October Home Stretch

I'm sure we are all thinking the same thing - how is it already October?! I've been waiting for October all year, because this is the month we'll meet baby girl. Time has flown by at lightning speed!

Since this weekend was pretty quiet other than celebrating our fav neighbor's birthday, I thought I'd share my few must have items that got me through my pregnancy.
Home Stretch Items

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter - I cannot believe I'm saying this, but so far so good in the stretch marks department even at 38 weeks. I'm owing it to a combination of staying active throughout my pregnancy and slathering on the belly butter after I showered every night. It kept my skin moisturized, and I loved that it didn't have a strong scent and was a natural product without parabens, phthalates, and petrolatum. Win-win!

Coffee - a big pregnancy myth is that you have to ditch you daily dose of caffeine. I honestly don't know how I would have survived if this was true. You can safely have up to 200 mg per day (about 2 cups of coffee). My morning Dunkin and Starbucks runs or walk over to the Keurig are still something I look forward to every day.

High Rise Leggings - As you'll see below, I have lived in flowy dresses but for barre and yoga classes or weekly Target runs my high rise leggings comfortably fit over my ever-growing bump. My favorites were these Zella high waist crop leggings from Nordstrom and these high rise crops from lululemon. Seriously the most comfortable pants ever!

La Croix Sparkling Water - Even when I can enjoy adult beverages again soon, I'll still keep my fridge stocked full of these pretty slim cans. It was a nice treat aside from drinking water all the time, and super refreshing to enjoy while lounging in the pool.  They come in a large variety of flavors and are 0 calorie, 0 sugar, 0 sodium, and the best part by far is 0 artificial sweeteners which equals 0 guilt. I picked up packs of them at Target, where you can also find them on sale a lot plus Cartwheel deals.

Flowy Dresses - Other than the dress I wore to my baby shower in CT and for our maternity shoot I haven't purchased a single piece of maternity clothes. Instead I picked up several flowy dresses that were not only super comfortable (waistbands are not your friend while your bump is growing), but helped me look put together even if just running out for a bit. One of my favorites was this dress from Express that I loved so much I picked up in multiple colors.

**If you live in a colder climate, and it's winter time I'd suggest pairing flowy dresses or tunics with high rise leggings to stay comfortable. I tried the belly band, and it worked but it made me super hot since it was like an extra layer of clothing under my tops**.

Workouts - As I mentioned here, keeping up with barre and yoga classes throughout my pregnancy especially during the yucky months of the 1st trimester was not easy but so rewarding. No matter how sick or tired I felt before class, I was always so thankful that I forced myself to go and left feeling so much better.

Prenatal Gummies - Some women feel sick from prenatal vitamins, and I don't do well with nasty big pills so I've been chewing on 2-3 prenatal gummies daily since before even getting pregnant. Not only do they taste great, but they give me all the nutrients that I need to help support the growing baby. Target of course for the win with great prices, constant sales, and Cartwheel deals.


Things I didn't waste money on or improvised on:

Pregnancy Pillow - As I got about halfway into my 3rd trimester, sleep became more and more uncomfortable with hip and joint pain. I've heard women rave for years about pregnancy pillows which tend to take up a ton of room and are expensive for an item you're only using for a few weeks or months. I took notice of the king size pillows that sit on the bed more for decor than actual use, and decided to try them out one night and it was magical! They're longer than a regular pillow so they provided me with the support I needed on my belly and in-between my legs to relieve the hip pain.

Maternity Clothes - As I mentioned above, I've been living in flowy dresses which have been super comfortable and can still be worn once baby girl arrives. I love that I didn't invest in a bunch of pieces that could only be worn for a short time, and rather in items that I'll be able to continue wearing.

Changing Table - I read a lot of reviews that said it's a piece of furniture you'll only use for a little while, and it's easier to just purchase a changing pad with a grippy bottom and place it on top of a dresser that will grow with baby. This is exactly what we did, and I'm very happy with our decision.

What were some of your must-haves and what did you skip out on that others may swear by?

