Tag Archives: pregnancy

Pregnancy Update: 40 Weeks+

Past my due date and ready to meet this baby boy!

5 to 39 weeks 2

Well, I made it to and past my due date. As you can see, it’s been quite a transformation of my body over the last nine months. I now think it’s hilarious that I was feeling “fat” around the time that I got pregnant. Ah what a difference some perspective makes.

37 to 39 weeks 2

The 39 week photo was taken on Sunday, just two days before I officially hit 40 weeks. Maybe I’ll get an “official’’ 40-week shot this weekend (more on timing below)…

Before I skip ahead to all of the updates, I thought I’d link to some of my bigger pregnancy posts here for those of you who are going through it now. Hopefully some of my posts will be helpful to you!

Links to previous pregnancy posts:

Like I said above, Tuesday was my due date. It ended up being a somewhat eventful day, actually (ironic since up until my appointment that afternoon I was going insane with boredom and overall wanting to just be done). Anyway, when I saw my doctor late that day, most things looked good. The baby’s heartbeat was still going strong, his head was still down, and I was measuring on track. Oh yeah, and no dilatation to be seen. Nada. However, during my ultrasound, she noticed that my fluid levels were a little low. Very long story short, I headed straight to the hospital for a few hours of IVs and some monitoring. It actually wasn’t that bad; my doctor assured us that this was really nothing to worry about at the moment, and Matt and I were overall pretty calm and cool about it. The rehydration seemed to go smoothly and my fluid levels were back on track by the time we finished. Oh yes, and the baby kicks were back to crazy during that time too (maybe they were slightly more mild that afternoon?). So other than the two of us being starrrrrrrving by the time that all ended (don’t make a pregnant woman skip dinner), it was all really okay. And thanks to a couple giant slices of late-night pizza, I didn’t hurt anyone.

For now, I’m supposed to just keep counting kicks and I’m actually going back in this afternoon to check the fluid levels again and get an updated baby measurement. Hopefully everything will still look good, but if my levels are low again, there is a chance they will need to induce me. As long as the baby as healthy I’m completely fine with that. And really at this point I’m dying to meet him and kiss his little face. If everything looks good and I’m still pregnant, then we will schedule an induction for the end of next week. We are certainly getting there! Okay, now for all the regular details…

How far along: 40 weeks as of Tuesday

Total weight gain: 35 pounds

Maternity clothes:  Only. Well, I did hunt down a big t-shirt of Matt’s to wear when i was dying to wear something that just wasn’t skin tight.

Stretch marks:  Luckily still a no, thanks genetics.

Sleep:  Everyone says to get as much sleep as you can before the baby comes. That’s great advice I guess, but my insanely frequent trips to the bathroom make that just a little bit challenging. I’ve also had a harder time falling back asleep lately. That, combined with a nasty cold over the last few days, has me missing regular old non-pregnancy sleep. What sleep I do get is completely due to blasting the air conditioning and this pillow.

Best moment of this week: Our good friends came over with dinner Saturday night. Oh yes, and crumb cake. What a treat!

Miss anything:  I miss feeling normal (body-wise). Anything physical these days can be challenging and I’d love to be able to just get up from the bed without a baby foot stuck in-between my ribs.

Movement: Baby kicks are still mostly crazy but I’m keeping an eye on things to make sure there aren’t any slow downs as a sign of low fluid again.

Food cravings:  No specific cravings lately but in the last week my appetite has gone crazy. I’ve been so, so hungry! Oh yeah, and I pretty much decided that I can eat whatever I want. So if I’m hungry, and I want ice cream, that’s what I get. Take that, 40 weeks;-)

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope.

Have you started to show yet:  Ha! Everyone I see just wants to know when I’m due and what I’m having. I think that my waddle attracts even more attention than the belly itself.

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs:  Almost two weeks ago I did start to feel occasional cramps (more like period cramps than anything else). I also had ONE contraction while I was on IV the other night. It was actually really weird and out of the blue. For about two and a half minutes it was like someone was trying to squeeze all of the air out of my body.

Belly button in or out:  Kind of out.

Wedding rings on or off:  On.

Happy or moody most of the time:  Hormonally I’m still pretty fine but I’ve definitely started to lose my sanity a little bit. I’m just ready to have this baby.

Looking forward to:  I’m dying to meet/see/hold/kiss/snuggle this baby. I also am excited to share his name with everyone. I can’t believe Matt and I were able to keep it to ourselves this entire time.

Fun Facts: If you are nice to the nurses at the hospital they will be nice to you! 

Latest Symptoms:  I’m just big, pregnant and crampy.

Any last minute advice for my big pregnant self? Got some fun tips on what to eat over on my Facebook page.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Keep It Sweet Desserts Weekly Wrap-up 10/11/14

No baby yet! Well, at least not as of Friday afternoon when I put this post together:-) Based on how I was feeling then, though, I’m really not counting on anything happening any time soon. Tuesday is the official due date but who knows when this baby boy will decide he is ready! In the mean time, I’m eating pineapple, bouncing on the ball, walking and just hoping for something to happen soon. Every morning, Matt asks “is today the day?” and every day is a no. Friends are starting to text and email asking for updates or to warn me that they accidentally left their phone at home (love you, Rach). I’ve also gotten requests for certain birth days. Hey guys, I’ll do my best.

So for now, I’m just trying to keep as busy as possible. Every day this past week I gave myself an activity (like a mall return, cooking or baking) and that helped a little with the antsy-ness. Tonight we have friends coming over with dinner that they cooked (seriously, they are the best) and tomorrow we are having brunch to celebrate my father-in-law’s birthday. His birthday is actually the 14th (my due date) so wouldn’t it be nice if I could get him his grandson in time? Oh yes, and my sister told me to to read Delirium which so far I am really enjoying. It’s made my long afternoons pass by a bit more quickly. I even downloaded the sequel last night since I finished it so quickly. Any other suggestions on what to read?

Now for this week’s updates:

Most popular recipe/blog post: Easy Low Fat Pumpkin Sheet Cake

Easy Low Fat Pumpkin Sheet Cake from Keep It Sweet Desserts

Five favorite things I pinned all week:

Gooey Pumpkin Spice Latte Chocolate Pudding Cake from Oh She Glows

Pumpkin Bavarian Crepe Cake from Sprinkle Bakes

Pumpkin Kahlua Toasted Marshmallow Brownie Bars from We Are Not Martha

Apple Harvest Bread from Cake Duchess

Salted Caramel Crunch Brownies from Confessions of a Chocoholic

hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Keep It Sweet Desserts Weekly Wrap-up 10/4/14

I’m officially starting to get antsy! You can see my full pregnancy update here, but generally for the last few days I just keep thinking, man, I am bored, but I am way too tired to do anything about it! Do you know that feeling? Like, after I do my morning workout and get some other stuff done, I find myself pretty wiped out. Sometimes I get a little bit of afternoon energy but not all that much. My big belly just is tiring me out I guess!

