“You know what mom?” My daughter started as she was trying on different styles of shoes. “If I had to choose, I would pick comfort over pretty.” Wise words from my 7-year-old. Hmm, I wonder where she gets it from.

In the bottom right corner of my vision board I have the word “style” glued above a couple of photos of celebrity moms with their kids. I’ve always been a comfort over style kind of gal but recently I made a decision to make an effort to go for both. Funny that I get that sudden urge when I’m six months pregnant but hey, gotta jump on it when inspiration strikes.

With my other two pregnancies I got by wearing my regular clothes and stretching my cotton tops out a bit. Or used that good old hair tie around the button trick so I could keep wearing my regular jeans all nine months. A long tank top over unzipped pants got the job done too. But this time, I’m doing something I’ve never done before, and I’m buying maternity clothes.

Now and then I’ll debate a new top, shoes or an outfit on my Instagram stories, and I’ve gotten lots of tips for comfortably cute that way. Just as I was getting into this, Macy’s reached out about trying some of their popular maternity lines I’m sure you’re familiar with: Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in the Pod. If you’ve been here a while you know I’m not what you’d call a style blogger. But it was really fun getting together with my little sister and photographer in training to take some photos of my new looks. Ok, ready to see some of what I’m wearing so far? Don’t laugh at my attempt at modeling. I totally went for it.

The Motherhood Maternity line is fun and appeals to my comfort level a little more. I bought my first ever pair of REAL maternity jeans (you know, the kind with the stretchy fabric at the top) and I can finally see what all the hype was about. I got a couple of simple tops with ruching on the sides to go with them. The polkadot and coral-colored shirt are from the A Pea in the Pod line. The blue top is by Motherhood Maternity. Cute jeans, stretchy top, throw on a necklace and instantly I’ve upgraded from my yoga pants and baggy t-shirt to a similarly comfortable but much more stylish ensemble.

My favorite picks are the dresses because then I don’t have to take the time to choose a top and a bottom. They’re so comfortable and perfect in the Texas heat. This floral maxi dress is my absolute favorite choice this month. It’s A Pea in the Pod brand and it’s totally chic. I’ll include all links at the bottom!

This other floral dress is more form-fitting but it’s lightweight and super comfy. Also by Motherhood Maternity. All of these looks from Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in the Pod can be found in Macy’s maternity department in-stores and online.

As I went through these pictures with my sister I was so glad I did this.–The shopping and the photoshoot. I’m eight years older than I was during my first pregnancy. I’m 32! Ack! I look and feel much more mature. I’m wearing my hair in its big beautiful state, and you can see some of my pesky grey hairs. But funny enough, it’s exactly the age I thought I would be when I had my first baby. The age I decided was “perfect.” And here I am, having Sneaky, my third child.

I’m trying to be mindful that this is exactly the place I’m suppose to be right now, and to be present and enjoy it. Now that I’m past the initial shock, I’m letting myself savor the pregnancy. I’m taking time to stop and enjoy the little kicks, and I’m having fun styling my bump in clothes that were made for this stage of life.

Do you like what I picked? What’s your favorite?

Motherhood Maternity v-neck top
Pea in the Pod scoop-necked polkadot shirt
Pea in the Pod coral ruched shirt
Motherhood Maternity skinny maternity jeans
Motherhood Maternity floral dress
Pea in the Pod maxi dress

Tags: ad, fashion, Macys, maternity style, style