THE WAITING GAME

WWE icon NIKKI BELLA is used to a busy life on the go, but the Total Bellas star is now slowing down, anxiously awaiting the birth of her first child (a baby boy!) this summer with fiancé Artem Chigvintsev.

photography by JENNICA E. MAES AMAES PHOTOGRAPHY

AT H O M E W I T H B E L L A A N D CHIGVINTSEV

MINI | We’re thrilled to have you on our cover! Let’s dive right into your pregnancy. What were your first thoughts when you learned you were pregnant?

NIKKI BELLA | I was definitely shocked! Artem and I had just gotten engaged and the last thing I was expecting was to find out I was pregnant.

MINI | Have you experienced any sickness? Any extreme food cravings?

NIKKI BELLA | My pregnancy is going great amid COVID-19. I am grateful for my health. I can’t believe I am already close to the finish line. I can’t wait to meet my baby boy! My first trimester I felt like I had a hangover every day. I was like, I am not even drinking wine and I feel this way. Second trimester was amazing— just like what everyone told me. It definitely made being in lockdown harder because I just wanted to be out and about and couldn’t. Third trimester has been exhausting. Some days, it’s hard to get out of bed. And goodness the swelling has definitely started to hit me!

MINI | What has surprised you most about pregnancy?

NIKKI BELLA | Definitely how the body works and changes. Physical changes and internal changes. I find it so incredible how you can feel your baby grow, hiccup, kick, punch. Goodness, all of it.

MINI | You’re also pregnant at the same time as your sister, Brie! How has the experience

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been being pregnant together?

NIKKI BELLA | It’s been amazing. Especially being pregnant in a pandemic, it has been beyond helpful. It’s like having a doctor next door. I depend on her a lot when it comes to questions about pregnancy. Plus, I have a sober buddy in lockdown. No temptation to have wine!

MINI | What do you think is the one thing no one really warns you about, pregnancy wise?

NIKKI BELLA | Just how every body part can change, and areas you can swell.

MINI | What is most important to you in raising your kids?

NIKKI BELLA | Showering our son with a lot of love. Making sure he has the right tools to grow into a kind, caring, respectful man. That I set a great example for him. I want him to be a shining light in this world.

MINI | What is your greatest parenting fear?

NIKKI BELLA | Protecting your own. You always want to be there by their side to protect them on whatever it may be.

MINI | What has been the most difficult part of being pregnant during COVID?

NIKKI BELLA | Missing out on all the fun pregnancy stuff. Having best friends and family members touch your bellies, a baby shower, maternity shoot, workouts with my trainers at yoga and barre, traveling

somewhere for a babymoon, getting dressed up for dinner and not caring about ordering dessert. Crazy to think I won’t experience any of that.

MINI | You just shared that you’re having a BOY! Did you have any feelings about gender during this pregnancy or were you completely surprised?

NIKKI BELLA | When I saw the first ultrasound at six weeks, I immediately thought that looks like a boy. His back was so strong looking! I was like, whichever gender this baby will be, it’s definitely a world champion!

MINI | Let’s talk fashion, of course! What are you living in right now? How are you dressing the bump?

NIKKI BELLA | Mainly Enza Costa ribbed dresses or a good maxi. Being in 110 degree heat in Phoenix, nothing feels better than a dress! I wanted to up my fashion a lot during pregnancy, but then COIVID hit and made it impossible.

MINI | What baby gear do you plan on using for your little one? What pieces do you have ready?

NIKKI BELLA | I received the new SNOO bassinet and I am SO excited about that! It was the one bassinet I was looking at. I just look at it every day and imagine my little one in there soon. Also super excited for my Silver Cross stroller. I love how it has a lot of functions for strolling and carrying— makes it so nice on this mama! And lastly, Artem just got me a Gucci diaper bag and I’m obsessed! I’m definitely going to try and keep my fashion up to par as a mama and this is a good place to start. NIKKI’S BABY GEAR

CARRY ALL GG Supreme Baby Changing Bag ($1115; gucci.com) “Artem just got me a Gucci diaper bag and I’m obsessed!”

DAILY DILLS 365 Organic Kosher Baby Dill Pickles (wholefoodsmarket. com) “I always have Kosher Baby Dills in my fridge.”

BUMP BASICS Enza Costa Ribbed Jersey Midi Dress ($145; theoutnet. com) “Being in 110 degree heat in Phoenix, nothing IN THE STARS feels better than Ceramic Moon a dress!” Nightlight ($35, potterybarnkids.com)

MINI | Let’s talk nursery! How are you putting together your baby’s space?

NIKKI BELLA | We went with a moon and stars theme. I wanted something very soothing and meditated and also day-dreamy. I just want my boy to get lost in the stars. We have a lot of grey and blues throughout the nursery and dark wood. It’s super handsome!

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in the nursery? NIKKI BELLA | I love the artwork I have hanging up and the quotes around his room. I have this big half moon nightlight that I am loving. The wallpaper is stars and I even get lost in them. I just go and sit in his room and it just feels magical.

MINI | How about baby’s wardrobe?

NIKKI BELLA | I have purchased way too much already! I am obsessed with solid patterns, not crazy about loud prints. I love the solid grey, blues, blacks, even certain greens. I definitely think our son is going to be very well dressed. I already got him two pairs of Nikes that are so cute so he can be like mommy. He definitely is going to be the Fearless Baby.

MINI | What are you looking forward to most about raising your baby in Arizona?

NIKKI BELLA | Being around family, especially next door to my sister. Knowing he will have her baby and Birdie next door. I feel this will make them more like siblings than cousins. Quarantine has made me realize a lot of what is important, and environment and family are definitely two of them.

FAST FACTS

FAVORITE KIDS BOOK The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin.

IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Take naps and read more.

FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Shrek.

SHOWS I’M WATCHING Mrs. America on Hulu and Imposters on Netflix.

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Maple and Ash.

FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR BABY Monica + Andy. It’s been all online because of COVID.

CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Headspace meditation app.

GUILTY PLEASURE Back To Nature’s Peanut Butter Creme Cookies and RJ’s Black Licorice.

TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Large Iced Green Tea.