Pregnant in Boden Glenda Dress Again!

This was my birthday outfit of the day for this year (in April... lol). I am behind on the blog as usual BUT today I have a great reason. Because this week I am very proud and relieved to say that I submitted my complete tenure dossier!!!! It felt momentous even though it will be months before a decision is made. I think I put forward as strong a case as I could, all things considered. I wound up really enjoying writing and revising my narrative because it gave me the space to reflect on and affirm the meaning and significance of my career. I do really love my job. I feel very fortunate to have it. It is a good fit for me and I hope I get to keep it. All of that is to say, I've been busy!

Last week we bought a house. This week my tenure file is in. Next week I'd like to finish revisions on an accepted article or at least make big progress on my book. All of this is provided that I don't go into labor. What an exciting and stressful time!

This year I had to work on my bday which is fine because I got to debut a dress in my favorite color and I got to take some belly progress photos. Now that my teaching obligations have wrapped, I don't get the chance to take many belly progress photos so I know I'll be grateful that I have the ones that I do. I was so diligent last time around, taking them every week. But last time around I didn't have a kid to take care of, I didn't have a tenure dossier deadline, I wasn't buying a house, I wasn't trying to prep my current house for selling, I wasn't working on my book, etc. Last time, I literally made being pregnant the most important thing in my universe through the duration, which was both good and bad. I researched and read about it voraciously. But I gave myself a lot more time to fret and worry, often to the point of irrationality. This time I don't have that luxury which makes me feel a little guilty  in some ways. I don't want my lack of fretting or focus to be interpreted as lack of enthusiasm or gratitude. I am so incredibly excited to have another child and to see Emilia become a sister. But a big part of my identity as a person (and also as a mom) is my work. I just want to be in a good place work-wise so I can fully relish and celebrate the new arrival.

Anyway, this birthday felt extra special because of all the good things on the horizon. And I do love this dress. I already had it in black (blogged here) but decided to use some Boden vouchers to treat myself to the purple on clearance.

Details:
Boden Glenda Dress
Spanx tights
Sam Edelman booties

Pea in the Pod OOTD

This dress was an eBay find from The Pea in the Pod last time around. I wore it a bunch toward the end of pregnancy then and I am wearing it a lot now because unlike the majority of my maternity dresses from before, it has short sleeves and is pretty lightweight.

I can't believe how close I am to the end of pregnancy. I am kind of in panic mode because there is a lot going on. We are buying a house that needs some work and eventually selling our house. I am finishing my book thanks to my NEH grant (for which I will to complete and submit a report on my accomplishments thanks to the funds). My tenure file is due at the end of the month. Chris has work travel that takes him off the continent. And on top of everything, I am going to have another baby soon! 

I need to comfort my very tender feeling kiddo through all of this change and transition. I worry about how she will process so much at once. I feel a lot of emotions and I feel them in a very pronounced way. Last week was the anniversary of my early miscarriage. I felt heavy from the memory but it is not lost on me that I am so lucky that things have (on the whole) been ok with this pregnancy. All of these things are a lot. But most of it is good. After this week especially, I feel reminded of how my "lot" in life is so fortunate, even when I'm overwhelmed. My thoughts are with those who are processing significantly traumatic events with understandable overwhelm. 

Another Maternity Favorite from Last Time Around

This dress was a favorite of mine for both pregnancy and postpartum times when I had Emilia. The design of the front made it nursing friendly and I wound up wearing it to a number of holiday parties when I had her in late 2012.

It is by "Three Seasons Maternity" which is a brand I found on Amazon. It runs a little small in case you are looking. But it is priced reasonably so I recommend it. I wore this to campus for a Faculty Senate meeting and to teach in the early part of my third trimester.

Details:
Three Seasons Maternity dress
Cece cardigan
Spanx tights
Ferragamo My Joy flats

Another Pregnant in Boden OOTD

I wore this to campus near the beginning of my third trimester. I kept such good visual records during my pregnancy with Emilia and feel guilty that I haven't made it a priority this time around. But at least I do have outfit photos and rough gestational estimates.

