I think the halfway point of pregnancy kind of brought out a sense of urgency in me. Suddenly I started to think about how I haven’t ordered much yet so I started to (in a panic) use the task list app on my iPhone to make a list of all of the things we need to do before baby arrives (tour daycares, have nursery painted, curtains installed, decorate nursery, check into baby’s baptism, finish all of those books, take infant care and infant CPR classes, book maternity and newborn shoot…and the list goes on and on).
Realistically I know there’s still a lot of time and I feel ridiculous to even feel a sense of urgency at this point, but I think making the list made me feel better. It’s all manageable.
I’m experiencing a lot of indecisiveness too. I go to baby stores and just browse around saying “oh this is cute and that is cute,” but I rarely buy anything (hard to believe, I know!). I’ve purchased some onesies and a couple of other clothing items but for some reason I get hesitant to buy a lot of stuff. Silly, I know. Same goes for nursery items. I’m always second-guessing the gliders I’m looking at and the crib, even though I’ve loved it from the start.
I realized I just need to start ordering things instead of stalling, since many items can take weeks to come in (and everything is returnable if I change my mind). I also plan to make some of the artwork in the nursery myself, so next weekend I’d like to make a trip to Michael’s to buy some supplies and get started.
Here are a few items I’ve purchased so far:
How far along? 21 weeks (I do these a week behind as a recap of the previous week, so I’m actually 22 weeks today.)
Total weight gain/loss: About 5 lbs so far. I weighed myself when I was at the hospital (more on that later).
Maternity clothes? Still wearing maternity pants and regular tops. I’m really enjoying styling my outfits now that I’ve got a little bit of a bump. I also LOVE maternity pants, like whoa. I don’t know how you can ever go back after the awesome comfort of maternity pants!
Stretch marks? I’m continuing to use Belli’s Elasticity Belly Oil, Mamma Mio Tummy Rub and Mustela double-action stretch mark cream. Just to clarify for those who have asked—I use these in rotation, not all at once! I heard so many great reviews on all three creams that I decided to get them all to last me through the entire pregnancy and just rotate them. I like that they all have different scents and textures.
Symptoms: Still peeing a ton. Sometimes I get round ligament pains. Other than those, I’ve been feeling good.
Sleep: Still using my Snoogle and have been sleeping pretty well this week.
Best moment this week: At 21 weeks, 5 days pregnant, I woke up with some aching pain very low in my abdomen, on the right side only. The pain intensified as the day went on and I even experienced sharp pain when I peed. I was okay when I was sitting but the moment I stood up/walked I felt an intense ache that wouldn’t go away combined with a lot of pressure and jabs of pain. Sometimes the sudden sharp pain took my breath away a little bit, but I tried to just walk through it thinking it would go away.
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? Not having to pee every 25 minutes.
Movement: I’m feeling movement daily and I absolutely love it 🙂
Food cravings: A classic cheeseburger. YUM!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Still grilled chicken and iceberg lettuce. I can eat any other salad, just not iceberg.
Have you started to show yet: Yes, and I love it. I still love to alternate between fitted and looser tops, but it’s fun to watch my growing bump.
Baby is a: Girl!
Belly Button in or out? Still in.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: 21 weeks was the first time I started to feel cranky during my pregnancy. Second trimester has been wonderful and I’ve felt great for the most part, but I seemed to be really sensitive and cranky this week, especially in the mornings (I’m usually not). I’m just going to chalk it up to pregnancy hormones because it’s not typical for me to be cranky like that. Overall though, still happy 🙂
Looking forward to: Hitting the 24-week mark, ordering more items for the nursery, checking off items on my to-do list.
What I’m reading: Baby Bargains—I started to work on my registries over the weekend and this book has been a Godsend. I’m also reading a lot of baby product recommendations on the blogs I follow. I’m also still reading the Mayo Clinic’s Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy—trying not to skip ahead too far, but I’m finally getting into the chapters on the actual birth.
A co-worker lent me two books on breastfeeding as well which I am really looking forward to reading once I’m further along (they’re The Nursing Mother’s Companion and the Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers). I am fortunate to be delivering at a hospital that provides incredible lactation support as well.
Thank you for reading and for all of my pregnant readers, please feel free to check in below as well and let me know how your pregnancy is going 🙂 I also welcome everyone’s advice and comments about pregnancy!
anoddgirl says
Gorgeous baby clothes 🙂
I hope you tick everything off your list and feel relaxed 🙂
Xx
https://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au
Laura says
I love reading your pregnancy posts because it reminds me of my pregnancy last year. I had very few issues when I was pregnant and it really was the best year of my life. The best advice I can give you is to enjoy your free time, go on lots of dates with your husband, sleep as much as possible and read every book that you can about sleep when it comes to babies. If you plan on breastfeeding I would do a good amount of research on that too even though a lot of it is just trial and error. You can prepare only so much, so much of being a mom is "on the job training". Also when it comes to clothes for me it really was all about the onesie. I have gotten so many cute outfits for my little girl but since we don't go out every day all the dresses and stuff aren't really that convenient when you are just hanging out at home. At the same time don't save too many outfits for later because she will grow out of it so fast. And now I have written you a novel 🙂
Donna says
I love reading your blog, and was surprised to see that you live in Houston. I live here as well, and in fact just gave birth here, at the Texas Children's Pavilion for Women. The time at the hospital is crucial to establish good breastfeeding, so best of luck to you.
