Utah is Where the Heart Is | 29 Weeks

I'm 29 weeks pregnant, and I realized I haven't done a very good job of documenting this pregnancy. I mean, we've taken plenty of blog photos and I've certainly written (vented) about my experience, but I've never filled out one of those cute little questionnaires that go into topics I wouldn't otherwise think to write about. So I found one online. Here goes: 

How far along: 29 weeks!

Total weight gain: Yeah I'm definitely not answering that. Ha!

Maternity clothes: My wardrobe is shrinking... exponentially. It's not just the fact that most things don't fit, but the comfort factor is also huge. I can't (and I mean can't) wear something if it isn't comfortable. I basically live in maternity leggings, yoga pants, and... that's it. I do have maternity jeans, but I only wear them when I'm feeling extra ambitious. The few shirts that I like (and that actually fit me) are on constant repeat.

Stretch marks: I've actually been really lucky in that department. With my first pregnancy I only really got them on my upper thighs and behind... which, can I say is extremely odd? I mean, my stomach grew beyond belief during pregnancy. My thighs, on the other hand, barely grew at all and that's where the stretch marks show up? I'd rather have them on my stomach, because I'm not a bikini wearer, but the thigh marks definitely show in swim wear. Anyway, this pregnancy has followed suit. My stomach is still mark free, but the marks are reappearing on my thighs (they faded a lot after my first pregnancy). I'm interested to see if this is all I get, or if I get more as time goes on. I feel fortunate to have a husband who thinks they're beautiful. I just have to get over my own skewed, self-conscious thoughts and appreciate them for what they represent.

Sleep: We got a new bed and mattress last fall, and it's positively dreamy. I sleep so much better this pregnancy because of it. I still have to make the nightly bathroom trips that interrupt my shuteye, and when I feel particularly anxious about something my sleep really suffers. This has always been the case for me, but it's definitely heightened during pregnancy (blame it on the hormones I guess).

Best moment of this week: Oh my, this is a tough one. I've had such a wonderful week. So many quality, beautiful moments with my cute little family. The best pregnancy related moment? Definitely going to my new doctor a few days ago. My husband just changed jobs, so our health insurance also changed. At 29 weeks--7 months pregnant-- I had to go to a new doctor! I was a bit nervous to say the least. Fortunately, she was amazing. She spent a good half-hour getting to know me, answering my questions, and easing my general fears about what's to come. My favorite moment was hearing the heartbeat of course, but I also really enjoyed scheduling out all the rest of my appointments. I was able to schedule everything up to my due date, and it was shocking (in a good way) how few I have left. It made me realize just how quickly this baby boy is going to come!

Miss anything: Sushi, running, and my wardrobe. But honestly, those things are nothing compared to the gift I've been given.

Movement: This boy is constantly on the move! That was actually one of my fears that my doctor eased the other day. I don't remember Klair moving nearly this much. Even Sam commented on how much more active this he is. It made me wonder if maybe we're destined for an extremely hyperactive kid. My doctor informed me that unlike my last pregnancy, this time around the placenta is behind the baby. Thus, he's right up front and I can feel every single little movement. That was comforting tidbit of info because my stomach is non-stop rippling with what appears to be his perpetual dance moves.

Food cravings: Earlier in this pregnancy I really craved savory things. I'm usually a sweets lover, but my preference became chips over chocolate. Now I'm back to craving chocolate again. Also, unlike my first few months of pregnancy, I'm able to eat vegetables again so I've been trying to pack them in as much as possible.

Anything making you queasy or sick: The nauseousness is finally gone (it took until about 22 or 23 weeks for it to subside) but I have noticed a return of heartburn the last week or so, and my appetite seems to have decreased... I'm guessing both are due to a stomach that's getting more and more squished as time goes on. And, although I can't eat a lot in one sitting without feeling sick, I have noticed that I need to be eating small amounts constantly. This boy demands it. If I don't keep up on my proteins, I feel absolutely exhausted.

Have you started to show yet: HAHAHA! I guess this questionnaire was meant for an earlier stage in pregnancy. I feel like I'm carrying around a bowling ball.

