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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So glad you are finally getting into the pregnancy groove! And yay for salads!
Julie, you’re the cutest pregnant person ever! I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling better and can’t believe you’re almost halfway! 🙂
So glad you are feeling better!!!!!
I noticed you are not weighing yourself. I decided to not weigh myself the whole time I was pregnant and I even turned around and didn’t look when the doctor weighed me. It made for a much more enjoyable pregnancy!
Also, from one fit chic to another, people with more developed abs carry higher. So if you don’t get the cute low bump know it’s because you are in great shape! 🙂
You look great and I love that you are sharing your pregnancy with us. It is so fun to read about and we are all so extremely happy for you!
Thanks Angela!! And I had friends to the same thing during their pregnancy (not weighing themselves) — I’m just not interested in that number (I hadn’t weighed myself in MONTHS before I got pregnant) and only look when I’m weighed at the doctor’s office & ask them if everything is on track! If they say I’m good to go, I feel good about everything! 🙂 And thank you so much for your kind words!
I have such a craving for jelly beans after seeing that picture, hah! you are looking so awesome and that’s adorable that you’ve started really getting excited about being a mom! I love reading along with all your thoughts 🙂
I feel your pain on the sports bras. I bought a few mediums in the first trimester and now at 25 weeks they are too small! As a lifelong small-chested girl, this is new (and strange) territory 🙂 Glad you are feeling better!
Isn’t it insane!? For some reason, I guess I figured my boobs wouldn’t grow THAT much b/c I’ve always had such a small chest, so this is definitely uncharted territory!
So glad to hear you’re feeling better and feeling more like yourself! I can only imagine how well dressed this little is going to be….let the shopping begin!
I can definitely see a difference in your bump! You’re the absolute CUTEST pregnant. And I love little boy baby clothes- they’re so adorable.
I’m 28 weeks today and have always had a small chest. I actually really dislike having a chest now! It just gets in the way, all my normal shirts/sports bras make me look ridiculous, and I’m having back pain. My advice would be to invest in a few good sports bras now to prevent any upper back pain (and to cover up cleavage, which definitely has become a problem for me). I also picked up some inexpensive workout tops from Old Navy in the first trimester that are still fitting now – even in the non-maternity stores, they have a few different tops that are a bit flowier in nature.
Love that Henley top! Old Navy carries some very cute maternity tops that I got a lot of use of through two seasons (baby born early December). The best purchase I made while pregnant was a pair of maternity leggings. I LIVED in them the last two weeks of the pregnancy and through the majority of my maternity leave (paired with just a nursing tank and robe)!
You look so beautiful and happier than I’ve ever seen you! Can’t wait to see all the other baby updates and see your cute little bump grow! And yay for a good week 18 🙂
This made me smile! Thank you!
Your bump is too cute! 🙂
Have you tried a belly band? I used it with my boys and am now planning on using it for my 3rd (currently 11 weeks). It is a life saver for pants that fit the rest of your body but not your belly. I wore mine until month 4 or 5. It’s great for that awkward stage of being too big for your old clothes but not quite into maternity wear yet.
My friend that’s due in two months has gone up two cup sizes! Other than that she only has a bump so she’s hoping to hold on the boobs! 🙂 It can definitely be a plus side! Love buying baby close, totally hard to resist!
I love all of these pregnancy update posts! Coming from a gal who isn’t comfortable with the idea of being pregnant quite yet (my hubby and I and I have been married right around two years), this makes it seem a lot less scary for when that time comes. 🙂
Oh—would you mind sharing your outfit details from your Carter’s shopping trip photo? I love the look!
You look great! Baby boy clothes are the best. I’ve joined a few resale groups on Facebook and am having to control myself from buying everything! I second the belly bands, they were my saving grace throughout my pregnancy.
I love the 11 week and 18 week pictures! You look adorable in both; you can definitely see your little bump! 🙂 Have you started writing in you mommy book your friend got you?? After you posted that, I immediately went and bought one for my pregnant friend! It comes today and I can’t wait to give it to her!! 🙂
I love reading these! I’m kind of baby obsessed right now anyway, so this is so fun to read about everything that’s happening week-to-week!
<3 thank you!!
I was never excited about having kids, I wasn’t even sure I wanted them…but hearing you talk about everything is sorta/kinda/almost thinking differently! Haha, still so exciting!
I’m so excited for you! And so funny, I knew my friend was pregnant when she turned down a drink too!
You are glowing! So glad you slept better and felt better last week! And I’m so happy we get to share all this with you every step of the way:)
I am a long time reader and have always wanted to ask you….how do you get your hair to curl like you did in the last picture with all your friends? The pic where you are all the way on the left?
