Diary of My Second Trimester

My second trimester is over! I feel like yesterday we were just telling people we were pregnant. If watching a child grow up goes this quickly, I am not ready! The past 2 trimesters have been filled with so much excitement and joy. I cant believe only a few more months to go until we get to meet our sweet little boy. I want to be able to look back at this post and remember how I felt. Plus, I know being pregnant I have read tons of other articles and blogs as well as talked to my other pregnant/momma friends wanting to know if some of the feelings I had were normal. Let me preface this by saying I know every pregnancy is different and I am seriously so grateful that I have overall really felt wonderful during the past 6 months. We can’t wait for his arrival in October!

Black Dress | Steve Madden Shoes | Hat

Symptoms

1. The second trimester meant my nausea (for the most part) went away. If I did get nauseous it was usually because I was dehydrated or over did it. So liquid IV (you can use my code SAMANTHALREY for 25% off + free shipping on their website here) and gatorade zero were my best friends. I also took this water bottle with me everywhere I went. I tried my best to drink 2 of these a day, aka a gallon of water. So crazy but really helped me track.

2. I got a sense of my energy back! The best feeling as I didn’t hit that afternoon wall where I needed to lay down. That meant early morning walks with sky when I was home! I was still able to teach some cyclebar classes but not 5 like I was used to. As the belly got bigger I was literally forced to slow down but thats where I learned grace and listening to my body was the most important. Slowing down while working out wasn’t something I’m used to. Playing college soccer I think we were taught you really push yourself until you really just aren’t sure you’re going to survive it and in pregnancy that just isn’t an option (in my opinion) once you hit a certain point. Even though it did get more challenging, I was still able to lift how I wanted, do HIIT with some modification, and go for slower paced jogs!

3. My nerves were still there but eased up a tad. It’s crazy how they change from worrying about one thing to the other depending on the part of pregnancy you’re in. Second trimester meant our anatomy scan, which I was so excited about! Seeing his fingers and toes (and feet like dads) was amazing. I remember leaving the scan just filled with thankfulness and such answered prayers that he was growing well and comfy in there. Unfortunately, Matt being in season meant he couldn’t come to the scan but were able to FaceTime him in! My mom was able to join thank goodness. So glad she was able to be my by side as I know with Covid, a lot of mommas weren’t able to have anyone.

4. Towards the end of my second trimester I started to understand and get that feeling of wanting to nest. I never really thought it was an actual feeling or more so just something you check off a list. Its a serious feeling! From starting our baby registry, to beginning to plan the design for the nursery and shopping for baby clothes, to wanting to make lists of what needed to be organized and cleaned before he comes, I want to do it all! (and still do). There’s something about wanting to bring a baby home to an organized and clean home and nursery that I can’t explain!

I was able to order his furniture on Wayfair during Memorial Day and Fourth of July Sales which saved us tons! I found his crib on pinterest and realized every picture I was pinning had that crib so I took it as a sign. His dresser was found during the Memorial Day sale as well. I am changing the hardware but it is great quality and I love it! The last thing I just purchased recently was his glider/recliner. Its comfortable, affordable, and goes perfectly with his other furniture. I am saving the big nursery reveal until its finally done, but I am obsessed and find myself wanting to spend time in there and imagine the moments that will be made.

5. The weight gain started and came on quickly. Something I am still learning to accept and understand. I am growing a sweet baby and its all worth it! Thats an entire post in itself, but lets just say its been a struggle to watch my body change, but as time has gone on, I’m learning not to be afraid or ashamed to talk about it as I hope to be an outlet for anyone else that feels the same. I LOVE being pregnant and want my body to do whatever it needs to in order to keep this baby safe, healthy and growing but it doesn’t mean that it won’t be challenging to watch my body change! Gaining weight and finding it to be difficult does not mean you are not thankful and appreciative of what your body is doing. Im finding that it means I just have to be very aware of self-talk. Matt told me recently that its all about my mentality and changing my thoughts from looking at the negative to recognizing the miracle of what my body is doing. And while you would think I knew that all along, him saying that made me take a step back and realize that being pregnant really is the greatest gift and an incredible thing that women’s bodies are able to do. The past week I have actively chosen to change my self-talk and its made a really big difference.

6. I was able to tolerate a salad (something I cant say in my first trimester whatsoever) BUT A HUGE WIN FOR ME! Vegetables were an absolute struggle in my first trimester and still aren’t something I crave whatsoever but I can have a salad without wanting to get sick now! I absolutely prefer going to get one at places like Chopt, Chick Fil A, or Salata rather than make it myself. I have no idea what that is about but im rolling with it.

7. Baby bump means new clothes! And comfy clothes at that! I have been LIVING in Lululemon Align Biker Shorts and these Amazon bump friendly dresses.

8. KICKS, KICKS, AND MORE KICKS. Little man moves and grooves! The funniest part is, it’s usually during Matt’s games around 6:30 until 10:00/11:00 pm. The first real kicks I felt were when Matt was up to bat. The most surreal moment and timing at that! It could be because I had enjoyed a cup of dippin dots and little man loves his sugar or he’s already a fan of watching dad play! The second trimester meant a new bond with him because I can feel him move so much. Probably my favorite thing that came out of my second trimester.

11 weeks to go and our son is here! Matt and I are beyond excited and ready to become parents and start this new chapter together. I already find myself going to miss being pregnant but also overjoyed knowing he’ll be here so soon!

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