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Baby Diamond – Week 37

 

Week 37

Happy Sunday! I hope you all are enjoying a wonderful weekend thus far. I’m checking in today with a bump update. As you can tell from the picture above, I am definitely in the final stretch. In fact, today we hit the 38 week mark which means that Baby Girl Diamond could greet us anytime during the next three weeks. Her due date is two weeks from today but my doctor induces at 41 weeks. I can’t imagine having her inside me for another three weeks as I’m so excited to meet her and things are starting to get pretty uncomfortable.

This past month of pregnancy has been a whirlwind and while I’ve shared lots of updates on Instagram I haven’t shared as many posts on the blog as I initially planned. This was due in part to the fact that I didn’t realize so many people were interested in addition to just being a bit overwhelmed by work, getting ready for Baby Girl and trying to squeeze the most out of each day and week. But, after hearing feedback from you guys that you’d love to read more about pregnancy, I have a few posts going live this week including my third trimester favorites and a peak into our nursery. In addition, I have lined up ten wonderful guest posts featuring healthy recipes that you all will be able to enjoy later this month when I’m too focused on Baby Girl Diamond and recovery to blog very often.

Let’s dive into the latest and greatest details of this pregnancy, focused on how I felt last week, May 28th through June 3rd during Week 37 of pregnancy.

Baby Size: The most exciting moment this month was when I hit 37 weeks and our doctor shared with me that at this point forward, if Baby Girl Diamond decided to greet us, she most likely wouldn’t have to go to the NICU as she is fully developed! I breathed the largest sigh of relief when I heard this news. As of Week 37 she’s around 6.25 pounds and 18.9 inches or, as The Bump app stated, as big as Romaine lettuce.

Weight Gained: After only gaining around 20 pounds the first two trimesters, I’ve been a bit shocked by the weight I’ve gained during the third trimester. As of Tuesday I’ve gained 33 pounds, which I worried was cause for alarm but my doctor reassured me that I’m right on track. In addition,  the warmer weather and visible swelling could mean that some of this is water retention. Since I’m still staying active and am not experiencing any other side effects, she has no issue with the fact that I’ve gained 33 pounds.

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Workouts: I am still enjoying working out and moving daily whether that is in a class setting or getting out of the house for a long walk.  I took one preantal pilates class at Aline Pilates, three Orangetheory Fitness classes, did one at home YouTube Prenatal Strength workout and enjoyed two long walks. This week was the first time that I chose to use the spin bike as my cardio during Orangetheory versus incline walking as Friday my body just wasn’t feeling the incline. I love that Orangetheory has so many options (elliptical, treadmill, rower or spin bike) for the cardio portion. Based on how swimming felt today when I went to the pool,  I have a feeling that Week 38 will include at least a few swim sessions as the weightless feeling and the ability to get my heart rate up while staying cool was a welcome change.

Cravings: I am craving ice cream EVERY single evening. Luckily, as I discussed on Instagram stories last night, there are many wonderful, local ice cream shops within walking distance of our apartment. I am really enjoying the evening stroll each night around our neighborhood while cooling off with a scoop of ice cream. While some people have questioned this amount of sugar, I have no issues with it since it is far less processed than other options and it’s what I’m craving. After this pregnancy I think I have done enough research to share my favorite South Brooklyn ice cream locations as I’ve done plenty of research. Until then, I can say that right now Milkmade is my absolute favorite spot! Other than ice cream, I’m craving smoothies and yogurt for breakfast, salads or sandwiches for lunch and trying to ensure that both lunch and dinner have plenty of protein.

Food Aversions: Since the warm weather is causing my entire body to swell, I’m trying to avoid salty foods as much as possible. Other then that, I’m not really having any aversions other than the fact that I still can’t manage to finish a cup of coffee which blows my mind. I find it easier to drink iced coffee than hot coffee but I’m still not finishing a small iced coffee until hours later.

Symptoms: If you’re pregnant, and REALLY want to know the symptoms I’m experiencing, then read this section and click the links. If not, skip over to sleep. During brunch today, I joked with my friend Mary, that ignorance was bliss. I didn’t know many of these symptoms existed until I reached the Week 37 and 38 section of pregnancy books or apps this week. Sure enough, I’m experiencing many of them including lovely things like lightening crotch and cheeseburger crotch.  I’m thankful that Doctor Google, and my doctor, both recommended Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads for quick relief.  In addition, I’ve had some contractions this week, but nothing at a regular interval.  When I visited my doctor on Tuesday she said that my cervix was fully softened but I wasn’t dilated yet. It seems like Baby Girl wants to keep baking, but we’ll see what happens.

