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Managing Expectations + Maternity Fitness Wear = Serenity!

adrianne — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:00:17 +0000

I know a lot of things in life are about managing expectations: in work, for yourself, for your kids, everything. I have never been great at this but always work really hard at becoming a master. News flash: I am getting better! Managing expectations = having NO expectations sometimes. For example, I know that I cannot have ANY expectations for what life is going to be like with a three-year-old and a newborn. NONE. I know that especially at the beginning, every day will be different and fun yet trying in its own unique way. Please remind me of this when I am bleary-eyed, the house is a wreck, I am behind on blogging and haven’t showered.

Yesterday is also a great example of managing my expectations (or practicing not really having any). Davis, our two-year-old (I am sure you are somewhat familiar with him if you are a regular around here) is going through some heavy-duty potty training. The sticker chart I mentioned a while ago is still working but he has yet to “cross over” into exclusive potty land. He needs a little push. He has become lazy and too reliant on his Lightening McQueen pull-ups. So have we. Therefore, Tripp and I have brazenly said to him, “You are going to be a big brother. You are going to be three in a month. You are a smart, big boy. Big boys wear real underwear and sleep in big boy beds.” He is 100% on board which is great! What’s not so great is that he doesn’t quite get the “signal” you need to get to tell us he has to get to the potty before it happens. Oops! And, thanks to us, he now REFUSES to wear a diaper. From 8am – 1pm yesterday, we went through four pairs of shorts and five pairs of underwear…one pair that ended up in the trash can because I just didn’t have the strength (or nose) to clean that up, if you know what I mean. (And that was all before nap time.) Surprisingly, I have been relatively calm about it all. He has helped me clean up his messes and we, so far, don’t hate each other at the end of the day.

In times of stress and striving for no expectations…or hoping for good expectations (does that make sense??), I often practice yoga or work out. And, while I haven’t had time to do that yet today, I did find some amazing maternity work-out clothes. I didn’t even know they existed. Great timing because I was literally trying to figure out what to do a few days ago…thing are NOT fitting anymore. By the way, my finds are CUTE and on SALE: yes, Zulily , people.

Check out Fit2BMom:

This is really flattering, I think! (And, maybe even cute with a skinny black skirt!)

SUPER flattering. Give me black, people.

Sadly, I am not running anymore. This skort would be perfect for it, though. Maybe for biking or just plain old elliptical? Whatever for, I want one.

These look comfy…and with pockets! What’s not to love?

STANDARD. Who doesn’t need a white tee…for work out or with jeans?

Again, cute work out top but also cute with a summer skirt!

What a great jacket for the upcoming Fall! I know, it’s not here yet but I will STILL be preggers when it gets here.

Did I say that all of this is on sale…like, 50% off? Go to it! Let me know if you need an invitation to join Zulily.

I’ll fill you in on how the “no diapers” is going on Monday. We are going to let him run around naked all weekend. Stay tuned….

Adrianne

Vacation Bliss…

adrianne — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:00:44 +0000

Good morning! I hope y’all had a great Memorial Day weekend! As you know, Tripp and I escaped to Duck, NC for one last blast of beach before the summer. It was so relaxing and fantastic…and much, much needed. As a mom I get totally sick of hearing myself talk. Don’t you? I feel like most days, all I do is talk to a) tell someone something to do, b) tell someone something not to do, c) explain how something works, d) warn of impending danger, e) warn of impending danger, f) warn of impending danger. For five days straight all I had to do was whatever I wanted. Therefore, I don’t have a lot to report.

We are, however, totally in love with where we stayed. Check out the 50’s style beach inn below.

Behold, the classic Sanderling Inn:

We stayed in the South Inn. It was so calm and serene. Every morning, they would serve coffee in the room below and there was always light classical music playing. I know. We sound old but nothing was better to us than waking up, walking into this room and having coffee with paper in hand and listening to Chopin. I guess that’s what happens to you when you have a kid and you really need a vacay!

Here is a picture of the room. Don’t underestimate that bed. It is THE most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in during my lifetime. Seriously. I slept without waking up ONCE every night…a true feat when three times a night is standard for me!

And, here we are relaxing on the beach and celebrating our Anny on Saturday!

(OK. I know this is an empty beach chair. BUT, it sums up what we did. N.O.T.H.I.N.G.!)

Well, Tripp surfed:

Then, we did nothing some more until dinner. We went to Blue Point for our Anny dinner. It was FAB.

That’s us over a strawberry-rhubarb cobbler. DEE-lish!

Ok. I promise a more detailed and kid-oriented post tomorrow. All this vacation has made me tired!

Adrianne

Happy Anny!

adrianne — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:00:35 +0000

I have to dedicate my post today to my lovie hubby. Tomorrow is our Anniversary!! Here are some pics from our time together since 2001!

We met in New Orleans and had lots of adventures together there:

Then, we got married in New Orleans:

What fun it was flipping through these today!!

We moved to Richmond:

Our first house!

We started a family (our first child, Alice):

We had a baby:

Moved to the Rivah:

And now we’re adding to our family again:

All the time, having a BLAST:

It’s been so much fun, Tripp. I love you!!!

