Week 20 pregnancy update

How far along? 

20 weeks 6 days 

Total weight gain? 

8.9lbs!! Wow!! My midwife said it's completely normal so we are on track, yay! 

Bump is now 31.5 inches, even in the morning! 

Maternity clothes? 

Nothing new yet, I don't want to buy loads of maternity clothes as I go off things so easily so I doubt ill re-use anything for my next pregnancy.

I did get sent a lovely lace dress from 'littleblackdress.co.uk', it's still a little big for bump though! 

Stretch marks? 

Nothing yet, fewf! I finished my Nspa bump butter though, sad times. I'm now using the famous Mama Mio tummy rub and really loving that too.

Sleep? 

Sleep is the same really, my special pillows are a god send, I don't know how I'd get comfy without them! I wake up quite a lot to roll over because my legs and hips go numb, and also to pee a lot, obviously haha the little one has started waking up and fidgeting when I get up now! 

Best moment this week? 

Definitely finding out the sex, I've been waiting for weeks!! I loved how I was right the whole time, I was so adamant we were having a little boy! If you haven't seen out gender reveal video you can watch it here. I'm so glad we filmed that day, we'll all be able to look back on it :) 

Also my best buddy Laura felt our little boy kicking for the first time, that was really cool.

Worst moment this week? 

This week has been so good I don't really have a worst moment believe it or not, I've loved being preggo this week! If I had to pick, I suppose it would be on Saturday I was particularly tired, I cried after a 10 hour sleep because I was still tired and stayed in bed until 1 in the afternoon! 

Miss anything? 

I am starting to miss my figure a bit now, nothing in my wardrobe fits me or looks right. My thighs and bum are definitely taking the hit with my weight gain! I've always been very small so I'll admit it's hard to get used to my new 'mummy body' 

Movement?

This little guy is super active! When we went for our gender scan he was playing with the cord, and had his little hand pressed up behind my belly button. He sleeps in the morning, moves around for a lot of the day, and seems to be particularly active around 8-9 at night. 

Food cravings? 

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!!

Anything making you feel sick or queezy? 

No nothing really, I still don't love the smell of fish or chicken cooking, but that's about it, thank god. 

Gender? 

A little boy. I'm having so much fun getting all his little outfits together :) I can't wait to show you all.

Symptoms? 

My symptoms this week have really died down, fewf! As I said I've been tired, but otherwise it's been a great week. Emotions in tact and everything. Oh, I do have the little line down my tummy now too. 

Belly button in or out? 

A soft outy. 

Looking forward to? 

Buying more things for the new man in my life, it's a whole new world of retail therapy! 

YouTube My baby gender reveal

As promised, it's finally here, the big gender reveal video! 

I hope you guys enjoy coming along with us :) thank you so much for all your tweets and messages, you've all been SO lovely, I'm so happy to be sharing this experience with you!

Cowshed spa

Yesterday, I decided to treat myself for getting through the first 5 months of preggo-ness, and have a private sober-celebration after finding out if baby Michalak is a he or she. 

I visited the Cowshed Spa for the first time, and the whole experience was perfection. You're not supposed to take photos, but in true beauty blogger style I snuck a couple for you... shhh!

Firstly I must say, I absolutely loved the super stylish decor in there. Jars of lavender & little wooden boxes of moss sit on the worktops to display Cowsheds' latest offerings, crisp white towels are rolled up perfectly next to vintage TV sets with headphones that you can use if you fancy watching a bit of TV while you have your treatment done. 
You sit in a big squishy white leather armchairs & have a v shaped pillow propped on your lap, so you don't need to move at all. Honestly I was so comfortable could have fallen asleep in there!

To top it all off the Cowshed Candles make the whole spa smell simply divine. 

I had a 'speedy manicure' (30 minutes) and opted for a French manicure style (not to everyones taste I know). A lovely lady named Katie did my nails, and man, she did a perfect job! 30 minutes for a frenchie is pretty impressive, don't you think ladies?! If anyone is interested the colours I chose were both Essie, 'marshmallow' for the off-white and 'mademoiselle' for the natural pink. 

Out of the handful of Cowshed products she used on me, I particularly like their hand cream and cuticle oil.

I've definitely got my eye on a few of the spa treatments, they even do special selection of treatments for preggos like me, 'Udderly Gorgeous Maternity Treatments'. 
I also couldn't help but notice they also have a range for the little one when he/she arrives too. I melted when I saw the little cow towel and bottom balm, I'm pretty sure our little one is going to have to have those. 

