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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 44 Comments · by

Maternity Monday: Quilted Puffer Convertible Maternity Coat

Maternity· Recent Recs

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Modern Eternity Quilted Puffer Convertible Maternity CoatWhen I was pregnant, the only option like this was a very expensive coat (like $300+) — so it’s great to see Nordstrom making a much more affordable version. If you’re not familiar, this is a great coat if you’re heavily pregnant during winter months because it has a belly-friendly insert. You can remove the insert to make it a normal coat, or you can flip the insert to make it a babywearing-friendly insert. Fun. It’s avaiable in black and taupe, for $150, online exclusively at Nordstrom. Modern Eternity Quilted Puffer Convertible Maternity Coat Building a maternity wardrobe for work? Check out our page with more suggestions along both classic and trendy/seasonal lines. (L-2)

Sales of note for 9.10.24

(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)

Kid/Family Sales

  • Carter’s – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
  • Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
  • J.Crew Crewcuts – Extra 30% off sale styles
  • Old Navy – 40% off everything
  • Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs

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Comments

  1. Amelia Bedelia says

    Can any event recommend OPAQUE maternity tights that you can buy online? Thanks for the recommendation of tights at H&M, but I’m not getting to a brick and mortar store.

    • ANP says

      I ordered opaque maternity tights from Old Navy last year. They were total workhorses — my only pair of tights that whole winter and still no runs or rips!

    • Anon in NYC says

      Spanx and Commando. I found them at Destination Maternity, but I’m sure you can buy them online.

    • Anonymous says

      I got the tip from here to take a regular pair of tights and cut notches in the side of the waistband to make room for your bump. It worked great, I’m using the same pair of Hanes tights now in my second pregnancy.

      • Amelia Bedelia says

        I’m much too large for that – but great idea in the early days.

      • Amelia Bedelia says

        How sad is it that I didn’t even realize you could shop H&M online!

        • Anonymous says

          It’s a fairly recent development and the selection is still a lot better in the stores.

      • Jdubs says

        +1 to H&M online! I think I might have been the one that initially suggested H&M tights… even thinking about stepping foot inside an H&M store makes me tired… just know that returns have to be done online, you can’t do online shopping and instore returns :-/

  2. ANP says

    I cross-posted this on the main page, too:

    I found out this weekend that my husband and I will likely be taking our three kids (age 6, 3, and 6 months at the time of travel) to London in mid-January. DH will be there for work and the plan right now is for me to fly solo with the munchkins to meet him at the conclusion of his business trip. We’ll stay for ~5 days and will also meet up with another family member whom I rarely get to see b/c they live in Asia (we’re US-based). Reconnecting with this family member is basically the only reason I’d really entertain the idea of taking our children vs. a solo trip w/my husband.

    We cannot go for any longer than 5/6 days due to my work schedule, but the flight is only 7-8 hours so I feel as though it’s worth it. That said, I’ve traveled a ton but never to a major metropolis like this with kids! We’ve done Chicago, Boston, etc. with children but never all three and not for 5-6 days at a time. I’m interested in tips, tricks, places to see/stay that are kid-friendly — anything you’ve got. Right now I’m thinking of taking a single stroller (big kids can trade off) plus a hands-free baby carrier, but I could be talked out of this plan by those more experienced than Yours Truly. I studied abroad in London 15 years ago and loved it, but never imagined returning with a brood this size. Any and all advice is welcome!

    • Famouscait says

      I was in London in July with my (then) 9 month old. We used an umbrella stroller on the bus and that was pretty easy. Did not attempt the subway because of stairs (although they do have maps that tell you this kind of access, we just couldn’t seem to read it correctly!) As for the flight over, you can book a bassinet seat on some airlines. I did on Lufthansa, and it (would have been) great if baby had decided to sleep in it (as he likely would have done at 6m age). The flight attendants were also very helpful. I would suggest a non-U.S. airline for max benefit. Good luck!

    • TK says

      No advice on what to do once you’re there, but just the thought of travelling alone with three kids through international airports … and dealing with the time change twice in a week … you are far braver than I.

    • POSITA says

      You are brave! Is there any chance there’s another family member who’d be willing to travel over with you? Even one extra set of hands would be a huge help.

