A Size Small Maternity is Still Small

So I acknowledge 100% that I am getting bigger around the middle. There is no denying that. But when my sister offered to lend me some of her maternity clothes, I jumped at the opportunity! Now, me and my sister have completely different builds. We always have. She's petite, and I'm, well, not petite : ). She wears a size Small normally, I wear a size Large. But when she emerged from the basement with box-loads of cute prego-wear, I just couldn't resist trying them on. BAD IDEA! After going through all the clothes and picking out the shirts and pants that looked "big", I went into her guest room to slip into them (or so I thought). Well, "slip" very quickly turned into "shove my body". Unless I wanted to look like a sausage, the pants and most shirts were a definite no-go. And those are the ones that I managed to squeeeeeeze over my booty! So a word of wisdom to all pregos: just because something looks "big", "roomy" or was "large and comfy" on your Size 4 sister, doesn't mean its going to fit your Size 14 prego-self. At least I have my skinny jeans : )

Beyonce Brings Back the Morning Sickness

Ever heard Beyonce's song "Halo"? It's a pretty song -- right? Well, for the past few weeks I've realized that the song induces morning sickness for me. It totally makes my stomach start to churn and my gag reflex start to go wild. YUCK! I finally realized what the issue is -- that song launched on the radio at the height of my morning sickness during the first trimester. Just like the thought of Ginger Ale or Saltines makes me now want to vomit, the memories of feeling terrible day after day come sweeping back as soon as she belts out the first note. Sorry Beyonce, but I can't WAIT until "Halo" gets canned. Nothing personal : )

Prego Pencil Skirt?

A prego pencil skirt. That seems like a complete oxymoron to me! But being in desperate need for cute (yet budget-friendly) maternity-wear, I am willing to try anything. The skinny jeans were a success (IMO at least!), so maybe the prego pencil skirt has a little hope. Although, I must say, I'm currently shaped more like a bulky eraser than a sleek pencil.

Here is the one I ordered, again from Target: http://www.target.com/Liz-Lange-Target-Pencil-Skirt/dp/B001C1ELSS/sr=1-1/qid=1248819939/ref=sr_1_1/187-1496655-9239228?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Amaternity%20pencil%20skirt&page=1

I will let you know how it turns out.

Has anyone else found any cute yet affordable prego-wear? Send me your links!

Peeking Through My Belly Button

I was up in NY over the weekend to celebrate my niece's 3rd birthday. She is such a cutie pie -- just the sweetest little girl you could ever imagine with her big blue eyes and blonde hair. Well, she was acting a little silly at the table one afternoon, trying to get her Aunt Zoomy's (me) attention, so I decided to tell her a little fib. I told her that Baby Billups was looking out through my belly button, so that she had to be on her best behavior so she could set a good example for her baby cousin. She looked at me with wide eyes and said, "REALLY? Baby Billups can see me?". I said "Yup!" and we went on with our meal. Well, later in the day, Ellie was on the potty and asked if when she was done, if she could look at Baby Billups. I was a little confused, but then she got up, walked over to my belly, lifted my shirt, and put her eye up to my belly button! She said it was too dark in there to see anything. : ) Gosh, I love that little girl! She really makes me laugh.

The Maternity Fashion Gods are Smiling! UPDATE

So, my prego skinny jeans arrived last week. And I must say -- they are FABULOUS! It was the first time in months that I felt like myself, instead of some elastic-waisted "fashion don't", constantly waiting for the Fashion Police to jump out and take me into custody at any moment. I also like that the jeans have the full-coverage maternity band. They definitely feel more secure, and slide around less. I recommend these jeans 110%! Here is the link again: http://www.target.com/Liz-Lange-Skinny-Denim-Lena/dp/B001VG0NG8/qid=1248617108/ref=br_1_5/191-9536863-0601111?ie=UTF8&node=391695011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

They are only $32.99 on the Target website. Can't beat it!

