Jenny's ante and postpartum fashion challenges

Hi Everyone!

It's so good to see posts from lots of the folks I recognize as well as lots of new people. What a thriving community this is!

Well I've been MIA for quite a long while. I discovered last fall that I was pregnant (surprise!) and that it was twins (double surprise!).

I'm no young little chickie anymore and that combined with having an identical twin pregnancy has made this a rough time. My clothes stopped fitting by 11 or 12 weeks, so that was a big fashion struggle. I was still working but not ready to tell anyone I was pregnant.

Then I was having a lot of trouble with the pregnancy and just frankly didn't care that much whether I had on a cute scarf and bracelet.

I had to stop working at 23 weeks and have been on reduced activity progressing to modified bedrest (now I'm on strict bedrest with only bathroom privileges until they're born). I still made a supreme effort on days where I had to go to the supermarket or something. I had to ride around in one of those electric carts but I figured I'd be cute while doing it!

I bought myself a couple of sets of "lounging" clothes that were comfortable for my situation but things I wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen in if someone came to the door or to visit.

I'm looking forward to getting my figure back, and for those who know me, I want my bombshell style back too!

I know I'm going to be struggling with a couple of things. I won't be returning to work, so my closet full of pencil skirts and blouses and high heels won't be very practical. Also, since our total income will be reduced PLUS we'll have the unexpected expenses of having twins, my budget for revamping my wardrobe to a MOTG style will be pretty limited. On top of that, I won't really have much time (or energy) to do in-store shopping (I've always loved consignment/thrift shopping) for quite some time. I'll be exclusively breastfeeding, so I'm going to need to adapt my styles to suit that as well.

As for fun stuff, My guy was really insistent on us being married before the babies came. We'd planned to get married anyway, but didn't expect to do it on this timeline. We managed to pull off a beautiful wedding with only 5 weeks of planning. I've attached a few of my favorite photos. I was 25 weeks pregnant at the wedding and I think I did a pretty good job in choosing a dress and photo poses that were flattering and didn't scream PREGNANT BRIDE! LOL

#1 solo portrait
#2 my mom on left, MIL on right
#3 My darling sons, younger Forrest on left, Chandler on right
#4 Our silly family pic
#5 My favorite of all of the 500 pics the photographer took!

#6 And just for fun - a belly pic from about a week and a half ago. Please don't tell me that I don't look big for having twins! I'm tall and fairly long-torsoed, so they have room to spread out rather than just forward. Trust me - I feel the pregnancy as much as every other forward-bellied mommy.

Much love!
Jenny

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14 years ago

Marigold

Active Member

Wow, what an update! First of all, big congratulations to you! And you look blooming, beautiful and radiant. Gorgeous wedding dress.
Yes, your lifestyle will change but I'm sure you'll find a way to look beautiful and put together, it might not happen overnight, but will happen. You little ones will be demanding, but looks like you're lucky to have your sons as extra help, any extra set of hands will be crucial :).
I was put on bedrest at slightly over 23 weeks (modified bedrest) - those were long weeks and boring days, but in the long run it was worth it, my daughter was born at 34 weeks :). I'm very excited for you, and congratulations once again!

Debbie

Veteran

What a beautiful bride you were. When are the babies due?

As for your style questions. How about starting with a couple pair of jeans and breast feeding friendly tops? Maybe try Target or Kohl's.

Carole

So good to see you, Jenny. What a beautiful bride you are, you don't even look pregnant in the photo's! Such treasures, your photos! Soon, this will be all behind you and you will be holding your little bundles of love! Just take good care and foloow doctor's orders. You can keep busy here on the forum, we need your good advise!

