Stitch Fix #4 in February

Quick pregnancy update.  I'm 37 weeks +3 days.  Baby could come any day.  Or, more likely, in 2-3 weeks.  We're all itching to meet this little one and since most people don't do that great in times of transition or with big unknowns hanging over them....well, you can imagine how things are going around here. :) 

This was my 4th box from Stitch Fix, and it's my favorite one yet!  I was very intentional about scheduling this fix.  In my "notes" to the stylist I let her know that I wanted clothes that would be great for right after the birth and be nursing friendly.  I wanted items that would help hide my postpartum belly and look "springy" while still warm enough for our cold Colorado weather.  As soon as I opened the box I could tell that she'd listened to me and I was so excited to start trying on clothes!

None of the items are a great fit right now.  They are all intended for after the birth.  I'm pleased that I was able to try them all on and get a good idea for their potential fit. ;)   The first outfit I tried on was not my favorite, but I did still like the items.  The skirt felt so nice on both for the fit and fabric quality; I was sad that the print/color combo were just not quite "me."  I really liked the feel of the grey criss cross top that was chosen for me because it would be nursing friendly.  I wasn't sure if it would help in hiding my belly.  Obviously it's good at showing it off right now. :)

The pink top and cardigan were in colors and styles I'd requested.  The top will be great for spring and summer while the cardigan will keep me warmer while we're still in the cooler temps.  The cardigan will also be great pared with the top for nursing as it will help provide a bit of extra cover and privacy.  Right now I can just get the top over my belly, so I can't wear it, but I know I'm going to love being able to wear it right after baby is born.  It's always nice to have something pretty to wear right away.

This one is my favorite.  I'd requested more of a "romantic" look and this is what was sent to fill that request.  The top is in colors I'd requested and while the cut does accomedate my belly now it'll be perfect all through the spring and summer for hiding my mamma tummy and nursing the baby (while not looking like I'm wearing a maternity top).  I also love that the stylist pointed out that the tops she picked would look good with the pants I'd kept from my last fix.  I'd have figured it out eventually, but I appreciated the thoughtfulness.

I ended up keeping all 5 pieces.  I normally would not have, but I knew I was going to keep the 3 I loved.  The grey top was questionable and at first I'd decided to send it back.   Over the next few hours I keep thinking about it though and pulling it out.  There is a 25% discount for keeping all 5 items, plus I had credits making it cheaper to keep all 5 once I decided to keep the 4th item.  I'm thankful for a husband that is so sweet and encouraged me to keep them all.

Now they are all hanging in my closet waiting to be worn.  Ah, more practice in patience.  You know, 'cause waiting for baby to arrive is not practice enough.

***If you are interested in giving stitch fix a go I'd love it if you'd use my link.  I get credit when your first fix ships.  A big reason I was able to treat myself this time was because some sweet friends have been enjoying Stitch Fix through my link.  A BIG Thank You goes out to them from me. :)

Baby bump and November Stitch Fix

I'm signed up to receive a Stitch Fix once a quarter.  I timed this one to match up with the cooling weather and my expanding waist line.  I had fun trying on the other 3 items, but they were not quite right.  I put on the pants and fell in love.  I think they are the most comfortable maternity pants I've ever owned (and I've owned MANY).  I have to admit that when I saw the stripes in the box my first thought was "what were they thinking?  stripes for a pregnant woman?"  but once I got it on I loved it.  Miss J and Miss E gave their full approval to the top as well.

I'm at 24 weeks and baby is growing nicely.  Incase you are wondering...No, we do not know the gender.  No, we are not planning on finding out.  We all thought it would be sort of fun to be surprised this time.  We're even at 4 and 4.  A quick look in the newborn bin told me that baby would not go naked in the first week or 2 no matter the gender.  I think this choice is saving us some money; I can't really shop for any baby things right now since I really like to dress my babies in gender specific clothes.

If you are interested in using Stitch Fix I'd love it if you would use my referral link.  I'll get a credit if you sign up AND receive a Fix.  HTTPS://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5186414

Pregnancy update 39 weeks

Given the number of people checking in with me in recent days I thought I'd post a pregnancy update.  I'm 39 weeks today and the midwife declared Miss A as "cooked" at yesterday's appointment.  Childcare is lined up and waiting.  Bags are packed.  Cupcakes are in the freezer waiting for a birthday party.   We're all just waiting around for the two of us to get this moving.  If I had the ability to get things moving she would be in my arms by now, but its not up to me.  We will just play the waiting game knowing that God knows the very minute of her birth and His plan is good.

Here is a picture I took yesterday after my appointment.  It looks like I just stuck a basketball in my shirt.  It also gives the appearance that I'm "all baby" but if you knew how much weight I have gained you'd know there is no way that is the case.  I'll have plenty of work ahead of me to get back into my regular clothes in the coming months.