Hi Kim! I actually wrap it around the outside of a curling iron. Then I hairspray the heck out of it and brush it out! I also make sure to use a curling iron that gets over 400° which I think really helps it stay!
Lookin’ good, mama!! So fun that you were able to tell your best friends in person – what a special memory!!
you think your boobs are growing now? just wait until AFTER the baby when your milk comes in!!! haha 😉
That’s what one of my girlfriends said, too! I can’t even imagine! I’ve never really had a chest, so it’s so crazy to me!!
Carters always has adorable baby clothes! Glad you are feeling so much better!
Hi Julie!
I just started following your blog ( from @Fitnessista ! ) and I just wanted to say a big congratulations, It is so much fun to read your posts, they are so honest, and a great combination of health, food, real life and baby updates (love these- good snapshots of what it can be like…eek!!!)
Wishing you a healthy and happy rest of your pregnancy journey! Looking forward to hearing all about it!!
Kaitlyn
Thank you so much! And I’m so glad you found me!! <3
You are glowing!! In the photo with your friends, did you curl your hair using a straightener? I know you shared instructions before but just curious since it looks great. Maybe all those extra hormones are making your hair look even better.
I actually used a curling iron! I wrap my hair around the outside of the curling iron and then I hairspray the heck out of it and brush it out! I also make sure to use a curling iron that gets over 400° — at Ulta they told me that’s the key to making curls last!
I love love love these baby updates!
Old Navy online is great for pregnancy workout gear. I didn’t need to buy maternity workout capris, I just kept wearing my regular ones. But maternity workout tanks were a must, and I also had to buy a bigger sports bra or two (also old navy!) I wish my boobs stayed pregnancy size, but alas….once the milk was done, they were too. Boo. 🙁
I also scored pretty big at Gap Maternity clearance rack–great PureBody workout tops!
So much excitement!! If I turned down a glass of wine my friends would probably think I was pregnant too haha!
Ha! The minute I said, “No thanks,” Carrie was ALL over me!! 🙂 She knew right away!
Glad to hear the nausea has calmed down a bit and your appetite is coming back! And the baby clothes are too cute!!!
Love reading these updates 🙂
I gave in and bought a few new bras and sports bras around week 16… Your boobies will thank you. 🙂 I then had to buy another size bigger as I got further along… They should get be through the next 6 weeks of my pregnancy, but I’ve been told that once baby arrives… Oh my geezus… Thought they were huge now. Best of luck!!
I’m sure I’ll be saying this with every update, but I just love reading these! Your excitement to be a mom truly shines through your writing. You’re going to be such a great mother! I can totally relate to your thoughts toward the end about finally allowing yourself to be excited. I went through that with my pregnancy with Hunter, and then I have again (obviously I’m already a mom, but to truly be excited about THIS baby) with this pregnancy as well. I’m finally getting to the point where I can allow myself to be excited, and it feels so good. I wish I didn’t have to hold back like that, but the worrier in me doesn’t help things. I hope you’ll continue sharing where you find maternity clothing because I’m on the lookout for some cute stuff that doesn’t cost a fortune! 😉
Thank you, Ashley!! <3 And I agree -- I wish I didn't put up a guard at first, but I really couldn't help it and every week that passes & every doctor's appointment we go to makes me feel better. And yes! I'll definitely share more maternity clothing finds as I find things I love. Did you see Stitch Fix just began offering maternity clothes!?
I’m pregnant (with a boy too!) and just thought I’d share some clothing recs that I’ve really felt worked … JCrew toothpick maternity jeans in denim and black, Target maternity tanks (Ingrid & Isabel), & Target over the belly workout capris and pants (Ingrid & Isabel) have been my loves! Now I’m getting an actual belly so I’m loving wearing the maternity tops that are more form fitting with the ruching on the side. Don’t get me started on bras, I’ve gone up in size twice and I think I need to buy another this week before my current bra suffocates me haha. I’m due in July so I’m hoping to get by wearing dresses (mostly non maternity but I’ll probably buy something maternity for my baby shower) for the spring/summer months 🙂
Thanks so much for these recommendation!!! And BIG congrats to you! I have a feeling I’ll be all about dresses in the summertime, too. 🙂
Oooooh and I almost forgot the roll down cotton Wunder Unders from Lululemon 🙂 I think the price is justified with these because I can see myself liking the high waistline post pregnancy to hold everything in 😉
You look gorgeous, Julie! You truly are glowing. 🙂
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and your family.
