Past updates:
Baby Updates
Baby is the size of an heirloom tomato!
I’m hoping to wear the same top I wore in my 11 week and 18 week pregnancy photos in all of my bump photos from here on out to make weekly comparisons a little easier.
Note to self: I should probably retire those capris until after August, as they are starting to really dig into my sides/belly! Eeh.
Here’s another bump pic I took before bed last week:
Weight Gained
Didn’t weigh myself.
Workouts
Spinning, Pure Barre, strength training (only once this week during the class I taught on Friday – I was so sore all weekend!), walking. Felt great!
Symptoms
Much like during my 18th week, I am feeling more and more like myself. Nausea returned a little bit three days this week which wasn’t super fun but it also wasn’t anything that eating something immediately didn’t help fix! (<— I think this is the theme of my pregnancy so far!)
Acne is continuing – zits seem to be concentrated on my chin and chest. Another not-so-fun symptom this week? Super sensitive gums. Apparently this is quite common during pregnancy and I’m trying to be good about flossing to help keep my teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Oh and my boobs are continuing to grow and grow (and they’re starting to get itchy!), which is still blowing my mind.
I also found myself feeling more tired than usual in the afternoons. A daily 3 p.m. nap would have been a lovely addition to my week. Even though naps weren’t in the cards, I feel like I caught up on some sleep over the weekend!
Oh! And my bellybutton seems to be flattening… I am pretty much 100 percent positive I’ll have a ginormous outie bellybutton before the end of my pregnancy!
Food Aversions
Same as the rest of my pregnancy: Tomato-based soups, most plain cooked vegetables (adding veggies to larger dishes like casseroles, pasta dishes, omelets, etc. helps a ton), plain chicken
Food Cravings
Chopped salads, fresh fruit, gummy candy (jellybeans!), decaf lattes, sparkling/flavored water, bread/bagels
Sleep
A few nights of some pretty miserable sleep. Lots of restlessness!
Looking Forward To…
Our 20-week appointment!! I’m also beginning to feel like my belly is getting more and more obvious and I cannot wait until I really look pregnant and can wear some of the more fun pregnancy clothes that actually highlight a bump. Right now I’m just layering on lots of clothing to help hide a thickening middle and would love to expand my wardrobe options a little bit.
Any Baby/Pregnancy-Related Purchases?
A gorgeous fluffy white comforter! When my grandma moved out of her house in Gettysburg a year and a half ago, she generously gave us a beautiful twin bed and Ryan and I are planning to put it in the nursery just in case one of us wants to sleep in there with the baby from time-to-time. I’ve had a few friends do this and highly recommend it and since we were fortunate enough to have a spare bed on our hands, it was an easy decision!
I also nabbed some great maternity clothing thanks to my first Stitch Fix maternity box!
In my fix:
- Eight Sixty Ariel V-Neck Maternity Blouse
- Moon Collection Bailee Cowl Neck Knit Poncho
- Loveappella Maternity Davidi Button Detail Maternity Top
- Rune Kiley Maternity Ankle Zip Legging (FYI – I’ve seen this brand onsale via Zulily before!)
- Gold Necklace (unpictured)
I ended up keeping three of the five items. The sweater poncho and leggings you may have seen me wearing in my morning post were a no brainer. They were both comfortable and cute and I know they’ll transition well from this awkward stage of pregnancy into later months when my belly is bigger and rounder! I also kept the Loveappella maternity top (gray + white stripe) because it is so, so soft and will work well as a casual top throughout my pregnancy.
Stretch Marks?
None yet! I’ve been religiously applying belly butter to my tummy and boobs (and often my hips/booty, too). Hoping it helps! I’m using a combination of Mambino Organic Oh Baby! Belly Butter (kind of greasy but I love it) and Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter.
Any Movement?
Okay maybe the mamas out there can help me with this one. I feel something that almost feels like a light flutter on the inside of my belly – right where my uterus is located and it has started happening daily! My doctor said I might not feel our baby move until 22 weeks because of the positioning of the placenta, so I don’t want to be all like, “Oh my gosh baby is moving!!” and be totally wrong. But the feeling is kind of crazy! It’s not a bubbly/gassy feeling, but feels almost like someone is very lightly/quickly tapping on the inside of my lower abdomen several times a day. I notice it most when I’m sitting still at the computer or relaxing in bed. Baby, is that yoooou?
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Yay for nearing the halfway point! 🙂
that fluttering is def the baby. It will get stronger soon and you’ll have no doubt. Lay flat at night and concentrate and you’ll notice it more and more.