Sleep: Sleep has been either amazing, like last night’s ten hours, or horrible. I have started listening to my body and taking a nap around 3pm each day. At this time each day I feel as if I could fall asleep standing so instead of having caffeine or trying to push through, I move from my home office to the bedroom and close my eyes for 30 minutes. The three days I was able to do it last week were amazing and this short nape left me feeling energized for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Wearing: Anytime I see people multiple times in a week, I laugh to myself as they are most likely seeing me in one of three outfits – this versatile yet stylish black dress, this striped dress, or these soft, thin leggings and a v-neck t-shirt. I am so thankful for these pieces as they are comfortable and somewhat flattering. I’ve stopped wearing my underwire bra and instead am wearing nursing bras as they are more comfortable at this point while also providing support. As I’ve shared on Instagram and Insta Stories, my ankles and size 10 feet are a thing of the past, so I’m wearing compression socks at night and one of three shoes during the day – my Rose Gold Birkenstocks which can thankfully be adjusted, my new Sperry shoes which I’m loving and my Brooks PureFlow 6 which I ordered in a larger size during my second trimester.

Other Random Thoughts: Now that her nursery is fully stocked and we have finished everything on our list, I am so excited to meet her and can’t imagine waiting another three weeks, if I have to get induced at 41 weeks. We are really hoping that she comes sooner versus later but until then, we plan to take everyone’s advice and enjoy as much sleep and relaxation during the weekends and evenings as possible. I am so thankful with how wonderful this pregnancy has been thus far. I know so many people who have experienced difficult pregnancies and had no clue what to expect when we started this journey. Some weeks have felt longer than others but the joy of the journey and sharing it with Bo and our friends and family has been incredible.

Your turn – I want to make this as helpful as possible for you guys so please let me know if you have any questions at all. As you know, nothing is off limits.

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Our Favorite Items At The 2017 New York Baby Show

New York Baby Show

Last weekend, Bo and I had the opportunity to attend the 2017 New York Baby Show thanks to Momtrends. Each year Momtrends partners with the New York Baby Show to host an exclusive blogger and media lounge as well as provide information about the show to their members in advance. The information we received in advanced helped our first experience at the 2017 New York Baby Show feel less overwhelming since we knew which brands would be there and could map out a list of priority brands.

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With over 200 exhibitors and brands present, we spent more than three hours chatting with brand representatives, experiencing and interacting with products and listening to experts such as Dr. Harvey Karp, the author of Happiest Baby on The Block, share tips and tricks with attendees. I love that the event featured not only large brands such as Uppababy, Baby Bjorn, and Canon but also small, new-to-the market brand as well as local services.  We were even able to learn newborn and child photography tips from Jennifer Borget, the blogger and photographer behind the blog, Cherish 365! We were so impressed with her tips and tricks that we even purchased her Canon photography course, Child’s Play: Simple Tips for Photographing Children.

canon

Here are a few the items we fell in love with at the New York Baby Show.

Baby Tripster – As everybody knows from your experience with Tupperwares, one of the most annoying things is matching lids with containers. As far as we know, even most of the systems designed for toddlers and little ones have detachable lids. This system is designed with a hinged lid so that you’ll never have to match the lids nor worry about your little one throwing the lid on the street. In addition, it is the world’s first and only guaranteed leak-proof travel food container. They highlight using the containers with fruit and yogurt, but you can use for anything. Made out of dishwasher safe and shatterproof materials and also nest within each other for easy storage.

Baby Tripster

StorkSak Aubrey– After reading numerous reviews of various bags posed as “Dad Bags” and knowing that he prefers the look of a messenger bag over a backpack, this bag is a perfect option for Bo. Made out of canvas and leather, the bag looks like it could be a brief case or gym bag, but under the flap it has all the things you expect in a diaper bag such as changing pad, insulated bottle storage and wipe-clean interior.  The one he’s wearing below was our second favorite bag, the Sandy, which is super lightweight and looks like a chic gymbag while featuring all the bells and whistles of a diaper bag.

