It’s kind of crazy that I’m in the final weeks of the second trimester already.  I’m having a little trouble comprehending that I’ll be in the third trimester at the end of the month.  Third trimester sounds so… like, “this is happening.”  Like, you’re gonna have that baby soon.  This is partially because the third trimester is the shortest of all three (I wasn’t aware of this before getting pregnant, so if you already know the trimester breakdown, just bear with me for a sec.)  Your first trimester lasts from 1-14 weeks, the second from 14-28 weeks, and the third from 28-40 weeks (or whenever you deliver).  This means that the third trimester is a mere 12 weeks long, assuming you get to a full 40 weeks at the end (which, many people don’t).  So if you go into labor early?  It’s even shorter.

I mean, math.

Anyway, enough about how I’m kind of freaking out, let’s talk about what’s been working for the second trimester!

Sleeping: The Bump Nest pregnancy pillow has been such a lifesaver throughout this pregnancy.  Like I’ve said before, I’m normally a stomach sleeper, so learning to sleep on my side has been quite an adjustment.  The Bump Nest pillow is amazing because it’s super soft and fluffy, but way more supportive than a regular pillow would be.  My pillow started to sag right at the top of the hook, so I started using a regular pillow up there to support my head (which is actually a lot more comfortable for me anyway).  If you’re pregnant and you’re still trying to figure out how to sleep comfortably — I totally recommend this pillow (but troubleshoot a little with adding a couple extra pillows — that’s how I like to use it!)

Clothing:  I’m still totally obsessed with the Ingrid and Isabel Bellaband, which I wear with my regular pre-pregnancy jeans.  I did buy some J Brand maternity jeans, which I like OK, but they’re a little too big on the top still and so tend to scoot down throughout the day (nothing like having to yank your pants up all day long).  However, they were great last week when I was in New York and wearing fleece tights under my clothes, because they’re super stretchy.  As for tops, Gap has been such a lifesaver, as a lot of their tops are long enough to go over my bump still, without me having to buy maternity-specific shirts only.  (A note on this, I do have some maternity tops from Pea in the Pod, which I absolutely love; but it’s nice to buy some stuff that should work both during and for some time after pregnancy, since it’s not pregnancy-specific.)  My favorites of the moment are these fluid long-sleeve pocket tees and the quilted-panel fluid tees.

Workout Wear: I had this idea that I wouldn’t need to buy new workout wear for pregnancy because Lululemon stuff is so stretchy.  Um, FALSE.  First, Lulu stuff is really stretchy, but there are a few issues — 1. The pants tend to be really tight right along the lower belly, which is suuuuper uncomfortable during pregnancy, so those are out; and 2. the tops “fit,” but I’ve become so, um, voluptuous that it was getting a little bit, like, PG-13 (I like to keep my workout wear PG at the very most.)  So anyway, these high-waist Beyond Yoga leggings have been amazing for pregnancy.  They’re not actually maternity pants, but they’re super soft and stretchy without the intense compression of Lulu leggings, so they’ve been perfect for teaching and taking class.  As for tops, the Gap Fit line has been where it’s at.  I bought the breathe tank and long sleeve and the motion tank and long sleeve tops.  These tops are not only affordable (hiiii, Lulu, I love you, but I’m not gonna spend $500 on a pregnancy-specific workout wardrobe), they’re super comfy, stretchy, and flattering.  And, again, because they’re not “maternity,” they’ll work post-baby too.

Skin and Beauty:  I’ve still been loving (and using religiously) the Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter.  It’s nice and thick and moisturizing without feeling super greasy (and no stretch marks!  …Yet.)  My skin has been pretty dry since becoming pregnant, so I’ve been using Tarte’s Maracuja Oil on my face at night.  I like that it’s a natural product (good for pregnancy!) and that it moisturizes without me feeling like I’ve just rubbed Vaseline all over my face.  And in the event that my face decides to be a total a-hole and be dry and break out, the Burt’s Bees Herbal Blemish Stick has been my go-to.

Well, that’s probably a good enough list for now.  Let me know if you have any specific questions on any of the stuff I’ve listed or any other things I’m using — happy to share!