Do not fear the panel
A note to the fellow preg ladies out there:
waiting until you’re 8 months pregnant to buy maternity jeans isn’t the best idea ever.
Embrace the panel!
Going on a little babymoon, however, was one of the best ideas we’ve had in a long time. It really gave us a chance to enjoy each other’s company and have a leisurely vacay before the little one arrives. The whole time we were there, we would talk about how much fun it’s going to be to take her with us, though. I can’t wait for family vacays and roadtrips!
So the babymoon gave me so extra time to hang out with my love, extra downtime, and before the trip, I was wondering how I would hold up. It was a LOT of walking (hours each day), and I surprised myself that I was able to go with the flow and there were only a couple of times that I needed to rest (I found a comfy rock at the San Diego Zoo) or got swollen elephant ankles (on the drive up there, even though we stopped to stretch often and I drank a lot of water). Another thing I was wondering about was how to camouflage my attire to that of a normal person. With the help of actual maternity clothes (instead of my beloved lululemon), I was able to wear the same types of things I’d usually wear out and about, with extra room for the belly 😉
I have to give a major shout out to H&M maternity and the Gap. Both have fantastic maternity selections and the prices are really reasonable. [The Tucson Gap stores don’t have maternity, so I hit up the one in San Diego, and only one of our H&Ms has maternity, so it’s a good idea to call beforehand]
At H&M, the night before we left, I picked up a couple of tees, a maxi dress
and two sweater dresses
for $93 (!)
and at the Gap, I got the two above pairs of maternity jeans and burgundy top for $200 <—what I’d usually pay for one pair of jeans
I fought maternity jeans for so long because my normal jeans still fit me with the Bellyband (until a week ago), and I was having a hard time thinking I’d spend a ton of money on something I wouldn’t be able to wear for very long. Gap and H&M totally proved me wrong, and I have to say that maternity jeans are the comfiest things ever, even with the weird panel- the panel feels soooooooo nice. They even make me feel like a normal person again, instead of an awkward fashion nightmare 😉 Clothes that fit make all the difference in the world.
While we were walking around the mall, there was no mistaking the fact that Christmas is almost here, especially since decorations have been up since Halloween. On the ride back, we got to talking about Santa Claus and what we would tell our little girl. We feel like it’s dishonest (I was so mad when I found out the real story), but we don’t want her to miss out on the magical feel of waiting for Santa to arrive (or the fantastic bribing potential: “Be good, or Santa is going to bring you a lump of coal,” haha). With the many winter holidays that are celebrated, I know this isn’t applicable to everyone, but what do you think about the Santa Claus thing? When did you find out the real story, or did you just know all along?
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I had a sneaking suspicion when my mom and Santa had the same handwriting. 😉
You look so cute! I love the sweater dress.
I have to say, maternity clothes have come a LONG way since I was born! I’ve seen some of my mum’s clothes in photos from her pregnancy and there’s definitely been progress made since! 🙂 On the Santa topic, just around the time that I was suspicious that there wasn’t one, my parents confirmed it. I can’t remember exactly how I found out – I think it might have been handwriting on a card or something. I remember being disappointed at the time, and I guess they probably thought I already knew. Still though, I am excited to see my future kiddies get excited about it when they’re young.
Love me some H&M!!!!
I struggle with this one. When I found out, I felt like my whole world came crashing down (a bit melodramatic, but true! lol) BUT I wouldn’t be without those years believing in Santa, it made Christmas so much more special and magical for me and my sisters.
Cutest preggo lady ever! Just sayin!
You are the most gorgeous preggo ever! Lol, I was so swollen I looked deformed. They say girls “take away your beauty” which happened in my case, but definitely not yours! My daughter will be one in a week and I’m just now back in my jeans! 😉 you’ll be in your normal clothes in no time.
I think you should roll with the Santa thing. It’s cute, fun, and harmless for the most part. 🙂 Another thing to think about is her being the only one in her class that is left out of all of the Santa festivities. That one kid usually ruins it for EVERYONE by spilling the beans (thats what happened to my class in elem school, so mean)! Plus I still have a great appreciation for Santa now 🙂
I always knew santa wasn’t real, and I’ve never felt I missed any great childhood experience because of it 🙂
Thanks for the info about H&M maternity, I didn’t even know!
