baby bump update: 27 weeks + giveaway

dress :: connected apparel | moto jacket :: bebe | loafers :: forever 21 | purse :: aldo | watch :: carbon by rue 21 | leather wristband :: c/o salvage west | sunglasses :: juicy couture | earrings :: bohme | owl big sis necklace :: claire's | moccasin necklace :: from my grandma | ring :: forever 21

At 27 weeks, I finally have a baby-looking bump. While I had gained some weight prior to 23 weeks, most of what you see here appeared over the last month. Kumquat has definitely had a growth spurt and I can feel her straining against my belly as she tries to Zumba-dance her way out of there. I sincerely hope her penchant for bedtime violence is not an indicator of things to come.

Before this watermelon sprouted on my midsection, I had been under the delusion that I might be able to squeak through my pregnancy in low-rise skinny jeans and tunic tops, but I'm quickly realizing just how ridiculous that thought was. Instead, I've found myself regularly turning to the empire waisted dresses and billowy sweaters that line my closet rods, like this beautifully patterned maxi dress. I also recently invested in a couple pairs of palazzo trousers and a collection of fleece-lined leggings from an adorable boutique by my work called Whimsy - and they're the closest I'm going to get to maternity wear (look for them in an upcoming post).

Fortunately, the preterm labor symptoms I mentioned a couple weeks ago seem to have mostly tapered off and I'm adjusting to all of the new and weird shit that's happening to my body. We're teetering on the cusp of the third trimester, and although there are certainly things to be whined about, I think we've convinced her she needs a little more baking before she can join her furrier siblings in annoying the crap out of her father.

In the meantime, I'm left to endure a variety of aches, pains and random hormone surges for three more months. I'm trying desperately to avoid giving into the urge to wear yoga pants every day (though, admittedly, I have given in once...) and to make it through the second half of each day without bursting into tears (mornings are a hopeless battle - don't ask my why). The closer we come to her due date, the more I worry about everything that might go wrong, and the more paranoid I become about how everything I do might affect Kumquat. I've had a series of intensely disturbing nightmares over the last few weeks, and I have to admit to being deeply worried over my nutrition (or lack thereof) and what repercussions that might have for our baby girl.

But letting paranoia rule my thoughts will do more harm than good, so I'm just trying to zero in on the good stuff - like her constant kicking and the adorable clothes starting to fill the nursery closet. Some moments are easier than others.

My belly button feels like it's about to pop out.


P.S. While you're here, it would mean the world to me if you would pop on over and vote for Frayed Threads as Best Utah Blog in Salt Lake City Weekly's annual 'Best of Utah' awards. Just click here, and then select the banner at the top that says "Readers Ballot" to start voting. It does require ten nominations for the ballot to be counted, so here are some other ideas if you need them:

Best Women's Clothing - Q Clothing 

Best Cocktails - Mimosas at Wild Grape 

Best Breakfast - Sharon's Cafe 

Best Brew Pub - Molly Blooms 

Best Coffee Shop - Park City Coffee Roasters 

Best Park City Bar - No Name Saloon

Best News Station - KSL

AND, to show my appreciation for your support - leave a comment on this entry saying you voted for Frayed Threads, and next week I'll randomly select one commenter to receive a nifty prize! The deadline for votes is tomorrow (2/28) at midnight, so make sure you vote and comment before then. Thanks for taking the time to show your support!