25 weeks Baby Rials 2.0

Maternity outfit: Top - Liz Lang Maternity from Target, Shorts- Gap Maternity

Today I turned 26 weeks, so I'll be discussing our 25th week with this babe! 

Baby: Size of cauliflower, weighing in at 1.5 pounds and 13.5 inches!  Baby is enjoying a new sense of equilibrium - and now knows which way is up and which is down.  Baby is plumping up and growing hair (no heartburn, so it'll be interesting to see if this is really true)

Mama: This has been a tough month for us, hence the minimal updates here on the blog.  I was sick, then Charlotte got a stomach bug ON HER BIRTHDAY, poor girl.  We had to cancel her party which we were thankfully able to rescheduled to this weekend.  

I've been having stomach pains.  Not like my skin stretching, but my muscles... really uncomfortable.  In fact they were so bad Friday night I called the nursing off-hours line as I was tearing up and doubled over in pain. 

Turns out, I'm actually having contractions!  They think it's from dehydration, and although I'm drinking the same amount of water I usually do, since it's already starting to get warmer here in AZ and I've increased my activity, I should also be increasing my water intake to 120 oz per day!  

Needless to say the bathroom and I are best friends.  Since I started drinking more water and taking it a bit easier, the painful contractions have gone away.  The did advise if I had 4-6 that painful in one hour to head to the hospital as it might be pre-term labor. 

A little comparison of me pregnant with Charlotte on the left and new babe on the right

Friday we headed out on a family date night to the Diamondback baseball game.  Charlotte did REALLY well and loved seeing the team's mascot and dancing to the songs in between innings. 

The best way to watch any sporting event in my opinion!

Physical Health: Non-existent this week, although I worked out 5 out of 7 days last week. With my belly pain I'm taking a bit of a break to listen to my body.  I plan on incorporating some gentle prenatal yoga this week.

Maternity outfit: Top - borrowed Motherhood Maternity, Shorts - Gap Materntiy

My normal day to day look - leggings and a tank.  Tank - Liz Lang Maternity from Target

Charlotte and I also took a trip to the Phoenix Zoo.  She had some birthday money left and we decided to feed the giraffe's, she LOVED it!

Mental/Emotional Health: Yet again, this week has forced me to SLOOOOOWWWWW down, listen to my body, and thank my lucky stars for an amazing husband. He has been absolutely amazing helping out, especially with dinners and prepping and planning for Charlotte's party.

I had a real scare Friday night with the pain I was in.  I've talked to quite a few other moms and contractions are in fact normal if you're dehydrated, which makes me feel a bit better.  I'm nearly 3 years older than I was when I was pregnant with Charlotte, and although I'm in better shape, eating better, and exercising, each pregnancy is different and I need to keep that in mind.

I've also started to get a bit anxious again about delivery but trying to keep in mind that I really need to focus on the NOW and be patient with the process.  Accept that whatever is going to happen will happen when it comes to delivery.

Maternity Swimwear

Swimsuit season is upon us here in Arizona!  I know... ALREADY?!  

I was not looking forward to this day at all!  In fact I went to Target about a month ago to try on swimsuits and it was an absolute disaster: toddler meltdown in the fitting room, ended up buying 3 and returned 2 of them. I had little faith ordering online would be any better.

I searched and searched and ended up buying this first one from Ebay.  I LOVE Ann Taylor LOFT, but wasn't liking any of their current option for this season.  So I hopped on Ebay, found this one for $13 and ordered immediately!

Ebay: Ann Taylor LOFT Maternity $13 Brand new with tags

This is a one piece suit that I purchased before getting input from other mama's.  Here are the possible problems with this option: strapless (although it did come with a strap I can attach).  With a toddler who's constantly pulling at my clothes I don't know why I didn't think of that before ordering.

