First & Second Trimester Must-Haves

Good morning! I am jumping on today to write this post about my must-haves through my first and second trimester. This is my 10th pregnancy & not all made it to the second trimester and I've only had 2 live birth, but I like to think I have a pretty good grasp on things that make these first two trimesters go a little better.

Sometimes I would feel guilty about complaining about the woes that came with pregnancy. So many times I would just cry wishing I was feeling sick or the aches that come along with it & felt like if I felt anything less than so happy I somehow wasn't grateful for this pregnancy.

If you ever are in that boat, STOP. Yes, pregnancy is so incredibly beautiful. & whether your journey was easy or hard like ours, sometimes it just plain sucks.

End of story.

The aches pains, sickness, heartburn, acid reflux are NOT fun, & going a human inside of you IS a miracle, but it's not all rainbows & sunshine, it isn't all happy and glowy!

So, here are some things that helped me!

- This pregnancy pillow. I don't know if pregnancy pillow stock has gone down in 8 years but I was thrilled to find a pillow this pregnancy for under $100! This was on sale & had a coupon, which every time I have checked is always available, making this super affordable & truly a dream to sleep with some support & comfort!

- Nausea Relief. These candies are kinda sour but in the best way. They really help curve nausea. I used these will every one of my pregnancies. Brandon also picked up these mama wrist bands for me one day at the store. I am unsure if it really works or not. I never used them alone. But others swear by them. & it's a great non medicated alternative.

- Wide waistband pants. These pants aren't maternity but I have now been wearing them into my Tthird trimester & they still fit great. The band is so comfy & I like they feel like leggings but aren't super tight like leggings. Bonus, they are super cute!

- Books. You will probably be spending a lot of time lounging. Good books are a must for me. This Belly Laughs book I get for every friend that is a first-time mom. It is a real, raw & hilarious book about pregnancy. Think like of it as a real take on the what to expect book. You must order!

- Smoothie Tums. The acid reflux is REAL. Normal tums taste like chalk to me. These smoothie ones are thin & not chalky, I prefer the all berry flavor as they taste better. Keep them on my end table now. Even if you don't have acid reflux yet, you most likely will, & you're going to want to have them on hand when it strikes!

- Stretch Mark oil. The word is whether you get stretch marks or not is hereditary. I am not sure if that is true, & honestly, I think the damage is already done my belly BUT that doesn't stop your belly from stretching and itchy & uncomfortable. I use this oil at least once a day if not more, & it soothes the itch & stretch & supposedly will help with stretch marks appearing & lessen the ones already there as a bonus. It has a slight smell that Brandon says smells like a grandma {LOL} but I don't think it's bad.

- This massager is gosh darn Godsend. Everything is achey. Especially my lower back & now my left side as I always sleep on that side for better blood flow to baby. This thing feels SO good. & I feel like it's so affordable for a massager of this kind. 

- Seamless underwear. They are just more comfortable. This pack from Amazon has been so comfy & I barely feel like I have anything on.

- PreNatals. I have a slew of prenatal I have tried & rotate. Gummies, some with Iron, some with DHA, & some with probiotics. This is really great overall one. But, whichever you end up with I recommend something with a probiotic on top of it or something to keep you regular because the constipation is VERY real come second trimester.

- Big Water Cup. I am always always thirsty. I can't get enough of ice water. & more so keeping hydrated is pretty vital during the entire duration of your pregnancy. This cup is HUGE & keeps everything cold. I also of course my YETI. But like the handle & color of this one.

- Lip Mask. Maybe it just that I am seriously always out of breathe, but my lips are SO dry during pregnancies. When I first got this mask I didn't understand the hype. & it turns out I wasn't putting enough on. Now, I can't live without it.

- Pregnancy Tracker App. I don't know if I am just the worst pregnancy person ever, but I can't remember how far along I am for the LIFE of them. There is alot of pregnancy apps, but I love the Ovia App. I think it's fun it does the traditonal "size of fruit" comparions but also other things like bakery treat & small toys! Makes it more fun & the girls love checking it more than I do! 

I plan to have a post up about all the baby products I am planning on using & have gotten as well, so stay tuned for that!.

Read more »

Pregnancy Q & A

 Hi Friends! I had you all send me in your pregnancy questions on Insta stories, & I am rounding up the most frequently asked one here! As I said in our announcement post, I know these things are hard for those on their journey, as it was for us. If you need to scroll on, I understand. My heart & prayers are with you, always.

Let's dive in!

Q: When is your due date?

A: I hate giving people due dates because it gives so much pressure as it nears with constant questions etc. But I will say he will be here in December, we hope! :)

Q: How did you find out?

A: I had been feeling sick, & thought it was food poisoning. Then the next day, something flipped. When I get pregnant because of all that happens, there feeling is unmatched. I instantly feel like, what I only can imagine, is death. Everything just feels different & never have I ever felt that way outside of being pregnant. I instantly told Brandon, "I'm pregnant," He said "There is no way" He went out & got a test, that I barely even had to look at to confirm.

Q: Do you have a video of you telling the girls?

A: Surprisingly, I don't. I have bittersweet emotions about it. We waited till I was almost 20 weeks before we told the girls {or anyone}. I wanted to plan it out just right, but we ended up telling them so randomly. We were just in the living room watching a movie. Kennedy didn't believe us. She told us to stop lying and kept watching TV. Kensley lost it, full out sobbing. She just kept repeating how happy she was for me. Kennedy caught on that we weren't telling Kensley we were joking and then she lost it. They both full out sobbed & wouldn't let go of me for hours. So much of me wishes I would have recorded it. But, I truly will never forget it & so glad I have it in my heart forever.