The whole Spa experience was perfect, from the service to the outcome, a lovely quiet and relaxing atmosphere with tasteful music. I definitely want to book in another treatment soon for another treat :)

Have you ever had a treatment at a Cowshed Spa? 

Super Liner

You might remember a little while ago, I raved about the Topshop felt tip pen style 'magic liner' ? 

Well, the lovely people over at Loreal Paris were kind enough to send me a few of their new eyeliner offerings to try out (thanks!). 

Of course, with my new found love for the ease of the felt tip liner, Super Liner was the first one I reached for, and I couldn't recommend it enough. 

I've been using this for around 3 weeks now, and have had absolutely no issue with it running dry. It's a jet black, the easiest application ever, and great for a quick 'cat eye' look. 

What i love most about it, is the really fine tip, meaning even the clumsiest of us can get right into the corners of ours eyes.

It's fairly long lasting, and I do tend to top it up at the end of the day if I'm heading somewhere for the evening, but I would do that with any other liner too. 

Over all, a great little bargain, and it really is a bargain, only £5.95, wooo!! 

Have you tried Loreal Super liner yet? What's your 'go to' eyeliner? 

Week 19 Pregnancy Update & Youtube video Second Trimester products

How far along?

19 weeks 6 days when this photo was taken, I'm actually 20 weeks today :)

Total weight gain?

I'm being weighed at my 20 weeks scan today :) 

Maternity Clothes?

Nothing new this week, I've grown into my maternity pencil skirt already though, so I'm wearing that into the office. 

Stretch Marks?

None yet, I'm being so vigilant about applying cream and oil twice a day, so fingers crossed. I'm sure when I have a big growth spurt some will appear! 

Sleep?

Sleep has varied, to be honest it hasn't been great. Between not being able to get to sleep, being uncomfortable and waking up to go to the bathroom... 
People keep saying, 'you think it's bad now, you'll get no sleep when the little one is born'. Yeah, thanks, just what I needed to hear right now... 

Best Moment this week?

Probably just being cuddled up with Stefan and him being able to feel our little baby kicking unexpectedly against his arm! 

Worst moment this week?

Definitely Saturday day, I basically had a complete emotional hormonal meltdown. I've never known anything like it, it was dark and horrendous and I never want to feel like that again. I'm desperate to see a councillor but still on the waiting list. I get so frustrated how little support there seems to be for women with pre-natal depression, unless obviously you go private.
I also had a couple of days off work in the week for the same reason. I swear someone should invent 'pregnancy leave' haha 

  

Miss anything?

Being able to control my emotions. 

Movement?

I'm being kicked as I write this! 
The little one is kicking a lot in the morning in bed when I'm lying down which is a new thing. I also got kicked a LOT when we went to go and see a horror movie at the cinema, I think it must have been the people in the audience screaming and all the loud noise! 
He/She (or 'shim' as my sister has nicknamed the baby), likes to kick a lot when I roll over in bed too!

Food Cravings?

Chocolate. I'm especially enjoying Nutella right now. Probably not the healthiest option I know, but I need a little indulgence in the absence of alcohol.

Anything making you feel queezy or sick?

Nothing really to be honest, thank god. 

Gender?

Finding out today, eek!!

Symptoms?

18 weeks and one day I had lots of ligament stretching pains, which lasted for a couple of days straight. Hot water bottles and nice warm showers helped  little. 

Tiredness, is just standard these days, but I suppose (as everyone just loves pointing out), I should get used to that! 
Waking up in the night absolutely ravenous, it usually happens about 5am, cereal is my lifesaver. 

Belly Button in or out?

Still on the top, about to pop out. 

Looking forward to?

Finding out the sex today. Obviously I feel really nervous about the scan as it's a big anomaly scan where they check everything is okay, and that's pretty nerve wracking. I woke up today feeling totally different about it, I convinced myself we're having a boy, but right now, I really, honestly don't mind what we have, as long as the little one in there is okay :) 

Youtube Week 17 & 18 Pregnancy Update...

                       

Hey guys, 
I hope you've all had a lovely weekend? Here's my week 17 & 18 pregnancy vlog update, late as per usual! I really need to get better at posting them regularly! 
Only 3 more sleeps until we find out baby Michalaks sex, I CANNOT wait!! I have always said I had a feeling it's a boy, what do you guys think? Boy or girl? 

18 week Pregnancy Update...

How far along?

18 weeks 6 days, nearly half way now, aaah!

Total weight gain?

I’ll definitely find out at my appointment next week!

Measurements are...
Bump at widest part: 30 Inches 

Hips: 32.5 inches 

Waist: 26 inches 

Maternity Clothes?

