26 Week Bumpdate featuring Forte Elements

Sweater (Vici Dolls, similar here) // Free People Top // Zella Leggings // Heels (dups here and here) // Louis Vuitton Neverful GM

Finally, a bumpdate! ha. I went to the doctor yesterday for my 26 week appointment, and the lovely glucose testing. Max had his dental cleaning, and I ended up feeling terrible all day because of fasting and that terrible sugary drink. Needless to say, it was a rough day for me. However, I wanted to say thanks to everyone that messaged me kind words of love and support, it really brightened my day! I appreciate you all so much! Max is home doing well, and the baby is healthy!

How I’m Feeling: Up until the last few weeks I’ve really felt amazing! It’s been a really easy pregnancy, but I did end up catching a cold from Blaire, that turned into a sinus infection that lasted for over 2 weeks. I really didn’t take anything, so it lingered forever! I finally started to feel better and then really only felt crappy yesterday at my appointment. Other than all of that, I really can’t complain. I’m feeling lots of kicks, and jabs, constant somersaults, so much movement!

Blaire’s Thoughts: As my belly has become more visible, Blaire is becoming more excited and more attached. Every day when I drop her off at school she kisses baby on my stomach and says I love you. It’s so sweet! She is so excited for her sister to get here, and is getting a little antsy already. Every night she lifts up my shirt to see how big the baby is getting and each time its a shocking “OHH!! It’s getting so much bigger!!” She’s going to make a great big sis!

Favorite Places to Shop: For the most part, I’ve been wearing a lot of my regular clothes. I don’t wear a lot of fitted things, so a lot of stuff was already oversized and still fits. Now when buying new clothes I’m looking for a lot of the things I would normally buy, and just sizing up a size. We really only have one maternity store in Richmond, A Pea in the Pod, and I’ve been once to buy maternity jeans. If you’re petite like me then you probably know what a struggle it is to find maternity clothes that fit. I ended up getting a couple designer pairs and having them fitted a little better. Since I’m pretty short and have a short torso, baby takes up pretty much my pelvic area up to my belly button, so regular pants sized up aren’t really an option. For the maternity clothes that I have bought I do really like ASOS Maternity, they have a lot of cute stuff that doesn’t look frumpy. I’ve found a few things a Nordstrom, and a couple of things at Pea in the Pod. Otherwise I’m still shopping for the regular stuff at Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters.

My Diet: I haven’t been following any sort of strict diet while pregnant. I’m really loving carbs and sweets, but who doesn’t right? I just try not to eat too much, or snack on things too late. I’m only 10 pounds away from when I gave birth to Blaire, so I’m freaking out a little bit as I still have 13-14 weeks left! My 25 week bump pic with her was pretty much non-exsistant, so I wonder if you’re just bigger with the second one? But my blood pressure is good, my doctor isn’t concerned, so it is what it is right?

I have been taking some gummy prenatals (ones of been taking for 3 years!) and once I got pregnant they really started making me nauseous. I started taking them right before I went to bed to avoid the nausea and it ended up working ok. I also had to take some iron vitamins with it because the gummies I was taking didn’t provide enough iron with my regular diet. None of this stuff really tasted so great, and I feel like I’m eating a whole meal of gummies and iron pills before bedtime. I recently partnered with Forte Elements to give their prenatal vitamins a try, and would love to share my experience with you below!

Forte Elements

If you saw my instastories, I got a package from Forte Elements about two weeks ago. In the package, I received some Anti-Nausea pills, and the Prenatal + Nutritional Supplement supply. It also included a pamphlet for pregnancy friendly exercises, and a nutrition guide/meal plan for each trimester.

Immediately what I liked about this brand when I first started reading about it was the fact that there is scientific research behind the vitamins. I’m not just shoving down a bunch of pills with a bunch of stuff in them, everything in these tablets has a purpose thats helpful and necessary to pregnant women, and women trying to conceive. Nothing excessive, just what you and your baby need to be strong and healthy.

Since I’ve been taking these prenatals, I can actually feel a difference overall. Instead of feeling a bit yucky afterwards when I took my previous prenatals, I feel perfectly fine after taking these. I’ve also noticed I haven’t really NEEDED my coffee each day. Although I still want it, I feel like I have a bit more energy in the morning and throughout the day. This could be proof that I’m actually putting something good and useful in my body.

No matter what prenatals you’re taking, it’s so important to take care of yourself during pregnancy. Prenatals play a vital role in your baby’s health, and for me I want to take the best there is to offer, and I know I’m doing that with Forte Elements! They also have a other vitamins and supplements available on their website, including Postnatal supplements that I’m looking forward to trying. If you’re not pregnant or trying to conceive, they have lots of other supplements

 Thank you Forte Elements for Sponsoring this post. All opinions of this product and brand are my own.