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?
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Sounds like baby to me!! So exciting!!!
<3 <3
Definitely baby flutters! Just wait till you have heels jabbing your rib cage …. startling but amazing at the same time 🙂
That is definitely your baby you’re feeling! Sometimes the vibes from computers make them a little upset/agitated and lots of my friends and I all felt baby the most early on when sitting by a computer. If you want to try to feel baby without sitting near a computer, try downing a cold glass of OJ (or something else sugary) and laying on the couch on your left side and see what happens. I also had an anterior placenta, but it didn’t stop my little one from making himself very felt throughout my pregnancy. Congrats!
Thank you, Annie! I really think it’s the baby, too, but b/c of what my doctor said I didn’t want to get TOO excited and then really feel him move one day and feel silly for thinking this light fluttering is him right now!
You can get excited; that’s him!! His movements will just get stronger and stronger until it looks like you have a little alien in there, trying to escape through your belly button. I started to feel my little guy at 18 weeks (with anterior placenta) and it just got stronger and stronger from there. One piece of advice I have for you is to make sure you really watch your husband’s face (not his hand on your belly) the first time HE feels the little one. You will never forget that moment. It is so unbelievably special.
aw! I love that advice!!
That feeling is definitely your little babe 😉 I remember feeling my son’s movements right about the same time and only when i was sitting or lying still. You are going to love having a little boy…it is just the best! Congrats 🙂
This makes me so excited! Thank you, Holly!!!
I started feeling what felt like tiny bubbles in my stomach it would happen everynight when I would lay down to go to bed, my doctor said it was the baby and we would be able to feel him move very soon after the bubble feeling started. Sure enough one night after I laid down to go to bed I felt him move, my husband thought I was crazy until he put his hand on my stomach and felt him kick.
Yes that sounds like baby! With my first it felt like a bubble, my second was more the tapping. Enjoy! One of the best parts of pregnancy!
That definitely sounds like baby to me!! I remember the first movements feeling pretty much exactly like you described. It kind of reminded me of how a little goldfish might flutter around in the water. So amazing. I absolutely love these updates and you look wonderful!
That’s a great way to describe it!
I call mine “Fish” because the only way I could describe it to my husband was it was like there was a fish swimming around my belly and sometimes it desperately tries to break out of the bowl. I am 26 weeks and felt the fish starting to “swim” around 18 weeks but couldn’t tell what it was until a few weeks later. It’s definitely baby!
Yup! Sounds like the kiddo! I started feeling something around 18-19 weeks, and it took some convincing before I knew it had to be the baby. Now I can actually see and feel it from the outside. The best part will be when Ryan is able to feel it!
I cannot wait until he can feel the baby move, too!! It seems like such a special moment!
I had that same “is that baby” feeling for weeks starting at 17 weeks. I attributed to gas for quite awhile, but finally realized those little flutter/taps had to be baby. I found out at 20 weeks I have an anterior placenta which has hindered me from feeling some of the big movements from the outside, but even at 24 weeks I still feel those flutter/taps. I just remember questioning it-and sometimes still do-because they can be so few & far between. I love feeling it-but then he’ll stop making me feel crazy! But trust me, that’s gotta be baby 🙂 So exciting for you!!
exactly!! i guess i just figured the first time i felt him move, I’d have some kind of an “a ha!” moment and I’d know for sure! Instead I’m just like… “that’s baby, riiiiight?” haha!
Ah that’s exactly how I felt. So many people could pinpoint the exact moment they felt baby. But it wasn’t as obvious as I thought it might be.
exactly!! i guess i just figured the first time i felt him move, I’d have some kind of an “a ha!” moment and I’d know for sure! Instead I’m just like… “that’s baby, riiiiight?” haha!
Totally baby movement! I felt mine for the first time at 20 weeks too. 🙂
From what I’ve been told by my mama friends, if you feel something, and think it’s your baby; trust your mama instinct – it probably is! I’m also pregnant with my first (hit 29 weeks last Friday) and I remember thinking I must be crazy because I felt movement earlier than that 22 week mark that seems so magical. I really do think my mama bear instincts were correct then, and I’m willing to bet yours are, too:)
Like you, Julie, tomato based anything kind of makes my stomach turn. Still does this late in the game. Otherwise, I haven’t had any food aversions or cravings (I wish I did – it would be good excuse to eat ALL the candy, cookies, and desserts:))
I had an anterior placenta which sounds like you have and I felt movement around 19 weeks as well! It felt exactly like you described and I felt it most when I was lying on the couch or in bed. I wasn’t sure for awhile but over the next few weeks that same feeling got stronger and stronger and I was sure!
I LOVE reading your weekly pregnancy updates!
YES! I can pretty confidently say that is your baby that you are feeling. That explains it exactly–a light fluttering/tapping. So exciting!