AHHHH I love that picture of your bump- so cute!! You are going to be the cutest preggo EVER. 🙂
Yay for halfway! You look amazing Julie! 🙂
I’m such a mush and started to tear up when I read about the flutters you are feeling, it is most definitely your baby! It’s like a little butterfly in your belly. I started feeling it at about 18-19 weeks ( I have a 3 month old and 4 year old, both girls). I think, other than birth it is the best part of being pregnant. I had hyperemesis gravidarum with both girls and these little flutters were the only thing that made me happy while I was pregnant, I treasured it every time I felt them! Towards the end it will be more prominent, and in a few weeks you won’t mistake the feeling for anything else. My second had the weird positioning as well, but still felt quite a bit of movement. Your little belly is so cute! I can’t wait to hear more!
You are more than likely feeling him move! I swear I felt flutters as soon as 13 weeks. If it’s happening daily then it’s probably baby. Just wait until you see your belly move! It’s an awesome feeling.
Yay for boobs growing! I’ve always been small chested myself and look forward to that side effect of pregnancy some day. 🙂
Yes, I think that’s the baby! I’m about 18 weeks now and I’ve been feeling the same thing! I only notice it when I’m sitting still at my computer, and it feels like he/she is tapping me to say hi :)!
Julie I am a week behind you (due date August 17th). This is my first and I too wasn’t sure if I was feeling the baby. But then it happened every day at the same time. The way you described it is exactly what it felt like for me too. I could almost imagine a little fist tapping at me from the inside really lightly. Isn’t it a neat feeling?!
Definitely sounds like you’re feeling your sweet boy doing some sweet moves in there! Wait until you can make out a knee or foot! My boy loved straightening out, I could clear as day feel his feet jab my ribs! Soon you’ll think you’re going to give birth to big foot! I remember looking at my son when he was a newborn and just crying looking at his feet saying ohmygosh, those are the feet I’ve been feeling for months! Enjoy enjoy! For every nauseous moment there are so many incredibly awesome things that happen! 🙂 now I’m mush and have baby fever again!:) ps. Went to bad daddy’s in birkdale this weekend with my hubby and son per your salad rec I got the chopped BBQ chicken salad, and it did not disappoint!
Those flutters are def baby! The twin bed is a great idea. We did it for baby #2 and I sleep in her room after her first wake. I
You look great! I can’t believe it’s almost half way already.
Flutters are exactly how I would describe those first feelings! It’s so incredible!!! Just wait until you can SEE little man moving around in there!!
yay!
So exciting!! I can’t believe you are already half way there!
I must say… I don’t have kids, and I don’t ever plan on having kids. But… I really enjoy these posts, and find myself looking forward to them. 🙂
Thank you, Amanda! <3
Halfway?!
I love the idea of a bed in the nursery. Can’t wait to see pictures!
I didn’t feel my little one move until my 20 week ultrasound – and even then I wasn’t sure it was actually her until a few weeks late!. Don’t worry – by the end you will definitely know and love it!
Definitely the baby! I’m 18 weeks and a few days and I felt something similar about two weeks ago and I’ve been feeling it ever since. It was hard for me to actually believe that the baby was kicking and I kept trying to convince myself that I was losing my mind! But I definitely feel it daily, especially after I eat! Glad you’re feeling better!
Congrats on hitting the half way mark! You belly is still so tiny, super cute! 🙂
I would guess that it is the baby you’re feeling! With my son, I felt the flutter/tapping too first. Almost like a nerve was jumping, especially when I was calm and quiet in the morning and evening. Then it started to feel kind of like a goldfish was moving in my belly, before I started to feel the really defined baby movements. It’s such a fun time – so glad you are having a good experience!
feels weird being half way doesn’t it! I’m half a week behind you but will get induced around the 1st August which means i’m over halfway. HALFWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!? You mean this little shrimp is going to want to come out in less than 20 weeks! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
You look fabulous by the way – I am behind you in progress but I am way thicker round the midsection. I’m trying to walk 40-45 miles a week as I don’t want to do anything more intense and once or twice a week I do a strength training session but it’s not really helping in terms of maintaining any tone! I think its a lost cause but i’ll carry on regardless.
I haven’t had any obvious movement or feelings and I also have an anterior placenta which is so annoying! occasionally i’ll feel something like brushing. It’s hard to explain but it’s a real gentle sort of wave but just like you I don’t want to turn to my other half and yell “I can feel the baby!!!!” because if it’s just gas that would be embarrassing so I’m waiting for the full on thumps and kicks to start and I can’t wait!
