Pregnancy: 2nd Trimester Update

Hi All! How crazy is it that we have now gone through the entire 2nd trimester?! Wow...time is really flying by now. We have had quite a few events take place during this time frame that I'd like to share with you all today!

I am going to go over a few different bullet points on things we accomplished during this time, that I began to use and also found to be helpful during this second trimester.

1. REGISTRY!

As I started to accumulate a list of must have baby items, and things that I thought would be important to have, I began a couple online baby registries - to add all of these items as they came across. We also found a lot of items while in the actual store which helped to solidify certain brands that fit with our style.
I will be doing a future post once baby boy is here, to critique and list all of our favorite used baby items, the ones we cannot go without - and to mention those 'must haves' that got us through our first experience.
Lucie's List really helped in picking certain pieces, and gave top rated items and reviews on each. This helped hugely...as for the most part I knew what I wanted from each category..but after reviewing and reading on certain items - was redirected to other items or brands I may not have had knowledge of otherwise. This website is GREAT, especially if you have no idea where to start. It breaks each baby item down by category for easy searching.

I also feel as though, going into the store to see the certain brands opposed to others, and really get the sense of comparing quality and the feel and look of things is VERY important as well. The bigger items are definitely ones that are worth seeing in person such as; the infant carseat, stroller, highchair, pack and play, etc. For the carseat, I am short..so something with smaller molding, and lightweight was really important to me to be able to lift the baby up and out of the car, into shopping carts, and clip into our stroller adapter. I would not have had this perspective just by viewing them online.

Something else that I found to be helpful, was having at least one strictly online registry. AMAZON! This way friends and family could view the registry, and purchase and ship straight to our home, especially for those larger gifts. This worked out sooooo well. I could also edit it, and add items simply by going through the website or my phone app.

2. Body Changes

During the second trimester, especially around the 5-6 month mark is when my belly really popped. This is when others were able to really tell that I was expecting.
This is where maternity clothes became an essential for me. They seriously changed my life during pregnancy. I feel like I live in maternity leggings and jeans. All of my clothes just started to look different, and fit differently. I was able to still wear most of my wardrobe, but some of the things I would wear on a regular basis - just did not look the same, so I opted out of those options and into new 'maternity' and more bump friendly options.
I was lucky enough to gain some beautiful hand-me-down maternity essentials from family members. I also went and purchased just a couple staples myself that I knew I could also wear postpartum.
This is where due to my growing belly, I began using belly oils and butter. Bio Oil was the product that I have been purchasing over and over again, as soon as I run out..I go purchase another big bottle. You can also buy this at Walgreens or Amazon. I started to put this on twice a day.
As my skin began to stretch, it became a little itchy, so I would also switch in some moisturizing butter and normal lotions such as the following: Aveeno and 100% Raw Shea Butter

3. Maternity Pictures

During this trimester we had our maternity photo session with our BESTIE Jenna Parr Photography. The session was absolutely magical, despite the first signs of questionable weather. We could not have imagined a better capture of this time in our lives, and this growing human in my belly!

Photos by : Jenna Parr Photography

4. Baby Shower!

We also had our baby shower late during this trimester as well. We wanted to make sure that the baby shower was not too close to the holiday season, as we wanted to be respectful of others schedules and time. We wanted this to be a vintage, fall themed party with a spin on "parents-to-bee", themed around vintage bumblebees.
With the preparation done by our mothers and my sister - it came together SO EXTREMELY beautiful, and was such a fun day.
With trying to feel as prepared as possible, we also knew we'd want our shower a few months before baby's arrival to spend our time getting ready and going into 'nest' mode.