Gender: Boy! A beautiful bouncing baby boy (literally on the bouncing part).

Labor signs: In the last couple of weeks I've started having Braxton Hicks contractions. I didn't recognize them as such, because I didn't have them last time until right before Klair was born. I didn't really think it was a possibility to feel them this early. But my doctor informed me that it's normal in your second pregnancy to feel them much earlier (sometimes even in the second trimester) and it suddenly dawned on me that this explained what I'd been going through. Despite the pain, I was very happy to discover that these pre-labor contractions will likely help things move along faster this time.

Belly button in or out: Half and half. I wish it was just one or the other, but it's in this awkward in between phase. I suppose it's kind of amusing.

Wedding rings on or off: I'm less bloated/swollen now than I was earlier on. I think it probably has to do with the fact that I can actually keep water down these days. I can get my wedding ring on, but I have this fear that my fingers will swell up and it will get stuck. I wear the fake one Sam got me for Christmas a lot more because it's just a little big on me and makes me feel slightly safer.

Happy or moody most of the time: Both. My emotions are all over the place. When I'm happy, I'm flying high. And when I'm down, I am down. The slightest things can set me off and it's taking some very real diligence and concentration to try and keep my patience in check. Fortunately I have the sweetest toddler ever and the most supportive husband a girl could ask for. They have been amazing throughout this emotional roller coaster I've been on.

Looking forward to: A little weekend getaway with my husband! We were supposed to do it for my birthday... in December. But there has been so much sickness going back and forth between us that we haven't been able to get away. This weekend we're actually going to make it happen, and I'm so excited to spend some quality one on one time with the love of my life.

So there you have it! That was actually pretty fun to fill out, and maybe it will be of use if I ever decide to take the plunge and do this pregnancy thing again. 

Also, this post would not be complete without mentioning the beautiful pieces from Bellezamia Jewelry that are featured in the photos above. The necklace is my absolute favorite. It's a gold disc with Utah engraved on it, and a heart where Salt Lake City is. There is also a tiny blue topaz gem for my birthstone. Bellezamia offers every state, and she let's you pick where you want the heart and the birthstone that you want. All of her jewelry is handmade and beauitfully crafted. She also sent me these pretty little crystal drop earrings which I love. You can check out her jewelry on Etsy and follow her for updates and deals on Instagram.

Bellezamia Jewelry

Etsy | Instagram 

I also need to mention my hair, because I'm pretty excited about it. I tried out a new hairstyle that I saw on Pinterest--the thin braided headband. It was extremely easy to execute, and it has become one of my new favorite go to styles. simply take a chunk of hair from next to your ear, braid it, wrap it over your head, and secure it on the other side with a bobby pin. It's almost too easy, and it adds a little intrigue to either straight or wavy hair down days.

And, speaking of hair, one last thing (this post is kind of all over the place isn't it). Klair got her haircut today. She's been needing a trim for awhile, but I've been putting it off because I didn't know what to do with her lovely golden locks. I really like the length and knew I wanted to keep that, but her bangs have been a bit of a conundrum. She has extremely straight, fine hair that naturally wants to grow forward. I thought that the fineness of her hair would make straight-across Zooey bangs look too wispy, but honestly it's what her hair wants to do. My best friend and hair stylist told me she thought Klair had enough hair to pull it off, and I'm glad I listened. I absolutely love her new bangs. They frame her face so well, and make those adorable little cheeks more pronounced. Klair even loves it! She couldn't get enough of looking at herself in the mirror today, and she kept telling me "Mama, I look beautiful!" I have to agree. She really is the cutest.

Also, I must say that she was extremely well behaved at the salon. She just sat there looking a little intimidated, but she didn't protest. She held still when we asked (with the help of a little Daniel Tiger on my phone) and let my friend work her hair stylist magic. I was pretty proud of Klair's behavior, and extremely grateful it went so well... and with such favorable results!

Necklace and Earrings: Bellezamia Jewelry | Blue Tee: Target | Maternity Jeans: Motherhood | Tan Leather Jacket: Target (similar) | Tan Booties: Old Navy (similar)