fashion Archives - The Vintage Modern Wife

Our Winter Maternity Photoshoot in Texas

March 17, 2018

I’m so excited to share photos from our maternity photoshoot! I never had the opportunity to have maternity pictures taken when I was pregnant with Addie due to delivering her the weekend that I was supposed to get my pictures done, so I really wanted to make sure we got them this time. If you’ve never had maternity pictures, I’ll tell you- it’s something you should definitely do. I absolutely regretted not having them done with Addie and this photoshoot was just so wonderful for our family. Having a winter maternity photoshoot in Texas isn’t easy. Some days it was super cold, others it was rainy. Some days were nice and we couldn’t coordinate our schedules, and some days were down right yucky. Thanks to our amazing photographer Rhonda Williams and her husband Tim, from Photography by Legacy Imaging, we were able to find the most perfect day anyone could ask for and got some amazing pictures.

I found this gorgeous red maternity dress off of Amazon and knew I needed it. It was perfect for a winter maternity photoshoot in Texas because I could stand it if it was warm or cold outside, it was inexpensive (less than $30! Whoa!), and we could coordinate outfits together well. I love that it came in a BUNCH of colors too! The pink dress in my photoshoot was actually Rhonda’s and I’m so glad I tried it on. I found a dupe of the pink dress here on Etsy. Not exact, but pretty close! We got some amazing pictures with that dress and I am so insanely pleased at how they came out.

If you notice the pictures with Addie, you may have been able to tell that she’s missing a lot of cords! Girlfriend ROCKED this photoshoot with eyes open, smiles, NO CIRCUIT, NO VENTILATOR, and just a little oxygen. I’m so proud of her and how far she’s come. Photoshoots are draining for kids in general, and Addie gets overstimulated so easily. Because the weather was so nice, Rhonda and Tim were extremely patient, and Tim shook a little pom pom for Addie, we got some beautiful maternity photos that I can’t wait to blow up and put in our home.

Of course, when you live in Waco and have a photoshoot, you have to stop by the iconic Suspension Bridge. If you’re a fan of the show, Fixer Upper, I’m sure you’ve noticed it in the show intro. I love how the light hits so perfectly for these! The last time we got professional pictures done at the Suspension Bridge were for our engagement photos, so I love that I was able to get some great photos there as an update.

The pink dress shots are my absolute FAVORITE. I borrowed the dress from Rhonda’s collection (here’s the closest pink dress I can find to it online). The train on it was massive and it made for some incredible shots. I definitely would like to add some of these to our gallery wall in our living room. We took these pictures in Brazos Park East in Waco and it was the perfect spot to end for the night. Talk about a perfect dress for a winter maternity photoshoot, right!?

Another fun location we stopped at was this random wooded area on the side of the road. Sometimes you find great spots for pictures in the most unlikely places! I would have driven right past this area had it not been for Rhonda and Tim! The trees, the sun- it was all perfect. I wish we could’ve gotten Mathew and Addie in these shots but we literally were climbing over branches, my dress was getting stuck, and it would’ve been crazy with all her equipment. Still, I had so much fun!

Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better winter maternity photoshoot. There are so many things we missed due to my rough pregnancy with Addie like maternity pictures, newborn photos, even taking her home after a few days. She spent 10 months in the hospital and it just seems like this pregnancy with Lawson has been entirely different. I’ve had energy, I’ve had 1 health issue (which was expected) unlike a bunch last pregnancy, and I’ve been really able to enjoy myself. I will miss being pregnant for sure, but boy, am I excited for Wednesday so we can meet our sweet boy. I can’t even begin to imagine the joy and redemption this rainbow baby will bring to our family.

If you’re looking for a maternity photographer in Waco, Texas, definitely hit up Rhonda and Tim with Photography by Legacy Imaging. They always do an amazing job and I’m never disappointed by their incredible work.

Filed Under: family, fashion, Lawson, Mathew, photoshoot ·

12 Week Bumpdate

October 3, 2017

Outfit details: Shirt/ Jeans/ Scarf/ Hat

Photography by: Teressa Jane Photography

I’m a little behind on my bumpdate but I figure you guys won’t mind! First trimester was so crazy and I’m happy to say that as I write this, I’m finally 13 weeks and out of the first trimester! Hallelujah! I cried many tears of joy for our baby (and frustration from being sick) and I can’t wait for all of the fun things that the second trimester brings. I have my 14 week appointment on Friday and I’m excited to get another glimpse of the baby and see what the doctor has to say about everything. It’ll have been a month since I’ve seen our sweet baby and it always amazes me how fast they grow in such a short amount of time!

How far along: 12 weeks (well here. I’m a bit behind on my bumpdates as I’m now 13 weeks.)

Name: We finally have picked out a boy name and a girl name. We will share once we find out what we’re having!

Size: Baby is the size of a plum at 12 weeks! That’s 2.09 inches and .49 ounces

How I’m feeling: At 12 weeks, I was still feeling rotten. However, since I’m writing this at 13 weeks (I plan to do a bumpdate every other week), I can say that I’ve turned a new leaf (I think!) and I haven’t been sick in 3 days! Praise Jesus!

Sickness: First trimester was rotten. I was sick before meals, sick after meals, throwing up meals- it was rough. Smells were huge triggers and my nose is like a bloodhound’s.

Cravings: Cinnamon Raisin Bagels. They were the only thing that would make me not want to throw up. I also sometimes wanted to drink pickle juice on it’s own which is super weird for me, and salt and vinegar chips were very helpful in soothing an upset tummy.

