shirt (wearing a 1) | denim (ordered my usual size)
I shared all about the first trimester in our baby announcement video here, but now that I’m 31 weeks I wanted to recap the second trimester (week 13-26) with how I felt, what I learned and so on!
How am I feeling?
I’ve felt really great for the majority of this pregnancy and I do not take that for granted. I didn’t suffer from morning sickness, I slept great until about 29 weeks (this pregnancy pillow and more frequent prenatal pilates has cured that!), and it wasn’t until about 30 weeks that I noticed myself feeling more tired and a little slower than usual. But overall I still feel pretty good!
How are the body changes?
This has been one of the most interesting parts for me. So many women love their pregnant bodies and don’t care about the weight gain. They can happily embrace the changes.
Me? I just don’t really feel like myself. Because I’m not! I’ve been within the same 10 lbs since high school. I’ve been the same height since I was in the 9th grade, so my body has never fluctuated that much and therefore this is my first experience looking in the mirror and thinking… “who dis?”
Getting dressed is not only usually one of my favorite things but also, it’s my job. So putting on something that fit two weeks ago and no longer does is bound to be a little frustrating.
BUT I know when I meet this little boy it will be worth everything, and I’ll thank him for being such an easy pregnancy!
Traveling in the Second Trimester
I get why people say to travel in your second trimester. I was lucky to feel pretty great in my first trimester, but not telling people you’re pregnant and having to come up with reasons you’re not drinking or asking the waiter 47 questions about the way things are cooked is annoying.
Second trimester you have a little bump but nothing too big that feels uncomfortable. You can openly share you’re pregnant and justify asking about pasteurized cheeses at restaurants, and the back pain hasn’t set in yet. I am so glad we traveled so much during the second trimester because Christian can’t get me to go anywhere now. Anytime he suggests going away for the weekend I’m like… no thanks!
Cravings
Honestly, I’ve been eating the same. I find that I’m starving in the mornings and I alternate between Greek yogurt, a banana with some peanut butter or a bowl of cereal. The bananas do seem to help with all the leg and foot cramps I’ve gotten throughout the past few months.
Weight Gain
I found this chart early on that has been really helpful to me. You type in your height and pre-pregnancy weight and it tells you week by week a range of weight you should be in if you want to gain 25-35 lbs. I’ve been using it from the beginning and as long as I’m in that window range for my week, I don’t stress!
Biggest Pregnancy Pet Peeve
Ok, I’m going to try to say this in the nicest way possible. But when someone is pregnant, please never, ever, EVER start a sentence with, “you just wait.” Because whatever comes after it, I probably don’t want to hear.
“You just wait, a little boy will be climbing those bookshelves in no time!”
“Enjoy that sleep now because you just wait – you’re not getting any once he’s here!”
“Maternity clothes is one thing but you just wait, nursing clothes are even more of a nightmare.”
You can accomplish the same thing in a more positive way by saying something like, “congratulations! Parenthood is such an adventure, I’m so excited for you guys to experience it.”
When someone has a big baby bump, showering them with “you just waits” about how much harder, exhausting and sleepless their future might be isn’t exactly the encouragement they probably need. Let’s focus on more of the positives!!
Any new journey is going to come with challenges, but it’s also going to bring great rewards. Most first-time parents are already a little terrified internally, so freaking them out with horror stories is the opposite of what they most likely need to hear.
Maternity Buys
So far I’m really loving the below:
Maternity Faux Leather Leggings
Rent the Runway Unlimited – this has been a lifesaver
Baby Buys
We’re partnering with a dream brand of mine for baby Barnes’s nursery and piece are coming in bit by bit. I will do a full room reveal once we have it all set up and I cannot wait!
We have chosen a carseat, stroller, breast pump, baby monitor and bassinet and those will be shared soon as well.
Other than that, I’m trying to stock up on the practical items like changing pads, wipes, diapers, bibs, burb cloths, bottles and so on. I’m trying not to overdo it as I don’t know this little man or what he will or won’t like, so I’m sure there will be many Amazon Prime purchases once he’s here but I’d prefer not to go in too hard before he arrives and just stock up on the essentials.
