Past updates:
Baby Updates
17 Weeks: Baby is the size of an onion!
Forgot to snap a bump pic! I promise to get better about bump pics now that I’ll be sharing weekly updates in real-time.
18 Weeks: Baby is the size of a green pepper!
Check out this bump pic flashback from when I was wearing the same shirt at 11 weeks pregnant:
Baby is definitely growing! (And so are my boobs. Yeesh!)
Weight Gained
17 Weeks: Didn’t weigh myself.
18 Weeks: Didn’t weigh myself.
Workouts
17 Weeks: Felt pretty much like normal this week. Workouts included spinning, strength training (teaching + taking one BodyPump class) and Pure Barre. Woo!
18 Weeks: Felt great!! This week’s workouts included spinning, strength training (workout similar to this one + some lower body exercises), Pure Barre and walking outside with Sadie.
Symptoms
17 Weeks: I talk in greater detail about my symptoms this week in this post. Only one day of puking and my usual nausea dissipated quite a bit toward the end of the week.
This is also the first week I feel like I was really hit with “baby fever.” I am not sure what triggered it (maybe your comments on all of my pregnancy posts this week!?), but I cannot wait to be a mom and am really looking forward to meeting our little guy in August. Shopping at Carter’s for adorable baby clothes with Caitlin at the end of the week may have sparked this feeling as well… So cute!
Weepiness also occurred for this first time this week. Apparently my emotions kicked into high gear because I was moody and felt like crying for no reason on Sunday.
18 Weeks: Almost no nausea this week at all! AMAZING!!!! This is the most “like myself” I’ve felt since I found out I was pregnant. My appetite has also seemed to calm down a bit. Oh and I don’t think I’ve mentioned this on the blog yet (maybe once?), but my boobs are continuing to grow like crazy! I read that they would, so I kind of knew I should expect it, but since I’ve always, always had such a small chest, I figured any changes to my breasts would be small. Ha! Trying to squeeze into my previously tiny sports bras is laughable right now and just looks wildly inappropriate.
I’m also having a harder time finding clothes to wear. Since I’ve always gravitated toward a-line dresses or skirts/belts that cinch at the waist, 90 percent of my closet is now off limits. I am living in oversize sweaters, tunics, leggings and long, flowy tanks topped with an open cardigan.
Food Aversions
17 Weeks: Tomato-based soups, chili, most cooked vegetables
18 Weeks: Same as the above
Food Cravings
17 Weeks: Big salads. Hallelujah!!!! I am so happy my body seems to want fresh veggies again. What a wonderful surprise. I’m also still loving gummy candy and fruit. Twizzlers and jelly beans found their way into my shopping cart this week and they were heavenly.
18 Weeks: Apples, salads, oatmeal, gummy candy (when will it stop!?), sandwiches
Sleep
17 Weeks: Sleeping much better. Only one night of real restlessness… but it was probably the worst I’ve had all pregnancy.
18 Weeks: Improved sleep!
Looking Forward To…
17 Weeks: Finally telling YOU GUYS about our little one! And I cannot wait for our 18 week anatomy scan ultrasound.
18 Weeks: Feeling the baby move for the first time! Apparently this can happen soon, but according to my doctor, the position of my placenta means I’ll likely not feel most smaller movements and it may be up to 22 weeks before I feel real movement.
Any Baby/Pregnancy-Related Purchases?
17 Weeks: I joined Caitlin for a shopping excursion at Carter’s!
I walked away with two adorable pairs of super-soft pajamas for only $14: Terry Snap Up Sleep & Play + Cotton Zip Up Sleep & Play
I also broke down and finally bought two new $10 workout tank tops from Marshalls. I definitely should’ve done this sooner, as wearing larger tops feels waaay more comfortable and looks more flattering than trying to squeeze into my previously formfitting workout tops.
