HALFWAY there, THANKYOUVERYMUCH

In honor of the mid-point of our first pregnancy, I'm devoting this post to all the working mamas out there. I honestly do not know how you do it. My baby's in my belly and I already get overwhelmed with the combination of the two (especially thanks to perpetual morning sickness that followed me until about 18 weeks - now it's just nausea, but I digress...) The first twenty weeks were not without their dramatic points:

1. After a year of hoping and wishing for Baby Ley, we gave up. (read: my insane 4-week National Stationery Show prep took over my life in May)
2. At the end of May, Bryan and I decided it was time for ELP and ELC to deserve my full attention and I gave notice to my employer.
3. Two days before my last day with said employer, I had a strange craving for Twizzlers on my way home. Thanks to a friends crazy dream that I might be "with-child" I also picked up a little test.
4. A few hours, lots of tears, frantic reading and re-reading of test directions - Bryan and I were officially mommy and daddy to microscopic Baby Ley.
5. Lots of morning sickness, a near-trip to the ER for fluids, constant napping and carb-cravings ensue.
6. 13 weeks: "Congratulations! Baby Ley is almost certainly a GIRL!"
7. 18 weeks: "Congratulations! Baby Ley is ('see this right HERE') most definitely a BOY!"
8. Multiple false positives on multiples tests, a few heart attacks, many mommy-tears later... Baby Ley is healthy, strong and a future NFL-Kicker (He'll play for the Chicago Bears, of course).
9. Here we are... after 12 lbs, many kicks, lots of ketchup (random craving) and gummy bears (not together, of course) - halfway to the day where we'll get to hold our little Boy. 

We're 98% sold on a name and do plan to share it before his birthday... stay tuned. Now... there are a few things I could not (CANNOT) live without as an expectant working woman. 



My Mossimo Drape Front Sweater (Target). I wear this every day. Not kidding. We keep our home pretty cool, so this is a nice lightweight cardigan. But during those "I swear I'm pregnant, not just chubby" weeks (which JUST NOW have given way to a nice obviously pregnant belly), this made me feel much better. It's very flattering - and a great deal at $20.

Chick Fil A diet lemonade was my lifesaver when I was feeling really sick. It's low in calories and super refreshing - especially given that my sick days were during the PEAK of the summer here in South Florida (July-August).

Essential tanks from Ann Taylor LOFT - they're $5 right now, but I got some for $2! I'm 5 months along and can still wear these. They're very cute under jackets or cardigans. I have 8, I think. I wear these all the time - including to sleep in.



Something about being four months away from being a biz-owning, working mama of a newborn has made me incredibly thrifty - and this website is my favorite for that. At first, I shied away from this for really dumb reasons. I thought "Well, we can afford our grocery bill (etc) so I dont need to take time to cut/carry coupons." Essentially I was saying that my money wasn't important to me and I enjoyed giving it away. WHAT?! There are so many things we want and want to do with B-man (yes, his new nickname) and my being a savvy shopper helps that a lot. This website is fabulous (thanks, Dusty!) I promise to write a longer post for all you savvy, Southern ladies (including working-mama's in my same boat!) about exactly how this is done. Let's just say my last trip to Publix cost $8 with a total savings of $69.

iCal: What would I DO without this program? I use this for everything. It's synched between my iMac, my iPhone and my Macbook Air. iCal allows you to have multiple calendars all on the same calendar (color coded), so I have my personal calendar, work calendar, birthdays, etc all in one. This has been so helpful in getting me on a schedule for ELP, ELC and my growing family. Working for yourself is amazing, but it is HARD. I have to be really disciplined with myself. I schedule everything and try to do a half-way decent job of sticking to it. My ideal day (and you better believe 90% of these things are ACTUALLY on my iCal):

