Mommyhood Lessons from Me and Pregnancy Styles from Guests.

Happy Mother's Day to ALL of you Mothers out there!! Happy Mother's Day to you and YOUR Mothers!! Happy Mother's Day from the three of us!! Here are 3 generations of Ladies from my immediate family: My Mom, Myself and Sweet Vivian (at 6 months). We had just arrived in the Michigan and Vivi got to meet Grandma for the first time. =)

Around this time, two years ago, we learned I was expecting our first child. To say that I was happy is a huge understatement. Around 15 weeks I found out that the baby was a she and that made me even happier. Though I would have been super happy either way. And now to say that Vivian has 100% changed my life is also a gigantic understatement. At 15 and a half months, my beautiful baby girl has taught me so much already. She continues to teach me, actually. Sometimes I feel like we teach each-other. There were so many firsts for me when she was born, because she is my first. I can go on and on about how much I have learned from Vivian. But today, in honor of Mother's day (my second holiday of its kind) I want to focus on the main 3 things that my daughter has taught me. =)

1} Unconditional Love. Yes, I knew that kind of love existed before. I have been lucky enough to experience it via my husband, my brother and my parents (among others) and to shower them back with my own unconditional love. But nothing compares to the love that a Mother has for her child. Absolutely nothing. I loved Vivian from the moment I found out she was a little embryo growing inside my belly. I loved her a million times more when I saw her for the first time, held her, nursed her, embraced her, caressed her, kissed her for the first time. I love her a billion times more now, as she grows more and more each day and learns new things daily. Nothing makes me happier than seeing her happy. Her beautiful smile and big laugh lightens up my heart!
2} Patience. I have never been an impatient person, but at the same time I have never been the most patient either. I learned more about patience the first 10 days of Vivian's life than I had in 3 decades I had been alive. Babies require so much out of you, especially as a Mamma. You have to have patience made of steel, from breast-feeding them for hours at a time (if they so require) while letting them rest and sleep by your chest, to many many sleepless nights. To this day, I have yet to have a night where I don't wake up at least once. Actually even last night, Vivian kept me awake for almost 3 hours in a row. She was just too happy to be awake. We went from drinking some milk to caressing her in my arms, to swinging her, to putting her in her stroller, to listening to music, to reading her a book, to singing to her, to letting her walk around and play for a bit till she got tired and sleepy again. As a matter of fact as Vivian is now in the early stages as a toddler, she is teaching me to be even more patient. She is the little energizer bunny who never, ever stops.
3} Strength. Having a child makes you stronger all around. You become more confident as a woman, more proud. You feel like you have wings and can be wonder-woman because of what that child needs out of you, especially during the first couple of years of their lives. You learn to multitask a lot more than before. You learn to survive on very little food and even less sleep. There have been days, weeks even, when I haven't had time to have more than one meal and maybe a snack. You learn to survive on coffee or just a little caffeine. You learn to make it through a lot of yawning and half-open eyes. You feel like you have a second set of hands (sometimes I wish I could). You also learn and realize that you can rock third even forth day hair, because being there for your baby at any given moment is way more important than washing your hair, putting makeup on, or making yourself presentable. A child makes you stronger in every level. Emotionally too, because you now feel accomplished as a woman since you have finally created a life.

Vivian is the apple of my eyes. She is the Light of our home and the Biggest Gift of our Family. Not a day goes by when I don't feel happy, lucky, grateful and blessed that she is mine. Not a day goes by when I don't look at her and tell to myself "Gosh, she is so gorgeous!!" Around this time last year she was about 15 weeks old and now she is 15 months (soon to be 16). She has changed so much and as she grows healthy and beautiful each day I thank God for my biggest treasure and pray to Him to keep her healthy and safe! 

For the second part of this special Mother's Day post, I asked two of my Favorite Bloggers both Mommies-to-be, a little 5-question interview. Laura and Londyn are Ultimate Girly Girls and Gorgeous Fashionistas expecting their own mini fashionista(s). By this time next year they will be celebrating their first Mother's Day. How fun! Read on their interviews and get to know them better. If you haven't already stopped by their blogs, run do not walk to their websites because these girls are as Stylishly-Dressed as they are Stunning. They glow even more now as they are expecting. =)

LAURA of Walking in Memphis in High Heels.

1. How far along are you and when are you due? Boy or girl?

I will be 16 weeks on 5/12/14.  It is a girl!!  We were so excited and surprised to find out the gender at 9 weeks.  = )

2. How has your day-to-day style has changed so far now that you are pregnant?

My pencil skirts that I previously wore to work every single day have been out of the question.  I also have had to put my rompers aside this spring and summer.  For work, I have been wearing empire waisted dresses and drapey ankle length dress pants with blouses.  I am sort of in an in-between stage right now, so I think it will get a little easier as the bump grows, and I'm not actually trying to "hide" it anymore. 

3. What items of clothing do you plan on wearing more of, as your pregnancy progresses?

I think dresses will be my go-to item.  It's only one piece, and they can be so comfortable.  I think it will also make me feel somewhat dressed up and pulled together still.

