Frema and the Three Winter Coats
Once upon a time, in a Midwestern state far, far away, there lived a 34-weeks-pregnant woman (let's call her Frema) who was scheduled to deliver her first child in the chilly month of December. Over the course of the last several months, Frema had purchased a gazillion dollars worth of maternity clothes to accommodate her rapidly expanding waistline, and despite temperatures being low enough that she had to scrape layers of frost from her car before heading to work, she hesitated buying an item whose estimated period of use would be limited to six weeks or fewer.
In an effort to save a few pennies, Frema rummaged through her closet and unearthed the charcoal pea coat she'd worn the last three winters. But, not surprisingly, the coat was too small.
Not one to give up, Frema reflected back on all "the books" that recommended raiding a spouse's wardrobe for make-do attire. But Frema bets most pregnant women of petite stature aren't married to men with six-foot-four-inch builds. His coat was too big.
Finally, because Frema's husband was more concerned with her causing an accident behind the wheel due to wearing all that excess material and/or possibly catching cold than avoiding another charge on their Visa, he suggested visiting Old Navy's maternity section and perusing winter wear more fitting--quite literally--for the gestating variety. "We know we want more children, so a coat would be a worthwhile investment for future pregnancies. Plus, you have three sisters you can one day share your loot with," he said. "It won't go to waste."
Who is Frema to argue with such wisdom?
So off to Old Navy they went, and lo and behold, the beautiful, light gray ensemble fit just right.
So delighted was Frema with the newest addition to her wardrobe that she asked her husband to take an updated belly shot, even though three hours of shopping left her looking and feeling like ass on toast. "After all, the Internet, it likes the belly shots," she said.
And everyone lived happily ever after.
Too cute!
I was thinking the same thing about it being an investment. That looks like a really warm coat. :)
Posted by: Roxanne | October 29, 2007 at 11:54 PM
You look so great and cute!! I lucked out in the coat area. My first was born on Thanksgiving, but it hadn't snowed yet, and I was hot walking around in short sleeves (typical hot pregnant lady). My other two were born in April and August.
Posted by: Katie | October 30, 2007 at 12:40 AM
Bravo!! The coat is great. I bet I can wear it lol
Posted by: auntie betty | October 30, 2007 at 03:15 AM
You are beautiful and that coat is awesome! When I was pregnant I bought an Old Navy fleece jacket and it got me through two pregnant winters (two different pregnancies). But you...quite nice!
Posted by: Bunny | October 30, 2007 at 06:37 AM
Damn, girl. The belly? It is impressive.
Posted by: Dawn | October 30, 2007 at 08:01 AM
Last winter when my sister was pregnant, she had the same coat issue. She is 5 foot tall and was about 135 at her due date. Her husband is 6 foot tall and probably a little over 200lbs. So I gave her one of my coats since I am five inches taller and about her pregnancy weight. So she wore my coat with long arms. But she is a teacher which means she has bus duty and recess duty. And this was her last baby, so no buying a coat for her.
And just so you know, you are going to be such a beautiful mama. You remind me of my sister a lot because she has similar gorgeous curly hair.
Posted by: Stephanie | October 30, 2007 at 08:39 AM
Just when I thought you couldn't possibly get any cuter :)
Posted by: Ashley & Family | October 30, 2007 at 08:50 AM
You crack me up.
Three cheers for a new coat!!
Posted by: Molly | October 30, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Luke is so brilliant! Horray for the belly shots!
Posted by: Marriage-101 | October 30, 2007 at 09:52 AM
That coat is adorable! And looks very cozy. Charlie was born in November and we live in TX so long pants were my holdout. I finally broke down and bought a pair with five weeks to go. I wore those pants nearly every day and then gave them to a friend who said they were her favorites too. You have to be warm!
Posted by: Becca | October 30, 2007 at 10:02 AM
We DO like belly shots on the internet! You look wonderful and warm. I may have to hit up Old Navy Maternity one last time myself. Not because my coat doesn't fit (it does and I'm BOILING HOT all the time anyway) but because I am BORED of all my maternity clothes. And thanks to you I have justified this planned expense with "I'll have more kids and so will my sister so nothing will go to waste." The countdown is on...
Posted by: Eva | October 30, 2007 at 10:19 AM
I've been debating the maternity coat issue myself. Last time around I wasn't that big during the cold winter months so I just wore my regular coat and left it unzipped once I got too big. This time around I'll be big during the cold months and am thinking I'll need something to stretch around my belly. I think I'll go check out Old Navy.
Posted by: dee | October 30, 2007 at 10:42 AM
I know how it goes with the tall husband...I'm 5'3" and my husband is 6'3". Good for Luke on insisting on the purchase of such a lovely coat. Also, you and your belly look magnificent. December is oh, so close now!
Posted by: Katie | October 30, 2007 at 11:18 AM
That coat is beautiful! As is Luke's logic. That is my kind of budget-conscious thinking!
Posted by: Audrey | October 30, 2007 at 11:57 AM
"ass on toast", I'll have to remember that one!
The coat is fabulous. Maternity wear keeps getting better and better.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 30, 2007 at 12:16 PM
Oh, what a pretty coat! And that belly!!! Hee!
Posted by: Ree | October 30, 2007 at 12:53 PM
That is an awesome coat and one georgeous belly! Im so exctied for you, mimi-bree will be here before you know it. Sadly, you may still need that coat for a few weeks after she arrives.
*shakes fist at uterus- shrink FASTER!*
Posted by: Christina | October 30, 2007 at 02:37 PM
Oh, I needed a good laugh today, Frema. And your husband Luke is quite the wise one. He must've used the force!
And so cute in the new coat!
Posted by: takin chances | October 30, 2007 at 02:44 PM
There's a bonus use for your new coat: While you're on FMLA leave, and little Freke will only sleep while you're holding her and walking, you can strap her into a front carrier or a sling, put the maternity coat on over her, and go for a walk. For weeks 2-6, I was walking like a mile/day.
Posted by: Liza | October 30, 2007 at 02:55 PM
And not only did they live happily ever after, they were HOTT in the process. Hooray for cute winter coats!
Posted by: Isabel | October 30, 2007 at 04:40 PM
So adorable! Both you AND the coat!
Posted by: Angela | October 30, 2007 at 05:01 PM
So cute. And what a good husband you have!
Posted by: Brie | October 30, 2007 at 09:49 PM
Very cute coat, very cute post, and very cute Momma. Until I got to the part where you bought a new coat, I was thinking that we have a few coats here in M-ville.
Now, the Internet can get a good night's sleep.
Posted by: mjd | October 30, 2007 at 11:30 PM
the coat thing was only a real problem during one of my pregnancies...and i remember freaking out and then just being too hot to actually button anything up anyway...so i just wore my non-maternity coat unbuttoned.
Posted by: ali | October 31, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Cute coat! I love Liza's idea, using it for walks with Freka after she's born.
Posted by: Fraulein N | October 31, 2007 at 12:56 PM
That coat is SO adorable! And I totally agree... It will be an investment! :)
Posted by: Christar | October 31, 2007 at 02:48 PM
The coat is super cute!! Love the belly shot!!
Luke, he is wise, no?
Posted by: Rachel | October 31, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Hey found you through a mutual friend - Michelle Z.
I really have enjoyed reading your blog - - nice job!
That coat is SO SO CUTE ~ ENJOY IT!
Posted by: Lucille | October 31, 2007 at 09:22 PM
You both are wise beon your years.
Posted by: daddy d | October 31, 2007 at 09:32 PM
What a cute coat on you! Nice choice. :)
Posted by: Liz | November 02, 2007 at 11:58 AM