Photo by: Erica Brooke Photography
Mommy Update
*insert yawn here* your girl is tired. I’m officially 8 months pregnant (WHAAATT??!!) + will be 33 weeks on Monday. I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. It feels like I just announced that I was pregnant. I didn’t know what to expect when I found out I was pregnant. Everyone’s experience is so different + you hear so many different things, mostly negative with how uncomfortable you’ll be, etc. Luckily for me, I’ve loved being pregnant + haven’t experienced any discomfort until n o w. I wanted to give you all a little third trimester update, which will be my last update until mini arrives.
First trimester fatigue rolled back around + hit me hard the second I hit 30 weeks. I’m back to being tired the second I wake up or I wake up with energy, i’m good for a solid hour, maybe two on a good day + then I crash. Not complaining though because I love a good nap. It’s like russian roulette in the mornings though, I never know what i’m going to get.
Aside from the lack of energy, i’m starting to experience a little bit of shortness of breath. For someone who is asthmatic, I know this feeling all too well so I can deal. I haven’t experienced any swelling throughout my pregnancy until this week. I looked down and noticed my feet were swollen after a walk on the beach. It doesn’t last all day, but definitely happens if I’m on my feet for too long or need to elevate them. Tip: Up your water intake, don’t eat as much salt in your diet + elevate your feet whenever you can. Also, keep a pedicure, because if you’re gonna have fat feet, at least they’ll be cute.
Let’s not forget about COVID which changed the whole experience of pregnancy. (You can read my article on how i’m preparing for mini during a pandemic here). Doctor visits changed, visitation at the hospital changed + family gatherings like our baby shower have had to be cancelled. Thankfully my first 5 months were “normal,” but adjusting to the new norm + not being around family hasn’t been ideal. The bright side has been spending more time with Devin + having this alone time together before we become three while preparing for mini at home.
Preparing For Mini’s Arrival
With just a few short weeks left, i’ve been organizing anything + everything in preparation for her arrival. My mom + I have been going through newborn checklists to make sure we have enough of everything we need when we bring her home. I’ll list some shops below where I’ve been buying her baby clothes, etc. I just picked up some drawer dividers from the container store so I can organize her dresser by months (0-3, 3-6, 6-9 ,etc.) All home projects that were put off because of COVID, we’re rushing to get done. We built out her closet so she can share it with her daddy, ripped out our original carpeting on the stairs and replaced it + i’m finishing decorating her nursery. I’m waiting on a few pieces for her room before I reveal it. It’s easily become my favorite room in the house.
I’ve printed out hospital checklists so I don’t forget to pack anything (my worst nightmare is going into labor before I’ve expected to + not having my hospital bag packed) + I take inventory everyday of what she has + still needs. Baby clothes are tough because they grow so quickly, but need multiple changes a day. I’m trying to avoid doing laundry everyday while also not hoarding an unnecessary amount of clothes. I have so much I want to do, but I’m trying to listen to my body + resting when necessary.
Weight Gain
So far I’ve gained 23 pounds which I’m proud of. I think your body gains the appropriate amount of weight needed to support + grow baby. I wanted to be in the 25-35 pound range + I think working out consistently prior to getting pregnant + maintaining somewhat of a workout routine throughout my pregnancy has helped with my weight gain. I’ve been doing Melissa Wood Health’s body weight workouts + going on walks. Things are definitely tight though – my stomach feels like it can pop at any minute + when she moves around I feel like she’s going to poke an arm through my stomach. She’s for sure cramped which leaves her every move visible which I love. I look forward to feeling her movements throughout the day + know I will miss it the most once she arrives.
Cute Baby Brands
+ Pehr
I can’t believe I’m at the homestretch of my pregnancy + that this is my last trimester update! If there’s anything specific you want me to share, let me know in the comments below. You can read all about my first trimester + second trimester here + here.
xx Raquel