We're Expecting! Baby Feggeler Coming Spring 2025
Well, the secret is finally out! Matthew and I are over the moon with excitement, love, and joy to share that we’re expecting our first baby. Our little bundle of joy is expected to arrive in early spring. No joke when I say this is one of the most challenging secrets we’ve ever had to keep and it feels surreal to finally share it publicly. I’m in my second trimester, finally feeling human again, and am somehow almost halfway through the pregnancy. Read on for a look into the past few months!
First Trimester
The first trimester was a doozy! Even before the positive pregnancy test, I was exhausted all the time and yet still had a horrible case of insomnia. All my friends know how much I love my sleep. I am famous for the 9 pm Irish goodbyes and regularly clock 8-9 hours of sleep a night. Boy, this was NOT the case during my first trimester.
Around week 7 I started experiencing morning sickness that lasted until the beginning of my second trimester. Mornings have always been my most productive times to get sh*t done, but from weeks 7-14, I struggled to even get off the couch and eat anything besides fruit and carbs. Matthew took some pretty hilarious photos of me fast asleep all over the apartment during our move.
Which brings me to moving… Holy smokes! I DO NOT recommend trying to move during your first trimester of pregnancy. Matthew and I have been trying to buy a home since early 2022. After putting in 10+ offers, our 30-day, no-contingent offer for a townhouse was finally accepted. My saint of a husband had to deal with all of the logistics of moving on an expedited timeline with a sick and pregnant wife barely able to put one foot in front of the other. He packed up our entire apartment, moved us, and unpacked us with very minimal help.
A few days after the move, Matt and I both came down with what we thought was a cold. The first day, I just figured it was dust from moving mixed with exhaustion. However, that night I was so sick I ended up calling my OBGYN at 5 am in a panic and was sent to urgent care. Turns out, I had a nasty case of COVID that Matt’s body was more easily able to fight. I was truly down for the count for three days!
Second Trimester
So far, the second trimester has been a million times better. The majority of my morning sickness has subsided and I finally have back a bit of energy. With that being said, we had a huge scare around 17 weeks that still brings me to tears. A few weeks ago, I was carrying some things downstairs from my office to load into the dishwasher. Four steps from the bottom, I completely lost my footing and landed so hard on my left elbow and right hip that I ended up getting a mild concussion.
I was the only one home and sat there in a daze surrounded by a shattered plate trying to not pass out. My head got so foggy and I remember taking inventory of the area around me to ensure I didn’t hit my head if I passed out. Once I regained some composure, I rapidly fired off texts to Matt and my mom in case I passed out and didn’t know what happened.
Around this time, I realized the severity of the situation. I called my OBGYN and burst into tears recounting what had happened and trying to figure out what to do. It brings me to tears just writing this. My only concern was that our little baby was ok. I couldn’t care less about my bleeding elbow or swollen hip. They told me to go straight to the ER.
My mom called my brother who rushed over and drove me to the ER while she and my dad piled into the car to make the trek from Charlottesville. All the while, I was still trying to get in touch with Mattew. The entire car ride to the ER I was holding back sobs just trying to not think about the worst-case scenario. Meanwhile, I finally got in touch with Matt who sped over from work and ended up arriving a few minutes before my parents did.
Up to this point, I had felt little baby flutters starting at around 15 weeks. However, I realized while sitting in the ER, I hadn’t felt a single flutter since I fell. The moment the doctor did the ultrasound, Matt, my mom, and I all held our breaths waiting for a heartbeat. All I could think was this was the moment when my entire world came crumbling down. Well… Baby Feggeler is a warrior because he is completely fine. He even showed off his agility by doing a few somersaults. I was diagnosed with a mild concussion from how hard the fall was and prescribed bed rest for the remainder of the day.
I don’t think I can put into words just how “hellish” this day felt. Matt is my rock, and not being able to get in touch with him for an hour was quite literally my version of hell. The only thing that helped keep me together was knowing that my brother was there, my parents were on their way, and Matt would eventually see my messages.
What a day… Lesson learned! From here on out, I am taking the stairs in slow motion, holding on to the railing, and watching every single step. Now that the tears are flowing, let’s lighten the mood with some FAQs.
FAQ
Do you know the gender?
Yes, we know the gender! We’re thrilled to share we are expecting a baby boy. I had a huge gut instinct that baby Feggeler was a boy, but that didn’t stop the tears from absolutely rolling when Matthew and I found out. I’ve had a baby boy’s name picked out for years now, and it truly feels like all the puzzle pieces are coming into place.
What was your first sign you were pregnant?
Matthew and I have always wanted a family, but we didn’t want to put pressure on ourselves to stick to a specific timeline. There was one weekend in early June when I had two “hold-on wait” moments. Matt and I went to the Swiss Bakery early one Saturday morning to pick up pastries. While picking up pastries, I saw a Caprese sandwich that honestly looked like the yummiest thing I had ever seen in my life. My practical side said I didn’t need to get a sandwich at 8 am, so we left with just the pastries. In the car ride home, I started CRYING because I was so sad we didn’t get the sandwich!! Like full-on tears! Matt was so confused, poor thing.
Later that weekend, we went to the pool to cool off and get in a little workout. As I was treading water, I had a huge wave of nausea roll over me. I had to get out of the water and eat something before the nausea finally subsided. I remember jokingly saying to Matt, “Dang, I didn’t realize I was that out of shape!” It was still too early to take a pregnancy test, but I had a positive pregnancy test a few days later!
Pregnancy Items I am loving
Ritual Prenatal Vitamins — I love, love, love Ritual! Pre-pregnancy, I wrote all about my experience with the Ritual Stress Relief Capsules. Unfortunately, the “chill pills” aren’t pregnancy-safe, but I quickly turned to the Ritual Prenatal for my prenatal care. Be on the lookout for a review post shortly.
Bio-Oil — I started applying the Bio-Oil Skincare Oil at the beginning of my second trimester to help combat stretch marks. This belly oil comes highly rated, dries quickly, and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated all day. While it’s a tad on the pricier side, I’ve been applying daily on my belly, boobs, and butt for over a month and have barely put a dent in the bottle.
Pregnancy Pillow — I received a pregnancy pillow as a gift from my sister-in-law and love it. When I was sick with COVID, it seriously saved me, and now that I am in my second trimester, it is the easiest way to ensure I get a good night’s sleep on my side. I am a back sleeper, which is a no-no in pregnancy, so this has honestly helped to ensure I am sleeping comfortably and safely.
Hydroflask Water Bottle — My Hydroflask All Around Travel Tumbler is the MVP of pregnancy hydration, especially while traveling. I am always so thirsty now and can easily go through 2-3 of the 32 fl. oz. bottles a day. After my scary fall, it is comforting knowing I don’t have to trek up and down from my office to the kitchen 50 times a day to refill a smaller cup with water.
That’s All for Now!
Thank you so much for tuning in and reading about our crazy journey thus far! While I don’t blog very often anymore, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to sit down and draft a post. Matthew and I are over the moon excited to welcome our baby boy in just a few short months. It doesn’t seem like life could get any sweeter! Thanks for being along for the ride, and we can’t wait to share more updates soon.