7am: Wake up, breakfast (typically cereal or yogurt w/ granola)
7:30: Gym
8:00: Run any errands for the day (Publix, Post Office, Staples, etc) OR home to clean up the house
8:30/9:00: Home to shower and get ready for the day
10:00ish: Start working - create a to-do list for the day
12:00: Lunch at my desk, still working OR on some days, lunch with a friend or Bryan - always nice to get out :)
12:00-5:00: Working on branding projects, fulfilling wholesale orders, phone-dates with potential ELC clients, shipping fun
5:00: Attempt to put something together for dinner
6:00: B gets home, dinner time
7:00: Wrap up work and spend some q-time with B

I get to enjoy this schedule for 4 more months, then it gets jumbled up and mixed with feedings, play dates, and probably email time at midnight. I know there are a lot of you who've emailed me that you're expecting (or newly expecting!!) and I hope this is helpful. 



Baby Center is a great website for information. What to Expect When You're Expecting is a great book too. If you get scared or confused, don't google anything (trust me on this one), it'll only make things worse. Perhaps my favorite pregnancy book is Jenny McCarthy's "Belly Laughs." It. Is. Hilarious. She basically tells it like it is - reading it is like laughing with a girlfriend who's been there done that. Granted, it's a little graphic at points, but a really quick, fun read.

And if any of you pro's out there have any tips for soon-to-be-working-mama's like myself who want to make things happen for their businesses and their families, I hope you'll comment and share your wisdom - I know I'd love some pointers!


26 comments:

Tammy said...

Fabulous post, Emily! You are on your way! But midnight emails---I don't know about that one! You'll want sleep at midnight if B-man is sleeping.

Blessings to ya!

Cassie said...

Those are the exact 3 sources I have used in my pregnancy! I especially love the babycenter app on my iPod :)
And you are so right about googling anything baby-related, it's a pregnant woman's nightmare!

Meg Baisden said...

Just a quickie note to say a thank you for turning me onto SouthernSavers! I've recently been listening to podcasts on the couponing-meets-meal-planning phenomenon and this is timely help. Muchos Gracias, Mama.

prozac omphalocele said...

Thanks for those useful links.

Kirsty said...

If you're looking for beautiful nursing blouses then My Tummy creates some really nice designs which are all made in Europe. There are also pregnancy dresses which are very flattering to the bump, pregnancy trousers and also breastfeeding tops too. It can be hard to find flattering pregnancy skirts and shorts but My Tummy has it covered.

Manish Batra said...

Hey, very nice site. I came across this on Google, and I am stoked that I did. I will definitely be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just taking in as much info as I can at the moment. Thanks for sharing.
Nuk

Keep Posting:)

Chiến SEOCAM said...

luật sư đất đai

luật sư tư vấn ly hôn

dịch vụ thay đổi giấy chứng nhận đầu tư

cần thuê luật sư giải quyết ly hôn

Max Willor said...

Nice blog, it's so knowledgeable, informative, and good-looking site. myassignmenthelpau is a great platform that has been performing astonishingly well. If yes, then you are on the right platform to receive the best Assignment help Perth at an affordable price. They provide transparent and trusted work satisfying universal clientele each year.

Den said...

And you are so right about googling anything baby-related, it's a pregnant woman's nightmare!

James Ian said...

Thank you for sharing such an informative article. foot massage increases the circulation in your feet and helps your blood and lymph systems carry away toxins. The very process of a foot massage sends messages to the rest of your body to relax. Massaging the feet targets the rest of the body. Visit Best Electric Foot Massagers for more.

Ascent Fund Servics said...

It is not easy to deal with the process of investment funds or managing things well. That’s the reason so many businesses hire the Fund of Fund Administration for handling the task in a smooth manner. If you are also running such kind of business and looking for hiring the professionals for the hassle-free working of your business, then contact us.

Jenifer said...

We at ABC Assignment Help, providing high quality Corporate finance assignment help service. Also, we can provide assignment help for any topic related to any subject of your academics. If you need Assignment Help at most reasonable prices with quality work. Then kindly visit our website for more details or place your order

Ian said...

