Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Embrace the Bump

February 27, 2013

February 27, 2013

Dress: Land's End
Cardigan: J Crew
Belt: J Crew
Shoes: Naturalizer
Earrings: Lia Sophia

Now that my news is known by everyone in my world, getting dressed is a lot easier. I don't have to try on five outfits every morning and ask RDog which one makes me look less pregnant. Now it's time to embrace my wee little bump.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Blessed

February 26, 2013

February 26, 2013

February 26, 2013

Sweater: J crew Factory
Skirt: J Crew Factory
Tank: Martin and Osa
Flower: J Crew
Necklace: Lia Sophia
Shoes: Naturalizer

Today was the day I told the big news to my co-workers.

After walking around yesterday with my skirt unzipped, I figured I'd better get it out there before "is she or isn't she?" gossip started. Fertility is a hot topic amongst our staff (it's gossip but it comes from a good place).

I'm a really shy person so I may have blushed a few times today but I was left with a great feeling at the end of the day. There were so many well wishes and so much happiness that came from co-workers that it made me feel truly blessed. It's especially poignant because among our staff there seems to be a high rate of fertility problems. I think it makes everyone a little more excited when a baby comes along.

On a fashion note, my giant flower pin is a new buy, purchased during J Crew's recent sale. There was no sense in buying clothes that won't fit in a few weeks so I've been fulfilling some of my shopping urges by browsing accessories.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Unzipped

February 25, 2012

February 25, 2012

Sweater: J Crew Factory
Skirt: Talbots
Necklace: Joe Fresh
Shoes: Naturalizer

I have this skirt in three colors. It's forgiving pleats have made it a a skirt of high rotation lately. But, unfortunately, I think it's time is done (for awhile). As the day went on, the skirt kept on getting moved higher and higher on my waist until I just said, "screw it" and unzipped it several inches. Yup, I walked around all afternoon with my skirt half unzipped. I guess I need to invest in a Belly band!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment to my last post. I really appreciate your kind words!


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Big News!

Big news

A baby is on his/her way! Expected to arrive August 30, 2013!

It's been a rough couple of months for me, hence the lack of blog posting lately.

First of all, I was hit hard with morning sickness, which ironically only came around at night. I always thought I would be  totally healthy during pregnancy, workout everyday and eat well. Yah, that didn't last. When I was feeling constantly nauseous  all I wanted to do was eat unhealthy junk, mostly carbs and ice cream. Poor RDog, took great care of whinny me, bringing me whatever junk food I was craving that day. He also made a cosy little bed in our office/tv room so I could lay in bed all night and watch tv and be near him while he worked on his computer. Thankfully, the morning sickness has disappeared; it was a bitch for sure!

Another thing that worried me (it's going to get TMI in here) was spotting. I spotted from the beginning of my pregnancy until about week 11. It took me a long time to get into the obstetrics clinic (5 week wait for the first appointment) so I just had to rely on my family doctor (who is kind of a quack). Thankfully, my family doctor got me in for an ultra sound fairly quickly  So we were able to see our little blob and his/her heartbeat early at 8 weeks. Then he told me I had fibroids and that's pretty much all he said. So I went home and hit Google of course and became terrified. During this time, I stopped exercising on my family doctor's advice.  All I basically did for 5 weeks was go to work, come home and lay in bed.

And then the eczema hit. It was so bad; all over my body, including my face. I used cortisone cream at first but then my family doctor got mad at me and said "I was asking for trouble" by using that. But he couldn't offer any alternative to fix it. I went to see a naturpathic doctor who thought it was dietary and suggested a crazy diet (which I have since stopped).

So all this together made for a pretty worried and stressed KDot. Oh and RDog decided to quit his job 3 weeks ago and add financial stress to that pile. To his credit, RDog's new job is turning out great. He took a little cut in pay but a big cut in stress. So I think it will be a good thing.

Finally, this Thursday, I had my first appointment at the obstetrics clinic. I was so worried beforehand, asking RDog, "What if they are mean?" "What is they get mad at me for using the cortisone cream?" But it was just an awesome experience.

The obstetrics clinic is attached to a university hospital so there are lots of student doctors around, which I really don't mind. They are really careful that they do a thorough job. I actually had 3 doctors; a student doctor, a resident and the real doctor. The appointment took a long time (4 hours - I had to go get a snack in the middle) but I left feeling better than I've felt in a long time.