I just told my 9yr old the truth last night because her friends were giving her a hard time, and she was asking questions. She wasn’t happy either, and said she will choose to still pretend. lol It was so hard. But I wouldn’t change the magic of all of these past Christmases. Then again it was so painful to tell her I questioned it for a minute. 🙂
Ahh, I still remember when I figured out the whole Santa story…it was because he’d had to write me a letter explaining why I didn’t get the exact thing I’d wanted on my xmas list (I wanted the fashion wheel and I got fashion plates instead) and I noticed the handwriting was the same as on the letter I’d got from my toothfairy (that’s another story lol!) so I put 2+2 together and didn’t quite get 4 straight away, but I remember telling an aunt that either the toothfairy or Santa didn’t exist, because the handwriting was the same and I thought 1 was covering for the other. I think I was 7 at the time, and definitely by the following xmas I was fully aware that Santa was just a bedtime story for kids. But I think the whole Santa thing just makes it a more magical time when you’re little and I dunno….who’s to say there really isn’t some magical person out there who puts an extra lil something under the tree if you’re a good girl? 😉
Don’t let your little girl miss out on Santa! I just kind of didn’t care when I found out, I mean yeah a part of you *always* wishes Santa was real…but it’s nice to have that magical feeling when you’re a little girl! although Christmas is always magical!
I agree wholeheartedly!!
I’m infatuated with maternity pants despite that they are still loose on me. When I first went in to buy some, I said out loud “I don’t want to even look at jeans, I will never buy maternity jeans.” I was only on the lookout for work slacks that could get me through a few months. I ended up trying on a pair of jeans just so I would have more than 2 things to try on in the fitting room and walked out with four pants. Now I am obsessed with them and can’t imagine going back to normal pants… that will be a sad day!
We did Santa with our kids and to this day, (they are 26 and 19), we still do Santa. We just made it that Santa brings only one gift, and it was always left unwrapped under the tree. Everything else was from Mom and Dad and wrapped up. Santa when they were little was “a person” but as they grew up, Santa became a belief in being good, helping others, and other positive messages. We will always have a Santa gift in our home as it means so much more just a gift… it is a gift for them as they give the gifts of kindness, hope and joy to others throughout the year.
that’s a great way to do it- i love that
I am 26 and my brothers are 28 and 30 and my Mom still writes “from santa” on our gifts. My living situation as a child made me aware that santa never existed so I don’t really know about finding out. I’ve never really thought about this before, but maybe before I have children I would think about what type of message I want to convey. Why is it okay to lie about some things? Is it only okay to lie if the lie makes someone else feel good? I am not so sure. For some people just a little lie can turn into something big.
I’d like to know what you decide to tell her!
Mine is similar. I’ve always told my daughter when she asks if Santa is real that Santa is ‘the magic of Christmas, the giving, the feeling’ and that’s real as long as you believe it’s real and experience it. Of course, at young ages I’d add that *I* believed so he *was* real. But that we helped Santa out with wrapping and even shopping sometimes, too.
I really don’t remember how or when I found out the truth about Santa, and I don’t remember being disappointed. I think it’s because I am the oldest and my sister and brother still believed so it was fun to watch them get excited.
I do still wonder how my dad got the carrots out in the yard to look like the reindeer had nibbled on them…hmmmm. 😉
I can’t believe you waited so long! I never liked the Belly Band and didn’t wear it at all. I have a lot of pants and really like them. They are surprisingly cute and look normal. I don’t mind buying the clothes because I wear them to work every day, and know I’ll wear them again next round. I just hope I don’t have to re-buy pants if these get tight. On Week 23 and have been wearing them since 18ish. I really like Pea in the Pod, but guess you won’t be buying much anymore!
yep- i’m done! haha
I get not wanting to lie to your child but not wanting them to miss out on the fun of it all too. We have a one year old and have wondered what to do too. I really like this suggestion and think I’ll steal it too if that’s okay. 😉 Happy Holidays!