Problem 2: It's a one piece and some mom's said it was a pain to pull a wet bathing suit over the baby belly after swimming.  Would have never thought of that!  I'll be updating both of these issues once I actually get in the water ;)

Next up is a suit I posted a few weeks back.  It was the most popular and the style I liked the most as well.  Again, I checked Motherhood Maternity and Pea In The Pod but didn't like any of their current styles plus they were MUCH more than I wanted to spend.  

So I headed to Amazon and found this one for a reasonable price:

Amazon: Jessica Simpson by Motherhood Maternity $40

This option is a halter tankini addressing both of the issues mentioned above.  The only possible problem I see with this option is that it is white and chlorine can discolor white swimsuits if not rinsed/washed after swimming. 

I'd love to see some of your maternity swimwear that you loved or that you've currently purchased as we'll be in the pool multiple times during the day this summer and could use one more (don't tell the hubby though haha).

22 Weeks Baby Rials 2.0

Maternity outfit: Top Old Navy Maternity, Shorts Gap Maternity (both on sale)

Today I turned 22 weeks, so I'll be discussing our 21st week with this babe! 

Baby: Size of a papaya, weighing in at one whole pound and almost a foot long!  Baby is sleeping in cycles - about 12 to 14 hours per day.  Baby is kicking like CRAZY!  When Jeremy was little he was in Karate, so I told him this little one is practicing karate ALL day long in there.  In fact, I even got a little video of it, head over to my Instagram page to check it out {IG: tessrials}.

Mama:I have been TERRIBLY sick ALL WEEK!  Being sick is one thing, but add on to that pregnancy and a constantly on the move toddler... it has been a test in patience for sure! I started with a tickle in my throat Friday night on my way to an event, I even said to my friend, "I bet I'm going to get laryngitis this weekend." Well, I got an upper respiratory and sinus infection instead.  I'm FINALLY feeling like a normal human being again!

On a different note, my in-laws were in town this past weekend so we held an early celebration for Charlotte.  She LOVED her chocolate cake and being sang to.  One of her favorite gifts was this too-cute-for-words Mini Cooper car that we take to the park daily.

Physical Health: Non-existent this week. I have been focusing on my nutrition as I wanted to start a round of my favorite fitness and nutrition program 21 Day Fix.  So, why am I following a diet if I'm pregnant?

I've been asked this quite a bit lately! It's actually NOT a diet. I suck at diets ;) this has been a lifestyle change not just for me, but our entire family.  21 Day Fix has a portion control nutrition plan to ensure I'm eating the RIGHT foods and the right AMOUNT of foods.  My doctor has suggested I eat in a certain calorie bracket, BUT this doesn't mean I have to count calories. It just means I get to add a few more containers to my normal eating plan.

Part of my nutrition plan is this nutrient dense super food shake.  It has helped both Jeremy and I lose and maintain our current weight, has replaced ALL of our other vitamins and supplements (I am taking Folate, but not a prenatal vitamin as this has everything a prenatal has and so much MORE), and definitely given me my energy back.  Check out more on this chocolate milkshake I have for breakfast every morning here: Shakeology

If you'd like more info on this program, please email me at raisingrials@gmail.com

PB&J Chocolate Vegan Shakeology with Power Greens Boost

Mental/Emotional Health: This week has forced me to SLOOOOOWWWWW down, look for patience where ever it may be, and thank my lucky stars for an amazing husband.  Being a stay at home/work at home mom means that when you get sick you DO NOT get sick days.  That is a TOUGH pill to swallow.  So I have definitely had to rely on my support system this week.

I've also REALLY started to think about my birth plan, and it's not what I expected AT ALL!  I kinda want to try going all natural again.  If you haven't read Charlotte's birth story, you can check it out HERE.  I wanted to go all natural with her and we had been focusing on Hypnobirthing, and it was such a long and painful process I thought there would be NO WAY I would want to relive that.  BUT....I also HATED the after effects of the epidural/IV.  So, I'm exploring the ideas right now...it'll probably be a game time decision :)