Just wanted to share the happy news--baby GP is here! He was five days late, but came in a big hurry. I woke up with contractions 5 minutes apart and he was born after only 2.5 hours of labor--we made it to the hospital just in time! He weighed 8 lb 10 oz (beat his brother by 1 oz). We went home from the hospital the next day. Big brother and double big sister were so thrilled to meet their baby brother! He is so cute--lots of hair just like his sibs had, and he totally looks like a combination of the two of them. We all adore him and can't get enough of his snuggly cuteness!

I'm tired and a little sore, but there's no rest for the weary--baby has been nursing nonstop since he was born (today especially he's been literally glued to me the entire day!). Yesterday we took him to the doctor for his 2-day well check. Today we took DD to ballet and I made a little side trip to the "nursery" for some fresh flowers for the front door. Tomorrow it's back to the doctor's office for a weight check, swimming for the kids, and family celebration at home for DS's 3rd birthday with his two grandmas, aunt and cousins. So life goes on as usual...I guess that's what happens when you already have two very active kids...#3 just has to fit right in and go with the flow!

Since this is a fashion forum, more about my WIW's. I was feeling a little self-conscious about posting post-partum WIWs, but I figured what the heck, I've been posting nearly daily WIW's this whole pregnancy, so why not continue! I'm proud of my body and what it's accomplished, so I feel like it would be doing it a disservice to hide away now.

That said, I feel like I've been thrown for another huge loop in my fashion journey...just when I was getting used to dressing and showing off my baby bump, now it's gone, yet not really gone! I'm still left with a 20-week sized bump, with about 10 inches and 30 lbs over my baseline apple belly. I'm kind of sad I won't be able to celebrate my belly anymore (you have no idea how fun it was for an apple to finally be able to flaunt her belly for a change!) and have to resort to hiding it away again, lest I keep hearing questions about when am I due. Yesterday I tried on about 5 or 6 tops and I still looked quite pregnant in all of them. #9 was the best of the bunch and I was pretty happy with how well it disguised the belly. But even so, when I went to pick up DD at school another mom asked, "So when are you planning to get induced?" and I had to say, "Oh, the baby's already here--he's in the car with dad!" And my kids have been poking my belly and saying "Squishy mama!" and DS is still trying to talk to the baby in my belly. Oy. I know this is all normal and par for the course, but sheesh!

So yesterday when I was trying on shirt after shirt, I had one of those "oh crap, now what do I do about my wardrobe?" moments that I had when I first found out I was pregnant. I think 4th trimester dressing will be the most challenging, because I'll have to resort to my 1st trimester hide the bump tricks, but now I have a 2nd trimester bump to hide, LOL! Plus I have to make sure that whatever I wear is also nursing-friendly, which adds another layer of complexity. Most of my nursing tops from prior pregnancies are (and look like) maternity clothes so I don't want to wear those unless I really have to.

I don't feel like have a good handle yet on post-partum dressing--I haven't seen any early post-partum WIWs here or on blogs. It seems like people typically come back after 6 weeks or more looking like their regular self again...but I think it's going to take a bit longer for me to recover. I'm not worried about my weight or body--I know this is all normal and it'll work itself out eventually. Last two times I was back down to pre-pregnancy weight by 1 year, mainly thanks to breastfeeding. I can't diet while nursing (always hungry and have to keep up milk production), and honestly with work and the kids, exercising is a pretty low priority for me.

So I'm going to have to wing it with my postpartum style. It's going to be a good challenge for me to stay true to my style and still feel fab (instead of flab), but I'll try not to obsess too much about it...I'm having too much fun enjoying time with my newest little accessory! We are all over the moon with the newest addition to our family!

1. 3/5 Last day with the baby bump! I was so tired I wore this same outfit three days in a row, including to the hospital.
Mustard maternity top
ASOS yellow and black chevron skirt
Tahari black leather jacket
Rieker black ankle boots

2-4. 3/6 With the little sweet pea on the day he was born.
Hospital gown

5-7. 3/7 Going home!
Alberto Makali peacock tunic
H&M maternity black skinny pants
Tahari black leather jacket
Rieker black booties
Michael Kors black studded satchel

8. This is my favorite picture ever! Proud big sister and brother welcome baby brother home.

9-10. Wavy pattern banded tunic top distracts the eye somewhat from my post-baby bump.
Bobeau striped top
Mavi burgundy maternity skinny cords
Rieker black booties
Betsey Johnson burgundy hearts purse
F21 bracelet

11-15. Isn't this Kate Spade diaper bag the perfect match for my polka dot skirt? I'm in matchy matchy heaven!
H&M black cowl neck sweater
Bobeau polka dot skirt
Ann Taylor polka dot bracelet
Rieker black booties
Kate Spade polka dot diaper bag
Ergo carrier

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