Oops…meant this for the above comment from Cheryl. LOL
You should seriously be a professional shopper! You got so much for less than $300, amazing! I’m so glad that you found things that you feel comfortable (and look great, that burgandy top is amazing and will be great for the holidays!!).
As for Santa, I held on to that sucker for far too long, haha. My nephew was MAD when he found out, totally did the “I can;t believe you LIED!” but then my sister started doing a family secret Santa exchange, so the kids were involved, which made it more fun for everyone.
I say “yay” for Santa! Believing in Santa is part of being a kid. I think you’ll miss out on a lot of the fun traditional parts of Christmas if you skip the whole Santa Clause thing. Of course, it’s up to you and you hubby in the end 🙂
we’ll most likely do it- i’m enjoying reading everyone’s thoughts on it, though!
The memories of Santa and the coziness of it all >>>> the disappointment of finding out he wasn’t real..
My warmest and most fun memories of my childhood was celebrating christmas and the whole santa thing, don’t take that away from the little nugette 🙂
I can still vividly remember when I found out Santa wasn’t real, from a friend when I was 8. I was definitely bummed, but it was so much fun to believe! I used to write him notes, leave out cookies and carrots (for the reindeer, of course!), and my dad would write back and eat the cookies. 🙂 I only wish I hadn’t been such a brat and told my brother as soon as I found out. He was only 6. 🙁
I have so many fun memories from Christmas when I was little. And my dad definitely had some fun with it too – he liked to tell this crazy story about one of Santa’s reindeer stepping on his foot. hahaha
I found out pretty late about Santa actually (3rd or 4th grade maybe?), and it was from a teacher! She made an off hand comment about how we all knew he wasn’t real and I went home that day and immediately asked my parents what she meant.
One trick my parents used when we still believed in Santa was that if we went down stairs to the tree without my parents our presents would disappear (Santa’s magic – all part of the whole being good thing) and even though we didn’t really fully believe it, there was no way we would chance it just in case! I am totally stealing that one when I have kids
Oh, and my mom also went all out and even gave us gifts from Mrs. Clause, the elves, and the reindeer. Funny how they all had the same handwriting 😛
my godmother did the same thing for all holidays. She had stuffed animals for each occasion and used their prints to leave a hoof for reindeer, a rabbit for bunny (she went to town on my guinea pig box) and left a trail of flour bunny prints all over the house. we went on some crazy trail hunts which ended with some awesome gifts. i love her for all the fun she provided for us.
I’m all for the Santa thing. I wan’t mad when I “found out” it felt more like a rite of passage. Like a secret that you’re in on now, because you’re a big kid. I think that was partially because I have so many cousins that are younger than me.
Although, in my house we still have a rule that “only those who believe will receive.” My sisters and I are 30, 27, and 25 and my little sister is pregnant with my mom’s first grandchild. Christmas morning is an experience in my family, it can last hours and we have a ton of fun with it. We all like to be surprised so we keep our presents to each other secrets from everyone, and each of us usually has a gift to someone else “from santa.”
And to get around the handwriting thing – we print labels. We go to extremes with the holidays around here!!
I think I always had a suspicion that my folks played Santa (handwriting…and they are bad liars… :o) ). When I finally got them to admit that they were Santa, I wasn’t upset at being lied to but because I felt that the magic of Christmas would never be the same. In a way that’s true, but Christmas is so much more than Santa and the gifts you receive. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way and am glad that I believed for a long time in the fairytale of Santa. I look back on those years of anticipation and hoping and wondering with so much love and happiness. As my mom explained it to me, Santa may not exist, but that wonderful feeling I felt as a kid was a real thing and that’s what was important – not the material goods of Christmas, but the magical nature of the season. I am rambling now, but I think growing up believing in Santa/that magic is so important and amazing. :o)
Just make sure if you don’t do it you find a way to help her understand she shouldn’t ruin it for her friends. I used to teach elementary school and it was really sad to see kids let the cat out of the bag and shatter some kids poor Santa dreams.