4. Show us 5 of your Favorite Outfits you have worn while pregnant and write a sentence or two about each.

http://www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com/2014/02/denim.html

I was only 4.5 weeks pregnant at the time of this post. We had just found out IVF was successful only the week before so I was having a pretty great month! I absolutely love the tuxedo stripe on these jeans, and this Equipment silk blouse was one of my favorite winter splurges. I definitely got my money's worth as much as I have worn it!

http://www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com/2014/03/boyfriend.html

For this casual look, I loved the combination of boyfriend jeans with lace up heels to add a little bit of fun and interest to the outfit.

http://www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com/2014/04/tunic-2-50-white-plum-gift-cards.html

For this look I sized up a couple sizes in a tunic to wear it as a dress. I think the red worked perfectly with the mint green color, and the leopard booties and leather jacket was a fun, unexpected twist. 

http://www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com/2014/04/trend-spin-linkup-week-46-free-day.html

One of my favorites combos will always be florals and stripes. I think this is a typical outfit that 100% fits my personality.

http://www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com/2014/05/digital.html

This was one of those outfits I was worried about since I don't normally wear white, and especially while pregnant, I figured it wouldn't be very slimming, but it is honestly one of my favorites I have worn this entire year!

5. As a first-time expectant Mom what advice do you have for other moms that are also expecting their first babies?

Oh goodness, I was hoping you all would have advice for me!  I am a newbie and am so out of my element right now.  I would love any tips and advice from Ada and others!  I have honestly been just taking it day by day and enjoying every minute of it, so I haven't even googled or researched what to expect or do or anything!  We were just so excited and blessed to finally get pregnant with IVF after 7 years of trying we want to enjoy each day!

LONDYN of BlogFashion.

1. How far along are you and when are you due? Boy or girl?

26 weeks along and expecting a little girl  :)  So excited!

2. How has your day-to-day style has changed so far now that you are pregnant?

The biggest and most obvious change is that all of my slim or cinch waist outfits are clearly no longer an option - that's pretty much my entire wardrobe...  How I miss my pencil skirts!  Other than that, I've been repeating foundation pieces a lot more and trying to keep things interesting with accessories, blazers, cardigans, and shoes.  For my foundation pieces, I'm still keeping my staple style with lots of dresses, but instead of structured dresses, they're either loose and flowy or tight and stretchy.

3. What items of clothing do you plan on wearing more of, as your pregnancy progresses?

Since I'm just getting into the 3rd trimester now and the remainder of my pregnancy will be in the heat of summer, I'm definitely going to keep working the dresses.  For non-work attire, I love maxi dresses, baby doll dresses, and I'm sure I'll be living in sandals.  Maybe I'll chic it up a bit with a big floppy hat and some rhinestones :)

4. Show us 5 of your Favorite Outfits you have worn while pregnant and write a sentence or two about each.

I adore this dress (one of my few actual maternity dresses) because it simultaneously camouflages and accentuates!  The pattern hides imperfections while the fit highlights the new mommy curves.  

Is it wrong that I love this dress because it's hard to tell if I'm pregnant in it...?  LOL  I actually feel semi-normal in this dress and it's nice not to feel like my pregnant body is on display.  Plus, I'm crazy about the pattern!

This dress is so much fun!  I'm in love with stripes and I also got to show off my Zara heels  :)  Can't give up my heels just yet...

This dress is one that I've been wearing a lot - it's so versatile!  Perfect for work and easy to switch up the look with accessories.  It's super comfortable too, so ya can't beat that.

I loved wearing this baby doll dress while not pregnant and was happily surprised to find it still fits me (at this point).  The pattern just makes me happy and feels like spring.  I like the low cut for a little sexy edge without being over the top.

5. As a first-time expectant Mom what advice do you have for other moms that are also expecting their first babies?

Not to take anyone else's advice!  Okay, that's a bit tongue and cheek, but in all honesty - trusting yourself and quieting the noise of all the books, relatives, co-workers, etc... is really important.  This time can be overwhelming, so having a solid sense of self through it all is important.  In addition to that, having supportive loved ones around to cherish and care for you during this time can make such a difference.  I had someone tell me "You look beautiful pregnant." for the first time this week, and I had to suppress tears because just a few kinds words can sometimes mean so much.

Aren't they gorgeous and glowing? If I can give them just a couple of pieces of advice (all from my personal experience) it would be the following: while pregnant they should get as much rest and sleep as possible, especially during the last couple of months of their pregnancy; wear comfortable shoes, lay off the heels (I had to do it too though I missed wearing them to my office job); and walk outside enjoying the fresh air, this is good for you physically and good for an easy, quick and healthy delivery too. As far as after having the baby my two main ones would be to breastfeed (the best thing you can do to your baby) and to listen to your own gut. To wrap it up (this was long whew!!) I want to wish a Happy 1st Mother's Day to these Blogging Mommies (whose blogs I follow) and Buddies Natalie, Yi-Chia and Jena (all of which had girls). And also a wish for the newest Mommy Jen who had a boy. =)

P.S. Linking up with Anna, Kristine, Leeann, Elena and Molly.