thoughts on Memorial Day, comfort, and weather

Did everyone have a nice long weekend? It's such a great way to start off the summer - with a holiday weekend. But the end of the summer is a little harder to take, I think - another holiday weekend to mark the end of a season of outdoor fun and sunshine. Can't a Colorado summer last forever?

However, the real reason for the three-day weekend is not to celebrate the start of summer or to get started on lawn work - it's to remember those who have passed while defending our freedom. Hope everyone remembered to thank a veteran and fly those American flags high and proud.

Switching gears, here's a casual outfit I wore recently. I've reached the point where pants are pretty uncomfortable, so this is one of my last looks to share with pants. Instead, i'm opting for dresses and skirts. And when I'm at home, the Mr.'s gym shorts, boxers and t-shirts (his side of the closet has become a treasure trove of comfortable clothing options).

This general uncomfortable-ness has made me thankful that this baby is due to arrive any day now in the early summer, so that 1) I'm not in my last few weeks/months in the heat of summer, and 2) I'm not trying to wear tights/leggings/sweaters/boots in the cold of winter in my last few weeks/months. I think each season of the year has something to offer pregnant women at different times of their pregnancies, so maybe I'm just biased and feeling really lucky and only seeing the silver lining as I end my gestational period.

That being said, we've still had some cold & rainy weather here in Colorado, mixed with very nice sunny & warm days. Talk about keeping me on my toes...do I store the long-sleeved newborn-sized onesies? What about the really warm fleece sleepers?

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

2016

Hello? Anyone there? *crickets*

Sorry (again) for my extended absence this fall/winter/holiday season (said sheepishly). Disappearing from the internets was never my intent, but at the risk of sounding like a cliche, time keeps running away from me, or maybe I should say "Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin', into the future..." However, in my defense, I've been in a bit of a stylish/blogging funk, and here's why:

I'm pregnant. 

Yes, it's true. I'm gestating a tiny human (as a friend of mine said), and to be frank with you, I feel like nothing fits my body, nor suits my evolving style at the moment (evolving in that I'm in my 20s - youth! but I'm on my way to becoming a mother - I can't look like I'm 12 anymore!). I'm not in maternity clothes yet (17 weeks), but my regular clothes are a wee bit snug. Thankfully, my sweet mama came to the rescue and gifted me several of her cozier sweaters and some new ones to wear in this awkward "Is she pregnant? Or has she just eaten A LOT of burritos lately?" phase I'm currently residing in.

Anyways, growing a tiny human can be is exhausting. Couple that with not feeling so great for weeks on end, and feeling bloated and your skin breaking out (not sure if that's Bebe, or the terrible acne I've had since middle school rearing its ugly head...), and you have a recipe for this girl not feeling motivated or inspired to blog.

Womp womp.

Oh, and add lots of social, family, work, house, and life commitments and engagements, throw in a dash of Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's, people visiting, and lots & lots of cold weather and snow, and this blonde/redhead/"what color is THAT?" has been crawling into bed earlier and earlier every day, with nary a concern for her wardrobe.

However, it's a new year (heyyyyy, 2016!), and I picked an easy resolution: have a baby. I mean, I'm almost halfway there, so, this one should be pretty simple to stick to. And along that vein, maybe I can inspire another newly-pregnant young mom-to-be to drop the leggings, and put together something that makes her feel great. Because, really, if we don't feel great when we're growing the next generation of humans (maybe your child will be the Next Great Fashion Blogger), when should we? This will sound sappy, but growing a tiny human is pretty neat, especially when you think of all of the amazing things your body (and theirs) are doing, to shield and grow this little Bebe (just don't think of all of the other uncomfortable and less glamorous things).

I'm off my soapbox now, and am done with my apology. Don't you worry - this isn't going to turn into a strictly "mommy" blog, or pregnancy/nursing/newborn blog - I'm still me, and I'll still be me after Bebe arrives (albeit most likely very sleep deprived, and perhaps a bit dazed & confused). However, you'll see more "bump style," and maybe some other tidbits about babies. But, my excellent sense of humor is still the same ;)

In preparing for our new arrival, we've done some projects around our house that I'm excited to share with you. *disclaimer: these are all DIY, budget-friendly, mostly use-what-we-have types of projects, and neither of us have a background in design - you've been warned...

Here's a picture of my dog - isn't he sweet? He's been battling aspiration pneumonia for the past few days, but appears to be on the mend, as evidenced by a lower temperature, and the ability to scarf down wet dog food (so gross) this morning.