Good evening! I hope you all are having a great week. Today seemed like it would never end. I was at my desk working non-stop for more than 12 hours and seriously feel as if I could fall asleep right as I type this post. Even though I’m feeling great, my hunger and exhaustion reminds me multiple times during the day that I’m 19 weeks pregnant. Yup, we hit 19 weeks yesterday so we are just a week away from half way – CRAZY. I am going to upload two pregnancy posts this week so I can catch up. Hope you guys enjoy and, as always, keep sending any questions to me via Twitter, leaving comments or sending me an email.

Baby Size: Navel Orange

Weight Gained:  At my doctors appointment I found out that I have only gained 10 pounds. It seems the 12 pound gain I showed during my last appointment must have been caused by retaining water weight or I ended up losing weight over the past four weeks since my activity level increased from my first trimester. My doctor says I’m right on track and feels that as long as I continue eating and working out as I have been, I’ll be right on track to gain a healthy amount during the rest of my pregnancy.

Workouts: I had so much fun working out this week before I came down with a stomach virus for weekend. The week’s workouts included Bar Method, Flywheel, my first private prenatal Pilates class, an elliptical session at the YMCA, prenatal tower Pilates class and OrangeTheory.

Cravings: My cravings evolved a bit this week as I was hungry non-stop. I found myself craving ALL the fruit and vegetables in addition to sparkling water, popsicles, and Mediterranean food. I think I had homemade Greek salads or Cava Grill salads three times this week!

Food Aversions: Unfortunately, brussels Sprouts or any other vegetable with a strong smell when cooked, like broccoli, don’t appeal to me.

Symptoms: The only real symptoms I felt this week were dry skin, breast tenderness and hunger.  

Sleep: Sleep started to become difficult as I sleeping on my back is no longer comfortable. I tried using pillows to keep me comfortable, but ended up borrowing my friend’s Snoogle. This helped make my time in bed on Saturday and Sunday while I was sick SO much more comfortable.

Wearing: So far my daily wardrobe continues to be a JCrew tissue turtleneck, AG maternity jeans and a wrap sweater or vest. By the end of the week I was sick of this clothing and logged on to StitchFix, requesting a maternity box. I can’t wait to share the items with you as the box was the perfect way to add a few new things to my wardrobe! I also went through my workout clothing and now have only one drawer of workout clothes that fit.

Other random things from the week: Unfortunately, I learned first hand just how weak a preganant woman’s immune system is. Even though I scrubbed our home and slept in a separate room, I still came down with the stomach virus Bo had earlier in the week. While he was able to fight off the virus after a day, I was in bed and unable to hold down food for almost four days.

Your turn: Any questions? Anything that you loved during your second trimester or any tips? 

Good evening! I hope you all are having a great week. I’ve been focused on work this week as I made the transition out of relaxed, vacation mode. Starting with this update, I am going to share weekly baby updates capturing my experience. In addition to the weekly updates I will also do a few posts throughout my pregnancy sharing favorite items, reader recommendations and reflections on running and working out through pregnancy.

Baby Size: Peach

Weight Gained: We don’t currently have a scale at home but I have probably gained around 12 pounds. At my last doctor’s appointment, my doctor cautioned me to watch my weight gain carefully. To be honest, I was surprised and caught off guard because unlike many women, I have craved lots of healthy foods during pregnancy and felt as if I was taking good care of myself. While I understand her concern, I have also read and heard from others that early weight gain is common in active women due to the reduction in exercise during the first trimester. In fact, now that I am working out again and feeling good, I feel as if I lost a few pounds over the holidays.

Workouts: I was craving workouts this entire week. In fact, I went for two long walks with my mom while we were home and then once we returned to New York I enjoyed Soul Cycle, prenatal pilates, Bar Method, yoga and two runs.

Cravings: I continue to crave La Croix sparkling water, fruit and Italian food. I requested pizza one night when we were home in Savannah and then once we returned to Brooklyn we made homemade spinach and mushroom lasagna.

Food Aversions: Brussels Sprouts or any other vegetable with a strong smell when cooked, like broccoli, don’t appeal to me.

Symptoms: Unlike many women, my hair did not become thick and beautiful during pregnancy. In fact, it became weaker than normal. After getting split ends and fighting with my dull, lackluster hair I had two inches cut off and switched my shampoo and conditioner to a gentler formula. If we’re being honest, my other symptoms are gas and constipation. The only thing that works for my constipation is eating a few prunes followed by hot lemon water. Luckily, the gas is worst in the evening so I’m not embarrassing myself in public though I do feel badly for Bo.

Sleep: During our vacation, Bo and I both went to bed by 10pm each night which allowed me to enjoy at least nine hours of sleep each day. I slept pretty well, though I woke up every single night around 4 AM to use the bathroom and I was up with bad dreams two nights.

Wearing: So far my daily wardrobe is a JCrew tissue turtleneck, AG maternity jeans and a wrap sweater or vest. I bought five turtlenecks on Black Friday in a size larger than normal as I knew they would be a perfect Winter pregnancy staple. Even though I’ve never worn AG before, my friend Elizabeth gave me a pair of hand-me-down AG corduroys and the fit was so perfect that I ordered jeans in the same style during A Pea In the Pod’s holiday sale.

Other random things from the week: Baby brain seems to be in full effect as I did a few very absent minded things last week such as searching the pantry for an item while holding it in my hand, purchasing three packs of corn starch at the grocery store and forgetting where I put something.

Your turn: Any questions? Anything that you loved during your second trimester or any tips?