I’m also feeling a little wary too. Due to a previous loss I get a bit loopy as I approach scans! Our 17 week scan was perfect but now i’m approaching the 21 week scan I start faltering and thinking “what if the baby isn’t okay and I convinced my partner I felt it move just a few days before”. Sorry, closed out on a bit of a downer but I can fully appreciate wanting to be absolutely sure what you are feeling is unmistakably the little one giving you a hi five from the inside!
Be patient… it’ll happen!
You are so cute! You look great! I am sorry you are feeling nauseous again! Eeek! Hope it subsides. I love these updates! Can you believe you are halfway there?
yes you are definitely feeling the baby! You can start to feel the baby as early as 17 weeks I believe. I didn’t until almost 22 weeks and it freaked me out! The kicking is the coolest because your husband can feel that too. If you need help with acne I am a skincare consultant and have a lot of moms as clients for that. I personally had melasma badly, it sucks, but I found amazing products that took care of it! Feel free to reach out kristinmillerRF@gmail.com
That feeling… definitely is your baby. It’s a very strange feeling at first, but the more often it occurs you will know for sure it is your baby boy bouncing around. It will get stronger and stronger in the upcoming weeks. And soon it will feel like little feet, arms, head. For me, it has been such a fun part of pregnancy. I love feeling my little boy moving around!
I’m really loving your pregnancy updates, congratulations to you guys! I just wanted to post on here that for the longest time I have had so many problems finding affordable clothing for work or play for someone my age. Who knew 36 was an odd age where most clothing are either teeny bopperish or for older ladies. So I finally signed up for stitch fix! I’m so desperate for some help. I will keep you posted on how I feel about my 1st shipment, it’s expected on 4/7/15. Thank you for all of the details on how their site works!
Those feelings are definitely your baby! Enjoy <3
Yes! That feeling is totally your baby! I’m 24 weeks right now, and have the same thing – placenta in the front – so my doctor told me it would be a while before I could feel some real “kicks.” I started feeling the flutters around week 20, and by week 22, they had advanced to full on kicks! Now I can feel my baby moving around in there a ton! It’s one of those things where, once you feel the first kick, you realize all the other movements you felt were definitely him!
I’m a dentist and just wanted to chime in on your sensitive gums. It’s very common for gums to be sensitive and to bleed a lot more than normal during pregnancy due to hormones and increased blood flow everywhere. Make sure to floss daily (which I know you already do from years of reading your blog) and I would also recommend using an electric toothbrush such as sonicare. We also recommend expectant mothers get an extra dental cleaning during pregnancy. Let me know if you have any questions or dental concerns! 🙂
Thank you for weighing in! I have an electric toothbrush but haven’t been using it lately… I need to change that!
I would definitely say that’s baby boy! I felt my baby around 19 weeks and it was way more noticeably when I was lying still on the couch at night.
Those feelings are definitely the baby! Awwwwwww! That is so special <3 My placenta is like yours–anterior this time, so the flutters aren't as strong as they were with baby #1 but I can still feel them & I'm just a bit behind you.
Love the things you kept from stitch fix!
Jellybeans for the winnnnnnn–they helped me with nausea this week too.
Try not to stress about the acne. I had the same issue, and it was at its worst during the second trimester. It has definitely eased up for my third trimester. My chest and back are almost completely clear now. I know how annoying it is, and I’m sure it’s taking a toll on your self confidence like it did mine. Hang in there! You’re almost halfway there! That sweet baby is going to make all the not so glamorous parts of pregnancy totally worth it!
I am so incredibly happy for you! Yep, sounds like you are feeling baby move around. What an amazing feeling, that was my favorite thing. I can’t wait to hear baby names you are thinking about!!!!!
Sounds like baby movement to me! I liked to describe the first baby kicks like a goldfish swimming in there. Like a little flutter or bubbles floating up. So fun!!
Yay for flutters! I was pretty active and every night before bed we would sit down and read/talk to my growing bump and that’s when our boy was really active. Wait until your husband feels the first movement since he can’t feel the flutters, he will melt!! Wishing you a healthy pregnancy!!
I felt those flutters for the first time after eating a Cadbury Creme Egg. It’s a long joke with my husband and I because that’s what we had together on our first date. You are precious. Just wait until your sitting and he stick his foot into your ribs and you can’t breath. I had to convince my little bit to move sometimes with some gentle rubs to the belly.
