22 Week Update

How far along?  22 weeks & 2 days

Total weight gain:  I have had a fat week and feeling huge! I don't think I am actually huge but I feel it.  I think this is down to the heat and the fact my ankles seem to be swelling a little!  Bad times.  
My friend had this a few weeks back and recommends elevating your legs as much as possible  but this can be pretty difficult at work and also at festivals!!

Maternity clothes?  Nothing new, really enjoying my H&M Mama purchases from last week but I still feel like I have nothing to wear and look crap in everything!  I think this is just going to get worse as I get bigger so I should probably just get used to it and stop moaning!!  I now understand why people said to me its so rubbish being preggo in the summer! 

Stretch marks?  None, just looking quite veiny on my tummy!  I am running out of Mama Mio's Belly Butter and thinking about trying a new one, does anyone have any recommendations??  I have been told Burts Bees Mama Bees Oil is lovely, has anyone tried it?

Sleep:  Sleep has been odd! I am getting to sleep fine but I have been having such horrific dreams I wake up upset!!  Mainly baby related!  The other night I had one where I had my baby but I couldn't seem to hold it properly and it was flopping all over the place and puking everywhere!!!

Best moment this week:  Harry has been kicking so so much now and I have really enjoyed his "active-ness" 

Worst moment this week:  Bad dreams and aching ribs!

Miss anything?  For the first time I haven't missed a single thing!  I thought I would miss alcohol this weekend when I went to Wireless Festival (post to come) but I really didn't at all! I had a blast and I felt so much better than everyone else did in the heat!

Movement: As above, he has been moving around loads and I am LOVING it.

Food cravings:  Cold Coke still and carbs!  Loving a good plate off chips..  I wish I was craving healthy stuff like Green Tea and dust!! Trying to start eating a lot healthier now as I am being so so naughty with the eating out and being lazy

Anything making you queasy or sick:  nothing!

Gender: Boy!!

Labor signs: None

Symptoms:  Another quite good week really!  Full of energy and not feeling particularly unwell or anything.  My body is pretty achey though most of the time and feeling like its really growing and under a lot more strain than before.  Its quite uncomfortable at work now sitting down for long periods, which can't exactly be avoided - AND totally not enjoying swollen ankles!

Belly button in or out?  In but sort of flat!

Happy or moody most of the time?  Happy and moody at once!  Moody because I feel like I look crap at all times and happy because I am obviously so excited to become a Mummy!!

Looking forward to:  Still our house move.  Its stupidly exciting!  Just want to get in there and start the decorating!

Bump:

My Favourite Pregnancy & Baby Blogs

When I found out I was pregnant the first thing I did was log on to my PC and drain the internet looking for pregnancy/baby blogs!  I knew immediately that I wanted to start my own and I also had a million questions buzzing round my head that I needed answers to!  Some of the ladies below really helped me on my quest for pregnancy knowledge and some are just blogs that I LOVE following and seeing the updates on how their little ones (or little bumps) are doing!

Go check them all out!!

http://bumpbabycandme.blogspot.co.uk/

Sarah The beautiful Sarah over at Bump, Baby C and Me is a good friend of mine and is in her final trimester!  She has looked AMAZING throughout her entire pregnancy even sporting her big round bump from early on! Follow her blog for weekly pregnancy updates, baby related shopping lists and breast feeding debates!

http://alittlebeautyspot.blogspot.co.uk/

Hannah A Little Beauty Spot has always been a fave beauty blog of mine and when Hannah announced she was expecting a few weeks ago I couldn't wait to follow her progress!  She has just come into her second trimester and looks incredible!  I can't wait to see her tiny bump grow :)  She also has a YouTube channel where she has started to vlog her pregnancy updates which I wish is something I could be confident enough to do as I LOVE to watch them!! Follow her blog for beauty posts, weekly pregnancy updates and posts on what she gets up to at the weekend!

http://sprinkleofglitter.blogspot.co.uk/

Louise If you haven't come across Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter before then I do not know where you have been!  Plus if you have never come across her junior, Baby Glitter (Darcy) then you have been completely missing out!  These 2 are the cutest duo on the blogging/YouTube scene, creating beauty and baby related videos.  Its nice to read and watch what its like to have a 2 year old to prepare me for things to come!  Follow Louise for adorable Baby Glitter videos and makeup tips

http://adventuresofamum.com/

Lara Another friend of mine from my town is Lara who is over on Adventures of a Mum!  She started blogging about halfway through her pregnancy about how to cope with certain ailments and what to buy to dress your bump!  She has an absolutely gorgeous new baby called Henry and you simply must read her birthing story as its totes emotional!  Follow her for pregnancy fashion and cute new baby pics!


