Baby #2 - 28-Week Bumpdate + Hey 3rd Trimester!

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How Far Along: 28 weeks. 7 months and entering the third trimester :)

Gender: Another boy. Oh my grocery bills.

Name: Yep! We've got a name!

Sleeping? So. Sort of. If I don't take a bath at night to unwind, then I can't sleep. There is something magical about the bath tub right now, so I'm not going to dare jinx it by not taking one every night. My sisters got me some really amazing bubble bath for my birthday this past weekend, and I am loving it so much. So I am really grateful for the tub these days :)

Eating: I'm actually trying to scale back the sugar in this final trimester. Apparently this is a big baby already (pray for me guys), so I don't want to add to the chunkiness by packing on the sugar pounds. If you have great healthy recipes for me, I am all ears. And perhaps some treats that feel indulgent but contain no sugar. It's going to be really hard to experience the holiday season without having a cookie here or there, but I really want to avoid giving birth to a 10-lb. baby if I can help it. So if I bake treats, I will immediately be giving them away this fall. You probably want to be my friend right about now, as I am currently littering my dining room table with fall recipes.

Emotional Check: Honestly, I'm officially a psycho. I don't really know another way to put it. I shared last week that I'm having to scale everything back for the remainder of this pregnancy, and I'm feeling frustrated about it. Sometimes I'm really positive and optimistic, but I definitely get hit with some feelings like "I just want to go run 5 miles right now!!!" and obviously I can't. I'm having to keep my feet up a lot and let other people do all my projects for me, which is just really grating. And then when I feel upset I get even more upset at myself for not remembering to be grateful for this baby and all the kindness and support I have around me and the short season that this is. Soon I know I will be cradling this little sweetheart in my arms and we will be back to figuring out how to exercise and meal plan and all that good stuff. So for now, I know I just need to chill. I'm just having some trouble with it. I can be honest with you, right? This pregnancy has really thrown me for a loop.

I do want to thank you guys for being so encouraging and supportive after last week's post. So many of you reached out on Facebook, Instagram, and the post and shared your experiences and it seriously brought so much hope to my heart. I loved all the suggestions of what to do from a resting position over the next few weeks - you guys are the best! I seriously cherish every comment, so thank you for taking the time to reach out. :)

Movement: Yes. I feel like I'm housing Thor up in here. He feels huge, he moves all the time, and if he keeps jabbing me in the you-know-what I'm going to have to discipline him in the first hours of his life.

I'm serious you guys. The movements aren't feeling like the sweet flutters of Heaven. They are a cross between feeling like contractions and a knife wound.

Looking Forward to: I was going to say ,"ending this pregnancy full-term!", but I want to be a little more positive than that. Obviously, everyone is excited for the changing of the season, and fall is such a dreamy time of year, so I am very much looking forward to cooler temperatures. We worked a lot in the back yard this weekend (by "we" I mean that I saw in my chair and told my husband where to plant everything), so now I have a special place to sip my coffee in the mornings and have prayer time, surrounded by herbs and vegetables and autumn flowers. I'm having to do a lot of self-encouraging these days, which is okay, it's good - it's just been a very unexpected month. That's just life sometimes though, right friends?

Here's to cooler temperatures and a full-term baby! What are you looking forward to for the fall season?

*The photo above is a bit of a lie. It was taken a few weeks ago so it's not an accurate portrayal of today's bump. I'll instagram one later today :)

Happening Lately: Scaling Back.

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This is a little bit of a hard one.

I've had a great pregnancy thus far, but about a month ago, things got a bit more challenging. Our month-long stint in New York was wildly adventurous and fun, but I think I might have pushed myself a little too hard. 4 weeks of being in a new place with an active toddler, without any helping hands, and walking miles everywhere might have been too much for me to handle. It's a little hard to admit, actually. It doesn't sound that hard, and I didn't feel like I was running ragged, but unfortunately towards the end of our time up there I had a few episodes of really intense Braxton Hicks and low pelvic pressure that was a little alarming. Like, I suddenly found myself in tears on the floor of Target with sharp pain that felt like labor. I've been in labor before, I remember that pain. These weren't your run-of-the-mill Braxton Hicks. Since I was only at the end of the second trimester, having a few of these episodes (which lasted for about 20 minutes each time) really scared me, and after a call to my midwife back home, I found myself at the White Plains ER. Not the kind of way we wanted to spend our Labor Day :( But the great news is that even though I was feeling crummy, the baby was completely fine (and still is!) and I had no signs of pre-term labor or dilation. Just an exhausted mama who needed to put the feet up. And keep them up.

I have always been told that walking during pregnancy is a good thing, one of the best forms of exercise. So I was really confused about how walking could have brought all of this on. Especially since I am in pretty good shape - I had been lifting light weights, doing Pure Barre, swimming and of course, walking. Apparently, I had just been walking too much, doing too much, pushing too hard for too many weeks. And I was dehydrated, which can bring on really intense Braxton Hicks. Who knew?


