Baby girl will be here in 3 months. We are still working on a middle name and Lucas is still asking for a brother. I know his world is going to be rocked when she arrives and everyone assures me he will be head over heels for his little sister. I get all giddy and emotional when I think of how protective he will be over her and the bond they will share. We are leaving to the Dominican Republic for a family vacation/baby moon and when we get back we will start to get the crib and all her essentials ready. My mama friends weren’t kidding me – the time really does fly the second time around.
A lot of things start happening skin wise when you’re pregnant. Weird red patches and outbreaks, sensitivity, itching…I could go on. With both my pregnancies I’ve tried a few different brands and products, most of which bothered me smell wise and just didn’t feel good on my skin – too greasy, too light.
The moment I entered my second trimester I started a skin care routine that I’ve been pretty religious with. One of my favorite companies that I have been using is Basq. All of their products are made in the USA and are allergy and sensitive free (which is so important to me since pregnant mama skin can be so wonky). Below I’ve listed some of my favorite products and how/when I use them..
+ Citrus Scrub: I can’t even begin to describe the relief I feel when I use this stuff. Magic I tell you! I usually scrub my entire body down – focussing on my belly and breasts – twice a week. Not only does it leave my skin feeling silky smooth, it’s also a relief from that tight feeling you can sometimes experience.
+ Resilient Body Oil: The eucalyptus scent is my jam and I haven’t gotten sick of it which is huge. I use this every night before bed. It’s the perfect consistency and not too “oily” (make sense?). A few pumps go a long way.
+ Facial Cleanser: My face reacted very differently this time around. A few breakouts and blotchy patches appeared. I wanted to make sure I used a gentle cleanser and this scrub is perfect. I use 2-3x a week and it leaves me with the prettiest glow and is extremely gentle.
I truly believe in taking great of your skin and with a few minor tweaks in your pre-pregnancy routine, your regimen can be easily customized and leave you feeling good and pampered (yes!). This post is partnership with Basq, a company I love. All opinion are my own.
The weather was amazing this past weekend (although jackets were still required for part of the day..I’m trying not to complain here..). We celebrated a friends birthday in Central Park and after the festivities we strolled around, ate ice cream, and enjoyed the blossoms showing off everywhere.
I’m so fortunate to have been able to work with A Pea in the Pod and Destination Maternity this pregnancy. I popped rather quickly and having staples that I can throw on and feel amazing in have really helped when dressing my growing bump. I have been living in these jeans and I swear I can wear them at least 5 times without washing (tmi?) because the stretch is just that good. This soul mates tee is pretty amazing – it’s so so soooftttt and $5 from every purchase is donated to Baby Buggy. Wins. PS – I couldn’t resist adding that adorable toddler face up there!
Jacket (old) from UO | Tee | AG Jeans | Sneakers from UO (similar here)
A few shots my love snapped of me at 21 weeks. I’m wearing the most comfy dress ever. I’m kind of obsessed with it and I’m looking forward to warm days where I can slip it on and go. It’s linen. It’s soft. It’s perfect. I promise more style and dress the bump posts as soon as a coat is no longer necessary – I have boycotted photos with my winter jacket!
I’m officially 22 weeks today. Little miss is the size of a spaghetti squash and is super wiggly and I swear she jumps around at the sound of Lucas’s voice (he’s pretty loud, ya’ll). When that happens it stops me in my tracks and I daydream for a minute of all the fun they are going to have together. Pretty damn awesome. My duo!
I have been a Rachel Zoe fan for years and her new maternity collection could not have launched at a better time! An exclusive collection for A Pea in the Pod, Zoe’s pieces are chic, beautiful, and can be worn long after baby comes.
I am honored to be hosting the launch of the collection this Friday, March 27th, at Destination Maternity. I would love, love to meet you (join us even if you’re not currently expecting – there’s going to be tons of amazing mamas there and prizes to be won!). I’m stoked to be a part of this amazing event and to get this bump dressed up and out of the house!
