Hello third trimester! I cannot believe how quickly time is going by. It feels like only yesterday we found out Baby B was on the way, but also lightyears away from the long nausea filled days of the first trimester. It’s amazing how it already feels like I’m forgetting how hard some of those days were. I’m sure I will quickly forget all of the other unpleasant parts as well.

All in all, my second trimester was pretty great. I know everyone tends to say that. I did not get any of those magic bursts of energy that you hear about, but feeling relatively “normal” again was a nice change of pace. It certainly was not all sunshine and daisies, every new experience has its challenges, but I was finally able to relax a little and enjoy the process.

Same as with the first trimester, I wanted to share a little more about my pregnancy so far, more specifically the second trimester, answer a question or two that absolutely no one aside from my mom has asked me, as well as highlight some of the things I have been loving along the way.

On finding out the sex
We are waiting until birth to find out if Baby B is a boy or a girl. I always thought I would be too impatient to wait, but I also always loved the idea being surprised. There are so few good surprises. JD also loved this notion and recalled the excitement of being a little kid and not knowing whether he was getting a new sister or brother. I have also heard that not knowing helps you get through those last few weeks since you have an added element to look forward to!

Thoughts on names
My very favorite topic and the only one I cannot talk about! Both JD and I have a lot of thoughts and feelings when it comes to names. Growing up I viewed having to forever spell and pronounce my first and last name as a continual nightmare. Because of this I’ve always been drawn to more classic names that offer tons of nickname options. JD’s name on the other hand is extremely common, as well as a family name so he is one of many in both senses.

Since we have decided to wait to find out the sex, we have talked a lot about options for both. Our list is very short. We have a few options for each, boy and girl (one of which we agreed on all the way back in 2009!), and will decide once we meet Baby B. I have a feeling we will know right away who he or she is.

Oof, I want so badly to chat all about this, especially the crazy sign we got about one of our first and middle name selections, but I guess we will have to wait for now!

Bio-Oil
As far as oils go I have been using Bio-Oil since it is one of the few that does not contain sweet almond oil and have found it to work really well so far! I’ve read that sweet almond oil is amazing at preventing stretch marks, which explains why it was so difficult to find an oil that did not contain it. I have a have a sensitivity that is generally mild, but sometimes react to and being pregnant in a pandemic is more than enough worry so no need to tempt a potential allergic reaction, right? I do get stretch marks here and there when not pregnant so I have been using this to help prevent and treat any that may arise. From my experience, it has been working like magic. A few have appeared on my hips here and there and fade away within days with this stuff. It’s amazing!

Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm
In addition to the Bio-Oil I have been trying out Summer Fridays’ new Babymoon Belly Balm the last few weeks. So far I have really liked it, though it definitely stays on top of my skin similarly to the oil, just a smidge less greasy. I think my skin has a hard time absorbing lotions in general so just putting that out there. All in all I do like it. It is very hydrating and has been great on those super dry winter days we have been having a lot more of lately. I have been alternating days that I use the Bio-Oil and the Belly Balm depending on what my skin needs in the moment.

The linen notebook
Back in May I optimistically ordered a few of these beautiful linen notebooks to use for work when we returned to the office. I laugh now thinking about how I truly thought we’d be heading back in June or September the latest. Two of them remain in their packaging in my desk waiting for the day when that happens, but the third I opened when we were still referring to the baby as a blueberry and have been using it to document my pregnancy. Each week I write updates about what is going on, where I’m at, what things have happened, along with a little survey of sorts – my weight, cravings, mood, and other symptoms. I thought it would be nice to have to reflect back on in the future and have already enjoyed flipping back through the pages to read little pieces of what has happened thus far. I also credit writing in this book with sparking my interest in writing here as well!

Konges Slojd Nola Baby Carrier
Okay so I haven’t technically “used” this yet, unless you count keeping Finn from trying to climb into it while trying it on as use, which is a workout let me tell you. He really enjoys being held, I cannot lift him anymore so that means it’s all on JD to pick him up and dance around the living room with him these days. I have been talking about getting the Artipoppe carrier since before we even became pregnant, but as soon as I saw this one and this sweet orange print I couldn’t help myself. I have been craving oranges like crazy, which has resulted in a little bit of a citrus print theme in some of the clothing I’ve bought so far… so this print felt like it was made specifically for us. I found a shop in Ireland that had it in stock and had it shipped immediately. Last I checked it is still available at Scandiborn.

Weekly snapshots
In addition to writing updates in my notebook, I have been taking a photo every week to capture the bump as it progresses! It was off to a slow start but looks to be catching up now! I bought this dress around 12 weeks planning to take my first photo, but there wasn’t anything to photograph until 14 weeks so I started my weekly bump photos then. I try to take the photos on the same day each week, aiming for Thursday or Friday depending on how I’m feeling and what my schedule looks like. Looking back through the photos now a few days shy of 31 weeks is a real trip. Seeing that teeny tiny 14 week bump and comparing it to what I thought was a huge bump at 27 weeks is the craziest thing! I am so happy I decided to do this and cannot recommend this idea enough! The female body is truly incredible and it is the coolest thing to see that progression from week to week. You can actually see my ribcage slowly getting bigger before the bump really made an appearance some time between 24 and 25 weeks. And now it feels like it’s getting bigger by the day!

And that is about it for now. We are just so excited to meet this little one in April!