      I’d be sure to stay in a place with a kitchen or at least a kitchenette. The kids are going to be awake and hungry at weird times.

      • POSITA says

        Also, my friends live abroad and travel often internationally with their baby and preschooler. They opt to have one parent adjust to the time change with the older child, who adjusts better, and the other parent stays on the baby’s schedule. I’d try to divide and conquer the sleep issue. It is still rough though.

    • NewMomAnon says

      Is there any way you can leave the 3 year old in the states with grandparents or something? Traveling with a 6 month old isn’t that bad (hands free carrier) and I’ve heard that 5 year olds are actually pretty fun on trips (they can walk, wheel their own suitcase, carry their own backpack, entertain themselves), but I know my 2 year old would not be fun on a plane trip for that long and I assume a 3 year old is similar. That would also allow you to ditch the stroller so you could use the subway more easily.

      • anonymama says

        There’s a pretty big difference between a two year old and a three year old. In terms of travelling, a three year old can watch movies, draw, play legos, and communicate really on a different level than a two year old. I would guess that the biggest deal would be how well the kid can follow directions, take care of bathroom stuff, and be trusted not to run away, which can vary tremendously depending on the three year old. But with a carrier for baby, stroller for 3 year old, and moderately reliable 6 year old, it is definitely doable. I flew cross-country by myself with a 4 year old and a 6 month old, and it was fine. People are really nice and glad to help. And I’m assuming you have at least some travel experience with the kids if you are even considering this trip.

        I think airbnb type apartment is way way way better than a hotel (particularly if it has some outdoor space or has a park nearby), and stock up on breakfast/snacks/lunch stuff. For the flight, I like two levels of carry on – the underseat with everything you would need immediately, snacks, games, diapers, wipes, and then the overhead with more of the backup just in case, extra change of clothes, etc. The hardest part is figuring out how to schlep all the stuff… it’s worth it to kind of game out in your head how you will handle each thing (like, I will have kid A in carrier, kid C carrying his backpack, kid B in stroller, backpack on my back, and will push stroller with one hand and pull rolling carryon with other hand.) Also, a trip to target or the dollar store to get a bunch of new little toys/activities is so worth it. Also if you can prep the kids on the trip beforehand, what they will need to do, and how it’s all going to work, and get them excited about it, practice their responsibilities, and also interested in airplanes/airports that can make it a lot easier.

    • RDC says

      I don’t have kids this big but think your plan sounds good. I recently did an overnight flight alone with my 11mo. People were really helpful if you just ask (and even if you don’t). I had security people offer to hold him as we went through security, a stewardess held him so I could use the bathroom on the plane, and lots of people helped me schlep stuff. For the plane, make sure you have the necessities (bottles, diapers, pack) in a bag you can fit under the seat, since you might not get a spot in the overhead close to you. Baby food and bottles are allowed through security in the US but they seem stricter about it overseas. Will you buy a seat for the baby? Might be worth it for your sanity if s/he would sleep in the car seat (but also – one more thing to schlep). Might also be worth paying more for a direct flight.

    • Anonymous says

      Oh man, you are much braver than me. I traveled alone from the U.S. to London over the summer with just my 15-month-old, and the flight was a disaster. She was technically small enough for the bassinet seat that Lufthansa offered, but she refused to sleep in at all. NOT EVEN A WINK. It was a pretty miserable experience, and I’m not sure what I would have done if I had multiple kiddos with me (potentially doing the same thing). I will say that there were a couple of other families on the flight with younger kiddos — a 6-month-old and a 10-month-old. Both those babies slept well in the bassinet seats, so maybe your 6-month-old would be OK. Can’t speak for the older kids since I only have the one kiddo right now.

      But once we were there, we had a great time. Took her to lots of pubs and playgrounds, the zoo, and Regents Park. Managed a stroller on the Tube just fine, but again, there was only one kiddo. Good luck!!!

      • shortperson says

        we brought dd to London when she was 11 months old this summer and the visit was fantastic except that elevator access on the tube is extremely difficult. a small percent of stations have access and even those are difficult to navigate. Meaning in most there isn’t just one elevator that takes you to all platforms, we took at least three elevators to leave kings cross station and they were very difficult to find. On my day alone with dd we walked across London to avoid taking the tube. Otherwise it was fantastic and very kid friendly. She loved tea at the orangerie at Kensington palace. we also found a coffee shop with a ball pit and a huge nice play area in the back — apparently these are relatively common in London. have fun!

