Today was a tough day, folks. At her two-month appointment, it was revealed that - while perfectly healthy - Baby Boots wasn't gaining as much weight as she should. So we've started supplementing her with formula and I feel really conflicted about it. Also, she had some shots, so she's been cranky and fussy all evening, not to mention with a slightly elevated temperature. Anyway. It's been a crappy day and I kind of feel like a failure of a mother, although I'm going to keep doing my best. *big breath*
But one thing did go pretty well: my anniversary present arrived! As you know, last week was my husband and my six-year anniversary as a couple. And what did we give each other? Gifts from the Banana Republic Mad Men collection! You may recall that we got into 'Mad Men' last summer and since then, we've almost caught up all the way: we have one more episode to watch before the 5th season premiere in a couple of weeks. Anyway, everyone who knows me knows that I salivate over 60s fashion; my husband recently admitted to falling madly in love with Don Draper's style. Anyway, as soon as I heard that Banana Republic was coming up with a new collection linked to the show, I knew that there was anniversary present fodder for both of us.
So I got him this belt, which arrived on the exact right date, and these pants, which should be arriving home. And what did he get me?
This dress:
But one thing did go pretty well: my anniversary present arrived! As you know, last week was my husband and my six-year anniversary as a couple. And what did we give each other? Gifts from the Banana Republic Mad Men collection! You may recall that we got into 'Mad Men' last summer and since then, we've almost caught up all the way: we have one more episode to watch before the 5th season premiere in a couple of weeks. Anyway, everyone who knows me knows that I salivate over 60s fashion; my husband recently admitted to falling madly in love with Don Draper's style. Anyway, as soon as I heard that Banana Republic was coming up with a new collection linked to the show, I knew that there was anniversary present fodder for both of us.
So I got him this belt, which arrived on the exact right date, and these pants, which should be arriving home. And what did he get me?
This dress:
And it arrived today.
DUDES. I need to tell y'all right off the bat that I have a lot of conflicting and mostly negative feelings toward white. And a white dress? Potentially unflattering and bridal! However, neither of us could stop looking at the picture on the website. Well, I tried it on when it arrived and it fits fine (wooooo!), but I was in no place to take a photo. It looks better on the model anyways...
Style Nation, how would y'all style this dress? I'm planning summer outfits for it, with both bright sandals and bright jewelry (Baby Boots' baptism, perchance?). I'm curious to know what y'all think, too!
It's a pretty dress, but you will need to add some color.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest "failed to thrive" though she nursed and nursed and nursed. Her father and I had marital troubles during that time. That doesn't appear to be the case with you, but sometimes babies have a rhythm all their own. I know the grandchild of mine who was the scrawniest, now outweighs them all.
Don't feel like a mom failure. My mom's retina detached when I was three weeks old and they had to start feeding me formula while she was in the hospital. Stuff happens.
ReplyDeleteAlso, those doctors are the same ones who look at a chart and tell my friends decidedly tall, muscular but not fat boys that they are obese. Take this stuff with a grain of salt.
There is a kid-feeding blog that shows up in one of the HAES feeds I read. She seems to have lots of good advice about these kind of issues, letting the kids eat rather than making them eat &etc. You might like to take a look at it. http://familyfeedingdynamics.com/
I definitely think bright jewelry and sandals would look amazing with this dress. I also think (if it's not too saccharine) that you could do some pastels with it and some grey to make it less easter-eggy. I'm looking forward to seeing how you style it!
ReplyDeleteMy niece had to shift entirely to formula because she was losing weight instead of gaining. Hang in there!
Style it with color! Colored belt, colored scarf, colored flats.. you get the idea :) Though that said, I have the same feelings about white dresses. I bought the white dress from last fall's Mad Men Collection - originally planning to wear it for my wedding, but I fell too much in love with an actual wedding dress, so I have no idea what to do with it! I'm thinking some brightly colored tights and a statement necklace.
ReplyDeleteAnd please don't feel like you're a bad mom! My mom always said that every mom feels like they're doing everything wrong - I think that feeling just comes with the job. Baby Boots IS healthy, and it sounds like your doctor is giving you the steps to take to keep her that way. And I do know at least one other mom who supplemented with formula, so it's not just you.
Everyone, thank you for the kind words. I woke up to your comments and felt a lot better about everything than I had last night (I basically cried all day yesterday). Each day at a time, I guess. Anyway, your comments totally cheered me up and made me feel like I'm doing okay.
ReplyDelete[Also, Terri, EXACTLY. Baby Boots was nursing ALL DAY LONG and I have an enormous milk supply, but... I guess something wasn't working out. Maybe the stress of going back to work in a couple of of weeks was hitting me?]
And yay for all the comments suggesting color. I think a dress this white YEARNS for color, so I'll definitely pair it with bright accents. Raquelita, I also LOOOVE your idea of going with some grey. Perhaps I'll try that out with some spring looks... yay!
It's understandable that you'd feel like you've done something wrong, but Baby Boots is perfectly healthy, and that's awesome! Sounds to me like you're doing a great job :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the dress, I'd go with bright colours and a black or dark grey anchor somewhere (maybe a belt?)
Sorry that you got less-than-perfect news about Boots, but it sounds like you've got a good solution in the works. She'll be happy and healthy - don't worry.
ReplyDeleteRe: the dress - bright shoes, a great necklace or scarf. Nothing too girly as the dress itself is so feminine already. Maybe a crisp linen jacket in a rich color (that you know won't accidentally bleed onto the white...)
Another vote for color with this dress!
ReplyDeleteBaby Boots will be just fine. Babies all grow at different rates, no matter what the charts say. T made it all the way down to 0.49% for weight at his 9-month appointment. Yeah. On a similar note, formula is good food and supplementing is a great solution. Very few resources ever mention that you can simultaneously breastfeed and formula feed, and for a lot of families, that's the perfect solution. You're a great Mama and your bebe is going to be just fine.