Since these posts are actually one week behind, I’m really 26 weeks pregnant right now and the other day I realized that this means I’m only 14 weeks away from my due date in August. Whoa! Fourteen weeks sounds way shorter than 3.5 months, so we’re going to focus on that number right now because I’m getting more and more excited to meet our little guy with every day that passes.
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
Baby Updates
Baby is the size of a rutabaga!
Weight Gained
I didn’t weigh myself, but I’d assume I’m up a bit from last week’s 15.5-pound weigh in at the doctor’s office because I feel like this is the week I saw the most belly growth so far! I wonder if I will feel this way every single week from now until the day when we get to meet our baby boy…
Check out the bump changes:
25 Weeks:
Workouts
My workouts this week continue to feel great! I really do feel so grateful I have been able to maintain a decent workout regimen throughout my pregnancy so far. My workouts make me feel more energetic and consisted mostly of spinning and BodyPump, plus a Nike Training Club total body toning workout. And dancing at Krystal and Matt’s wedding!
Symptoms
Hunger seemed to pick back up this week and I found myself experiencing nausea again if I go too long without eating (and by too long I mean like 60-90 minutes)! Keeping snacks on hand is key and I really do feel like I am eating alllll the time. Baby wants food!
I also experienced my fair share of cramping in my feet and calves this week which was a lovely treat… Especially when the intense cramping woke me up at night a number of times. Dr. Google tells me this is common during the second and third trimester of pregnancy but I’m hoping it’s fleeting. Not so fun!
My body awareness also seems to be a little off these days. I feel like I am bumping my elbows on things all the time and dripping stuff on my stomach like it’s my job!
Food Aversions
My aversions don’t seem to be quite as strong or gag-inducing as they were during the earlier weeks of pregnancy, but I still have no interest in tomato-based soups, chili and anything prepared with cumin.
Food Cravings
- Watermelon
- Yogurt
- Anything from Chipotle
Sleep
I slept pretty well this week which was great! It’s kind of odd, but I haven’t really noticed a huge correlation between a good night’s sleep and more energy. If anything, the day I felt the most tired this week happened to be after a night when I got a lovely nine hours of sleep. Fortunately my energy levels seem to be relatively normal with some occasional sleepiness kicking in during the late afternoon.
Looking Forward To…
I am looking forward to taking a few pregnancy/birth/parenting classes recommended to us by my OB/GYN. We still haven’t signed up for any (I should probably get on that), but I hope to take a few of the recommended classes with Ryan in the coming weeks.
I’m also looking forward to our Girls On The Run end-of-season 5K! I will not be running in the race like I did during last season’s 5K back in December when I was only a few weeks pregnant, but I plan to walk the 3.1 miles since walking still feels great!
Any Baby/Pregnancy-Related Purchases?
Since we had a wedding to attend over the weekend, I bought two super-flowy dresses to wear (one from White Plum and one from Marshalls) since basically all of my pre-pregnancy dresses are A-line and don’t even kind of fit right now.
Both of the new dresses were comfortable, lightweight and feminine… Not to mention affordable!
Stretch Marks?
Nope! Currently using a combination of Mambino Organic Oh Baby! Belly Butter, Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter and Nine Naturals Belly Butter & Stretch Mark Cream.
Belly Button In Or Out?
Flat!
Happy or Moody Most Of The Time?
Happy! It was so, so nice to be able to chat with my friend Leah who had her baby just under two months ago when we were in Florida for a wedding over the weekend. Not only did she make me feel all the more excited to actually meet our little guy soon, but she also served a bit as a bit of a sounding board for me since we were able to chat at length about pregnancy, child birth and life with a newborn in such a supportive way.
Sometimes it can be totally crazy to get out of the shower and catch a glimpse of my changing body in the mirror and no longer really recognize my shape. It’s comforting to talk with other women who have been through this and know they’ve experienced the same body changes and feelings. It’s almost like I’ll forget my belly (and arms, thighs and hips!) are growing until I’ll catch a random glimpse of myself in the mirror that will totally catch me off guard. There’s definitely a baby growing in there!
