Kohls advertised a sale for this past Saturday and since this sale included maternity clothes, I took a little trip that morning and found several things to bring home with me. I hope no one hears me sounding ungrateful for the hand-me-downs and loans that I’ve received over the years because I am truly thankful for them all. I have wanted to buy some things for myself and with so much offered me, it was hardly justifiable. However, this being my third pregnancy and 4 years since I first had need of these clothes I am realizing the need and justification for a few purchases. A) Many of these clothes have been passed around quite a bit and are showing their wear. B) Many of these clothes were purchased for pregnancies three and four years previous to mine (Owen) and therefore are beginning to lose their grip on fashion after 8 years. C) These clothes weren’t purchased with my body style in mind and therefore do not fit me as well as I would like. Most of my friends are smaller than I am and most of the pant sizes are too small and many of the shirt sizes too short for my long waist and low/large belly. This being the case I end up with the few items I can wear not matching well together. Again, I hope no one hears me being ungrateful, there are several things I can wear and really like and even the things I can’t wear I appreciate for the trust and generosity of those who loaned them. So…I went shopping and got three tops and two pair of capris and one pair of shorts. I hope this will last me for the summer and through my pregnancy although there were a couple items I still think about and wonder if I should go back and purchase. I get so riddled with guilt when I buy for myself it is hard to keep piling items in the cart. I’ll give it some time and see how these purchases work out and how much of the loaned items still service me well.
We went to Dean Fadely’s birthday party on Saturday afternoon. A trip to Franklin was long overdue and we got to see most of our friends who abandoned us to the South. It was very nice to visit and one of these days we’ll do it again. The only real bummer of our visit was Owen’s inability to make it to the bathroom in time…twice. I have stopped packing extra clothes for him as he has been completely aware of himself and able to go or tell me he needs to go consistently and without incident for some time. However, on Saturday there was a glitch in the system and once at home before we left as well as the two mishaps at the Fadely’s had me a little worried. Kris said that he thought Owen’s forehead seemed a little warm and when we got in the house I checked him with the thermometer to find his reading normal. We sent him to bed and he was asleep in no time. In the middle of the night he woke up coughing uncontrollably and upon feeling his forehead again I realized he definitely had a fever. I wonder now if this had anything to do with his potty troubles earlier. I don’t know. He and Ivan and I stayed home from church Sunday morning to prevent passing anything around and he slept until after 9:00 a.m. which is absolutely unheard of. His temperature, attitude, appetite and energy were completely normal when he finally got up and though he’s still dealing with a bit of a cough, he has been fine since.
The weather has been ideal for playing outside lately and the boys have been out getting dirty and having a great time. Yesterday, Owen came to the patio door and through the glass I heard a muffled, “Mommy, here’s a flower for you.”
He looked so adorable with his head leaning on the glass and the short stemmed dandelion pinched between his fingers I had to get a picture. Ivan loves being outside with him and who knows what he would do if I allowed him the freedom to leave the deck. I can’t trust him very far with his need to taste everything and get into places that are hard to retrieve him from.
This morning after a trip to the store for some groceries I feel tired and ready for a nap. I decided that blogging would be a good way to sit still and remain productive. Here I am about to close this post up and I’m wondering what I have the energy to tackle next. Not much, but I need to get past how I feel and dive into some good old fashioned house cleaning. Woo Hoo! Once I get started I will feel better.
I’m so glad you made it over on Saturday- it had been too long. I pressed and saved the first flower/ weed that Grant ever picked for me. Love it.
House cleaning feels good, especially when its done. But, really, take a nap! You’re running out of the ability to do so (trust me). I could totally use a nap right now. 🙂
You definitely don’t need to justify maternity clothes purchases. Being pregnant is uncomfortable enough without having to wear ill-fitted clothing. I didn’t want to spend the money because I only end up wearing them for a few months but do you really want to wear the same shirt for 3 or 4 (or more) months? As for me personally I don’t feel bad about buying things for myself. I won’t buy things for me if the girls don’t have what they need but I don’t think I should feel like I look like a bag lady just because I’m a Mom. OK, I’m done ranting now.
