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 :)


 

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! :) 

1st Trimester Update

Hey beauties,

Welcome to my baby blog! I wanted to share my pregnancy journey so here it is!

I really didn't want to overload my beauty blog and channel with baby stuff , so I decided to make a separate page!

Let me know what you guys would like to see! I will be posting products as we are getting stuff for the baby, products I've been using that a related to my pregnancy, weekly updates (as you can see), and maternity hauls.....ya know, the usual...

XoXo,
Amanda

Week 13: Pass the Fruity Pebbles

Back to reality this week. Pretty uneventful after my wonderful 12th week. I came off of vacation and returned to work. Yippee! (I hope my sarcasm can carry through).  Still excited about my ultrasound from last week, each one makes everything more real. 

Symptoms

This has been a pretty good week for me, I've been tired but it's been manageable. I have been able to work out and went to the gym twice and even ran a bit one day. I did my weekly Stone Mountain climb- everything is  getting a little harder because I run out of breathe so easily. 

Cravings

Cereal has been something I have failed to mention early on in the blog, but I definitely have developed a love for sugary childhood cereals and I have been satisfying that craving. Still want a caramel apple, which I haven't gotten! Other than that I think my food interests have pretty much maintained...carbs, pizza, and soups. I haven't indulged in the pizza often though, so I am doing good. I've also tried to be more mindful of getting in those fruits and veggies...who cares if I add some peanut butter to them....lol. I have also re-introduced yogurt into my breakfast routine and have gone without gagging. Happy day!

BumpWatch

What do you think?!? Can you see it!?! My and the hubz are convinced I'm showing but my mom and sister don't think so. 

Week 12: GREATEST.WEEK.EVER....so far

A great week! I had my first genetics screening appointment this week and I was a little nervous...just wanted a smooth appointment with a healthy baby! Thankfully, we got both- and we got to see the little munchkin because this test included an ultrasound. Everything went well, in this appointment they check the baby- more specifically looking for fluid buildup in the back of the baby's neck- and they take blood (a finger prick in the thumb) for testing. The nurses said 3cm of fluid is cause for concern and we had less then 1cm and blood test results came back negative. So blessed to get that news! This week was also great because I got my final grades and passed my last class with an A.....masters degree complete. I also got offered that job I mentioned in last weeks post- couldn't be happier. AND I got to spend the weekend in Miami at a lux resort with my girls! I'm kinda on cloud 9 at the moment.

Also, huge this week- I was finally able to share the news (to see a super cute..and quick announcement video check out my Instagram account- Beautynthebronzer). 

Symptoms

Not terrible this week- still tired but thankfully that was about it.  I also can detect faint line coming down from my belly button...the linea negra they call it! It caught me off guard, I was like why on earth would I have a dirt trail on my tummy lol. A text from my mom reassuring me that it's normal was comforting. Boobs have started picking up just a little, I've always had small breasts...so techinally they are still small but they are big to me lol. My boob anatomy (aka my areola..I hate that word)  has also gotten bigger and darker. Hmmm not sure what to say or think about that. Sorry if that's TMI- BUT  this is a pregnancy blog...

Cravings

I have been dying for a caramel apple...one with caramel, chocolate, and nuts.... and cheesecake I haven't gotten either though....I did find a cheesecake flavored Yoplait Whip- I'll keep you posted on that. Other then that- ice cream is still top on my list and citrus fruit. I went on vacation this week and indulged in seafood and pizza...not so proud of my give in to pizza but I was on vacation....the seafood...check my IG- no regrets here!

BumpWatch

This week I am seeing a little something, something. I am getting a little nervous...like am I showing too soon....I don't know.... but here starts that awkward I'm not rocking a beer belly, I'm pregnant phase!

Week 11: I may be having a baby...

Pretty uneventful week, no appointments. I did have a job interview though, which was my second one for this position and it went very well. The doctor I was interviewing with made a comment jokingly like..."you won't be leaving in the middle of my study to get married and move away"...he obviously didn't see my ring...I laughed and told him I was married and that wouldn't be an issue...but in my head was thinking...I WILL be having a baby though..oops! Which kind of leads me to the question of the hour? In this situation when is a good time to reveal that information?! This job is a big move for me and the process started before I even knew I was pregnant. In my head I'm thinking... it's still the first trimester....I don't want to loose an opportunity like this because I am pregnant...so what's a girl to do?! I guess I will let you guys know how this one goes...fingers crossed!

Symptoms

This week I was very tired! I went to bed a few times at like 8 this week...so kind of like my earlier weeks of exhaustion. I read that the baby was building a placenta this week, sooo I'm blaming that! A little bit a nausea and cramping here and there too, but nothing major. 

Cravings

Sweets made a come back...but not candy...just cookies and what I've convinced myself is ice cream lol. I have been freezing those Yoplait chocolate whips, so technically it is frozen yogurt and it gets the job done so I am not overindulging on ice cream on the regular. They are only 160 calories with 4 grams of fat and satisfy every bit of my craving for Bruster's chocolate raspberry truffle okay?! I also noticed this week that I have been almost meat free on most meals...I am really not wanting it and my husband is really not loving that. LOL mainly because I've been leaving it out of the dinners I cook! It's not me..it's the baby!

BumpWatch

This week I had to bust out the hair band....to secure my pants. A trick my doctor told me about on my last visit. Let me tell you, I did the happiest of happy dances when I sat down in my car to go to work and didn't feel like my circulation was being cut off at the waist! Most of my pants...the ones with a little stretch are fitting, but after a meal I get an instant muffin top. NOT CUTE! So, this little trick is going a long way with this in between phase. Here is a pic of my "bump" this week....

Week 9: Baby on Board!

Exciting week for us because we got to get a first glimpse at baby and to see the heartbeat. I guess it is too early to hear it, but we saw it and it was beating very fast! Which is a great sign. With my symptoms being so spotty, I must admit at times I was a bit worried or maybe that's not the best word- but I at times  I would question "Am I really pregnant?" So seeing the image was definitely reassuring. Having mild symptoms can be a blessing and a curse. It has caused me to become a googling freak (more so than my usual) and that's really not something I recommend, while helpful at times you can get some scary info that will really have you worrying for no reason. 

Symptoms

Well this week I was feeling pretty good, almost like myself. Wonder if it was the prenatal vitamin time switch...OR maybe I am just getting used to feeling not like myself. Anyways, I was able to go to the gym more this week without having the constant on and off bouts of nausea and being totally exhausted. I hope this lasts... I did a Stone Mountain climb and some light cardio at the gym one day... It's a start! Especially after coming off of a 2 week break. 

My boobs stopped growing...BOOOO! That was my one fun symptom. They are a little senstive but not painful. 

Cravings

All I want to eat is chips! I have never been big on chips so that is different for me. Not that I don't like them- I just could be without them. And I NEVER buy them for the house- but I have been really into munching on those. I've still been selective about food, only eating what I have a taste for at the moment because everything else I look at gives me instant nausea when I even think about eating it. Unfortunately  it's been mostly carbs! Soups and carbs...I need some salad in my life. 

BumpWatch

Ummm, nothing to see here. I notice a little bloating but I don't think anyone else would see that. Not even my husband has noticed. Guess that's typical, being it's my first pregnancy. Still took a pic though...going to savor these flat tummy pics one day in the near future.