WHAT I WORE | Buttoned Down in Plaid
As the days of motherhood go by, I’m finding out just how glamorous life with a baby can be. Partially undressing oneself in the backseat at any given moment (and not for hanky-panky, either), sitting on an inflatable donut (at weddings and in restaurants!), stealthily avoiding spit-up, arriving fashionably late for everything… this is my life now. I’m working around a screaming, pooping, or hungry baby, and sometimes I really love it, but often it’s terribly draining. The days have been long and rough. It’s difficult to find time for much of anything, and I often feel confined on the couch with a baby on my breast.
But really, life is good. I’m learning to love loungewear. And button-downs for public life. And I’ve even found a nursing bra that works with my new figure! (My bra size is out. of. control. Ayayaya.) Baby Lucy may be recognizing my face now, and sometimes she stops fussing when she looks into my eyes. It’s all so magical, until her face turns bright red and she belts out another blood-curdling scream. Oh, baby. What a different direction you’ve taken my life!
O U T F I T D E T A I L S :
blouse: thrifted | jumper: thrifted | tights: ASOS | shoes: thrifted
photos by Phil
Well, you are looking quite fabulous! Enjoy that little lady!
mandi you look great! i don’t have a little one yet so i can only imagine how draining the first months can be. i wish you all the breaks you need. and don’t worry about bras. my size is out of control ever since i was 19 and i don’t even feed a tiny human. if you like online shopping have a look at this site: http://brastop.com/maternity-nursing-bras.aspx
love from switzerland.
Awe. Raising a baby sounds crazy, but so, so worth it too. Wishing you well, and wishing you some restful sleeps in the near future too!
-Lindsey
So excited to see more of you and Lucy! You look lovely here! :)
oh…I remember those days! There were nights where I would be standing up gently bouncing my baby to sleep in my arms for hours to the point where I would be in tears as well, feeling like it would never ever end (although rationally knowing it would) but then the next morning when that little cutiepie wakes up and looks you in the eyes your heart just melts to pieces :)
Wishing you all the love patience and strength you can get!!!
xo
Alex
p.s: I suffered from the “baby blues” after my first one, but my boys are 7 & 8 now and everything turned out just fine :) (you know…with a minor nervous breakdown here and there ;)
My third kiddo was a projectile spit upper/screamer. It lasted until about 8-9 months. He is now 9, and not fussy anymore. :-) Hang in there, and prayers for sleep and peace for you!
my son is about to turn 2 months in the next week or so and i can tell you it does get easier! every week that passes you adjust a little more and even if they only sleep for 50 minutes one night you can still be a functioning human being the next day! (not that that happened or anything..)
oh mandi, you look great! despite the lack of sleep, the sometimes frustration, the poop and spit up… you have that mommy glow.
let’s get together ASAP. I need to meet this little Lucy ;)
I cannot even imagine how draining (though paradoxically rewarding) the first few months can be. That said, you look fantastic and with such a sartorially point of view.
Nice to see you back! Those first few days/ weeks of new motherhood are NUTS. I’ll say a prayer for you…xx
Mandi you are doing wonderful and being honest to it as it comes at you. Lucy will learn you too and together your love will go deeper than you heart can know. Enjoy all of it the good and the bad, specially the bad for it will make the good sweeter. Paula
Oh boy, this just really reaffirms why I don’t think I’m cut out to have kiddos – I don’t think I could handle all that! You look great though, despite all of the new craziness! Good luck in the coming weeks, I know it will get better and better :)
get it, girl! you’re looking awesome. prayers for rest & peace for you and Lucy (and Phil!).
