Getting Ready For Baby // My Favorite Pregnancy Goodies

1. The Belly Book (for saving pictures of your growing belly and journaling), gift from my friend Sara  //  2. Gentle Baby Essential Oil (for calming anxiety and gentle massage), gift from my friend Rhonda  //  3. Organic Peppermint Essential Oil (for relieving headache pain naturally), Now Solutions  //  4. Bellybuds Sound System (for baby to listen to music and recordings of daddy's voice when he's on the road), c/o Bellybuds  //  5. The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy (for hilarious, straight-to-the-point tips and truths), gift from my friend Heather  //  6. Origins (for learning about how the 9 months in the womb shape life after birth), gift from my friend Cara  //  7. Compression Socks (for relieving aching feet/calves and prevention of spider and varicose veins), Zappos  //  8. Cocoa Butter (for amazing moisturizing and possible prevention of stretch marks), Now Solutions  //  9. Pregnancy Pillow (for sleep support), c/o Bump Nest  // 10. The Pregnancy Journal (for tips and daily reflections), gift from my mother-in-law 

A month ago, I posted a baby goodies roundup of things that we'd gotten so far (purchases and gifts) for our baby-on-the-way.  Today, I thought I'd do the same, but for pregnancy items.  I mentioned in the baby goods posts that we've really been making a conscious effort to keep things to a minimum and focus on necessities and just a few fun goodies.  This same 'rule' has also applied to my pregnancy.  There are so many products out there catered to pregnancy, but up to now, I've only purchased one item (aside from prenatal vitamins, of course) specifically made for pregnancy: a maternity top that I've worn once.  I am considering getting a maternity belt for extra support, because I walk a couple of miles everyday, and this growing bump is starting to create some serious back aches and round ligament pain.  But other than that, each item that I've personally bought has been something not technically made for pregnancy that I will be able use post-baby as well (like #2, the peppermint oil, which is amazing for headaches, or #8, the cocoa butter, which is an incredible moisturizer).  I have been lucky, however, to receive a few goodies made specifically for pregnancy as gifts, all of which have been wonderful surprises and fun treats that have genuinely added to the experience for me. (Like #4, the Bellybuds. I've been playing music for baby girl everyday, and she instantly responds with kicks and movements. It has specialty speakers that adhere to the belly too, so I can play her songs while I'm working and doing other activities.  Pretty bad ass.)

I hope that this roundup is helpful to those of you who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or have pregnant friends or family members.  And if any of you have suggestions for other items that are worth buying or any especially fun goodies that you recommend, please let me know!  I still have three months to go. :)