Busy Bee Sampler

Woohoo! Another post! And only 2.5wk between them... Oh well...

I figured that rather than a long, text-filled post, I'd join the photo bandwagon for a change and show you guys some of the things that I've been filling my time with these last few months, weeks, etc. You know, as proof that I haven't just been sitting on my (expanding) butt on the couch the whole time.

**WARNING: there are several baby and pregnancy related pics below. I've tried to group them as best I can if you need to skip on past them. I totally understand.**

Our still un-completed deck that was started in September.
Eventually, one day, we'll finish staining it, put up the last few rail spindles and do the benches...

Sparse Christmas decorations. Just a little bit for that holiday feel,
without all the work of a full on tree and exterior lighting.

Lots and lots of painting involved. And even more moving things from one room to
another and back again! Eventually, that will become an actual, usable closet and room!

I've written so many as you can see. That whole stack is blank...

 Oh and when I am on my kiester on the couch (Boy calls it my "fort"), I'm doing 1 of 2 things:

1) Internet-y things. Primarily, email, blogs, Face.book and P.interest. Lots and lots of pinning! (There is far to much good food and amazing crafts on that site!!) Oh and hunting for some awesome craigs.list finds for the nursery, etc.

This has probably been my best find/deal ever!
$50 and in great condition- original caning and finish.

2) Experiencing things like this:

The closest I'm going to come to posting a "bump" pic on here.
Enjoy my "beauty mark", scar, and wonderful linea negra!

Yeah... it's like a college dorm room in there - very little space but lots of partying! We've reached the "Countdown" stage. Just 1 month to go (ish) and hopefully the last 1.5yr+ will all have been worth it!

And if anyone is wondering, my weight gain reached about 30lbs total now. I've never been one to really gain or lose weight in any real amount, but to have put on 30lbs in pretty much 4-5m blows me away! To think, I was doubting that I could gain it when the Docs 1st told me. I don't mind the amount, and I'm sure it has all gone to my boobs, butt, hips, and of course belly. For being 8m pregnant, I'm feeling pretty good 90% of the time. Here's hoping that keeps through the holidays!

MacGyvering Pregnancy

My Dad taught me well. I've always been able to fanagle and jerry-rig things to work to make do as I'm not great at actual repairs of certain things. Duct tape, paperclips, rubberbands, you name it. I've used loads of everyday items to get things both at home and at work in psuedo-working order.

This "MacGyvering" (if this is an unfamiliar term to those not US, MacGyver was famous for using bubblegum, paperclips and string to make explosives and planes) has now extended into my pregnancy. Not so much in dealing with symptoms or disguising my burgeoning belly of bloat. More in the context of my wardrobe. Specifically, my pants.

It's been about 2 weeks since I could comfortably button my jeans or even wear my lounge pants across my belly. Until this past week, I've just made do with unbuttoning them when sitting down or at friend's and family's' places. This week, however, the waistline expansion makes this simple option far too obvious.

I've tried the hairband/rubberband trick from the button to the slot. Unfortunately, the gap isn't substantial enough for the band to stay on the button, making it even more obvious than just the protruding flaps. Hi there, you colorful rubber band!

I've gone so far as to purchase a belly band. I even wore it for one full work day. It takes wearing it "just so" as to not wiggle up and around to my belly, leaving my unbuttoned/unzipped fly exposed and my pants shifting their way south. I spent far too much time fixing and readjusting that thing. I think it will be a great option when I have more actual belly sticking out to keep it from wandering up.

So what's a girl to do at this point? I'm not wanting to buy lots of maternity wear, and especially not now when it less "baby" and more just bloating. Que the MacGyvering! This is what I've been rocking most days this week:

Excuse the poor quality. You know how phone pics can be.

That's right! A simple little carabiner! Not only does it nicely slip through the loop, but that little crimped part holds the button perfectly! Plus, I can just slide the button in and out of it like that of overalls. An even greater bonus is that it lays pretty flush with the waistband and there isn't this odd jutting under my shirt. I'm not sure how long this will last, but I'm going to ride it out for as long as I can! Feel free to steal this idea if you'd like.

Anyone else have any great "Wardrobe Wrangling" stories like this?