Other than my boredom complaint, this was a good week overall. Like I mentioned in the pregnancy update, my doctor’s appointment on Tuesday went well and Matt and I had an impromptu dinner date afterwards. Then Wednesday, I had a fun lunch with Kris and later that day went for a pedicure with my sister (the perfect activity for when you lack energy!). I also got some KISD-related work done and had a few consulting calls so at least I was productive. Tonight we are going over to my sister’s to break the fast (well, I’ll just be eating since I can’t fast this year). It will be nice to spend the evening with my family. I’m sure they are all secretly hoping that I go into labor tonight while they are conveniently in town. Ha, I wish! (Sidenote: to stay the most up-to-date on the baby status, follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook)

Any suggestions for how I can kill some time for the next week or two (or three??)? Really what I need to do is get myself into a good book…

Now for this week’s updates:

Most popular recipe/blog post: Easy Low Fat Pumpkin Sheet Cake

Easy Low Fat Pumpkin Sheet Cake from Keep It Sweet Desserts

Five favorite things I pinned all week:

Spiced Pumpkin Macarons from Bakers Royale

Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Coffee Cake Streusel & Maple Glaze from Yes to Yolks

Chocolate Lover’s Cheesecake from Brown Eyed Baker

Baked Apples Stuffed with Spiced Butternut Squash from Heartbeet Kitchen

Brown Butter Sugar Cookie Bars with Cinnamon Bourbon Buttercream from Baker by Nature

I hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Pregnancy Update: 38 Weeks+

Counting down to baby! Less than two weeks until my due date!!

 5 to 37 weeks pregnant, a full-term update

Not sure if I look any different from the 32 weeks picture (when I was coincidentally wearing the same outfit) even though I definitely FEEL heavier and bigger.

So I’m officially at full term and less than two weeks are left until my due date! We went to my 38-week appointment on Tuesday and confirmed that the baby is still head down (YAY!) so that was great news. The chance of him flipping at this point is pretty low so I’m a lot less worried about that now.

For most of the pregnancy I had a feeling I’d deliver early (or maybe was just hoping?), but now I’m thinking otherwise. I’m not showing any signs of labor (not dialated, etc.) and haven’t even had braxton hicks contractions for a few weeks. My doctor said that if I go full-term, we would talk induction between 41 and 42 weeks. Crossing my fingers that it doesn’t go that far but I guess it is safe to say we will be meeting this baby in less than four weeks…hmm, that kind of feels far.

How far along: 38 weeks as of Tuesday

Total weight gain: 33.5 pounds

Maternity clothes:  Is that really a question? I’ve started staring longingly at the regular clothes hanging in my closet.

Stretch marks:  Luckily still a no, thanks genetics.

Sleep:  I’ve been sleeping pretty okay (knock on wood!), though my bathroom trips are definitely preparing me for the newborn nighttime feedings. If I sleep much more than two hours at a time it’s a miracle and then I’ll wake up with serious bladder pain. This pillow was for sure my favorite maternity investment! 

Best moment of this week: I’ve really been enjoying my prenatal yoga classes. Previously I had been doing this video and this one, but I signed up for an unlimited month at a nearby yoga studio so I’ve been taking advantage of that for the last few weeks. The instructors are really knowledgeable and it’s nice being around other women going through a similar experience. 

Miss anything:  I miss not worrying about every little ingredient that I consume. My eating habits have generally improved from before being pregnant and I’m definitely going to stick with some of them going forward (more intuitive eating, being selective about which processed foods…), but it will be nice when I don’t have to ask if a cheese is pasteurized and I can eat some medium-rare salmon. A glass of wine will be VERY nice too.

Movement: I’ve heard that the baby’s kicks slow down towards the end of pregnancy but that doesn’t seem to be happening here. The other night Matt put his cheek down against my belly and enjoyed getting continuously kicked in the face. This kid has some impressive strength and energy. 

Food cravings:  Maybe chocolate and ice cream? Not sure those qualify as cravings at this point. Comfort food and carbs are becoming very appealing with the weather changes.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not at all since my minimal issues in the first trimester. The heartburn also hasn’t been bad for a while.

Have you started to show yet:  I don’t think this question is relevant anymore. I really ought to wear a sign with my due date on it.

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs:  Nada.

Belly button in or out:  Maybe it’s half out now?

Wedding rings on or off:  On.

Happy or moody most of the time:  My moods have been pretty good lately. I feel like when the baby comes I”m in for a hormonal craze to make up for that, though.

Looking forward to:  Meeting the baby! I can’t wait to see what he looks like and just get to have him in real life. I’m also ready not to be pregnant anymore.

Fun Facts:  Hmm, Matt took a video of me bouncing on a ball the other night and let’s just say I deleted it from my phone as soon as he sent it to me (um, NOT flattering).

Latest Symptoms:  The physical exhaustion is the biggest symptom at this point. Also, my pelvic muscles and legs get tired from holding up my big belly!

Current Baby Prep: We have the few necessary items to get started (crib, car seat, stroller, minimal clothes, diapers…) and everything else is on my registries. I’ve also made the following items and stuck them in the freezer:

I’m still thinking about making a lean meat sauce, oatmeal cups and maybe another freezable snack. Notice the veggie-heavy healthy theme? Any other foods you would suggest? Not that there is much room left in the freezer at this point…!

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Keep It Sweet Desserts Weekly Wrap-up 9/27/14

This was really a good week in my world! First of all, I woke up to the nicest treat on Monday morning… some of my best blogger friends threw me a surprise virtual baby shower! Since I didn’t have an actual shower this was even more special. The posts were so nice and the recipes all sounded pretty darn amazing. If somehow we could make this a real life thing it would be even better.

LaurensShower

*Scroll down for the baby shower posts.*

The second really great thing was that the baby moved all by himself! Now, I realize that if he moved once, he can move again, but the fact that I didn’t have to go for a version on Friday ended up being a big relief. I know that the procedure is really not too big of a deal but there is a super small risk that during that the baby can go into distress and you end up with an emergency c-section. I was mildly panicked that this was my last week to get anything done pre-baby. Not that I don’t feel ready, but that just made it overwhelming. Anyway, it could have been the ice pack trick and / or the yoga moves. Whatever it was, I’m just happy that as of Tuesday’s 37-week appointment his head was down. Cross your fingers that we see the same thing at the next doctor visit! I actually have a big pregnancy update coming Thursday so I’ll be sure to give you the update. Thanks for all of the nice comments and suggestions you made.

Finally, we got to enjoy a nice holiday with family on Wednesday. Normally we go somewhere but I wasn’t up for much travelling this year so our parents both came to be with us that afternoon. Not only that, but they also brought most of the food…. and did almost all of the cleanup. I think I might miss this pregnancy thing after all;-) Next weekend my sister is hosting Break the Fast nearby so that will be nice too. Can’t say I’ll miss the fasting this year!

Now for this week’s updates and the baby shower details:

Mini Pumpkin Layer Cakes from The Baker Chick

Mini Apple Spice Cupcakes from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts

Mini Nutella Brownies from The Cooking Actress

Mini Iced Oatmeal Cookie Apple Pies from Girl Versus Dough

Pickles in a Blanket from The Lemon Bowl

Mini No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecakes from Bake or Break

Mini Cookie Milkshakes from We Are Not Martha

Mini Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fondant Cakes from London Bakes

Double Decker Birthday Cake Blondie Bites from Baker By Nature

Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others

Roasted Caprese Stack with Peaches from Warm Vanilla Sugar

Crunchy Cookie Butter M&M Bars from The Avid Appetite

Mini Pumpkin Streusel Pies from Espresso and Cream

Most popular recipe/blog post:  Pumpkin Blondies with Caramelized White Chocolate Swirl

Pumpkin Blondies w Caramelized White Chocolate Swirl - the most popular KISD recipe of the week!