In the mean time we're trying to keep up with some school, keeping a bit of order to our days, finishing a few last projects that were low on the to-do-list, and having fun too.

At this point nearly every move she makes can be seen from the outside.  The kids are having fun watching their baby sister squirm around in my belly and poking her to get a reaction.  Mr. K likes to give her kisses and is often sweetly saying to my belly "come out!"

Where did the baby go?

This is my view these days when I look down. No, I can't see my feet! Not only that, should there be any small children lurking around by my feet, I can't see them either!

Yes, she was there when I took the first picture!

Pregnancy update- I'm about 32 weeks pregnant now and into nesting mode big time! Baby K and I are doing well. It seems that he may be on the larger side for one of my babies (mine have ranged from 8 lbs 13 oz. to 7 lbs 2 oz) and I'm carrying him way out in front like I did with Mr. R (the largest baby).

I'm starting to think about pulling out baby things, going home outfits (for me and baby), pulling out the infant car seat, and packing the hospital bag. I'm not quite ready to be done with this pregnancy, but I'm getting there.

We are all itching to meet this little guy! Miss J and Miss C love to give him/my belly kisses. I think Miss C plans to be his mommy when he arrives, Miss J may have similar ideas! The kids all have plans for caring for him and loving on him. I'm thinking I'm glad I'll be nursing; just so I'll get to hold him a bit!

Surviving morning sickness

Now that I'm well out of the first trimester and feeling much better I thought I'd blog about surviving morning sickness, partly as something for me to look back to and jog my memory for next time and partly to encourage other moms.

Let me say first off that my "morning sickness" is BAD (diagnosed as hyperemesis). It has been for every. Single. Pregnancy. The exhaustion and nausea are rough, but I can handle those ok. Its the "sickness" part that really gets to me, and (even on medication) comes on suddenly if I'm not careful (or even if I am careful). While I've tried natural remedies that have helped a bit, none help enough. I've used medication for all but two (the first two) to make it through without IV's (though with babies #2, #3, and #4 I was close to needing them). However I think the last two or three have been getting better, and that through some changes we've made maybe the next one will be even better?

Here is a list of things that seem to help-

-Vitamins! I've been taking pre-natals for over 11 years now. About 7 years ago I switched to a more natural one, instead of the ones that are usually prescribed. I think those helped a bit. I've also noticed that taking a B complex for at least six months ahead of the pregnancy seems to help both for nausea and energy level.

-Exercise! I've been trying to get more regular exercise, which is easier at this assignment since Rob's schedule is more flexible. I managed to keep up my morning walks for a while and that seemed to help my energy level, but eventually due to interruptions and life happenings my walks gave way to morning naps. :(

-Beans! I read about the Bean Diet on a blog I read and thought that if it could be helpful during pregnancy maybe eating more beans AHEAD of the pregnancy would help (since I was fairly sure beans would not be sounding yummy for long once I got sick). I think that helped, and I'm thinking I should have kept it up a bit better despite my lack of interest in eating beans. Cooking and freezing the beans ahead of time would have been a good idea, since beans take a while to cook and thinking ahead is not my strong suit during the first trimester!

-Whole foods! The more processed the foods I was eating, the worse I would feel. That doesn't just mean staying away from sweets, and fast food and being sure to bake/cook from scratch, I mean no white flour, no white or brown sugar (though even natural sweeteners need to be very limited), and lots of whole grains, beans, and veggies. Protein is my friend during this time too.

-Great helpers! Now that some of my kids are able to help out more, this time is a bit easier to get through. They love to help watch the little ones, help with meals and even offer to change diapers! They all know how to help with/or do the laundry and clean the house. These are things they normally do, they just step it up a bit. However, they are still kids and our house does usually need some extra attention and a few days (or even a week or two) of re-organizing once I start feeling better.

- Let things go. The house does get messy during this time, things go unorganized, and I don't do nearly as much as I would normally. Even schooling slows down quite a bit. We keep up the basics like math and grammar. When I'm not falling asleep at nap time I read to the kids, and we always read together at breakfast and dinner (catechisms, memory verses, as well as a wide selection of books).

The first sign of recovery

After so many pregnancies I have learned to recognize my first signs of recovery. I start feeling better mentally. As in.... I start thinking again! My mind starts slowly getting back in gear noticing things that need to be done, recipes to try, school ideas with the kids, projects, etc. None of these things actually happen, I just start THINKING and PLANNING for when I will be physically able to do these things.

This book Large Family Logistics was a gift for Christmas from Rob and Miss E. I have barely been able to read it. It just required more thinking and processing than I was able to do (and wanted to give it). I'm slowly diving in. I've been following Kim's blog for years and have gotten so much out of it, but the book is organized so much better than a blog could be! I'm so excited about this book!