Below you will find a recap of my 28th week of pregnancy…
Past updates:
- Weeks 8, 9 and 10
- Weeks 11, 12 and 13
- Weeks 14, 15 and 16
- Weeks 17 & 18
- 19 Weeks
- 20 Weeks
- 21 Weeks
- 22 Weeks
- 23 Weeks
- 24 Weeks
- 25 Weeks
- 26 Weeks
- 27 Weeks
Baby Updates
Baby weighs about 2 1/4 pounds and is about the size of an eggplant!
Everyone around me agrees: There’s no denying baby is getting bigger and bigger every week! I feel like week-to-week belly growth is much more noticeable over the course of these past two to three weeks than it has been all pregnancy so far.
Check out these belly changes…
When I think about the fact that I may/am likely to still be pregnant 70+ days from now, I cannot even wrap my head around how big my belly is going to be at the end of this journey. I also cannot seem to stop touching/rubbing my belly these days. I’m not sure what that’s all about, but it’s oddly soothing to me!
Weight Gained
About 19 pounds!
Workouts
I managed to stay pretty active this week which continues to make me feel good. I truly do feel best during a workout which is a great feeling and I love the way my energy levels seem to stay up following workout as well. Workouts this week included spinning, BodyPump, Core Barre, Pure Barre and a total body strength workout.
Symptoms
If I find myself getting too hot (which happens much more easily these days), I feel abnormally cranky. Like really cranky. This tends to only really happen when Ryan and I are out on our evening walk with Sadie. With temperatures climbing into the low 90s last week, I would start sweating like crazy and just feel miserable, so we threw in the towel on some of our usual walks or just waited to walk with Sadie until closer to 8 p.m. when it wasn’t so hot outside.
I’m also still definitely noticing my belly more and more these days and find myself frequently placing a hand underneath it for some support when I walk (especially up or downhill). Bending over is very uncomfortable right now and I’m transitioning to squatting when I need to pick something up and not bending over at the waist since the belly fights back!
I experienced a few foot cramps again this week, but nothing like two weeks ago. They’re still never fun, but they didn’t occur in the middle of the night and wake me up, so that’s a plus!
Food Aversions
Similar to last week, nothing is sounding too horrific to me right now. While there are still foods I choose not to eat, nothing is gag-inducing anymore.
Food Cravings
- Fresh fruit (Watermelon is still #1!)
- Sandwiches
- Ice cream
- Nuts
Sleep
Sleep went pretty well this week! A winning combination: Reading Me Before You to the point I could no longer keep my eyes open + The Snoogle!
Looking Forward To…
A weekend getaway to Canyon Ranch! I cannot wait!!! Ryan and I have lots of fun planned during our stay, including pool time, massages, fitness classes and plenty of relaxation. We’ll be there Saturday afternoon through Tuesday morning and I am thrilled! This trip was initially on our calendar for June, but we were able to bump it up a bit which made me happy since I’m feeling fairly energetic and not too uncomfortable just yet. The weekend cannot come soon enough!
Any Baby/Pregnancy-Related Purchases?
- The Happiest Baby On The Block by Harvey Karp, M.D.
This book came highly recommended to me by a number of mamas out there who swear it made the biggest difference for them. Hoping it dive into it soon!
- Stitch Fix Maternity Finds
My latest box of adorable maternity clothes from Stitch Fix arrived late last week and I ended up keeping three of the five items, including a pair of skinny jeans, chambray jacket and a cute dress! (I sent back a crossbody purse and a cowl neck top that just wasn’t my style.)
Tart Talyn Maternity Dress (similar, similar, similar): This dress has a tighter fit that definitely accentuates the bump which is fun! The material is thick (almost sweatshirt-like) so despite the body-clinging fit, I still feel like it offers a decent amount of coverage. Plus, dresses that hit right below my knee are my favorite!
Mavi Frieda Maternity Jean (similar): I kept these jeans because they were comfortable and filled the void of a nicer/dressier pair of skinny jeans. The two pairs of maternity jeans I already own are a slouchy boyfriend style (this pair but darker denim) and a gray jean with funky zippers, so these were a great find!
Market & Spruce Analisse Chambray Jacket (similar, similar, similar): I kept this jacket because I wear the same brand’s olive green anorak jacket that I received in a previous fix all the time and love the lightweight, casual look.
Belly Button In Or Out?
Flat!
