my bizarre pregnancy findings

I'm officially over the halfway hump of my pregnancy, and there are SO many things that I have experienced or come across that no one told me about. Why had I never heard these things through the grape vine, I'm not sure... or maybe it's just that I'm an idiot and everyone, but me, knows these things already. Regardless, today I'd like to share my random prego findings...

Morning Sickness Ends when 1st Trimester Ends
This is a big fat lie! Each woman is different, but I can tell you that I was still throwing up a good 1 month into my 2nd trimester. I even vomited during my 20th week of pregnancy. No bueno.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter
You can use it when you're NOT pregnant, it's the most moisturizing lotion I've ever used and best yet... it smells like chocolate! Who knew?

Preggo Jeans
These don't have a zipper or button. You might know this already, but it was a huge revelation to me. I swear that I'm going to buy my "normal" size once I'm back down to my pre-pregnancy weight and rock the sh!t out of them because they don't dig into your stomach when you sit down... I love the concept now and I'm sure I'd love it when not pregnant too, haha!

Target Preggo Tank Tops
They are ubber stretchy, don't have ruching and can easily be worn when not pregnant

Mocktails
Drinking Diet Sprite with a splash of Cran while in a dark crowded room/bar with loud music will fool you into thinking you're actually drinking a real cocktail... without the hangover!

Lightheadedness
Anytime I go to pick Cali up off the ground and have my head down, I get so light headed I feel like I might fall over. Who knew this happens?

You Can't Eat...
I knew the regular stuff that you can't eat (or drink) while pregnant, but learned that you can't have a sunny-side-up egg, eggs benedict, salami, hot dogs or unpasterized soft cheeses (and since you don't know what a restaurant uses you can't eat salads with goat cheese or blue cheese in them)

1st Month of Pregnancy
If you're like me and you find out you're pregnant when you miss your period, you're actually 1 month pregnant at that time and only have 2 months left in the 1st trimester. This blew my mind when I realized it! But because of this you're actually pregnant for 10 months not the 9 months everyone talks about (This 10 month thing I knew already, but do any of you know why we talk about "9 months" all the time?)

Brushing Your Teeth
The tooth brush becomes a sneaky little gadget... It's a necessity for your hygiene, but during unexpected brushings it will make you throw up right there in your sink. There I said it. And I've done it. Many times. And without even feeling nauseous in the first place... it actually happened to me yesterday morning, out of the blue!

Broken Blood Vessels
The volume of plasma increases 40-50% and red blood cell mass 20-30% when pregnant and because of this increase I'm experiencing broken blood vessels on my upper chest/lower neck, collar bone and shoulders. It's a side affect I'd never heard of before...

2nd Trimester Energy Boost
Everything you read and everyone you come into contact with will tell you that you will feel your best and have the most energy in your 2nd trimester. While I was barfing my brains out in my 1st trimester I didn't believe a word of this nonsense, but I'm here to tell you that it's true! I have more energy at 21 weeks than I did before I was pregnant... it's weird and wonderful!

Feeling the Baby Kick
At first it feels like gas bubbles and you're confused. You've been told it's the most wonderful feeling in the world and feels unlike anything you've ever felt.... and then you feel it and it feels like... gas bubbles. What. A. Letdown! But don't fret, in a short amount of time it does start to feel very distinct and wonderful, just like everyone had told you it would. But initially, it's not all it's cracked up to be, and to be honest, I'm still weirded out by the feeling.

Growing Belly
Yes, we all know that our belly is going to grow, but I never really thought about what that belly would actually feel like. It's not a squishy, fatty stomach... it's totally different and it's making it hard for me to curl up in a tight ball on the couch and even to hug my husband tight.

What random things did you learn throughout your first half of pregnancy?