Nothing New. Just what I bought last week. So the skinny jeans and the skirt for work. I did buy a top from ASOS but immediately hated it, so it went straight back!  

Stretch Marks?

Nothing yet, I’ve been really good with applying creams and oil religiously, using them in combination with one another.

Sleep?

Sleep still isn’t wonderful, Stef bought me a special preggo cushion support pack, which you can also use as a support when feeding the baby. I’ve only had two nights using this so far so I’ll keep you updated!

Best Moment this week?

I think probably being at the movies, little ‘baby anon’ was kicking like a crazy thing!

I’ve also had a couple of moments where I’ve just felt really lovely and excited and an overwhelming sense of love for the little baby. I’m guessing this is what most people feel the whole way through!

Worst moment this week?

I’ve only had two crying breakdowns this week where I felt down, so I think it would have to be that (I’m still on a waiting list for some counselling).

  

Miss anything?

This week, no not really (I know, a first I think!!). Maybe coffee, but not massively.

Movement?

So much movement now, and now it’s on both sides too, before it was only on the left side of my tummy. I got some kicks in the morning today when I was lying in bed, normally I don’t think the little one is awake enough to kick me in the morning so that was new. Definitely feeling a lot more movement in the past few days, I absolutely love it though. There really is nothing like it. I also have been starting to feel small movements when I am up and about, where as before I would only notice if I was sitting or lying down. 

Food Cravings?

I’m so boring, nothing. But on the plus side I am really enjoying my food again! 

Anything making you feel queezy or sick?

I still can’t go near asparagus or cooked pepper. I hate the smell of chicken cooking (but I can eat chicken just fine).

Gender?

We still don’t know. Only 1 week to go until we find out!

Symptoms?

I feel like they’ve really calmed down this week. As I mentioned before I am still waiting to speak t oa  councillor, but I’ve definitely felt better the past couple of weeks.

Acne, this has taken a step up again unfortunately. I’m getting those horrible under-the-skin type spots that hurt!!

My energy levels are okay, not amazing. Still having to wax my tummy too! Lovely!
Oh and this morning I discovered some white stuff in/on my nipples, so I've been wacking on the nipple cream!

Belly Button in or out?

Still on the verge of popping out, it’s a waiting game!

Looking forward to?

Finding out the sex, I’m really nervous about it, is this normal? Where you nervous when you went to find out if you had a son or daughter?

Youtube- late week 16 preggo update...

I'm terrible at remembering to put my videos over here on my blog, sorry! Anyway, here's the last one incase you missed it over on my channel!

Week 17 Pregnancy Update

How far along? 

17 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain? 
I've been rubbish again this week, surprise surprise! I did measure my little bump a couple of times though, it's in-between 30 and 31 inches :) I suppose it depends if I have eaten and what time of day it is! 

Maternity clothes? 

YES!! Finally! I went back to Topshop and was a little more successful this time! I vlogged it for you, so that'll be up in the next few days.

Stretch marks?

None yet, I had a little freak out 'cos I thought I had one on my boob, but it turned out to be a patch in my fake tan, fewf! Close call!! 
I'm still using Nspa bump butter which I am LOVING, it's such a gentle smell. I might even do a whole video reviewing their preggo products because I'm so impressed. 

Sleep?

Sleep isn't great I'm not going to lie, besides getting up around every 2 hours to pee (I have no idea where it keeps coming from?!), it's just getting so uncomfortable to roll over now. I think it's time to purchase a preggo cushion, I have my eye on a red polka dot one :) Also, anyone else find that when you have to sleep on your sides, your hip area goes numb? It's so painful, I can't wait to be able to sleep on my side again!

Best moment this week?  

Again, there have been a few, but I think the best would probably be when Stefan was lying with his head on my lap and he got a little kick from the baby in the back of his head, haha!
It's such an indescribable feeling having your baby move around inside you. In a strange way it's kind of comforting to think that you are always together.  

Preggo yoga was a highlight too, I had to force myself to go, I was so nervous for some reason, but it really helped me to relax and I'm really looking forward to next weeks class now. I'd definitely recommend it if you are able to find a class near you. 

Oh also, we finally decided on a pushchair, I have been really stressed about this so I'm so pleased we've finally picked. We aren't going to order it for a couple more months as it'll just be sat in the house, but I am SOOOOOO excited to get it. I don't know why, but it seems like the biggest item, and when it comes everything will feel so real. Also, I love the colour and all the lovely accessories you can get for it. I want the snuggest little winter baby :) 

Worst Moment this week?