Katie {Miss Dixie} says
Don't stress, you are reading way more than I have, and I am 32 weeks! I have a lot to do. I didn't get moving on the nursery until about 25-30 weeks. I remember feeling a similar pain one day, and it HURT. I told myself if it continued the next morning I would call the doctor right away. And, it was gone. Thank goodness! Glad you & baby are ok! 🙂
budgetbrunettes says
Congrats! I used to follow your videos before you were pregnant and I'm happy to see you started filming again. Very informative post. I'm sure she will be quite the fashionista baby girl. https://budgetbrunettes.blogspot.ca
Schnelle says
The halfway point is when I started to panic about the to-do list too but I promise you, you have more time than you think. Don't buy too many clothes b/c I bought things and then I got a TON of clothes at my shower too. I'm so happy to hear everything is okay, the ligament pains scared me sometimes, you just don't know when it's your first time. As for the constant urge to pee, just wait- I'll be 40 weeks this Saturday and I can't stand up for more than 10 minutes without feeling the urge to go along with so much pressure that I feel like she's going to come right out!
Potatoes and Pilates says
That must have been such an incredible moment to feel where your baby is. I'm glad to hear your health is OK and there are no concerns!
You look fantastic and I am confident you will cross everything off your "To-Do" list. You are an organized girl and you have a supportive hub to help:)
MissPinkKate says
Listen to that voice that tells you not to buy too much! You're going to get a TON of gifts and hand-me-downs, more than you can probably ever use.
lteler5 says
looking beautiful as always V!
glad the baby is doing great.
who are you going to get to do your maternity and newborn pics?
Brooke says
Loving the basic teal shirt! Simply cute!
=) Brooke
rubysnpurls says
I agree with everyone's advice, try to stay calm and know there is plenty of time. I, like many other Mom's had mini freak-outs periodically and when I would look back on it I would realize that my crisis wasn't important and I just ended up embarrassing myself.
Go on lots of dates with your hubby and enjoy your free-time. Ask yourself what's really important to you and focus on those things. Nursery completed? Focus on achieving that goal, but also don't stress if it doesn't happen.
I love it that you are getting lots of wear out of your "normal" clothes! Your bump is so cute!
PS: I'm a longtime follower, just a horrible commenter.
Lynnc says
Long time follower who is 2 weeks behind you in her first pregnancy. I just started registering this weekend as well and would love to compare notes/see what you have and share what I have so far. I registered through Amazon and Babies R Us. Message me if you want to swap notes. 🙂
CHAS says
Wow, you REALLY look pregnant!!! She is really low! Hope you get some comfort soon.
Shoegal Out In The World says
Your posts about your pregnancy are amazing… I can't wait to read them every week… You inspire me to become a mother…
I wish you all the best!!!
xo, Violeta
https://www.shoegaloutintheworld.com/
Sandra says
Love the clothes you bought! What sizes did you get?
Sara Cate says
such cute outfits! and good luck with the spinning!
Stephanie says
Breastfeeding is the most precious bond to share with your baby. It can hurt for the first few weeks when they're learning to latch on but don't give up, it goes away and it's the best for baby and you! Congrats on your baby girl! We just welcomed ours into the world on Sunday, and feel so blessed. We also have a 2.5 yr old little boy:)
[email protected] says
@sandra—I usually buy 3-6 months and 6-12 months
Amber says
You look adorable! My son is 9 weeks old- parenthood is so amazing and such a blessing (even when your baby is screaming in your ear ar 3am :).
I wouldn't buy too many outfits, we got so much from showers and coworkers- people love buying baby clothes.
I wanted to do cloth diapers so I bought a lot- turns out my son has long skinny legs and the cloth diapers won't fit him for a while, I don't know if your thinking of doing cloth but its something to think about.
We registered at target and had issues with them shipping us gifts without a packing slip so we didn't know who it came from. We registered for a bath tub and because of registry issues we got three and had problems when we took them to the store to return two of them because we didn't get the packing slip.
Also, if you buy a pump the medela double pump is great- my cousin is a lactation consultant and recommended it.
Good luck- you have plenty of time!
Carina says
I read your blog, but never comment. I just wanted to pass on some info that helped me during pregnancy and after I had the baby. Isis parenting has several free webinars online that are super helpful. https://www.isisparenting.com/page/onlineclasses
Every week, they have a live breastfeeding (Thurs) webinar and sleep (Tues) webinar at noon ET. You can chat with other moms as well as ask questions. If you can't attend they are posted later in the day. You can start watching them now if you like! Also if you are on twitter, follow @nancyholtzman She is a IBCLC, baby expert, etc. You can tweet her any question, and she will answer.
Lulu Soler says
Don't stress too much. To help move lil baby girl you could also try a chiropractor versed in maternity. They are very helpful in moving back/hips to help the baby go in the right direction. For baby sets that are so soft & lovies, try angeldear.net. 🙂
xo Lulu
simplylulustyle.com
Kristen says
The Nursing Mother's Companion is great. I didn't read anything/do any research before having my first daughter. I breastfed her, but it didn't last too long. I was constantly questioning whether she was getting enough (she was). This time I was so much more informed, and not afraid to use the lactation department at the hospital, and we've been so much more successful. Kellymom.com is another fantastic, 24/7 resource.
Sandra says
That is what I have been doing as well:) I figure I won't be taking the baby out too much at the beginning since they do not get their full shots right away….so at that time, lots of onesies, sleepers, gowns, etc….
I went crazy at the baby gap sale….they have too cute stuff:)
Shadowy Lady says
I agree with not buying too many outfits. I was given soooo many as gifts. Only now that my daughter is 5 months (and fitting into 9 months clothing) have I started buying clothes for her 🙂 Def good call on bigger size. We went straight to 0-3 months as she was born too big for nb size.
Read books on baby sleep now. I kinda regret not doing it. My lil one is not a bad sleeper but reality of baby sleep hit me hard. Ppl told me that getting up to pee when you're pregnant prepares you for it but it's noooo 😉
Kristen says
you look so cute! your little bump with baby girl is adorable! love those onesies from carter's w the frilly on the sleeves. absolutely adorable!