Five favorite things I pinned all week:

Homemade Pumpkin Monkey Bread from The Law Student’s Wife

Siracha Chocolate & Dulce de Leche Tart from Sift and Whisk

Salted Caramel Apple Cake from Brown Eyed Baker

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles from The Lemon Bowl

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Swirl Challah from Little Ferraro Kitchen

I hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Keep It Sweet Desserts Weekly Wrap-up 9/20/14

Anyone else extra happy that it’s the weekend? I think now that we are a couple of weeks into September it’s more like real life during the week and the weekends are becoming more precious. A lot of people tell us to enjoy the time just the two of us that we have left and we are… but you know what? Matt and I have had about 11 years just the two of us and I think we are ready to be three. All the time now Matt looks over at me and says, “You know what would be awesome? If there was a baby right here with us.”  And no, this furiously kicking baby in my belly just doesn’t quite count. But mentally I really do think we are ready. In terms of logistics, we are pretty much there too. The necessary furniture is here, I have about a week’s worth of outfits, we have some diapers (what?!) and wipes, our car seat is officially secure (thanks to a free safety check) and we even went to a newborn CPR class this past week.  On top of that I’ve started stocking the freezer with a few healthy snacks and meals that will be perfect for when cooking is my last priority.  If you have any favorite recipes I need to try for this, definitely let me know.

The biggest baby update I have is from my 36-week appointment.  It turns out that while the baby was head down about a month ago, he decided that his current favorite cozy position is sideways. Basically his head hits my left side, his butt sticks out mid-belly (like really sticks out when he is moving), and one of his feet loves to get stuck on my upper right ribs. Oh, and somehow he manages to use my bladder as a punching bag. This boy sure knows how to stretch out! Anyway, the current plan is to go in on Friday for a version. In the mean time, I’ve been trying some recommended yoga moves and an ice pack / heading pad trick every night (the theory is that the baby will move towards the warmth). When I do this he usually kicks like crazy but in place so who knows if anything will work. Honestly, though, as long as this boy is healthy, that is really all that matters. If he doesn’t want to move at all, we will likely schedule a c-section. At least at that point I’ll know what’s going on. I’m so bad at all of the uncertainty. That’s definitely the hardest part for me mentally. For someone who plans out everything, the mystery of when the baby comes (and then when there will be a bris, etc.) drives me a little crazy. Did you or anyone you know have any experience with the transverse lie issue?

Now for this week’s updates:

Most popular recipe/blog post:  Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream (no machine required)

Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream (no machine required)

Five favorite things I pinned all week:

Apple Crisp with Salter Coffee Caramel Sauce from Yes to Yolks

Apple Crisp Ice Cream from Fabtastic Eats

Caramel Apple Layer Cake from Stephie Cooks

Dulce de Leche Snickerdoodle Bars from Eats Well With Others

Quick Cinnamon Rolls for Two from Dessert for Two

I hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Pregnancy Update: 33 Weeks+

Serious third trimester progress and a pregnancy update

My 33+ Week Pregnancy Update

Man, my belly is BIG

Yeah, this third trimester thing is no joke.  My first trimester I was super exhausted but still physically capable, but now I’m getting exhausted again and not so physically capable.  Generally I feel good but I get more and more tired on days that I have a lot going on.  All the extra weight is starting to take a toll and while I can still do all of my workouts (barre, yoga, walks), they are definitely getting challenging and need to be modified a bit.

How far along: 33 weeks (I hit 34 weeks tomorrow)

Total weight gain: 28.5 pounds

Maternity clothes:  The only non-maternity clothes I can wear are low-rise yoga pants, some PJs and a couple pairs of sweatpants. I just have to wear all of the bottoms below my belly. Even my maternity tops are starting to get short on me!

Stretch marks:  Luckily still a no, thanks genetics.  The linea nigra (that dark line that goes down from your belly button) is getting darker, though.

Sleep:  It’s been off and on over the last few weeks.  We luckily got a new and stronger A/C installed which definitely helps (even so I still get SO hot).  And if I get up less than three times a night to go to the bathroom it’s some sort of miracle.  Most times I can go back to sleep right away, but some nights I’m up reading CNN on my phone for a while to knock myself out. This pillow is still a complete lifesaver!  In fact, we almost left it in the Hamptons and I had to stop myself from going into a panic!

Best moment of this week:  Matt and I took a prenatal class on Saturday and boy was that long.  Neither of us do all that well sitting for hours listening / paying attention.  Well, at one point, we were watching a birthing video and my super mature (read: 12-year old sense of humor) husband made a slightly inappropriate joke to me about the position the woman was in.  He was cracking up so much it was contagious… I completely lost it.  The two of us were laughing uncontrollably and crying for several minutes in the middle of this class.  While it was slightly embarrassing, that laughing session felt GOOD.  Later on someone asked a question about giving birth and used a phrase that hit another funny bone with Matt.  He started laughing so hard that he actually had to walk outside and cool off for a few minutes.  I think I’m fully prepared for little boy humor.

Miss anything:  I finally hit the point where I’m starting to miss my regular body. Every once and a while I need Matt to help me tie/buckle my shoes and at night he has to give me a little push to help me roll out of bed.  My size is just starting to become a little bit of a hindrance.  I’ll be very happy when I can start wearing “normal” clothes again, too.

Movement: The kicking has been amazing.  They tell you to count kicks, but I often joke that I lose track within minutes because he is just so active.  When we went to my 32-week appointment, even the doctor commented that he seemed to be running a marathon in there.  It’s pretty much the best thing in the world.

Food cravings:  Nothing significant lately.  I’m trying so hard to eat healthy but I just don’t love eating vegetables as much as I do when I’m not pregnant.  Occasionally I substitute a smoothie made with a half of a bag of spinach for a meal to make sure I’m  getting in my greens.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not at all since my minimal issues in the first trimester.  I sure do eat a lot, though.

Have you started to show yet:  Ha! I’m huge.

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs:  Nothing yet.  I have been dealing with Braxton Hicks contractions a bit over the last few weeks but that is perfectly normal. They are slightly uncomfortable but certainly not painful.

Belly button in or out:  It’s fighting to stay in but it’s only a matter of time…

Wedding rings on or off:  On.

Happy or moody most of the time:  Matt and I actually joked that I’m calmer now than I was before pregnancy.  But really, I think I’m just generally less stressed out (no “real” job + making an effort to not be stressed).

Looking forward to:  I get excited for each upcoming doctor’s appointment and the chance to see the baby.  We go every two weeks now!

Fun Facts:  People really are nicer when you are pregnant, especially when you are very large and pregnant.  It’s nice to be spoiled now because I know that when the baby comes the focus will all be on him.

Latest Symptoms:  Like I’ve mentioned before, my energy has taken a hit in the last few weeks.  My workouts feel harder and I just feel BIG.

Current Baby Prep: We held off on most things as long as possible (and are still holding off on any purchases that don’t seem necessary right away) but we are getting the crib and changing table delivered tomorrow!  Also, this weekend I’ll be going Layette shopping with my mom and mother-in-law. I’m SO excited!  If you have any suggestions on things that you think I NEED to have by the time the baby gets home from the hospital, please let me know!

Is there anything else that you want to know? 

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

10 Tips for Putting Together a Baby Registry

I’m no expert, but after being overwhelmed by baby registries I thought it would be useful to share some of what I learned!

10 Tips for Putting Together a Baby Registry

1.  Ask a friend. My best friend had a baby a few months ago and I trust her judgment on baby products (and well, everything).  I knew that she would have a similar outlook to me on cost vs. quality and wouldn’t send me registering for items that are a waste of time and money.  Find someone you know that has had a baby recently and ask them to send you a list of what they registered for.  It’s a great way to start.

