Washable Workwear Wednesday: Drapey Cap Sleeve Top in Polka Dot

Ladies – I have a black tie wedding to attend in 2 1/2 weeks, am 15 weeks pregnant (will be 17 weeks at the wedding), am definitely showing, and don’t have a dress. August really snuck up on me! I had hoped to do rent the runway but am getting very overwhelmed sifting through the dress they say work for second trimester – I’m finding it very hard to find pictures or reviews from women who were pregnant and wore them. Any suggestions for a rent the runway dress, or dress I can buy from somewhere else, that would work? I’d like to keep the cost $125 or under, because I’ll likely never wear this again. I think I’m currently a size 10, and am 40 and not in great shape, so need something flattering and age appropriate. I’m happy to wear a strapless bra, but would like some straps on the dress because I’ll feel more comfortable. Any suggestions are MUCH appreciated!

My 2.5 year old has been a little mean lately. Not across the board but, for instance, she started freaking out when her grandpa wanted to sit next to her while she was eating breakfast and feed her. This resulted in her yelling at him not to sit next to her and then yelling “no, don’t sit there either” when he tried to sit somewhere else (3 chairs were unacceptable!). Finally she said he “could” sit on the couch. He was very sweet about it but I think this only makes her behavior worse and we’d like to keep her from turning into a little dictator.

Before this, she decided she didn’t like my mom and spent a few visits telling her that. She declines to say goodbye to grandparents sometimes and withholds hugs, she told Mr. AIMS that she didn’t like how he read stories so she only wanted Mama to read to her, etc. She’s also been rude to people in our elevator or in the store and will say things like “I don’t want this person talking to me” in their presence. She’s generally a sweet kid and I get that she is just exploring boundaries and what is appropriate and we want her to feel comfortable expressing herself, particularly as far as not forcing her to ever hug anyone she doesn’t want to or to do anything uncomfortable. But we also don’t want a rude kid and I’m struggling to explain to her what is okay and what isn’t and why. Any help or books you can point me to would be appreciated.

Baby is 6 days old, milk has been in since day 3. Hospital lactation consultant said his latch was “great,” but it’s still SO SO painful. The first few minutes are excruciating especially. No visible cracks, bleeding, etc. What’s my next move here? Wait to see if things improve? Try to find an LC? (If so does anyone have recs for MD suburbs of DC? I know about the Breastfeeding Center on K St but that would be a bit of a trek for me and my sore c section incision.)

Feel free to disregard this anecdote if it’s not the angle you’re going for.

Breastfeeding my 2nd was excruciatingly painful. Her latch was fine, but she was an intense nurser. Sores and blood everywhere. After 10 days, I hung it up. I would sit in the chair crying through nursing sessions. Then there was the slathering on of every cream I could get my hands on and I would dread the minutes until she’d want to nurse again.

I switched over to combo feeding with formula and pumped milk and everyone was happier as a result. I only say this to let you know that you have options. Totally fine if your heart is set on breastfeeding and all the best to you. But if you’re thinking “Is this worth it?” then it might not be. And I give you permission to feed your baby using other methods.

Any moms who had gestational diabetes on? Specifically, my issue is weight gain in the context of GD. I have been relatively thin my whole life (put on a little weight as I progressed through my 30s) and started out pregnancy 5’5″ and about 118 lbs, so on the thin side of normal. I’m now 23 weeks and change and have gained about three pounds in total. Baby is doing fine (measuring three days ahead based on my last u/s two weeks ago) but OB says I need to start gaining a pound a week (with a target total weight gain of 15 lbs). I know the main reason I have GD is most likely family history (both parents have diabetes as do a number of extended relatives) as well as age (40). I’m pescatarian and trying to eat all the recommended foods (i eat a ton of cheese and nuts, and an avocado a day) but I obviously can’t put on weight the easiest way – carbs. Would love any tips and also reassurance from moms who didn’t gain a lot of weight during pregnancy but baby turned out fine.