Flashback: Maternity Buttondown

And one last maternity look. My drafts folder is cleared out after this! It's kind of fun looking back on my bump and fondly remembering what it felt like to have Violet in there, squirming and hiccuping in my belly. 

So long 'til next time, baby bump. It sure was fun getting to dress you up and get creative with regular clothes to avoid hideous Chinese maternity fashions. But, being totally truthful, I'm so much happier having my baby girl in my arms rather than lodged up under my ribcage.

Flashback: Scarf and Chucks

If you're thinking my foot and neck gear looks familiar, you're right on. Lazy dressing and accessories at its worst. Recycled scarf and Converse pairing, because the casual grey is oh so good. And slouchy maternity jeans and white long sleeved tee. So simple, so easy. I love no fuss looks like this, especially when I was pregnant. Because, really, who was I trying to impress?

Flashback: Too-Small Tops

Oh, Kate, you shoulda stopped trying to wear your shorty shirts. You wore this when you still had 5 weeks until your due date. There was a decided lack of shirt stretch happening. Good try, lady. Next time, stick with rotating your small handful of maternity shirts and stop trying to sausage-encase yourself in your XS collection. It's not a good look.

Hope I learned my lesson- don't wear stuff optimistically, I just look like the Stay-puffed marshmallow man if it's too tight. Hehehe, it was a cute concept, but the fit didn't work in my favor. At all. 

Flashback: Maternity Dress

Before we get too far along, I have a few maternity styles to share with you guys that I never got the chance to post. Not many, but a few fun looks that we're nice nods to springtime. 

This dress was a maternity MVP. So comfortable, so stretchy, and so cheap. Thanks, H&M, for being abundant in China and for having good stretchy dress options. One size up, this one was perfect. 

Mother's Day, First Edition

I was bursting with love this Mother's Day. It was my very first as a new mom to this sweet little girl, my own mom has been able to drop everything and come take care of my little family and experience the sweetness and peace of loving on a brand new baby. There was a soft rain on Sunday and being holed up at home for most of the day, sipping tea and working our way through childhood Disney live action favorites, three generations all together and snuggled on the couch, was pretty special.  

All you mommas out there, I hope you had a peaceful and love-filled day celebrating the joy of family and motherhood!

Welcome, Baby McClure!

What an exhausting couple of weeks. Mostly emotionally, despite my best tries to keep an even keel. BUT! There's someone I'd like you all to meet. 

Welcome to the center of my universe, baby girl (sorry, Rob)!

Introducing Violet August McClure. Born April 30, 2014 at 8:38 am at a scrawny but healthy 2700 g and 48 cm. She's earlier than anticipated, but oh so perfect for our little family. 

Don't be fooled by her close up glamour shot- she's a peanut!