How big did you get and when?

Okay, so I wasn't going to say anything just yet, but I need some help.  DH and I are expecting our second baby.  I just found out a couple weeks ago.  I'm only about six weeks along now.  I've only told a handful of people around me, but there's something nice about being able to talk to online friends.

In the end of June, I'm due to go to my brother and sister-in-law's wedding in Italy.  I've been stressing about what to wear anyway, but it just dawned on me that I no longer have any idea what my shape will be!  I can't remember really when I started not fitting into my clothes before, and it seems like you get bigger earlier with second pregnancies.

What do you all think?  Should I be keeping my eye out for maternity dresses I like, or should I be trying to find normal dresses with a little room in them?  I honestly don't remember what my timeline was before for getting bigger.  This was hard enough before because I'm six feet tall and not exactly a size 10, plus the fact that I want a more modest dress with sleeves--not always easy to find for a summer dress, but now throwing maternity on it and not knowing how big I will be is stressing me out. 

I just want to look good in family pictures, which is tricky since I tend to put pregnancy weight on in my face.  Ahh, I hate this!

Well firstly, congrats on your good news!!

I can't speak from experience but would say to play it safe and wait until you're closer to the time. Like you said, you're likely to show a lot earlier as it's your second baby. Personally I would keep my eye on maternity dresses. They make them now so that they don't even look like maternity dresses and you could get away with wearing them anytime. Have a look at places like funmum.com. They have cute stuff. 

I don't really have any advice to add to Ashley's, but I wanted to say congratulations!

How formal is the wedding?  A friend of mine had these amazing flowy maternity tops that I would totally have worn when not pregnant, and she paired them with palazzo/flowy type pants and looked amazing.  Those might be worth looking for.  I'm pretty sure she still busts them out occasionally as well, since they're flowy, they still look great!

Congratulations! 

I think I would wait until nearer the time to see what's available, as Ashley says.

Congrats!!

If it helps, I got pregnant around this time last year and in late June/early July I was still wearing my normal clothes and don't look pregnant in any photos.  But I wasn't small to begin with, so bump was likely hidden under some extra fat.  1st child though and I've heard you might 'show' quicker with subsequent ones.

Congratulations!!!!

Im pregnant with my 1st at the moment and right at 20 weeks nearly to the day, my bump just got massive. I went from looking not pregnant at all, to looking like i was 6 months along. This happened to a friend of mine as well at 20 weeks. Everyone is different though, and since this is your 2nd they say you start to show a bit earlier. By my count you will be about 18-19 weeks along towards to end of June, so my guess would be you will be showing at least a bit, so go for something flow-ey.

No advice but congrats on your fantastic news!

Thanks all!  I appreciate the help and good wishes.  I'm so happy about expecting again--despite the morning sickness which is setting in already. 

I went shopping today for some new work clothes--silly, I know when I'll soon outgrow things, but I'm starting a new job on Wednesday and didn't really have anything.  I am keeping my eye out for things that might go well either way for the wedding, but nothing's jumping out so far.  Hopefully they will as I get closer.  I'm having DHs bro and fam over for Easter dinner, so maybe I'll get a better idea then of what to wear.

Also keep in mind that new things will likely come out between now and then, so you might find something nice closer to the date.  I had been worrying about a dress for my showers long ago, but then I realized that spring stuff wouldn't be out that early anyway.

I didn't show much with my first until about 6 months. My second was, indeed, a different story. I'd hold off and shop closer to the time!

Congrats!

Yes, by all accounts that I've heard, the second time around one tends to show earlier.

I like Jennie's idea about the flowy top and pants that could carry over for a while and be used as separates.

Also, I've had a lot of very good luck on Ebay UK purchasing formal maternity clothing for work and such. There are such good bargains to be had, that if you did want to start browsing, you would only need to spend a little. For example, at £1 (+ apx. £5 shipping) per find that you might want to hold at item on reserve-- that might be comforting.  I have some lovely Irish tailored suit that I spent that much on... and, at 25 weeks, I still don't fill out the jacket properly! But, I love the suit and am glad to have it in my closet in case a work opportunity occurs at my peak of pregnancy!

Also I got bundles of maternity clothes there... The good news is, Ebay UK just is not as popular as it is in the US, so there's a little less competition overall...

Best, Rutabega

No advice here---I only have one and I showed pretty early---but I did want to say CONGRATS!

I would definitely say wait until May/June.  With my daughter, my tummy measured 46 inches around the day she was born.  I'm preggers now with number 2 and already measuring 43 inches at 23 weeks...so I'm sure I'll be super huge by the time I'm 9 months.  A lot of women show quicker and/or get bigger (even if they don't gain as much actually pounds, belly is still bigger) with subsequent pregnancies so keep that in mind.