Pooped

I thought I was supposed to get my energy back in the second trimester? So far, so such luck. I am pooped! I think this is the first time in my life I've really S-L-O-W-E-D down. Of course my mind is still racing with everythign I need to do before Baby B gets here -- but other than that, I've been forced to bring everything else down a notch or two. It's actually kind of nice to know I am carrying out a much larger purpose -- bringing a beautiful human life into the world -- than the more mundane things I used to get whipped up about. On the radio the other day, they played a parody song that sang, "Prgenant Women are Smug". It was all about how once women become pregnant, other things don't matter as much. I hate to admit it, but its kind of true. Am I smug? Maybe. But I feel blessed to have such a miracle growing inside me. And if it means slowing down to rest and create the healthiest baby possible, then that's jsut what I am going to do.

17-Week Ultrasound!

We had an OB appointment on Monday, July 20. It was just a general check-up, where they weigh me (oh jeez!), take my blood pressure and we listen to the heartbeat. But just like last time, they had trouble finding the baby's heartbeat. For what felt like hours, the midwife moved the Doppler around my belly, searching for the beat. My heart stopped when she couldn't find one, even though she didn't seem nervous at all. She decided to take us into the Ultrasound room, where my baby immediately popped on the screen, heat just beating away. I was finally able to breathe again -- and excitement took over. I was getting to see my baby again!!! It had been a long 9 weeks since the last time! This time the baby actually looked like a baby -- not a peanut or blob. I could see its arms and legs flailing around. Seriously the best feeling ever! Here are a few pics... in 4 weeks, we get to find out the gender. The baby had his/her legs crossed this time!

Cord Blood Banking?

I'm starting to research Cord Blood Banking. I've registered to receive tons of info about the benefits of it. It seems like a no brainer -- of course I want to have the option if my child ever gets ill! But the cost seems kind of steep ($2,000 - $3,000) with all the other expenses adding up. My husband thinks we should absolutely do it, that we will find the money. I am leaning towards that as well, but I wonder how many people have actually had to use the cord blood they banked? What circumstances is it good for? How long does it last? So many questions... I just want to make the best decision.

Starbucks and a Baby Bump Don’t Mix

Nothing will get you dirty scowls like walking around with a baby bump and a Starbucks cup. I want to wear a shirt that says, “Chill out! It’s DECAF people!”. Same goes for anything revolving around sushi, alcohol and deli meats. People see the bump and immediately make it their responsibility to keep you on the straight-and-narrow towards Mommyville, like you wouldn’t do it on your own. The best was last weekend when my husband and I went to a Mexican restaurant with a crazy-long wait. As we walked up to the bar so he could grab a margarita, everyone’s eyes went straight to my belly. Baby bumps and bars don’t mix, either. He ordered his drink, and I ordered my customary water with lots of ice. I made a point of saying it louder than usual, as if to prove to the world I was a responsible Mommy. There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief among the other customers close by. Thanks for having faith in me, people!

Old Wives Tales

The other day I was looking in the mirror when I noticed a new brown mark on the side of my face. Usually I would freak out (not another pimple!!) but this time I jumped for joy! I immediately Googled “Pregnancy AND Old Wives Tales” to see if my memory served me correctly – that a baby girl will “steal your beauty” and many women will get a brown mark on their face for every girl they deliver. Google didn’t deliver the results I was hoping for, so I went to the next best source – my mom. She confirmed the old wives tale, and I was elated! Can you tell I was hoping for a baby girl? Not that I wouldn’t be excited with a baby boy, but I think I may be way over-protective for a boy. I’d always be worried about him falling down, roughhousing, and so on. You know – doing boy stuff. So after I convinced myself I was having a girl, I looked into two more old wives tales – first, the Chinese Birth Chart. Results? Boy. Then I did the test where I put the ring over my belly and see what way it swings. As much as I willed the ring to swing in circles, it only swung back and forth – which means boy! So now I’m back to square one. Guess I’ll have to wait until August 17th to find out!

The Maternity Fashion Gods are Smiling!

