26 Week Bumpdate + PinkBlush Maternity Wear

26 weeks pregnant! So crazy to say, I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone already. I feel like weeks 24 and 25 disappeared. My pregnancy app (Ovia) says the baby is the size of a bowling pin this week, or a butternut squash. I'm shocked, that sounds HUGE! Baby is also about two pounds now. My favorite fact my app shared this week was that the baby's systems are pretty much done developing, and now he will just continue to grow in height and weight. That blew my mind to think our baby is fully functioning in there and nearly ready to come into the world. Only two more weeks and I'll be entering the home stretch, the third trimester. I am really trying to enjoy and embrace each stage in pregnancy so that time doesn't fly by faster than it already seems to be.

I am so happy to finally be out of the "awkward stage". You know, the stage in pregnancy when you just look chubby, fat and bloated instead of pregnant. Awkward doesn't even begin to cover it haha. I'd say around week 23 or 24 was when I finally felt like if I walked around people would know I was pregnant and not just chubby in my belly region. That "awkward stage" is just the worst, and I'm sure if you've been pregnant before you'd totally agree. I love having my full out pregnant belly now, I feel like a proud mama. The last two weeks I've really started to feel much better and more at peace with my changing body. If you read my second trimester update post then you know I was really struggling for a while with the weight gain part of pregnancy. I was having a super hard time feeling confident about my body and the changes it is undergoing. Currently I am starting to feel much better about it all and I am starting to embrace and love my pregnant body. It feels great to be less down, frustrated and upset about it because honestly that was really taking a toll on me emotionally. I think a big contributor to the new peace with it is coming from the new found love I have for the baby in my tummy. I think it's a combination of knowing it's a little boy and feeling him kick all the time, but I am growing more and more attached to and in love with our baby boy every day. Thinking about how much I love him already really freaks me out. How can I love someone so much that I've never met? How can he not even have a name yet but he has me wrapped around his tiny little finger? This whole parent thing is starting to blow my mind. I cannot wait to meet baby Greco. I am starting to daydream of all the fun things we will do together as a family. So, like I was saying, I think I've been feeling much better about my body changing lately because the focus is shifting. I'm more focused on him now. I'm becoming honored to have my body transform in order to grow our son, and I'm finally realizing that it'll all be worth it because the prize that comes from pregnancy is far greater than any price I or my body has to pay.

Pregnancy symptoms have been about the same as my last post, I'm feeling pretty great. The main difference I have noticed though is my emotions. I am extremely sensitive and emotional these days. Mainly with my husband, if he is even slightly mean to me or angry at me I become a big emotional mess and cry... lots. I really haven't been hyper emotional my whole pregnancy up until now, so both Nick and I are quite surprised by this. I typically just remind myself, "Danielle, you are pregnant and super sensitive so try not to get upset". I also have to remind myself that my husband is a very sweet man and I am just really sensitive these days and taking what he says to heart. It's all pretty hilarious actually. Nick and I laugh about it when I'm crying over random stuff because we both know it's hormones taking over. On the bright side, I am not mean, angry or bitchy... just a sensitive cry baby haha. Watch out world, the emotional pregnant lady is here and will probably cry if you're even slightly mean to her! One other new pregnancy symptom I've been experiencing is braxton hicks contractions. At first I didn't know what these were until my app described them and I realized I had been having them. I mainly get them when I am active, sometimes even if I am just walking on the treadmill I get them. It feels like my belly gets really tight. It's normal to experience them around this point in pregnancy which is comforting to know, and they are getting my body ready for labor which I found so interesting that our body starts preparing and practicing so early. Impressive.

Lets talk about this adorable dress! My friends at Pink Blush Maternity were kind enough to send me this blue floral maternity dress and I am loving it. I have had the best luck with dresses through Pink Blush. Every dress I have worn from them fits perfect, is high quality and extremely comfortable. The company carries maternity clothes, non maternity clothes and perfect transitional pieces that are designed to fit you before, during and after pregnancy. Pink Blush and I did a collaboration last June, European Vacation Outfit Inspiration, they sent me a dress that was one of those transitional dresses I'm referring to. I've worn that dress so many times and I get a ton of compliments on it. Lucky for me, that dress is now perfect during my pregnancy as well. It's such a huge savings to be able to buy pieces that work during different stages of life. I've worn three dresses total from Pink Blush, the third is one my friend purchased, and I must say I love the fit for all of them. They are all size small and fit great. It's nice to know the company is consistent with their sizing, that way once you know what size you love with them you can confidently order new items without a concern of if it will fit or not. The dress I am wearing in these photos is perfect for any special occasion during your pregnancy. By that I mean I think this dress is perfect to wear to a wedding, your baby shower, Sunday church, Easter, etc. It's a very classy dress, you can dress it up or wear it more casual and it's so comfortable! I still haven't decided what I'll wear to my baby shower in a few months, but this dress is a definite possibility. I am doing a giveaway with Pink Blush for a $75 gift card! Head over to my Instagram for details and a chance to win! Good luck!