It's a lot harder to prioritize weekly belly photos with everything that is happening around here. Grant work, my annual review, the assembling of my tenure dossier, and the revisions of my book manuscript have kept me very busy. On top of that we might be buying a bigger house, moving, and selling our current house. The bigger house is in the neighborhood where we already live happily and it has a ton of potential to be great. But bringing out its greatness will take a lot of work. Work I can't really do in my third trimester, with the professional responsibilities I have looming over me, with Emilia needing plenty from me, with a husband who travels for work in a demanding, stressful job, with a newborn in a few weeks, and so on and so forth. Suffice to say, I am nervous.

Somehow, so much has to happen before baby comes in July... I am very overwhelmed but it isn't lost on me that these are all very good, if time consuming developments. These are happy, exciting "problems." I feel pregnant with anticipation while being pregnant the regular way.

Details:
Boden dress (procured at the sample sale in Pittsburgh a while back... unsure of the style name)
Spanx tights
Tory Burch flats

Pregnant in Boden's Must Have Tunic

By far the most clutch dress of this pregnancy has been my small arsenal of Boden's Must Have Tunics in every color way available. I bought them in 1-2 sizes up from my usual and in long length. And deep into my third trimester, I am still rotating these dresses. Here, I am wearing one of them in the middle of the second trimester and the other on the cusp of the third trimester.

I love the comfort and softness of the fabric. I also love that these dresses are offered in prints and colors that are pretty fun/cute. But I think the simple, classic cut of the dress keeps things from feeling overly precious, hence my belief that the Must Have Tunic can actually be a work-friendly non-maternity maternity option. I've even begun wearing them with cropped leggings on warmer days. Per usual for this time of year, I'm not ready to be bare-legged just yet.

Details:
Boden Must-Have Tunic (now on clearance!)
Banana Republic Factory cardigan above and random Piperlime (rip) cardigan below
Spanx high waisted tights (on sale!)
Tory Burch Revas (on sale!) above and Salvatore Ferragamo My Joys below

Old Maternity Favorite OOTD

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I received this Olian dress from a boutique. It got many compliments then and now. I have tried to wear it as much as possible knowing this will likely be my last chance. Here, I wore it later into my second trimester.

Details:
Olin dress
Spanx high waisted tights
Marc by Marc Jacobs flats

Pregnant in Boden: Early Second Trimester

Like many second timers, my body has shown pregnancy earlier than it did with Emilia. Even so, when I look back on these photos from the end of my first trimester and the beginning of my second, I don't really look pregnant. I look fuller but it was also right after the holiday break when I am usually fuller in general. If you follow me on instagram, you already know that I am showing a lot more than these photos indicate. That is because they were taken a while back.

I've been delighted with how the regular, non-maternity Boden in my wardrobe has transitioned throughout this pregnancy. I think this dress is called the "easy pocket dress" or something similar. I found it on Ebay. It isn't stretchy but it is shaped in a forgiving silhouette. Even among pieces made from non-stretchy fabrics, I have found that Boden's dresses are designed to accommodate a midsection fluid in size. Even my unforgiving pieces have pleats, darts, and shaping that enable the room for a bump. This makes it less of a bummer that Boden isn't doing any maternity specific pieces at the moment.

Details:
Boden easy pocket dress
Spanx high waisted tights (also non maternity but they come up high enough that they function as a makeshift belly band)
Tory Burch Reva flats 

Pregnant in Boden Glenda Dress

My pregnancy with my daughter occurred during a time when I was in the thick of an ongoing retail fascination with all things Anthropologie. As a result, I documented my attempts to try to make Anthropologie pieces work throughout my pregnancy. You can read through my "pregnant in Anthropologie" series by clicking here.

Over the last few seasons, Anthropologie's style and mine seemed to head in different directions so I bought less and less from them. Even my old favorites sort of feel different from my place in life at this point. I should probably do a big eBay purge eventually.