    • Msj says

      Took my then 11 month old twins there this past summer. A few ideas
      – BA offers a daytime flight that is often less crowded and you don’t have to worry about not sleeping on a red eye. They are also great about bassinets in the bulk head. That being said is there any way you can fly with him as an extra set of hands in transit will be a blessing. We ended up doing the first night at an airport hotel as it was pretty late by the time we got out of Heathrow. It’s annoying to move camp but was the right call to take it slow. The time change wasn’t bad
      – London is a great city to rent baby gear that you might not need on the flight. For example,we got a double jogging stroller for long walks in the park so my husband could take them out while I walked. When we were sightseeing we each had a backpack carrier.
      – airbnb or similar all the way. Soooo helpful to have a washer dryer and dishwasher not to mention space for a fraction of the hotel price. We stayed near Hampstead Heath which allowed us more green space (like the fancy areas of Brooklyn)
      – we didn’t do anything kid specific because of their age but there are some great TimeOut guides that are child focused.
      – we had brought car seats to use on the next leg of the trip in France and could never get them installed properly in London cabs (no latch and the seatbelts didn’t ratchet). Don’t know if we were missing something obvious but worth thinking about if your hotel/apt isn’t easy to public transport to their airport.

  3. Due in December says

    So, I just found out on Friday that I have gestational diabetes. Rather late in the game (I’m 33 weeks), and I’ve been worried about the measures I could have been taking, but haven’t. Also, I don’t get my script for my glucometer until Wednesday, and I am not enjoying not being able to SEE whether the dietary changes I’m trying to make are making a difference in my blood sugar levels.

    Blah. Just wanted to vent. I know there are so many worse problems out there (my DH works with really, really sick kids, and it’s a daily reminder)…but still. I hate that my kid may not have the best possible start. And there are cupcakes in the break room.

    • NewMomAnon says

      *hugs* Nothing says “end of pregnancy fun” like diet restrictions. Good luck to you.

      I know this is anecdotal, but – my mom had completely undiagnosed gestational diabetes when she was pregnant with me. I was born weighing more than 10 pounds, and lost 2 pounds of water weight while in a step-down nursery for a week after being born. I was fine shortly after and am still completely fine.

        • NewMomAnon says

          I should have also added – my mom needed some extra recovery time (long labor, I turned sideways, emergency C unrelated to the gd) but has no linger complications. She had a second healthy pregnancy (with well-managed gd) after I was born. Hang in there and ask all the questions you need to ask of your OB.

    • OCAssociate says

      GD is the worst! I also found out at around 33 weeks, right before the holidays. I kept crying because “no pie”! But I kept my numbers in check and my baby was under 8 pounds.

      I’m not a doctor, but my understanding is that un-checked GD doesn’t do much damage until late – as in the month or so before birth, when lungs are developing and the head is getting big. Your kid is probably fine!

      The diet sucks, but once you get your tester, you’ll have a better idea of what you can get away with. For me, I could cheat a little, and then go for a 20 minute walk (or just go up & down flights of stairs for a few minutes) and still test ok.

      Ultimately, I totally get that it sucks and you have my sympathy. Make a checklist of delicious carbs that you’ll eat after the baby is born, that always made me feel better.

      • Due in December says

        Thank you! The idea that the damage doesn’t occur until late is comforting, as I don’t have my appointment with the endocrinology department until later, and I haven’t been able to google the issue satisfactorily.

        And if my blood sugar levels return to normal after delivery, I’m thinking I may convince my sister to make stuffing and a pumpkin pie when she visits in February….

  4. Famouscait says

    My son started daycare as an infant in January this year. I was caught off guard by his move up to a new classroom in August, and didn’t do anything for the infant teachers at that time. I now know (thanks to y’all!) that its customary to do Christmas gifts for daycare teachers. Should I have the director deliver gifts to the infant teachers for me (3 are still there, 1 is in a different room now, but will likely be on maternity leave at gift time). Would a message of “Thanks for making kiddo’s first year a great one!” be clear enough that this is make-up for the missed gift?

