My second trimester has officially come to an end and I am now a couple weeks into my third and final trimester – so crazy. How did we (errr I lol) get here so fast?! My first trimester truly felt forever long, which I’m sure had a lot to do with finding out I was pregnant so early at 5 weeks + feeling like crap. The second trimester had some slow weeks but overall flew by and now I can’t believe bebe girl will be here in 10 weeks or less.
Overall I’ve had a very normal pregnancy with no major problems which I am so very thankful for. I will say the one thing I was looking the most forward to in the second trimester was getting a huge wave of energy back and to start being active again. Guess what, that didn’t happen for me, which I learned is also normal. I did get a little bit of my energy back when my nausea went away around 15 weeks which I think had a lot to do with it. You really don’t even realize just how bad you feel in the first trimester until you’re out of it. I still felt very fatigued and needed an afternoon nap most days up until recently. Really hoping it doesn’t become worse the closer to the end I get but I know that’s pretty common. Okay, let’s get into some of your most asked questions I’ve been getting on Instagram.

My cozy fuzzy sweater dress is from The Clothes Rak and so comfortable. Not maternity but has lot’s of stretch, I’m wearing the size M/L and pre pregnancy I’m a size 12/14.
Are you still as in shock as you were in the first trimester?
In shock? no. In a bit of denial maybe? yes. haha. I just really can’t wrap my head around the fact that this is my life and I’m going to be a real life human mom. I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and for the first 10-15 seconds as I’m waking up think to myself ‘wait am I really pregnant?’ I think it has a lot to do with this being a surprise pregnancy. Still very excited for this next life chapter!
When did you feel kicks for the first time?
I found out I had an anterior placenta which just means the location of the placenta is in front of the baby acting as a cushion between you and the baby instead of behind the baby. This can make it harder or take longer to feel movement at first however I feel like I still felt the flutters start happening at a normal time frame, 16 weeks. It was around 20 weeks where I felt actual kicks start and now at 30 weeks I can really feel her move though they aren’t as strong as I was always lead on to believe they would be which maybe has something to do with the anterior placenta or maybe not? You just always her about ‘jabs to the ribs’ and such and I haven’t had that yet, maybe it just comes later at the very end.
Biggest body change so far?
This is going to sound silly, especially after looking at the above photos but I’m honestly the most shocked at how NOT defined my bump is. I think it has everything to do with having been curvy when getting pregnant. Even today at 30 weeks I still don’t feel like I have a defined/structured/firm baby bump. It’s finally starting to take shape in clothing (especially when I use my hand to cup the bump) but naked it seriously just looks like fat to me. I have what is called a ‘B shaped’ bump (self diagnosed via google 🙂 )where I still have creases/rolls/squish where they were before. I just had no idea it could literally take this long, going into the third trimester, before the bump becomes more structured. It makes complete sense but when all you see on Instagram or article photos are size 0-8 women with firm bumps it doesn’t prepare you for what anything over a size 8 body might look like pregnant. It also probably doesn’t help I already had big boobs to begin with (38DD pre pregnancy) and I like to wear oversized clothing.
Any aches & pains?
I am SHOCKED that I haven’t had any consistent back pain or round ligament pain. I had lower back pain the first trimester for a week but since then nothing and I’m shocked + grateful. Something I hadn’t heard about or was prepared for was the pelvic/public bone pain – holy wow. It literally feels like your pelvic bones are breaking. It’s really noticeable when getting in and out of bed, rolling over in bed, getting in and out of the car and up off the couch. I notice it flares up the most after a day of being on my feet and have found that rest + a heating pad on my crotch has helped the most. Good times lol.
What car seat, stroller and crib did you choose?
I choose the Nuna Pipa Rx Infant Car Seat with Relx Base. When I say ‘I’ I mean my best friend Ashley who just had her babe in August and I followed in her footsteps lol. It’s been great having her for this! Not only is it a super safe car seat with great reviews but I personally liked the dream drape feature along with the fact that you can strap this carseat into a car without the base if needed. Examples include, traveling on plane/Uber, Grandparent or babysitters car that they aren’t in all the time or for short distances.
I haven’t picked out a stroller yet, it’s probably the thing I’m struggling the most with and keep putting off. Why. are. there. so. many!? & why are all the ones I want $1000+. I know I’ll want to have one by the time the weather gets nice in the spring/summer but because it’s not something we’ll need immediately I just keep putting it off. **Update since first drafting up this post** I decided to go with the Nuna Triv Stroller, it has great reviews for being lightweight & easy to fold + collapse with one hand along with many more reasons you can find here.
We are going to start off with the Snoo bassinet in our room and go from there. They stay in the Snoo from 0-6 months or until baby can get up onto their hands and feet. We won’t get a crib + mattress until closer to 6 months when she’ll be transitioning out of it. I have my eye on the Newton mattress.
