Three weeks later, and I’ve got a new bumpdate for you!
But first, can I just say how adorable it was taking pictures last night?! As soon as we started, Lucas came over to see what we were doing and decided he wanted to give his future brother/sister a “kiss, hug, squeeeeeze!”
I wish the pictures weren’t so blurry but, hey, whatcha gonna do? Either way, my heart is still exploding from last night. <3
But now…on to the good stuff! What’s happening over here, you ask?
Baby is just over 18 weeks today and is about the size of a bell pepper.
HERE’S WHAT ELSE HAS baby BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK:
- He/she is about 5 1/2 inches long and he weighs almost 7 ounces.
- He/she is busy flexing its arms and legs…which I’m starting to feel much more often!
- Baby’s blood vessels are visible through the thin skin, and its ears are now in their final position, although they’re still standing out from the head a bit.
- A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around its nerves, a process that will continue for a year after birth.
- If baby is a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If there’s a little man in there, his genitals are noticeable now.
AND HERE’S WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING WITH ME THIS PAST WEEK:
Weight gained: I haven’t checked in a while, but when I went to my last appt about two weeks ago (I think?) the doctor basically made a comment along the lines of “sooo, your weight gain is steady…just remember to be mindful with the holidays and all of the extra treats around at this time.” So in other words, I think she was trying to tell me to chill with the food, but I’m pretty sure I’ve gained about 8 pounds, which is right around where I was with Lucas at this time. So, whatever. I still ate all the treats.
Workouts: Going great! I’m loving having the energy and desire to work out again. Seriously. I’ve been doing my usual mix of 21 Day Fix videos, a few T25 videos (only gamma, more weights focused as opposed to high impact), PiYo, BodyPump, and barre workouts, with modifications if/when necessary. There are certain moves in various videos that just don’t feel comfortable or flat out don’t work (like supermans…), but the mix has been awesome and keeping me excited to want to do more.
Symptoms: These past couple of weeks have included a few, but honestly not too many:
- A SUPER itchy belly. Over the past few days or so it has subsided a bit, but I was getting this red rash forming around the sides of my belly which would occasionally look like mini stretch marks, so I was like WTH?! Already?? Turns out they aren’t stretch marks, and I don’t think it’s PUPPP (thank GOODNESS), but more likely due to dry skin. Since then, I’ve been lathering up with the baby oil in the mornings and lotion at night and it’s helped a ton.
- Hungry ALL the time. I always make sure to have snacks with me wherever I go.
- A little bit tired here and there. Most of the time, it hits me at night as soon as I sit on the couch after putting Lucas to bed.
Movement: Yes! Finally!! For the past few days I’d been feeling something, but wasn’t totally sure it was the babe. But as I was sitting on the couch Tuesday night, my little babe was moving all over the place. Mannn, I really love that feeling and forgot just how much I missed it!
Food Aversions: Nada, although decaf coffee is usually only consumed a few days a week, if I’m feeling it.
Food Cravings: Nothing really outside of what I’d typically crave. In an attempt to lighten up my after dinner desserts, I’ve been trading the holiday cookies and ice cream for yogurt mixed with a little nutella or cookie butter, and that has been delicious.
Sleep: Not too bad! I usually wake up once most nights to use the bathroom (sometimes two, if I had a lot to drink before bed), but so far, being comfortable hasn’t really been much of an issue. I find myself sleeping on my back a bit more, but my doc had told me last pregnancy that as long as it feels fine then it’s not a big deal. If you’re uncomfortable, you should move.
Maternity clothes?: Oh yes. I can still wear regular pants/jeans with a hair tie around the button, but they’re annoying because they don’t stay up well, so I’ve basically been doing maternity bottoms. I love leggings (including these!) and can wear a mix of regular tops and maternity tops, it just depends on the shirt.
Stretch marks? Nada.
Miss Anything? Yes, I miss wine. And I’ll likely say that in each of these posts. What can I say?? Other than that, I’m feeling pretty content.
Baby Items Purchased: Nothing yet, and we likely won’t purchase anything until we find out what we’re having (which will be very soon!!).
