10am, my phone starts to buzz as my whatsapp messages stream in from working friends, inadvertently waking me up from my well-enjoyed slumber.

My bed hair is still in place, eyes still starry-eyed with a blurred vision as I curl up in my leather arm chair and reflect how quickly the last 5 weeks have flown by.

I’m officially out of work again (ended by 5-weeks temp job), out of a routine that I often feel bad for putting baby chungkin through; and I’m finally catching up the much needed winks & rest.

And in the last 5 weeks, I’ve now realized (more than before) that having time on my hands is such a gem –  to be able to do the things I want to, prepare myself for the exciting adventure ahead, read all the books I’ve stocked up at during the Borders closing down sale some 6 weeks ago and of course prepare for upcoming Christmas/New Year parties. This will also be the first year since the wedding that we’re not spending post-Christmas and New Year’s Eve overseas (hello, baby) and though we had plans to count down to 2012 at New York times square since Jan this year – I know that we absolutely don’t mind putting that on hold because no trip matters more to us than finally having a baby of our own.

So as the weeks ahead of me unfold, so does my to-do list. And with Dec/Jan coming at the speed of a bullet train, this is really my perfect window to get the doing done. They’re right when they say the 2nd tri is the best time to enjoy. I feel energized and all charged up.

Here’s me at almost 17-weeks:

{Wearing Gap tee & cami, Uniqlo denims}

{Posing w Cailin. almost 16-weeks, wearing Mango tunic, H&M leggings, Kate Spade ballet flats}

So here I am, taking a picture with the sweetest young colleague that I’ve been working closely with for the past month at my temp work arrangement because we totally laughed our heads off when she walked to my desk this morning (she sits just opposite me) and we both realized that we were wearing similar outfits except for the colours of our tops.

And it got funnier when I told her how I wanted to wear colourful shoes like hers but was skeptical because of the recent wet weather and she, told me that she nearly went for black flats to pair with those leggings.

What a funny coincidence it sure was, considering she only comes in on Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays; meaning I didn’t get to see her for the last 2 days to tell her that I was even intending to wear (who does that, anyway?!).

;)

p/s: shared this pict on FB & received comments from friends that they were having a difficult time spotting the almost 4-months jelly belly. Hmm. That’s good news, ain’t it? I’m still grateful either ways – showing or not.

Maternity shopping can get very addictive so whenever I do any these days, I try to ensure that my purchases will allow me to continue wearing it post-pregnancy as much as possible. I do want to look good preggers, but not at a crazy expense before the little bundle’s arrival.

So although I’ve been very much in love with my 2 maternity jeans which I’ve been told can last me through full term and my 2 comfy harem pants (which can definitely be worn post-preggy), I’ve decided one of the best ways to probably save myself some future (precious) closet space & moolah is by grabbing myself a belly band.

Comfortable, fashionable and definitely a celebrated winner – the belly band is really a fantastic transition between pre-preggy jeans and maternity pants.

What I enjoy best is the belly support it provides (like those that come with my maternity jeans) especially when I feel all jelly in the belly.

Pardon the un-glam photos I’m about to show but here’s what I happened to snap for a friend this evening when she enquired which belly band I purchased:

Here’s me wearing the band all the way up if you wish to provide that belly full support

And here it’s folded down to adjust to your comfort level & to ‘tighten’ those pants if you wish to double-secure it and avoid any ‘peek-a-boos’

I’ve been resisting buying maternity wear except for shorts & jeans because the belly bands they come with are just too comfy to miss out on, especially with an increase appetite these days.

So instead I’ve been loading up on cotton flare tops, drapy dresses, pretty flat shoes & skinny legging with belly bands that can last me for at least the next few months and post pregnancy. I figured that in my current state & size, since my body can’t fully appreciate maternity cuts just yet till the belly grows outwards for another 4 months, I might as well dress up as much as I want. :)

I absolutely adore shopping during this phase. You can basically get away with wearing anything without being conscious of that jiggly tummy you’ve always had while wearing fitting tops (you can pass it off as part of the belly and no one will know) AND you can get away with empire-cuts & baby dolls without needing to explain that you’re not pregnant.

Mm. See where I’m coming from?

{Wearing cotton flare top from proklamasi, james jeans maternity denims, kate spade flats}

I’m off to meet mom for some lunch & shopping time. I love it when us two spend some mother-daughter time together. Lovely way to kick the week off.

{Wearing a top from loef}

Meanwhile, weekend was a tolling one. The husband & I ate something that did not agree with our tummies. Ran into the loos (thank goodness for clean spacious ones at various malls) 3 – 5 times between Sat & Sun. Managed to sit through watching Pirates of the Carribean 4 movie though at the refurbished Shaw Complex @ Shaw Centre without needing to make any loo runs.  Still prefer the ‘old’ Shaw complex way better with the line-up of food stalls and common seating area with its nostalgic vibe…Pirates wasn’t fantastic as anticipated too. Boo.

Hope your weekend was better than mine. And here’s to a Happy Monday.