perspective

dress: old navy (worn here)

The other day I was walking into Target and walked passed someone who looked at my belly, which seems to be happening more and more these days as it's kind of hard to miss.  
I wondered what this woman thought when she saw me and was reminded how I used to feel when I walked by pregnant woman.  I'd see their bellies and long for that to be me.  I'd think that they had no idea how lucky they were to be pregnant.  They had no idea what a gift it was to be having a baby. That I was trying so hard and going through so much to be pregnant and that I deserved to have a baby.  
It kind of makes me want to wear a sign now that says "I know how lucky I am and want this baby more than anything."
It made me think about what other people's signs may say.  I think of some of my friends who have gone through some incredibly hard times.  I think of how people may treat them differently if they knew what they had been or were going through. 
I think about how there has to be people that I walk passed that just lost a love one, are dealing with health issues, infertility, broken relationships or even just a really terrible day.  
I think of how easy it is to judge others when we walk by them.  To look at things they have or don't have and feel as though you deserve it more or you would handle it differently.  
It was a reminder that I don't know others' stories.  I don't know their brokenness or their hopes.  I don't know what they are dealing with on a daily basis.  I don't know what their sign would say. 
It was a reminder to smile at others.  To remember that everyone is dealing with their own battles.  To treat them with love.  And to be so thankful for the blessings that God has given me. 

Advice from eight year olds

sweater: old navy $6    skirt: target $10 

(both are recent purchases)

I think it's no surprise that people like to give pregnancy advice and think that when you're talking to a pregnant woman there aren't many rules of what you can and can't say.  Thankfully I haven't had many strange or awkward conversations since being pregnant. 

 The majority of the advice and questions I've been asked have come from my third graders, with the best being this story about breastfeeding.  

My class threw me a little surprise baby shower at the end of the year and one of the moms had the students write down advice for me.  It was so cute and quite funny.  Here are a few of their wise words: 

Always wear a gas mask when you change her diaper. 

Don't let your baby eat big pieces of food.  

Let your baby sleep a lot during the day and night.  If they don't sleep enough then they baby won't grow and be strong and taller. 

Put a clothespin on your nose when you change her. 

Give her lots of love. 

Don't let your baby eat food off the ground or it may find a magnet to eat.  

Don't leave the baby alone with markers.  And make sure that if you let her color you watch her at all times.  

and this one is probably my favorite:

Buy some pretty lights.  Babies like shiny or colorful things that gleam or sparkle.  

P.S. I have two baby cousins and they are difficult. 

Some of them are pretty good, right? She put it in a little photo album/scrapbook and I can't wait to read it to my daughter someday! 

I shared this last week and apologize ahead of time because I will probably share it again next week! I've never entered a "fashion" contest before but feel like this one it right up my alley, as it's about finding a good deal.  I had a hard time choosing which outfit to enter and decided on this $5 dress I found from old navy.  

If you have a second please vote for me! It's really easy as all you have to do is click on the love it button here! Thank you so much!!!