I am 20 weeks pregnant today. We find out the gender very, very soon. I’ll probably share it here… you’ll just have to wait and see! I am now halfway through with my pregnancy, which is just crazy talk.

(Please ignore the fact that this was taken in the bathroom at work. My bathrooms are not this ugly.)

According to The Bump, baby is now the size of a banana.

And according to The Bump’s “Dad-to-Be Edition,” baby is the size of a whoopee cushion.

Oh, this list makes me laugh.

Challenges
I’m not sleeping very well. I’m having crazy, vivid dreams all night and I wake up frequently. I’m still stuffy and sometimes wake up with allergy issues.

I also recently learned that cutting my toenails is now a challenge. Guess I may have to rethink my plan to give myself a pedicure before Florida!

Workouts
Walking – Still walking a lot! Sneaking in lunchtime walks most days of the week, and walking on the treadmill or outside with my hubby nights and weekends. I recently started doing this walking workout from Shape magazine, which helps the time on the treadmill pass more quickly.

I do think it’s funny that it says you should be able to walk 2.5-3 miles in 30 minutes, especially when less than half that time is spent at a “brisk” pace. I don’t know about you, but I can’t walk that fast! Might be my short legs – they don’t move that quickly. I do the 30 minutes then continue another 3 minutes or so to hit 2 miles.

Stationary bike – I’m working to increase the length of my rides. I still prefer the upright bike to recumbent.

Yoga class – Yesterday I went to my first prenatal yoga class with my friend T, who is due at the end of April. The class meets for 1.5 hours for eight Sundays. (I’ll miss one week for vacation but I may be able to attend another class during the week and the instructors can help me modify for pregnancy.) I loved it. The instructor is great and everyone taking the class seems really nice – two even live near me (one of them due just a week before me) and we’ve already discussed going for walks together. I signed up for the entire series and am very excited by this new addition to my routine. Another eight-week series will start immediately following this one so my hope is to continue when the first series ends.

Yoga DVD – I’ve been using the prenatal yoga DVD a couple times a week, and I actually really like it. The instructor is a little annoying but I like the workout itself. I feel like it’s totally do-able but still challenging for an inflexible yoga newb like me.

Food
Breakfasts – I’m all about oatmeal right now! Current favorite made with brown sugar, dried apricots, fresh strawberries, ground flax and soy creamer. Also loving veggie sausage, scrambled tempeh, spinach and home fries (with hot sauce!).

Lunches – Whatever looks good in the dining hall. Trying for lots of veggies and fruit.

Dinners – Made an awesome new recipe this weekend – creamy sun-dried tomato soup. Yum. Also eating tofu, tempeh, and sautéed spinach with hot sauce.

Snacks – Fruit, especially citrus, strawberries and mango; single-serving mocha cake (made w/decaf) or vanilla bean coconut milk ice cream (I like So Delicious brand) with fresh strawberries or mango and homemade vegan chocolate sauce for dessert.

Food aversions – None currently.

Food cravings – English muffins, oatmeal, carbs of any kind, chocolate. Trying to eat them all in moderation!

Things I’m loving right now
Yoga pants – So, so comfy. Especially the maternity size. And they’re versatile – I can wear them around the house and for workouts.

Leggings with tunics or dresses – Between leggings and yoga pants I may never wear real pants again.

Slip-on shoes – Because it’s just easier than bending over to tie things.

Fit Pregnancy magazine – Great tips for a fit and healthy pregnancy.