Feeling…
After struggling a bit with just feeling thick all over and a little self-conscious about not really looking pregnant there for a while, I feel like there’s no denying I have a baby in my belly these days and I’m loving it! It’s almost easier to dress a bigger belly than one in the awkward in-between phase and I’m wearing some of my old super-stretchy/extra long workout tops again to highlight the bump which is fun! I’m truly enjoying being pregnant right now (I’ve been told to ride this high as long as possible because things will likely get rather uncomfortable toward the end of my third trimester) and I feel grateful my energy levels feel relatively normal.
I’m also feeling relieved and thankful because the results from my gestational diabetes screening came back and I passed. Phew!!
Any Movement?
Yes! Movement has picked up a bit for sure! On Thursday of this week, our little one was particularly active. I loved it. He was dancin’ around like crazy and I felt some of the biggest movements I’ve felt so far in my pregnancy. Pretty cool!
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The bump is SO cute! What an exciting time! 🙂 For body pump are you using a slanted bench for chest? Any other modifications?
Yes!! Definitely slanting my bench for chest and tricep work right now. I’m also modifying some of the core exercises. And I have had to decrease my weight for lunges… It’s just feels a little uncomfortable sometimes.
yay! i love that you’re wearing more form fitting shirts now! belly bumps are so beautiful!! i really like your white (cream?) cardigan / sweater thing!
You may enjoy being pregnant the whole time. I LOVED being pregnant, and never got super uncomfortable even at 41.5 weeks (when they made me get induced). I definitely think remaining active makes a huge difference!
I completely agree and went to 41.5 weeks as well and never felt uncomfortable, had a pretty small belly like you, so it never got to the point of “get him out of here.” Hope the same for you!
You look adorable! Glad to hear things are going well for you!
You def look preggers! Cutie bump!
I’m headed to a wedding in New Bern, NC this weekend and have been searching for a new book and am thinking Me Before You will be it! Thanks girlfriend!
It’s SUCH a good book! Definite tear-jerker!
My good friend is in her third trimester with 2 weeks to go and said it has gone by slow, but I feel as if she just told me she was pregnant! 🙂 You look awesome!! I am loving the shrug you are wearing in your third trimester picture!
You look beautiful Julie! And I’m so glad to hear you guys were able to move your trip and have a fun getaway planned for this weekend. I also really love and admire the fact that you are staying so active during your pregnancy. I’m far from ready to have my own baby but I’ve always had the mentality that I want to have a very healthy and fit pregnancy, and it’s so inspiring to see you doing just that! 🙂
Thank you!! My definition of a tough workout has definitely changed a bit (a hilly walk with Sadie sometimes feels like a serious workout!!) but I feel very grateful that I have been able to continue to work out and enjoy it!
I really WISH my bump was as neat and tidy as yours! I’m a week behind and a couple of lbs heavier but it really shows on my bump! Ugh!
I bought that book too and it does have some great advice. When I read it I was thinking “this is a great book but surely this is all plain common sense” but when our little ones have arrived and we’re tired and cranky and can’t think straight and can’t get baby to sleep we will probably be really grateful it’s written down in black and white and can be referred to! It actually inspired me to download an app on my phone which has a variety of noises (train, washing machine, shower, hair dryer) which can be played on loop and help sooth baby who is used to the “woosh woosh” of blood pumping round the body when he/she was snug inside mum.
I read the book too but found that the video was way more helpful. Our library had it and we watched it once or twice before the baby and then again after. It is pretty simple instructions but watching it in action was so much more helpful. We 5S’d like nobody’s business!
I stayed active right up until our baby boy was born (I actually took a 5 mile walk on the morning of the day I went into labor). I, too, felt a lot of discomfort walking the rolling terrain where we live and felt like I needed to hold my belly. I highly recommend getting a support band (I used the Ultimate Maternity Belt from Motherhood Maternity) – it really makes a huge difference!
I’ve seen that band but was a little skeptical… I’m glad it worked for you! It’s something I am definitely considering especially since I feel like I really could use the support! Thank you so much for the recommendation. And I’m so glad you were able to stay so active!
Yay for passing your test!! And you look beautiful! Have so much fun at Canyon Ranch! I’ve always wanted to go there!
You look awesome, and it is so fun to see what you’ve been wearing throughout this time! My best friend just told me she is expecting – she’s the second of my friends to have a child, but the first who lives in the US (and in the same city as me, we’ve been together since growing up) so I get to see it happening, and she has been wearing Lululemon to work because she’s struggling to find stuff that fits and is comfy and looks stylish! I sent her your way to get some tips 🙂
Yay for entering your third trimester! That’s so exciting! You look great!