Do you have a baby or pregnancy blog??  If so leave me your links below so I can follow them!

Pregnancy Survival: Melt-Proof Make Up

There is nothing worse than make up melting down your face on a hot day or in a poorly ventilated building.  When you are pregnant your body temperature is a little higher than usual and you will find that you will sweat a lot more than you used to!

Being an ex-beauty blogger I have tried and tested a lot of methods of applying make up and lots of different brands to see what can withstand the heat so if you're off to a festival this summer like I am or off on your hols, here are some of my tips for a melt-proof face!

1.  Prime!  I don't use a primer in my everyday make up routine.  Some girls swear by it and it is the most important step in their regime, however I find it too heavy for an every day look and I really don't feel like my skin needs it.  However, in the heat a primer is essential to keep your foundation in place and to avoid it going patchy.  I have found that the Smashbox Photo Finish primer in Light is the best for the job!  It will also give you that much sought after dewy look without going greasy

2.  If you can get away with it, skip foundation and go for a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream.  Its light and less likely to clog your pores compared to a regular foundation. Plus, your skin will love you for it.  You cannot beat Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturiser which has an SPF of 20 to keep you protected

3.  Of you can't bare to "go bare" then go for a silicone based foundation as this will last the longest, especially teamed with your primer.  The best I have found is IMAN Second to None Stick Foundation.  It looks really good applied with a flat foundation brush and blended with clean fingers and as always make sure your foundation has an SPF in it!

4.  Opt for a waterproof concealer.  This will hide blemishes and conceal dark circles and won't move an inch!  The best I have found is Lancome's Effacernes

5.  Use cream based eyeshadow and blusher as these won't go cakey and they give a really natural glow that can't be achieved with powders.  Try and find ones with staying power like the Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow and the Illamasqua Cream Blusher

6.  Liquid eyeliner and mascara is essential and my favourites are the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner and Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara.  I would steer clear of false eyelashes in the heat as they are likely to irritate your eyes if you get sweaty and are also likely to come unstuck - NOT a good look!

Do you have any heat proof make up tips??

Pregnancy Survival: Baby on Board Badge

As I have mentioned in my Festival Essentials post, I am off to Wireless Festival this coming weekend!!  Some may say I am a crazy preggo woman but I don't see why I should miss out on a fun day out just because I am carrying a baby!

I am however concerned about staying safe at the festival as we all know they can get a little crowded and out of hand (mainly from sweaty teenagers creating mosh pits or punch ups!)  So we will be steering clear of the front of the stage and settling ourselves in a little further back than we usually would, I am also going with boys so they will be creating a "human wall" around me to keep me safe from harm!

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One thing I was worried about was the tube journey too and from the event, as its in Stratford this year which is a nightmare on a normal Saturday let alone when people are on their way to get down to a bit of Jay Z!  I did a little research online and found out you can get badges to wear for the tube so people who are blind and can't see your bump can clearly see you are pregnant and will hopefully let you sit down!  I think this is a great idea and I think the badge is pretty retro so I don't mind wearing it, I just hope people don't ignore it and will actually give up their seat for this little preggo lady!

If you want to claim a free Transport for London Baby on Board badge just email your full name and address to babyonboard@tfl.gov.uk or call 0343 222 1234

Have you got a Baby on Board badge??  Do people pay attention to it?!