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Dadbag

Bare Air Free Baby Bottles – Choosing baby bottles has been so overwhelming thus far. Every friend or website has a different “best recommendation” and at the end of the day, rumor has it, that our baby will decide which bottle she likes best. Every bottle has a different benefit that the brand highlights. But, before the New York Baby Show, we had not heard of a bottle that combines two important qualities – replicating the breast experience and reducing gas. Bare’s unique anti-colic technology delivers air-free milk while also allowing for babies to use the bottle in a natural, upright feeding position. The shallow perfe-latch nipple also minimizes nipple confusion and makes it easier for babies to switch back and forth between nipple and bottle.

 

This is a sponsored story via Momtrends. As always, all opinions regarding the New York Baby Show and featured brands are my own and are honest.

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Spring Florals and A Giveaway

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It’s so ironic. Over the past 36 weeks, my body has done one of the most feminine acts possible, growing a child, though I for most of the time, I have not felt very feminine. As I began my pregnancy, I spent time reading multiple books, blogs and perusing baby apps. Every single one promised me the same thing – an incredible pregnancy glow. While my face has enjoyed a bit of a glow and tan thanks to chloasma, this glow and artificial tan has not left me feeling pretty.

There comes a point in pregnancy when nothing starts to fit and getting dressed, even for a work from home job, becomes a battle and teary-eyed breakdown just waiting to happen. I’ve experienced this during three different points in pregnancy:

  • Week 15 or so, when I felt bloated and as if I’d had a giant burrito for lunch that kept my pants from buttoning.
  • Week 26 or so, just when Spring and multiple trips and celebrations were about to take place.
  • Week 35 when I started retaining water and even my maternity clothes started to feel uncomortable.

These days, I find myself only wanting to wear my 25 year old XL boxer shorts (Yes, I typed the number 25 next to years and it’s true, I’ve had these Jockey boxer shorts for 25 years. I realize that in itself is a topic for an entirely separate post.) and an oversized long-sleeved t-shirt because these are the two most comfortable articles of clothing I own. Even though I have built a wardrobe of 10-15 different maternity pieces, at this point in pregnancy, many of them no longer feel comfortable. The t-shirts are getting a bit too small, the dresses a bit too short and the leggings a bit too tight, especially in my calves.

Since the pregnancy weight gain has made me revert back to some of my high school and college fashion tendancies, when I was over 200 pounds, I realize now that I spent much of my pregnancy trying to camoflauge my body. Part of this was due to being pregnant in Winter when almost all New York Women dress in head to toe black. But, even beyond that, I’ve done little to draw attention to my bump or new, round shape.

It wasn’t until Pink Blush reached out to me, offering to send me a dress for my upcoming bridal shower, that I realized many pregnant women opt for vibrant colors and prints even during their third trimester. The pictures I saw of real women on their site gave me hope that there was a place for Spring florals in my wardrobe.

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For those of you who haven’t heard of Pink Blush previously, it is not only a maternity brand. In fact, their site is filled with Women’s, Women’s Plus and Maternity clothing ranging from their famous dresses and tops to shoes, active wear and even accesories. Their large selection of reasonably priced maternity dresses and tops have made them famous within the maternity clothing scene as their quality, selection and price point is beyond your imagination! Their variety of styles, patterns and prints allow any woman, regardless their shape or size, to find something that will make them feel feminine and pretty.

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I fell so in love with the Pink Blush Mint Floral Sash Tie Dress that I have worn it for multiple occasions over the past six weeks.  The v-neckline flatters while also allowing for this dress to transition into a nursing-friendly dress after pregnancy. Even with my growing bump, the long length allows the dress to skim my ankles. But, my favorite part of the dress was the way the vibrant aqua and pink colors finally helped me find that elusive pregnancy glow.

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Inspired by their 25% of Memorial Day Sale email, this week I ordered a few things to enjoy in the coming weeks and months:

Your Turn –  CONTEST OVER – WINNER IS #27 – Sarah. Want to enter the giveaway for a $75 PinkBlush gift card?  Leave a comment letting me know what ONE topic you’d like to see more of on the blog. The giveaway will end Monday at 10pm EST. 

Thank you to Pink Blush for sponsoring this giveaway and for the gorgeous dress. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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