I can’t wait to feel our little babe move! Just another week or two probably! And no wonder you passed your GD screening, you exercise plenty and eat well! I need to check out that book, or at least add it to my ever growing list of books I need to read before I’m too tired to read anything else!
Please be sensitive and discussing gestational diabetes. During my second pregnancy I gained 14 pounds and was at a healthy weight but still was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It was extremely difficult for me emotionally in part because of comments like yours. I think it’s important to be careful about what we say and how we say it. I’m sure you didn’t mean anything by your comment except to encourage Julie but those comments can be hurtful to others.
So much about what I’ve read about gestational diabetes says that they have NO idea why it affects some people. My mom had it with both me and my sister and was able to manage it through diet and exercise. I hope everything went well for you and your baby, Laura. <3
You’re looking so great!! Definitely enjoy this awesome part of pregnancy – it was hands down my favorite. You are finally actually looking pregnant (and can flaunt it) without being overly huge or uncomfortable. I’m now 39.5 weeks (any day now, little buddy!), and I’m to the point that I literally can’t go anywhere without people asking “oh, when are you due? It must be soon!” haha. Plus, I feel like just trying to tie my shoes is the hardest part of my workouts! haha.
So exciting you are so close!! Just checked out your 39-week recap and you are so beautiful. So thrilled for you that you will get to meet your little boy so soon!
you look great! those maternity clothes look adorable — great finds.
You’re in the homestretch! I have loved following your pregnancy! Makes me miss my big old belly!
Hi Julie! Yes, you definitely look pregnant! And it’s so good to hear you’re keeping up with your workouts and feeling good. You give hope to those of us who have not gone through it all yet! 🙂 Yay for your getaway too!
I love these updates! 🙂
I have a non-pregnancy related question for you. How many days a week do you go to barre/ how do you incorporate Pure Barre into your workout routine? I LOVE Barre, but am often unsure the best way to compliment barre on the days in between barre workouts – I do some cardio and also strength training, but sometimes am worried that strength training on a day following barre is too much!
You’re looking amazing and I’m loving these updates..keep them coming! It sounds like you and Ryan will have a great weekend getaway!!
Cute stitch fix clothing! Sweater material dresses are the best– so comfy!
Glad to hear your gestational diabetes tests all came back with good results!!
I can relate to the bending over getting more difficult! It’s even more challenging with a little toddler who thinks it’s funny to throw things on the ground when I’m carrying him on my hip. Stinker. 😉 I’ve been consciously trying to that squatting motion, so I guess I’m getting in some good squats!! Ha! I also started experiencing a couple of those leg cramps in the middle of the night this past week or two. I forgot how unpleasant those are!!
Yay for passing your gestational diabetes test!! Great news. 🙂 You look gorgeous and glowing!!
Love reading your updates!! You look so cute with a baby bump. Canyon Ranch will be amazing!
Cutest pregnant lady ever!
I think you just passed your watermelon craving on. I’m going to pick one up at the store!
The third trimester definitely dragged and flew for me. I wanted to meet him so bad that it seemed like he’d never get here!!
Very exciting! You look great, Julie and it sounds like you are feeling really good!
Hey Julie …. you are getting cuter and rounder each week.
It took me 15+ years to be in the same room as a banana so glad your food dislikes are abating.
I wanted to tell you about a site (I get no money…ZERO DINERO as a result just wanted to tell you) as I see you do a lot of
online shopping … not sure if your faves are here but I save a lot of money on the Canadian version of it as I am the online shopping queen here.
http://www.ebates.com
Love to all three … oh FOUR of you! Hope the weather isn’t too bad there … it is a sticky steamy 100+ today here. IN CANADA.
You look great!!! And, your belly is getting so big! 🙂
You’re truly adorable! And please tell us the details of that pretty white cardigan 🙂 Congrats on passing your test!
The brand is Pink Blush and I got it on sale through Zulily.com! 🙂
I thought my third trimester went by SO fast until I got to my due date. My little girl came 9 days late (and I was induced!) and that time waiting around for her was torture!
Definitely keep active as long as you can. I got lazy around 34 weeks and got so swollen and uncomfortable by the end.
Love all the new maternity clothes finds- you are such a cutie Julie!
xo, Lauren @ http://alovelysideproject.com
I love hearing that you are highlighting the bump! It’s way too cute to hide. <3
I’ve been following along on your weekly stories. I gotta admit, you are rocking that baby bump! It’s crazy how quickly it changes! Some of those stitchfix items are awesome, and I would love non-maternity versions, lol.
