EIGHT months?! I say this every time, but really, how has this pregnancy flown so quickly? To be really honest, I’m (selfishly) already missing having this little babe to myself. The kicks, the aches… all the unknowns. I’ve fallen in love with even the discomforts. Being pregnant has proved to be both beautiful and terrifying; euphoric yet painful.

Everything is beginning to feel a lot more real. We celebrated the baby shower this weekend (yay!) and it was the dreamiest little day having so many women I love in one place. I feel grateful, supported, and loved.

Of course, my body feels like it’s dramatically changing now. Baby Ireland is putting on fat, so my pregnant belly is growing, growing, growing! Here’s how life is evolving…

On my BODY… Witnessing how capable my body is of stretching and growing another being has been remarkable. I feel more beautiful now than I did mid-pregnancy. Something about a burgeoning belly is so liberating. I have (admittedly) spent most of my adulthood aware of my body, my weight, and my eating habits, always striving to be in my ‘best’ shape. This pregnancy has shown me the beauty behind more lumps, bumps, lines and a rising scale. It has shown me the beauty behind my body’s ability to stretch. And it has shown me the beauty behind my imperfections. While there have certainly been days of feeling insecure, uncomfortable, or downright exhausted because of those changes, I pull myself together, and ultimately feel overwhelmingly proud.

On my WORKOUTS… Speaking of my body, I continue to do light workouts a few days a week. I feel my best on days I keep moving. This has kept my migraines away, and my energy up while pregnant. My trainer has evolved alongside me, and we honestly make adjustments day-to-day. A typical workout is about an hour, switching between the treadmill for five minutes, and sets of lunges, light arm workouts, resistance bands and stretches. I also used to dedicate a day or two a week to a solo run — something I’ve always really loved during my ‘me’ time. But recently, my body can’t handle anything more than a mile. Plus, I just get really, really HOT, really fast.

On my RELATIONSHIP… We’ve started to nest during this last month. We made our first trip to the baby store together, picked out a crib, and bought a new car for me (bye bye to my little sports mobile)! I can feel both of us prepping for the baby now. For a while, it felt like this ‘far away’ moment. But now, we’ve started to read books and play our favorite songs, while feeling the baby dance along in there. We talk a lot about how our priorities are going to change, and there’s a part of me that already misses our selfish date nights and spontaneous trips. But I know this shift will prove to be so full of love.

On the PLANNING… We finally started! The  nursery is still a ways from being ready, but we’ve ordered everything. Here’s to crossing our fingers the essentials arrive in enough time! Not knowing the gender has actually kept me super calm about the planning process. I can’t overbuy, or indulge in a ton of clothes. I’m only worried about the basics. After all, how does anyone really plan for a little human?! PS. no name decisions yet.

On my EMOTIONS… I feel like I’m finally getting a hold of them! The start of pregnancy made me an emotional mess. But now, my hormones feel a whole lot more balanced. I’m also staying super busy with work, in trying to prep for taking some time away from the computer after the baby arrives. I’m prepping for those mega emotions to return, though! I’ve heard the discomfort toward the end of being pregnant is enough to turn anyone into Cruella. And I’m sure post-pregnancy will have me happy sobbing for days!

On Lauren // Denim: Paige Maternity | Tank: Similar Here

On Jake // Denim: J. Brand | Tee: James Perse

Photos by Annie Shak