Oh she recognizes you. :) You’re her mama and you’re everything to her right now. It’s a beautiful sacrifice to be that person for someone. It’s not glamorous and not lots of thank yous but it is beautiful. It is a season and it will pass. Embrace all that it is because you will miss it when it’s gone. Promise. ;)
You are adorable…you look good, really good! REMEMBER breast feeding burns TONS of calories and is so awesome for that beautiful baby. Time goes by SO fast, have 3 and they are now 24, 22 and 18 I honestly do NOT know where the time has gone…enjoy…simply enjoy! I so remember those days, but I also would love to breast feed again…lol…honestly I truly miss that! Take CARE!!!
You look great!!! So adorable.
Wonderful that you’re breastfeeding. I remember feeling like I had a baby permanantly glued to my boob. My oldest(now 6) refused to wean until 17 months. Did I mention she also refused 98% of all solid foods including baby food until then as well? Fun times fun times. haha! :)))
Oh my! I can’t even imagine. I plan on baby-led weaning, but I’m hoping she will take solids sooner so I won’t have to breast feed as often. We’ll see! You’re a trooper. :)
Ha ha, it’s so nice to hear an honest view of new motherhood! So many bloggers are all “oh, it’s the most wonderful thing ever, it’s just bliss, etc etc” so thank you for telling us what it’s really like!
This is just the beginning! My advice is to embrace it : ) Embrace it for the craze balls fest that it is!
You look fabulous! I can’t imagine how much work little Lucy must be. :)
Love a bit of a plaid and a button-up shirt.
You look remarkably bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for someone who is a new mum – nice work!
You’re looking fantastic, Mandi! And Lucy is SO beautiful! I’ll see you next month!
Oh those early days are so beautiful and so effing hard. I watched A LOT of TV with a baby permanently attached to my bosom. Looking good mama!
Yes! LOTS of television! I feel like that’s all I do sometimes! But at least I have an excuse to be a couch potato. :)
You’re one pretty mama. Love the dress.
Thanks for the funny insight into your life as it stands (My bra size is out. of. control. Ayayaya.).
Hope all is well. Wishing you all the best.
x Elena @ Randomly Happy
awww, postpartum pictures are always so fun but also so tough. I remember I went all out excited to be without my bump, but now when I look at the pictures of me from after I had each child, I feel embarrassed about them because I still had so much to lose and just look uncomfortable. I hope you feel much better than I did though. You look amazing for just having given birth!!! I am in awe of you!!!!
You don’t even look like you have had a baby! You are looking fabulous!
I am due in February with my first as well… a little boy. Inflatable donut? really? People never talk about
You don’t even look like you have had a baby! You are looking fabulous!
I am due in February with my first as well… a little boy. Inflatable donut? really? People never talk about the not so glamorous side to having a newborn haha. No turning back now. :)
You, i mean we, will look back on the days of having a newborn and be glad we experienced what we did…. at least i hope we will. haha. Tough times only make us stronger people, right.
Thanks for being real and sharing the not so glamorous side for those of us that are embarking on the journey a newborn very soon!
you look amazing! the most stylish mama :)
Xo,
steffy
Steffys Pros and Cons
right after i had my son 6 months ago, i made a comment about how my ‘new life’ meant sitting on the couch/bed and nursing…with a short break, then back to nursing. i remember my mom saying, “one day you’ll have a life again! you’ll leave the house!” and i TRULY did not believe her. well, six months later, i DO leave the house! and nursing is still my favorite part of being a mama, it’s just incorporated into my day-to-day routine.
i also found this trick for converting tanks into nursing tanks, so you can wear non-buttoned tops and nurse without flashing your post-pregnancy tummy to the whole world:
http://thejensonjaunts.blogspot.com/2011/07/thrifty-fun-diy-make-your-own-nursing.html?m=1
anyways, congratulations and good luck with everything! being mom is the best kind of adventure.
-brandilyn (long-time reader, first-time commenter)
i am a newly nursing mother and my husband stumbled across your blog while asking for a word from our lord. your style is amazing and i am inspired to amp up my nursing attire! it truly has been a blessing to hear of someone going through what I am, -with finding clothing that works and the new life of motherhood. here’s to couch nursing and classic beauty! thank you