Category Archives: Pregnancy

Maternity Jeans

October 27, 2016

As I mentioned last week, I have been searching for maternity jeans that are both comfortable and don’t fall down. While I love how comfortable my J Brand pair is, I clearly purchased the wrong size because they are constantly shimmying down my hips. Not only that, but I feel like the back doesn’t quite come up as high as I would like, so I’m always worried that I’m going to find myself in a plumber-type situation (if you catch my drift), which, while that may have been a hot thing in college, is definitely not my current scene at 23+ weeks pregnant.

I also have a pair of JCrew maternity jeans, which are my sister’s (we pass maternity clothes back and forth, since we seem to trade being pregnant every 6-12 months). They are also super comfy, but since my sister is a bit taller than I am, they are not the right size and end up baggy and unflattering by the end of the day (which is great when you already feel like your whole body is kind of baggy and unflattering).

I posted a question on Facebook recently about maternity jeans and got a bunch of great responses. The number one consensus, though? Maternity jeans, just like regular jeans, are totally personal. While there were a couple of repeat votes for a few brands, overall everyone had different opinions on who made the “best” maternity jeans.

The other issue I ran into is that maternity brands seem to be sort of few and far between here in the Netherlands. I never felt like the US had tons of maternity options or anything, but maternity sizing did seem much more readily available there than it does here.

Luckily, over the weekend KC, Prim and I took our bikes into the city center to check out a sale that was happening at a large department store. We ended up wandering into an H&M which carried maternity sizing and I walked away with three (!) new pairs of maternity jeans.

Finding these jeans felt like such a win, because they’re comfortable, stay skinny all day long, and don’t fall down! Hallelujah. Plus, they were a whopping €30 per pair, so walking away with three didn’t feel like I was burning our bank account to the ground.I never thought I was an over-the-belly maternity jean kind of girl (because generally I find anything digging into my belly to be incredibly uncomfortable), but these are actually super comfortable and the extra layer is great for the cold weather here in Amsterdam. Plus, the additional fabric means I never have to worry about being mistaken for someone who fixes drainage problems for a living.

*In case you’re curious, I picked up the H&M Mama Super Skinny in blue and grey, and the Mama Bikertregging in plum (color not currently available online). US version of the Super Skinny is available here. Bikertregging doesn’t appear to be available on the US site, but similar pants available here.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Update — October

October 20, 2016

I have a legit pregnant belly these days, which often feels twice as big at night. I feel like my belly is getting bigger faster than when I was pregnant with Prim, and even though I kind of expected this, I worry what it will mean for the third trimester. Luckily my weight gain is still low to moderate, but sometimes it feels like literally all of my weight is migrating to my midsection.

weeks: 22.5

baby’s size: spaghetti squash

i’m feeling: pretty good. This is sort of the sweet spot in pregnancy — where you look legitimately pregnant but you’re not so far along that the real pregnancy symptoms have descended in full force just yet. I am super hungry these days — especially at night, and some mornings I wake up to my stomach feeling really achy, as though I’ve been doing sit-ups all night long. (If only, right?)

food love: soup and mochas. Potato Leek Soup is the most delicious thing right now, and the amount that I can devour in a single sitting is basically Kobayashi-worthy. I’m making homemade mochas daily, too — there’s just nothing quite as comforting in this cold, rainy weather.

food hate: I don’t have any extreme food aversions right now, but I’m definitely much pickier food-wise than I am when not pregnant. The scene of me being incredibly hungry and staring into the fridge while mentally bemoaning that there’s “nothing to eat” is basically a daily occurrence. It feels like being a teenager all over again. (MOM! WHERE ARE THE BAGEL BITES?!)

3 pros for october: 1. The weather has been so wonderfully fall-like. It’s cold at night and chilly during the day. The gray, rainy days just make our warm, candlelit apartment that much cozier. 2. I’ve been cooking up a storm with all this second-trimester energy. It’s nice to feel somewhat normal after so many weeks of being completely miserable with the HG. 3. I’m so looking forward to the holiday decor and cheer that’s going to be decking the halls within the next few weeks! I will have my Christmas Pandora stations going non-stop.

3 cons for october: 1. KC has had to work a little more than usual recently (though nothing compared to the hours he used to pull in the states), which is a bummer for Prim and I because we miss our evenings with him! 2. Being back in Amsterdam and cooking regularly means going to the market just about every day. It’s not that big of a deal, but sometimes I long for the days in California when I could do one big shop on Sunday and be stocked for the week. 3. My belly is at this weird stage where my regular jeans aren’t really comfortable anymore but my maternity jeans are still too big. First world problems for sure.

currently living in: regular clothes with the Bellaband, and diving into my maternity wardrobe as well. I definitely need a few more winter items — namely some warm sweaters that cover my bump. I’m hemming and hawing over ordering some items from ASOS since they have free shipping to the Netherlands, but I’m always so nervous about ordering clothing online, especially if I’ve never worn the brand before.