Looking Forward To: Of course, I’m looking forward to finding out if we’re having a boy or girl! I’m 99% convinced we’re having another boy, and I really have no particular reason for it. There’s just some weird part of me that feels like I’m meant to be a “boy mom,” and I’ve already started looking at boy names (so far, I’ve got nothing!). I’m also looking forward to Jay and Lucas being able to feel the baby move, although I think we’ll have a little while before that happens.
Mama’s out there…did you ever have any instincts or gut feelings as to what you were having? Or were you totally off?
Britt B. says
Looking good! I knew 100% my second was a boy…and he was! Love the updates, happy you’re feeling good. xoxo
Christen says
My second pregnancy I was convinced I was having a boy because it was such a different pregnancy. Bryan turned out to be another girl for us but with a seriously different personality than her sister.
Courtney says
So interesting! So you could tell a difference even in the womb? Or once she was born? That’s something I think about ALL the time! How similar/different will they be??
Christen says
The pregnancies were vastly different. Mostly, I never was sick the first time and I felt terrible the second time. Also, as soon as they’re born, I think you get a big glimpse of who they’ll be. Hadley was up every two hours no matter the time of day and needed me (she is still a very cuddly, clingy child at 5 which mama doesn’t mind at all!) and Bryn slept much better, but just needed reassurance that I was there every now and then, which is still true today. Babies and kids just amaze me. You can have five of the same gender kid and they’ll be completely different people. I think people think “Oh another girl…” and know exactly what to do, but it amazes me how two girls couldn’t be anymore different….
Courtney says
So interesting and so true!!
Heather says
We never found out if we were having a girl or boy. I was totally convinced Maggie was a boy. I had a boy name picked and everything. My cousin asked me a week before I was due what I was going to name the baby if it was a girl. I told him if he was worried, he could pick a girl name….thank God he picked a good one! Haha
Brynn says
Love the belly and Lucas giving it love! I never had strong cravings or a feeling, which I hear is common with boys. And it turned out right!
Marielle says
Looking great! I’m just now 20 weeks and it’s strange, right when I found out we were pregnant I had a feeling it was a boy…and I was right! Mothers instinct I guess!
Courtney says
Congrats to you, Marielle!! :)
Sheena @ Paws and Pavement says
So cool to hear updates. I would be terrible pregnant over the holidays bring on all the sweets!
Britt@MyOwnBalance says
You look so great!! I totally thought I was having a girl and was shocked to find out it was a boy!
Blair says
Mother instincts (if you have one) are pretty correct IMO. I knew I was having girls the first two times and I was right. Cannot wait to hear if Lucas is getting a brother or a sister! You look awesome!
Kathryn says
With both my pregnancies, by about 12 weeks (even earlier with my second), I just KNEW what I was having. I had a friend who considered herself psychic tell me my second was going to be a girl because she had had a vision about it, and I flat out told her she was wrong, I knew it was a boy. I was right both times!
You’re looking great!
Courtney says
That’s too funny! One of our cousins has basically predicted ALL of the babies in the past 4-5 years or so correctly, and she has predicted boy for me. So that sort of solidified my guess, too :)
Marieve says
Same here! Currently 28 weeks pregnant with our first child, I’m positive its a girl but we will keep the suprise for the birth. My aunt has predicted 12/12 in the family so far and she sees me with a girl…will see !! Baby names are SO difficult !!
Jenna says
This is my first pregnancy, and I don’t know what I’m having yet. But, I have had a few dreams that I was having a girl. We shall see. You look adorable by the way and I love how interested Lucas is in the photos and loving up on his younger brother/sister!
Courtney says
Awwww, congrats!! I remember having 2 girl dreams before finding out Lucas was a boy – you just never know!
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries says
Obviously you know that we didn’t find out the gender, but I KNEW I was having a boy. I had no reason to think that, it was just the weird sense of knowing. Like, as sure as the day is long, I was convinced. I honestly didn’t even entertain girls’ names. When he was born and the doctor announced it was a boy “I was like ‘duh! but is he okay?!'”
Courtney says
Haha, that sounds just like you ;)
Oh, I’m emailing you back this morning!!
