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Use code BF19665 for an extra 15% off of dress and cape.
Happy Cyber Monday! Now that it’s officially December and the Christmas season, I couldn’t wait to share my first holiday party look/my first trimester bumpdate. This dress and faux fur cape are both from SheIn. They’re currently running a Cyber Monday sale with an extra 15% off with code BF19665. I did size up in the dress, since I was unsure how much I would be showing at this point. It does run a little small in my opinion, but it is gorgeous. I plan to wear this to Jake’s anesthesia Christmas party in a couple of weeks (if it still fits). I just love this cape and it’s perfect to add to any holiday look.
First Trimester Bumpdate
How Far Along Am I/Due Date? I am 16 weeks and now 2 weeks into the second trimester. I’m due May 16, 2020. I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy is going by! We found out before I was 4 weeks, which is very early.
Physical Changes: As of 13 weeks I started to get a teeny tiny bump. I had one earlier around 9 weeks, but it didn’t last long and it was just bloating at that point. The bump has not been very noticeable yet with clothes unless I wear a tight dress, but we can definitely feel a bump. Right now I don’t necessarily look pregnant; it just looks like i’ve gained a little weight unless I do the signature “pregnancy pose” with my hand on my stomach. I do think I am a bit bloated after Thanksgiving though. My chest has also grown significantly. I feel like I am at least a cup size bigger now. As of my last OB appointment on Nov. 22, I have somehow had no weight gain from my pre-pregnancy weight. But I’m sure that’s also changed after Thanksgiving! I didn’t eat the most healthy during my first trimester due to aversions, so now I am focusing on eating healthy and exercising.
Was This Planned?When I’ve told people I know in real life that I’m pregnant, one of the first questions I’ve gotten over and over is “was this planned?” It has been mostly men asking this question. I am a little surprised by this question, as one it’s very personal and two I really don’t see how people can accidentally get pregnant (unless they were on birth control that somehow didn’t work), but yes, it was very much planned. I shared more about that in our announcement post here.
How Do You Feel/Symptoms? Now that I’m in the second trimester I am feeling great! My energy is mostly back and my morning nausea has completely disappeared. During the first trimester I was completely exhausted. I would come home from work and not get off of the couch until bedtime. I would also go to bed by 8 p.m. at the latest. I’m usually such a night owl, so that was very different for me. I also had nausea first thing in the morning or when I got hungry, but luckily it was cured by food. I am very lucky that my nausea was not too bad compared to so many women and that I only got sick once. My earliest pregnancy symptom was cramping. I was convinced I would be starting my period soon. I also had a lot of cramping during the first month, which worried me.
Cravings: My biggest cravings have been ranch dressing, Chick-Fil-A, cheese, pizza and breakfast foods. There was one week where I ate breakfast foods for 3 meals every day. I am still very much craving ranch and cheese. My sweet mother-in-law picked me up some ranch dip and cheese on Thanksgiving for a pre-meal snack since I told my hubby I was craving it.
Aversions: Unfortunately my aversions were to healthy foods. I was doing low carb before pregnancy and, of course, discontinued that as soon as we found out. Luckily I am over my aversions. My aversion were to salad, most veggies, and meat by itself, like a plain chicken breast.
Do you know the gender? We do! We did the SneakPeek Early Gender DNA Test at 11 weeks. This is a blood test that is 99.1% accurate and we found out the results on Halloween. I will be sharing the gender reveal in a few weeks after I do my anatomy ultrasound just to 100% confirm.
Have you picked a name/will you share it? Jake and I are in-between 2 names right now, but are not set on one yet. I am not planning on sharing the name on social media or my blog until the baby is born.
How do you plan to include motherhood content on your blog? To be honest I haven’t really planned that far yet. I do plan to include what I learn about motherhood and my motherhood journey on my blog though. I do realize that not all of my readers have children though, so I don’t plan to convert to being a “mom blogger” at all. I think my content will be pretty similar to what it is now, but I will also include posts every now and then on motherhood. I also take most of my own photos, so I am sure the baby will be in a lot of my posts unless Jake is keeping it.
