Week 18 & 19 : Just Kickin' It!

Lately it seems as though things have come to a comfortable stand still, so I am going to be doing updates every 2 weeks until things pick back up....around the 3rd trimester..I'm sure things will be poppin'! But until then, I feel likes it's been same old, same old. And I am not complaining! 

On week 18, we had our Anatomy Ultrasound!! We found out the sex of the baby and that was BEYOND exciting! I love going to ultrasounds and we brought our mom's and my best friend and my brother-in-law even came along. So, it was fun sharing that experience with them. I will be sharing the gender with you guys in my next update video (which will be up at the end of this week, early next week) for my huge 20 week milestone ( I am 20 weeks today)! Anyways, to make it fun I am hosting a mini giveaway on my Instagram for guessing the correct gender- for more details head over to my IG- @Beautynthebronzer . 

In other EXCITING NEWS- I have been feeling the baby kick and move around! I pretty much know the schedule and everything at this point and I look forward to it through out my day! I can't wait till they become bigger so my husband can feel and see too because it's the most amazing feeling ever. 

I have been feeling great- and I have been pretty much keeping a good schedule- well kind of- I've been keeping my pre-pregnancy schedule and sometimes I do think I overdue it. So, lately I've been trying to keep that in mind and remind myself to relax, otherwise I am  working fulltime, going to the gym 3 days during the week (yes, after work), cooking, cleaning, blogging, filming, editing, instagramming, ....which doesn't leave much time for doing nothing. I am really going to work on that, thankfully I'll have a few days off during Thanksgiving and I think I am really going to let myself kick my feet up-so I say..

This week I cleaned my entire house, and the last time I cleaned like that I was barely showing! I definitely felt a difference- I was having a harder time cleaning bathrooms and going up and down the stairs. And I really felt it the next day- I was exhausted and I had a bad headache most of the day. 

Symptoms

These past 2 weeks have been good, but not symptom free. I'm still having gas issues....whoop...sike! I have also been getting a lot of pins and needles type feelings in my hands and feet. Which really had me nervous, so I talked to my doctor about it and she said that was normal. So, I've just been trying to put my feet up more and get up from the computer at work more often. 

I have been having weird sleep patterns because I have been rotating from insomnia to exhaustion...which makes sense...and from time to time I get a headache, which I think is from the lack of sleep. I also have been having a hard time getting comfortable, which I think is part of why I can't get to sleep. My husband is actually getting my a pregnancy pillow as we speak. 

This week I have noticed more symptoms that are physical. I've had some back pain, swollen feet (they don't really look swollen they just hurt),  and growing pains in my lower abdomen. 

Last think I noticed, an increase appetite. I am like starving all the time! It's so crazy...I get hungry so often so I have been trying to pack healthy snacks to keep in my purse because I am trying to avoid over eating junk food. 

Cravings 

I have been eating cereal....lots of it...all kinds...especially the magically delicious Chocolate Lucky Charms lol. Other than that, I have actually been finding it difficult to figure out what I want to eat. Like I am starving all the time and I am hungry but then I can't pick what I want so I just end up eating what my husband wants (which is good, he is very healthly lol). 

BumpWatch

Since it's been 2 weeks- it's double the bumps! I actually kind of like looking at it this way and seeing the difference. 

 

 SO weird...I think my 18 week bump looks bigger...but honestly it kind of always looks different. Makes me think of when celebrities get all kind of BS about lying about their pregnancies because there bumps always look different...but it really happens!

XoXo,
Amanda

Fall Maternity Fashion: Neons

Hey Beauties!

I have been on a fashion high lately- mainly because finding outfits that are bump friendly without compromising my personal style has been important me. Stretching my non-maternity clothes takes a lot of creativity.. and with the help of my new Pinterest, I have been feeding my addiction.

Neons are still trending for fall this year- which I am loving because it's a nice way to work some color into my otherwise dark fall wardrobe -and it looks very chic and modern in my opinion! Neon yellow happens to be my fave- if you can't already tell! Here is how I incorporate my neon accessories into my wardrobe while also styling the bump!

Neons & Stripes

The perfect outfit for a girls night or dinner date! Fall in Georgia is not exactly cold- so this dress is totally fall appropriate! I love stripes all year long and I love how neon looks with the pattern in black and white.

Dress: Target (old)

Shoes: Forever 21

Clutch: Aldo

Extensions: SophiaG

Work Appropriate Neon

   

This outfit is super work friendly, I wore it a few weeks ago and got plenty of compliments. And this blazer... it's everything! One of my favorite purchases last fall!

