Sail to Sable Maxi Dress c/o (It’s clearly for the Fourth of July, but I couldn’t help but pull it out for Mitch’s end-of-year celebration yesterday!) / MZ Wallace Tote (I have the medium size. It’s also carried at Nordstrom.) / Jack Rogers Sandals (Also available at Zappos) / Similar Sunglasses / Monica Vinader Bracelet c/o / Moon and Lola Earrings c/o
I know. I’m huge. ;) But today marks 35 weeks, which means I only have five weeks left!
Things are starting to get real. While I’m beyond excited, I’d be lying if I said I’m totally calm over here. There’s just so much to do. I realize that this is a very typical feeling to have in the third trimester, and I know that I’m not exactly rational right now. I also understand that “nesting” occurs when you want to control a situation that’s very much out of your control.
But I’m feeling a WEE BIT OVERWHELMED, guys.
I’m crazy behind on work, the nursery is close but not there, the fireplace hasn’t been painted, our bedroom has essentially been turned into a storage facility, the bathroom is almost done but not quite, the house needs another deep-cleaning/organization session, and we still have a zillion little things to buy before the baby arrives. And then there’s this little heat wave we’ve been experiencing, which I haven’t been handling very well. (Two episodes of heat exhaustion so far! Which is weird, considering I have Raynaud’s and am almost always cold.) I’m also easily aggravated, tired nearly all the time, uncomfortable and unmotivated. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. But I’ll spare you. ;)
AH! Sorry for all the complaints.
Like I said before, I know my little freak-outs are stemming from all the unknowns that are out of my control. There’s uneasiness regarding the big day, there are concerns regarding how the first few weeks (and months) will go, there’s uncertainty about whether I’ll actually be a good mom, and there’s anxiety about how life is about to change.
My saving grace? Mitch’s last day of work was yesterday. Hallelujah! Juggling work, construction and baby-related to-do lists has been tough, and now that school’s out for the summer, life is about to be a whole lot easier. Tomorrow, for example, we’re handling an internet provider appointment, taking Noodle to the vet, priming (and perhaps painting?) the fireplace bookshelves, tackling some correspondence, and meeting with our contractor about some final nursery decisions. I’m also putting in a half-day of work. Everything seems so much more manageable with Mitch around during the day! (Because seriously: how much can you accomplish at night?)
Thank goodness for awesome husbands. Speaking of awesome husbands, cheers to another year of teaching under the belt. Last night, we went out with Mitch’s coworkers (who are amazing, and have truly become our friends over the last two years) to celebrate the end of the school year. Just as we did last June, we rented a boat and cruised up and down the Chicago River. It was so relaxing and fun. I have the upmost respect and admiration for Chicago teachers, and I’m so proud of Mitch and his coworkers. Every one of ’em made a huge impact on their students’ lives (incredibly evident from graduation, which I attended late last week) and deserve this hard-earned break. Congratulations, guys!
Onward. Let’s get our lives in order before Baby Larkin arrives!
(And if you’ve been pregnant before, any tips for how to calm down before Baby?)
Classic “test the lighting” shot. ;)
Outfit details:
Sail to Sable Maxi Dress c/o (It’s clearly for the Fourth of July, but I couldn’t help but pull it out for Mitch’s end-of-year celebration yesterday!) / MZ Wallace Tote (I have the medium size. It’s also carried at Nordstrom.) / Jack Rogers Sandals (Also available at Zappos) / Similar Sunglasses / Monica Vinader Bracelet c/o / Moon and Lola Earrings c/o
I wish I had some solid advice to give you, but I’m not knowledgeable in that area! Just know that I’m not even pregnant and the stress of the unknown still gets to me. You’re handling it wonderfully :) Watching my sister birth my niece last August was easily one of the greatest experiences of my life thus far and watching her grow up is even better. Sending you all the calming vibes for your last 5 weeks!
26 and Not Counting
Ahhhh – it will be the longest and shortest 5 weeks all at once! I love reading your pregnancy updates since we are due at the same time :) Good luck with all the house and baby items – I’m trying to remember that babies don’t actually need much at the beginning, and you’ll be so happy to have them in your arms that what ever isn’t done can wait. Because after work, I go straight to the hammock and ice cream. The nesting hasn’t hit me quite yet!