Products I started using when I found out I was pregnant? I started a pre-natal vitamin months before I got pregnant. My primary care physician recommended getting on a pre-natal at least 3 months before trying to conceive. As soon as I got pregnant I started using Palmers Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Cream, Preggie Pop Drops for nausea, a pregnancy pillow and these cozy pjs. I also use the What To Expect app for tracking my pregnancy.
Products I stopped using: Hairspray/dry shampoo (there is not much research on these products, so I stopped using them. They very well are probably fine to use, but I am one of those paranoid first time moms), retinol (make sure it’s not in your shampoo too. I was surprised to find it in several shampoos I have). I went through the rest of my beauty products and got them approved my my OB.
Thank you so much for reading! If you have any questions, please let me know! Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?
I’m shocked that people ask if it was planned!
Jennifer
https://www.effortlesslysophisticated.com/2019/12/november-favourites-2-4/
Author
I am too. It has caught me off guard. It’s mostly been men who’ve asked that question.
Hi Courtney , the title of bumpdate is very well thought up ! This dress is gorgeous on you, perfect for parties and Christmas related events. I love lace. The Christmas tree is beautifully decorated. I got so busy I didn’t get to add a question! Wow 2 weeks into the new trimester already! It will go fast, but it is important to take it all in this special time . Weight gain is not always common early in pregnancy. It will be good to exercise but not to overdo it ! I really cannot stand that people ask that question, The fact that they know the answer( or not ) does not change that a Baby will be born in a number of months. I am glad you have energy back, nausea is not a nice feeling, and I am glad the cramping has subsided. The wonderful world of cravings! They are some good foods though to crave. How fun for you to know the baby gender, I was a traditionalist in that I didn’t want to know for our 4 kids. You have time with the name , our Daughter was 3 days old before we decided on her name. The pre natal pills are a good idea before conceiving. It is very forward thinking to have your beauty products approved . You are on a safe path going forward! Christmas shopping is still happening here on my side ! Happy Tuesday, Terri xo.
Author
Thanks, Terri! I cannot claim that I came up with the concept of bumpdates, but it’s cute. I cannot believe how fast time is going either. That’s true, my dr. didn’t say anything about my weight. It sounds like when it starts it happens quickly. I am trying to be healthy now that I feel better, but not overdo it. I cannot stand that question either. I’ve had several men I’ve told ask me. It’s an odd question haha. Haha yes, I haven’t had too crazy of cravings, but when I want something I cannot stop thinking of it. Aww that would be a fun surprise to wait for the gender. I need to get to shopping, I haven’t done hardly anything. Have a good week 🙂
It is cute Bumpdate! Everyone is different when it comes to the gender reveal! I hope you have fun shopping for the little one Courtney!
Author
Thank you so much, Terri 🙂
I’m so excited and happy for you guys!! This is so fun to follow along on your updates. I had no idea you could take sneak peak test for the gender!! My sister-in-law is due just a couple weeks after you guys. I’m going to have to ask her if she plans on taking that test. (She was telling me they wouldn’t find out the gender until sometime in February.) I’m also so glad to hear you haven’t been too terribly sick.
I can’t wait to see more bump updates! Congrats, again!
Author
Thank you so much, Lindsey! I am excited to share. I didn’t know that either, but it’s supposed to be 99.1% accurate. I guess they test the DNA to determine the sex. It wasn’t at my drs office, so I want to confirm with my dr first. Ahh that is soo exciting. I think normally they make you wait until around 18- 20 weeks for the anatomy scan. I am sooo thankful I haven’t been very sick either.
Why would anyone ask if you planned or not!! Ofcourse it was, lol.
I really like that cape on you.
Author
I know, right? You’d be surprised how many people have asked. It’s all been mostly men lol.
Aw thanks.
Woowww I love Christmas! It’s the best time of the year
Author
Me too! It really is the best time.
I am so excited for you guys, what an exciting time in your lives,
xo,
http://www.lindscatherine.com
Author
Aw thank you. We just cannot wait.