21 Week Update

How far along?  21 weeks

Total weight gain:  Still not sure but this week bump has grown and grown!  Its starting to get a little harder now too!  I don't think I have put much weight on elsewhere so hopefully its all just baby

Maternity clothes?  I had a meltdown last weekend and got in a rage about having NOTHING to wear! I seem to struggle most on hot days as its hard to wear vests and things without boobs falling out everywhere and just generally everything being terribly unflattering.  So i had had enough and my lovely other half took me to Southampton where I spent around £70 on some new maternity gear!  I got so much for that amount of money though and I am really pleased with my purchases.  I got it all from H&M's Mama range which wasn't huge at all, just a few rails but it was full of really nice bits that were also all in the sale!  I will do a separate post for what I bought if anyone is interested? (The red jersey dress in my bump pic this week is one of my purchases and was only £5!!)

Stretch marks?  None but I have noticed a purple'ish looking teeny tiny vein showing near my belly button that I don't know if its the beginnings of a stretch mark or possibly a spider vein!?  Either way I dislike it and it has encouraged me to use twice the amount of Bio Oil!

Sleep:  I haven't slept at all well this week, possibly due to the sticky muggy weather but also because I just feel so uncomfortable now my bump has started to really grow.  I am thinking a pregnancy pillow is next on my agenda to buy as just hugging a cushion isn't cutting it right now

Best moment this week:  I have actually really liked the fact that my bump has grown as I was getting a bit of a complex being so small.. people say some really odd comments and almost look worried that you aren't sporting a huge bump when you are halfway through your pregnancy! 

Worst moment this week:  Lack of sleep mainly and just being a little uncomfortable in general when sitting down at work!

Miss anything?  I have missed brie this week!

Movement: SO much movement! Last night for the first time he actually woke me up kicking! I also felt a really odd movement yesterday where it felt like his hand or foot or something stroked the wall of my tummy! So creepy but also cute!!

Food cravings:  No food cravings this week but still can't get enough of cold coke, especially in this warm weather

Anything making you queasy or sick:  nothing at all this week!

Gender: Boy!!

Labor signs: None

Symptoms:  I have felt pretty good this week health wise, just a bit tired from

some late nights! Heartburn hasn't been too bad at all either. I am feeling a lot more aches and pains now my bump is growing more and the old stabbing ligament pain is in full force!

Belly button in or out?  In but going a little flat so I reckon it will pop out very soon!

Happy or moody most of the time?  H.A.P.P.Y

Looking forward to:  Moving into our new home!!! Eeeek! We are going to have a little party to celebrate! Also can't wait for Wireless festival next weekend.. I have my Baby On Board badge at the ready! 

Bump:

Baby Buys: Grobag Egg Thermometer

I was recommended the Grobag Egg Thermometer by a friend with a newborn and she advised it is a complete essential for any new mother! 

Its a very simple little device that will glow different colours according to the temperature of the room -  a very important thing to know for you and your little one! Health professionals recommend that the room your baby sleeps in should be between 16 and 20°C to help reduce the risk of cot death

The egg, which also doubles up as a night light, will glow yellow if the temperature is between the recommended guidelines   It also has a digital LCD screen to tell you what the temperature is

This wasn't something I was going to purchase until nearer Harry's due date but I saw an offer on the Bounty website that I couldn't miss out on, you can get the Grobag Egg Thermometer and a cute Egg Shell for £14.95!  Usual price is £34.95 so it is definitely worth getting if you are interested in one!

Have you used the Grobag Egg Thermometer or will you be getting one??

The Halfway Mark: To Do List

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Half bloody way, how on earth did we get here!?

I am continuously moaning about how slowly this pregnancy has been going but thinking about it now I have no idea how we have already made it past the 20 week mark!  Nuts.

So hitting halfway through my pregnancy actually makes me panic slightly, it feels like there is SO much we need to buy and do.  As with everything in my life the only way I can get things done is with a good solid British list, so here is my to do list for the next 20 weeks!

Decide on and buy nursery furniture - I think we found the set for us this weekend in Mamas and Papas, its a 3 piece set called Sienna and we really like it in white. 
The units will grow with Harry as they aren't very babyish and the cot turns into a cot bed very easily saving us a bit of cash there.  The top of the changing unit is also removable which turns it into a normal chest of drawers which I love and the wardrobe is really spacious for all of his lovely clothes!
We also need to find a good comfy armchair to use as a nursing chair, we need something cosy and that I can basically fall asleep in!