I had a bleed this week, so I went to the hospital just to check everything was okay. Everything was fine, but it's horrible being so worried, it's bizarre being so protective and having so much love for someone you have never met.  

I also went to the doctors to be out on the waiting list to get some counselling for pre-natal depression, surprisingly, even just making this move actually made me feel better. 

Miss anything?

Just being able to drink, still! 

Movement?

After a couple of quiet days, baby-anon started moving so much in the evenings last weekend, we were at the theatre one night and then a classical music concert the next, both pretty loud places to be so he was probably disturbed! I got a lot of movement when I was doing my preggo yoga class and then a lot a couple of days after. He seems to where himself out moving like crazy for a couple of days and then have a rest for a couple of days. I was worried at first but this seems to be his pattern. He's still getting stronger so I suppose I wont be able to feel all his movements. 

Food cravings?

None really anymore, I do have a massive sweet tooth, but I've always had that really! Lolas cupcakes are my current weakness. 

Anything making you feel queezy or sick?

Just the smell of cooked chicken and asparagus still! 

Gender

Finding out on the 21st! I feel kind of nervous about it, is that normal?! haha I keep calling it a 'he' though. 

Symptoms

I haven't had that many this week to be honest, I've been quite tired and still got the lovely preggo acne. I re-purchased my Liz Earle skin boosting tonic and that honestly is like a little miracle in a bottle! 

Belly button in or out?

Popping out!

Happy or moody most of the time?

This week, I can finally say that the majority of the time I have felt happy, thank god. I don't want to speak to soon though! Asking for help immediately gave me a sense of release and I felt like I could breathe again. I finally feel like I'm starting to enjoy growing my little one :) 

Looking forward to? 

Preggo yoga again on Tuesday, reaching 20 weeks, it's so close now!

Youtube Week 15 pregnancy update | First trimester survival kit

Ooopsy, I realised I forgot to share this for those of you who don't follow me on youtube, double episode treat for you then hehe enjoy! Xx

Week 16 Pregnancy update

How far along? 

16 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain? 
This weeks measurements are:

Bump at widest part: 30 inches

I forgot to measure my waist and hips, & we all know I'm rubbish at weighing myself! 

Maternity clothes? 

I've left it as long as I possibly could, nothing fits my bottom half anymore so ill pick something up this week.

Stretch marks?

None yet. 

Sleep?

I just want SO much sleep right now, feeling tired again! Sleep is fine and I've started putting a pillow in between my legs as it's beginning to get hard to get comfy.

Best moment this week? 

Starting to get proper little kicks now! 
On Saturday night, when Stefan felt my tummy he felt the baby kicking, really faint to him but he said it was the popcorn feeling! 

Miss anything?

I feel different now the movement is stronger, like there is actually a baby in there so it makes not being able to do certain things worth it.

Movement?

Lots of movement particularly in the evening now and at lunchtime. Hubby thinks he may have felt it at 16 weeks and 2 days, like faint popcorn popping, I think he felt it too!

Sunday night the baby went crazy in there while we were at the movies, I got 3 massive kicks all in the same place, the strongest movement so far!
Monday after he was moving around all day too, the most movement I've had so far. It's completly changed how I feel about pregnancy, and I can't wait for the movements to get stronger now. 

Food cravings?

At the beginning of the week I had half a box of coco pops in one evening, woops. Other wise I can eat certain healthy foods again, yay.

Anything making you feel queezy or sick?

Still asparagus. Some types of sauces, tomatoey pasta sauce and stir fry sauce, bleugh.

Gender

We don't know, only 3 weeks now until we find out, aaah! Still think it's a boy! Any guesses??

Symptoms

At the beginning of the week I had a massive crying session, I just felt really down. It's so frustrating! I feel like I just want to hibernate at home in my onsie and watch box sets with a big bag of marshmallows and just feel sorry for myself. 

To be honest, this hasn't really improved, it's gotten worse and I think I might be suffering from pre-natal depression, so I'm going to talk to my midwife about it this week. 

The first couple of days of the week I also had stretching pains in my tummy

My boobs are insanely sore, like throbbing like having a really bad headache but in my boob if that makes sense. 

Belly button in or out?

Pretty much out now, ah!

Happy or moody most of the time?

As I said before, very down most of the time, despite still being very excited about the baby and everything else on my life being pretty much perfect. it doesn't make sense, I so wanted to be one of those calm serene preggo ladies :(

Looking forward to? 
I booked a pregnancy yoga class for next week so I'm really looking forward to that, hopefully it might help with my mood! Also it'll be nice to meet some other pregnant ladies in my area.