50 comments:

  1. It's amazing that you didn't have to get maternity clothes - that's just fabulous! Good to know about the changing table for the future!! Happy Monday and yay for the home stretch! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  2. Yay October...month of Serena!!! I never bought a lot of maternity clothes either, so much smarter to live in flowy pieces plus they work so well after baby arrives!!! Always been one of my favorite Kate Spade mugs and yes to a lil coffee!! Morning Cheers with our Starbucks, lol and Happy Monday!!

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  3. So glad it's October! Can't believe you are almost due! How exciting!

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  4. I can't believe how quickly your pregnancy has gone by! I remember getting the email from you about it and that feels like it wasn't very long ago at all! I'm glad that the time has gone well and you've found lots of good things to help get you through! :)

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  5. Interesting post ;)
    xx
    Mónica Sors
    MES VOYAGES À PARIS
    NEW POST: PFW STREET STYLE SEPTEMBER 2016
    DON'T MISS: MY NEW YORK TRAVEL OUTFITS & DIARY!

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  6. I live in flowy dresses any way since it's so freaking hot here. Props to you for making through your pregnancy in the dead of summer in Florida! I don't know if I could have done it! Yay for it being so close to your due date! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  7. Good to know! So excited youre in the homes tretch!!

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  8. I can't believe it's October or that you are going to have a baby by the end of the month! Life is crazy!
    The Adored Life

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  9. So excited you're in the home stretch! I tried to buy as little maternity clothes as possible too. Flowy dresses are the way to go! Have a great week!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  10. I have been loving the belly butter and prental gummies too. Though I don't think I have completely escaped stretch marks, I have a few on my lower belly that sort of popped up over the last two weeks. Unfortunately, I had to pick up a few maternity pieces because a lot of the flowy dresses were too short for me that I tried in regular stores. I have a pair of maternity jeggings and leggings that I got to get me through October and November too since some of my more summery things will look a little ridiculous when everyone else is wearing booties and scarves haha. I am doing what you are doing and skipping the changing table. Such a waste of money and space! I am also buying a glider that looks like a living room chair instead of a baby rocker so we have it to keep in her room or a play room or other space after I am done with it. I can't believe you are only two weeks out!

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  11. I cannot believe it's October either! It's my favorite month of the year and I'm sure it's about to be for you too! How exciting that you're so close to meeting her!!

    www.rosyoutlookblog.com

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  12. Can't believe it's Oct already either!! So crazy, and I'm sure so exciting for you too! You're so close, girl!

    Shauna

    www.lipglossandlace.net

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  13. That's awesome that you saved money and space with using an oversized pillow you already had, sometimes that just does the trick! Also your maternity style has been knocking it out of the park, so it's awesome that you can transition that into our post-baby style since none of it was maternity :)! Also yes to all the coffee, it's totally safe to have a cup or two...people would be zombies otherwise! Happy Monday & Happy Baby Month!!!

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  14. You are most certainly in the home stretch omg! I can't believe you are going to be having your baby by the end of the month! So exciting!!! I also ant believe you didn't have to buy any maternity clothes! You literally have the best maternity style!
    xoxo,Victoria
    www.coffeeandablonde.blogspot.com

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  15. flowy dresses were definitely key! i'm glad you didnt have to buy any maternity clothes - that's the way to do it! just a few more days girl!

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  16. Congrats on the home stretch! I am also a huge fan of the prenatal gummies. They are so much! It is a bit cooler here in Chicago so I plan on wearing lots of leggings and long cardigans to get me through to December.
    ~Samantha
    http://goldcoastgirlblog.com

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  17. We did the same thing and used a dresser as a changing table. It makes so much more sense in the long run!

    Fizz and Frosting

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  18. Yay for October and for getting to meet baby girl soon! Fall is in full swing and I am so looking forward to my fall wardrobe.

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  19. I have always thought giving up coffee would be the hardest part so that's good to know you can still consume it!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  20. I had no idea you could have caffeine while pregnant. I just assumed that the coffee you were drinking was decaf. haha You really do learn something everyday. Only a few more weeks until your baby girl is here! Yay!! It's gonna fly by.

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  21. I'm in love with that mug and have been for a long time. Yay for baby month!!! So excited for you!!

    Amanda Kids and Cabernet

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  22. Happy baby month! You are so close! You have looked so beautiful through your pregnancy... all of the stuff you mentioned definitely works!