I don’t remember being very disappointed when I found out Santa wasn’t “real.” My sister and I had kind of figured it out long before the truth was revealed. Even when we did find out, we always got presents from Santa. My parents and my husbands parents still get Santa gifts under the tree each year.
In our little family now, our son is 9 and started questioning a little last year, but we told him that in our house Santa is as real as can be. This year, he’s asking even more specific questions and I’m trying to figure out how to tell him he’s right, but we really want to make sure he lets his two younger sisters (both just 3 1/2 now) believe as long as they can.
It’s a slippery slope, but I think the happiness it brings when you’re little far outweighs the realization that your parents lied to you about it. Escpecially when you’re older, I think you appreciate the fact that your parents worked hard to make that kind of magic for you.
This is the best Santa explanation I’ve ever heard. I’ve filed it away to someday use to explain to my kids “who Santa is.” It’s sweet and endearing and explains it without it feeling like it’s a big ol’ lie.
http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/truth-about-santa
Also – I found out Santa wasn’t real by asking my dad…and his response was, “No he’s not. But don’t tell your mom you know, she’ll be crushed.” We still all pretend like we don’t know (though I think the cat is out of the bag given that I’m 27 and my brother is 23). The magic of Santa still lives in our house!
We are choosing to do a very limited version of Santa Claus, but for us it’s more about our belief in what Christmas is really about. We’re super excited about the fact that we’re celebrating Jesus’s birth, so we do three gifts each child to represent the three wisemen, plus stockings (because, I love stockings!). We don’t think we’re skipping out on the magic of Christmas because what happened the night Jesus was born is a real true life miracle! Santa will certainly be discussed and his original story read each year- But we’re going to limit it to the love, joy and happiness he was bringing to the world, just like Jesus. I guess (maybe this is more my husband’s view point) we also don’t like the threat of “santa is watching” because it’s false parenting? Does that make sense? He wants us to be real and present for our kids, not full of fables. But I don’t know, I don’t think it’s a terrible thing. It certainly works 😀
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Gap maternity, especially the jeans! We’re 11 weeks with #2 and I just went through all of my maternity clothes- Apparently I let someone borrow all of my nice stuff. I really hope I get it back! LOL. You look beautiful!
I was really bummed when I found out about Santa, but I think it’s something that kids get over quickly.
The way my parents did it, there was always one “Santa” present and then stockings were from Santa. We actually still do Christmas this way and my sisters and I are all in our 20s! Stockings have always been a big part of xmas for us, so when my parents told me about Santa, I got to become my parents’ “elf” and help pick out the stocking stuffers for my sisters and parents. That softened the blow, and made me feel like I was “in” on the secret instead of feeling cheated.
Wait, Santa ISN’t real!?
I mean, you eventually just figure it out… but the whole magic and mystique and tradition of it is so much fun! We still put out cookies and have Santa presents even though we’re all grown-ups just becasue it’s part of the fun and the traditions we have created as a family.
I was absolutely CRUSHED when I realized that Santa wasn’t real…but honestly, even then I remember thinking that there’s no way I would trade the magical years of thinking he was for the one sad Christmas when I realized he wasn’t. I never felt like my parents lied to me. I guess you can’t miss what you never had, but knowing what I would have missed, but I would be angry if they had chosen to deprive me of those Santa years. They are some of my most cherished childhood memories and I feel like deciding it’s dishonest to tell your kids there’s a Santa is WAY oversimplifying the issue. Kids have a special capacity to believe the world is magical…I think parents should nurture that as much as possible.
Yay for maternity clothes! and I have to say I was blown away you could walk all around the zoo so pregnant! but then I remembered how you’ve stayed so active this whole pregnancy, It’s really paying off:)
My parents didn’t do the whole Santa thing with me because they didn’t want to develop a pattern of having me believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc., only to tell me later that they weren’t real. I think it’s important to set a precedent of honesty. I don’t feel like I missed out at all, and my parents explained to me that other kids probably believed in Santa, so I didn’t ever tell anyone or anything.