Flutters definitely sound like baby! That’s how it started for me. It’s the best feeling ever.
Also something that I’m glad I did and now I tell other soon-to-be moms…when you start being able to SEE the movement, take video! It’s SO cool and after awhile you won’t really remember what it feels like to be pregnant anymore. Sometimes I watch the video and it just makes me smile. 🙂
That is definitely baby! I felt the same things starting around 18 weeks. At first I was not sure but then I realized it was happening at the same time everyday. Now I am at the end of 19 weeks and there is NO denying it is baby. I can see the little movements in my belly and husband can feel them if we are both really still. They will just keep getting stronger and you will have no doubt. So exciting! I am loving this stage of pregnancy. Just nauseous if I do not eat enough (like you) but other than that, feeling good and feeling baby is so fun.
What gray long sleeve top are you wearing in your baby bump pic for 19 weeks?? I love it!!! 🙂
It’s some random shirt I got from Marshalls years ago! I’ll check the brand name and get back to you!
omg – itchy boobs! Your boob-talk is bringing my back to my pregnancies. I used to put ice packs on them the second I got home from work almost everyday. Not sure if it helped but it felt soooo good to put something cold on them. I also used to put moisturizer on them – I think it was Bella-mama or something like. It helped somewhat. Find a good lotion and slather it on before bed or after a shower. Good luck.
I had twins–unfortunately my beautiful innie belly button has become an outie thanks to an umbilical hernia. I hope you don’t have the same. There isn’t much you can do to prevent it unfortunately.
The good news is, I didn’t develop stretch marks on my belly! I didn’t use ANY of the creams for stretch marks. So again, it’s the luck of the draw, genetically. I did use hydrocortisone based creams because towards the end my belly was SO ITCHY. That’s a fun pregnancy side effect no one tells you about…thank goodness it’s all temporary!
I’d say that sounds like the baby moving! Everyone kept telling me that it would feel like butterflies, but honestly I think it felt more like popcorn popping at first. Just this really light pops! Sounds like your little guy is saying Hi!
Stitch fix just sent me the same white and gray top ( loved it. Sooooo soft!), and leggings( which I hated because I’m so short!). I’m 7 months now, with my second. Congratulations!
I would say that’s definitely your wee babe! I started feeling that around 15-16 weeks and I described it as a fish floating around in my stomach. It was random and definitely when I was still, like sitting at my desk at work. It’s the best! And just keeps getting better! My son was most active when we were alone and he would immediately stop or go to sleep when we were around lots of people/noise. It was so funny, but almost no one ever felt him move even though he was VERY active 😉
I’ve never been pregnant before and I’m loving how detailed and informative and helpful these posts are! Thanks! I have a girlfriend who is due with her first baby in August too! So I’ve been sending her your links. (She has had the same thing Princess Kate has, i.e. hypermesis, so reading your posts has been a nice past time for her while she’s been resting.)
Sending healthy wishes to your friend!! <3 And thank you for sharing my blog!
I absolutely think you’re feeling your baby move! I was the same way though with baby #1…I would feel stuff and wonder “was that the baby? or gas?” I didn’t believe it until there was no doubt! With baby #2 I felt movement a lot earlier, but that’s because I knew what to look for. You look adorable!
Your flutters definitely sound like movement! I think you just know when it happens! Mine started at 18 weeks, so you’re definitely to the point where it happens 🙂 ah so exciting!!!!!
I was told while I was pregnant and not knowing if that was the baby moving, that it feels like popcorn popping lightly against you. That made perfect sense and was a good comparison to me!
That little butterfly flutter feeling is most definitely the babt moving. I felt it the first time when i was about 17 weeks pregnant, I thought it was way too early as well, but it started happening much more regularly. Everyone feels their baby move at such different times.
Oh, and not sure if you’re a coconut oil as a moisturizer fan. But, I’ve used it for a couple of years now. It saves my skin when we move to Arizona last year. Anyway, that’s the only thing I used during my pregnancy. I put it on after my shower & again before bed. I always felt like the preggo belly butters were a little silly since anything with the word “pregnant or baby” in it costs so much more $$$. Anyway, thought I’d pass that along. Love coconut oil as a moisturizer. A little goes a long way. And not one stretch mark .
That is most definitely the baby you’re feeling 🙂
I swore by Mustela lotion and coconut oil (before bed) for stretchmarks and itchy skin – I had neither!
yay for the halfway mark! it’s so exciting to follow your pregnancy. you look great and SO happy! =)