Favorite maternity clothing?
I was sooooo looking forward to dressing up the bump and I guess I could make more of an effort even if just for the blogs sake but I truly have no where to go so I live in leggings, sweats, and oversized tees/hoodies. I work from home, I live at home, I go to Target, Homegoods and out to eat Mexican once a week. That is my life. Maybe now that my bump is starting to become more defined and I’m realizing I only have 10 more weeks to embrace the bump I’ll put more of an effort into wearing real clothes & taking photos in them. When it does come to actual maternity fit clothing I’ve loved shopping at Pink Blush Maternity. They have the cutest sweaters, tops and dresses. My favorite leggings have been the same one’s I wore pre pregnancy I’ve just sized up one size up until now and might go up two sizes here soon as I’ve noticed they’re getting a little tighter. But over all these leggings are sooooo buttery soft + stretchy with a wide high rise waist band. The run large in general so size down from your normal size if not pregnant (I normally wear a medium). I also really like these joggers from Amazon.
Do you have a name picked out?
I think so, yes. I posted to my insta stories a few weeks ago that we had a front runner but also not opposed to something else coming along. However it’d have to come pretty organically while watching or reading something or hearing it somewhere because I’m pretty over looking at all the name lists. In general I don’t see myself announcing the name until she’s here as I myself won’t ever be 100% sure until we see her. It’ll be a fun little surprise!
Do you crave or miss alcohol?
It’s not AS bad as I thought it would be but I definitely have moments where a bottle of wine or pitcher of margs sounds great. Looking forward to spring time on the patio!
Any other cravings or aversions?
No real specific cravings, still just interested in all things sweet + junk food. Really wish I was someone who wanted fresh fruit or vegetables but who am I kidding, that’s not me when I’m not pregnant either. As for food aversions, coffee still doesn’t sound great which is so weird considering I had it every morning before getting pregnant. Salad is fine but any kind of shredded lettuce inside of a wrap or lettuce on a sandwich/burger absolutely repulses me – so strange.
Will you be doing a nursery reveal/post?
We currently live in a 3 bedroom house which includes our master, a guest room and my closet room. Since we are currently building a house that should be done in May I decided not to turn one of the guest rooms into her nursery and instead just make due until we move. Her bassinet + changing table will be in our room and I added a dresser to my closet room that will house her clothes + things for now. I’ll use a linen closet for diapers and overflow. I might do a little post showing all of that and how we’re making it work in a smaller space, I do plan to share a nursery reveal post once we move into our new home this summer.
Biggest Pregnancy Pet Peeve?
Really any “you just wait” or “everything’s about to change” comments are pretty annoying. Like, obviously. I also don’t think it should be a such a negative thing, which it usually comes off that way. Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean you can’t still do the things you love, will it be as easy? Probably not. In my opinion it’s all about how you look at and deal with each situation and have an open mind knowing things are going to take longer + more planning ahead but that doesn’t mean your life has to completely change. Once covid is over and life goes back to ‘normal’ I plan on baby girl just being my newest accessory on all my usual outings. Maybe I’m being too optimistic and I know it really will depend on the baby (every baby is so different) but I’d rather be optimistic about the future then think/plan negatively.
Must have + used pregnancy products?
+ I finally found a stretch mark/belly oil that I truly LOVE and think is actually working to fade both old and new stretch marks that I’ve had on my hips/thighs. Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil has been a game changer, I apply both in the morning and at night before bed.
+ A heating pad for any pelvic/pubic bone or random back pains.
+ Nightgown dresses, I wear joggers/leggings every day so it’s nice to give the waistband a break at night 🙂
+ Chocolate/Sweets in the house at all times.
+ Crushed Ice, bought this pebble crushed ice machine on black friday and love it.
+ Self Tanner to feel alive and not like the pale translucent ghost that I am 🙂 I’ve been switching back and forth between Recreating Rays at home bronzing mist and the below Tan Luxe products.
+ Cozy robes! I have both this lightweight one from Target that feels like the barefoot dreams cozy chic robe and this thick sherpa one from Amazon that I love.
+ I still haven’t found the perfect bra that is wireless + supportive that gives the girls a lift of my stomach but is still comfortable however linking the ones I do have and like for lounging around the house or a quick errand along with the one underwire bra I have/wear when needed.
Unpopular opinion on a v popular pregnancy product: the pregnancy pillow – I hate it. lol. I ordered this U shaped one pretty early on, it was definitely in my first trimester because I was having back pain and thought it could maybe help give support at night. Most women use the pregnancy pillow in their second and third tri once your bump starts to take on shape + weight however I stopped using it after about a month and haven’t reached for it since. I felt like I was constantly wrestling with it and it was always in my way. I’d much rather just use a body pillow or normal pillow in between my legs on the nights I need additional support.
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