RoseandJoan

I'm smiling from ear to ear looking at your photos. I hope your bed rest passes swiftly and you have babes in arms in no time.

marianna

Jenny, thank you SO much for the wonderful update! Your wedding pictures are stunning and your baby bump beautiful. Best of luck with everything and keep us updated along the way!

taylor

Bless that bombshell bellie of yours...it will be svelt again in no time
Gorgeous wedding photo's!!
Could you possibly dress your pencil skirts down with embellished tee's and sandals/tennies/flats this summer...I remember doing that when I had babies in tow")
Keep us posted...best of luck:)

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Oooh Jenny, how wonderful to see you again (I thought I saw you commenting on a few posts last week). I've been wondering how you were, and now we know!-) Thank you so much for sharing your wedding pictures, you look beautiful, and look at your handsome sons and hubby! (and the little babies in Mum's belly;-)

I'm glad to hear you are doing well and love all your (style) plans for the near future. Bed rest can be frustrating, but you know we are here to entertain you!

Take care and please keep us posted!

amyreh

Congrats, you look just beautiful at your wedding! I think Taylor has good advice, see if you can rework some of your items to be more casual - let us know how it goes!

Queen Mum

JENNY!!!!!! WE'VE MISSED YOU!!!!
You were such a beautiful bride and a gorgeous mommy! Take care of yourself and those beautiful babies!
Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Louise

Great to hear from you. So glad everything is going well. Congrats on the wedding what fabulous piccies. I'm sure we'll help keep you occupied in the coming weeks, how long have you got to go? x

Jenava

Jenny, it's so great to hear from you again! It looks like you and your whole family is doing well. What a big change, eh? Congrats and best of luck finding your new style once the babes are born. I look forward to future posts!

thimblelina

Gorgeous wedding photos! What a great family! I can't wait to see what direction you go wardrobe-wise... I've been building a new wardrobe on a little bit more than a shoestring (but not much!) and really enjoying it. This forum helps a lot. Hope the final weeks of your pregnancy are serene and comfortable. L

Angie

Fashion Stylist

SO GREAT SO SEE YOU!!

Killer pictures. All of them. Thanks so much for popping in and sharing your stories with us, Jenny. We have missed you for sure. We wish you all the very best and if we can help in any way, shout.

anne

Wonderful pictures and news. You look stunning Jenny.

Sveta

It is so wonderful to hear from you and see you again, Jenny. Such beautiful wedding pictures!
I am sorry you pregnancy is not an easy one - please take care of yourself.

san

What an awsome update. I have been thinking about you.

Frances

Oh, Jenny, congratulations! It's so good to see you posting again, and what beautiful photos! I know being on bedrest must be frustrating. I'm sending good thoughts & energy back east for happy & healthy babies and mom.

I'm looking forward to seeing you apply your signature bombshell style to MOTG formulas. As for the reduced budget, what about shopping on eBay? I seem to recall the Academichics (two of whom are sporting maternity wear again) finding a number of maternity and post-pregnancy items on eBay that seemed to work very well for them.

JennyK (NC)

Wow - thanks for all of the well wishes everyone!

I'm about 33.5 weeks now and hoping against hope to make it to 36 weeks. I may or may not, but the docs say I'm past the point of worrying about survival. If they come now they will likely have to spend some weeks in the NICU until they can regulate their own temperature, gain strength to nurse, etc. but should be fine. Whew!

I know I won't have time after they're born to do up my hair and so forth every day (at least not at first) but my commitment to myself is to put on lipstick every day. It's amazing how much it brightens my face and my spirits to have some nice, bright red lipstick on!

I hope to be able to get back to posting pics soon enough but I imagine you won't be impressed by my pajama chic at the moment. LOL!

Jenny

Polly (thunalata)

Such beautiful photos. You look gorgeous! What a beautiful family you are. Good luck with the next few weeks!

Lisa

You are radiant in every photo, even the belly one! So glad you are doing well. I think your bombshell work outfits and still be used as a MOTG. You can just mix the pieces separately instead of together. A pencil skirt with a t instead of a blouse for example. Congratulations on all the excitement going on, good stuff!

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