I also think a bonus of this was that I learned to be grateful to my parents for the gifts, so it wasn’t like I just earned all sorts of presents because I deserved them. I knew that my parents had picked them out and bought them, so it was another happy lesson in gratitude and giving.
Growing up we celebrated Christmas as a hybrid of the Mexican traditions my parents grew up with (including celebrating Epiphany with or without gifts then as well) and the traditions of Christmas of the area we grew up, and we really didn’t do the Santa thing. My husband and I chose not to do the Santa thing in our family, celebrating Christmas as a religious holiday when experiences are shared, gifts given, and traditional holiday foods (esp tamales and Christmas cookies!!) prepared/bought and enjoyed as a family. We start with getting a Christmas tree as a family (we usually go to a u-cut tree lot where we have hot apple cider or hot chocolate afterwards) and end at Epiphany with a little something, while having mandarin oranges, chocolate-covered oranges, and candy canes celebrating this special holiday season. When asked about Santa, our children would respond that they celebrated Christmas as a religious holiday-I don’t think they missed out on anything. Have fun with establishing your family’s Christmas traditions!
I’m the exact opposite, my dad never really made a big deal about Santa because he didn’t want to lie to me and growing up I was like, “Dad you should have lied! You robbed me of a quintessential childhood experience!” My kids are totally being lied to about Santa! 😀
Well yes Virgina, there is a Santa Claus . . . http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/ . I still leave milk and cookies out on Christmas Eve. 😀 I’m a dork, but I love my tradition.
My bro and I asked my mom when she was asleep. She told us the truth when she was half asleep and then told us to go blow the candles out (??). haha! She was sleep talking but we found out the truth.
I love the response from Erin @ livelifeactive!
I found out when I read a Baby-Sitters Club book – ON CHRISTMAS DAY. I was probably way too old to still believe in Santa, but I was still devastated and cried. (Not making myself sound very cool here!)
I grew up knowing Santa and the story of Jesus. We had a Christmas tree and a nativity. I was probably about 7 when I figured out the Santa secret, NBD. My parents still put gifts under the tree from “Santa” and I am 29 🙂 I think it is important to know the REAL reason of Christmas and the fun side too. We have tried to incorporate “Jesus got 3 gifts from the wise men, so Santa brings you 3 gifts” (usually the BIG fun gifts, my children are 5 and 2) We also leave Santa gifts unwrapped and wrap little things like PJs that are from us.
Awwww, love the outfits and you look so glowing!!!! I hope you’re feeling well!
This is a tough question – Let her feel the MAGIC! I loved the magic and even though I know SC isn’t real, I still believe and love the idea of believing! But in our house it was really magical and it made the day oh so sweet 🙂
xxoo
my parents never made a huge deal out of santa — we would have a couple of gifts that were labeled as from santa and would put cookies out, but that was it. when i started to figure out that santa wasn’t real my parents quietly talked to me about it — and told me not to tell my sister (five years younger), haha!
I believed in Santa till I was 9, and then kids at school started to make fun of me. My mom and dad sat down with me and read me “The Polar Express” and told me the truth. I was sad, but I feel like being a kid and believing that there’s magic in the world was worth it!
I can’t get over how adorable you look preggers! i feel like i would look bloated/disgusting and you look so refreshing & GLOWING!
aww thank you, molly! <3
You look so great, Gina!
My parents did the wwhhooollleee Santa thing w/ reindeer droppings (ie. chocolate) in the front yard, Santa’s boot print on the fire place, eaten cookies by our presents, etc. every year. Unfortunately, I was two when I realized that Santa was just mom & dad because he used the same wrapping paper as us. My younger siblings all enjoyed Santa up until they were almost 10 though and there was minimal drama when they finally figured out the truth.
I saw a pinterest thing not long ago on how to break the Santa-news to your kid and now I wish I had pinned it because it was REALLY good! I think that believing in Santa really is a magical experience that lends itself to part of the excitement of Christmas so I am totally okay with letting my future children play along until they figure it out! 😉
You look so cute preggers!