It’s not so much guilt because of the kids not having things that keeps me from buying, it’s just the way I was raised. Is it necessary? Was asked over and over in our house, if you didn’t absolutely need it, then it was a luxury. We didn’t have a lot to spend on looking nice, but tried to be creative with what we had and tried to take care of what we had so that it would last as long as possible. I think trends and styles change faster now than they did then and it’s harder to wear even quality clothing for any length of time.
I think, being your third go round that you are entitled to some nice new maternity wear!
I wish I could be so practical sometimes…I grew up not having much either and instead of staying that way, I go totally opposite…buying for my kids what I didn’t have, etc.
Anyhow if you need some rationalizing for your purchases, I am the gal for you!! ha ha You could justify it by telling yourself that if you have a fourth baby you can wear them again, or you can pass them down to your friends as they have done to you…kind of a “pay it forward” sort of thing…or you could put them in a consignment sale and make some of your money back. How is that?
Sherri – I like the “pay it forward notion” I definitely know people who can use the clothes. There’s always someone pregnant at church.
Amy – I just took notice of another point you made. With my build, I have to be in maternity clothes for a good 6 months. Most people it’s 3 or 4 so that’s some justification isn’t it?
Tisra – I remember one of my high school teachers telling us that the definition of a weed is “an unwanted plant”, so by pressing and saving the plant, you have completely taken it out of the weed category.
6 months is a really long time. I remember that when I was pregnant with Chloe I bought 1 pair of shortalls and one pair of overalls thinking that would be all I needed. Well, I ended up being overdue and it was really, really hot so I ended up wearing those darn shortalls everyday for two darn months. When I got pregnant with Halle I was determined that wouldn’t happen again.
My Mom was raised poor, on a farm and there were lots of hand me downs and dresses made from flour sack material- apparently the flour sacks came lined with some sort of material. So she always felt guilty about buying anything for herself so I understand that thinking. Yes, trends change rapidly and I certainly can’t afford to keep up with them all which is why I stay away from the trendy and try to buy classic pieces that will last a while. Of course, since I mostly wear jeans and t-shirts that’s not too difficult. I think everybody’s wardrobe should consist of some classic pieces with the cute and trendy mixed in there a little bit.
This post is about shopping so I could type forever!!!
Amy – Maybe when I make my fortune, you can become my personal shopping consultant. As I was driving to church last night thinking about this stuff it struck me that another of my issues, is that clothes and appearance aren’t enough of a priority for me. My phlegmatic personality strives for comfort and convenience as top priority leaving little time for even deciding what style I like. However, if no one likes what I wear my melancholy side is very hurt, so I need to keep that from happening. 🙂
Honey, you do not need a fortune, you just need to know where and when to shop. I will teach you grasshopper.
Wow! Look at all the commenting that happens when I’m not looking! Those of us who don’t naturally spend money on the extras just need good spenders in our life to tell us we’re worth it. Or, as Eric, does it- just go shopping for us. For my birthday, he ordered some new clothes for me. Some of it, I wouldn’t have even bought myself but is cute. In fact one of the dresses- a really sweet yellow one- I got more comments on than I have in years! Made me feel good, but also a bit sad that I must not be as pretty most days. 🙁 By no means am I a “sweats and oversized T shirt” kind of Mom, but I lack the drive to do accessories and extras all the time. And the extras are what make clothes *fashion*.
Well out of all this fashion chatting I neglected to tell you (Mary) that you looked fabulous at Dean’s party. The color top you had on was so flattering and the pants were super-cute (and fit you well). Looking nice makes you feel better, I mean, can you ever think of a day that you looked really nice that turned out to be a bad day? I don’t think I have.
Amy – Thank you!
Amy- what a VERY good point!!! So true.