Jesse Coulter

Top: PinkBlush. Jeans: Gap. Boots: KorkEase. Bag: Madewell

After Walt and Whitney were born I immediately lost almost 30 pounds, and I felt great. Fast forward a month, and now I feel bigger than when I was 9 months pregnant...I know that sounds crazy. I had a huge belly, but my stomach was tight. It feels like someone let all the air out of me, and I'm a droopy balloon. With all that being said, my clothing options are limited. WARNING women who have just had a baby, DO NOT try on your pre-pregnancy jeans! I made that mistake, but have come to terms that it's going to likely take a year to get back to my normal shape. It took my body a year with Turner. However, I have a feeling it's going to be a bit challenging finding the time to take a work out class.

Sweater: A&F. Jeans: Old Navy (Maternity). Boots: Kork-Ease. Jacket: Ross. Scarf: Forever 21

Tunic: Old Navy. Cardigan: Target. Jacket: Ross. Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Aldo (This photo was taken prior to weaning myself from pumping...hello boobs!)

Tee: Old Navy. Jeans: Cotton On. Shoes: Birkenstocks. Sunglasses: Forever 21. Diaper Bag: TwelveLittle.

I've been wearing leggings a ton, but it's starting to warm up here in Texas so on to shorts and dresses. I've also been wearing my maternity jeans a lot, but decided to bite the bullet and buy a pair of jeans even though I plan on losing weight. I spotted THESE American Eagle boyfriend jeans online and fell in love. I immediately went in to the store and tried on a pair. It was like heaven was shining down on me...they fit like a glove and made me feel great. They are comfy, stretchy and figure flattering...and only cost me $38! You've got to try on a pair!


I've found that doing my hair and putting on jeans makes me feel a bit like myself again, even if I'm not 100% comfortable with my body. Mamas, did you experience this after you had kiddos?

During this pregnancy I have found much cuter maternity clothing than I did with Turner over 3 years ago. I've picked a few of my favorite outfits to share with you mostly based on comfort!

1.) I love this Texas Tuxedo look (sorry, I don't call it a Canadian Tuxedo. My Dad sports this look everyday), because I would wear this non-maternity. I'm a jean lover, so these maternity rockstar jeans from Old Navy were life savers when it came to recreating my distressed skinnies. I do have to admit that they were a tad uncomfortable when they would sag (the side panel is comfy but tends to fall off my frame).

Top/Jeans: Old Navy. Hat: Cotton On. Boots: Justin (Thrifted). Hat: Cotton On.

2.) I bought this skirt a few years ago knowing that I would wear it for maternity since it was a size too big. I love the pop of color, and it's super flowy and comfy. It's always nice to find skirts that look flattering over the bump, especially when you're in the stage of "kind of showing". It helps people to see that it's not a beer gut!

Top: Old Navy (Non-Maternity). Skirt: Boutique in Fredericksburg (Non-Maternity). Sandals: Gap.

Top: PinkBlush Maternity. Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Aldo

Top: Gap. Vest: Belk. Jeans: Cotton On (Non-Maternity). Shoes: Converse

Dress: Cotton On (Similar). Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Nine West. Scarf: ASOS. Coat: Nordstrom

These days I'm mostly living in sweatpants, and I'm excited to get back to my normal clothes. I will definitely be selling all of my maternity outfits, just not sure where. Any ideas of where I can get the most bang for my buck? Instagram Sale? ThredUp?

It's come down to only leggings for this pregnant lady. The third trimester has hit full swing, and my jeans aren't comfortable (specifically the belly band area). I'm thankful for maternity leggings, comfy dresses and tops that can be easily styled with boots. My $45 over the knee Aldo boots might be my favorite purchase of the season. I'm eyeing this brown pair...hopefully I'll find them at the outlet for a steal. Over the knee boots really amp up a simple outfit that could be pretty boring. Every time I zip them up I feel a bit like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman ; ).

Dress (Non Maternity): Cotton On. Maternity Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Nine West. Jacket: Nordstrom. Scarf: ASOS

Maternity Top: PinkBlush Maternity. Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Aldo Outlet

Dress: Envie De Fraise. Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Nine West. Scarf: Forever21

Dressing a baby bump during the 2nd trimester is always my favorite. You're not too huge, but most people can tell you're pregnant (for me especially carrying twins). I wore a ton of dresses due to unpredictable Texas weather as it transitioned from Summer to Fall. When it came to pants, I only wore jeans and jeggings. I always favor low-panel jeans and side panel jeans are bearable. I despise over the belly jeans because they always end up sagging.