18 Weeks: I visited Destination Maternity this week and picked up a few things that will be great when a bump begins to show and some I can already wear in this awkward in-between phase.
My purchases:
- Wendy Bellisimo Pull-On Skinny Black Jeans: They felt like (and fit like) leggings when I put them on but they definitely look like jeans! The top of the pants looks super weird, but I’m planning to only wear them with longer sweaters/tanks/tunics. I already wore these out and about and love them!
- Wendy Bellisimo Handkerchief Racerback Tunic: Since I will be pregnant during the summer months, I was anxious to pick up some lightweight clothing and fell in love with the bohemian look of this top. It’s feminine and the tie in the back will allow me to wear it during the various stages of pregnancy.
- Motherhood Maternity Henley Top: I’ll need to wait to wear this one until my belly is really bumpin’ for it to be flattering, but I loved the casual look of the top and think it will be great to wear with jeans and TOMS for a comfy weekend look.
- Motherhood Maternity Ruched Tank: A great staple! I picked this one up to wear underneath denim jackets, cardigans, sweaters, etc.
Any Fun Stories?
17 Weeks: I told my best friends from high school about our baby news this week when I saw them in Chicago!
I was able to tell them all individually since we all arrived in Chicago at different times. My friend Leah’s baby boy is 6 months old and she was so excited to have a friend pregnant with a little boy, too! Carrie and Michaela both guessed I was pregnant before I was able to give them their little gifts (It’s A Boy candy bars + Hershey Kisses). Carrie knew the moment I turned down a glass of wine! We had such a great weekend together and seeing Leah with her little boy really, really helped me wrap my head around actually being a mom… I left feeling very excited about actually meeting our little guy!
Up until now, I feel like I’ve just been wrapping my head around being pregnant, our baby’s health/safety and giving birth and this was the first week I really found myself dreaming about life as a new mom. Honestly, it may also have been the first week I really let myself dream about being a mom. I almost feel like I had an emotional guard up for a while there and kept my focus on our baby’s health/safety rather than allowing myself “get ahead” and think too much about our baby once he is born. With each week that passes, I am still feeling anxious, but every doctor’s appointment/ultrasound really, really helps reassure me that everything is going well. Still praying for our little one constantly!
18 Weeks: My mom and dad came to visit for two days this week and we had so much fun! My mom said she could definitely see a difference in my belly from when I last saw her at 14 weeks which was kind of cool!
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Yay!! You are definitely approaching the most fun weeks of pregnancy! I thought the mid 20’s weeks were the best! It starts to feel so much more real and the bump gets legit without being annoyingly big yet 🙂 If you are not yet using Belly Oil or another stretch mark product on your boobs I recommend starting now! I was so focused on trying to not get stretch marks on my belly that I didn’t think about my boobs until the stretch marks showed up around 25 weeks. I am normally small-chested so it just didn’t occur to me! I ended up with zero stretch marks on my belly but a ton on my boobs! Plus they grow even more once the baby is born, it is seriously mind blowing!
Love reading all your bump updates! Definitely check out second hand maternity stores if there are any in your area. Most of the time the clothes are in great shape because they are barely worn. I have found some gently used designer maternity jeans for great prices!
You are absolutely glowing and that baby bump is adorable on you. 🙂
Yay for less nausea! Seriously what’s worse than being nauseous all day? Hopefully this keeps up and you continue to feel like yourself.
I crave gummy candy every day. What’s my excuse?
You still look so tiny! I am super excited for you. 🙂
Aw you’re looking fab! Glad you’re feeling better too, it’s nice when you feel ‘normal’ again! And so exciting you’re now dreaming of life as a mom. it really is the best, you should be so excited! 🙂 Xx
How exciting! I share the exact same due date with you – August 10. 🙂 And It is so nice reading your pregnancy updates and seeing that someone else is going through the exact same changes/emotions as I am! I’ve been nervous because I haven’t felt the baby move yet, but it makes me feel better that you’re in the same boat. We find out the sex of our baby on Monday and I have a feeling our babe is a boy too! Have a great week. 🙂
That is so exciting!! Love that we have the same due date! Congratulations to you!
