I get that there are some things that I simply can or cannot do while pregnant that I used to do… like eat sushi, or use a tanning bed like mad the few weeks before our beach vacation, and, when I  get to a certain belly size, I just simply cannot wear some things anymore until after the baby. And, as far as beauty is concerned, there are things that are cautioned against as well, like acne products (which I can no longer use the kind I used pre-baby-baking).

But that’s where I am so glad alternatives come in. When we went to the OB last week, I asked him if, since summer was coming up and I’m whiter than a marshmallow (and quickly looking like one, I might add!), if I could use a sunless skin tanner lotion. He paused for a moment, looked up at me with a grin and said “Soooo, you wanna look orange? You know, people in Japan would love to be as white as they could get. That’s why they paint their faces so much paler.” I sat there thinking to myself, “Well, doc, we ain’t in Japan and I ain’t Japanese. This is America and summer = tan. If you’re white, you’re looked at as being ugly (or that’s how it is around my part of the country anyway)”. But in the end, he said it was okay because it’s mainly a lotion depositing colored pigments onto the skin and it doesn’t affect the baby. Just make sure not to put it over any open wounds and you’re good to go. I also looked it up on BabyCenter and they say it’s okay to use as well. So, Jergens Natural GLOW slow tanner for fair skin… look out… here I come.

Another thing that has bothered me since becoming pregnant is my hair. Not the cut or curliness of it, but the fact that I had dyed it two shades lighter than my natural hair color plus had highlights a month or so before pregnancy. And, from what I had always heard, you do not dye your hair while pregnant. So, early on, I did a little research. From what I could gather, a long as you wait until you’re well into your second trimester (Check! I’m now just a few days away from the third, actually!) and be sure to use the shortest timed treatment that will not touch your scalp, you should be okay. So, after fighting with my self to just cut it all off to a super-short style and avoid the color all together,  I waited until last night. After looking at our Easter pictures and seeing just how much had grown out (about 3” !!), I decided to try to do a color match. By carefully taking my time, I colored only the part that had been colored before and matched it with my natural color, keeping it at least 2” way from the scalp. I hate to admit that I always thought I was a medium brown-haired chick… but it’s actually dark brown. After the color was applied and scrubbing any spot that may have touched skin (I NEVER can avoid getting it on my ears… but some how, this time, I got it under my chin too! How the heck? ), I set the timer for 8 minutes. It’s a 10 minute color, but taking into consideration how long it took me to carefully apply the color AND the fact that my hair soaks up color like a dry well, I shortened the time. After time, wash, rinse, condition, rinse, and dry… I am now a full-headed dark-brown brunette. The very bottom is pretty well black, but I know it will lighten a smidge after 2-3 washes as it always does with permanent dye for me.

I’m also becoming a fan of skirts. (Hence the need for sunless lotion tanners!) I cannot wear shorts at work, and most of my skirts were stretchy-waist ones anyway (thank goodness for the cotton “rag” skirts coming back in style (or at least around here)!) and were bought to fit my rear-end, and the waist was small pre-babybump. Now, everything is starting to fit right and comfortably, so I know I can wear them for a couple more weeks. I’ll still be rotating and wearing my long khakis, but with summer coming and my already having hot flashes hotter than a baked potato wrapped in foil, I need to find alternatives, and skirts seem to be a good one (for now, at least).

Oh, and guess what? This past weekend, I had my first ever pedicure. ( I can hear everyone gasping now) See, I have a thing about my feet. I cannot stand for them to be touched. It tickles.  I’ve tried to have a body massage before and the guy touched my feet and I tensed up so much trying not to laugh that he couldn’t do his normal foot massage, but had to do something else (which I barely made it through). But after talking with a few people, Cherise especially, I decided to go for it. Ticklish or not, I knew from what she had told me that it would probably be good for my feet to help with circulation and stuff, especially now. And let me tell you… that was the most awesome thing ever. We could have skipped the whole painted toe nails and everything – I was satisfied with the massage! I told the hubby I wanted to go again before I have the baby, and we’d both get it done. (To which I got a very quick look shot at me followed by a screech – “BOTH!!!???” OH those few seconds were hilarious and SO priceless!)

So, with summer coming, even though I’ll be 7-9 months preggo, I’m not willing to give up style to comfort. My goal is to look as cute, stylish, and put together as any woman, preggo or not, while being as comfortable as possible. Plus, it helps with self-esteem to do a little something for yourself since your body is just not the shape it used to be as long as it’s all done with safety of little bambino (or bambina if you’re having a girl) inside in mind.

(Also, did you notice something that wasn’t mentioned in this entire post? I’m starting another “day” style post in my blog that I’ll tell you about tomorrow!!)