens sandwich while he ate uncooked pizza, but okay); then he changed into his bathing suit and we scootered downtown to the little splash pad where he joyfully ran around for an hour while I was able to sit in the shade and keep cool from the mist off the water; and on our arrival home he started right in on his summer workbook and kept himself occupied for a couple of hours. Perfect compromise on feeling like I nailed quality time together, outdoor time (another mom guilt area - usually I feel like we're bad at that), and yet also got time so that I could get work done and not feel like I was giving him only half attention. (Or nap time. Might have actually been nap time for me.)
So that balance is the goal going forward, supplied by some of the items mentioned in this summer prep post, and I can fit whatever I need for all of the above into my great new tote bag, whether it's pool stuff, a new library haul, or my work laptop. Plus get there in comfy and reasonably not overheated style with easy dresses (shoutout to my friend Katie for sending me a couple of her maternity ones like this cute striped number so I have some options!), and shoes that require no bending over to put on (clutch!). This'll be on repeat as H and I go about our summer weekdays for sure.
Have already declared that this will be the summer of the stretchy dress... so no surprise, I'm back with another - but this time with stripes!
Not much to say about this one other than it's pretty much the easiest outfit ever for a hot day - the bold stripes make it a "thing" all on its own, so I just added some easy sandals and was done with it. Cute, comfy, and keeping cool on a hot day.
Speaking of hot days, the upstairs floor of our old house will be like 80 degrees from now until fall. It's never my favorite thing, but with being rather pregnant (and then thinking about having an infant sleeping up here in August), I'm on the prowl for things to help... some kind of portable a/c unit is very tempting, or sheets that advertise themselves as "cooling." Anyone got any great tricks for me besides having a fan 2 inches from my face all night?
And also what does one dress/swaddle a newborn in for late-summer weather? Hendrik was more of a fall baby, so I'm thinking his little outfits probably won't get much re-use in the first few weeks... diapers, onesies and muslin blankets are pretty much what I've got lined up for now. Meanwhile I've also ordered a big kid muslin blanket for Hendrik's bed because he realllly likes having a blanket on him at night but has been waking up from being too hot (and then ends up waking us up - we don't need that from the 7-year-old when we'll get it from the baby brother, thanks!). Hoping this will be nice and breathable so that he can sleep happy too.
Last week it suddenly got hot for a couple of days (cooled off to chilly right
in time for Memorial Day weekend, of course, as Michigan weather does), and I
had a minor wardrobe meltdown: reaching summer and 3rd trimester at the same
time, and the outfit possibilities seemed... rather limited. So I decided to
solve this minor fashion emergency by turning to my tried-and-true method of
getting myself to realize that I have way more outfit possibilities than I
realize - by making a
mini capsule mood board. When you're consciously mixing and matching, you really don't need all that
many things, whether that's for travel or pregnancy or daily life even.
Maternity is the perfect time for a capsule approach though, if you don't want
to have to purchase too many items that will have a really limited shelf-life
in your wardrobe - though admittedly there was also some impulse maternity top
+ shorts ordering, because when your belly makes it so that almost none of
your shirts are wearable, 11 weeks seems like a plenty long time to require
some new purchases for...
What I love about how this turned out is that it's a
neutrals-with-a-pop-of-summer-color capsule that would feel like my style
either way, and it incorporates plenty of non-maternity items with just a few
that are maternity-specific basics, like the tees and jeans, that I can get
lots of use from. (I made the collage with all regular wardrobe options but
linked my maternity ones as above as well, so you can find outfit inspiration
here whether you're pregnant too or not!)
I feel like I do a "black & tan" outfit at least once per season, for the past many years - clearly it is timeless! (I'm going to frame it as that, rather than as "same old"...) In this rendition, the black part is new - this black (non-maternity) drapey button-down from Madewell that I'm sure will turn out to be a great closet staple both now and postpartum - and it freshens up the quite old (and shown a zillion times in outfit posts already) tan elements, my ballet flats and cross-body.
'Twas very exciting to have the perfect weather and occasion for such an outfit - going to get my haircut after being 2+ weeks out from my 2nd vaccine dose! The combination of not really having anywhere to wear outfits + being pregnant and having weird options available in my wardrobe + having seriously terrible split ends can lead to a bit of blah. The most classic of combinations is an excellent way to start a feeling stylish comeback.
I keep talking about dress weather, because that is ideal for pregnancy style, but we're not getting much of it with this fickle and relatively chilly spring season - so here's been my actual uniform: maternity jeans + tee with a cardigan. Basic? Definitely. Boring? Well, at least there's cute shoes to add some interest and pretty trees in bloom for a backdrop...
If you've still got to be wearing a wool cardigan mid-way through May, might I suggest going for a happy pink, and picking some springy shoes?
I have had this pair of embroidered Soludos slides for years and they never get old - highly recommend as a way to accessorize a simple outfit, which also comes in handy in the summer when it gets really hot and you just need to put on a plain dress but then pow! you still have a whole snazzy ensemble thanks to the shoes (see last week's outfit, for example, minus the actual hot weather, and plus a cardigan...ha!). In any case, I think I might need their tulip pair next given my deep and abiding love of them, and of course where I live, but look how many cute options!
Midi t-shirt dresses seem to be a "thing" again this summer, for which I am glad, because this was a style I was very into last summer. So easy to wear, and feels somehow like a more fresh and snazzy outfit than a standard t-shirt dress. Thus, here we have an outfit that's pretty darn similar to what I posted last year with my beloved Everlane option that I wore several times every week.
Even better for me this year though is that stretchy midi t-shirt dresses are on offer out there...such as this new number from Target (!).
Stretchy is always pleasant to wear of course, especially as we ease back into the world of real clothes from the loungewear of quarentimes, but by this point in a pregnancy it's not only a must in terms of being able to fit onto my body but also in terms of feeling more flattering for me personally. There are plenty of roomy dresses on offer right now too that I could shop the "regular" section for and would totally try on in any other summer - like this or this, so cute! - but I just feel better fitting my shape in pregnancy rather than tenting over it (except for that outie belly button - don't love it, but what's to be done). So this is best of all worlds for me - don't have to shop the maternity section and its either paltry or over-expensive options, but it still works and looks/feels good!
Not just great for me though - this is a cute and super affordable option for anyone. Here are some other similarly stretchy (i.e. comfy and cute) options I spotted as well:
