When is your due date?
Baby is due in February 2021, I am currently 20 weeks along – halfway!
Are you going to find out the gender?
Yes, we decided to do the the genetic testing at 10 weeks and with that test you can also choose to find out the sex of the baby. I will share what we’re having in an Instagram post this week! 🙂
Since you shared you guys weren’t trying, how did you find out you were pregnant?
I started using the app ‘Flo’ to track my period each month after getting off birth control about a year and a half ago. I just wanted to see if my cycle was regular or not. It was very regular and it just became one of those things where I would type the dates into the app each month but not pay much else attention to it. I would even sometimes forget to enter the dates until after the fact, a very leisurely approach. Anyways, I was about to start my period and had my regular pre period symptoms. Normal lower back pain with my cramps being the most rememberable, felt just like they do every month. My period never came though, I looked at the app and saw I was over a week late… ut oh.. but like not that big of deal – it happens to people all the time, right? Erick was out of town and I had lunch planed with my mom. Erick & I were right in the middle of finalizing house plans and so I was telling my mom all about my plans to enjoy our new home and the weight I was going to lose by next May (my 30th bday) and how maybe I’d be ready to have kids in a couple years. My bestie, Ashley, was due any day with her first baby, so babies were a hot topic of conversation around then. After lunch I stopped at Target to buy a box of pregnancy tests, went home and took one to confirm I wasn’t pregnant before I headed over to Ashley’s house to hang out.
PREGNANT. POSITIVE. YES.
I took the whole box and got the same answer. WOAH. I internally freaked out, cried in shock/fear & told the dogs. I didn’t want to call and tell Erick, he was on a boys fishing trip and plus I wanted to tell him in person to see his reaction. I literally had to wait an entire 24 hours (I know, it could’ve been worse) until he came back home the next day. I also probably would have told Ashley when I went over to her house that night but her sister-in-law and family were in town and it was just not the right time. It was so weird having this little secret to myself, well actually with the dogs, for an entire day.
How did you tell Erick?
I wish I had a really cute story or video to share with you guys but it’s pretty basic and very real. Erick was on a boys fishing trip where they did all the boy things including lots of drinking. I knew there’d be a good chance he’d be hungover and most likely cranky – like when you’re a kid and come home from a sleepover crashed from too much sugar and staying up all night. Luckily for me he wasn’t too bad lol and after about 5 minutes of him being home I think I said something like “umm guess what? I have something to show you”. Then I went and grabbed the pregnancy tests and set them on the counter. His face was in pure shock. He leaned in closer to make sure he was seeing what he thought he was seeing then he said “hold on, be right back” WHAT THE!? I thought maybe he was going to go throw up or cry lol. I wouldn’t have blamed him I felt the same way. Instead I heard him brushing his teeth? So strange. I think maybe he wanted to do that anyways and it also gave him an excuse to think for a minute. Then he came back out to the kitchen and excitedly laughed, gave me a great big hug and kiss and talked about how excited he was. Boys/Men are weird man. lol.
What was the first symptom you noticed?
Normal period cramps and normal lower back pain that I always get around the time I’m about to start. It literally felt just like when you get your period. Something not so normal was how badly my boobs hurt! But I didn’t notice them start to hurt until after I knew I was pregnant, probably around week 6.
Did you have nausea or morning sickness?
Yes, like clockwork at 8 weeks the nausea started. Weeks 9-10 I felt like I had the flu and it was awful. I never actually threw up, just felt like complete crap. My mom had extreme morning sickness during her pregnancies and even ended up in the hospital so I was really nervous I would experience the same side effect but happy to say it never got that bad. I feel SO terrible for women who deal with extreme morning sickness. I was also shocked at the immense lack of energy I had, I mean I was VERY exhausted and needed naps everyday. Hence the reason I have been so M.I.A. on Instagram for the last 4 months lol. The mere thought of getting ready or writing a post caption made me nauseous. I’m being dramatic but also completely serious. 🙂
Did you have any weird cravings or aversions?
I really wanted all things sugar but that is very on brand for me so it didn’t surprise me too much. Consumed a lot of pineapple and watermelon, cinnamon toast crunch cereal, oreos and coca cola slushies from McDonald’s. 🙂
When did you start to notice a bump?