My fashion dilemma has temporarily come to a halt. For some reason, I've only been able to find maternity jeans that are cropped like capris. I know I'm having hot flashed like nobody's business, but not on my ankles! Today I was surfing the "new arrivals" in Target's maternity section and I found them -- prego skinny jeans! I of course ordered them.. I'll post pics as soon as I get them in. Here is a link: http://www.target.com/Liz-Lange-Skinny-Denim-Lena/dp/B001VG0NG8/qid=1247860815/ref=br_1_3/192-4016519-2826050?ie=UTF8&node=3073601&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

My Slice of Heaven

I thought lying on the white sand beach of a Mexican resort was heaven on earth. That was until I purchased my pregnancy pillow! I had no idea this huge, body-hugging pillow would become my nest each night, giving me the most comfortable sleep of my life! It may take up three-quarters of our Queen sized bed, but even my husband thinks it’s worth it if it means I stopped the tossing and turning of my first trimester.

This is the pregnancy pillow I got from WalMart.com: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2128727

Little Heart Beating

I'm obsessed with my new baby heartbeat monitor. IMO, its a must-have for any prego. It's absolutely amazing to hear the little "thump thump" of the baby inside my belly. I have it beside my bed so I can listen every night, and every morning when I wake up. The one I got - Summer Infant Heart-to-Heart Prenatal Listening System -- was only $19.99 from Babies R Us. It comes with 2 sets of headphones so my husband can listen at the same time. It works best if you are laying down, with a few pillows behind you. LOVE IT!!

Featured on TheBump.com!

I started the Sweet Leigh Mama blog after having the opportunity to write a post for TheBump.com (from the creators of TheKnot.com). I had so much fun writing about my pregnancy, that I thought I would keep on documenting it. Check out my entry on TheBump.com here: http://bit.ly/xEqyw

Enjoy!

My Body is Not My Own: Reality Setting In

At the 12 week mark, it was very clear to me that my body was quickly changing. Bye bye skinny jeans and pencil skirts, hello elastic waistbands. Along with my expanding waistline, my skin had reverted back to the age of 15 with pimples, and my hair seemed to jump to age 50 with the amount of grays that were quickly sprouting. However, I convinced myself that I was the only one who was noticing – that was until one fateful day at the Target Photo Center. As I picked up my wedding thank-you photo cards, I took one out of the box to make sure it looked good before I paid. The clerk took a glance at the photo too, and said sweetly, “The bride is so pretty! Who is she?” to which I responded, “Thanks! It’s me!” The clerk giggled a little as if I were joking and then proceeded to say, “No really… is that your younger sister?” It was like she had slapped me in the face – I was in complete shock! I ran immediately to look for low-ammonia hair dye and the strongest facewash I could get my hands on. This was going to be a long 40 weeks!

4 Pregnancy Tests Don’t Lie

My husband, Daniel, and I were married on April 18, 2009. The wedding day was a complete dream, as was the honeymoon in Mexico that followed. But the most interesting dream came on the night we returned from our honeymoon. Back in Atlanta, I tossed and turned all night with a crazy dream that I was pregnant. When I woke up on Sunday morning, I told Daniel about my dream, and we both laughed – there was no way I was already pregnant! Daniel convinced me to take a pregnancy test just to clear my mind. I remember sitting in the bathroom, starring intently at the white stick as the first horizontal blue line appeared… and then the second vertical line appeared creating the telltale “plus” sign. I literally screamed in shock. I came out of the bathroom – pregnancy test in hand -- and Daniel was frozen on the couch. He knew before I even said it. We just stared at each other, jaws on the ground, for what felt like hours. When we finally snapped back to reality, we decided it must be a fluke, and went to the drugstore to buy three more pregnancy tests. Guzzling fluids, for the next three hours I took a pregnancy test. And one by one, they each popped up “PREGNANT”! So much for that post-wedding relaxation we planned on. I went to the doctor the next day and found out I was 6 weeks along. I immediately bought every pregnancy book I could get my hands on – and that’s when it became real. I was carrying a little baby. OUR little baby. It was at that moment that I officially felt like a Mama.