    Also, does anyone gift the director and/or assistant director? They don’t work in an assigned room, but float around, call when kiddo is sick, etc.

    • TK says

      Last year I gave $50 range gifts to the lead teachers of the 3 (!) classrooms my son had been in during the course of that year, and smaller gifts to all of the helpers. I plan to do the same this year – $50 range gifts to the current lead teachers and to the lead teachers in the classroom he was in prior, $10 gifts to all others.

      I haven’t gifted to the assistant / director in the past on the theory that they are already ‘gifted’ by my $1500 monthly tuition.

    • Syd says

      I made the same mistake with forgetting something for the infant teachers when my son transitioned. I think your wording sounds great, I was planning to say something similar. I do not gift the director/assistant. We are already at two infant teachers plus three toddler teachers and at some point it’s just too much! I also assume (maybe wrongly) that their salaries are higher than the teachers.

  5. OCAssociate says

    We’re flying with a 3.5 year old and a toddler (who’s currently very clingy towards me) for Thanksgiving. Everyone is getting their own seat. I can’t decide what seating arrangement will be best, any suggestions?
    I’m thinking either: 2 by 2 across the aisle from each other, or 2 by 2 sitting in front/behind each other (e.g. row 31 A, B and 32 A, B.)

    What has worked best for everyone else? The last time we flew with 4, one was still lap sitting.

  6. TK says

    Once my kid became a toddler, the worst part of the flight was not being able to adequately explain to him why he couldn’t kick the seat in front of him. It was exhausting for me – and no fun for the kind but increasingly annoyed women in front of him – for 2 hours until he fell asleep. For that reason alone, I’d recommend the front/behind option with toddler in the row behind. Front / back option might also be good at keeping the kids from egging one another on if they can’t see one another. Good luck.

    • Anon says

      +1 I have an immense amount of patience for children in any public place, particularly on an airplane, but having your seat kicked repeatedly is super annoying (more so than screaming, crying, etc.).

  7. Quick brag says

    I haven’t cooked in months it seems with nursing the little one, and working. A friend brought over dinner for us a few months ago, and left two big glass bowls and a loaf pan at our house. For her daughter’s birthday party this weekend at a playground, I filled up the bigger bowl with corn chips, did a classic 7-layer dip for the slightly smaller bowl, and made (from scratch! Joy of Cooking recipe!) pumpkin bread for the loaf pan.

    Then I got home and made the 6yearold help me with pasta sauce, and I put away 2 crockpot dinners in freezer zip-style bags.

    Yay, I’m really proud of myself.

    • Anonymous says

      Good for you! *Clap clap clap* Cooking is tough with work and kids! It’s the reason I think Americans are so unhealthy–no time!

  8. PSA - Books with Nice Characters says

    Someone was recently looking for books with positive characters who taught nice behaviors to kids. Cup of Jo has a whole list on her blog today.

    • MomAnon4This says

      OK for some, and for young ages. As kids get older, they can learn a lot by talking through “wrong” decisions that literary characters make.

      For my son’s public school Halloween, the children have to be Book Characters – and bring the book to prove it – and are encouraged to be “characters that make good choices”. Um, that’s the WHOLE POINT of literary ambiguity – is Huckleberry Finn making a good choice when he helps the slave Jim run away to freedom – HE didn’t think so (breaking the law). At the end of the book, it is revealed that Jim has been free all along. So, who made choices, and were they good?

      /end rant

  9. The second says

    starting a new job and just decided to go by my married name rather than maiden name for the first time. Should i worry i wont be findable on things like linkedin? Or just google? I have a pretty great resume and I feel like I am leaving it behind!

    • MDMom says

      In this day and age, google will find you. You can even guarantee it by keeping your maiden name in your public profiles (ie Joan Smith Collins or Joan Collins (Smith)). Simple. I changed my name 4 years ago and a google search of either my maiden (not unique but not terribly common) or married (I think I’m the only person with this name) name bring up stuff from both. Especially googling my married name brings up stuff under maiden name. The other way around, you have to go deeper into google just because there are other people with my maiden name. And I haven’t kept both names on any of my profiles. The internet never forgets.

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