2.  Similarly, refer to blogs and online resources.  In addition to the list from my best friend, I brought this registry list from The Wise Baby along when I went to Buy Buy Baby.  It was seriously helpful when it came to narrowing down product choices on items I knew nothing about (aka everything).  Sabrina also put together this post last week which could be really useful.

3.  Prioritize important items.  I knew that when it came to registering, there were a few items I wanted to do the most hands-on research for; namely strollers (regular and jogging), car seats and pack-and-plays.  I got a few recommendations for each of those and then tried them out in person.  I found that this stroller was extremely easy to use (was able to fold and unfold with one hand) and that completely won me over.  I even had Matt come in for the jogging stroller and push it around the store to make sure he liked that one too.  This one folded up nicely and had some great safety features.  Note that I haven’t used these with a baby yet, so I’ll let you know in a few months how I feel!

4.  Pick a few select stores.  I did a little bit of online browsing and fell in love with Pottery Barn furniture.  For the basics and most other things I went to Buy Buy Baby – they have a massive selection and the employees are extremely knowledgeable and helpful.  Finally, I used BabyList online (thanks, Lindsay, for the recommendation!).  They actually aggregate items from a ton of online stores into one place and make it easy for you to register anywhere.  I used them for odds and ends, especially items I wanted from Amazon.

5.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  I felt a little silly at first when I had to ask a million questions in every store, but this is my first baby so I really am starting with minimal expertise.  At most of these stores, the employees are patient and are used to a million questions.  No one made me feel stupid or unprepared.

6.  Consider return policies.  Know that you don’t know everything now so you might change your mind when you have the baby.  I am probably over-registering a bit, but if I find that I don’t want something later I can definitely return it.  Plus, I have a feeling that those store credits will get a ton of use in the next couple of years.

7.  Look for coupons.  Even if you aren’t making purchases yet, start stocking up on coupons for these stores.  Buy Buy Baby always has 20% off coupons available (and I’m pretty sure they accept Bed Bath & Beyond coupons as well).  They will probably come in handy when I buy things that haven’t been purchased as gifts.

8.  Don’t stress.  There are really only a few things that you NEED to have initially.  If something else comes up that you forgot about or didn’t know that you needed, that is what the internet is for.  Plus, I’m sure there will be friends and family who are happy to help out if you need a last minute run for baby things.

9.  Figure out a timeline.  We aren’t buying much in advance and actually aren’t sharing our registries with friends and family until the baby is born.  However, there are a few items that I know we want / need to have in advance (car seat, onesies, nursery furniture,  etc.).  The baby is due mid-October so for us, we feel comfortable getting some of these items in September.  Do what feels best for you!

10.  Have fun with it.  I found registering insanely overwhelming, but at the same time, baby stuff is so darn adorable that it’s hard not to get excited oohing and ahhing over the cute little outfits and toys.  For every few painful items you register for (diaper pails, nursing supplies, etc.), take a break and pick out something fun like a cute toy for the stroller or a sweet onesie.

This post contains affiliate links.

Keep It Sweet Desserts Weekly Wrap-up 8/9/14

First of all, I have to stop and say Happy Blog Birthday to me!  Apparently I published my first post FOUR years ago today (I’d link to it but after a couple of site moves it’s disappeared…).  I started the blog when I was a little lost with direction and needed something outside of work for myself.  I still remember the conversations I had with my husband that summer about really not knowing what I wanted to do in life and I very distinctly remember my sister convincing me that I just had to start a blog.  Four years later and so much has happened.  While I certainly don’t have it all figured out, especially since I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing post-baby, I’m a lot more content with myself and who I am now.  Having this place on the internet to share something I love has been such a wonderful opportunity.  I may not be running a bakery anymore, but that doesn’t mean that my dreams and aspirations have come to a close.  Thank you so much for following along through all of it and supporting me every step of the way!

Holy cow, I realized earlier this week that we are busy almost every weekend up until my due date.  Weddings, birthdays, High Holidays… Honestly, I almost started to panic when I figured that out, but considering I don’t exactly have a “real” job right now, I really have no right to freak out or complain.  I’m lucky that if there are miscellaneous things I want to get done pre-baby, I can do it during the week.  I’ve been working so hard in the kitchen to get my blog ready for a little maternity leave of sorts, but in a couple of weeks I should be done with most of that.  And in reality, I’m actually happy that I’m so busy.  Some of these third trimester days are very long and the structure and to-do lists help to keep me sane and pass the time.  Plus, most of the calendar is booked with fun things.  I did just block out one day to make sure we get some apple picking in before I pop, though.  Priorities:-)

Speaking of the third trimester, I’ll give you an official update in a few weeks, but I feel like things changed quickly since this second trimester recap.  First of all, I already feel SO much bigger than I was when I wrote that post (and according to my doctor’s appointment on Thursday, the baby is in fact measuring a bit big!).  I met a lovely lady who thought it was appropriate to tell me that I am bigger than she was right before she had her baby.  How sweet of her.  Second, along with feeling big, I’m just feeling pregnant in a very different way.  Workouts are getting more difficult (I actually had to skip one the other day because I got dizzy and nauseous), my bladder is practically non-existent, and I’m finding my belly gets in the way (reaching for something in a high cabinet is hilarious).  Oh and can I tell you how much fall fashion makes me miss regular people clothes?  I’m sure it will be some time before my body is in a place where it makes sense to go on a shopping spree, but I hope that I’ll at least feel good going through my closet of clothes that do fancy things like button at the waist.  I don’t mean to sound like a huge complainer because generally I really do still feel good.  I just feel pregnant whereas before, I could have forgotten from time to time.  To those of you who have been there before, can you relate?  Did your third trimester fly or did it feel forever?

Now for this week’s updates:

Most popular recipe/blog post:  No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream with Salty Candied Peanuts

This week's most popular recipe!  No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream with Salty Candied Peanuts

Five favorite things I pinned all week:

S’mores Baked Alaska for Two from Chocolate Moosey

Strawberry Pop-Tart Pie from Willow Bird Baking

Chocolate Meringue Cake with Fresh Berries from  Artful Desperado

Blueberry Power Pancakes from The Pomegranate Bandit

Chocolate Chia Ice Cream from Top With Cinnamon

I hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend! 

Keep It Sweet Desserts Weekly Wrap-up 8/2/14

So, TV.  Thanks to the exhaustion I mentioned, I’ve probably been watching a bit more than my fair share lately.  It doesn’t help that I’m in the middle of reading a super boring book (please give me a suck-you-right-in recommendation!), but most evenings have turned into a few hours of relaxing with Matt and watching our latest show(s). 

Thanks to Netflix, I’ve finally jumped onto the Scandal bandwagon, while simultaneously catching the 15-year old show, Freaks and Geeks.  Now that we are in the second season of Scandal (the first season was only 7 episodes), I definitely understand how people get sucked in.  It’s definitely the Shonda Rhimes style that made me love Grey’s Anatomy so it’s addicting when you have alllll the episodes at your fingertips.   However, watching this after an intense political show like House of Cards is so strange.  I think I’ve learned to overthink regular shows and sometimes don’t know how to just enjoy the slightly less complex plots!  I mean, I don’t know if I’ll ever recover from a show like Breaking Bad where you learn that nothing, I mean nothing, gets left unfinished. 