Honestly and shockingly just this week at 20 weeks. You can also really only see when I’m wearing a very fitted tight outfit like I did in our announcement photos. In leggings and a sweatshirt I just look very bloated. I know with your first pregnancy it can take awhile for a bump to appear and with having a curvy body/stomach I knew it’d take a little longer but I am still a little shocked someone can go halfway or more through a pregnancy with no bump. Very normal though. Also very normal to have a bump at 12 weeks. Every body and pregnancy is different and I think that is so cool.
Was it hard to conceal drinking at first?
Not really, I’m a great liar lol kidding but truly. I had no problem keeping the secret. I found out right before the 4th of July where I would normally be celebrating the holiday by drinking. I had been working out with a trainer for a couple months prior and just told people I decided to do a 6 week no alcohol challenge. Easy. 🙂
Have you changed your skincare routine?
Yes, no botox or retinol – SO SAD! There are lists out there you can find with beauty ingredient do’s and don’t’s. I recommend doing your own research and asking your doctor about any products you have questions on. I will do a pregnancy skin care blog post soon but I will say the #1 new product I’ve added is PCA Skin ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum. It’s known to be called ‘botox in a bottle’ and since I can’t get botox right now this is a must. It fill in and plumps fine lines and wrinkles + helps to prevent new wrinkles.
Are you drinking coffee/caffeine?
Coffee has not sounded good recently but I will have a coke zero or as mentioned above I was indulging in coca cola slushies over the summer. Again, talk to your doctor but a typical rule of thumb is 200 mg of caffeine a day and a can of pop has around 40 mg. For me, I want the pop for the taste and not the caffeine so it’s REALLY frustrating that I currently can’t find caffeine free diet coke or diet dr. pepper anywhere thanks to a COVID shortage I guess?
What maternity clothes have you bought so far?
A few ribbed dresses including the one I wore in my announcement blog post here. A couple of sweaters from PinkBlush that I’ve linked below. I’ve tried maternity jeans from Old Navy, Target, Pink Blush and Madewell and the Madewell ones linked below are the only ones that have worked for me. I have also been using these belly bands to wear over my normal pre pregnancy jeans and that’s been nice for certain outings or if I just want to wear them for blog photos but I couldn’t see walking around all day like this. Too much adjusting. In general since my normal size is a curvy size 12/14 it’s harder to just size up for the bump when you already where the biggest size a lot of brands offer. I’m trying my best to stay positive and not get too frustrated but I’d be lying if I sad it hasn’t been a challenge. I will definitely continue to share my favorite maternity finds. Also linked the two bras I’ve been wearing from Harper Wilde, a buttery soft seamless everyday bra and a lightly lined everyday bra.This nightgown shirt/dress from Target, this one from Tommy John and these Tommy John Joggers have also been my lounge/pajama go to’s.
How has pregnancy during a pandemic been?
I think because I started the pandemic not being pregnant and have never been pregnant before and don’t know any different I have no real complaints. I’m a very independent person so it really didn’t bother me too much that Erick couldn’t come to my appointments because he doesn’t come to my regular dr. appointments. However once I got my first sonogram and saw the baby for the first time it did hit me that I wish he was there to see it too. I also think it would have been a lot harder to receive any bad news without him there for support but luckily we haven’t had to encounter that. We did have our 20 week anatomy scan appointment last week and Erick was allowed to come. It was the first time he got to hear the heartbeat and see the baby. Pretty special!
Are you using any special lotion or oil for preventing stretch marks that you recommend?
I should first say I’m prone to stretch marks. I’ve had them on my inner thighs since 8th grade from growing. I have them on my hips and boobs from weight fluctuation and so I always knew if I got pregnant one day I would get stretch marks. I unfortunately don’t think there is a magic product to preventing stretch marks and you’re either prone to them or you’re not. Either way, you can thank your mother 🙂 . With that being said, I’ve been using both Palmers Belly Butter and Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy Lotion. I started using the Palmers Belly Butter towards the end of my first trimester and like how it melts in your hands and onto your skin, very moisturizing and smells good. I started using the Mederma lotion at the beginning of the second trimester and think it has helped the most with fading my new stretch marks that are starting to appear. I don’t love the smell of the Mederma lotion but the reviews are really good so going to continue to use it since I’m not completely repulsed by it.
How many kids do you think you want to have?
Considering I didn’t even know if I wanted to have kids in general I don’t have a solid number in mind. I feel like two is a good option, so they have a sibling. I don’t see myself going ever going past three if ever even three.
Will you go on a babymoon?
We thought about going on a fall foliage trip within driving distance somewhere but decided against it. Going to save up for a fun trip next spring/summer after baby.
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