Pop of Color Blazer (non-maternity) + a 37 week Bumpdate!

Ahhhh!! Finally starting the post on a happier note! I can walk again! Without crutches and without the excruciating pain I had been experiencing for over two weeks. The sciatica is under control, and I couldn't be more grateful to God and the best chiropractor ever (shout out to Hart Chiropractics in Geneva-- omg, Dr. Hart has literally saved my life and made me be able to walk again).  My friends and family have been so amazing about checking in and bringing over treats to lift my spirit. I am so grateful.

Last I had written, two Saturdays ago, I had tried physical therapy for my debilitating sciatica. After the 2nd session, the physical therapist canceled the rest of our sessions and said there was nothing she could do because it was in my bones not my muscles. I left the PT bawling-- how could I make it through 4 more weeks of that pain? I couldn't walk, couldn't turn over in bed, couldn't get dressed, couldn't go up stairs, without Mike's help. Every step I took while teaching caused me to wince.

I tried a pregnancy belt (to lift baby up and to have my back stop swaying and crushing my sciatic nerve), I tried sitting on a tennis ball, I tried rolling it out with a roller, and I tried a pre-natal swimming class to get him to move (which ended up with me in tears because I couldn't find an elevator in the fitness building. What a mess!).  Then I got into a chiropractor. For a week, he tried everything. Without an MRI or x-ray, there's a lot of detective work that goes into figuring out low back/sciatic pain. I got a pre-natal massage (ended up having to stop because I got so light-headed/nauseous/dizzy) to try to work through the pain. Dr. Hart also taped me with Kinesio tape this week, which I think has helped, too! Something finally clicked on Wednesday this week. I finally could walk a little better, and I didn't need my crutches to get from my car into school. Things have improved little by little each day! I keep icing and stretching!

I am definitely not back to normal, but you guys, I truly was in such a bad place for two weeks with this pain. I have never felt pain like this in my entire 31 years of living. I do not wish this upon anyone! It was to the point where my OB was talking about bed rest if the issue didn't improve by Friday (yesterday), I had spoken to HR at work about beginning my maternity leave early, and I had been researching short term disability. It was so devastating.

The good news through this all was the baby was still moving and grooving just fine! He was not affected by my pain at all-- thank God!  Mike was (and continues to be) a saint. He helped me dress, shower, walk from the bed to the bathroom, get up our stairs, get in and out of the car, etc. He cooked and cleaned and took care of the dogs non-stop for all this time. I literally do not know what I would've done without him.

On Tuesday this week, I had a little fall after my chiro appointment. I sit on an exercise ball to help the pain, and when I went to get a refill of my cereal (lol), the ball rolled away, and I had no idea. I sat back down-- hard-- and fell on my back/butt.  I was home alone because it was just before 5 pm, and I called my OB. She wanted me to go to the hospital at Delnor (where I'm delivering) to labor/delivery just to be sure my water didn't break/to monitor the baby.

I drove myself over to the hospital (lol, I don't know why I didn't call any of my friends?! Wasn't thinking straight), and got checked in. They were all soooo kind. I couldn't even get my birth date or last name out of my mouth without bawling (I was so scared I had hurt the babe), but everyone was kind as could be.  They hooked me up to the fetal heart rate monitor, and baby boy was healthy as ever. Mike arrived shortly after, and they did an ultrasound to check the placenta (still totally fine), and they tested to be sure my water didn't break. It hadn't! Thank God all around. They wanted to keep me there 4 hours to monitor, so we did that.

Overall, everything is turning out okay. Just knowing our baby is healthy is getting me through. Also, knowing he is coming within the next 3 weeks is a gift from God. I can't wait to just hold him. He will be so resilient after all he has been through, too!


Now, to the fun stuff! The pop of color blazers that you need in your closet right now! I apologize for the mirror selfies-- these final weeks of pregnancy make it a lot harder to stay in normal clothes past getting home at 4 pm every day. It's always a good day when I'm in jammies by 4 pm. LOL

This blazer was purchased about 4 years ago from Nordstroms, but they have since released new colors! I love blazers in pregnancy, as I can still wear them open with a maternity tank underneath. This was perfect for a dress-down St. Patty's Day themed Friday.

This Missguided green blazer is under $60 and the same color/style as mine! 

My shoes are my go-to sparkly Tory Burch flats. They're still soooo comfortable, even 37+ weeks preggo! Also, these were purchased in 2012 (I know this because I was still living in Chicago! lol). 

My go-to gold monogram necklace: Moon and Lola. I have the gold script one (size medium), and then I have an acrylic one (also medium) that I love just as much. I also have the mirrored one (with my new monogram!), in a size large. Obsessed with Moon and Lola! 

My earrings are super old Stella and Dot (probably circa 2010, as I was still living in the city haha!). But here are some equally fab ones!

More blazers I am drooling over right now:

my all-time favorite of the moment: this. Peplum!!!! Currently 40% off! Down to $70.

I hope you are all having a great St. Patrick's Day!
xxoo
Mary