The overall message was don't worry, everything looks great, exercise, eat healthy and relax. My fibroids are really tiny (under 1cm) and they'll be monitored but the doctor was not concerned. They told not to worry about using cortisone cream, it was just a few times so it wasn't going to cause harm. In fact, the doctor came in the room, took one look at me and said, "We're going to get you into see a dermatologist." And she did, within hours! I've been waiting for a year and half to see see a dermatologist  And they said I don't have to see my family doctor for anything, I can just call them for anything, baby related or not. So no more scare tactics from him. And after the first appointment, there is no longer a wait to get in to the clinic.

We also got to hear the heartbeat for the first time on Thursday. The nurse was smart and suggested we record it with our cellphones. It was nice to be able to send out parents the video clip. In fact, that was how we told our brothers we are expecting  we just emailed the clip of the heartbeat sound and said, "Can you guess what this is?"

Now that we've heard the heartbeat and are officially in the second trimester, we've started to let people in on the news. My mom works in retail and yesterday she told every person that came into her store. She is really excited!

Today I'm just filled with lots of joy and positive thinking. Rdog and I have started talking and making plans for when the baby arrives (we went furniture shopping this morning). Everyone who hears the news is so supportive and happy. I feel really loved!

 I couldn't wait to tell my blogging friends my big news. I look forward to rocking this bump once it becomes larger. I already started maternity clothes shopping and can't wait to be a stylish momma!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Troll Face

February 19, 2012

Sweater: Old Navy
Skirt: J Crew Factory
Scarf: Thirfted
Shoes: Naturalizer
Bracelet: J Crew Factory

I'm still here!

For  the last week and a half I've been dealing with a killer eczema outbreak which made me not want to leave the house, let alone post my picture on the internet.

I had eczema when I was a child but it went away for 25 years only to reappear last November. I had an outbreak then and in December too, on my arms and bottom.

This time, I had an outbreak everywhere; back, chest, arms, legs, in between my fingers, behind my ears and the worst place; my face. Yup, my face was covered with itchy red bumps for about a week. I looked like a troll. I actually used some sick time last week to hide out at home.

But at the end of last week, it was clear the bumps weren't going away and I'm too much a control freak to have a substitute teacher in my classroom for very long, so back to work I went.

I was really paranoid about what my students would say. They notice everything about me so I knew these red bumps would not escape notice. Teenagers can be cruel and even though I'm a teacher, I have a feelings too! But the kids have been super sweet. I simply told them it was an allergic reaction. One student offered me his Claritin and they chide me when they notice me scratching.

My family doctor hasn't been too helpful in figuring out why my eczema has decided to return so I have been visiting a naturpathic doctor. His theory is that I have a food sensitivity that for the most part, doesn't bother me. But take into account some recent stress (about RDog's job) and some funky things going on with my immune system (more on that later), and bam, I have red bumps.

So I've had my blood couriered to the United States for some food sensitivity testing that is not done around these parts and I'm on an hypo-allergenic diet (no eggs, dairy, wheat or soy). The eczema is dying down (if you look closely, you can still see an ugly patch on my arm but it's better than last week) but I really, really want a cookie and ice cream and a sandwich. Pretty much all the good food in the world has eggs, dairy or wheat.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Indoors Is Best

February 6, 2013

February 6, 2013

February 6, 2013

Sweater: J Crew
Top: J Crew
Skirt: J Crew Factory
Shoes: Naturalizer
Bracelet: Gap Factory

It was way too cold today to go outside without 40,000 layers on.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Told You So

February 4, 2013

February 4, 2013

February 4, 2013

Sweater: J Crew
Blouse: Mexx
Skirt: J Crew Factory
Bracelet: J Crew Factory
Shoes: Naturalizer

I told you the snow would be back. :p

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Don't Be Fooled

February 1

February 1

Sweater: Old Navy
Skirt: J Crew
Bracelet: Banana Republic
Shoes: Naturalizer

We're having a bit of a warm front around these parts which makes picture-taking bearable and which also melted the snow!

Don't worry though, the white backdrop will return; a storm is expected soon.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Hit The Laundry

January 31, 2013

January 31, 2013

Shirt: Old Navy
Skirt: Talbots
Shoes: Naturalizer
Necklace: Lia Sophia

Not too exciting of an outfit today but I'm proud of the fact that I'm wearing dress up clothes that are clean!

Yup, for the past few weeks I haven't been feeling well and it was exam week (which means little exposure to other people at work) so I've been wearing the same pair of dirty jeans (breaking dress code) and whatever comfy sweater I could find.

Today was the start of second semester so I wanted to make an effort to get it started off right.The dirty jeans have hit the laundry and the skirts and tights are back.