Yesterday, I realized something totally insane: Today is my one thousandth Sugarlaws post! 

I think I was subconsciously anticipating this huge milestone when I wrote on Wednesday about all the transitions I’ve gone through since starting this blog, but it’s crazy to think that in the last five years, I’ve written over a thousand posts on this site! 

I’d write about all the amazing ways my life has changed since starting this blog, but I already did that a few days ago. 

So I’ll just say this:

Sometimes the biggest moments in our life start in the smallest, least anticipated ways.

When I started Sugarlaws, I had no idea of the journey it would take me on.  I didn’t have a clue that it would change everything about my life, or that it would ever become such an integral part of my day-to-day.  It was a place to keep track of recipes as I made them, and my own little corner of the internet that I assumed no one would ever visit. 

I had no idea of the challenges and incredible opportunities it would bring my way, and I had absolutely no inkling of how many of my dreams it would make come true. 

I thought I was starting a blog.  I had no idea that I was starting a whole new life.

If you’re curious, check out my first post here.  Blogging was a different world back then — no magazine-style photos, no graphic designers creating the perfect layouts.  It was a lot less polished, but there’s something kind of sweet about starting that way. 

What a long, strange, and ultimately incredible road it’s been from there.

What a crazy seven months it’s been!  Someday, when I look back on my life, I have no doubt that the last five years will be the biggest whirlwind of huge changes I ever experience, culminating with this one. 

And you know what?  This whole period started right around the same time as Sugarlaws.  I started writing this blog back in October 2008 (you know, the age of dinosaurs in blog years) and back then, I could never in a million years have predicted where life would take me.

In the past five years, I’ve gotten engaged, gotten married, started a blog that changed my life in almost every way possible, moved across the country, bought a house, wrote three books, quit my law firm job to start my own practice, and now we’re having a baby.

Each one of those things on its own is enough to make your head spin, and it’s no surprise that for the past few years, I’ve often felt overwhelmed, constantly needing more hours in the day to get everything done.  When people asked me when we were planning to have kids, I used to look at them sheepishly and say, “I can barely balance everything now — how could we possibly add a baby to the mix?”

But now?  Weirdly enough, on the eve of the biggest change on that whole list, I finally feel like I have my life together.  I have a job that I love, and one that gives me enough flexibility that I can continue it after the baby is born.  We’ve found the house that our kids will most likely grow up in, and now, after many years of wondering, I can finally envision what that life will look like. 

No, I still don’t have quite enough hours in the day.  But I’m very, very happy with the hours I have. 

So, seven more weeks.  And then it’s all going to change, yet again.

(PS — If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I had my baby shower this weekend!  I have tons of photos and video to share, but it deserves its own post, so stay tuned!)

How far along? 31 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds. 

Maternity clothes? Pants, still in my regular tops and dresses.

Stretch marks? Still no!

Symptoms: Honestly, my symptoms are at the point where I’m way less comfortable sharing them on the internet.  I’m sure you’ll all miss my back pain and heartburn complaints terribly! 

Sleep: So so.  A technician in my doctor’s office told me that the times that I wake up during the night at this stage of pregnancy tend to correspond to when the baby will wake up after it’s born, so I’ll be looking forward to 3 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. feedings in May!

Best moment this week: My baby shower was so incredible!

Worst moment of the week: The baby hates pizza.  Sorry, apparently I’m not actually done complaining about heartburn…

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Champagne!  (I did have a tiny sip before my shower started — I couldn’t resist!)

Movement: Lots!

Food cravings: Strawberries and chocolate. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: I am huge!

Labor Signs: I’ve started to get scared every time I have a weird sensation or pain that I’m going into labor.  So far, though, nothing that hasn’t resolved itself!

Belly Button in or out? In, but oh my gosh, any day now!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing up all our last minute preparations so that he can arrive!

Back in August, when I first found out I was pregnant, I had such high hopes for staying super stylish the whole nine months. 

