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taken at 16 weeks

We are just over 19 weeks pregnant now and trucking through this second trimester. As it's been going along, I've been feeling different things, my body is really changing and I'm experiencing things I've never been told in my life before I'd be going through while pregnant but, maybe that's because I never asked or did the research. But today, I thought I'd share those not so glamorous items with you to really give you the insights of being pregnant... at least what it's been like for me.



Dry Skin // Kind of normal, kind of not. This kind of dry skin is nothing like I was prepared for. It's like my whole body is shedding a layer of skin every single week. I have eczema as it is and use some intense moisturizers to maintain some dew but man, it's relentless. After going through jars upon jars of Jergen's I've switched to the Intensive Repair Body Cream by Eucerin for my whole body and focus on my belly with Burt's Bees Mama Belly Butter. It's helping thus far but as I stretch... everywhere, my skin is turning from dry peely to dry scaly so I basically have spots all over my body that are really rough and won't tan resulting in some beautiful white spots on my thighs, stomach and armpits. Weird.

Round Ligament Pain // This is not a joke. Around week 15 I started to really feel pains in my stomach and uterus and had heard about that happening with the stretching occurring but just in the last week, baby girl has almost doubled in size and that shit hurts. It tends to be more painful when I'm laying down and it's like nothing I can explain. Not quite cramping or sharp pains but seriously a stretch with pains and cramping all in one? Maybe that's the best way to describe it? Who knows, but my Dr did say this is normal and get ready for it because it's only just beginning.

Colostrum // This is so embarrassing yet so magnificent how God built the female body. Over the weekend while 18 weeks pregnant, I was showering and noticed this milky substance seeping from my boobs. Naturally, I tried wiping it off and cleaning it not thinking much but it kept happening. I screamed for my husband and showed him and freakishly asking him "AM I LACTATING?!". Talk about a newbie... after a little digging and a call to my Dr (she's probably so sick of me) it was confirmed this is called Colostrum. Basically my body is getting ready to begin lactating when Emery comes and this won't stop over the second half of my pregnancy. I was told to invest in some breast pads to conceal and manage the leaking so... yeah. There's that.

Discharge // Another totally embarrassing thing but it's normal and again, something I knew nothing about. It's common when your uterus is stretching and making room for baby that your lady area will build up a lot more discharge. It hasn't been too extreme (thank heavens) but it's happening. I've become accustomed to carrying thin pantie liners in my purse to stay clean and dry. Gross.

Emotions Galore // Let's just call this what it is and admit I'm basically bipolar right now. Over the last few years I've really learned my emotions and how to control and manage them without blowing things up and what not so as I've been a complete mess the last few months, I just sit and cry telling Andrew "I just don't know why I'm crying!". Story of every pregnant chicks life. It really hit me on Friday night when Andrew and I were talking about Disney movies. I brought up Toy Story 3 and immediately started bawling. Not like normal tears but full on convulsions, wet nose, screaming CRYING. I can truthfully say I've never cried that hard in my entire life. I guess Andy saying goodbye to his toys really hit me in that sweet spot for some reason. Talking about it now, I'm totally fine but that night... good heavens! You would've thought Andrew died or something.

Aches & Pains // Um, basically my whole body aches. It's like I've worked out really hard and everything is sore but it goes down to the bone. I really notice it in my lower back, pelvis and shins. I've been requesting massages left and right from my honey which isn't his thing so pedicures are my new favorite thing. I literally ask them to just rub my feet double the time because I'm so achy. With my pelvis, it's such a weird feeling. When I sneeze and blow my nose it aches, people. I didn't expect that but I'm sure it's common again for a lot of woman as our uterus is stretching all around there.

Constipation // This is the worst. I know it gets even more intense when I'm taking my nausea medicine (Zofran) but what's worse? Nausea or constipation? I vote nausea. I've really been intentional about getting enough greens and fiber in my diet even adding a fiber supplement into my yogurt and juices but it still is painful. All honesty, its about a week between each time I can relieve myself and it's not enough when it happens. Ugh- pregnancy is so glamorous.




Okay, I think I've been honest enough and embarrassed myself fully so let's wrap this up. All this being said, I'm in complete awe of how God created female though. To think of all the things we women endure and go through to bring our sweet babies into the world is indescribable and my body is doing exactly what God intended it to do while carrying our little miracle. I still pinch myself as it gets closer and closer and we check things off our to-do list. We are so blessed and can't wait to meet our little lady!