As for Freaks and Geeks, I don’t know how I never watched it before.  We decided that since James Franco and Jason Segel are in it we kind of had to check it out.  Maybe it’s because I’m old enough to be completely removed from the discomfort and insecurities of high school but young enough to still remember, but I find the show pretty hilarious and enjoyable to watch. 

Oh yeah, and real life.  I am pretty sure that my baby registry is finally finished.  I’ll probably review what I did just to make sure (between Buy Buy Baby, Pottery Barn and Baby List I feel a little all over the place), but that is a huge weight off my shoulders.  And speaking of babies, I got to sneak in a visit with my best friend and her adorable almost-five month old yesterday.  I haven’t seen her since May and won’t see her again until after I have a baby (what?!?!?!) so it was a real treat.  I love having friends to visit in Florida but I sure miss all of them!  This weekend’s plans were kind of crushed by the weather which is kind of a bummer, but that’s okay.  We have so much going on for the next month (three weddings and a weekend to celebrate my birthday) that there is still plenty of summer to look forward to.

Now for this week’s updates:

Most popular recipe/blog post:  (Fresh) Blueberry White Chocolate Brown Butter Cookies

(Fresh) Blueberry White Chocolate Brown Butter Cookies - basically cookie perfection

Five favorite things I pinned all week:

Chocolate Cookie Dough Ice Cream from Crème de la Crumb

Frappe Oreo Ice Cream from Figs & Feta

Grilled Peach & Halloumi Skewers with Basil-Jalapeno Sauce from Naturally Ella

Lightened Up Nectarine Cobbler from Baker by Nature

Salted Chocolate & Ritz Nougat No-Bake Bars from Lauren’s Latest

I hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend!  Stay tuned this week for ice creammmmmmm.

Keep It Sweet Desserts Weekly Wrap-up 7/26/14

Happy, happy weekend!  Despite the fact that the baby now likes to push on my bladder in a way that brings on an indescribable amount of discomfort (especially when I try to go for a walk), I am in a very good mood.  Besides, considering how lucky I’ve been throughout my pregnancy, a little bladder pressure is really nothing to complain about.  Even if I did have to ask a Whole Foods employee to watch my cart so that I could run to the bathroom before finishing food shopping.  Nope, not embarrassing at all. 

Anyway, a few things that are keeping my spirits up:  1) I passed my glucose test!  Thank you all for the nice notes and comments.  My doctor was nice enough to call me the night my blood was drawn to give me the good news.  Questionable PCOS take that;-) 2)  I got to visit with a few of my favorite bloggers this week (Liz, Ashley, Joanne, Audra and even Kathryn!)  3)  My sister got one of the jobs she was hoping for (though I’m not surprised at all!).  Oh, and she is moving 15 minutes away from me in early September!!! 4)  We got to see some amazing close-up shots of the baby’s face on Thursday via ultrasound.  We aren’t doing a 3-D (they kind of freak me out), but you really can see what he is starting to look like.  It makes me so much more excited to meet the baby in a few months.  5)  My birthday is in less than a month and I’m actually not freaked out over turning 30.  I’ll just miss being able to tell Matt how “old” he is.

In terms of my daily life, I’m still using my energy to get a lot of baking done.  This coming week I should finish getting my baby registry together.  I think that will be a big relief.  Once that is done I’ll make a list of the items I think we need to have in advance for the first few days of parenthood.  It’s all still a bit overwhelming, but we are getting there.  We even found a pediatrician this past week that we both liked.  The fact that his office has weekend hours pretty much sold me!  Oh, and for any of you other soon-to-be or new moms, I highly recommend checking out Lindsay’s list of 100 relevant posts.

Now for this week’s updates:

Most popular recipe/blog post:  (Fresh) Blueberry White Chocolate Brown Butter Cookies

(Fresh) Blueberry White Chocolate Brown Butter Cookies - basically cookie perfection

Five favorite things I pinned all week:

Cinnamon Roll Frosting from Oh Sweet Basil

Flourless Smoked Sea Salt & Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies from Delicious Every Day

Chocolate & Crunchy Peanut Butter Molten Lava Cake from The Gastronomic Bong

Soft & Chewy S’mores Crumble Bars from American Heritage Cooking

Cinnamon Graham S’mores Cupcakes from Baked by Rachel

I hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend!  Stay tuned this week for pie and cupcake recipes.

Keep It Sweet Desserts Weekly Wrap-up 7/19/14

Whew, I’m so glad we don’t have a ton of plans here this weekend because I’m still recovering from last weekend and Tuesday night’s concert.  I’ll blame the pregnancy but I sure do feel old with the super exhaustion.  At least I’m still not as tired as I was throughout my first trimester!

Speaking of pregnancy, in case you missed it, I posted an update on Thursday.  I kind of left out a few things… namely, the stress.  Well, I don’t know if stress is the right word.  More like a big feeling of being overwhelmed with all that has to get done in the next three months.  I just read that you should have 600 diapers for the first month with a baby.  For some reason, that one little piece of information put me into super-overwhelmed mode.  I since have calmed down and reminded myself to take everything one step at a time, but wow is there a lot to do. 

Also,  I know I never gave you the update on the glucose test I was so nervous about.  Well, it’s a long story, but I’m going to take the same test again this week.  Luckily I’m still taking the 1-hour test (which was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be) and I think that the doctor is being ultra conservative.  However, I’m still nervous, again!  I’d say that I’ll cut back on carbs this week but who am I kidding?  I am not good with restrictions, especially while pregnant. 

Other than that, there is still a ton of baking happening in my kitchen.  My goal is to have plenty of recipes ready for you while I’m on some sort of maternity leave!  It’s a little weird doing all of this fall and holiday baking now, but kind of fun.  I think Matt’s co-workers will probably be the most confused because they’ll be eating all sorts of out-of-season treats this summer.  I also plan on getting some guest posts together from friends.  If you have any other advice on prepping for life with the baby (work, mental, anything at all), I’m more than happy to hear it!

Now for this week’s updates:

Most popular recipe/blog post:  No-Churn Cookie Butter Ice Cream

Super Creamy Cookie Butter Ice Cream - NO ice cream maker needed!  So easy and so delicious!

Five favorite things I pinned all week:

Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches (gluten-free and vegan) from She Likes Food

Homemade Drumsticks from Crazy for Crust

Chocolate S’mores Skillet Cake from Foodness Gracious

Chocolate Mousse and Marshmallow Icing S’mores Cake from Serious Eats

Roasted Peach Cinnamon Swirl Bread from Running to the Kitchen

I hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Second Trimester Recap

Second trimester symptoms and recap, plus some of my favorite mom blogs.

Second trimester symptoms and recap, plus some of my favorite mom blogs.

It’s so hard to remember what it was like back when I had a “normal” body… and to think, I was feeling “fat”…

According to my pregnancy app, I hit the third trimester last week.  Some sites say it doesn’t start until week 28 but I’m going with the app because that just seems so exciting.  It’s also so crazy to think how SLOW the first trimester was and how time really seems to be flying now.  We are supposed to meet our baby boy in just three short months!

How far along:  27 weeks

Total weight gain: 17.5 pounds

Maternity clothes:  Oh yeah.  The only non-maternity clothes I can wear are low-rise yoga pants, some PJs and a couple pairs of sweatpants.  I just have to wear all of the bottoms below my belly.

Stretch marks:  Luckily still a no.  I do have the linea nigra (that dark line that goes down from your belly button), though.

Sleep:  Sleep has definitely been better for the last few months.  I have to get up to go to the bathroom at least once during the night, but I usually can fall right back to sleep.  As long as the room is cool enough I’m happy (higher than 67 degrees just doesn’t work for me).  Still loving this pillow!

