DIY Maternity Session in Virginia | 2nd Trimester of Pregnancy Update

Last December, we announced that we are expecting our third baby! Although we were ecstatic to find out that we’ll have a new addition to our family soon, the first trimester wasn’t that easy. It was filled with a lot of ups & downs. Today, I’m sharing all about my DIY maternity session & my second trimester highlights!

DIY MATERNITY SESSION IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA

As you all know, here in Virginia, we are currently in the middle of a Stay at Home Order because of coronavirus. But before the Stay at Home Order was in place, I managed to do my own maternity session here in Prince William County, Virginia.

I was originally planning to do my maternity photos mid-April because I was waiting for my belly to be bigger but seeing all the coronavirus updates on the news & social media, I knew it’s not going to be long before we’re no longer allowed to leave our house. So I decided to do it the last week of March.

It was a very spontaneous plan. Good thing, Tiffany from TDR Artistry was available to make me look like a princess (my son’s words)! I ordered the flower crown online 3 days before my maternity photo shoot and it wasn’t supposed to arrive on time but it did. I was also originally planning to do it at Manassas National Battlefield Park but because I didn’t want to risk anyone in our family getting sick, I settled to do it in our neighborhood. I am so glad everything worked out and that I made that decision when I did, because I was able to document this special time of our lives. And our family has these photos to treasure forever! Plus, doing my maternity session in our neighborhood made it even more special because the location means a lot to us. After all, it is where our first home is located.

MY SECOND TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS

Okay, now it’s time to share the ups and downs of my 2nd trimester

— Nausea, bloating, & headache stayed during the first 3-4 weeks of my second trimester.

— Back pain & exhaustion has been present during the entire second trimester.

— I hate any white sauce pasta and Pork Adobo (staple Filipino dish). Just the smell of it makes me nauseous.

— I love cupcakes, anything salty, milk chocolate (pre-pregnancy, I love dark chocolate), Wendy’s frosty & fries.

— Around week 16, I felt the baby moved for the first time. It was when my daughter was really close to my belly, and I felt something was poking my belly. It sure was a very exciting moment.

— Around week 19, my family was able to feel the baby’s movement too!

— We bought & moved into our first home during my second trimester. Because I can only do so much on any given day, it took us longer to unpack & organize everything, and get settled. Actually, if I’m being honest, garage still has tons of things we haven’t unpacked.

— We found out we’re having a boy!!! My daughter was devastated when she heard the news, but over time, she has accepted the fact that she’ll be the only girl in our family.

— Leg cramps that wake me up in the middle of the night has started. So far, I had 2 for the entire second trimester. I hope it’s not going to be a lot as I get closer to delivery.

— We already have most of the stuff the baby needs. The big ticket items like crib, stroller, & car seat, baby clothes, etc. We only need to get a few more things and wash everything and then we’re good.

— The kids are very excited to meet their baby brother. They talk to the baby every day and would tell him how excited they are to meet him & play with him. It makes my mommy heart so happy.

— I would be lying if I said I’m not panicking at all. With the way things are going right now, and realizing that I’ll be giving birth in less than 3 months, I am so worried of how things are going to be in July.

— I already had a talk with the kids to prepare them that they may not be able to see me for 2 days when I deliver because of the current situation. They didn’t take it very well; of course, they cried. They expressed how they can’t not see me & be with me for 2 days. It’s going to be tough… but we will do what we can to make sure they have their “normal” while I’m at the hospital.

As I write this, there’s only less than 3 months before I give birth. And regardless of how scary everything is right now & knowing how it will be tough for our family to be separated for 2 days, we are very excited to meet & hold our new baby boy. The thing that I always tell myself to help me get through this is that everything happens for a reason. We will get through this, it may not be as easy as how we want it to be, but we will.

If you enjoyed reading this, you’re going to love First Trimester of Pregnancy Highlights as well.

‘Til next time,

Belle