Nice article. Physical therapy is a specialty in the field of health care, which utilizes exercises, massage, heat treatment, and such physical methods to treat an injury, deformity, or a disease instead of using surgery or drugs. If you are interested in studying such interventions, then you should pursue physical therapy studies in an institution of higher learning. Visit on Physical Therapy Capstone Help for more

assignmentauthors said...

Many research programs have shown the power of music while doing something that needs tiring or boring essay writer for hire

assignment help said...

You might feel like asking, “Can someone help me with my assignment or do my assignment for me” due to a lack of clear concept. Our assignment helpers are highly experienced and have a vast knowledge. Thus, they can easily prepare a highly informative assignment for you. With their help, you can also clear out all your concepts.

bretl460 said...

Creating An Essay Structure is a critical part in writing essay. It is important to learn as professor mostly use essay as a gateway to assess student’s subject knowledge and develop proficient writing skills. This dictates the information and ideas readers are eager to know, and sequencing in an order which doesn’t distort the flow.

Black Love Boutique said...

Black Love Boutique is a back owned clothing stores online that offers a range of black clothes in limited edition. So, if you are a fashionista, and desire to have something truly fashionable and inspiring in your wardrobe, then explore our website and buy it quickly.

Daniel Park said...

Experts from our online thesis writing service will make a profound jump into research and fill each part of your future paper with very much custom fitted content.

Assignment Help Pro said...

Hello, I am Linnea! We are a team of professional academic content writers. We provide you with an online space where you hire writers to assist with your demand and supply assignment help Queensland . Highly qualified experts who are capable of writing assignments online.

Bellsouth Email said...

Its such a Nice blog . I found it really so simple to understand . I am also a content writer and i write this article just have a look on this Bellsouth.Net Email Login.

Anonymous said...

Nice work Dissertation writing Service Croydon

Unknown said...

Great Work Admission Essay Help Quebec

Essien said...

Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to mention that I’ve truly loved surfing around your weblog posts. Thank you so much for sharing. visit westland university cut off mark for biology

atbespokehomes said...

AtBespokeHomes We offers an exclusive designing and custom homes building process. Whether you’ve been waiting to design and build your own home, are looking to develop a townhouse site or knockdown and re-build an existing home, we’ll make your vision come to life. Our trusted network of draftsmen and architects will create a unique design just for you, or we can work with your existing plans to ensure we achieve your perfect home. Custom Home Melbourne

Sophia Grace said...

Fermenters Market Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026,” the Fermenters Market Report is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6% during 2021-2026. Fermenters or stirred-tank bioreactors are small, economical, and sterilized process vessels used for cultivating heterotrophic microalgae. They utilize sensors, probes, and controlled clean-in-place systems to monitor conditions and maintain optimal levels of microbial growth. Fermenters find extensive applications in the manufacturing of numerous products, such as cellulose, ethanol, vinegar, lipase, citric acid, amylase, streptomycin, lactic acid, etc. They are also widely used in biological wastewater treatment, pulp and paper production, industrial solvents, etc.




Here are some more refrence of reports please check : Asia Pacific Vaccine Market, Micro Inverter Market, Albumin Market, Middle East and Africa Cybersecurity Market,Non-Lethal Weapons Market, Learning Management System Market, States Flooring Market, Sports and Energy Drinks Market, Brazil Healthcare, Sterilisation Services Market, Media Monitoring Tools Market

Global Assignment Help said...

Thank you for sharing this informative blog post.
Global Assignment Help has been helping students tackle math homework for years at the best in industry price. Get maths homework help for 35% off, to keep your grades up and your wallet happy. Their experts craft fully plagiarism free, step-by-step solutions that teach the theory as well as provide the right answers. Whether you need help with algebra, calculus, geometry or statistics, their patient tutors explain concepts in a way that clicks. Finally, a homework helper that makes math homework make sense.