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Decorate Harry's nursery - We have already decided on a colour scheme which will be light blue, light grey and white, and we are going to have a slight elephant theme!  We have already found loads of cute accessories and I can't wait to start putting it all together!  I also need to find some good blackout curtains to prevent the little one waking up when the sun rises!!

Buy Harry's first outfit - We're going to go shopping and pick a first outfit for Harry.  I am thinking something pure white with a matching hat!

Buy Ewan the Dream Sheep - This was included in my latest wish list here

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Start collecting books for the nursery - I keep banging on about it but I really want loads of books for Harry's nursery so I can read to him as soon as possible.  He will have all the classic books that I loved as a child, The Very Hungry Caterpillar  We're Going on a Bear Hunt, The Tiger That Came For Tea and The Enchanted Wood

Decide when I am going to leave work - I really need to get organised and fill in my paperwork for when I will be taking my maternity leave.. I haven't even requested my MATB1.  Its really difficult to decide when to leave as obviously I want as much time at home after Harry is born as possible but I also want a nice relaxing few weeks at home to prepare for his arrival.  I have saved up a few weeks holiday so maybe I will leave 4 - 6 weeks before he is due but we'll see

Write a birth plan - Birth. Eeek.  I basically know pretty much how I want my birth to go.  I really want an epidural, I am so bad with pain and I don't want to put myself through it unnecessarily when the option is available to ease it!  I will have Scott and my sister as my birthing partners and my sister is cutting the cord!  I guess I may need to elaborate on my plan a bit but for now that is all I have!  I wasn't really sure how you even write a birth plan and I am sure most other first time mummys are the same but I found lots of information here and also a blank plan you can print and fill out

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Have you made a list of things you need to do before baby arrives??



Pregnancy Survival: Festival Essentials

I am off to a couple of festivals this year the first one being in just a couple of weeks time!  I am a little nervous as it will be a totally different experience whilst pregnant, not to mention sober!  Saying that I am really excited about it and the fact I can't drink doesn't really put me off as I will be the one without a sore head the next morning!

Here are some of my essentials for festival season this year:

Tie Dye Smock Dress £17.50 from ASOS - Gone are my itty bitty denim shorts and in their place is this beautiful flowing smock dress from ASOS.  This isn't from their maternity range but it is the perfect cut for the size of me right now and to be honest I don't even look very pregnant in it at all!  Comfort is my biggest thing at the moment and style is equally important, the pattern of this dress is spot on for the festival feel

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Pro Dark Spray £15.49 from Feel Unique - Since Harry is taking up a lot of our time and money we aren't having a summer holiday this year and there isn't much chance of me catching rays in Britain so I will need a good fake tan to see me through the rest of this year.  This L'Oreal one is really quite good and gives you a really good even sun kissed tan that Cheryl Cole would be envious of

Hunter Regent Savoy £125 from Hunter - Now the ones in the picture are super shiny and lovely, mine however are covered in a variety of festival crap and have lost their shine BUT they are still the most amazing wellingtons ever as they look more like a stylish boot than a smelly welly!  They are expensive but trust me you will want to invest

Rope Crown Headband £8 from ASOS - Headwear is a must.  I usually go for a hippy flower strung headband or a bowler hat but this year I think i will go a little different and wear a chain in my hair.  I love this one from ASOS and I think it will go really well with my smock dress

Leather Stud Fringe Across Body Bag £20 from ASOS - I really love fringe bags and I think they look great at festivals.  This one has a long strap so its easy to wear as well as keeping your belonging really safe and close to you

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine £8 from ASOS - I wouldn't go anywhere without my beloved Korres Lip Butter in the shade Jasmine.  Its really really hydrating and is such a lovely subtle pink colour

Kleenex Pocket Pack 97p from Boots - I don't really need to explain why these are a billion percent necessary - just make sure you have at least 2 or 3 packs

Gaviscon Strawberry Tablets  £2.99 from Boots - The last thing I want to do at a festival is complain about my annoying acid reflux so these sweets will be a lifesaver when I can't carry round a hefty bottle of Gaviscon liquid!  It also means I can treat myself to a greasy burger without suffering too hard after it!

Are you going to any festivals this year whilst pregnant??