This time around, I am wearing a lot of non-maternity Boden pieces. Boden actually used to have a maternity line, though they don't seem to carry anything maternity-specific at the moment. Still, they offer plenty of stretchy dresses that bridge my changing body shape and my style nicely. As a result, as I've settled into the second trimester, I've been rotating through a lot of Boden pieces. I've only broken out my maternity dresses here and there. Since I'm just over halfway through this pregnancy, I'm sure I'll be needing actual maternity clothes more and more and I'm glad I waited so that what I have doesn't get as much of a chance to bore me.

Outfit details:
Boden Glenda dress (still available and on clearance! Plus it will work for nursing!)
Spanx tights (Which I'm still wearing because they come up very high and feel nice and supportive on my belly. But I'm guessing they won't do much to hold in said belly after getting all stretched out from being worn during pregnancy... Oh well!)
Sam Edelman Petty booties

Forgotten Loft OOTD

I got this dress last fall from Loft and very soon after I learned I was pregnant.  As soon as I had the positive test the dress made me feel self conscious. It felt tighter around my mid-section than I wanted even though my body hadn't yet begun to change. Although I wore it to present at a conference and I wore it again to work in November, I was too worried to wear it again after that. I didn't want to generate any pregnancy speculation before I felt ready.

I recently had a student confess that she suspected I was pregnant last semester but perhaps she was clairvoyant. At minimum, I am going to tell myself that her suspicions were not due to my body broadcasting pregnancy quite so soon. Regardless, here's hoping this dress will fit me again sometime after baby number 2 arrives! It's a solid professional looking basic (and I mean basic in the good way!) and I'd hate to have it go to waste.

Details:
Ann Taylor Loft dress
Spanx tights
Sam Edelman booties
Burberry trench

Too cold OOTD (featuring my deer print coat) and how I'm trying to stay active this winter

That hasn't been true this week but last week it was too cold to take outfit photos. Still I tried... and although I removed my hat and scarf, I tried and quickly decided not to take off my coat. I don't think I've blogged it before so that's a good excuse. It's very warm and from the end of season clearance sale last year. The closest they offered this year was the Windermere Coat. Though I do like the Duffle. By the time I bought my down filled padded parka from Boden, it was more than 75% off so I'd keep waiting for bigger discounts if I was in the market for a new coat. I do love the deer print and Emilia has a deer print coat from baby gap to semi match!

Details:
Boden deer print padded parka
See by Chloe dress (blogged here also)
Tory Burch flats
Spanx tights

In a lot of ways the weather fluctuations have made it difficult to stay active this pregnancy. To be fair, this is the first time I have been pregnant during winter. And it's my first time navigating the challenges of being a pregnant mom. I'm short on "me time" to go to the gym and out of necessity, I tend to put self care at the bottom of my list of things "to do." That's why I so appreciate at-home, indoor-friendly workout solutions.

I recently was sent this Adjustable 4-Way Resistance Band from TKO. TKO used to be a boxing equipment company but has branched out into the broader fitness market. This Resistance Band is inexpensive and packs easily into my bag for long on-campus days when I'm stuck indoors. It also is easy to store when I'm not using it. I appreciate its lightness and ease of use. I can do a quick arm set no matter what I'm wearing. Although I love my trusty old free weights they have been collecting dust under my bed since I got the bands. Thank you, TKO for helping make easy portable workout equipment for folks like me and for providing me with this sample to review!

Happy Holidays, 2015!

In many ways, 2015 was one of the hardest years for my family. Chris's stepdad died. Our beloved Speck did too. We tried but were unable to find the perfect second home. We began planning to get pregnant again which resulted in my catching a chemical (early) miscarriage. Emilia had her first illness that required antibiotics (a particularly stubborn ear infection). And the illness plus side effects from the antibiotics combined with her two-year-old-ness to create a perfect storm of weight loss, food aversions, and newfound pickiness from which we still haven't recovered completely. She *is* happily back on track growth-wise and in double digit percentiles again but the stress over her food refusal defined my first few months of 2015. And that wasn't the only source of stress. Chris continued to travel far distances for weeks at a time and work under tremendous pressure for his job. And I was under my own intense work pressures. I knew that 2015 was my last chance to boost my tenure case prior to dossier submission in 2016. So I worked even harder than usual to progress as much as possible on research projects, manuscripts, grants, and university service in order to feel ready.