Blazer: Target

Skirt: Target (Liz Lange Maternity)

Bag: Just Fab

Shoes: Target

Necklace: Forever 21

Tank: Express

Extensions: SophiaG

Casual Neons

I love this super casual look!  I love this blazer, it has great shape because of the shoulder pads! And you can't go wrong with ripped jeans...just saying!

 

 Blazer: Forever 21

Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: Forever 21

Necklace: Forever 21

Bag: Just Fab

Extensions: SophiaG

If you would like to see more fashion posts- let me know in the comments below!

XoXo,

Amanda

Week 17: This is nice...

This week has been great! I feel so much like myself now...but with that being said it's been pretty laid back (aka not a lot to write about). I have been working out and eating pretty well. I am finally seeing that 2nd trimester light. Next week we find out the sex of the baby- which I will announce in my 20 week Half Way There video update- but in the meantime I am hosting a Gender Reveal giveaway on Instagram- so if you have an account follow me and get all the details!

Symptoms

This week has been smooth sailing...in some ways. I can handle the symptoms that I have been experiencing. A little gas, a little hard to wake up in the morning, and an increase appetite. I can deal with these!

Cravings 

CEREAL! My bestie told me about some chocolate Lucky Charms and I have been eating my weight in them...lol...ok that's a bit exaggerated but I have been really killing them this week. They are so yummy! I have been so much better about eating meats, veggies, and salad these past 2 weeks too. Which makes me happy and makes me feel less guilty about my cereal binges.

BumpWatch

Did you see my maternity haul?! Shameless plug :) My bump is here but it's not rapidly growing and I am totally okay with that. I am going for gradual here- trying to avoid those stretch marks I talked about last week. Anyways, I won't babble...here is the bump...
and a couple pics of the dressed bump :)


 

My First Maternity Haul

 Hey Beauties,

So, I have had to focus my shopping on clothes instead of makeup lately due to the growing belly! Here are some of my finds for my first maternity haul- NOT everything is actually maternity but it is BUMP friendly ;)

Let me know if there are any great places for maternity/transition clothing! I need all the help I can get!

Hope this is helpful!
XoXo,
Amanda

Week 16: Now you see me.....

Another good week, feeling almost normal most days! I kind of get worried but then I'm like the alternative would not be fun...so I'm just trying to enjoy it. I finished out my first full week at the new job and I love it! I told them I was pregnant and they were very happy for me- you all know I was pretty nervous about that- so that was a big relief! Especially since my bump has come out to play...wasn't sure how long I could keep that under wraps. 

I have been feeling good, so I have been maintaining my 3 day a week workout schedule, in case you were wondering. My weight has been pretty steady this week too and I haven't gained the pound that I read a would (I think they said a pound a week). I'm really trying to keep a balance on that because I want  to avoid  stretch marks and while I have been slathering myself in Burt's Bees Mama Belly Oil since the day I found out I was pregnant, I know that gradual weight gain is really the answer. 

Symptoms

Holy boobies...they ARE growing... and getting veiny...eww.. I read that veins do become more prominent during pregnancy, but I wasn't expecting them there. It's okay, nothing can ruin my joy at the moment because it looks like I have a new set of implants lol. I know they will likely head south later on, but let me have my shine! 

This week has been all about sleep- I have been going to bed earlier and still having a lot of trouble getting up in the morning. I like can't get enough of it! I also have been having some outrageous dreams..that's been ongoing since I got pregnant...but these have been of the naughtier variety lol. Maybe that's why I want to sleep so much! Has anyone else noticed that while pregnant?!? I don't want to be alone here. 

Cravings 

Ok, ok....the cheeseburger won! But I blame my husband. This past Saturday he took me to Dairy Queen for ice cream (which was amazing) and encouraged me to eat the burger...so I did and it was pretty good. To be honest though, I probably won't need another one because it was good but I not mind blowing. Glad that's out of my system. I also had pizza...I know...I'm bad! I ate a salad with it though :) I have been getting in more veggies and meat this week, so I figured I could splurge. Moderation is the word. 

Oh and guess what!?! Best news ever- I found my caramel apple that I have been craving forever and it came in a 3-pack! I about freaked out in Walmart when I saw them..that was the last place I would have expected to find them. Anyways, I had one for lunch yesterday and it was everything I had imagined lol! 