Thirty Something

adrianne — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:00:08 +0000

Yes, people. It’s true. I will be 31 on Sunday. 31 is officially being “IN” your 30’s. Honestly, I am okay with it but I’m not 100% sure what to do with it. I mean, I remember VIVIDLY when my mom was in her 30’s. I was 7/8 when she turned 31. It was also 1986. I feel like my life should be just like “thirtysomething” from the 80’s. Anyone remember that show? If not, you are too young or you are as old as dirt! (This also applies if you do not actively remember being shooed from the den so your parents could watch “Dallas.”)

Exhibit A: thirtysomething

Exhibit B: Dallas

I secretly want that big hair…

Exhibit C: Me as a barely 31′er

HA! Just kidding. Here’s the real me:

I am comforted by the fact that 30 is the “new” 20, right?? RIGHT???? I mean, I have my WHOLE life in front of me. And, I get to wear way cooler clothes (more sophisticated and non-teeny bopper)…

On that note, I am going back out to the beach (yes, we are back at the beach!) to relax under the umbrella and my large hat as to not accentuate my thirty-something wrinkle potential!

Adrianne

P.S. If anyone happens to be making a homemade strawberry cake with strawberry icing, call me! That would be FAB. (Wink wink!)

Bathing Suit Season

adrianne — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:57:00 +0000

Yep. It’s here, ready or not! The proof: we just had four glorious days at the beach in nothing less than bikini weather. This season (my favorite), however, has kind of blind sided me this year. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been killing myself per usual in order to give my best shot at “bikini abs” and overall sculpted bikini-ness. I, therefore, naturally, opted for a more conservative tankini to cover my ever bulging preggers tummy. Well, let me tell you, it got HOT. My stomach was STEAMING from all the extra fabric. I started to think…pregnancy bikini. I must do it.

When we got home yesterday, I found a Fit Pregnancy mag in my mail box. Low and behold, there is an entire section dedicated to lovely pregnant ladies in bikinis (a few pics from the spread below). There is even a woman on the cover sporting a sassy two piece!

This little black bikini is totally my style. Yippee! (And, bonus skirt – cute and covers my ever growing you-know-what!)

Fit Pregnancy Mag

I lounge like this on a daily basis.;)

Fit Pregnancy Mag

I am completely convinced to let it all hang out from here on this summer. Check out the other gorgeous suits I found to fulfill my quest of tummy freedom:

SUPER fun and not skimpy!

Maternal America “Jeena” Bikini

Bella BumBum Bikini found at TummyStyle

I have actually tried this one on! The bottoms are NOT canoes…the usual in maternity fashions…from Prego Maternity.

Or…if you have even more of a “devil may care” attitude, skip the maternity part of the bikini completely and flaunt your stuff:

South Moon Under

I love the detail on this suit from Trina Turk (LOVE!)

Everything But Water.

Pregnant or not, this bathing suit shopping can be intimidating and a much dreaded sport, no? Good luck out there!

Adrianne

Mother’s Day Squishy

adrianne — Fri, 07 May 2010 11:00:31 +0000

I don’t usually get all squishy-faced and kum-ba-ya-ish about touchy-feely topics. But, today, I am going to do just that. Why? Because it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday and your mother deserves some squishy-ness. I am a mother and I want some squishy-ness. In other words, give your mom a hug and tell her you love her, okay?

Let’s look at mom through the decades, shall we?

1950’s: Isn’t she so happy cleaning that table?

I look just like that when I clean in my perfect hair and dress. Wait. Do I sense some sarcasm in that smile?

1950’s/60’s: Now that is more like it (I Love Lucy!)

1960’s/70’s Modern women…HOT.

1980’s: Working Girl

My mom went to work in an office in the 80’s…did yours? And, she was the epitome of working fashion just like Melanie Griffith and Sigourney Weaver. Nicely done, Ladies.

1980’s: Who didn’t love Ferris Beuler’s mom?

1990’s: Catherine O’Hara’s “Home Alone” mom…I look like this before I’ve had my coffee.

2000’s: Heidi Klum making it look good (and easy!).

The top five reasons, in my book, to appreciate your mom this weekend:

1. You have thrown up on her person (or worse). You may not remember, but, I promise, you have. And, she cleaned it up without complaint AND still loves you.

2. You gave her a hard time at least once in your childhood? Come on. Be honest. That lady is tough! Example below (not to toot my own horn but I did survive this day). This is Davis at a Chuck E. Cheese’s outing one day. He is having a blast, no? (Note my fingers gripping trying to prevent him from falling out of my lap. Good thing you can’t see my face, too! If you could, it would be screaming, “We are having SO much fun, right? Yes! Yes, we are! (sarcasm, sarcasm)”)

3. Being a mom is a pleasure and tons of fun but it’s also a lot of work. Rewarding work. All moms are working moms.

4. She always listened to you and gave you hugs when you needed them most. (And, hopefully, she is still around to do this for you.)

5. Overall, you know she is Wonder Woman and you love her dearly:

(Those hips don’t lie!)

Have a great weekend and Mother’s Day everyone! I’ll be back at it on Monday.

Adrianne