Totally the baby – the goldfish comment above is dead on! That’s a great way to describe it. I’m about 7 weeks ahead of you and just started to feel the ROLLING and tumbling. It’s, well, it’s interesting LOL
I got my first maternity Stitch Fix and loved it too! So glad they started to do maternity.
Happy Pregnancy to you!
congrats to you!!! glad you liked your maternity fix as well!!!
That sounds like it is baby 🙂 I am about 29 weeks along with my first, and also have an anterior placenta. I feel the baby move all the time now, and the sensations make me realize that the flutters and pops from weeks 18-22 were definitely baby! For what it’s worth, the movement started to feel much stronger (i.e. undeniably the baby) around 22-23 weeks, and my husband was first able to feel kicks around 24 weeks.
I am 3 days ahead of you, Julie, with my first — and SO MUCH of this is so relatable!
My belly button keeps getting shallower and shallower! And I just started feeling kicks about 3 weeks ago (anterior placenta). They feel a lot like how you described, and I am almost always sitting or lying down when I feel them. It was so so so amazing the first time my husband felt them from the outside. They felt so faint that I didn’t realize how easily he’d be able to feel them!
It’s been fun to follow along on your concurrent journey! Best of luck, and I hope the nausea subsides.
*posterior placenta – sorry! It’s in the back 🙂
Love that we are due so close to each other!! <3
That is definitely the baby fluttering! The. best. feeling. I always felt it at my desk too since you are still and are able to really focus on the feeling.. I felt it a lot less when I was active or hanging out at home. How exciting! Pretty soon those will turn into stronger kicks. 🙂
I remember questioning movement too then around 22-23wks there was no questioning it. Then my goal was to have my husband feel baby kick.
“They” say baby actually relaxes and sleeps when you walk/move so when you’re stagnant is a prefect time to feel baby move.
Your pregnancy posts make me so happy! 🙂
Four of my girlfriends are due between July-September, so I guess it’s not really helping my baby fever!
I guess since I used your wedding as inspiration for mine, I’ll be able to do the same when the time comes for my husband and I to have a little bundle of joy! lol
Enjoy your pregnancy and your beautiful miracle! Congrats again to you and Ryan! <3
I was told it feels similar to a butterfly in your stomach. I felt our little one move about 3 weeks ago when I was just over 15 weeks pregnant. So what you are feeling sounds like the baby to me! I love reading your updates as I am only a couple weeks behind you. And I completely understand the want to have a more defined bump. Right now it just feels more muffin topish for me! Also, I did a body pump class this past weekend and loved it.
Fluttering is definitely the beginning! I also didn’t feel kicks until later… about 22 weeks. But then it starts getting crazy… like someone pushing a ball around your tummy, hehe. But its fun!
You look great!
Yep! That’s your baby!! =)
I look forward to your pregnancy updates so much! They always make me so happy <3 Congratulations xoxo
Thank you!! I am having a lot of fun writing them, so I appreciate you saying this! 🙂
I highly recommend Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter! I used that stuff religiously and it really helped calm the itching and tight feeling. Also, I made it out without a stretch mark and that was with carrying my 9lb baby girl full term! Can’t say enough good stuff about it!
As others have said, that is your baby moving in there! I felt mine first around 18-19 weeks. At 20 weeks my husband was able to feel her. In the early stages, she was really active when I first woke up in the morning. My husband and I would lay in bed with his hand on my belly waiting for her to move. Such a special time! enjoy!!
Even though everyone has already said it, I’ll say it too – definitely baby. I’m 4 weeks ahead of you, and I noticed our baby the first time when I was sitting down watching a tv show. For those first 2-ish weeks, I only felt it really at night or if I was very still. In the last week or two, this baby is going crazy. My friend said from about 20-28 weeks is a great time because the baby still has quite a bit of room to move a lot so the movements may be all over the place. Then they start running out of room, and it gets crazy. I love it. I keep wondering if it’ll “get old”, but so far, it’s been 7 weeks of movements and I’m amazed every time! So exciting!!
Too cute! You’re looking GREAT!! Loving those Stitch Fix outfits!
Sounds like that’s baby movement to me! I think it’s really hard to judge at what week you will feel something… I’m currently pregnant with my second & the doctor kept telling I would feel movement much sooner than my first… well that wasn’t the case & it almost worried me because I didn’t feel anything like they said but come to find the placenta was in a completely different spot so that’s why! I also notice I feel a lot of movement when I’m laying down or in the middle of the night! P.s. I use coconut oil on my belly & I love it! I heat it up a little & put a few drops of lavender in the mix before bed! It’s a little oily but manageable 😉
It’s totally the baby! I had an anterior placenta too, and I still felt exactly what you are describing around 17-18 weeks. It was like someone was tapping on my tummy from the inside. Sometimes it felt like there were little pieces of popcorn popping in there! Congratulations, that’s so exciting!
Def baby movements!!! I felt mine the first time at 15 weeks no doubt about it, it felt like a fish flipping around in my uterus!