But in 2015 there were also many milestones. Emilia got her very own passport and we went on our first international trip as a family. We also took trips to Cleveland, Ohiopyle, Washington DC, and Disney World. I was awarded a generous internal grant for my research and submitted other grant proposals that are still pending. My book is under contract with a desirable university press thanks to a very enthusiastic acquisitions editor who has been amazing to work with. Chris and I celebrated 5 years of marriage and grew closer as we shared in happiness and loss. Chris managed his stress and his travels with incredible grace and organization. I also didn't feel the same pangs of dread as his planned trips loomed, knowing that we can do this. Emilia thrived in many activities (music, swimming, library/crafts) and tried but wound up deciding to postpone dance classes and tumbling (which were structured to best suit the older children also in the class).

I felt strong bonds with my parents and siblings as well as my in laws. Our families rallied to support us whenever hard times arose. We made some home improvements including upgrading our kitchen counters, hanging new drywall and painting our bedroom (ok, that was all Chris), installing a new water heater (Chris plus his dad), resurfacing the back patio (Chris too), and probably others I am forgetting. All of these will prepare us to sell if we do find a home we like enough to buy in 2016.

In 2016, we will also welcome a new baby provided everything continues to go well. I am happy to be 12 weeks pregnant even though I have been much more sick and exhausted than I ever was when I was pregnant with Emilia. Being sick is reassuring in its own way and the pregnancy is definitely a bright spot amid the losses of loved ones in October and November. 2015 was difficult but there was also a lot of good. I'm sure 2016 will bring its own challenges and triumphs. I hope your own triumphs are what define your 2016. Happy New Year!

What I wore back to campus

My first visit back required that I look somewhat pulled together while remaining breastfeeding friendly. I went with a stretchy dress layered over a full-coverage Rumina pump and nursing tank (review and giveaway to come!). I was comfortable even though the dress is a little body conscious. But by the middle of the day I was the wrong kind of overdressed. Definitely didn't need the trench coat!

Tomorrow I will be launching a Mother's Day giveaway from Rumina and can't wait to tell you about these nursing tanks. I like them even more than the ones from Bravado.

Outfit details:
Rumina nursing tank (c/o... giveaway and review coming this weekend!)
Random stretchy nursing/pumping-friendly dress
Tory Burch Warren ruffle trench
Marc Jacobs Mercer Tote
Marc by Marc Jacobs Mouse Flats (in black here)
Michael Kors horn watch (also here)
Spanx tights
Amber pendant; Anjolee eternity band (c/o), misc. jewelry

Favorite Outfits of Pregnancy

For me, 2012 was most memorable because of Emilia. Even before her arrival, my life began changing in ways both large and small. Dressing a transitioning body was just one of the mundane aspects of change.

Outfitting my pregnant body was challenging because I couldn't rely on emphasizing my waist... at least not in the same manner to which I was accustomed. Here are some of my favorite pregnancy ensembles:

As I look at some of my belly photos (see them on my pregnancy and parenthood blog) and pregnancy ensemble posts I feel a lot of amusement and nostalgia. I think it's very funny that I legitimately believed I was visibly pregnant at like 16 or even 12 weeks. Unless outsiders were scrutinizing my body with the same level of intensity reserved for female celebrities, I just looked like I had a big lunch. Sure, my body was changing. But visibly pregnant to strangers, I was not. And my wardrobe reflected that. Until I got to the third trimester I could mostly avoid maternity clothes because stretchy fabrics and empire waist maxi dresses were everywhere last summer. Some of my maternity pieces became fast favorites and I already lament no longer having my prominent bump to fill them (as silly as that might sound...). I am still wearing a few of them particularly when they are nursing friendly. I will be writing about that soon enough. Nursing-friendly wardrobes might be even more difficult to assemble than maternity wardrobes!

