Saturday, July 20, 2013


now that i'm well on my way into the 2nd trimester (18 weeks now, woooooooooo!!) i thought it would be fun to recap the things that i couldn't live without for the 1st trimester. it took me a while, but now that i am settling into the 2nd trimester, i have never felt better! the 1st trimester wasn't quite so easy on me and these are the things that made life a bit easier...

1. NatureMade Prenatal Vitamins + DHA. i switched to these after my nurse recommended my prenatal have DHA and getting a pretty upset stomach from the first type I took. i have loved these ever since. they are a bit large and hard to swallow at first, but now i'm used to it and love knowing that i am getting baby everything needed, without making myself feel sick.

2. milkshakes. sounds silly, but these were seriously one of the only things that I could consistently eat (read: slurp) for most of the first trimester. not only was my nausea almost constant, but my lack of appetite was worrisome. i pretty much lived off of milkshakes, saltines, hawaiian sweet bread and as much fruit as i could stand. but on an extremely nauseous day, a milkshake was always my go-to for a full belly.

3. Smith's Rosebud Salve. this has been my favorite beauty product for years, but since becoming pregnant i have loved it even more so. not only for chapped, dry lips and cuticles, but this stuff works wonders on those mysterious little dry, itchy spots that pregnancy brings. 

4. Preggie Pop Drops. these preggie pops have absolutely saved my life on more than one occasion. i will admit that the flavors can be a bit intense when you are feeling nauseous, but after a few minutes you can feel the nausea start to subside and actually enjoy the yummy flavors. i have furiously sucked down quite a few of these while walking into a work meeting feeling pukey, and i swear these are the reason i survived puke-free.

5. Leachco Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow. my snoogle, my love! i began having problems sleeping very early in my pregnancy. unable to stand much more, i ordered this pregnancy pillow from amazon and sleeplessly awaited it's arrival. it took me at least three or four nights to actually figure out how to use it to work best for me, and i admit that those first few nights i didn't think it would work at all. but finally after getting myself into the best positions (and realizing that it doesn't have to flip sides with me in the night, but works both ways beautifully) i fell in love. now i can't imagine sleeping without it and i'm wondering how i ever will again post-pregnancy! 

6. What To Expect Pregnancy app. of all the apps of all the land (there are a ton) this one is my go-to. it provides a simple easy to use tracker that i love to glance at daily (i have to know what produce my baby is equally measuring to, right?). but it also provides weekly updates of what your body and your baby are going through. daily tips for both mom & dad and plenty of opportunity to chat with other expecting moms. some other favorite apps are babycenter, the bump and sprout. speaking of, my iphone has been a huge go-to in general. i have found great comfort in listening to pregnancy podcasts, especially when i'm at work. i have gained so much knowledge in all areas of pregnancy and babies from these podcasts. as well as starting to research baby products, building registries and browsing pinterest for baby diy projects.

7. Netflix. absolutely, netflix. most of the time, after getting home from work, crawling into bed with my snoogle and netflix was all the energy i could muster. it was absolutely exhausting and netflix was always there to save the day. not to mention how many wonderful pregnancy and baby documentaries they offer!

8. BKR water bottle. i have always been a heavy water drinker, but pregnancy has seriously turned me into a camel. no wonder pregnant women have to pee every 5 minutes! i carry a water bottle with me at all times and go crazy if i don't have one. i can't explain it, but having a refillable water bottle with me always is a definite must-have.

9. Rifle Paper Co journal. after finding out i was pregnant, i started a journal almost immediately to document anything and everything. maybe this is just my personality showing, but it makes me feel so much better to be able to write down the insane amount of things running through my head. i keep everything in this notebook that i carry with my daily from lists of baby names, to-do lists, nursery purchases, resources to check out, budgets for baby, hospital bag items, stores to check out and photo ideas. i even jot down things i want to blog about and a list of all of my worries (helps to put them on paper and try to get them out of my head). for me, this is a lifesaver and helps me to feel more organized and on top of things. i did purchase this pregnancy journal as well but fell way behind during the sickness of the first trimester. thinking about picking it up again soon.

the first trimester was such an exciting, exhausting and emotional time. i am so grateful to be feeling better now and past so much of the anxiousness that the first trimester brings. i already have my list of 2nd trimester must-haves started and i'm sure the list will continue to grow (along with my belly).

xxxxoooochelsea&baby

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