Brianne says
With my 1st pregnancy I knew from
Day one it was a girl and she was! This 2nd time around my pregnancy has been totally different so I figured it was a boy. It’s another girl and I am so excited! I grew up with a little sister so I am excited to see my girls grow up together. :)
Courtney says
So crazy how that happens! The beginning of this one was very different too, but I’m still convinced it’s a boy. Part of me wonders if the extra exhaustion and nausea was due in part to the fact that I couldn’t come home from work and just lie down on the couch. Instead, I was chasing a two year old up and down the streets and playing in the woods :) Congrats on your second girl!
Fiona MacDonald says
I always wanted a boy, I wasn’t all politically correct and being like we’ll take either, I was just like no if I have a boy my husband will be over the moon, if I have a girl, when she has emotions of ANY sort he’ll send her to me..lol…and sure enough we had a boy and then of course there are all those old wives tales you can follow which weren’t really true for me but once I started getting big people would stop me in the street and tell me I was having a boy soo I guess I fell into the pretty obvious category. I swear if you put it out there into the world…it works some how..I actually have no clue if that’s true..but I swear because I really wanted a boy..it was a boy. My friend is like you, she has two boys and now having her third and she always says she was destined to be a boy mama! You look amazing girl…keep up on the cookies ’cause now I’m on the other side being like ohh I miss the freedom to enjoy a few more treats here and there…lol
Courtney says
Hahaha, I will say the freedom is quite wonderful!
Monica says
My best friend is expecting her 4th baby (her youngest is 10!). She had her ultrasound yesterday and told me she was SURE it was a boy! Nope! She’s having her second GIRL! :)
Courtney says
So crazy how that happens!! I always wonder if I’m wrong, but I just have a feeling I’m not, haha. And WOW for your best friend!! :)
Erica says
Umm 8 pounds gained by 18 weeks is nothing! I just checked my old notes on my onlne for my lregnancy and I was at 15 lbs gained by 20 weeks, and no hissy fudge to blame!
Courtney says
Haha that’s what I thought too?!? Hey, whatever, I’m not changing anything :)
Amanda Sumner says
I’m 19 weeks yesterday with a boy and I’ve always said the same thing, that I was meant to be a boy Mom! Congrats pretty Mama! Can’t wait to find out!
Courtney says
Thanks Amanda! And congrats on your boy!! Is this your first??
Katie says
I am 19 weeks pregnant with baby #3- I have all girls. I was convinced I was having a boy, because I felt so different this pregnancy. But, nope! Another girl! :) Also, 8 lbs is hardly anything!! I have gained twice that, and my dr said it is fine!
Courtney says
That’s what I thought?! I was like, man, I thought I was doing fine, haha!! Either way, I’m not changing anything ;)
Congrats on baby #3, Katie! We must have very close due dates!
Alyssa says
With my first i had a dream it was a boy but everyone was convinced it was a girl so they had me believing it too… it was a boy. This time around i felt from the very beginning it was another boy so I was quite shocked to find out we are having a girl. So excited to meet her in April! So i guess you just never know.. Congrats again, you look great!
Vanessa says
You look amazing! I don’t see what the dr was saying? 8 pds for 16-18 weeks? That’s not a lot! I’m 10 weeks pregnant with my second. Like you I just have this gut feeling I’m having another girl(boy for you) but I was sure my first girl was a boy. You will know soon!
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
My SIL isn’t finding out I think that would drive me crazy!
Michaela says
I’m due in three weeks with my second. In the beginning I swore it was a boy because I had very few symptoms just like when I was pregnant with my son. Turns out I was wrong, it is a girl. My husband however knew all along he was going to have a daughter. I doubted him. haha!
Katie A. says
I had to laugh about the holiday treats comments. I’m pregnant too and did not hold back in the least :) With my first pregnancy, my doctor at one point said I should feel free to eat some more ice cream because I was gaining pretty slowly. Well, don’t mind if I dooooo…next time, she was basically like “yeah remember that comment? forget it now” Hahaha!! Meh, it will all fall off when we’re breastfeeding right?!
