My last pregnancy record was around week 21 and now I’m at week 26, I really do feel pregnant! 

Latest bump photo!

How far along? I’m writing this at 26 weeks but this record will be for weeks 25 – 26.

Total weight gain: I haven’t checked in over a month but I am certain I’ve piled on the pounds. Finally! 
 
Bump: Okay, so as you can see from the above photo, my bump is still very low. It’s imperfectly proportioned, isn’t that smooth-round-type-bump you see in magazines and is a little bit sticky-outy. But I love it and adore my bump. It’s getting bigger by the day!
 
Maternity clothes? I get by wearing ‘normal’ clothes but that’s mainly kaftan type dresses and a bikini. I’ve also worn baggy jumpsuits far too many times. I won’t lie, pyjamas play a big part in my wardrobe too!
 
I really don’t want to invest in maternity clothes as I’ll only wear them a few times but also, I honestly don’t think they’re worth it. I do want some white maternity jeans though and I’ll buy a few more smock dresses. 
 
Dressing up fancy for going out in the evening is proving more difficult – most of my wardrobe is sitting at customs in suitcases and the clothes I do have here are too tight now. I can’t be bothered with squeezing into anything uncomfortable so stretchy fabrics, loose waist lines and floaty shapes are my go-to. I’m sure as soon as my shipping arrives, I’ll have plenty more options. It can’t come quick enough. 
 
Stretch marks? Still none to report on my belly, thank you coconut oil, you beauty. 
 
Sleep: I’m sleeping a lot. A lot, a lot. For some reason I’m much more tired now than I was in the first trimester! 
 
Best moment this week: Two moments. The first was a few days ago when baby would not stop kicking after I swam. I think he is a water baby! The second moment was yesterday when I started playing my ‘water birth’ music, touched my belly (more like a little prod) and he kicked so hard my belly wobbled. It was a little surreal but super cute!
 
Miss anything? Red wine. Again. Also smoked salmon. I also miss a good gym work out.
 
Even though I do go out and drink mocktails, it’s different. We still go to dinners and nice bars so I can’t complain but living in Dubai, I can’t wait to go to a ladies day at a beach club once baby is settled! 
 
Movement: As above, baby is getting so much stronger in his movements. I can also feel him actually moving about, turning, twisting, whatever he is doing in there. He doesn’t really go above my belly button, I’ve only felt it there once, but he is venturing further into my sides a little with a few short niggles and the other day I felt him very low, as in below my underwear line. I think he’s going to come early for that reason alone! 
 
Food cravings: Either really healthy or really, well, not healthy. I ate salad for lunch 2/3 times this week and loved it, followed by a greek yogurt/fruit/honey combo. But then yesterday I ate 3 bowls of chocolate cereal and 2 today. I’ve also got through 2 tubs of ice cream this week. So there we have it, I clearly can’t stick to clean eating.
 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Brushing my teeth is still an issue after hyperemesis. I find if I take my time and don’t brush too fast or too hard, it’s easier.  
 
Gender: A boy.
 
Symptoms: For the first time this whole pregnancy I actually think I am infection free. Hooray! I do feel pregnant though, my belly hurts when I lean forward and painting my toe nails is an issue. I’m exhausted and need to rest a lot more than before. This week for the first time I needed to take the afternoon to rest in bed as my body felt drained, weak and a little bit shaky. I think I was probably dehydrated but after that rest and a few bottles of water, I felt so much better.
 
The only other physical symptom (apart from veiny, bigger boobs) is the pregnancy mask. My face pigmentation is getting darker and more noticeable, which I bloody hate. When people point it out and laugh (yes, someone did that this week), I just want to politely (or not so politely, actually) tell them to piss off. It’s the one thing that makes me feel uncomfortable – I mean, it’s on my face, you can’t miss it! 
 
Ohhh, I forgot to mention the whole sleeping on the side thing. Yer, I don’t like it. Well, actually I’ve always slept on my side anyway but being lazy in bed on my laptop, I used to just sit back or lie on my back. Now I kind of sit on my side, twisted, with laptop to the other side of me. Does that even make sense? Probably not. But it’s making my back ache for sure. I still need to master the art of safely being a lazy person in bed without laying on my back. 
 
Belly button in or out? Still in, thankfully. I’m dreading the moment it starts popping out, they freak me out.
 
Exercise: Swimming still. I haven’t been to yoga yet as someone mentioned that if you’re carrying low, you should avoid it. I’m carrying very low so I was admittedly put off a little. I do love yoga and genuinely enjoy it so once I’ve had the all clear from a doctor, I’ll book a class.
 
Wellbeing: I haven’t had much time to actually take the time to enjoy this pregnancy, rest and relax. My life has been on full speed since the start of the year, seriously, I’ve never been so busy. But we moved into a house a few weeks ago and as of next week, I’ll have finished work and will have all the time in the world to nest, rest and sleep.
 
I’ve also booked two prenatal massages so I’m very much looking forward to that. I’ve downloaded a hypnobirthing course too and will be starting a pregnancy class next month. Life is slowing down and becoming less stressful now that my visa is in progress and we’re in a house, which means I can do all those typical pregnancy things I imagined I’d spend my days doing. It’s exciting.
 
Wedding rings on or off? On. 
 
Happy or moody most of the time: Happy. My husband commented on how much of a sane pregnancy lady I am. I think he assumed I’d be moody and snappy but I’m relatively calm and normal. With the exception of last week – 7 hours sorting my visa while driving across Dubai in ridiculous heat and I lost my patience, not to mention the rude and incompetent maintenance people I’ve dealt with this week and gardeners that don’t turn up… How spoilt brat does that sound? Urgh. Moving house + country is hard work!
 
I’m also definitely much more emotional though for sure. When people show kindness, my heart just can’t take it. And I’ve seen so much kindness recently, the small things and cute messages, it all makes my heart burst!
 
Another thing… I love singing and talking to the baby, which is weird as I always thought women that did that were OTT and crazy! Okay, I attempt the singing and make up my own weird songs but baby definitely knows my voice now, however bad the singing is 🙂
 
How do I explain it… I guess that my maternal instincts are very much present and pregnancy is an experience I don’t take for granted.
 
I’m also so excited for my pram to arrive this week – it’s currently sitting in customs with the rest of my shipping but I can’t wait to get it and pray it arrives in one piece. The nursery will hopefully be decorated soon which gives me butterflies – I can finally start putting my Pinterest baby board to good use.
 
 
Looking forward to: Booking a hospital. I mentioned this last time and haven’t had a chance due to visa drama but my visa is in progress and my health insurance is almost there so I will definitely be doing this in the next week. I’m also looking forward to finishing work and taking the time to really enjoy the last few months of my pregnancy, set up the nursery, finish my baby shopping, go to mummy groups. You know, all that cute stuff. 

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