Feel Good Friday: Second Trimester (So Far)

Happy Friday, friends & fam! 🙌🏼 It’s a rainy/gloomy one here in LA, and you know what, I welcome it! 😉

What are you up to this weekend?

I’m hanging out at home tonight (best kind of Friday IMO), going to a friend’s baby shower tomorrow, seeing another pal for lunch Sunday, and studying for my yoga course in between all that. 📖

You already know this, but I am literally obsessed with my yoga teacher training course. I think it’s the best thing ever.

Anyway…

I can’t believe I’m well into my second trimester and just a week away from the half-way mark, wow!

Seriously, how is this going by so quickly?

I want to thank everyone for their unbelievably warm and heartfelt congratulations messages/texts/calls when we announced our baby news 2 weeks ago! Sam and I were so overwhelmed with love and couldn’t stop smiling the whole weekend as people reached out left and right. SO nice!

If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t even know if I wanted to make a social media-type “announcement” per say. Maybe it’s because I work in social media or just that the older I get, the more private I get… but I just wasn’t sure I wanted all the attention during such a personal and private journey.

But then, after thinking about it a bunch, I realized I wanted to share my excitement, and since so many of my family and friends are spread out all over the country, it started to click that maybe a public announcement like that would be super meaningful and draw us closer to those we don’t get to see too often.

Needless to say, I’m really happy I did it! It also just feels really good to just be OUT with the news. I’m not sure if any other moms-to-be feel this way, but when you’re “hiding” the news, it’s literally the most challenging time ever because it’s ALL you can think about.

I felt like I was walking around with this look on my face that said it all but I guess somehow so many people really had no clue. In fact, many still say they couldn’t ever tell which is crazy to me! (I am definitely starting to show now, so that will change, haha.)

Anyway, since I announced my pregnancy and moved into the second trimester, things have definitely changed! Nothing too major but enough that I’d love to share for those interested in learning about my experience (everyone and every body is different).

Second Trimester (Weeks 13-19): Observations/Feelings/Thoughts:

-My appetite has increased a LOT. I find myself wanting to munch a lot more and although I would say my cravings for greasy/rich foods has subsided somewhat, my overall appetite has upped a bit. For example, after dinner, I’m usually back in the kitchen looking for little snacks for NO real good reason lol. I guess the baby needs it! Oh, I guess when I really think about it I DO have a current craving that’s new(ish)… eggs! Lol. Like hard-boiled, scrambled, or in a quiche/frittata form. Give me all the eggs!

Check out this beaut from one of my fave spots, Proof Bakery, in Atwater Village. The yummiest veggie quiche! (Grabs through screen to eat quiche… 😂)

-I’ve been curious how my weight would change during pregnancy and surprisingly, so far I’ve only gained about 5-6 pounds (on a good day). 😉 I think I’m tracking well and obviously, I have a ways to go, so I’ll probably gain similar to what my mom did with my brother, Alex, and I — around 20-25 pounds. My doc said that’s a healthy weight for my height/weight, so I’m feeling good about that.

-My skin and hair look/feel great. They do say there’s a “glow” that comes in the second trimester and I think I believe it. Some friends and family have commented on it and when I look in the mirror I definitely see less blemishes, shinier hair, and an aura to myself that’s new. I guess the glow thing is real, guys.

P.S. Thank you Holly for my amazing new cut and blow-out! Love her.

-Baby brain is REAL y’all. I am a very organized, Type-A, on-the-ball kinda gal and this pregnancy has got my brain all over the damn place. I’m talking: forgetting my wallet at home, not finding the right words to complete a sentence, making silly work errors that I never used to, forgetting my sweater in bathrooms, etc. It’s legit when they say “You got baby brain.” Please give me my brain back, baby! LOL

-I’m very thirsty. I have a water bottle nearby at all times and find myself sipping on it constantly. Especially in the mornings… I got straight for the water bottle. Not a bad thing to stay hydrated!

– I’m feeling some muscle/stomach stretching that’s a little uncomfortable but nothing too concerning (I’ve asked around to be safe/sure!). Basically weeks 19-22 are the baby’s biggest growth spurt, so he/she is currently growing to the point where it’s causing me a little discomfort like almost a stretching feel in my lower abdomen. It never lasts long but it’s definitely a new sensation I’m taking note of.

-When it comes to my exercise, I’m still going strong! I practice yoga about three times/week, walk a lot when I can, and even went on a hike with a friend early one morning this week before work. Some call me crazy. 😉 I just love to move. I feel so good when I’m active and outside, so I’m going to keep at it. Plus, I keep hearing active women have smooth deliveries and recovery experiences so I’m all about that.

-Speaking of exercise, I’ve incorporated Prenatal yoga into my fitness routine and it’s really lovely. Though I can still do a lot of yoga moves the way I normally would, it’s been great to slow down and see how I’ll eventually need to adjust things for my growing belly. MAJOR props to all the mamas in my class who are 7-8 months pregnant moving around like pros. I hope that’ll be me in a few months!

Here’s a pic from my hike around Griffith Park on Wednesday morning. The foggy setting was perfect.

See the city skyline in there? So cool.

-My sleep is still pretty good so far (knock on wood). I did invest in one of those C-shaped maternity pillows that a few new moms I know recommended, and that has been really comfy to use this past week. Sleeping on your back is a no-no during trimesters 2 and 3 (you want to increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby by side-sleeping), so I needed something to assist me with that since I’m a big back-sleeper. I’m sure it’ll even be handier the bigger I get and when I really can’t sleep on my back. Of course Sam wants to steal it 😉 Good luck dude!

-I’ve been talking to TONS of new moms about their post-pregnancy experiences and how life with a newborn has been. I’ve been asking for registry recommendations, breastfeeding advice, and just about everything else you can think of. It’s been so valuable talking to these women who are IN it right now and know the feelings way better than anyone else. Thank you to all of you who have helped me in any way!

-We’re planning the baby’s nook in our bedroom and I’m so excited! Pinterest is my new best friend and you’d be surprised to know how many people adjust their apartments/bedrooms for a baby. It’s so inspiring to see all the cool layouts and tricks to making their nursery nook special, fun and cozy. VERY excited for this part of the planning.

Got any fun ideas to share when it comes to baby accessories, designs, and cool bedroom touches?

Thanks for reading! Hope everyone has a great weekend. 💗

Oh, and one more thing…

I’m finally bumpin’! Into it. 😄  (This was last Friday at 18 weeks.)

-Ari