Best moment of this week:  Not pregnancy related, but Matt and I got last minute tickets to see Bruno Mars on Tuesday night.  Let me just say, that man is amazing live!  Plus, Pharrell opened the show AND Lenny Kravitz made a surprise appearance during the encore.  It was such a fun night.

Miss anything:  Cocktails and really good wine.  I also started to miss running a bit a couple of months ago but decided it wasn’t worth it to start a more intense cardio at that point in my pregnancy.  My walks, yoga videos and barre workout are keeping me happy for the most part.

Movement: I FINALLY started feeling the baby kick at the end of my 21st week.  Since then it has increased a ton and I feel him moving a lot, especially in the mornings and at night.  I actually really love it!

Food cravings:  I really haven’t had any cravings since my first trimester but I do eat ice cream like it’s my job.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not at all since my minimal issues in the first trimester.  The one thing I haven’t really liked the entire pregnancy, though, has been scrambled eggs or omelets.  So random but annoying since I’m used to egg whites as a go-to protein source.

Have you started to show yet:  It’s impossible not to show.  On the one hand it is so weird standing out with a baby belly, but at the same time, I’m really trying to embrace it.  I actually think I felt more comfortable wearing a bathing suit pregnant than I ever did before.

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs:  Nope.

Belly button in or out:  All in.

Wedding rings on or off:  On.

Happy or moody most of the time:  I don’t think my mood swings have been too bad lately.  Well, except for when I’ve gotten really hot or hungry.

Looking forward to:  I’m looking forward to just enjoying the rest of summer.  I also love getting to see the baby in ultrasounds now because he is really looking like a baby!

Fun Facts:  You get to eat a lot of calories when you are pregnant.

Latest Symptoms:  I thought this was worth adding to the list because I’m always curious what random symptoms other people are dealing with.  I know I’m extremely lucky to have had minimal discomfort so far, but there are some random things I’m dealing with on a regular basis.  First of all, ear clogging.  This is one of those super annoying things that you can’t do anything about.  It usually goes away within an hour or so, but I must look so strange when I keep yawning, swallowing and playing with my ear.  Second, I have a new form of heartburn that has started to occur.  I had a ton of heartburn in the first trimester but that went away for a couple of months.  Lately I get regular heartburn in my chest OR this weird (or at least new-to-me) version where it is up in my throat.  It kind of feels like I haven’t finished swallowing my last meal.  Awesome.  Finally, I now have to pee all the time.  The baby seems to like sitting directly on my bladder so sometimes it seems like my bladder is the size of a walnut.

Favorite Mom Blogs:  I’d love to find more but here are a couple that I really enjoy reading now… Scary Mommy (good for sarcasm, humor and keeping it real) and The Wise Baby (great for product reviews from other moms).  Any others you love?

Cloth Diapers: Thanks to those of you who commented after this post.  I honestly haven’t done as much research as I should, but I have a feeling we are going to just stick to disposables.  If I had a friend or knew someone else I could talk to about cloth diapering I might feel different, but since I don’t, I think I’m just going to do what sounds easy.  If you have a way to convince me otherwise, I’m all ears!

Is there anything else that you want to know?  I plan on writing a bit about my registry experience and tips in the next month or so.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Pregnancy Update: 20 weeks, Halfway There!

I’m 20 weeks along; halfway through my pregnancy!

***First of all, a HUGE congratulations to my sister who is graduating from HARVARD today.  I’m beyond proud of you and so happy I get to be there to celebrate!  And even happier that you are moving back to New York this summer!!!!!!***

Sisters - 19 weeks

Jessica and I last weekend

Pregnancy update!

Photos taken last weekend, I’ll take an official 20-week photo this weekend!

Halfway, I can barely believe it.  Just about five months until I can enjoy a bagel with lox, an extra large fountain soda (Diet Coke to be exact) and a cocktail or five.  Not that I’m counting or anything.

How far along:  20 weeks

Total weight gain: 10.5 pounds

Maternity clothes:  There are a few regular tops that still fit me but most are getting too short or just aren’t flattering.   The maternity clothes are great because they are comfortable and insure that I look pregnant instead of fat!  I’m pretty much in maternity attire 99% of the time.

Stretch marks:  Luckily no.  I’m hoping that genetics stay on my side for this one.

Sleep:  Other than a few off nights I’ve been sleeping pretty well.  As long as I don’t drink too much water in the evening I can limit my bathroom trips to twice a night.  Still loving this pillow!

Best moment of this week:  Last week was the first full week where I really felt like myself.  The energy drain really took away my motivation for a while.  Now it feels good to be excited about working in the kitchen.

Miss anything:  The warm weather has me missing summer cocktails.  I’m not a huge drinker but  it is hard not having the option!

Movement: Apparently I have an anterior placenta (it sits between the baby and my abdominal wall).  That basically means that I won’t feel anything until later in the pregnancy than normal.  I guess I should be happy that kicking doesn’t keep me up all night but I do wish I could feel the baby a little bit.

Food cravings:  No significant cravings since the first few weeks.  I’m still hungry ALL the time and loving carbs and ice cream (shocker).

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nothing since the first trimester!  Although, brussels sprouts and some veggies just don’t appeal to me like they used to.

Have you started to show yet:  I’m full on pregnant in appearance.  I saw some family on Sunday and the first thing everyone said to me was “wow, you really are pregnant!”  I just have to stop comparing myself to the pregnant women who still look skinnier than I’ve ever been in my life.  I know that I’ve gained the healthy amount of weight and I’m short, so I probably show even more because of that.

Gender:  BOY!

Labor signs:  Nope.

Belly button in or out:  All in.

Wedding rings on or off:  On.

Happy or moody most of the time:  I don’t know that I’m moody exactly, but I’m definitely a little more sensitive.  Once I get upset I go from somewhat upset to very upset quickly.  Oh, and I cried during a movie preview last week.

Looking forward to:  Matt and I are going to Cape Cod for a few days next month, can.not.wait.  Also, I can’t wait to start registering!  We won’t be buying anything before the baby comes except for some furniture and the layette, but it’s exciting to pick things out anyway.

Fun Facts:  I’m so glad I wrote this post because most people now know that I’m sensitive about the belly touching.  It isn’t as big of a big deal now that my belly is more of a pregnant belly, less regular belly fat!  Luckily I haven’t had strangers reach for me yet.

And some miscellaneous pregnancy thoughts::*

Weird or inappropriate commentary:  I actually haven’t gotten too many inappropriate comments since I first told everyone I was pregnant so that’s good!  Well, minus a few choice people who just could not understand why I was so hungry.  Um, hello little human growing inside of me.  Granted, I eat small healthy meals most of the time so I end up eating every 2-3 hours, but you know what, don’t judge a pregnant person’s hunger levels.  It won’t end well.

What I’ve learned about eating during pregnancy:  I’ve always been a pretty healthy eater, read labels and watched my diet, but pregnancy has definitely pushed that to the extreme in a different way.  I’m fully aware that everything I eat goes to the baby so I’ve been avoiding all of the typical off-limit foods (raw fish, undercooked meats, deli meat, etc.) but also have cut out artificial sweetener (no Splenda, Stevia, anything of that sort) and keep an eye out for similar ingredients like maltodextrin and other shady items listed in processed foods.  I’m probably more extreme than I need to be, but it’s 9 months so why not be as healthy as I possibly can be?   This whole process has really made me more aware of what I’m putting into my body in a good way.  For once in my life I’m really focusing on feeding myself the nutrients I need when I’m hungry.  That happens often enough that I don’t even have much opportunity for boredom eating, either.

