water, baby!

want to make a woman depressed?  take her swimsuit shopping.

want to make a woman really depressed?  take her swimsuit shopping 6 months postpartum.

ugh.  what a week.  i spent 2 days and several hours shopping for a swimsuit this week for a company picnic on saturday.  it. sucked. 

first-  why don't places have more handicap-accessible dressing rooms?  old navy and land's end- shame on you.  i spent my time trying to wriggle my fat butt into a swimsuit while being pinned between the door and my son's ginormous stroller- no fun.

second-  i may or may not have started crying while looking at myself in the mirror after i'd tried on the 25th swimsuit (that is not an exaggeration, in fact, it may be lower than the actual number).

third-  it's only august, yet some stores i went into were already completely sold out of swimsuits... ::ahem:: old navy.  of course, this had its advantages because of clearance prices!!!

fourth-  if i was interested in a strapless swimsuit- i'd buy a two piece.  i can't tell you how many one pieces i got into the fitting room, only to pull them on and find they had no straps.  and while we're on one pieces- there's no need for them to have a v-neck down to my belly button.

after all this though, i found not one, but two swimsuits- bought them both.  i wanted to bring them home, try them on somewhere with mirrors and lighting that i could trust- but i wasn't crazy about either.  of course, i tried them on at home, loved them both, and then somehow managed to talk husband into letting me keep both.  love you, dear.


and here you have them...

suit #1

i feel like this woman looks ridiculous in these shorts- yet, i don't feel like i look ridiculous in them, i think i look cute in them.  i certainly hope that people didn't see me in them and think i look dumb.  i got my entire suit in the "south sea blue" color.  the suit fits really really well, and when i was wearing it, i didn't feel like i was falling out (this is the one that actually went to the party with me).  the only thing i may have a problem with- the sizing.  the size of my top is 6 sizes larger than the size of my bottoms (they are sized 2, 4, etc).  also, the bottoms in ssb are $19.99 online- i got hosed.  

suit #2

this is the suit i've had in mind all along- i love it!  it's got a very retro look to it, which, i love.  that also means it's modest, and sexy at the same time!  i unfortunately don't look like the model when i wear it, but it has tummy control and can be worn either as a maillot or a swim dress.  adore!

so my postpartum swimsuit tips:

1.  one pieces and tankinis are your friend.  tankinis are especially great if you're used to wearing a two piece.  it give you the feel without all the skin- or that postpartum belly jiggle showing.

2.  skirted or shorted bottoms are also your friend.  hello, they hide stretch marks.  

3.  make sure there's easy access for nursing- if it applies to you.  also, if you're like me and nursing, bear in mind that the v-neck may not be your friend.  

4.  wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident, and above all, sexy. 

maybe next summer i'll be back in my two pieces, but for now, i'm loving my new suits.  did you get a new suit for the summer?  one or two piece? what style?  any other tips for new moms or anyone who might be shopping for a suit?

help- family photos

we are heading to see my parents on thursday, and my dad called saturday to inform me that we are having family photos this saturday. i was a little worried because i was afraid he was going to make us dress cheesily, but he assured me that was not the case. since we are the ones travelling (my brother as well), we were allowed to decide what we're wearing first, and then inform my parents, who will have their entire wardobe at their disposal. luckily, one of my favorite blogs- How Not To Dress Like A Mom wrote this fabulous post just a week ago. it's like she knew my dad was going to call last weekend about family photos...

so today, i put together outfits for myself, husband and baby. i need your opinion on whether this is too matchy-matchy, or whether i hit the nail on the head. so please, my 3 (4?) readers- help!


here's a few options that i've selected for the mcfamily:

i've selected a grey top with a ribbon flower embellishment and dark jeans for me (these are pre-baby jeans, so this may end up being a bad idea). for husband i've selected jeans and a baby blue polo and for baby i've selected a baby blue polo with a navy vest over it, and khakis. i figured baby is small, so he's safe wearing a pattern.


here is the next option. same look as above, except i'd be wearing a navy jacket.


here's the third option. me and baby are wearing the same thing, but husband is in a navy button-down. the button-down is pin-striped, but it is very subtle.


here's an up-close look at our tops. you still can't even see the pin-stripes.

so those are the options for us. did i at least do a good job? is one choice worthy, or should i scrap the whole thing and start over? even more important, what should my parents and brother wear? should we add in another color? i'm going to say that my parents and brother should stay away from navy, at least on top. i was thinking red or black for the 3rd color.

what are your thoughts?

thank you for making my day

husband.

there's nothing sweeter to hear post partum than when your husband looks at you and says, "you really look just about like you did before you had the baby. i can really tell."

this is even better b\c i haven't stepped on a scale in almost 6 weeks

it may not be much, but it made me melt!