Happy Tuesday friends! Am I the only one who feels like it must be Thursday already? Even though this week has a been a great one, I still feel like I’ve put in four days worth of work in the past two days. This weekend I’m off to Des Moines, Iowa for a fun girls weekend with three of my sorority sisters. It’s been years since we were all together so I look forward to a weekend full of laughter and endless conversations.
Tonight I’m sharing my recap and thoughts from weeks 18 and 19 of pregnancy.
Baby Size: Bell Pepper (week 18) and heirloom tomato (week 19)
Weight Gained: I don’t have a scale at home but I feel as though I haven’t gained more weight, so about ten pounds in total.
Workouts: On average, I am working out five days per week. Each of these two weeks my workouts included: 1 Orange Theory workout, 1 XTendBarre class, 2 runs and Prenatal Pilates.
Cravings: I continue to be hungry non-stop especially on days I workout. In order to ensure that I’m fueling my body for healthy growth, I am increasing my protein and fiber intake, especially at breakfast and lunch. I also am never without healthy snacks. This week I fell in love with Siggi’s Icelandic Yogurt topped with berries. In the evenings, I continue to crave Italian, Greek and Mexican which means that I’ve pinned lots of recipes and discovered some great new ones such as this healthy burrito bowl.
Food Aversions: I’m happy to report that all food aversions have gone away. While I don’t crave cooked vegetables, I am able to eat them again – even brussels sprouts.
Symptoms: My skin continues to be drier than I’ve ever experienced, especially my stomach. I lather on moisturizer and cocoa butter multiple times throughout the day but pregnancy growth and the cold, dry winter air aren’t doing my skin any favors. I started using two new products during this period, that really seemed to help with the dry skin and itchiness – Belli Elasticity Oil for Stretch Marks followed by Belli All Day Moisture Body Lotion. I also find that this brand absorbs better than what I was using previously, meaning that I don’t feel sticky all day. My only other symptom was continued breast tenderness.
Sleep: Even though I’ve been sleeping with my Snoogle every night, I inevitably wake up around 3:30 AM sleeping on my back. For the first few days this worried me, for fear I was hurting the baby, but my doctor confirmed that as long as I am spending more time on my left side than my back she should be fine.
Wearing: I continue to live in my AG Maternity Jeans, turtleneck and a flowy vest.
Other random things from the week: I’m not sure if it’s nesting mode or what but I’ve started deep cleaning the kitchen every night after we cook and eat dinner. I don’t think our kitchen has ever been cleaner. I also started switching our kitchen cleaning products to more natural items, especially our counter top cleaner.
Your turn: Any questions? Anything that you loved during your second trimester or any tips?
You are the healthier happier bear and I feel like the mama bear 🙂 I love that you are bringing us all along on this pregnancy ride. I am so unbelievably thrilled for you two.
You look fabulous.
I feel like a bell pepper is smaller than an heirloom tomato? No? But I love that you have fun a farmers’ market version of this.
I wouldn’t worry too much about sleeping on your side this early in pregnancy. Typically, it is more around 20 weeks that you start to avoid your back – and honestly, at 20 weeks, it starts to be uncomfortable. The risk to the baby is the pressure on the vena cava but you are going to feel sick long before you’ve cut off the blood flow to the baby. I don’t say this to be judge-y! I’m pregnant with my third (just a few weeks behind you!). FWIW, I slept on my back with my 2nd through about 22ish weeks – but I used a bunch of pillows so I wasn’t fully reclined – he is so fine!!! You’re doing great! Don’t be too hard on yourself! Much of what goes wrong in pregnancy is far beyond our control so as long as you are taking good care of yourself like you always do, the baby is going to be A-OK. 🙂
If your sleeping be happy. Do not worry about positioning, because soon you won’t be able to get comfortable regardless and the rare time your comfortable your suddenly not tired anymore… life preparing you for an interrupted sleep cycle. Naps are great.
Thank you Tracey! This makes me feel a lot better. 🙂
It’s sounds like things have been going pretty well! If you ever need an extra kitchen to clean, mine is just a plane ride away! haha – I miss you and hope you’re staying safe and warm in the snow storm I heard you got!
Haha thanks Nicole! We miss you as well and hope all is well in Austin. 🙂
I would go to sleep on my side and wake up on my back every single night, multiple times a night, until the day Rex was born. And I’m not even usually a back sleeper!
It’s so crazy Kat as one article I read made it seem like a HUGE deal but even my doctor was like due your best and if anything, put a pillow under you so you’re a bit elevated and there isn’t as much pressure.