Aversions: Cooked meat was rough. I can eat it, but I couldn’t cook it or smell it cooking. The smell of smoke from a barbecue pit also was a huge trigger. Anything also with a strong smell I couldn’t take- which included my favorite Korean tacos.

Weight gain: Nothing so far. Too much vomit!

Physical changes: I swear I could see my stomach getting bigger the second I found out I was pregnant. Also, my chest feels like it weighs so much! Mama is getting ready to make milk, I suppose!

Pregnancy purchases so far: I’ve made a few purchases so far that I wanted to share that have been helpful—

This nursing bra. My bras were getting SO uncomfortable and this one has been awesome. I bought several and I’m so glad I did.
Young Living Lemon essential oil and Peppermint essential oil. Lemon was the only thing I could tolerate in my diffuser with my sensitivity to smells and Peppermint saved my butt whenever I was nauseated. I wore a diffuser bracelet and put Peppermint on it so I could smell every time I felt sick. If you’re thinking you need to go grab some now, get YL. Don’t get that junk at the grocery store. Trust- it’ll make you feel more sick.
Young Living Einkorn Granola. So good to snack on whenever I needed something light in my stomach that wouldn’t make me feel bad. It’s not overly sweet and you can eat it by the handful, as cereal, or on top of yogurt.

I’m excited to keep you guys in the loop as this pregnancy progresses with more bumpdates. Please pray for an uneventful pregnancy and for a healthy baby! Every day we tell Addie she’s going to be a big sister and I think she’s starting to come around to the idea that it’s going to be an awesome thing! Haha!

Filed Under: family, fashion, Lawson, Mathew ·

How Not To Lose Yourself as a Stay-At-Home Mom

March 15, 2017

This post on How Not To Lose Yourself as a Stay-At-Home Mom was sponsored on behalf of prAna. All opinions stated are my own.

It can be really easy to lose yourself as a stay-at-home mom if you’re not careful. It can creep in really slowly and then all of a sudden, you look in the mirror and find that you hardly recognize yourself. You know how I know? Because it has happened to me. Staying in pajamas all day was a “thing” and I barely made it to the vanity to brush my hair in the mornings. By the end of the day, I just would feel terrible about myself because I was still in pajamas from the night before! It doesn’t have to happen to you though, and I’m going to share just a few tips on how NOT to lose yourself as a stay-at-home mom.

Set your schedule. One of the biggest things you can do for yourself is get a planner (I have this one) and get a schedule set up. For me, this is what keeps me sane. Don’t just shove that planner in a drawer, actually use it and refer to it daily. When you can set a schedule for yourself you’ll be able to make time for all the things you need to get done. I work from home (and am LOVING this book from Sarah Harnisch right now), so I plan time to do business when Addie naps or once Mathew is off work. We also schedule time for her different therapies, doctor appointments, and whatever else we need for the week.

Get Stephanie’s outfit:

Sweater / Bottoms / Necklace / FitBit

Take some time for fitness. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again- fitness is important. I made sure to schedule working out 3 times a week with Camp Gladiator, and sometimes I even have the time to go 4 times a week. Scheduling time to workout isn’t easy. You have to want to do it, and you have to force it into your schedule, especially if you’re busy. Many workout facilities have childcare options so you can bring the kids along, and 1 hour of your day is going to get you in the mood for focusing on your tasks for the day. Try finding a local workout program or gym near you, or even YouTube some fitness vloggers like Blogilates or Kayla Itsines.

I’m all about wearing workout clothes that can double as athleisure because I’m usually running errands after working out (groceries anyone?) I’m a huge fan of prAna because they’re comfortable for working out, their clothes are sustainable, and I can just throw the sweater on top of my workout tank and do what I need to do for the morning. Everything is made from organic cotton or hemp, so they are amazing for moisture wicking.

You guys know I’ve been on a journey the past 2 years in making our home greener, and I love that the clothes from prAna are mindfully made in order to support fair trade and sustainable practices. We are the gatekeepers to our homes, and we can make an impact on our world if we try. One way to do that is to make sure that the things you buy have a positive impact on our planet and will make a positive impact in your home.

prAna gave me a discount code just for YOU to use now through April 14, 2017. Just enter code “PMOMVMW” during checkout for 15% off your purchase. Enjoy!

Take a moment if you need. The struggle is real when it comes to being a stay-at-home mom. Between kids having their needs, your spouse having his needs, and you having your own needs- more often than not, everyone else’s needs usually get met before your own. It can be completely overwhelming to never get to leave your “job” at the end of the day. When I get overwhelmed, I love to get my Young Living essential oils out and do an “oil intervention” to just clear my head. Check out the video below to learn how to do it yourself!

I love oil interventions because it only takes 1-2 minutes to do, and I am back to being the level-headed person I need to be for my family, for my business, and just for my day in general!

Make time for friends. I don’t know about you, but one thing that always brings me back to my “old” self is hanging around with friends. It is so important to keep up with your friendships during this stage of life so you don’t lose yourself! I love grabbing coffee with friends, inviting them over for some monthly essential oil DIY projects (where we all bring snacks, we chat for hours, and we play hilarious games), or getting dinner! Friends are such a key part of life and really can keep you grounded when you’re not feeling yourself. When Addie was in the hospital for 10 months, I was the world’s worst friend. Of course, I had a good excuse, but now that she’s been home almost 2 years, I am redeeming myself by seeing my friends as much as I can!

These are just some of the tools I use to stay true to myself while I’m a stay-at-home mom. How long have you been a stay-at-home mom? What are some things that make you feel better about yourself and about your day?

Filed Under: fashion, fitness, YLEO, youtube ·