Pregnancy Update: Weeks 16-17

So I am currently 18 weeks pregnant and I thought I would do updates every 2 weeks! I feel like not much changes between 2 weeks and it might be kind of boring doing every single week, so I'll start with every 2! I am going to post a picture at each update of where I was at the beginning of each of the two weeks, but because I didn't take one at 16 weeks I will just do 17 for this post. At week 16 and 17 the baby was as big as a pickle and a pomegranate! This is measured from head to "rump" so you have to imagine adding some limbs too. I feel like these two weeks have definitely been the best so far! I started working out again. I am not by any means someone who is super dedicated to working out, but before I was pregnant I would workout in my little at-home-gym in my basement (elliptical, yoga mat, free weights and resistance bands) because it is really good for you and makes me feel good! I don't like going to the gym, so this really works for me. I have read really great things about staying active throughout pregnancy and how it benefits both you and the baby, so since I have been feeling better I have really been enjoying workouts again. I can't wait until it gets nice out to start going on more walks, but it's currently in the 30's and on/off icy and snow, so I haven't been getting outside much. Everyone makes fun of me when they see my elliptical (I don't have the pink, but it's the same one!), but I have had this thing for 2.5 years and it does the job and is really affordable if you are wanting to stay active during a winter pregnancy especially!

Symptoms: My skin had been really great up until about 15.5 weeks and then all of the sudden it broke out and has been breaking out until about 2 days ago. It's always on my chin, which I am sure is hormonal. I have actually been using Tom's toothpaste at night to try up my breakouts and it's surprisingly worked. I couldn't really find anything else that was "safe" to use (in my opinion). I started being more religious about putting on lotion and belly rub all over during these last two weeks because I can really start to feel my stomach stretch (especially around my belly button it feels really itchy and tight). Still have not felt the baby, which I know is nothing to worry about, but I have seen so many people say they felt it at like 16 weeks so I am just waiting for that awesome moment! I started waking up every single day at 4am on the dot and cannot go back to sleep! It started with my dog waking me up to feed him...I am not sure when he decided he eats breakfast at 4am, but I guess he is just getting me ready. Now, I just wake up at that time every morning, it's so weird, but I guess I have been going to bed at like 8-9 every night too so it's not like I am missing out on much sleep. I have also been using the hair-tie trick on my jeans and living in my Lululemon Align pants! 

Cravings: I wouldn't really say I have any cravings right now. My appetite feels exactly like it did before I got pregnant, but some things I have been loving are: the Nature's Path Gluten-free Oatmeal packets for breakfast with honey, cold apples, Kashi pesto pita chips, Gardein mandarin chicken with cauliflower rice and strawberry Zevia soda! I still have not been drinking any sort of coffee and chocolate has not been on my radar either (so weird for me, I was literally obsessed before I was pregnant!)