number 2 [week 6]

Symptoms: I've been so bloated. I feel like I look so bloated in this photo. I'm not really showing yet, but my Bloat Baby is in full effect!

Cravings: Salt! Tortilla chips sound amazing.

Aversions: I'm struggling with my daily salads. Spinach and I will probably be taking a break from each other very soon. Hopefully a brief switch to romaine will do the trick.

Missing: Beer. I've been sniffing Eric's beer. The funny thing is that I'm less of a beer drinker and more of a cider girl. I think I only want it because I can't have it.

Mood: Nervous. I'm so happy that we finally got pregnant, but I'm scared at the same time. It's a natural kind of scared that all pregnant women experience in some form, just hoping that everything will turn out okay.

Sleep: Exhausted is an understatement! Just when I think I might not be able to sleep again after a nap, there I go...

Dreams: I'm volunteering at an event this weekend that's being held at a local private university. I've never been there before, and for some reason I dreamed that the campus was something like a scene from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. African animals scattered across expanse grass spaces while students passed between buildings, and an eatery that resembled the state fair's midway was erected in the parking lot and sold what seemed like every junk food known to man between carnival games and gambling machines. I was just trying to find a dang Dutch Bros!

Clothing: Pants are feeling tighter because I'm so bloated. I fear that dressing will become a harder task sooner than expected.

Best Moment: I was excited to have my prenatal phone appointment with a nurse this week. I needed to update my recent health history and was asked a few routine questions about my previous pregnancy and my current one. The nurse was really nice and we had a great conversation. This is the beginning of everything starting to feel real!

Pregnancy Purchases: Since trying to conceive, I've only been taking a simple folic acid vitamin. Now it's time to change over to a regular prenatal multivitamin, and I purchased my favorite combo pack from Target that also comes with a DHA supplement. So far I've been able to stomach them without issue.

Other News: It's funny walking around work with this huge secret. I've only told 3 people and I plan to keep the news quiet for the time being. While I have no reason to think anything will go wrong, I'm still nervous with the idea of spreading our news too quickly too soon. I'm hoping my nerves will be settled soon when we finally have my pregnancy confirmed.

Looking Forward To: My first in-office prenatal appointment is next week! Hopefully we'll get to see our little one and be rest assured that everything is developing naturally on the inside. There's always so much anticipation leading up to an ultrasound... it's hard to wait!

be maternity beband

About 3 weeks ago I purchased the Be Maternity BeBand in black from Target.  My pants were beginning to feel uncomfortable while buttoned and the hair tie trick (looping a hair tie or rubber band around the button, through the button hole and back around the button) gave me the extra space I needed but no flexibility when bending or sitting.  Because my pants still fit everywhere except for in the waist, I decided to try a belly band before jumping the gun to maternity pants.

I have been VERY happy with this purchase.  The elasticity of the band is perfect and keeps my pants in place when unbuttoned.  I also found relief in the comfort of the band's flexibility, which is similar to that of maternity pants.  During my first week with the band, just leaving my pants unbuttoned did the trick.  During the second week, I felt the need to leave the zipper down a bit.  This last week I have been leaving the zipper completely down and the band fully covers my indecent exposure.  It's so much fun (and comfy) walking around with your pants undone!

beband at week 13

I know I won't be able to rely on the belly band forever; after 3 weeks of growth I have already noticed that it becomes a little uncomfortable after wearing it all day at work and into the evening.  Maternity pants will be gracing my closet space sooner rather than later, and the band has been the perfect addition during this in-between stage of weight and belly gain.  I know it's going to be hard to get out of maternity pants, especially after having the baby... but that doesn't mean I'm in any particular rush to get into them!

boppy total body pillow

It's amazing how right after I found out about my pregnancy I quickly started experiencing all of the regular symptoms.  As much as I've wondered if some of my nausea and exhaustion has been in my head, there is no question that sleeping has become increasingly difficult.  I've never been one to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom until now and it's driving me crazy.  I have trouble getting comfortable, am unable to fall back asleep, and sometimes even get a bit of morning sickness.  Needless to say, I decided I needed to rectify this situation immediately.

I found the Boppy Total Body Pillow at Target and couldn't be more excited!  Not only does it have a super cute design, but the Boppy Pillow is contoured to keep your body aligned and help you rest comfortably for a good night's sleep.  The cover is machine-washable (which I love!) and the pillow even folds for postnatal support, such as for sitting up to read or nurse your baby.  I also caught the pillow on sale for $5 off, which of course is another win.

My first night sleeping with the Boppy was a little awkward, as we still need time to get used to each other.  Before I had been sleeping with one of our decorative pillows between my legs and would wake up having to adjust the pillow every time I turned over on my other side.  I have supreme confidence that with just another night or two I will be back to restful sleep.  Goodness knows I'm going to be needing it!