BumpWatch

Baby bump is here, all day errr day! It's  cute.. now that it look more like a bump and not a beer belly, I can dig it.  And I am having a great time trying to dress it up. I refuse to compromise my style during this time..not this early on anyway. 

I have a new-found obsession with fashion at the moment (well, let's be honest it's not really new) BUT I have been obsessing over it lately. So, I will be posting more fashion pics for sure on my main blog. I just feel like it takes so much more thought to dress well when pregnant, but I am finding it fun- is that weird!? 

I filmed a maternity haul , which will be up by the end of the week! 







Bonus! A couple of my bump baring outfits from this past week

Week 15: At Last...

This week has been a good week pregnancy wise. Less nausea, less, exhaustion, and less late night potty breaks! This was also my last week at my old job as a Behavioral Clinical Specialist and the first couple of days at my new job as a Clinical Research Coordinator (for the same hospital system-different location and department). I am loving it so far! It was a very welcome change and this is what I should be doing- couldn't be more happy about that. However- I will miss my clients and my awesome co-workers from previous job :( that's always the hard part. 

Anyways- I have a had a pit  this week with the loss of my aunt. She had been battling cancer for the past 8 years but has been really sick this past year and that was definitely a tough loss. Especially since I was unable to attend her funeral because of the start of my new position. She will be missed dearly. Because of this, I haven't blogged or filmed for my beauty channel. I just can't get in the mood to do it, which I am sure you can understand. It was actually really hard for me to get motivated to write this. Hopefully, I will get to feeling more up to it soon- but in the mean time I have just been enjoying my family and trying to relax. 

Looking forward to finding out the sex in 2 weeks and getting some mini-kicks! Keep you posted. 

Symptoms

As I hinted at earlier in this post, I haven't had much action in the symptom department. Thankfully! I think I did notice my boobs getting a little bigger though, then again that may be in my head. My weight has been fluctuating a lot more than I had noticed before. Like one day I'm down 2 lbs, next I'm up 3, then back down 3....I am attributing that to bloat because I have been super gassy. LOL this is the only time in life that any of that is acceptable and can be talked about without shame...so don't try and judge me! I have been back to working out the past few weeks, I just forgot to include that in those posts.

Cravings 

Well this week I have been working harder to get in more vegetables and meat. I have been semi-successful with that. Since, I haven't been nauseous I feel like I've been less picky. I gave eggs a try, still not loving them but not gagging either. I have been still leaning more towards the sweets than the salty for snacking. My frozen whips aren't going anywhere! I have been having this craving for a cheeseburger...but I am trying to fight it. We will see who wins that battle!

BumpWatch

This week I think I look pregnant for sure. Well in most clothes. A noticeable bump in fitted clothes but not in loose blouses. Smaller in the mornings and makes a debut after lunch.  Wonder how much longer before it can't be tamed.... 
This week, I've dabbled in some maternity clothes and I am seeing a pattern- they are hideous (unless you are willing to spend and I am just not there yet). The tops- fugly and the all the pants are black, leggings, or jeans. Can't wear jeans to work- and I am not spending a fortune on a new maternity wardrobe so looks like I'll be living in leggings! Good thing they are on trend! I did break down and get a couple of sale items from H&M- I will be posting a maternity haul very SOON! :) 

Week 14: GLORY....or not.....

Hello 2nd Trimester! I have been waiting for you.... and yet I have been nauseous all week again and pretty tired....when do the perks kick in?!? So excited that I am out of the 1st trimester...that felt like a lifetime! I'm definitely feeling more pregnant..and looking it to. You will see below. I don't know why I thought like day 1 week 14 all of my symptoms would disappear! Then again I had been having some great weeks so why would it be any different? Not sure, but I guess it wanted to prove a point!

Symptoms

This week I have been battling nausea again and for what reason? I cannot answer that but I hope it stops sooner than later. I have failed to mention this before, because this is not a new symptom, but it's been bothering me lately- late night trips to the bathroom. I drink a lot of water and always have, so I am no stranger to constant bathroom trips but NOT 2-3 times during my beauty rest! and I know it could get worse. Any tips for that?! 

Newest symptom, a swollen foot. That's right just one, and just in the evenings. Not a fan and I actually feel like I should call the doctor about it because it's uncomfortable. 

Cravings

Well with the return of the nausea has come the return of the picky eating. Still getting my ice cream fix  (via my frozen yogurt Whips) and I really think I could eat pizza everyday. That is all....

BumpWatch

I've been outed towards the end of this week....this my friend is a bump....