You look so amazing, lady! I am glad you guys took time to celebrate the end of another school year and the summer ahead!
Best of luck with the final 5 weeks! Try not to stress – even if it doesn’t all get done completely you won’t even notice once the baby comes :)
Best of luck with the final 5 weeks! Try not to stress – even if it doesn’t all get done completely you won’t even notice once the baby comes :)
I love that dress! It looks like you all had so much fun! I’m wishing you a happy next few weeks.
Ashley
MyWellDressedLife.com
I love that dress! It looks like you all had so much fun! I’m wishing you a happy next few weeks.
Ashley
MyWellDressedLife.com
Stunning shot of the river! It has definitely been crazy hot in Chicago (especially Sunday) so I’m jealous you spent some time on the water! I know absolutely zero about your current stresses, but you seem like you’re handling it much better than you’re giving yourself credit for! Can’t wait to hear more updates and see more pictures of the house!
xo
Olivia
PrepEssentials
Stunning shot of the river! It has definitely been crazy hot in Chicago (especially Sunday) so I’m jealous you spent some time on the water! I know absolutely zero about your current stresses, but you seem like you’re handling it much better than you’re giving yourself credit for! Can’t wait to hear more updates and see more pictures of the house!
xo
Olivia
PrepEssentials
The last month is SO hard! The anxiety over waiting and wondering what your labor will be like and wondering what your baby will be like and the stress on your body of carrying a full grown baby are tough!!! I went 6 days PAST my due date and I was already off of work so I was literally just waiting. (I had to be induced.) As a newish mom with a 6 month old, I would say enjoy these last few weeks with your husband. I KNOW that is hard (I was so over people telling me this!!!), but it really is a whirlwind the first 3 (or 5!) months and time alone or with your partner is really hard to come by. I know you’re probably not sleeping well either, but if possible, try to sleep in a few days too! Your sweet little baby will be here before you know it. And as a fellow Chicagoan, I’m sorry about the heat!!!
Lucky for me, during my labor my nurse had a nursing student shadowing her and explained every single thing she was doing and that was awesome! Relish this time with your hubby & noodle because once baby arrives they will not get any attention:( You look adorable!!!!!
Lucky for me, during my labor my nurse had a nursing student shadowing her and explained every single thing she was doing and that was awesome! Relish this time with your hubby & noodle because once baby arrives they will not get any attention:( You look adorable!!!!!
This dress looks gorgeous on you, Kelly! Good luck girl, you can do it!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Love your dress and I think you look gorgeous! I have no sound advice, since I am not a mom, but I will leave you with an anecdote I told my sister when she was getting ready to have my niece “You can do this — women give birth in fields in Africa without any medical attention and crack heads have kids that turn out just fine…” :)
Love your dress and I think you look gorgeous! I have no sound advice, since I am not a mom, but I will leave you with an anecdote I told my sister when she was getting ready to have my niece “You can do this — women give birth in fields in Africa without any medical attention and crack heads have kids that turn out just fine…” :)
I’ve been in one of those tiny boats on the river before, so fun!!
http://www.kristinadoestheinternets.com
Yay for Mitch and you are right – teachers are seriously amazing! They’re like superheroes dressed as normal people ;) ALSO I will come over and paint your fireplace for you, and since you can’t have wine I’ll bring you chocolate ;)
Such the perfect dress for this time of the year…and 4th of July! Congrats on being a mommy so soon. You look lovely :) http://www.chasingbelle.com
I do get what you are saying as I was living in Italy when child #1 was born on a tiny island. The US Navy sends you to Naples at 36 weeks, we moved into a new house 4 days prior and it was the hottest year in 150 years with no AC. Came home when she was 10 days old to a pile of unopened boxes ( my husband was deployed the entire time up until a week before her birth). In the end a perfect house is not necessary and all the little things can be bought online . Babies do not need this stuff and we need to remind ourself it is okay not to be perfect. One day you can laugh about all this . But I will say I did come home and cried my house was full of boxes ( with a c-section incision that had to be reopened due to infection and a child who was miserable and screamed almost the first 3 months of her life for various reasons). It all works out in the end. It sure gives you great stories to tell. It will be fine.