Honestly, I have spent the past few weeks reflecting on all of this. It's really hard to wrap my head around, because when I look around me, I see so many pregnant women who are active and doing well. Thriving, even. And you know what? Comparing myself to them doesn't help me feel better about myself. Even comparing myself to my own last pregnancy doesn't help. I've said it before and I'll say it again, comparison is the thief of joy. Okay, Teddy Roosevelt is the one who originally said that, but I really identify with it. I can't look to the right and left and let others' pregnancy experiences inform mine. It's true when they say that every pregnancy is completely different.

So there you have it, friends.

In an effort to ensure that this little man stays inside of me until he is full-term, Stevie and I have decided to scale everything back for the fall. No more travel, no more intensity. No more running on adrenaline for weeks at a time. Just lots of resting at home, snuggling up with blankets and baking and finishing house projects. Stevie's entire side of the family is on a special trip at Disney World this week, and we sadly had to pull out of the fun last minute. (When your midwife recommends that you should only be at the parks for 2 hours in the morning and avoid the heat and walking at all cost, then you re-think those expensive Disney passes :) Plus, walking for forty-five minutes at a time still has me feeling light-headed and brings on some seriously sharp pains, so I can't imagine that would have been super fun at the happiest place on Earth. I'm feeling a little blue today as I think about all the fun they are having together, but we will reschedule our trip for next year and then we will get to bring little man #2 with us, too!

I'm counting my blessings today. I have a healthy baby boy growing steadily inside of me. I just have to take some extra measures for the next few months to rest more than usual. That's not bad news, it's just not my normal. Have any other of you mamas experienced something like this before? Any tips for how to make the fall season festive close to home? I'd love to hear from you, friends. Thanks for letting me air and share this heart of mine. Now I'm gonna go drink my body weight in water and put my feet up. XOX

Multitasking Motherhood.

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Moms wear a lot of hats. And that's not just because we are trying to hide the dirty hair (just an added bonus).

We are busy, we are constantly innovating, continuously problem-solving, multitasking, thinking through the next meal plan and activity and whew - trying to get some laundry done while we're at it. Don't even get me started on full-time career moms because I don't know how they do it. I can only hope they outsource a lot.

All this multitasking can sometimes lead me to forgetting to take care of myself. Being so focused on the family and their well-being is the nurturing gift of being a mom, but I often have to ask myself, "Did I take good care of me today, too?" This past month my family spent our time in New York while the husband tackled a work project. We wanted to keep our family together and enjoy a mini adventure instead of missing dad for an extended period of time. I loved that we got this time together, but wow, it definitely threw off my normal routine, and Everett's, too! We settled into a nice schedule after a week or so, figuring out where to grocery shop and which parks were better (the ones with big water fountains, duh mom). But one thing I had to figure out was how to squeeze in some exercise while not having any free time to myself - no babysitters, no grandmothers to lean on, no school to occupy him for a few hours. Just me and Everett, all day, everyday.

I got creative with our park dates and amped up my "play" self. Made sure to dress properly for the occasion and hightailed it in the stroller to our favorite local destinations for some good old fashioned park time. It might not have been as focused as an hour at the gym or my new barre class obsession, but it was surprisingly athletic! I really believe that if you get intentional with a goal, you can make something happen! We did all the normal park activities, but I leaned in a little more than normal and engaged with him in a really active way. And you know what? It works! How silly is it that just fully committing to the moment could actually give me the exercise I would have never expected to get. I promise, this motherhood gig is full of surprises.

This Isabella Oliver top epitomizes the needs of a multitasking mom, and is something you could wear to the gym, the park or out to dinner, and it would equally serve all purposes beautifully. I wore this on a play date with Everett and Stevie one evening (we had to show Dad the newest of our park finds), and afterward I quickly threw on a different pair of pants and shoes for dinner downtown. We went from the playing on the swings to ordering crepes in about ten minutes flat, and that included freshening my lipstick and throwing on some earrings :)

The pieces in this collection make me realize there are other moms out there who "get it" - the need to take care of your family, take care of yourself, stay active and be flexible with the moments we are given. And feel stylish while doing so (I should have put that higher on the list just now, because who am I kidding - IT MATTERS). The Isabella Oliver brand is attractive because it's created by a mom who recognizes the need for beautiful, transitional clothing for the ebb and flow seasons of motherhood. The amazing part about the fall collection is that almost every piece works beautifully for before and after the baby comes. I think there is something magic in the ruching (and I don't normally care for the look of ruching), but the way it folds can easily accentuate a baby bump or look really slimming when there is no baby bump to display :)

A few other pieces I am loving from the fall collection are this dress (perfect for holiday parties!), this tunic (another multitasking piece), and this top (because seriously, SO cute). If you're into catalogs (I am), you can request one here - and it's a fun read, kind of like a book.