Does he have a name?
We have been between two name this entire time and we will decide and then flip flop. I am still undecided but Christian is officially leaning toward one so that might be the deciding factor. I call him both names and love both!
I can’t think of anything else but I did want to post this little update and will do another one after the third trimester as well! If you have any questions that I didn’t answer please leave them in the comments below and I can update the post.
Thank you so much for reading and for all of your encouragement! XO –
Pregnancy & Baby Updates
Announcement & First Trimester Recap
Thank you for this. I’m in my second trimester now and have been following along with you. It makes me feel more normal to see that I’m not alone 🙂 Reading your biggest pet peeve speaks to me so clearly!! I couldn’t agree more on this one! Let’s stay positive here!! We are fully aware of the things to come, and are obviously overthinking all of them in our minds already!! No need to highlight the worries. Thank you again and you look fabulous. Enjoy and God bless xo
Kathleen!
I appreciate your opinion on pregnancy pet peeves! I LOVE your attitude: “Keep it positive!” Of course, parenthood is a challenge. So many people act like having kids completely derails their lives while forgetting they too, were once kids. Children are a gift. Never a mistake or an inconvenience.
I don’t even have kids, and I’m not really interested in having them, but I would never expect or tell someone to “just wait…” followed by a cutting, sarcastic remark.
Girl, just wait…and see how much JOY your little boy adds to you and Christian’s life. God will teach you to trust in Him this season of your life, and that is a beautiful place to be…even if it’s a bit scary. Welcome to the adventure. I’m praying for you guys and rooting for you. 🙂
Cheers Lady,
Heather
Ugh the “you just wait” thing SPEAKS to me! What I found most annoying while pregnant was the generalizations that other pregnant women or new moms would tell me. I wanted to tell them– tell me about YOUR specific experience and what did or didn’t work for you, but don’t generalize. Everyone always says each pregnancy and child is completely different (generalization, I know) so don’t now try to come at me with your “wise” new mom cliches. We’re all learning as we go. The generalizations and “you just waits” are just frustrating as hell.
I love the approach you’re taking. Keep doing you– you guys will figure it all out, just as everyone else has before us. Keep feeling good!
YOU JUST WAIT KATHLEEN, your heart is going to multiply ten fold when you meet this little fellow! You have amazed me these past few months with all you have been able to accomplish while carrying him. I’m so grateful that your pregnancy has been easy and can’t wait to meet this sweet baby boy! Your father and I had so much fun being with you and Christian over the weekend and can’t wait to do it again.
Love you so much,
Mom
I also can relate to your pet peeve! I’m in my second trimester with my first and I’m definitely nervous but there’s no reason to freak out about things just yet when we have no idea how things will be once they get here. And to add to it, I’m open to advice but don’t tell me how my pregnancy is going to be because that’s how yours was. Everyone’s pregnancy is different!
I completely agree I feel like people can’t wait to tell you all about the “just wait, and you’ll see” stuff that is going to happen once the baby is there. We get it, having a baby changes your life, and it’s not easy. But the change is a positive one and you will not want to go back to your life as it was before.
http://www.teacupsandtulips.com
I don’t have children, but I am becoming a first time puppy mother at the end of this month… And yes, even I have been getting “you just wait” comment. I know it’s not the same as expecting a child (not even close), but becoming a pet owner is a big responsibility and I don’t need the negativity to add to my already anxious (and excited) feelings. I am glad you wrote this post because I can’t even imagine what real mothers to be feel like when people say these things.
Speaking to me with those “you just waits” they killlll me! You are gorgeous!!!
Loved reading your update. It’s a beautiful journey no matter what the hiccups. I am glad that baby boy hasn’t given you too much of a distress during this pregnancy. I had the same experience with my son. He was actually so good that we didn’t know we were pregnant until 13 weeks into it. Yep! But definitely just enjoy the last trimester. It goes by so fast. Regarding the name, just a suggestion, how about using both? My hubby decided first name as he was set on it and I did the second name or middle name. I hope you are having a great start to your week and happy Tuesday!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com