Dressing my postpartum body

Postpartum is a weird time. It is full of joy, emotions, pain, and different. I won't get into too many details, if you want to read about my first postpartum experience read this post (warning, graphic). Today's post I want to focus on the postpartum body... embracing it and dressing it. Being a second time mom I kind of knew what to expect of my body after I had Lucy. I'd leave the hospital looking puffy, swollen, and about 6 months pregnant, not great for a first time mom's self confidence. Growing a baby for 9 months and giving birth is such an incredible thing and unfortunately most mama's bodies are never the same (but it is so worth it!). I was blessed that breastfeeding took off almost all of the weight I'd gained during pregnancy but I wasn't used to new curves, lines, and softer areas. Prior to having kids I would have been deathly afraid of stretch marks and now they remind me of the amazing thing my body did, growing those babies. My boobs will never be perky but I nursed one baby for a year and hope to do the same with Lucy. The mother's body is beautiful and should be celebrated and embraced!

Now onto dressing my postpartum body. I am sure I'm not alone when I get so annoyed with my wardrobe at the end of pregnancy (wearing the same thing day after day) and get so excited to go shopping when you aren't carrying a 30lb watermelon under your shirt. I gift myself the ability to splurge a little on a few new items for my wardrobe after I have my babies. Considering most days I am in my stay at home mom uniform (workout clothes and a monogram hat, despite not working out!), it is like Christmas morning picking out a few new items for myself, and not my children or husband. What I look for are pieces that don't accentuate my stomach, provide easy access for breastfeeding, is comfortable, and versatile- can be worn as a dress, swim cover up, a top with leggings. Thanks to Jane.com, I was able to add some fun, stylish (I will not turn into a mom-jean wearing mom!), and inexpensive items. It's amazing how much more confident and beautiful I feel when I put on something other than workout gear. It takes no more effort to grab something from my closet rather than on top of the laundry pile and pretty clothes hide my exhaustion well! All the outfits below are styled by Jane.com.

Left my babies for 9 hours (!!!) for a spa day to celebrate one of my BFFs 30th birthday. I got so many compliments on my cover up, I love it! It's long enough to wear as a cover up (not sure I would wear it alone as a dress) and short enough to wear as a top, see below. 

Same top, different color and different style. I actually put on this outfit and yelled to Jon that I had an announcement to which he replied, "You are pregnant again?". I told him I definitely wouldn't be smiling if that were the case... I am back in non maternity jeans! It took a few weeks for my incision not to be irritated when touched by clothing and now at 7 weeks post partum, it is healed and my belly has shrunk enough to fit into some jeans. This top is the perfect postpartum top! Easy access up top and doesn't accentuate the belly area. 

I'm noticing a lace trend in these outfits from Jane.com. Lace makes me feel feminine and it is in style right now (I think). I wore this top to church Sunday and got lots of compliments on it. Fancy enough to wear with jeans for church or a date night out and casual enough to wear with shorts for errands, lunch out, etc. 

Never heard of Jane.com? Well you're in luck (but your bank account is not!). Jane.com offers an array of daily deals from different online boutiques at a fraction of the costs. Clothing, jewelry, and children's clothes and accessories that will make your ovaries ache. Over 100 items are offered daily and they update them every day. It is fun and dangerous! I've gotten so many different things from Jane including an Anthropologie inspired necklace (you can find tons of designer inspired pieces!), a chevron bag that is now used for Ford's Mother's Day Out bag, a monogrammed pillow for his nursery, tribal leggings, and more. It is an addiction y'all. It is the perfect place for a busy mama to shop her little heart out and save some moolah.