A Long Pregnancy #3 Recap!

I’m 39 weeks pregnant and a few days away from my due date! It’s just a waiting game at this point. And while I’m sitting around waiting for her to make her grand debut, I decided to write a little blog post recapping this pregnancy.

HOW I’VE BEEN FEELING

Overall, it’s been a good pregnancy! The beginning was definitely mentally and emotionally challenging and just overwhelming. The pregnancy was a surprise, and we found out less than two months before we planned to move out of our house for a large home renovation. Having two big ‘life events’ happening at the same time is…a lot! Our therapist told us that having a baby and renovating a home are two HUGE life changes and often struggles for couples – and I’m proud of E and I for working through this chaotic year together. 💛

The beginning of pregnancy is always a bit anxiety-inducing as is. For me, I always feel better once my news is ‘out there’ with friends/family and even more so once we hit different milestones (getting test results back, ultrasounds, feeling baby kick, etc.). As time as gone on throughout the pregnancy, I’ve felt more emotionally and mentally peaceful and in a better place.

Physically, I’ve felt pretty good all things considered! The beginning was the standard first trimester symptoms – super tired, ‘blah’ hungover feeling, etc. For most of the second trimester, I felt good – that tends to be the sweet spot! At the beginning of my third trimester, I had some intense back pain and it was painful to even walk. Thankfully, that resolved within a few weeks (not sure from what, but likely a mix of using a pregnancy pillow, pelvic floor PT, chiropractor, etc.), but that was… not great. Now that I’m at the very end, I’m moving slower than usual and still tired, but overall, doing okay. Just READY for her to be here!

While the rental house has been a great option during this time, it’s not HOME, and so I’ve felt a little unsettled. Home has always been a place that grounds me – and especially during pregnancy and postpartum – it’s a bit hard to not feel at home. Ultimately, we won’t be in this rental much longer and will get to bring our baby girl back into our home within a few months!

WHAT I’VE BEEN WEARING

First & Second Trimester Outfits I Loved

Favorite Nuuly Rentals During Pregnancy

5 Maternity Dresses I Love

PREGNANCY REFLECTIONS

On holding the good and the hard at the same time

On overwhelming peace in a chaotic year

On helping kids navigate their feelings while processing my own

On feeling content and grateful about my last pregnancy (vs sad)

On celebrating and embracing my changing body

How did you decide whether or not to have another kid?

PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT PHOTOS

All photos via Alexandra Madar

MATERNITY PHOTOS

Photos via Joanna Morris

SHOPPING FOR BABY

What I’m *Actually* Buying for Baby #3

Crowdsourced Baby Gear Recommendations

Crowdsourced Diaper Bag Alternatives

EXERCISE

I’ve always been a pretty active person, and have tried to stay active during my pregnancy! When I felt up to it, I’d do short Peloton rides in the first trimester and daily walks. For most of the second trimester, I was active – longer walks, Pilates classes, and longer/more intense Peloton classes or rides. In the third trimester, I’ve exercised A LOT less. I’m still trying to walk daily, but haven’t been as good about it especially on the very hot days (even in September, ugh!).

TRAVEL DURING PREGNANCY

This is typical of me, but I was saying to Eric that I feel like I haven’t traveled very much this year. To which he responded… we’re renovating our house and having a baby and…you also HAVE traveled. 🙈 And looking back on the last nine months, I’ve traveled a bit, even if less than a ‘regular’ year. Here’s a quick breakdown of where I traveled during this pregnancy and when!

~9 weeks pregnant: E and I flew to San Diego for a quick 48-hour trip for a friend’s wedding 🌊

~10 weeks pregnant: went on a girls’ trip to New Orleans with some best friends 👯‍♀️

~ 13 weeks pregnant: spring break family trip to the Cayman Islands! This is when we told Lucy and Winnie we were having a baby!

~16-17 weeks: Ohio family visit

~ 19 weeks: Winnie and Mama ‘just us’ trip to New York City (and lots of ‘NYC with kids’ ideas saved here & here)

~ 20 weeks: an epic trip to Marrakech, Morocco with my dear friend, Liz (here’s my Marrakech travel guide with more ideas saved here)

~23-24 weeks: another trip to Ohio

~28 weeks pregnant: tagged along on E’s work trip to Santiago, Chile

~29 weeks pregnant: family California road trip