That said, I definitely still treat myself.  But it’s so different from before I was pregnant.  I used to try to limit my calories in a way that when I’d eat dessert I’d need to eat all of it at once.  Now I am able to have a reasonable portion of dessert at night and stop because I know that I can do it again the next day if I want.  Plus, gorging on unhealthy sweets wouldn’t make me feel good (night time stomach aches are the worst these days) and definitely wouldn’t be good for the baby.  Of course sometimes I eat a bigger dessert serving than I really should, but the next day I skip dessert and don’t feel guilty about it at all.  I’d really love if this new way of moderation could translate after the baby as well.

Cloth diapers:  I’ve been starting to do a little research on cloth diapers and would love to hear if any of you have experience using them.  I’d really like to consider it for after the first month with the baby but am definitely nervous about how overwhelming it might be.  I also don’t know that it is necessarily better for the environment given the additional water used for all of the extra laundry.  Any of you have experience to share on this?

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

My Feelings on Closing a Business

When I started Keep It Sweet Desserts, and really up until just a couple of months ago, I never thought I’d choose to close down / leave the business for family reasons.  I imagined that I’d be able to hire enough people to do most of my work so that I’d have flexibility.  I also thought that the business was so important to me that I’d never want to let it go unless financially necessary.

Things didn’t work quite as planned.  Maybe if the baby were coming a few months earlier or a year later the timing might have inspired me to make everything work, but where I am in life and business right now that isn’t the case.  My mid-October due date just felt like a sign (hello holidays right around the corner!).  Matt and I are ready to start a family, we really waited until we wanted to have kids to start trying and so now that it is happening, I can’t imagine choosing to leave a baby home 24/7 while I work and manage holiday shifts. 

There are so many mixed emotions that come with the choice I have made.  Based on the relief I felt when Matt and I decided that this makes the most sense, I truly believe that we are doing the right thing.  However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy and that doesn’t mean I won’t miss it.  Owning your own business is trying.  It’s mentally exhausting, and when it comes to a bakery, physically exhausting.  The work is never done because there are always things you can do to grow and improve the business.  Want to hire someone?  You are now HR.  Want to engage with customers?  You are now social media manager.  Want to make sure your finances are in line?  Hello, accountant (okay, okay, Matt did most of this for me).  Dishwasher, baker, marketing manager, operations manager, customer service, delivery person… these are just a few of the titles I’ve held over the last two and a half years.

But you know what I am really going to miss?  The RUSH.  That high you get at the end of a long day of baking, packaging, and managing phone calls with customers.  Being surrounded by other food businesses, your own special club.  Feeling the drive of other entrepreneurs who all support one another.  An email that your cookies truly made someone’s day.  A post on Yelp that raves about your products, quality and service.  Taking a step back and seeing what you have built.  Creating a new recipe that you know people will love.  The ability to share something you love with other people AND make a living.  Knowing that the time, effort, and love that goes into every cookie is truly worth-it. 

Now when I test out a new cookie recipe for the blog, and it is a hit, I joke with Matt that “I should go into business.”  And while we laugh and smile a bit, a part of me is very sad to leave something like this behind.  For most of my life I felt a little lost in terms of what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be.  Keep It Sweet Desserts almost fell into my life as a calling.  It was the first time I truly felt proud of what I was doing every day.  Now, will I just be someone who “used to own a business?”

With all of that said, I’m realizing now that I’m also being blessed with time.  It didn’t hit me until a couple of weeks ago that I have the entire summer and some of fall to focus my energy wherever I want.  Originally I thought I’d find a job before the baby was born, but I quickly realized that is somewhat unrealistic.  Plus, while I’m fairly certain I want to work part-time, I can’t predict exactly when I’ll be ready for that.  Maybe it will be two months post-baby, maybe six.  So last week, around when I was finally starting to feel myself again, I realized how amazing this blessing of time really is.  I’m motivated, excited and anxious to get back in the kitchen to create more than I have in a long time.  I’m hoping to re-prioritize this blog like I did in the beginning, using it as a means to find my way.  I have a feeling that this time will take me somewhere perhaps unexpected, but definitely somewhere that I want to be.

First Trimester Necessities

Everything you need to survive the first trimester of pregnancy

First Trimester Necessities- Everything you need to survive the first trimester of pregnancy

Everyone’s pregnancy is different but I’ve put together a list of items that helped me survive the first trimester.  Below that are resources for additional ideas from around the web!

  • A body pillow / Snoogle – I had so much trouble sleeping in my first trimester.  My stomach hurt, I was hot, and I couldn’t get comfortable.  This pillow helped me at least find a comfortable position to sleep in which made sleeping a bit easier.  I liked this Snoogle because it has a pillow case that you can wash.
  • Belly Laughs – My best friend sent this book to me as soon as I told her I was pregnant.  This book is hilarious and you won’t feel so alone in your weird symptoms when no one else knows that you are pregnant.  Oh, and this isn’t the kind of book that will make you nervous or crazy about anything.  You will just laugh.
  • A GOOD bra – I put this off as long as possible but can’t even tell you what a relief it was to get new bras that actually fit right.  For women in the NYC area, I highly recommend Yummy Mummy on the UES.  They have a pretty big selection and the saleswomen (especially Janina) are very nice and knowledgeable.  The store is actually focused on accessories and apparel for breastfeeding, but this way if my bra size ends up being the same, the new bras I got will actually work for that.  I went with the Bravados because they were insanely comfortable AND didn’t give me back fat (tmi?).  Huge thanks to my expert cousin at Forty Weeks for sending me there.
  • Comfortable clothes, especially pants!  I don’t know if everyone has this issue but I would get seriously bloated throughout the day almost all through my first trimester.  By ten weeks, even though I had only gained a couple of pounds, early into each afternoon my pants would be insanely tight and uncomfortable.  Invest in a couple of pairs (they don’t have to be expensive!) of comfortable maternity pants or shorts.  I preferred full panel.  My sister-in-law recommended these leggings which are great and I’m sure I will live in these shorts this summer.
  • Ice cream – One of my biggest cravings in the first few weeks was ice cream (in addition to bagels with tuna).  And sometimes only the real deal works.   Emma is opening up her shop in Jersey City over Memorial Day weekend…. I can NOT wait!
  • Whole Grain Carbs – I was so lucky that I didn’t have to deal with morning sickness but there were a few times that I felt a little nauseous.  Often it was just because I was hungry.  When that happened or when my appetite was just weird, the only thing I wanted were carbs.  Having some good whole-grain options on hands like pretzels, toast or crackers helped me feel a little better about what I was putting in my body.
  • Someone to talk to – I was really nervous about what could happen during my first trimester so I kept the pregnancy pretty secret.  Luckily I’m very close with my family and Matt was really good at listening whenever I wanted to talk about anything pregnancy related.  Have a good confidant so that you don’t feel alone during those first few months.
  • A good doctor – After my experience in trying to get pregnant (a story for another day), I was ready to say goodbye to my gyno.  I did some research and asked around before picking my new doctor.  Also, find out what hospital you would deliver at so you can research that as well.  So far I love my new OB and the location is very convenient to where we live.  It’s also helpful to find a doctor that is covered by your health insurance.
  • Good prenatal workout DVDs – I workout a lot at home but wanted to make sure I was doing everything safely so I stuck to prenatal DVDs.  I like this and this for yoga and love this Bar Method DVD.  Walking is also great, especially now that the weather is getting nice.  Don’t forget to consult with your doctor regarding what is safe for your pregnancy.
  • Snacks – I can’t tell you how many times I’d eat something and head out to run an errand only to get stuck in traffic or out and about and find myself STARVING.  There is currently a Luna Bar, KIND Bar, Z-Bar and big bag of popcorn in my car.  In my purse is a Kashi granola bar, Luna bar, almonds and bag of dried figs.  Usually I’ll grab a string cheese and piece of fruit for the road as well.  And don’t forget the water bottle! Seriously, don’t mess around with pregnancy hunger.
  • Good prenatal vitamin – I love these gummies because they taste like candy and don’t make me nauseous (a HUGE plus).  Also, they don’t use any artificial coloring.  Just note that they don’t have iron in them.