Q: How does it feel to be having a little boy join the family?

A: Can't even describe it! I have wanted a boy so so badly.  Years & years ago, I made a Pinterest board labeled "my imaginary son" where I would post cute boy clothes ect. We all are so thrilled. I can't say I am not nervous, of course. I have this girl mom thing down pat. I've probably asked Brandon a million times if he thinks I am going to be a good boy mom. I can only hope I am. {he assures me I will 😉}

Q: How are you feeling?

A: Better. In the beginning, it was really scary. When I tell you the Dr told me my body may not be able to handle another pregnancy, you can use your imagination on hard it is on me. I wasn't in the hospital or had home healthcare as previous pregnancies, but there were days I should have been hospitalized. I couldn't bring myself to go in. I was so scared of them telling me I had lost the baby. So those days I was sometimes scared of what the girls would walk into or Brandon would come home to. I do know, there is absolutely no way I could have made it this far without this pandemic. I would have no been able to function and do school drop-offs & activities etc in my condition. Again, the puzzle pieces...

Q: Names?

A: I am being *that* blogger & we aren't announcing his name til birth. I know, I know. His middle name however is the same as Brandons. Which is his father's name. Brandon's father passed away when he was 21. His brother's boys have Grandpa's name as their middle name & we are so excited to keep the tradition with our son now. It's such a special thing & I am so glad Brandon gets to carry it on with his son.

Q: Have you felt baby boy yet?

A: Oh yes! He is the most active baby I've ever had! It's been such a blessing as appointments spread out more. I rarely think to use the doppler for peace of mind. Him kicking me gives it to me throughout the day!

Q: What are your cravings?

A: I would literally give limbs for a steak, Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, a whopper, or potatoes simultaneously throughout the day.

Q: How is pregnancy during COVID?

A: Definitely different. Brandon hasn't been allowed to go to any of my appointments. That was particularly hard one of the appts we were looking for the baby's heartbeat for a minute & had to over to the ultrasound room. I thought I was going to pass out from a panic attack. We did pay to get an elective ultrasound so was able to come, but we were bummed even though they normally allow the whole family, the girls weren't able to go. We got the ultrasound on DVD & I swear they watch it every day.

We, of course, are taking all precautions pretty seriously. 

Q: How did you deal with anxiety the first trimester, & now?

A: Quite frankly, I am not & have not. I truly try my best, but 10 pregnancies in & I am honestly always on edge that the other shoe is going to drop. I am always waiting for the ultrasound screen to be turned. I thought I had lost this baby so many times with the amount of bleeding I have had. So it always seemed like my fears were coming true, which doesn't help. I am trying to working through that as time goes on, it is less & less likely but it's hard. I pray before each appointment, in the parking lot & in the waiting room. It helps, but I am unsure it will ever be better.

Q: Do you have a bump?

A: My bump is pretty slow to show. But, trust the rest of my body looks more than pregnant. I have gained so much weight, which is so new for me as my past pregnancy with my sickness make me not gain anything.

Q: What was your first baby purchase?

A: I know jinxing things does not actually exist, but I was terrified of buying anything for this baby. I have all these things boughten for other babies, that just sit in boxes in the closet & it so so hard. It took me so long to feel confident enough to buy something, but finally after a great appointment & my Dr also feeling confident, I ordered him the cutest little sweater lounge set & a bottle. So simple, but was so so huge for me. 

Well, that's it for this Q&A! Thank you again for all of the love, it has been overwhelming in the best way. I am already getting so many questions about products & things I am getting the baby. Don't worry those posts will be coming!

Read more »

Family

Have you noticed, I've been MIA?

I am sorry for my lack of posts, but I promise... I have a good excuse. 

We have something to share with you:

                 

      

As many know, this isn’t an easy road for us. This is my 10th pregnancy. We gave up 3+ years ago trying to grow our family.

God's timing is unbelievable. The puzzle pieces that we didn’t even realize were being placed that fit into this to be a successful pregnancy, and continue to be, are truly amazing. (Turns out a global pandemic makes it so much easier to be laid upon your death bed since you have nowhere to go. PS I’m doing so much better.) 

We know some may be hurt they are just now finding out about this. Please understand our hearts. This is a difficult road to navigate alone and even more difficult with others. You see, the second loss.. it's sad. The third time, people are worried about you. Four times, they pity you.. beyond...we were just tired of letting people down. And them feeling our pain, too. So we hope you understand. 

Brandon was finally able to come to an appt and as soon as the screen lit, he teared up. I laid there and even though it had been 20 weeks, it felt so real for the first time. I felt like I was proving to someone that “hey! There is a real baby..ALIVE.. in my stomach. I’m doing it this time. See! We are doing it” Brandon, has been on this journey mourning right along with me. And my biggest part of healing was the amount of guilt I held that I was not only crushing my dreams of our family, but his too. Because of my body, I have put a lot of sadness on his face. And I can not tell you the feeling in the accurate words, that I had seeing his face in that room. Watching our baby (BOY!!) On that screen (sucking his big toe ) His face I will remember the rest of my life. I swear he actually floated out of that office that day. 

As we share this we recognize others that have hurt alongside us on their journey. We know many of you are still waiting, and we pray knowing what we have walked through, you will still rejoice along with us, but we know all to well that can be difficult. We know your pain, we see you, and we hope our news will give you a sort of hope, that there may be more to your story, too. 

There has been a hole in our hearts for so so long. A hole, we thought would never be filled, that is now feeling so whole. We can’t wait to hold him in our arms in December!

Read more »