[ann]Cardigan: BP. Hooded Cardigan | Tee: BP. Raw Edge V-Neck Tee |  Jeans: AG Legging Ankle Jean  | Bag: Tory Burch | Boots: Sam Edelman | Sunglasses: Le Specs | Necklace: Nadri Geo Small Pendant [/ann]

First of all, I have to say THANK YOU guys so much for the sweet response and your excitement about Baby Denner.  The amount of sweet messages and comments I received left me speechless and even more grateful for all of you.  We are so excited to share this entire pregnancy with you, and after many requests to do so, I thought I would start today by sharing my first trimester experience.

Okay, let’s just jump into how we found out that we were pregnant.  Being a first time mom, I was super anxious to see those pink lines or the word “Pregnant” on a test.  So, as soon as I was able to, I took a test.  I first bought one of the First Response tests that can tell you 5 days before and took it 6 days before…haha.  It came back with the faintest second pink line ever.  I had heard in the past that if there is anysecond pink line that it’s positive, but I refused to get all excited and believe it.  I was also super romantic about it and texted Daniel a picture of the test and asked if he saw a line or if I just “wanted” to see one.  He said for sure, but I still refused to believe it.

The next day was Saturday (Cinco de Mayo!) and Daniel was home from work, so we decided that I would take another test that morning.  The line was definitely dark pink and extremely obvious this time.  He started hugging me and I was just in complete shock. I told him I still wasn’t sure (I have no idea why, I just did not want to get my heart all excited if it wasn’t true), and that I wanted one of those digital tests that say “Pregnant” right in your face.  We went to Target and picked some up that afternoon, and sure enough!  Then I let myself celebrate and get all excited!!

And I just want to be a little vulnerable for a minute for those of you who may have experienced this as well. The night we found out, I experienced some of the weirdest emotions that I never thought I would have.  I went through just about every emotion from excitement, to nervousness, to sadness.  Obviously elated that we would soon have the sweetest little baby to love on (after all, we were “trying” to get pregnant and this is what we wanted!), but also so nervous.  Would I be a good mom?  Was I cut out for this?  What would my life look like?  And honestly, a little sad.  Sad because it would no longer be just Daniel and I in a few short months.  I have loved every second of being married to Daniel, and our reality is about to look a whole lot different!  Definitely for the better, but I just wanted to share those things I was feeling because they were so real that night!!

We found out we were pregnant a week after we went into escrow on the new house and about a week before we left for Italy!  It was a crazy time for sure!  When we left for Italy, I still did not “feel” pregnant or any different at all.  Maybe just a little bloated?  During the first week of our trip, I still felt great, but during the second week I got an absolutely horrible food aversion to ALL Italian food.  Let me just tell you, that is a BIG problem in Italy.  They don’t really have any other options and so I rarely ate.  We picked up some bread, peanut butter, and jelly from a little market in Capri which helped.  But, because I wasn’t eating I got really sick feeling.

Once we got to Rome, there were a few more options (including Hard Rock Café…bless you Hard Rock!).  I was able to get chicken fingers and french fries, and my life was practically made.  Let’s just say, we embarrassingly ended up there quite a few times.

Once we got home, I didn’t have many symptoms other than I was hungry ALL.THE.TIME.  I officially became the world’s biggest snacker.  To this day, if I go too long without eating I don’t feel well, so I try to carry small snacks with me.  My doctor says it’s the perfect prep for having kids!  I also have taken my fair share of naps (pre Anniversary Sale, of course…haha).  I’m not typically a napper, so I definitely would say I have been more tired than usual.  And I am ready for bed by 10pm instead of my usual 12am!

I have been extremely blessed to not have been too sick during my first trimester.  I’ve had so many friends who unfortunately were super nauseous and throwing up for many weeks and I can’t imagine going through that. Mine was just a day here, and a day there, but no vomiting. (except for last week when I got the stomach flu…it’s even more awful pregnant!).

As far as food cravings go, I haven’t had too many, except for the fact that I’m extremely picky! Like the majority of days I eat Chick Fil A or Chipotle for lunch, nothing else…haha.  And salads do not sound good!  When we got home from Italy I was on a Fruit Loops kick for a while, which is super bizarre because I rarely had eaten them before.

I really don’t have much to complain about and feel so grateful because my symptoms have been so manageable this trimester.  But there have been a few things that have bothered me: namely my skin.  I have had pretty bad pregnancy acne since about week 5, but it is finally looking like it is clearing up and I am hopeful that it stays better.  I’ve heard both experiences of it clearing up in the second trimester and it lasting through the whole pregnancy, so I am hopeful I’m apart of that first group 😉.  For skincare, I have been using Drunk Elephant products for the past couple of months and really like them.  I will share more in a separate post soon, so stay tuned!

We were lucky enough to get to find out the gender with a blood test on week 12.  I will be sharing soon!  I’m not a big party or reveal person, so we brought the results to a local boutique and picked out two outfits, one boy and one girl outfit. Then we showed the results to the girl who worked there and had her ring up and wrap the one that we were having. That night we went out to dinner with my family and opened our “gift.”  It was so special and perfect!  I can’t wait to tell you all!!!!!

There have been a few things I have loved this trimester, including my pregnancy apps!  I have a few that I look at and they all give me little different tid-bits of info about Baby Denner and how they are growing, what size they are, and what they are doing.  It has been so fun to learn what “milestones” they hit each week!  I’m currently 14 weeks and hair is starting to sprout on the baby’s head and is about the size of a lemon.  My favorite apps are Ovia, Glow Nurture, and Sprout!

Again, we are so grateful for this little miracle that is growing inside of me!  Getting past the first trimester is such a relieving feeling because I know just how common miscarriage is and the anxiety of that possibility can be so real.    My mom experienced a few miscarriages herself, as well as plenty of friends I know, and the effects are devastating.  Just know I am praying for those of you who have experienced this reality, as well as those of you who may be struggling with infertility.

I’m so excited to share the rest of this very newjourney with you all!  With this being my first pregnancy, I really have no idea what to expect, and would love to hear any of your “must haves” or advice!  So grateful for each of you!!  xx, Daryl-Ann