Getting rid of the loose clothing

I came across my maternity clothes the other day and did it bring back good memories! Let me tell you, I couldn't ask for a better pregnancy. I started showing at roughly seven and a half months so I didn't need a whole lot of maternity clothes. Throughout my pregnancy, I was pretty active. I was doing taebo, bootcamp, spin class, and pretty much intense workouts up until 27 weeks, which was when I found out I was pregnant and that's a whole different story right there. My friends and I were taking these classes at the Wooden Center. When I found out I was pregnant, my doctor insisted that I tone down my workouts and suggested that I just do yoga or other low intensity workout. I decided to pursue yoga and tai chi because of the health benefits. They improve flexibility and allow deep meditation while allowing me to practice my breathing techniques. (Sidenote: I took a tai chi which was actually a 2 unit classes at UCLA for a grade).

4 days before the delivery at the Getty Museum

In line getting Diddy Riese

Like any other UCLA students, I basically lived in yoga pants, tights, and gym clothes. I was pretty much able to fit into my dresses which I didn't think I was able to do with the belly and all but some how it worked out.  Dresses these days are loose fitting and flowy especially around the stomach area. I did have trouble finding a dress for graduation because at 38 weeks, I was pushing it. Forever 21 dresses fit me from the top, however the lower portion just didn't cut it for me. With the belly, the dresses look too short and mind you, I'm 5'7 and there are pictures where I didn't realize HOW SHORT it actually was. I remember being so self-conscious walking to class and getting stared down from head to toe. Let me tell you, I felt as if I was the only pregnant women on campus, however my roommates and friends believed otherwise. Every time they saw a pregnant person, they would text me about it. My roomie, Kristin once texted me, "Hey Hols, I just saw a preggers and she had more of a waddle than you!" I remember texting her back, "Really? Is she bigger than me?" This was how I came to my senses that I wasn't the only one. lol

Taking grad pics with a very short dress

Pics of the full belly

 My dad was actually the one who told me to go get some maternity clothes. I was visiting my dad one weekend and I was wearing my pair of comfy jeans. I was 8 months in and insisted that I didn't need maternity clothes. I'd be one of the lucky ones if I didn't have to do through maternity wear. He was worried that I was hurting the baby because I was supposedly wearing tight jeans and I distinctly remember him telling me, "Ask your mom to take you to Wal-Mart to get you maternity pants to wear." I was laughing so hard and had to remind him that I'm 21 years old and I don't shop with my mother for clothes anymore. He still thinks I'm 9 years old. LOL. I thought about it and I might as well remember my pregnancy experience by wearing maternity clothes. So I ventured to Target and purchased a Liz Lange Maternity pants which is my first piece of pregnancy apparel. I  found it on the clearance rack for $7.98 and that was a steal! It's very fitting and provides belly support with the extra stretchy fabric. I also bought a off-white long sleeve shirt that was maternity clothes. What I learned during all of this is that clothes really do make the experience worthwhile and as I was wearing Liz Lange, it really made me go into mommy mode.

Santa Monica 3rd St. Promenade