I also liked chatting with Leah about actually being a MOM. I constantly feel like I know nothing about caring for a baby (which can really overwhelm me) but then time and time again I will talk to women who assure me every new mom out there has moments of insecurity but somehow we all get through it and just do the very best we can to raise happy and healthy babies.
Any Movement?
Yes! But I feel like it actually slowed down a little this week (or the movements just got a little lighter) which was a bit of a bummer since I still love feeling our little guy dance around in my belly.
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You look radiant! Even though I don’t see a baby in my near future, these pregnancy updates are always so fun to read. So glad you’re doing well!
Always, Anita
Thank you, Anita!!
Being a first time mama-to-be myself (37 weeks, eek!), I can totally relate to your point about how nice it is to have people to talk to. Thankfully I’ve had a bunch of friends who have all had babies in the last few months, or are pregnant right now, and have been a great resource to talk to, bounce fears off of, and check in with to make sure “this is normal” (because no one tells you about HALF the stuff that you experience during pregnancy – especially the gross, weird stuff!). It really is reassuring, since I also feel like I have NO idea what I am doing!
yes to this!! the candid conversations with friends who have been through it or are going through it are truly the best.
you really do look great!!
I catch glimpses of myself when I am walking down the street and am shocked by how big I look at 33 weeks! I sometimes, still, forget that I am even pregnant:)
Lol I feel the same! I keep thinking I look normal until I walk by a mirror or get looks from people out in public.
You wouldn’t even know you were pregnant in the pink dress! Hope there’s lots of kicking this week
I called that dress my “perfect tent dress” because it was so nice and flowy and didn’t cling to the body at all. I wish I could find it in every color because it was so darn comfy!
I’ve a dress in a similar style I save it for occasions where I know there is potential for a “food baby”
I had my first baby 6 weeks ago- a sweet little boy- and it really is the most amazing experience ever! You may feel like you don’t know what you are doing but trust me your motherly instincts kick in immediately. You look amazing and will be a great mom!!
Aw!!! So exciting! I hope you’re doing well, Caitlin! I’ve heard the first six weeks can be really tough and I’m so glad to hear your instincts kicked in!! <3
Oh and about the nightime leg cramps – this trick sounds weird but put a bar of soap under your sheets where your legs are. Totally worked for me!
My hubs and I are talking about getting on the baby bandwagon and neither of us have much experience in the baby dept either (esp the newborn baby dept!). However whenever I get overwhelmed about feeling inadequate or that we will be broke (haha!) I just keep telling myself ” ___ people have babies all the time” (insert any word you want. Dumb. Poor. Clueless… etc etc) It really helps. Because it’s true! You’ve got this!
Ohhhhhh the leg cramps!!! I had the worst leg cramps with BOTH of my babies. I have since heard (of course!) how awesome magnesium is for these. Worth a shot right?! Congrats Julie! Being a Mom is seriously the BEST!
You look gorgeous Julie! I’m glad you are feeling pretty good.
Up your calcium for the leg cramps. I used to get terrible Charlie horses in my calves while pregnant and simply drinking extra milk took it away.
You look AMAZING being 14 weeks out from your due date! Total basketball baby!!! Love these updates
You look gorgeous!
I’m curious- do you have an aversion to just cumin on it’s own? Pretty much everything at Chipotle has cumin in it! I had an aversion to rosemary when I was pregnant, but if it was part of a mix it wasn’t so bad…
Ha! I’ve had people ask this when I posted about a cumin aversion before and then a love for Chipotle. I think it honestly may be the SMELL of cumin more than anything and I don’t smell it in the burrito bowls I order, so my love for Chipotle rages on!
Just curious, do you get something at Chipotle without cumin? I thought it was in most things there? I am sure I am wrong though.
I’m probably ordering something with cumin b/c I know it’s in most of their stuff, too, but as long as the smell isn’t crazy strong, it isn’t off-putting to me I guess! So strange, I know!
Oops…see now I posted the same question as Colleen.
Anyway, makes sense….it is hard to resist Chipotle!!
Fourteen weeks, I can’t hardly believe it! You are so close to meeting that sweet baby boy!
