Promise me you will always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN

How Far Along: 18 weeks and baby is growing like a weed!

Total Weight Gain: 11 pounds and well into my second trimester a.k.a. grow time

Food Cravings: Typical kid food is all I crave. As much peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and vegetarian hot dogs (only 50 calories a dog) as I can eat.

What I Miss: Caffeinated coffee on a regular basis. I miss my go-to pick me up. I have had a few glasses under the recommended 200 milligrams, but I always feel so guilty. I decided just to avoid it all together, and I am really missing it.

Symptoms: This week, all of a sudden, I have a much heartier appetite. I’m thinking this could spell trouble.

Baby Movement: The baby is definitely moving, but I am not feeling much. The doctor had trouble hearing the heartbeat over all the movement going on in my belly. This baby likes to dance!

Maternity Attire: You would have thought that tax-free weekend would have promoted me to buy some new maternity clothes, but nope, just sticking to my dress uniform.

Hurl Factor: My allergies are uncontrollable. After a four minute sneezing fit, I didn’t know if I should run to the bathroom for more Kleenex or to throw up.

Annoyances: It looks like I might be retiring the wedding ring to our safety deposit box. With the 110-degree weather, my fingers are starting to resemble thick sausages.

Weekly Highlight: Getting to hear the heart beat and scheduling my gender ultrasound in two weeks!

Did you find out your baby’s gender beforehand?