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  23. Yay for your little girl getting here soon! I hated my pregnancy pillow and threw it on the floor almost every time I used it. A king sized pillow will work just as well.

    Xoxo,
    Whitney & Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

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  24. Hurrah for the belly butter! Sounds like a great, all natural project.

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  25. I love that you only purchased one maternity piece, that is awesome! Definitely skip a changing table, such a waste! Half the time you're changing them on the floor somewhere and a dresser top pad is the way to go!

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  26. I love that not drinking coffee when you're pregnant is a myth - PHEW for the day when I get pregnant haha. I cannot believe you get to meet your little girl this month!!

    Meg, Borrowed Heaven

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  27. Ditto to the changing table! 8 months in and haven't missed not having one!

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  28. Your pregnancy has flown by! My sisters both did not invest in a changing table, such a smart idea.

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  29. We didn't waste money on a changing with either child... no regrets! A changing pad on top of the dresser works every bit as good!

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  30. I can't believe how fast your pregnancy has flown by! I can't wait for baby girl to make her arrival! Those prenatals are my favorite! I always stock up when they go on sale at Target...and you're so right, they taste really good!
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

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  31. nice call on the changing table pad, I heard this from multiple people too. So excited for you! I bet flowy dresses will be your jam for a bit.

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  32. Yay for it being October and the month baby girl will be born! :) So excited for you!

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  33. I love the prenatal gummies too! I have been using cocoa butter, but might need to look into the one you shared. And amen for leggings! I on the other hand have been living in maternity things. Ha!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

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  34. You're soooo close! Literally could be any day now! Just please baby girl don't go to 41 weeks like I did because that's when the dreaded stretch marks showed up and the Belly Butter could help me no more haha. You won't regret not having a changing table - the dresser works perfectly!

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  35. La Croix is seriously the best! I'm actually drinking one right now haha! That's a really good idea about the changing table, I never would have thought of that!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

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  36. I love that mug! You are getting so close!! I bet you're so anxious/excited right now! Yay! :)

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  37. I can't believe it's almost time for her arrival - so exciting! So nice that you got away with using mostly non-maternity clothes!

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  38. We used the changing pad on a dresser and we still do. I loved my pregnancy pillow but I got it at 16 weeks pregnant with twins! You are so lucky that you live in Florida where it is pretty warm year round. I would have loved flowy dresses the entire time!

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  39. Great picks! And I need that mug ASAP! For real - I had cake for breakfast on Saturday and I'm not ashamed to admit it! Thanks for sharing :)

    Love, Lindsey
    http://www.thenomisniche.com/

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  40. Can't believe the home stretch is here!! How are you feeling? We need to catch up this week before baby Serena gets here! I can't believe how amazing you rocked pregnancy!! Truly inspiring!

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  41. I've never been pregnant, but I heard that good old Palmer's Cocoa Butter is amazing for stretch marks.

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  42. Yay for being in the home stretch! That mug is the cutest!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  43. Great picks darling! That mug is everything!

    xo, Maryam
    http://www.glamandposh.com/

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  44. Wait! Baby already? This month? Ah so exciting!!

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  45. you are the cutest- i love these items! I can't believe you're so close to the finish line! THinking of you!

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  46. Gummy vitamins are the jam! :) These prenatals sound yummy. And SO exciting that the baby will be here SOON!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  47. My friend that's pregnant right now has attributed staying active to not gaining a ton of weight. I definitely need to remember that for when we decide to start a family! I can't believe that your little girl is going to be making an appearance this month!

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  48. okay, i don't drink coffee, but will i be able to have my tea?! like, hot tea? or diet coke?! i mean, i probably shouldn't drink diet coke anyway, but i am legit worried about my tea lol. i don't know how much caffeine is in my english breakfast though. the belly butter sounds great, i'll have to remember that. i hope i am able to stay active during my pregnancy.. not that i am pregnant, but you know. oh, and good to know about the pregnancy pillow vs king size. remind me of that down the line, will you? lol jk, i will try and remember. we have extras because KC doesn't use them when he sleeps, but I do (just for my head right now lol).

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  49. You're amazing on the maternity clothes!! Totally my hero!! Nice work on the bump pillow too!!

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