Pregnancy Essentials

So now that I'm 39 weeks today (yikes!) I figured I'd share some of my wardrobe staples over the last several months. I tried to get use out of my pre-pregnancy clothes for as long as I could, graduating from a hair tie as a clasp for my jeans to a belly band, which was way more flattering, since my gut started busting out through the zipper opening and creating weird bumps. The band had a smoother finish under t-shirts. I wore it until I hit six months and decided it was time to give in to the elastic waistband jeans. I know lots of people who swear by Paige and Seven maternity jeans, but since I was just planning on rocking skinny jeans under a tall pair of boots and a long sweater, I didn't want to bother with getting super pricey pants, of which only a small part (mid-thigh to knees) would be seen.

I forfeited my heels (mainly because my new job as an editor has no dress code and it was winter) so my daily uniform was very similar to my pre-preggo cold-weather style: jeans, riding boots, long slim-fit t-shirt and a few different chunky cardigans. I had success with Gap and Target maternity clothes and just mixed and matched a few of those t-shirts with a collection of non-maternity stretchy tees over a long tank top. (I'm a big fan of the classic v-neck tri-blend from American Apparel.) I should also mention that I've spent the last month or so living in these Gap leggings. 

In December, my mom gave me the Snoogle pillow as a birthday present, and while it's absurd and creates a wall in bed between me and C, I love it and could not have been able to sleep without it. I found it so worth the price, and obviously, even better if you can guilt someone into buying it for you.

I used the Occitane Shea butter cream, but not religiously. I think the stretch mark thing is really genetic, but I included it in the list because your skin still tends to get dry from the stretching (and if you're pregnant during colder months) so I think it's worth investing in a good lotion that's not greasy and heavy on scents. (I was particularly sensitive to smell, especially in the beginning.)

I'd also strongly recommend prenatal yoga classes and massages, if you can swing them. I'm still going to yoga at least twice a week. I got one amazing massage (C surprised me back in November with a gift certificate to Bliss) and he got me another one (at a different place that specializes in prenatal) last week, so I'm hoping I can use it before baby comes. I'm due in exactly one week, so that really means any day now, and I (stupidly) didn't take any leave beforehand, so I'll likely be getting a massage this weekend, if I make it that long.

In the meantime, the Great Boys Name Debate of 2012 continues in our household and it's so stressful, you guys. If we ever do this again, I'm putting a deadline on this naming thing. I'm worried we're going to be that couple that can't decide and leaves the hospital without a name. Isn't that how Picabo Street ended up with her's? I think she named herself once she started talking. (Hint: she was quite fond of the peek-a-boo game.) Maybe we'll go that route.