Anyway, Happy New Year and thank you so much for reading in 2012!

Postpartum bodies and newborn photoshoots

My very sweet mother-in-law gifted to Chris and me the opportunity to have Emilia photographed as a newborn by one of her coworkers who also has a side business as a photographer (Keja Photography). We hoped to get a few family shots while the photographer was in our home because ... we don't often have photographers in our home. So just 6 days postpartum, I found myself facing the conundrum of dressing my new mom body for the camera. Thankfully, my ankles decided to come back to me that morning and I was generally feeling on the mend. Of course we were both pretty sleep deprived. Chris and I hadn't slept much in the hospital due to adrenaline, interruptions, and the tasks of taking care of a new baby. By the time we got home, things weren't much different. But I grabbed one of my favorite maternity dresses (by Maternal America), put on some make up, and smiled for the camera. The baby was a total trooper and slept through most of the pictures. My mom and mother-in-law played dutiful photo assistants.

Although it is easy in this new state of physical transition to be critical of myself, I'm glad I decided to be photographed. A few months ago I read an article by Allison Tate about keeping mothers in photos... she writes that so often moms of all ages shy away from having their picture taken, lamenting x, y, or z random self-critiqued aspect of their physical appearance. The results are that negative self-talk becomes normalized (further) and children wind up with fewer photos of their mothers throughout life. I didn't want to capitulate to the temptations of bashing my post-baby body, even if it feels very unfamiliar to me and (similar to pregnancy) brings its own set of physical discomforts.

Like anyone else, I have good and bad body image days. This was true before and during pregnancy, as I am sure it will be now that I'm postpartum. I will say that during pregnancy it felt as though my pangs over body image were amplified in part due to the unknown and uncontrollable aspects of inhabiting a pregnant body. But no matter how critical I felt toward the end and how unfamiliar my postpartum body feels to me currently, I am determined to embrace positivity and cut myself some slack for my daughter, if not for myself. It's hard enough to grow up weathering the pervasive social expectations heaped on women and girls without also hearing it from one's parents.

Besides, this body grew and nourished my eventual child. Knowing that, I can't knock it too hard! 

Now and Later OOTD

I wore this to teach recently and felt very comfortable in it (despite my intensified physical discomforts). The dress is by Japanese Weekend and the best part about their pieces is that they are all designed to "wear now and later." i.e. they have nursing friendly elements built into the construction of the dress. I do think this particular piece could stand to be hemmed a bit. It looks a bit long, especially for wearing later when my belly will be deflated.

In a post-daylight savings framework, it's become difficult to get outfit photos before nightfall. I was glad I remembered to run out for these in between meetings since I teach into the evenings. I do think pregnancy is beginning to show on my face in addition to all the other places. But I am doing the best that I can to accept the changes my body needs to make that are beyond my control.

Outfit Details:
Japanese Weekend dress (via ebay for a good deal!)
Target cardigan (gift from my mom)
Assets Maternity tights
Payless flats (gift from my mom)
Kors watch; Anthro necklace; leather cuff bracelet (gift from Chris)

Consume or Consumed (and me) featured on AAUW's blog!

link

A few years ago I was so fortunate to be among the recipients of an American Fellowship from the American Association of University Women. Recently the AAUW contacted me about being the subject for a profile on their blog that would trace how the fellowship award helped launch my career, how pregnancy has shaped my professional identity, and how my blog creates a fun outlet for creativity that ties into at least some of my research and teaching. The feature came out this week and I am so happy to share it! Check it out here.

