Tag / 13 weeks

by Meagan

13 weeks (and so begins the second trimester).

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One of the inspirational signs we came across yesterday. “Catch a dream and nurture it.”

I can’t believe it: The second trimester is here (or almost here, depending on who you ask). While I didn’t experience many of the first trimester woes, I am looking forward to gaining some of my energy back. Taking a nap a day has really cut into my daylight hours 🙂

I decided to take a break from the bumpie this week and instead share an update about our time in Amsterdam. Jimmy and I are 10 days into our 2-month adventure and have truly made this place our home. We spend our free time walking around the city, exploring the side streets, picking up fresh produce at the market, stopping into cafes, and cozying up to our fireplace in the evenings.

Being in a place so modern, yet rich in history has been really wonderful. Yesterday we visited a medieval village in the heart of Amsterdam called Begijnhof. This private courtyard, hidden behind secret entrances, was founded around 1150 as a religious home for women. It is still in use today and provides a serene and peaceful escape from the bustling city.

A row of perfectly manicured houses in Begijnhof.

A row of perfectly manicured houses in Begijnhof.

During the week, Jimmy’s consulting work keeps him busy, giving me time to explore galleries and museums, take knitting classes, and practice yoga. I found the most amazing yoga studio near the Rijksmuseum called Delight Yoga, and can’t wait to sign up for more sessions. The studio is flooded with light, 14-foot ceilings, ornate 17th-century molding, and elegant crystal chandeliers. (I may do a separate post just on this if I get a chance to snap a few photos during my next class.)

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by Meagan

Embracing the bump.

After getting some advice from a friend to “embrace the bump,” I decided to head to De Bijenkorf  today, in search of some more fitted maternity attire. It’s winter here in Amsterdam, so I’ve gotten quite used to piling on a sweater (or three), a couple of scarves, and my wool overcoat, making me look – and feel – more like a marshmallow than a petite pregnant woman. But when I got into the fitting room and started striping off the layers, I was quite surprised to see a much more noticeable baby bump than I recall seeing before. Granted, it could just be the angle, or the sandwich I ate just before shopping, but my god it popped out of nowhere!

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Starting to believe there’s a baby in there! (12.5 weeks)

For anyone who’s ever been pregnant, you’ll know what I’m talking about: there’s a moment some weeks into being pregnant that your belly starts to feel a little like a baby bump, not just uncomfortable bloating. I got a little sense of that today. It was pretty magical actually, and made me feel incredibly proud and happy to be experiencing the miracle of procreation. And needless to say, I bought the shirts!