I LOVED the Berts Bees Belly Butter and used it from mid thigh all the way over my boobs…happy to say no stretch marks and I had my baby five weeks ago!
Hey Julie!
I’m currently 27 weeks with a little boy 🙂 Even if it isn’t baby flutters, you’ll feel STRONG movements before you know it! I’m only 7-ish weeks ahead of you and I can SEE him moving in there. It’s cool, but also strange like an alien is about to pop out and say, “hi mom!”
Totally sounds like baby to me!!! So fun! You won’t be able to miss his kicks and punches soon! 😉
My bellybutton poked out about halfway through my pregnancy with Hunter, and it’s already poking out with this one when my belly is full. My last pregnancy just stretched it out, I guess! I have an innie, but it’s not a super innie so I knew without a doubt I’d have a bellybutton popper! Some people told me to put a band-aid over it to disguise it a bit, but I totally embrace it!!
I love the idea of having a twin bed in the nursery. I think Kath (?) did this, and I really liked the idea. If we had the room and extra bed, I’d be all about it. I’m sure it’ll come in handy! And then when baby gets old enough to be in a big boy bed, you’re already covered!
As I sit here nursing our 11 week
Old, I am overwhelmed with happy
Memories of feeling Him move for the first time. That is definitely a baby moving, mama! Congrats! (This is the best part! Just wait il baby is rolling and jabbing you with elbows!! ❤️
Aw! I love this! Congratulations on your little one!
Oh man, I did not expect my belly button to “pop” – I thought it was just kind of flatten out, but nope, it’s now clearly visible through my shirts and has been for a few weeks lol (I’m currently 36 weeks). It will be so awesome when Ryan gets to feel baby kick – my hubby loves it, in addition to getting right up to my belly and saying stuff like “hey buddy, I love you” – we’re also having a boy <3
Ohh that is so exciting the baby is potentially moving!! You are the cutest pregnant person!
I’m currently 38 weeks, but have been feeling the baby move since 18 weeks. My husband felt it that first night that I did which was such a cool experience to share. Enjoy the baby’s movements! I’m going to miss them soon.
Great that your craving chopped salads! My friend went off veggies until the last couple of months!
19 weeks- so exciting!!
It’s so exciting getting to read all of your updates, you make a super cute mom-to-be!
half way! so exciting.
I just love these sweet updates! And I’m also obsessing over your Stitch Fix maternity finds! I’m not pregnant, but I still want to steal those outfits!
Halfway already?! It’s crazy how quickly the first 20 weeks can go by. I love reading your experience and how open you are about them. It’s definitely refreshing to have the total truth 🙂
I’m 19 weeks (due with a boy Aug 15), and I’m feeling those little love taps from baby already, too!! I remember waiting impatiently to feel the movements with my older two, and by the final month I was amazed how strong he could kick me in the rib cage and leave me feeling winded! 🙂 My hubby felt the first movements accidentally – his arm was draped over my stomach and he got a nice little jab. I thought his eyes were gonna pop out of his head when he realized it was the baby. Haha! SO fun.
I suggest using a salt or sugar scrub a couple times a week, too! The exfoliation combined with the belly butter seems to help the skin’s elasticity. I love reading your updates and seeing how similar we are in this phase of life (cooked veggies are slowly reentering my life, and gummy candy is all the rage – especially SweetTart Gummis)! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Oh! Perfect! I keep a sugar scrub I love in my shower and will start to incorporate it into my shower routine more often! Thanks for the tip!
It definitely sounds like your baby miving! So fun and exciting. Congrats!!
It definitely sounds like baby! That’s what I feel too and it just gets stronger. It’s amazing isn’t it? I love following your posts. I am a week ahead but I’m in the same size shape. Not quite a bump so I’m layering the clothing too! I can’t wait to follow your journey!
I just placed my first stich fix order and can’t wait to see what items get being pregnant!! I’m sure that is baby, I explain my first baby kicks as almost a feeling of a little bubble. Now when I lay on my side at night he starts kicking in that side, I think he is telling me I’m invading his space so I try to reposition.
I’ll be 19 weeks on Wednesday and I wasn’t certain what I was feeling the last few days but after feeling it quite often I am certain those flutters are baby! I can’t wait until my husband can feel them too 🙂
WHen I first started feeling movement, it felt like waves moving around my belly. You might be feeling baby already.
You look great! It is probably so exciting to be halfway there! Congratulations 🙂
Wheeee! It sounds like the baby is moving!! While I haven’t had any real face acne during this pregnancy, I certainly had chest and back acne, but it magically disappeared around week 20 or so — so hopefully that happens for you, too!
Also, just write pregnancy posts every day, mmkay? They are so exciting! 🙂
I love these pregnancy posts! I’m really glad you are documenting this and sharing it with everyone 🙂 I also really loved your Friday night date outfit (pink poncho and leggings with the zip)! You look adorable!