And I think, for the most part, I’ve done a pretty good job.  I’m sure I’ll look back on some of my pregnancy outfits and wonder what on earth I was thinking, but given the hormones and body-size issues involved, I’m going to cut myself some slack. 

This dress, to me, was the ultimate challenge: it’s not maternity, but when I saw it during Fashion Week, I fell completely in love.  I got it partly as a post-baby carrot to dangle (I *will* fit into it by next fall!) and also to see if I could make it work on my crazy shape right now.

And I’ll say this: it zipped!  (That’s about all I ask at this point.) And the thing is, a beautiful dress is a beautiful dress, whether your body is the perfect size for it or not.  Sure, I probably looked a little weird and lumpy in it, but I felt stylish and current, like I was wearing something that pre-pregnancy-me would have been excited about.  And for a girl whose wardrobe has gone from expansive to miniscule in the last six months, that felt pretty great. 

So I thought I’d throw out a few tips for staying stylish while you’re pregnant, and I’d love it if you guys chimed in with your own!  I still have seven weeks to go, so any advice helps!

Porter Gray dress from Figure and Form, vintage boots, Chanel bag, La Mer watch.

Five Tips for Staying Stylish While Pregnant

Show Off The Bump!

If I could give just one tip for being stylish while pregnant, this would be it!  The fact is, there is an incredibly beautiful process happening inside your body, and it’s cuter than any top or bag or pair of shoes could ever be.  I’ve worn sweatpants and no makeup to run errands while pregnant, and still see people grinning at my belly. 

I know it seems counter-intuitive to buy a bunch of tight clothes just as you’re getting ready to gain 30 pounds, but they’re actually really cute!  I bought about ten Forever 21 extra-long tank tops in various colors, and wear them at least a few times a week.  They were a whopping $2 each, so not a bad investment!  (And they come in plus sizes too!)

Think Beyond Maternity

I was so excited to buy maternity clothes when I first got pregnant, I totally over-bought.  While you definitely need some maternity basics (a good pair of jeans is a must), you may not ever need things like tops or even dresses. 

Instead of heading straight to the maternity stores, think about which stores have stretchy knits or flattering cuts that could work on your growing bump.  For me, simple v-neck sweaters from Express in cotton-blended fabrics had enough stretch to be comfy and still totally cute.

Empire Waists Are Your New Best Friend

This probably comes as no surprise, but the most flattering cut on any pregnant woman ever is the empire waist.  You get to show off your new boobs (!) and your gorgeous bump at exactly the same time.  I spotted some old picture of Nicole Richie in adorable empire-waist dresses while she was pregnant, and proceeded to find as many of them as I could!  Fortunately, you may already have some of these in your closet!  (Pro tip: Maxi dresses are the best of both worlds — still super flattering, and they give you a little more coverage!)

And So Are Leggings!

I couldn’t button my pre-pregnancy jeans by like, week 8.  I gained quite a bit of weight in the first trimester, including a lot of water weight, so comfy clothing was a priority for me early on.  But while I was still poking around maternity stores trying to figure out which pair of designer jeans would be my go-to, I whipped out a few comfy pairs of non-maternity Splendid leggings and wore them to death.  I’m still wearing them at almost eight months pregnant!

When in Doubt, Accessorize

Even with the best wardrobe and attitude, there are going to be days when you just don’t feel great about how you look.  We can’t all wake up every morning with the perfect pregnancy glow and the swallowed-a-bowling-ball baby bump.  There are going to be days when you’re exhausted, cranky, hormonal, and just plain uncomfortable.  I had many (many) of those days in every trimester. 

So here’s my solution when all else fails: Dress in all black and grab some killer accessories.  Start with either a black dress or a top and leggings — something comfy and easy to wear, that you feel comfortable in.  And then grab the most expensive handbag in your closet, the cutest statement necklace, or your favorite earrings or bracelet, look in the mirror once, and head out the door. 

And you know what?  Everyone will be so busy raving about how great you look, you’ll forget what was bothering you in the first place.