Honestly, I just haven’t felt like pregnancy has been very glamorous this go-around and haven’t felt like sharing much. I always wished I would have started this blog before when I was pregnant with the boys because I am typically an open book and love to share real life with you. I love to share my outfits and shopping deals and my workouts and what I like to eat, etc… but I just feel like coronavirus/quarantine has kinda sucked the fun out of that (haha)! With life so crazy and at least 1 kid home with me everyday, I hardly find myself showering and getting ready, unless I am going out for date night or girls dinner. I am thankful that I am able to work from home and be home with my oldest this Summer, but I essentially workout in the morning…and either stay in my workout clothes all day long, or change into something similar or comfy, nothing really share-worthy most days!
I also just haven’t felt the best this pregnancy. I know I probably shouldn’t complain, because I haven’t been throwing up or anything like that, but I just haven’t felt my best and it’s been hard. Overall, I’ve just been uncomfortable. I typically feel pretty good in the mornings and then it goes downhill after 3pm. I get tired, bloated, and my stomach just gets so incredibly tight no matter what I eat or do during the day. I also had a significant “hot spot” this pregnancy, which is a really tender area of my abdomen, in which, baby Bennett chose to push and kick often. Needless to say, it was NOT comfortable and very difficult to find any relief there. She has also been the MOST active baby in utero, which I know is a great sign that she is healthy, but MAN it is very uncomfortable, if not painful, at times. All that to say, I think it’s okay to be “miserable” during pregnancy. I don’t have to love the actual “being pregnant” part in order to be incredibly thankful that I am pregnant or grateful for the sweet growing baby in my belly. I don’t have to love each and every kick, but I can still be grateful inside my heart that she is moving and healthy. Pregnancy is a beautiful and miraculous thing. But it can also be weird, uncomfortable, awkward and it can just be plain hard.
FITNESS
Thankfully I felt pretty good in the mornings and was able to run up to 4 miles until about 32 weeks, and then jog until 36 weeks. At that point, I started having so much pelvic pain that I HAD to stop. However, I have been able to continue doing modified interval training at MADabolic Greenville and hot power yoga. One thing that has really helped my urgency to pee and round ligament pain while running/walking/jumping/working out…has been this FitSplint. Granted, I didn’t run during my previous 2 pregnancies, did more yoga and interval training, so I thought I didn’t “need” one of those belly bands, but GOSH I may not have needed it, but it was very helpful in feeling supported. I also can say I had no low back pain my entire pregnancy and the FitSplint may have been one reason for that.
STYLE
As far as clothes go, I don’t typically buy or wear maternity clothes, and being pregnant during the Summer made this much easier, as I basically just lived in workout clothes, flowy dresses, and a bathing suit.
Flowy Dresses: Favorite brands have been Xirena, Spell Designs, Rhode Resort and Universal Thread for Target. I personally love these brands because they are all brands that I wear non-pregnant and I was able to buy my pre-pregnancy size in all these dresses, feel cute and confident, and know that I can wear all of these dresses next Summer, without a belly 🙂
Workout Clothes: Thankfully I was able to wear the majority of my same size lululemon workout clothes throughout this pregnancy. The Align leggings are the BEST for pregnancy and this year the Align shorts became part of their line and were perfect for hot Summer runs or even lounging around the house. I also loved wearing one size up in my Tracker shorts and Hotty Hot shorts. And surprisingly my Nulu Cool Racerback tanks in my regular size stretched big enough for this full term bump and do not seem stretched out at all for post-partum wear. Truly, lululemon pieces are investment pieces for a reason. They hold up and they adapt amazingly to your changing body, whether it be pregnancy, weight loss or weight gain.
Baby Shower amidst a Global Pandemic
I feel like Drive-by showers should be the new thing, because they are much easier on the hostesses and on the “honoree”. It is much less awkward for everyone involved and probably easier set-up, planning, etc…so better all around (haha)!
Quick Getaways with my Boo
When I was pregnant with Grayson, we took a babymoon to Turks & Caicos during my 2nd trimester. And while it was amazing, I honestly would probably save a fun trip like that for after pregnancy when you can truly enjoy everything and be more “comfortable”. This pregnancy, our travel was limited due to Covid, but we were still able to get away for a couple nights to one of our favorite places up in Highlands, Old Edwards Inn. This visit, we stayed at their country inn at Half Mile Farm, which was peaceful and beautiful.
We also celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary towards the end of my 3rd trimester with a one night stay at Hotel Domestique, just above Travelers Rest. We have eaten at the restaurant up there many times, but never thought to stay at the hotel, and let me just say, it was stunning! Our room was beautiful and comfortable, and I only wish we could have stayed and enjoyed it all weekend.
And, here we are approaching week 39 and waiting on our sweet baby girl’s arrival. In ways, I cannot believe it’s already time, and in other ways she couldn’t get here soon enough. This momma is beyond ready to not be pregnant anymore.
Stay tuned for nursery reveal, hospital bag list, and all the baby spam of Baby Bennett once she arrives!
Things that got me through these Trimesters:
Ritual Essential Prenatal Vitamins
XO
SHANA