On the first day of Spring Ivan and I walked hand in hand through the snow (yes, snow!) to our 20 week anatomy scan. I had been crossing off the days on our kitchen calendar nightly in anticipation of our appointment. We made a quick stop for coffee and croissants and chit chatted about work, life, and the newest member of our family. Two hours later and a ton of squealing, hugging, and kissing, we left the doctors and immediately called our mothers to share the news.
I’m feeling so very blessed that our sweet pea is health and very (very) active. It was the sweetest treat to stare at our beauty while the tech measured all her teeny parts. She currently weighs 13 ounces and is growing right on track. Oh my little love. We just adore you already and can’t wait until we can cover you in kisses!
Those little shoes were mine as a baby and I can’t wait see my daughter wear them!
I’m 20 weeks today. HALF. FREAKING. WAY. My sweet bean is wiggling up a storm and Ivan can finally feel those sweet kicks too. All these firsts – it still feels so surreal to be experiencing them all again. Speaking of firsts, watch this video and have your tissues handy. It might be my raging hormones but I think all moms – pregnant or not – can relate.
This time around my body was all “oh yea, I know what to do here” and began growing – everywhere – FAST. My belly popped around the 10 week mark and I’m continuously surprised/shocked when I catch glimpses of myself in the mirror. Who’s that lady with the belly? Oh yea, it’s me!
It’s still cold here in New York, which means I’m still bundling myself up in the only two coats left that fit, just wishing for beautiful Spring days where I can bust out my dresses and leave the house with ease. I’m also ready to just rock this baby bump like nobodies business rather than feel weighed down in layers, adding extra bulk to my already expanding body.
A constant craving has been Sanpellegrino aranciata. I buy a pack on almost every supermarket run. I fill up a huge glass with ice, pour a can, add a straw, plop myself on the couch, and voila. 5 minutes of pure, orange bliss.
Be still my heart. Birchbox has teamed up with babyGap to create the perfect box of essentials for mamas-to-be. Each product was hand selected by Katia Beauchamp, cofounder at Birchbox, and the genius Birchbox team, to create the ultimate pampering experience for us mamas. Yes!
I’ve been slathering on and treating myself to impromptu spa nights in my bathroom with all the delicious treats included in the box. Not only does everything smell amazing (ultra important as I have been so incredibly nauseous this pregnancy), every product is safe to use while my baby is cooking. And will you check out those adorable onesies? Soon there will be a tiny baby wearing those!
Learn more about the products included and where to purchase over on Babiekins.
My little love. My first born and my sweet, vivacious boy. Since finding out we are expecting I have found myself relishing and taking in all that is still baby-esque about you. Your cheeks that are still so squishy. The way you still love to be cuddled when your tired. Your squeaky little voice and the way you say “mama”. Your booboos and ouchies that still need my kisses in order to feel better.
After bed time and long after you are snoring I tip toe into your room and stare at you for a bit. I just can’t believe you are mine. These quiet moments after a long day of Legos and turtles fill me with so much love and bittersweet feelings. I have felt guilt for you no longer being our baby and bringing another being in this world who will need me and your daddy’s love and attention. Then I snap back into reality and realize just how lucky we are – how luck you are. You my love are going to be the best big brother. Really, you are! Being an only child myself I have always wondered what it would be like to have a constant companion. One to fight with, invade my space, yet still be the one I want to share all my secrets with and would protect with my life. Instead of feeling guilty I now daydream of the two of you together. Sharing, loving, and embracing sibling hood.
I recently bought you this book and while you have shown little interest (!!) in choosing it for story time we are working on slowly but surely getting you used to the idea of a new little being coming into our home. Sometimes I ask you if you’d like to feel the baby in my tummy and you answer with a nonchalant “No thanks, mama. Maybe later.” Like I said. Slowly but surely. You do however love to remind me how big my tummy is growing. “Wow. Your belly is big!” I’ll take what I can get kid. Come August I’m certain I will have the cutest duo in the world on my hands. Am I a lucky mama or what?