Lists from around the web…

Persnickety Pregnancy: Pregnancy Must-Haves

Gifts for a Pregnant Mama from Clarks Condensed

Surviving the First Trimester from Lily & Bliss

First Trimester Essentials from Christina’s Adventures

First Trimester Essentials from Niblet Blog

5 First Trimester Essentials I Couldn’t Live Without from Emily Davies

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First Trimester (plus) Update

Always wondering what it’s like in the first trimester of pregnancy? Want to know what to say when your friend says she is pregnant?  Read on for details!

Always wondering what it’s like in the first trimester of pregnancy? Want to know what to say (or what NOT to say...) when your friend says she is pregnant?

 

Photos taken last weekend

I know I’ve always been curious about other women’s experiences with pregnancy so I’ll be sharing some of mine on the blog in the coming months.  I’ll limit the specific updates to every few weeks or so, but I may share some stories and advice in other posts along the way.

How far along:  15 weeks

Total weight gain: 6 pounds

Maternity clothes: I started wearing maternity pants around ten weeks (only my leggings really fit me at that point).   Plus I would get so bloated during the day that even if my old pants fit me in the morning I would be so uncomfortable by the afternoon.  My yoga pants and a few loose tops still fit.

Stretch marks: Ah, not yet.

Sleep:  Much better in the last couple of weeks.  For most of the first trimester I was up frequently from stomach discomfort, being hot, and having to pee (four times a night or more!).  I was passing out by 8pm (9pm after the time change) and then past midnight couldn’t sleep through the night.  I also napped occasionally.

A few things have helped over the last few weeks:  drinking less water at night (plus there is probably less pressure on my bladder now), this pillow, and aggressive air conditioning.  Also, my stomach isn’t as bad as it was.

Best moment of this week:  I’d say the best moment of the last couple of weeks was our 13-week ultrasound.  Seeing the baby jump around and then hearing the heartbeat were pretty incredible moments.  Also, sharing the news with our friends and family has been fun.

Miss anything:  I already have a running list of things to consume after I have the baby… a bagel with lox, cocktail(s), a really good deli sandwich, diet coke…

Movement: Nothing yet!

Food cravings:  I had some cravings in the first few weeks, things like nachos, guacamole, ice cream, fruit and all carbs.  Overall, though, I’m just hungry ALL the time.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Luckily no.  I may have felt like a zombie for the first trimester, but I very rarely felt sick.  And the few times that I did, I just ate extra carbs and that usually helped.

Have you started to show yet: Yes!  Although I go back and forth between looking a little pregnant or very fat.

Gender: Don’t know yet but we will definitely find out.

Labor signs:  Nope.

Belly button in or out: All in.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time:  Pretty happy but I definitely cry more easily than I ever did before.  It is worse when I’m hungry.

Looking forward to:  I can’t wait to find out the sex!

Fun Facts:  I’ve never felt like I was eating so much yet gaining weight so slowly.  Sometimes I feel like I can’t get any work done because I have to stop and eat so often.

And in case you were wondering how to act around someone you know who is newly pregnant.

What you SHOULD say when you find out someone is pregnant:

  • Congratulations
  • That’s amazing, you look wonderful
  • You are glowing
  • I’m so happy for you
  • That is great news
  • How far along are you?
  • When are you due?
  • How are you feeling?
  • This is such a wonderful time for you and your family
  • I can’t wait to meet the baby
  • Let me know if you have any questions about pregnancy or babies
  • My friend is pregnant, let me introduce you

What NOT to say when you find out someone is pregnant:

  • I knew it!  I thought you looked different  (This can be okay if you say it delicately.  Some women can be really self-conscious of their growing selves)
  • No wonder you are eating like a pig
  • I’ve been pregnant before, here is all that you ever have to know because I am an expert
  • Well, there goes your social life
  • Guess you can’t drink, bummer
  • Most pregnant women I know went crazy after they had a baby (yes, someone said something like this to me)
  • Are you sure you’re not having twins?
  • It’s about time
  • What, you had a hard time?  Here are all the people I know that got pregnant in 0.2 seconds
  • Good thing because that clock is ticking
  • My friends who have kids are miserable
  • Don’t do/eat [insert list of ten million things here]
  • Make sure you [insert list of ten million things here]

And on touching the belly:

I actually did not think I’d have to worry about this so early on, but shockingly people love to touch a pregnant belly, even when it’s small.  Maybe I’ll feel differently in a few months when I’m much bigger, but right now it still feels like my stomach.  Half of the time I’m bloated and uncomfortable and honestly, after years of being self-conscious about how big (I thought) my stomach was, I just really don’t want anyone to touch it.  Sometimes people ask, and I guess that is okay, but I always feel like I’m being rude or I’ll hurt their feelings by saying no.  Any advice on this?

Any other tips on what or what not to say?
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Keep It Sweet Desserts Weekly Wrap-up 4/18/14

Last week’s “big news” was about TV.  This week, though, I have some actual real big news… Matt and I are having a baby!  I’m just over 14 weeks along (holy cow does that sound far now) and the past 9 plus weeks of keeping this a secret were some of the longest weeks I can remember.  I’m so happy, though, and very excited to finally be able to share our news.  There is a lot to tell you about but I think I’ll leave that for another post.  Do pregnancy related posts interest you at all?

Pregnancy Announcement with Before and After Pics

Pregnancy Announcement with Before and After Pics

The 13-week photos are from last weekend, but I haven’t changed too much since then.  And in the spirit of oversharing, I swear that’s only four added pounds.

Other than that nothing else seems that eventful right now.  Things at Keep It Sweet Desserts were great for Passover.  I do have much to share on my plans going forward for my first “baby” as well.  Oh yeah, and it took us about one minute to get hooked on Breaking Bad.

Now for this week’s updates:

Most popular product:  Matzo Crack

Order Matzo Crack for Passover!

Current seasonal specialsPumpkin Pie Coffee (on sale), Atlantic Blend Coffee, Cookie of the Month: Peppermint Patty Stuffed Triple Chocolate Cookies (almost gone!), Matzo Crack (almost gone!), Graduation Gift Basket

Peppermint Patty Stuffed Triple Chocolate Cookies

Most popular recipe/blog post:  Chocolate Truffles 3-ways

Five favorite things I pinned all week:

Salted Chocolate Pots with Caramel Sauce from Amuse Your Bouche

Biscoff Crunch Ice Cream Cake from A Family Feast

Bananas Foster Ice Cream from Scoop Adventures

Overnight Bananas Foster French Toast from Chef in Training

Raw Acai Bowl from Patrice D’Agostino

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!