Julie, you look FANTASTIC in your photos. Your pregnancy is definitely VERY healthy, you’re pretty much all belly, and even with that being said, there isn’t much belly there on your frame! That will be a great advantage when you’re post partum and trying to bounce back from your pregnancy weight gain. I love reading about your pregnancy journey, and I’m so jealous you are having a boy! I’m not pregnant, but that’s what I hope to have for my first pregnancy (and any others, too- I love the boys!)
You look beautiful and I know you’ll love being a mom! Even if you feel you have no clue. It took me a while to feel like “a mom.” I’m not going to lie, I honestly didn’t feel like an actual mother until this year when my baby turned 5 and was starting Kindergarten. I feel like taking care of the baby was a breeze because you eventually fall into your own routine and it just becomes your new “normal.” Now that she’s older and there’s bigger things to tackle like new friendships, discipline, rules, etc. I start to feel more like my own mother and understand what she went through raising me. Unfortunately there’s no manual on how to raise the best kids so you just got to do your best and learn along the way. It really will be the best experience and the birth of your child will probably feel like the best day of your life the way it is for me.
Hi there! I’m 33 weeks, and I’ve been getting the WORST charlie horses in my sleep and it will hurt for days after. A midwife suggested that I try a Calcium Magnesium supplement for leg cramps and RLS. I confirmed with my OB, and he said it was a great idea. I’ve been taking it for a week and it’s made a HUGE difference.
Thank you for this tip!! I’ll definitely ask my OB as well and appreciate it! They really are miserable and, like you, my calves will be sore the next day from them sometimes!
I don’t think anyone really knows what it is like to care for a baby until they have their own. You just can’t plan for that, mainly because every baby is a unique little person. Everyone is full of good intentioned advice, but in the end if you listen to your baby and your own instincts, you will do great!
Also, my body changed a lot from pregnancy and nursing. I have stretch marks and my boobs will never be the same. I thought I would never get over the stretch marks, but, I have never loved my body more than I do now. I am in awe that I was capable of growing a new life and produce food for my baby.
<3 <3 <3 I love this!
I love these updates! You look BEAUTIFUL and so amazing. You should feel like the cutest prego lady there is.
You look absolute gorgeous! I am so glad you are doing so well!
I saw that post you shared on Facebook. I hate that so many women experience depression so severely after giving birth but I did want you to know that it doesn’t always go that way. I had a wonderful experience and loved every minute of Ryan being a newborn. Even the lack of sleep haha! I just wanted to stay awake and watch him all the time (big mistake).
I know post partom depression is definitely a very real and horrible thing but I was just hoping that you were not scared that you will have a horrible time in the beginning . You probably weren’t. Just in case, it’s not always a bad experience! It can be really wonderful!
Love these posts! You will be so glad that you documented so much!
Thank you!! I am hoping to print them off and put them all in a baby book of some sort eventually. I love looking back at my mom’s pregnancy pics and reading the journal she kept and hope to have something similar of my own to share one day (if my kid(s?) care, that is)!
Hi Julie,
First, I really enjoy your blog! Thanks for all the great content.
I don’t usually comment but wanted to share a thought on these updates. I noticed that you include a note about stretch marks. I recently had twins. When I was pregnant with my older son, now 2.5, no stretch marks. However, these twins did a number on me and post partum here I am with some pretty severe ones. It takes effort, and I don’t always feel good about my body, but I do try to see them in a positive light – after all, they brought me my children!
Anyway, when I read your updates it kind of makes me feel like ,by singling out stretch marks as their own category, as if getting stretch marks would be this hugely awful thing, and that they must be prevented at all costs. I know that’s probably not how you feel, but just wanted to let you know that stretch marks can’t always be prevented, and when people do get them, I hope they can be encouraged to not see them as a terrible thing. I thought I’d share my two cents, as there may be other readers out there, struggling to accept their mommy battle scars, and feeling down when they see that others are so scared of getting them.