5. New Updates

-I definitely got my energy back during this trimester, and started to feel more like myself.
-Along with energy levels, my appetite was back to normal. This was great! I could eat normal, but still had those similar cravings of 1st trimester.
-My hormone breakouts cleared up, and my hair sheen returned!! As my placenta was able to take on the hormone load, everything began to even back out...creating that "GLOW" everyone talks about!! I don't know if it is just being pregnant in general..but I was told by almost everyone how 'glowing' I was... and I actually started to gain some self confidence back. It probably helped that I actually looked and felt pregnant, and was enjoying every second of my amazing changing body.
-My sleeping pattern changed, as I started to become more uncomfortable. I purchased a Pregnancy Pillow (PharMeDoc brand). And it is the MOST comfortable thing ever. Both my husband and dog both use it probably more than I do!
-I started to incorporate red raspberry leaf tea into my nightly routine. This is known for its many benefits during pregnancy in helping prepare the woman's body for birth, but also should not be used until the second trimester. It has been said to benefit and aid in the toning and strengthening of the uterus, and helps to lessen chances of miscarrying.
-Backaches: I have a bad back in general. But now because a lot of the weight has shifted forward, and I am carrying around extra weight, my lower back has been killer! I have been taking a lot of warm baths and soaking with epsom salt and bubble bath. I also began to use a heating pad at night, while relaxing to help with any muscle tension.

6. Addressing all the opinions and comments

This sometimes is not as easy as it sounds to address the pressure, comments, and opinions that come along with pregnancy. There are always those people out there who think they know better than you do, who have lived through "multiple pregnancies" and believe that they are entitled to an opinion or to tell you what to do and what NOT to do.
I have learned to take advice despite whether if it is criticism or not - to take it with a grain of salt, and remember to just store it away. I will note it, if it is something that I feel aligns with my beliefs and how I feel on a certain topic or situation.
I feel that most women want to try to adhere to a certain mold of how pregnancy should go. How they should look, how much weight to gain or not gain, what to eat and what not to eat, symptoms, etc. the list goes on and on. The truth is... there is no mold. EVERY woman and EVERY pregnancy are SO different. It can even vary between different pregnancies with the same person. So I try to tell myself, that although I may be showing differently or having different symptoms than others - I am healthy and feel great! I have been enjoying every moment of this amazing journey so far. And unless my doctors tell me otherwise, I have nothing to worry about regarding the way me and my body are doing things.
It is strange to think that although my body changes everyday before my eyes...I truly feel the BEST version of myself. Carrying a baby is something indescribable and an absolute miracle. I am so proud of my body and what it has done thus far, and continues to do day after day. We are now in the home stretch, and I am riding the waves with each new encounter I have throughout this process.
I also believe that having a good support system helps in tuning out those bad instances that some may experience. When you get criticism or someone tells you.. "youre not supposed to drink coffee!" "you can't be lifting that or doing this" "why do you take the stairs all the time, use the elevator" "I hope youre not carrying your laundry up the stairs.." "You walk a few miles a day?...whats wrong with you!!! you shouldnt be doing that, thats too much!" I know that I am still independent and capable, and it is ok to be doing these normal daily tasks. But I also make sure to not over do it, or exhaust myself and take things slow. When I start to feel exhaustion set in.. I know my limits, and then I will rest.

6. Nursery

During this time..we have slowly started to work on the nursery, and find pieces that go with our taste and vision that we had for this space. It has been SO extremely fun to find those special little pieces that are meaningful or bring us joy.
At first, I'll admit - I was overwhelmed by all the ideas I had in my head about what I wanted this room to look and feel like.
I have slowly started to chip away at certain pieces, and waited for bigger purchases to go on sale and find nice/cheaper alternatives to bring in elements to the room. I knew I did not want to buy an entire full set of baby furniture. I wanted to do a mismatch "set" and find things that matched and went together, but weren't a full set.
We went with all neutrals! A lot of whites, grays, and light natural wood elements. Again, I slowly started to purchase items...and watched the vision come together.
I wanted this space to be calm, cozy and peaceful.
Alex and I have spent many nights just sitting in the room....hanging out, going through all of our new baby stuff, and having fun putting things together. I will again, do another nursery tour post and state where we got a lot of our pieces from!
I am just SOOOOOO excited, to sit in this room - nurse and rock our baby..and to play as he gets older! I just LOVE how it is turning out so far.

Thank you for stopping in and reading through this pregnancy journey!
I will be back soon to give a recap of our third trimester before baby boy arrives!! With all the holidays fast approaching, this time is going to blink by, and he will be here before we know it! We are ready for you baby!

Love, Emma Luna
xo