Professorial Pregnancy Part 3: In the trenches

Thank goodness for self-effacing jokes in the classroom to lighten the awkwardness of my exacerbated clumsiness! I've never described myself as a graceful person but this decreased depth perception has made moments of my physical classroom presence into a classic slapstick comedy. For example, when I literally ran belly-first (ouch!) into the empty desk I was trying to maneuver around, I felt compelled to remark aloud that "I used to fit through there." It was a big hit. Thank goodness also for kind and sympathetic students!

In addition to obvious physical differences like the fact that I feel tired on my feet sooner than ever before, I've faced some moments that push toward the edges of my professional boundaries. For instance, I've had to navigate through far more personal questions from understandably curious and well-intentioned people than I'm used to at work. In most circumstances, these are folks who would  be removed from the details of my private health circumstances.

Pregnancy feels so personal (even alienating, at times) and yet in many ways beyond one's control, it morphs further and further into public view. It becomes fodder for public commentary. I have the good fortune of being surrounded by many enthusiastic loved ones with who I feel my pregnancy is shared. Physically, I may be the only one who experiences it as a constant, evolving visceral state but those feelings of excitement and anticipation bond me to my family, immeasurably.

As I remarked in part 2, these later stages of pregnancy announce themselves on my behalf. Pregnancy becomes public knowledge because that transitioning/transitioned body makes it so. And its public-yet-unspoken announcement might even yield gossip. 

It is perhaps no surprise that my female students seem especially interested in the details of my pregnancy. I find it endearing but also complex. Rarely do I have time to suspend my sense of humility and dwell on the fact that professors often serve as role models for their students. For younger professors who perhaps seem more approachable to their students, the boundaries of professionalism might be tested if they're not held firm. But pregnancy blurs the boundaries of public with private, creating a space for personal and forthcoming conversations.

Since learning of my pregnancy, students have asked me things about my personal life that in other contexts would probably make me bristle. Their excitement is at times palpable and I can't help but feel gratitude and empathy. I realize from my own experience of being a student that this is a curious, question-provoking event. I also know that I looked up to many of my professors. I don't mean to inflate or exaggerate my influence but on some level, it kind of comes with the job.

Through all my years of post-secondary schooling I only encountered one pregnant professor. I remember vividly the day that she shared her news with us. We actually cheered! It was in the middle of the term and I hadn't noticed that her belly had grown with each passing week until she mentioned it. It felt supremely fun and exciting to be in on something so personal with her. It reminded me of how my own mom always remembered with fondness the students she taught the year she was pregnant with me (her firstborn). I imagine that some day I will look back on this semester with similar nostalgia. I also know that there is something anticipatory and unique about being taught by a pregnant professor.

In informal polls of friends and relatives, only a handful of them recalled having pregnant professors in their post-secondary education. On some level I realize that my very on-campus existence is a bit of a novelty. But thankfully, college students are wrapped up in their own lives, schedules, and responsibilities. So I don't mean to project some enhanced opportunity for impact through representation. The reality is there are far more blasé attitudes about this than anything else. And that is a good thing. I want the quality of my instruction to make a bigger impression than the size of my belly. But I still can't help but wonder about how I'm perceived by students and colleagues. Especially now that my body speaks for me...

If you went to/are in college, did you ever have a pregnant professor? If you are an educator, have you ever taught while pregnant?

Outfit details:
Anthro top and skirt
Chloé flats

Quick Primary Colors OOTD

I wore this to campus to teach. Fluttering Flora has been a staple of my "Pregnant in Anthropologie" wardrobe because I bought the gray gently used via ebay, early into pregnancy. I was excited to see the deep sale cuts to the dress and nabbed it in blue. I paired it with fall versions of primary colors and am surprised and glad it still worked, despite the size of my belly.

Click to check in on my week by week belly shots.

Outfit Details:
Fluttering Flora dress from Anthropologie
J. Crew Factory Rosette cardigan (similar)
Wolford tights (buy them here or here)
Ferragamo Varina flats in Oxblood (buy them here or here)
Redraven Studios bib necklace; Kors watch (here or here); Linea Pelle studded wrap bracelet

BTW, I have been having some issues with Disqus commenting and apologize if you have tried to comment without success and/or had your comment eaten by this unfortunately buggy comment client. I've been told the issue is resolved but I am still contemplating a return to Blogger since it now allows replies. Thanks for bearing with me!