Please, please, PLEASE stop including all of the links to your past weekly baby updates on each post. I can easily find them if I need to, I don’t need to keep scrolling through an increasingly longer list every week. Seriously, please stop. Please.
You got it! I apologize it was bothering you. I just included them because I have a Pregnancy page ready to go on the blog but I cannot for the life of me get it to show up, so they were my way of keeping things organized until I can figure out how to get that page up on the blog. I’ll remove them next week.
Oh gosh – I actually loved that you included these! 🙂
I liked having them there too! I don’t always get to read your blog every week when the updates are posted, so it’s very convenient to be able to easily click on weeks I missed. Maybe just move them to end the post since some don’t like seeing them but other do.
Love the links to your previous posts!
I agree with everyone else who loves the links in your posts, I love that you link to all your previous blog posts on the same subject. In fact, I love that the whole blog is organized this way, it’s been the EASIEST blog to navigate, in terms of finding a topic with a series of posts. It’s great!
I had to laugh when you mentioned touching your belly a lot. Over the past month or two (I’ll be 34 weeks Friday), my husband will catch me with my hands resting on my belly or rubbing my belly in all kind of situations (watching TV, looking for snacks in the fridge, etc) and asked why I did it. It has been hard to explain. I guess a mixture of having a larger belly and knowing there is a baby inside. I never totally understood it prior to getting pregnant but now I totally do!
You look so cute, Julie! And that maternity dress looks amazing–sounds so comfy & perfect for showing off that darling bump <3
That belly bump is looking beautiful!
Don’t be nervous about the third trimester! As uncomfortable as I was, I would still take feeling big and bulky over first tri nausea ANY day! Hoping for a nice, comfortable rest of your pregnancy for you!
Last summer while I was preggo with my baby girl I swear I ate so much watermelon! Something about it, especially chilled, was SO satisfying 🙂
Also, I agree that I felt more confident and able to dress the bugger bump. I felt uncomfortable and awkward for much of my pregnancy (1st and 2nd tri) and sadly, didn’t take many pics. You look great and I’m taking notes for what to wear for next time!
Following along and happy you’re doing so well! Love the white shirt and flowy wrap/shawl in your bump pic. Cute!
I’m going away the same time you are – this weekend is my 7th wedding anniversary with my husband! We’re headed to the North shore (MN/lake superior). Looking forward to eventual vacation pics of your resort – I’ve heard nothing but good things about Canyon Ranch.
Speaking of baby books – I don’t know if you care about or follow or are a fan of Kelly Clarkson, but in a recent interview she talked about a book that she loved, so I googled it, and here’s a tweet from her about it: https://twitter.com/kelly_clarkson/status/502832112186437632
You look great, Julie! I totally remember this being a really fun time during pregnancy, because I was FINALLY start looking pregnant, and my morning sickness had *just* disappeared. Ride the high is right! It’ll last a while! It’s really just the last month or so that is so.freaking.long. I can’t believe you’re already in your third trimester!!!
It is the quickest and slowest trimester! haha
I loved the snoogle! I can’t wait to break mine out here soon.
You are so cute! Makes me reminisce a little bit…my daughter is already 7 months old! Everybody tells you this, but enjoy every second, both now and after he’s here. It truly does go fast. It’s one of those things that no matter how hard you try, you can’t fully comprehend until you do it yourself.
You should definitely take a look at this link! It’s all about how to eat watermelon at ALL times! hah! 🙂
http://greatist.com/eat/healthy-hydrating-watermelon-recipes?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_newsletter_2015-05-27_mails_daily_new_header
http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/you/the-exhibit/your-beginning/make-room-for-baby/interactive/
I thought you might enjoy this online exhibit of how pregnancy looks from the inside
You look so cute! And I love the Happiest Baby on the Block, great book! Baby Wise was really helpful for us too, we didn’t do completely everything it said but it was a good guide. We kind of combined things from both books. Have a great time on your getaway to Canyon Ranch!
It’s been very exciting to watch your pregnancy progression. Pregnancy really is so wonderful….hard sometimes, but so exciting.
I understand your love for watermelon. My good friend and I were pregnant at the same time and polished off a whole one while gabbing one night. I don’t think I have enjoyed a watermelon that much since. I went through a stage, too, where everything I ate was “the best _______ I’ve ever had”. My husband laughed at me while I gushed about a grilled cheese for 10 minutes!
Pregnancy looks good on you, Julie 🙂 I do not have wee ones of my own, but reading your updates is always so interesting as someone who looks forward to having a family in the near future. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!