Again, love your blog and congrats on your pregnancy!
thank you so much for sharing your experience — this truly is not my intent AT ALL. i actually just copied theses categories from other bloggers who documented their pregnancies and didn’t give them too much thought, but i can totally see your point. to be honest, i figured many/most women get them (i think that book what to expect when you’re expecting said more than half of all pregnant women do!), so eventually i expected to share when/where i get my stretch marks if they do show up in that category. thank you for taking the time to comment in such a kind way and share your perspective. and congratulations on your TWINS! that’s amazing! <3
I love your bump! And I’m not pregnant and always craving Chipotle! haha
You look great, Julie! I’m going to be a first-time mom, too, and I’d love to see a post about what you registered for. I’m so overwhelmed with all of the choices: so many different bottles, strollers, diapers, and various baby gear to choose from. I’d love to hear your thoughts and how you narrowed it all down!
this post is definitely coming!!!! registering for the “right” things is a bit overwhelming to me right now, but i am slowly working on it! i’ve received a lot of great insight from readers on the PBF facebook page that you might want to check out. everyone has been so awesome about weighing in with their favorite baby-related “must-haves.”
As a mom of two I would invest in a good stroller that converts to a double if you need it down the road. I didn’t do this and was kicking myself when the second came along.
Ugh I totally forgot about the horrible Charlie horses at night!! I found that eating a banana and drinking a HUGE glass of water before bed as well as another half glass or so each time I woke up REALLY helped. It made me have to get up more through the night, but I was already getting up a lot and when I got a Charlie horse, I’d feel sore for two or three days after so weighing the options..
My baby turns 10 months on Friday, and I LOVE reading your updates reminding me of all of those feelings I was having while expecting him. I absolutely had a lot of those nerves about not knowing how to care for him! I’d say I minimally prepared by reading the early parts of ‘What to Expect’ type books and online articles, but when he came it all felt VERY intuitive! The nursing staff at the hospital are a great resource to ask TONS of questions to, and once you get home your mother’s instinct will kick in.
You are seriously the most adorable pregnant lady ever!
You look great! I’m just two weeks behind you and experiencing a lot of the same symptoms. I woke up the other day with a terrible cramp in my calf and it ended up leaving me with a sore calf for a couple of days! It’d felt like I’d just run a half marathon, but clearly I hadn’t. Thank goodness for foam rollers and compression socks — they’re both helpful!
Am currently 24.5 weeks along with number one and I too cannot stand the taste of cumin. So strange, right?! HAHA!
I’ve noticed the same thing with sleep during pregnancy- it doesn’t really matter if I get a little or a lot of sleep, my energy seems to be what it’s going to be!
Drink a lot of water and eat your banana’s! Calf cramps in the middle of the night are the worst! I had them horribly with both pregnancies. I would try to lay as still as possible while asleep because the minute I moved, bam!!! And I would be sore for days! Water, water, water :). You are doing great!
I totally agree with there not being much of a correlation with more sleep= more energy. I was the exact same way when I was pregnant and it drove me crazy ha! I would think “oh boy I will have so much energy since I slept so well”, and instead I seemed to be more tired Haha oh well! I guess we learn to live with it
I know!! It’s so crazy!
I can relate to not recognizing yourself when you catch a glimpse in the mirror. I am post partum with my second child and am not recognizing ME. But I know with time, I will. Or at least get used to the new ME after having two kids.
I craved watermelon when I was pregnant with my little boy! I could not get enough of it and now its his favorite fruit! He eats it every chance he gets! I’m sure you’ll find that being a mom is the most challenging yet most important thing you will ever do, but you just have to experience it for yourself. We are all unsure about what we’re doing from time to time (especially with our first) but you’ll figure it out. All babies respond to love.
Hey Julie, don’t know if someone mentioned this but when I read about your interest in classes, it sparked my memory. We had a baby 8 months ago and when i was around 25 weeks, we did a hospital tour! Don’t know if your hospital where you are delivering offers one but if they do, definitely do it. Everyone on the tour was much farther along then me but I wanted to see it sooner! That way you get a feel of your drive, what to expect out of your room, nurses, etc. And you can ask questions which is great!
I will second the bananas and water for the leg cramps. Rights before you go to bed, gulp down a good size glass of water and eat a whole banana. Then give your legs a good rub down.