Professorial Pregnancy part 2

I've tried to approach my pregnancy wardrobe with practicality and caution. It makes little sense to invest in a massive amount of money into attractive and yet temporary clothes. But logistically and as a person who works outside of the home, I need clothes that fit, that are comfortable, and that allow me to maintain some sense of visual academic professionalism expected by my students, colleagues, and supervisors. Thankfully, an academic professional context is fairly forgiving and I didn't need to acquire a rotation of maternity suits or traditional business clothing.

I knew all along I would need to buy actual maternity clothing. My Pregnant in Anthropologie series has been fun to execute, particularly during the second trimester and a few pieces still work for me at this stage. But my body didn't start off so "small" in the sense that I ever hoped or expected to forgo "maternity" clothes entirely. I admire those who can with the help of their own creativity, but I also think the possibility of pulling off a maternity-clothing-free pregnancy is body specific. And it is out of the control of the individual because every body adapts to pregnancy differently.

Accumulating some attractive pregnancy clothing wasn't something I expected to enjoy, despite my penchant for shopping. I resented the notion of spending on temporary clothing because I believed that "maternity clothes" were automatically not attractive. Thankfully, I was mistaken! I have managed to locate a number of pieces, designers, and boutiques that still feel very much in the style of pre-pregnant me.

Now that I'm in the third trimester, my body speaks of this pregnancy on my behalf. It announces itself to the world before I have a chance to confirm or deny. It needs no hand-on-belly "tell" for people familiar with what I looked like pre-pregnancy to understand what is happening.  This nonverbal announcement preceded by that period of "in between," can feel liberating for some. But I never forget that it is also separate and distinct from my own voice. And when you are a part of a smaller campus community, the fear is that your body will become fodder for gossip.

So far I haven't experienced much negativity with regard to my pregnancy but I have at times disliked the lack of control I have over this stage of visual "announcement." My maternity clothing has helped me to continue to feel like myself amid significant physical and emotional changes. So although I might have been able to get by with less by repeating much more, I am glad to have shopped carefully to secure deals on everything I've acquired.

To clarify, I will indeed be repeating my maternity pieces with some frequency, but I also need to admit that I've acquired more maternity clothing than I initially thought I would ever buy. This is due in part to gifts, sales, and stackable promotions at both mass and boutique retailers.  But I would be kidding myself to deny that the lack of control I've felt over my body's transitions has influenced my desire to shop, at times for retail therapy purposes. Clothing for me has always been a venue for exerting relative control amid otherwise stressful or challenging circumstances. My pregnancy has been normal and healthy but it is still a relatively new, disorienting, and temporary state. I don't necessarily recommend this method of coping, especially if there's not room in an ever-tightening budget, after all expanding one's family can be quite costly! But my maternity wardrobe budget has remained a lot smaller than what I have spent on myself in previous sale cycles and my partner and I are saving with even more aggression than usual, in anticipation of what's to come.


Although I dedicated discretionary funds toward temporary clothing, I do expect that many of these pieces will transition nicely into postpartum times. A number of the items are nursing-friendly. And at this point (other than a pair of cords) I don't expect I will need much else to get me through the rest of my pregnant experience. I'm glad to have pieces that enable me to still feel like myself while I'm in front of a classroom or attending committee/faculty meetings. Even if I look different from the outside and feel different on the inside, having maternity-friendly clothes with which to assemble professorial outfits permits me to maintain my professional self-esteem. For working moms-to-be, that absolutely is value-adding.

Outfit details:
Maternal America scoop neck dress with floral tie waist
Wolford tights (which are surprisingly belly-friendly!)
Giuseppe Zanotti flats (current season version is sans captoe)
Kors watch