To this day I still provide my mom with my Santa Wish List and I’m 28. And my mom, dad, and me still get up on Christmas morning and open presents from “Santa.” Also there is no better sight than seeing a little child wake up Christmas morning so excited that Santa has visited them! That sight is worth more than the disappointment they may experience later on. I feel that you should always “believe” in Santa. 🙂
The way that I found out is that my mom accidentally left the price tag (when Wal-Mart still put price tags on things) on my chocolate Easter bunny and I began to also wonder about the Tooth Fairy and Santa. And I found a letter I wrote to Santa three months AFTER Christmas in my mom’s car glove box!
Whatever y’all choose, I’m sure your little girl will grow up in a wonderful loving home!
My son who is 8 found out and we told him Santa is real, that he represents the Christmas Spirit in his heart.
He rolled with that. Now as for his 5yo sister that still believes we told our son “Listen buddy, if you don’t believe you don’t receive.”
As he has his sights set on a new basketball net, it is very doubtful he will spill the beans! =)
My parents didn’t tell us about Santa Claus because both my Mom and her sister were so angry and devastated when they found out. They told us that it was a fun thing to pretend there is a Santa and that it is a game other families play, so I didn’t feel that I was missing out too much. You still get presents, so, you know, that’s pretty great. I plan on handling the whole situation about the same way as my parents did (ditto for the Easter bunny, the tooth fairy, etc). I bet it is awesome to be pregnant during the holidays! I can only imagine how filled up with happiness and excitement you must be:)
So glad you finally embraced the panel! Maternity jeans are the best thing ever and if you don’t buy designer, then they are actually really affordable. I just bought the cutest and most comfy pair of skinny jeans from old navy for $34!
I so agree, but I actually hit the jackpot with a pair of maternity 7s that I found at a maternity consignment store! They were only $45 (new 7s cost around 250 in Canada) and they fit so well! I also love the UMame jeans which come with a removable panel (and have a regular waistband) with built in extenders for further down the road. It actually felt like getting 2 pairs of jeans! I could only justify having 2 sts of jeans because I wear jeans to work most days, but I so agree that they are incredibly comfortable! I am only 18 weeks and not showing at all, but even for me, they beat regular jeans on the comfort factor any day!
I am 24 and my brother is 21. And in our family, we still definitely do the Santa thing. Still give my mom my list of stuff I want (I used to provide pictures, sizes, prices and even SKU numbers/product numbers, just to help Santa out, haha). I found out when I was 10, when I noticed the same wrapping paper on gifts from my parents and from Santa… being a reasonable child, I informed my mom. She started wrapping Santa gifts in one particular paper and using different patterns for the rest.
We obviously know it’s not real but it’s so beautiful to come down to the tree on Christmas morning and see presents basically overflowing the floor! My brother and I still wake up at like, 7 too… any other day of the year, he won’t get up until 10 at the earliest. So this is a big deal. I also give my parents gifts from Santa, because they deserve the magic, too! It makes everything feel so special and lovely.
And the best part now is that with my cousins (just turning 8 and 10), we have been able to get in on the fun with them, too! We help them put out nuts and veggies for the reindeer (along with cookies of course), turn on the Santa Tracker thing on the internet and watch Polar Express together. In the morning, the veggies are half-eaten, the nuts are gone, the cookies are DEFINITELY gone (I got to eat those last year) and there are sparkles in a trail from the chimney to the stockings and tree (glitter on the floor). It’s SO FUN! Their faces are amazing when they see it all, every year!
Love H&M maternity! Did you check out the little girls clothes, too? I love some of their stuff, especially some of their jeans for fluffy cloth diaper bums. Their kids sizes do tend to run larger than say Gap, in my experience.
LOVE their baby clothes!
I have no idea how I found out about Santa’s true nature, so I guess it wasn’t too traumatic. 😀 I have a brother who’s 2 years older than me, so I found out a bit earlier, since I’ve always been able to read my brother like an open book.
Nevertheless, I’ll always remember how exciting it was to wait for Santa, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It can also act as a way of teaching the child that good stuff happens when you behave well and are kind to people, especially compared to your parents just giving you gifts just because it’s Christmas.