Maternity Fashion: Date Night

This week the focus is on fashion for gestating mothers, we'll premier with a date night ensemble.

Date Night for Three by cardiganempire

Flutter Sleeve Wrap Dress; Maternity Dresses; Isabella Oliver...
$159 - isabellaoliver.com
More Isabella Oliver maternity »

Gap Lace-trim tank
$9.99 - gap.com
More GAP maternity »

Nine West Women's Escher Pump
$66 - endless.com
More Nine West pumps »

Seraphim Necklace
$58 - anthropologie.com
More Anthropologie necklaces

Amazon.com: Cross Town Clutch - Springtime in Surrey

$87 - amazon.com

For those of you who want a non-maternity, highly inexpensive version of the Isabella Oliver Dress, try the Soprano Dress at Dress 4 Less

1 hundred 98 cents = your own maternity fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book can include your own pregnant styling rules of conduct and much more.

Pregnancy Inspiration: Gadgets

A few of my favorite Gadgets and Tools of Baby Wizardry.  Tell me about your "couldn't live without-s" in the comments.

Having borrowed a single Bob from a friend, mid-morning jogs became one of Mom & Coco's favoritest activities.  Bob's adjustable tracking ensured we could keep a straight line, while his handy front swivel wheel allowed a turn of direction without a cessation of movement.  Not wanting to leave Billie out, Mommy's pennies are being saved and Craigslist is being scoured for a double Bob. 

Smarty Skip Hop shuttle clips allow speedy, easy changes from shoulder to stroller (a critically important shopping features).  The ample pockets provide an organized spot for all baby's personals, and the durable, machine washable vinyl features nary a cartoon character.

Clean babies are more fun to snuggle.  Coco shows you her pudge in the puj, in this little video review.  I can't believe how big baby daughter has gotten.

The Miracle Blanket is aptly named.  Mr. Bagley suggests a brand change to the baby straight jacket, because it was the only swaddle from which newborn Coco could not escape.  While the procurers consider clever Mr. Bagley's highly marketable name change, all you need to know is that it keeps tiny cherubs snuggly and secure and ensures a better night sleep for everyone.

Pregnancy Inspiration: His & Hers

With births coordinated 14 months apart, Mother better at least coordinate their ensembles.

(Click on images for links to places of merchandise).

Pregnancy Inspiration: Boy Frocks

My vision of Baby Billie & Big Sister Coco in gender appropriate frocks

Since discovering the gender of my Billie Belly seven days past, I've been attempting to assemble little Mister's layette.  Sadly, its been a disappointing effort.  I suppose I appreciate dinosaur t-shirts and khakis as much as the next mother, but why have we imposed such a finite range on our miniature males?  

Coordinating trousers are an option, if I can accessorize with a cap

While Miss Coco spends most of her days in rompers and dresses, she, and all women subsequent WWII, can don trousers when a rigorous crawl or a chilly afternoon walk warrants the fashion.

So why can't Baby Billie wear a one-piece, open-bottom frock?  I will not use the "d" word because I strongly wish to avoid fashion androgyny.  This garment would not include feminine accouterments such as ruffles, pointelle collars, lace trimmed hems, or gender confusion. I appreciate the distinct natures of men and women,and I do not aspire to blur the distinguishing line through fashion.

The perambulator too please

Prior to the 1900s, baby apparel avoided gender specificity.  And it was only in the last 300 years that the trouser entered the world of apparel at all: Roman skirts, Jewish robes, Scottish kilts, Pacific sulus, Indonesian Sarongs, and Indian caftans have seen far more years on life's runway than have trousers.  And modern days haven't seen the complete and universal male adoption of the double opening bottom.  Formal occasion and ceremonial costume, particularly those religious and educational, still favor the freedom and elegance of an unfastened understructure. 

Universally becoming to tiny males and females

Personally, I believe male frocks are something outgrown around the age of potty training.  Like footed pajamas, they have a maturation expiration.

The male frock as exemplified by John Jr.

But for diaper changing practicality, natural ventilation, and the love of chubby cherub legs, can we accept frocks on gentleman infants?  I promise to add short pants underneath if necessary.

Please amend your own thoughts and arguments in the comments.

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This message is not Mr. Bagley approved.  He has in fact vehemently threatened to misuse my blogger credentials in order to remove said post. 

I disobey the adamant warnings of my dear one, on behalf of Baby Billie, and his little baby boy cohorts everywhere.

Favorite Things: Snips, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails

Pregnancy Inspiration: Companion

Seven years ago today, I walked into my living room and beheld the visage of my husband for the first time.  I immediately saw in him the countenance as my future spouse, and he called his mother to report reciprocal premonitions on his way home.

    

Fall 2003

So today, I ask your forgiveness in a nostalgic, sentimental message to my dear one.

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Not the Romeo to my Juliet

the Tristan to my Isolde

the Lancelot to my Guinevere,

You are the Adam to my Eve.

Our love will not end in double suicide, broken hearts, or public execution

Our love flourishes in beginnings, not ends

in endurance not extinction.

Although we’ve seen our share of sorrow

We have eaten the fruit together,

eyes open,

and begun life.

Sweat for bread,

and sorrow for conception.

We have clung to each other as one flesh in times of joy and times of tribulation

Holding hands in affliction and in happiness.

And there is no one else whose hand, I wish to hold;

My desires will always be towards you.
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I love and adore you, and I pray our son grows up to be just like his father.

To seven times seven times seven more years at your side,
Your Eternal Help Meet

Pregnancy Inspiration: Billie's First Film

So what do you think?  XX or XY?