My advice would be to invest in a few key pieces, but choosing the right ones depends on what you do for a living. Are you a stay at home mom? Invest in some casual outfits (jeans, leggings/jeggings, tees, casual t-shirt dresses that you can easily move around in with your kiddos). If you go in to the office everyday and have to dress more formal, I would invest in a few dresses that you can dress up or down, as well as a pair of ankle length dress pants that you can wear with flats or heels. Whatever your job may be, I would own a lot of cardigans and tunics that cover your rear....it definitely grows over time ; ). Some of my favorite brands for maternity clothing are Old Navy, Gap, Envie De Fraise, ASOS and PinkBlush Maternity.

If you hate spending money on maternity clothes, look for non-maternity pieces such as tunics, a-line dresses, jogger pants, maxi dresses and a-line skirts that have stretchy waist bands. Cotton On is a great resource for tunics, cardigans and baggy dresses that work throughout pregnancy.

I love the contrast of these two outfits. One is obviously very dressy, which I wear to work...although I'm not required to get super dressed up, I tend to wear dresses. This dress is super comfy and sucks you in....in all the right places. The other look is my favorite uniform of denim on denim paired with my felt hat and thrifted boots from a local antique store. I'm not going to lie when I say that I absolutely hate these maternity jeans. They are so cute for outfits, but extremely uncomfortable because they constantly sag and fall down around my waist (hello plumber's crack). They are the first pair of jeans I've tried with the side panel, and I'm not a fan. I'm also not a fan of over the belly jeans because they also fall off/sag. The only jeans that seem to work for me are the low panel style. What is your experience with maternity jeans?

Dress: Envie De Fraise. Shoes: Creatures Boutique.

Top/Jeans: Old Navy Maternity. Boots: Thrifted Justin Boots. Hat: Cotton On. See more of my fashion posts HERE!

Hello Fall! It's finally starting to cool down in Austin, and I'm taking every occasion to wear my fall maternity outfits. This pregnancy is going by extremely fast (I'm 25 weeks and in my 2nd trimester), and I might only have a few months left! Comfy layers and a good pair of leggings are my staples this pregnancy. I wish I had a few longer button down shirts or tees that go past my butt, so I could wear leggings more often! That's where long cardigans come...to cover the situation that's going on in the rear (yikes..."I think mah butt gettin' big").

Maternity Dress: c/o Envie Fraise. Cargdigan: Old Navy Non Maternity. Boots: Nine West. Hat: Cotton On

Top: Gap Maternity. Jeggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Aldo Outlet (scored for $45)

Dress: Cotton On Non Maternity (On sale for $12). Cardigan: c/o PinkBlush Maternity. Shoes: Old Navy

I've been having a lot of fun styling this bump, but it can be challenging at times. Dresses are the easiest option so I find myself dressing more formal. I'll likely have a capsule wardrobe by the end of this pregnancy since I don't have a ton of maternity clothes. Find more outfit photos on my Instagram here.

Dress: ASOS Maternity. Shoes: Creatures Boutique

Top/Jeans: Old Navy Maternity. Shoes: Birkenstocks

Top: Gap Maternity. Jeans: Old Navy Maternity. Shoes: Gap.

Top: Old Navy (Non Maternity). Skirt: Bought from a tiny boutique in Fredericksburg a few years ago

Top: Target Maternity. Pants: Old Navy (Non Maternity). Sandals: Gap. Hat: Aerie

Dress: Old Navy Maternity. Cardigan: Old Navy. Shoes: Gap.

My clothing options are starting to become more and more slim, and I'm living in dresses as much as possible before Summer ends. I can still wear non maternity shirts, but jeans must be maternity. Thankfully I have a few pairs of non maternity stretchy track shorts that I can wear if it's too hot. All of these outfits are from when I was 18/19 weeks along.

Dress: Target Non Maternity. Shoes: Gap. (19 weeks)

Top: Old Navy Non Maternity. Jeans: Old Navy Maternity. Shoes: Target. Sunglasses: Loft. (18 weeks)

Dress: Target Maternity. Boots: Justin (18 weeks)

Top: Lulu's. Tights: Express. Boots: Nine West

Photo

Alex actually enjoyed crafting as well

32 week belly (Old Navy Maternity Dress)