You have mentioned several times how worried and anxious you have been. I have a 5-month-old and can totally relate. I hate to admit, but instead of enjoying my pregnancy, I wasted it by worrying about EVERYTHING. I just want to encourage you to relax and think positive as much as possible. 🙂 Also, you mentioned the position of your placenta today. I had an anterior placenta, which meant nothing except more worry for me since I had a really hard time feeling the kicks. I can’t tell you how many times I needlessly called the doctor! So, if you’re in that situation, try not to fret about it!
Best wishes!
Hi Julie! So happy you are enjoying being pregnant! I enjoyed it so much it’s just so so special! It goes by WAY too fast so take in every kick, hiccup, and super cute baby bump. My lil guy is 8 weeks today and can’t describe how amazing the journey of motherhood is! I wanted to share with you some of the pregnancy clothes I loved! I surprisingly found awesome tanks and vneck tees in the maternity section at target. Along with black yoga pants, I’m a lulu snob I have to admit, so when I tried on these pants I was sold on the high quality material and holding everything in tight like lulu. I wore them to workout as well as leggings. Let me know what you think. Good luck, this journey is absolutely amazing ❤️
I love that you rarely weigh yourself – I’m going to do the same (haha one day) when I’m pregnant. I think it’s so much better to focus on just growing a healthy baby than get wrapped up in weight like some women can!
Yes!! Baby = #1 for sure!
It has been great reading along with your pregnancy. We just found out a month ago that we’re (finally) adopting a baby boy…birthmom is due on March 24th(!!) so I’m right there with you on the anxiety/praying for health, etc. We’ve already received a lot of gifts, but I still haven’t purchased one outfit for baby myself, and am just more excited for us to have a baby and for the legalities to go through than I am about the outfits. (Kinda like when we got married…I feel like we planned a fun wedding, but I was REALLY excited just to be MARRIED to my great guy!)
Anyway, yeah, loving the updates. :0)
Also, funny enough but I haven’t had any real cravings throughout my “pregnancy”, and I’m still wearing the same size of clothes. Weird. :0)
I knew you would find the cutest maternity clothes. 🙂 You did awesome at Cater’s by the way – anytime I go there I walk out owning 1/2 of the store because you can’t have enough baby/toddler clothes, right? 😛
oh my gosh, it was hard to restrain myself! so many cute things!
We threw a NYE party and our best friends bailed at the last minute. Turns out they found they were pregnant on Dec 29th and knew if she didn’t drink at our party that their secret would be instantly outed too 🙂
Ryan had to help me hide the fact that I wasn’t drinking on NYE this year! He did a good job being my go-to champagne glass emptier… What a tough job, right? 😉
Love reading your updates and I’m glad you’re feeling better!
I’m so happy that you’re starting to feel better and that everything is going well! That middle section of the second trimester can be such an awkward time because YOU feel like you look pregnant, but a random stranger wouldn’t be able to guess. I felt like I had no idea how to dress myself! haha. I promise it gets better though, once you get a legit bump and want to show it off!
Exactly!!! This week (19 weeks) is the first week Ryan said he can definitely see a big difference but I feel like I’ve been seeing a difference for four weeks now!! 🙂
When I saw that pic on Instagran (with your friends wearing the black top) I knew you were pregnant! I was like soon she’s gona announce it :)!!!
Haha! I’ve heard that from a few people! Apparently that pic was quite telling! 🙂
I love reading your pregnancy updates! It is giving me baby fever for a second one!
Target also has great maternity clothes that are super cute! Trust me you will definitely miss some of your maternity clothes once you have the baby. Your body changes so much after birth and it is difficult at first to find clothes since you are kinda in between stages. You look adorable and the fun is just starting! There is nothing in the world that can compare to having a baby and it’s incredible how much love you have for your child! Enjoy every minute!! 🙂
Love this comment! Thank you, Nikki!
Loving the baby updates. Such a special time. I carried 50% of my pregnancy weight in my bra. I remember that pain, sister.
LOL!! 🙂
Yay! Aside from being pregnant with a child or course, the thing I am most looking forward to is finally not being flat chested haha.
Thanks for sharing all the updates!
so fun to start purchasing baby clothes!
You have such a glow! I’ll send some prayers your way for both you and baby PBF!
You look so cute and happy!
My friends knew (though they didn’t say anything till we told them) that I had to be pregnant when we went to lunch before touring a brewery and I turned down a beer (thank god they also make non-caffeinated, root beer, too!).
If you have an anterior placenta, it probably will be later before you feel the kicks. I had the same, but I swear I felt my first movement at 20 weeks–on Mothers Day, no less! It stinks because people ask all the time if you feel him, but it makes it that much more awesome when you finally do feel it.
Glad you’re starting to feel better. 🙂