Friday marked my last birthday before I’ll officially be a mom. Crazy stuff. I can only imagine how different our lives will be this time next year. I said to Eric that I just wish it was time already because I want to meet her so much. I keep picturing her in my arms and I just can’t wait.
Eric is pretty fascinated with my growing bump and changing body. He rubs it all the time and he likes to play his guitar “for the baby” now and then. I sure love that guy. I like to joke around with the belly a lot. Sometimes I hide behind a wall and just stick out the bump until he looks up and notices it in the doorway. It’s pretty ridiculous. Generally speaking I’m feeling pretty great in my own skin, but I do have moments when I don’t feel the most body confident. It feels a bit like when I was a preteen and going through puberty with so many rapid changes only this time I have the years and experience behind me to trust the process and my body! This week some strangers commented on my pregnancy and I was SO happy and just beaming with pride. hah.
Maternity clothing:
My pregnancy wardrobe up until this point has been all about the stretchy black leggings/crops and fitted tees/tanks. I’ve been amazed by how comfortable my stretchy Lulu crops still are! I had to abandon my “groove pants” long ago though (the waistband just doesn’t have as much stretch to it). I haven’t had much luck shopping for maternity clothes yet. My main purchases so far have been some comfy maternity tees (v-neck and scoop neck) from Old Navy (I seriously bought about 6 of them in various bright colours!), a black Old Navy maternity t-shirt dress (below), and a cropped denim jacket from Garage (not maternity, also below) which I think looks pretty cute with a bright fitted tank/tee and black crops. I think the name of the game this summer will be all about the flowy summer dresses and comfy casual wear!
Latest appointment:
I had an appointment with my OB this week and the anatomy scan results came back normal – whew! I did find out that I have a low lying placenta (the placenta attached low and is partially blocking the cervix right now), but the doctor reassured me that it’s quite common and there’s a good chance it will move up and out of the way in time for my due date. One of my sisters had this with her first pregnancy and she said it moved up by 33/34 weeks. I’m hoping for the same so I have the option of a vaginal delivery. I have a follow-up ultrasound in about 6 weeks.
How I’m Doing:
Comfortable sleeping has been a challenge over the past few weeks. I’m now putting a small pillow between my legs when I’m on my side and this helps a lot. I’m also taking more bathroom breaks than I ever thought possible (and I have a small bladder to begin with). Other symptoms include lower back pain and some pelvic area pain on and off (which I hear is just normal stretching). I feel a bit moody or emotional at times, but I’ve actually been surprised by how level my emotions have been overall. Another thing I’ve noticed lately is that I can’t eat a lot of food at one time – my belly just feels too full and uncomfortable. Small meals are the way to go! On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being amazing), I would say I’m feeling a solid 8 across the board this month. Gotta love the 2nd trimester.
Shower planning begins:
It looks like I’ll be having my baby shower the 3rd weekend in July. I’m so excited that my mom and sister are going to fly out for it and we’ll get to spend some time together! I’m told that I need to get on the ball and create a registry. =) I’ve been working on a document with ideas and registry must-have lists from other bloggers, but that’s about all I’ve done so far. Any tips or suggestions on newborn essentials are greatly appreciated! What did you absolutely need and what did you think you needed that you really didn’t?
I just wanted to throw out there that the absolute best diaper rash ointment I’ve found is plain ol’ coconut oil. I have a little girl, 18 months, and she will get a yeast type rash occasionally that is more smooth and red but coconut oil will clear it up almost instantly. I keep a baby food jar of virgin, unrefined coconut on my changing table. Some people might suggest not having a changing table but we bought a dresser and attached a changing pad to the top so it doesn’t have only one use. All her clothes, diapers, creams, wipes, lotions and powders were within hand’s reach. I seriously think having one station to do it all is completely worth it. Plus, if you have a vaginal birth, you won’t feel like sitting on the floor anytime soon. We love the noise machine, my daughter sleeps better and for a longer length of time with in on. I didn’t want to invest in a basinet but that was a mistake, luckily my mom have given my a pack-n-play with a sleeper and a changing table with optional storage that stayed next to my bed for the first three months. I didn’t want to walk into the other room in the middle of the night to change diapers or clothes. Other than that if you have plenty of burp clothes and a comfy place to feed, you should be set.
Haha, I’m sure that was more two-cents than you had asked for but that is what I learned in the past 18 months.