Hey Julie! My husband and I just recently found out we are expecting our first (I’m only about 8 weeks and still kind of blown away and freaking out a bit). This is probably the most random question, but when you post about using a combination of the belly butters, are you layering them on all together, or do you alternate days? Also, thank you for sharing all of your pregnancy updates — I have been reading those posts like they are going out of style! They are such a huge help! Btw, I love your pink dress that you wore this past weekend!
I basically just use whatever I am feeling that day and sometimes I will combine them! I really like the Mambino belly butter but it’s pretty greasy so I will only use that one at night time before bed!
You are positively glowing!
I’m sure you’ll do a post about baby stuff on registries, but I must say the (expensive) phil & ted’s stroller is a dream! I love that it comes with a 2nd piece that easily attaches for a possible future kid (we knew we wanted more than 1), and it helps on days I babysit. I’m so glad we didn’t buy two different strollers, now that I’m pregnant with our 2nd, that is for sure.
Oh and random, my daughter loved the MAM binkies (NOT the hospital type ones), so those are a definite must to trey out b/c binkies saves lives (as in sleep), haha.
As a mother of one girl (who is about to graduate high school in 2 weeks!) my advice is to keep the baby stuff to a minimum. There were so many things I bought and never used and it’s all so big it, clutters up the house. For us, the biggest waste was buying a changing table for her bedroom. Even in the middle of the night, we were bringing her into the kitchen/living room to feed her, so we just put a pad on the floor and changed her there.
Babies/kids can survive and thrive without lots of stuff and you are the most important ‘item’ in his life. You will do great!
You really are glowing in your bump photos It’s fun to see the progression of your growing belly as the weeks go by. I love the pink dress that you wore this past weekend – maybe it’s the angle of the photo, but you can’t even tell there’s a bump under the dress!
Some extra potassium might help with those leg cramps… maybe try eating a banana every day (if you don’t already)
I’m not pregnant, but I know when my potassium levels drop I get wicked calf cramps. Just a suggestion!! You look adorable!
hope the cramping goes away soon! you look so great.
I know it’s easy for an outsider (who doesn’t know you at all except through your blog!) to say this, but so much of being a Mommy is instinctive. You’ll just suddenly…do it!
My very first little one (also a boy!) is going to turn two at the end of this month and I get a little teary-eyed looking at how big he’s suddenly grown. Like you, I was a bit nervous at first, but I think you’ll find you quickly settle into a routine and will get so accustomed to it so quickly that at some point, you’ll think to yourself, “What was life like before?”
Best of luck! I enjoy your blog and am very happy for your growing family!
thank you for commenting!! this is helpful to read!!
Keep talking to other new moms, it will totally help. Also, I felt like I had no clue as well and your instincts just kick in. If you have a question don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician or ask new moms. They are the best resources. So happy for you!
You look beautiful, and I’m so happy that you are having such a wonderful and healthy pregnancy! A labor & delivery nurse told me that White Grape Juice helps with cramping. She said just drink a glass with dinner and it should stop the cramps at night… I never tried it, but if you like White Grape Juice, it might be worth a shot! Best wishes for you during the next 14 weeks, and beyond! You’re going to be an amazing mom
Hi Julie,
I saw in an earlier comment you mentioned you just copied these questions from some blog without though. I know you have kept the same format over the weeks but it may be more pertinent to tailor the questions to you. If you don’t weigh yourself it doesn’t really need to be documented etc. the stretch mark comment being a main focus is also off putting. I think you could come up with more valuable content for these posts if you came up with your own Q&A. Just some food for thought.
I love your blog and especially these pregnancy updates! I’m 21 weeks with our first (a girl). I totally feel you on the watermelon cravings. My poor husband has been buying at least two watermelons a week and I just can’t stop eating them! So satisfying!!
yes!!! so, so good!
You look great! I remember at one point in my pregnancy I woke up and swore I had two left feet. Bumping into things, dropping things, being forgetful and hoping that I didn’t leave it upstairs since climbing the stairs had me out of breath. Enjoy the next 14 weeks. It will fly by and you will be holding that sweet boy in no time. It goes by too fast!! Hope the remainder of your pregnancy is happy and healthy.