Courtney says
LOL! :)
Ehh, breastfeeding didn’t help me a ton with dropping the pounds, but ahh well. I suppose it will (hopefully) all fall off eventually ;)
Heather says
I had a SUPER vivid dream with our first – we had a baby boy and my husband and I were standing over him laying on a changing table. We were discussing what to dress him in. He had dark hair and dimples.
We did have a boy with dimples, but his hair is blonde.
With my second, I was SURE that I was having girl since the pregnancy was just so much harder/different. Nope! Another little boy!
My boys are 14 months apart and I’m so excited for them to grow up together. When my 7 mo old sees his big brother, he lights up into a huge gummy grin. It makes my mama heart explode with happiness. Excited for you, Jay and Lucas!
Courtney says
Aww that’s so great!! A part of me wishes they were going to be a bit closer in age, but I honestly just wasn’t ready I guess? Either way, I can’t wait to see how he is with him/her! :)
Jessica says
The pictures with you and Lucas melted my heart too – so sweet!! I was thinking of your road to pregnancy (both times), and felt comfort in knowing that someone else didn’t have a short, clear path . My husband and I have been trying for 5 months and I’m 35. I had an ultrasound last week and found out I may have PCOS. We’re going to the doctor on Monday to discuss the findings and the treatment plan. Not knowing is so hard! Wishing you all the best and I’m excited to follow along with your pregnancy :)
Shel@PeachyPalate says
You look fantastic, and more importantly delighted to hear you’re feeling well. When do you find out the sex???
Kait says
Sooo excited for you! I am currently 20.5 weeks pregnant with my first! The entire pregnancy my husband and I have thought “girl” and Monday we had it confirmed– girl it is!
Also, I am so relieved to hear that you had an itchy rash due to dry skin. Last week, I broke out in a rash on my stomach that itched like crazy. Since I’m only at 20 weeks, PUPPs is unlikely! No one, including my OB, could really come up with a reason for it. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one. Has moisturizing made yours disappear completely?
Whitney says
I’m 18 weeks and have gained 18 pounds! 5 more than where I was at with my 1st daughter. My midwife made a similar comment although she said once I get past the holidays I should be fine. I hope so!!! With my first I thought it was a boy and the ultrasound revealed girl, now I’m convinced it’s a girl so we’ll see what happens. I find out in two weeks. My pregnancies have been super similar down to exact heart rates so I’d be pretty shocked it if was a boy.
Sarah @ Seriously Lovely says
Well first I thought we were having twins and it turned out to be just be one baby and then I thought it was a girl and we’re having a boy…so my instincts are obviously off lol. Those pictures of Lucas with your bump are just adorable!
Danica says
You look great!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the holiday treats, too :)
Kim says
After a very long and exhausting two years, I’m finally expecting as well (19w5d). We were able to get the genetic screening done in the first trimester because of our first pregnancy resulted in a missed miscarriage at 12 weeks, but they can also determine the sex of the baby at that time, too. Our priority is a healthy baby, but it was so surreal when the doctor told us the gender- it wasn’t until then that I really started connecting with the baby as i was so scared that it’d be taken away from us again (we were gearing up for IVF the cycle I conceived). I’m usually horrible at guessing, but my instincts with what I thought the baby is was right! When do you guys find out the gender?
Courtney says
Awww, congrats to you!! Best of luck to you on your pregnancy, Kim!
Julie says
Do you feel like boy names are SO much harder than girl names? My husband and I could only agree on ONE (Max!) which we ended up using. Who knows what we will do if we have another boy, eek!
Courtney says
Ummm YES!! I have 2-3 girl names I love, but boy names are much more tricky. I feel like so many of them are so common, and I like to find names that are a bit less common (although Lucas has become quite popular since we chose it, haha, go figure?!)
samantha says
I was right with both of mine!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Well, what an interesting comment from your doctor…! She could have been a little more tactful!
My instinct with my daughter was totally wrong. I think I convinced myself she was a boy because I really wanted a girl. So just in case it was a boy, I wouldn’t have been disappointed? It was weird. I was actually shocked when I found out she was a girl though and said “are you sure?!”
Ahhh I can’t wait for you to find out though!
