18 weeks (10/17/15)/Second Trimester/the baby is the size of a red bell pepper

Weight gain: The pounds are coming right on target now…about a pound a week in the second trimester. I’m up 5-6 pounds total.

Clothes: If I’m not rockin’ yoga pants/leggings, I’m living in comfy cotton dresses. They don’t press on my belly so I get to let it all hang out!

Body/Bump: The bump is getting more and more noticeable. As it grows, I’m noticing a bit of low back pain but overall I feel GREAT!

Sleep: Okay, my final answer regarding the Snoogle (drumroll please)….I love it! I finally figured out how to use it in a way that enhances my sleep and I am so, so thankful! I’m still getting up a couple times a night to potty, but other than that, I’m sleeping comfy and cozy!

Movement: The flutters are still tiny but I can feel them when I’m laying down or sitting still.

Emotions/Mood: The past week was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. I definitely can tell that I am much more sensitive this week and have shed quite a few tears. Today at church, I witnessed several people get baptized and I couldn’t hold back my joyful tears!

Food cravings: Mashed potatoes!!

Highlights of the week: Getting back to the gym and making it through some tough, tough yoga classes.

Fitness/Workouts: I attempted my pre-pregnant inversions last week in class and, well, I can definitely tell a difference in my body! I think it’s safe to say that I’ll have to leave these until post-pregnancy or up against the wall like I used to.

What I’m looking forward to: I look forward to finding out our baby’s gender in 3 weeks!

Husband/Big sister update: Bella loves watching the weekly baby videos that I get on my apps that show how the baby is growing each week. Now that she knows that the baby can hear, she loves talking to “her”. At this point, there is not convincing her that the baby could be anything but a baby girl. Three weeks shall tell!

And here is a photo bomb by our dog Hope Sue