I just got your book, and in love with every recipe I have tried. I have a severe peanut and nut allergy, so I’m limited with which ones I can try. I swear the chia donuts and coconut whip cream is positively orgasmic! Loooove!
Congrats on your pregnancy! I have a little daughter who is six months, and I read your posts and teared up, as I remember the joy of feeling her grow inside me… Such a miracle!
As for the gear… FOR MAMA:I loooove all of the Earth Mama/baby balms. I have used the nipple cream (amazing for dry hands after excessive after diaper washes, and for lips… Tastes like cocoa)( FYI lanolin sucks and stains everything… Skip it) the baby bottom balm is the only balm that cleared her diaper rash and kept yeast away, the mama bottom balm is soothing for your sore lady bits too ;) other tips for you, a spill free water bottle for lots of water drinking in the middle of the night, when baby cries and you are dilerious…. You will thank me that you didn’t place a glass on your bedside table. Cotton top pads, not the mesh kind as stitches can get stuck… Ouch. Witch hazel, and Epsom salts are also soothing for your post partum bottom.
Now the fun stuff BABY!
-I love the aden and anais sleep sacks. I wish I has their swaddle sack too when she was little, no loose blankets to worry about and babe is snuggled tight. Their blankets are also amazing!
-baby carrier, I have the boba carrier and love it for this age. I’ve heard amazing things about the Tula ones too
– nook play mat, it’s definitely a splurge gift, but I love the natural materials, and construction. It’s soft for her to play on, and helpful for mama’s sore feet after hours I’d walking and rocking
– snugglebugz.ca/baby-shusher-the-sleep-miracle.html this saved our life. It helped calm our daughter and save our sanity. Such a great purchase. Just be mindful of how close and how loud you use it, to avoid any damage to baby girl’s ears.
– Oliver Jeffers books are cute and have beautiful illustrations
– snugglebugz.ca/bunch-a-farmers-stain-remover.html this natural stain remover is perfect for baby blow outs. Be sure to wash and hand scrub the stain ASAP
– if you aren’t using cloth ans want a more natural diaper, the honest company diapers are awesome. And have the cutest patterns!!
– fancy newborn clothes proved to be a nausance. Sleepers are the way to go, easy for mom and prevents crying that often occurs with the cute over the head outfits when she’s little.
Haha I could go in forever with more tips, but I won’t overwhelm you. Best of luck!
S
I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but a water bottle with a straw – I’ve been using a camelbak one. Amazing for the end of pregnancy when you’re resting and don’t want to sit up to drink water. For labour – easier to take small sips & a lifesaver for breastfeeding when the insatiable thirst hits & you can have the bottle sitting (or lying) wherever you are feeding without spilling, you can drink without even touching the bottle if your hands are full!
(http://www.wiggle.co.uk/camelbak-eddy-bottle-750ml/)
So much good advice above. I’d add two things:
1. We discovered a swaddle called Woombie that made life so much easier. It just has a zipper; no need to deal with any snaps or complicated wrappings.
2. Please do not listen to the scare tactics of anti-vaxers who got their medical degrees from Google U. They will play on your natural anxieties as a new mother. Your doctor can be trusted. Vaccines are safe and preferable to measles, whooping cough, etc.
Congratulations on your daughter! She is in for a treat with her mom’s cooking, to be sure!
HI Angela!
Congrats! I’m a bit behind as I just had my first baby in September. It is the most wonderful thing ever. I am amazed by how much you can love someone without even knowing their personality. One of the things I realized that I won’t do for my second is register for bedding. Of course you want to decorate your baby girl’s room but the only part of the bedding you actually use for the first couple of years is the sheets. As soon as your child sits up/ starts pulling up, and you have to drop the mattress down, the bed skirt becomes useless. You can’t use the comfort for the first couple of years either. I purchased a breathable mesh bumper which I highly recommend getting. The thing that has given me the most piece of mind though is the Angel Care Monitor. It goes under the mattress and monitors your babies breathing. If they stop breathing for more than 20 seconds an alarm goes off. Having that has helped me sleep when my son is sleeping. Also, LOVED the book 12 hours sleep by 12 weeks old. Worked like a charm for myself and one of my friends. Moms on Call is a great resource to. They have a website you should check out.
Congrats again and best of luck to all of you!
-Robyn
Hi Angela!
Would you be able to share the name of the Doula you used? I’m due in early October and live in the Halton area and would love to use her services :)
Thank you!!