looking forward to: booking our upcoming trips to Vienna, Paris and California for Christmas!

dreaming about: the perfect pair of maternity jeans. I’m currently doing a desperate search for maternity jeans, as I’m not thrilled with either of the two pairs I have. I think I’ll end up ordering a pair of Paige skinnies, but I have to wait until I’m back in the states to get them because shipping to the Netherlands is absurdly expensive.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Update — September

September 20, 2016

This pregnancy is flying by, and I find that I often forget that I’m even pregnant (y’know, now that I’m not puking every 12 seconds, which was a pretty good reminder). I have this recurring dream where I suddenly remember that I’m pregnant after drinking one or more beers, which I think is totally due to the fact that I simply don’t have the time to really revel in this pregnancy the way I did when I was pregnant with Prim. (Well, that, and the fact that I would kill a man for a cocktail right now…)

weeks: 18

baby’s size: sweet potato

i’m feeling: better! The nausea has officially left the building, thank the sweet lord.

food love: mexican food, since I’m back in Cali for a bit. Sushi from my favorite sushi joint was also especially delicious (I get the cooked rolls, calm down) and food in general is tasting so much better these days (finally!)

food hate: meat can still be a little tricky at times. Sometimes a burger sounds totally delicious and other times it sounds like the worst thing ever.

3 pros for september: 1. I’m getting to see so many friends and family while Prim and I are back in California for a few weeks. 2. Eating is no longer torture, and often really enjoyable! 3. It’s been so nice to spend times with all of Prim’s little toddler friends while we’re here in California — she’s quite the social butterfly!

3 cons for september: 1. Its nice being back in a familiar place for a bit, but Prim and I are missing KC a lot. 2. I completely forgot about the insane traffic here in the Bay Area. I don’t drive in Amsterdam and we mostly take our bikes everywhere. Getting anywhere out here takes forever! 3. Now that I’m able to eat normally, my belly is getting bigger by the day. It’s crazy how quickly it expands the second time around!

currently living in: regular clothes with the bellaband. I know a lot of people who aren’t a fan of belly bands, but I have gotten tons of use out of mine during this and my last pregnancy.

looking forward to: taking a few more trips with KC and Prim when we get back to Amsterdam. (I’m specifically looking at a couple short trips to see some of the Christmas markets — be still my heart!)

dreaming about: fall and the holiday season. I’m super excited that it will be October when we get back to Amsterdam (the “official” start of the holiday season in my book). I can’t wait to decorate the apartment and soak up all the local cheer!

Pregnancy

We’re having a…

August 29, 2016

We’re so excited for…

Pregnancy

Place Your Bets!

August 26, 2016

img_9675-1 We will be posting the gender of this little one when we find out, but for now, feel free to place your bets on whether Prim will be getting a brother or a sister come February!

1. If you have morning sickness, it’s a girl. If you don’t, it’s a boy.
You all know that I had Hyperemesis Gravidarum with this pregnancy, aka morning sickness on steroids. Result: GIRL

2. If you crave sweets, it’s a girl. Craving sour/salt? It’s a boy.
The first trimester I craved pretty much nothing because I was so sick. The random times that eating didn’t sound completely terrible I would want Mexican food. All the Mexican food. Result: BOY

3. Use a Chinese Gender Predictor to predict the sex, based on your due date and birthday.
Based on my due date (February 20, 2017) and birthday (April 10, 1984), the Chinese predictor says it’s a girl. (Though I should note that I tried this out with my sister’s birthday and her son’s due date and it said she was having a girl as well, so that should kind of tell you…) Result: GIRL

4. If the baby’s heartbeat is regularly above 140 bpm, it’s a girl. Below 140 bpm — it’s a boy.
Baby’s heart rate was routinely above 140 at each of our doctor’s appointment. Result: GIRL

5. If you prefer sleeping on your right side, it’s a girl. If you gravitate towards the left, it’s a boy.
I have been mostly sleeping on my left side this pregnancy. Result: BOY

6. If you’re extra moody, it’s a girl. If you’re even-keeled, it’s a boy.
I was pretty moody early on in this pregnancy, but it evened out faster than when I was pregnant with Prim. Result: GIRL

7. If you’re clumsy, you’re having a boy. Graceful as can be? It’s a girl.
I am the most clumsy these days. It actually drives me a little nuts because I’m constantly dropping things. Result: BOY

8. More headaches mean you’re having a boy, less means it’s a girl.
I haven’t had any change in the amount of headaches I get. I don’t get them much when I’m not pregnant and haven’t had many during this pregnancy. Result: GIRL..?

9. If your hands are soft, it’s a girl. If they’re dry, it’s a boy.
My hands are dry and scaly as ever (reptile hands!) Result: BOY

10. If you’re carrying high, it’s a girl. If your belly is low, it’s a boy.
Maybe it’s too early to tell this one, I don’t know, but I’ve been carrying on the lower side to this point. Result: BOY

GIRL: 5 (ish) points BOY: 5 points