Love following this. I am only 11 weeks (maybe 12…docs cant seem to make up their mind based on the ultrasound!) and I am impressed by how long you held out before buying clothes. Someone told me about the liz lange maternity tanks at target and they have been a godsend…so long and comfy, you should check them out. I have also recieved a few handme downs but I am ready to pull the trigger on some legit maternity jeans.
Too funny about the gummies. I have been craving hot tamalies or sour worm myself, as well as Apples with babybel cheese, OJ in the morning (never was an OJ fan before), dairy (so lots of smoothies, yogurt, and yup…ice cream). Havent really found an aversion to anything except one night i ordered a salad for dinner and when I took a bite, promptly lost my appetite. My appetite started off strong but has settled down. It definitely comes and goes and i find i have to constant snack on something to keep M/S at bay (it strikes me the most in the afternoon evenings…go figure). In fact last night was the closest i have come to throwing up…yuck. ;
Great job keeping up with your workouts! I have been doing Bar Method but have fallen off the wagon due to work travel. I am hoping to buy an online membership somewhere to keep me going while on the road. Otherwise, it’s long walks and a 1xweek pilates session at a studio with my husband. Like you I have been amazed at the rate my boobs have grown – wowza. I get discouraged sometimes with the body stuff, not going to lie. Unlike some woman, it seems to go EVERYWHERE for me…arms, thighs, but, boob, and then whatsleftover is belly. Im happy to tell people so they can stop wondering if Im stuffing my face over the weekend. Our bodies are doing amazing things but its definitely odd to look in the mirror and not recognize yourself. Definitely worth it – cant wait to meet my little one!!! Good luck and I hope you continue to feel better!
I craved gummy candy my entire pregnancy. At the hospital I delivered at they considered Swedish fish and gummy bears a “clear liquid” and so I was able to eat them even after my epidural. My husband said my eyes “lit up” when the nurse told me that.
How did I miss this announcement??? Congratulations! Being a mom is hard work, but so very rewarding. You’ll do great!
I love reading these!! You’re going to be such a great mom <3 <3
So glad that you are sleeping better and were able to feel your little guy move! I didn’t feel my daughter until I was about 22-23 weeks along. She was super still for most of my pregnancy though, so I think that is why 🙂
you should do flipbook pics….same clothes (ideally sports bra and leggings or some other show-off wear that can also get you through the project)….same pose….one a week and “watch Julie grow!”
When buying baby clothes, don’t get too many newborn sizes. It worked out well for my son who was tiny but I was a big baby and my mom put me in 3 to 6 months clothing right off the bat.
My mom gave me similar advice! Good call!!
I love for gummy candies will not stop!!! That has been my BIGGEST craving! Don’t worry once you feel the little one move you will notice it happening all the time. Mine is constantly moving around – especially after I eat, she must like food like her Momma. 🙂 My husband hasn’t been able to feel her yet so that’s kind of been a bummer but hopefully soon! I will be 24 weeks tomorrow!
I’m sure I’m not the first to say this, but H&M maternity is fantastic. Affordable and cute! And Target is great for baby clothes! Best of luck with your pregnancy!
My baby girl is 4 months today, it has been so much fun. I discovered as far as pj’s go, I much prefer the ones with zippers instead of snaps. Makes those bleary eyed middle of the night diaper changes just a tad bit easier.
Aww! How fun! You are too cute! I love these updates!
I love your update. I ‘m due in January 2016 with my 2nd baby and I can just say don’t buy too many things before baby is born. I just bought as I needed and worked out if I went crazy before bub I actually didn’t need most of the items.
If you have a moment I’d love to share you my pregnancy update. Post a comment to say ‘hi’.
Thanks x