Look 2:
Isabella Oliver Helston Maternity Top, Sebago Claremont Boots, Gap Maternity 1969 Full Panel Skinny Jeans, Kate Spade Stevie Diaper Bag (mine is sold out, similar color here)

Many thanks to Isabella Oliver for sponsoring this post and providing free product. All opinions expressed are my own.

Bohemian Pink Dress (+ a Giveaway with Pink Blush Maternity!)

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Outfit Details:
Pink Blush Maternity Dress (c/o) (on sale now!), Lizard Thicket Booties (sold out, similar styles here, here and here), mix of bangles, head band (perhaps stolen from my sister's bathroom?)

I needed my go-to dress.

A dress that made me feel good, with colors that popped, with details that perhaps distracted from other details, like cellulite and bulge and the other joys associated with this pregnant body of mine.

This Pink Blush Maternity Tribal Embroidered dress nailed it.

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Yes, this dress is loud, it's got fringe, and it looks like something you might see if you peeked inside of a kaleidoscope. But that's kind of the fun of it. And even better, the fit is like butter. This material (a blend of polyester and spandex) skims over my body in just the right way, without clinging, and leaves me feeling confident and actually, really pretty. I guess pink has a way of doing that, but this material really has a way of doing that.

For all of you ladies, do you know about Pink Blush Maternity?? They have an enormous selection of styles (both pregnancy and non-pregnancy!), and I am especially addicted to their maternity dresses, which have me in the dangerous practice of filling my online shopping cart to the brim. Don't tell Stevie :)

I love the bell sleeves, the off-the-shoulder detail and the easy way this dress dances a bit as I walk. It's the kind that can be dressed up for a dinner date with heels and a clutch or dressed down with flats and a topknot. The possibilities are endless. Which is really necessary when I'm working from a small pool of maternity clothes in my closet!

I am overjoyed to be partnering with Pink Blush Maternity today to give one lucky Oy! reader a $75 gift card! Follow the prompts in the Rafflecopter below to enter - and good luck!

Also, I've linked below to a few of my favorite Pink Blush Maternity picks for fall - as the seasons change (and this bump continues to grow!), my wardrobe has to adapt, right?

Many thanks to Pink Blush Maternity for sponsoring this post and sending me the product. All opinions expressed are my own.

Pregnancy Presents + a Giveaway with That Glow Co.!

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Today I'm teaming up with That Glow Co. to share some pregnancy gift ideas and to giveaway a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Trimester Gift Box to one lucky reader! Details below :)

Pregnancy is such a special, insane whirlwind of a time. Especially in the first few months, when you might feel sick (really sick), but you're not really telling people yet. I shared the news with my family and best friends early on, but chose to wait until 14ish weeks to really start telling others.

A few of my dear friends were really thoughtful during those early days of this particular pregnancy. My friend Liz hand delivered some 1st-trimester-friendly snacks right to my door, including her favorite popcorn snack and organic ginger ale. Just a few things that she had grown to love along the way of having her own children. My sweet friend Natalie mailed me a slew of Preggie Pops, because someone had told her those help with early nausea. These little gestures made me feel so loved during a time when I could barely move or take good care of myself. I am so grateful to these sweethearts for taking the extra time to think of me and make me feel special. We all need that during pregnancy!

That Glow Co. curates gift boxes especially with the pregnant mama in mind. Based on which stage you are in your pregnancy, the boxes are tailored for the needs and desires of that particular trimester. They kindly sent me a 2nd-Trimester box, which was stocked with pregnancy essentials, including snack goodies, beauty treats, survival must-haves, even a mocktail! It is packaged so pretty and really would make the perfect gift for that friend, sister, cousin or loved one who is going through the exciting and sometimes challenging season of pregnancy.

A few photos below of our own unboxing situation. P.S. Lately, when anything comes in the mail for me, suddenly my toddler thinks it's a gift for him, too. Repercussions from birthday month. Kid ate all my treats!

This was THE BEST tasting cookie. And it was loaded with folic acid and a slew of other vitamins and minerals, making it a "healthy" cookie?!

For some reason the nail file and nail polish aren't pictured here, but it looked the same shade as what's already on my nails :) Meaning, I love it.

This one made me laugh. A little compact mirror that says, "Objects in mirror are sexier than they appear".

Wine!!! Okay, it's fake wine. But it tasted delish and it was at least from wine country.

See? Kid totally consumed all my treats. It's a good thing I like him so much.

Now for a giveaway! One lucky reader will win a That Glow pregnancy box, in the trimester of your choice. You can choose to send it to yourself (if you're pregnant!) or you can have it mailed as a gift to a loved one who is expectant! Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Please note, you must leave a comment on this post in order to be entered for the giveaway :)

Many thanks to That Glow Co. for sending me this gift and sponsoring this giveaway. You can find That Glow Co. on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.