Courtney says
Haha, awww, that’s so awesome! :)
Melinda says
I’m 30 weeks right now with #2 and we are waiting until baby is born, but i’m totally convinced it’s another boy. My husbands family, the men only have boys so i’m just expecting all boys :)
Courtney says
I give MAJOR props to anyone who can wait until birth to find out! I’ve been dying to know ever since we found out we were pregnant lol! Good luck to you with your last 10(ish) weeks! :)
Kelli Rudolph says
8 lbs at 18 weeks?!? … That’s awesome! I am at 24 weeks tomorrow and have gained 15 lbs! I swear as soon as I hit the second trimester I just started packing it on. I don’t gain the traditional “1 lb per week” … it’s more like 2 lbs per week. BUT, here’s to hoping it tapers off towards the end and comes off after birth ;) You look GREAT!
Courtney says
Haha! I’m sure it will taper for sure…I remember that happening with Lucas :) And thank you!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
You’re looking amazing Courtney! I love hearing all of this about your pregnancy, and wishing you all the best with your second sweet child!
When does someone typically find out if they are having a boy or a girl?
Courtney says
Thanks Julia! Typically between 18-20 weeks is when most find out the gender, but many find out earlier, too :)
Elaine says
I’m almost 14 weeks and found out this week that I’ve gained 8 lbs already. I don’t want anything that’s sweet… so weird for me! I thought from the very beginning that I was having a girl, but the ultrasound tech and the doctor both think it’s a boy, though it’s still too early to really tell. I had a blood test done on Monday though, so I should know for sure really soon!
Courtney says
Oh wow, that’s exciting!! Congrats, Elaine!
ErikaMC says
I was right with our first one – I thought boy instantly and sure enough it was. I even had a feeling on the birthdate and that ended up being right too!
This time I’ve felt girl from the beginning. I’m 20 weeks today and go in for the ultrasound tomorrow!
Courtney says
Ohhhh, how exciting!!! Will you come back and let us (okay, me) know what you’re having this time??? :)
Bethany says
I am 26 weeks pregnant and I had no idea what gender we were having. My husband always said girl (as well as many others) and I would always reply I would love a little girl or a momma’s boy! It was like I was afraid to want or think one or the other because I didn’t want them to feel not wanted. Crazy I guess since the baby doesn’t know! lol Now we know we are having a little boy!!!! I am so excited to be a mommy!
Johanna says
I knew my daughter was a girl from day one. My family was convinced she was a boy. My sister has 4 boys so they were in denial they might finally be getting a granddaughter but she’s here! And spoiled rotten! Haha
Alyssa says
The sibling love is too sweet! I was POSITIVE my first was a boy from 8 weeks on, I had two really vivid dreams the night before our ultrasound that it was a boy, and I was right! I’m 22 weeks now and we are waiting to find out the sex until he or she is born. I had a really vivid dream last night it was a girl, but I haven’t had any strong feeling like I did with my son. Side note – my dream also included me not being able to have an epidural. Now that’s a nightmare. That better not come true.
Kate says
I had a girl (now 17 mos) first and my second baby (a boy, now one month) I KNEW by the end of the first trimester had to be a boy because I felt so differently than with my daughter. It was abundantly clear that there was something different going on. I would say once I settled into the second trimester there wasn’t much of an difference other than he was WAY more active than she ever was, and I felt movement much sooner.
Congrats on your pregnancy and enjoy every minute of sleep (albeit interrupted by the bathroom breaks). As thankfully as I am that our little guy is here safe and sound, I long for sleep and the feeling of those sweet baby kicks!
Annette Perkins says
You look so cute! How adorable is Lucas with the bump too?!
I totally thought I was having a boy but nope, it was another girl! I must not have that intuition thing at all, haha.
Elle says
I was 100% convinced this one was another girl, but we did the blood test and found out its a boy! We were so surprised. I’m due with #2 the day before you so its fun to see your updates!
Sarah says
Congratulations! I am also expecting. Currently at 26 weeks. So nearly in the third trimester, which is quite terrifying. Man is this pregnancy flying by. My partner and I both had a gut feeling it was a girl. However, I was expecting to be wrong as the genes on both our family sides pointed more to it being a boy. But it really felt like a girl to me and it is. So I’m over the moon that our instincts were right.
Sarah’s Abode -xx