June 25, 2014

my golden birthday + a gender reveal


Yesterday was my birthday and a very special one in fact. I turned 24 on the 24th therefore it made it my golden birthday. I have looked forward to this birthday for several years and always hoped I would do something special/memorable for it. I never imagined I would be pregnant, finding out the gender of our baby, and crossing something off my bucket list all in the same day!

We had our first ultrasound in the afternoon and holy heavens I about peed my pants right there on their waiting room couch. It turns out 32 ounces of water, 45 minutes before an ultrasound for a pregnant lady is total torcher! Luckily they let me use the bathroom right before going back otherwise I don't think it would have been as comfortable of an experience. haha The moment the ultrasound tech squirted the gel on my tummy and our baby showed up on the screen I was completely mesmerized. I will admit, the majority of the time I didn't quite understand what I was looking at because she kept switching angles and the baby kept moving positions but it didn't matter because all I could see was this sweet little squirming baby that Nic and I had been dying to see.

She began walking us through each body part and had both of us nervous at times when she would pause for long periods of time to zoom in or take measurements without saying anything. We found relief in the moments that would follow with "everything is looking healthy and perfect". When she got to the gender she asked us if we wanted to guess and while it seemed SO obvious, we were both still afraid to guess wrong because seriously, what I thought was the head a moment ago now appeared to be on the other side and was now the heart. haha So we left the deciphering up to her.

It was 45 minutes of heaven getting to see wiggles and hear that healthy little heartbeat again. I also beamed when she said the little hand was being laid on under the head... just like how I sleep. :) We walked on cloud 9 the rest of the day!!

As for the bucket list part of the day... I have always wanted to send a floating lantern into the sky and make a wish. It not only was a special moment for the two of us to share as we sent that little lantern into the sky with our wishes but it made for the perfect gender reveal. A big thank you to my father-in-law for being our videographer!





June 24, 2014

becoming a mom



From the time I could carry something around with me in my arms, a baby doll was my toy of choice. I remember a couple months before Christmas, we would get a big Christmas edition of the JCPenney catalog in the mail and my mom would offer it up to my brother and I to peruse through for a couple ideas to give Santa. :) Well, the joke would always be on her because every year, she would come back to find every last baby doll circled with a pen. Hello, I wanted all of them!  She would have to make me go back through and put a star next to my top two or three so she had some semblance of a clue as to which one she should pick, but truth be told, I probably would have been happy with any of them because I was a little mom at heart who loved every baby!

When we were kids, I would also coerse my brother into playing "house" with me where I inherently became the "mom" and had a cheaper by the dozen family size because only having one or two babies was totally outrageous to me. ;) Fast forward about 18 years later and 12 babies now sounds like the outrageous choice but c'est la vie! Maybe I'd change my mind if I were still paying for everything using Monopoly money and driving my tricycle around for a car. ;) 

Now that I am preparing to become a real mom, I can't even tell you how much I feel like this is my dream coming true! A dream I had loooong ago, that one day I would hold a real baby in my arms, one that looked a little like me and call me momma. Becoming a mom is a special gift and I am so thankful this baby chose me. 

June 19, 2014

happy list


I usually stick to sharing 5 things that are making it onto my happy list but I couldn't narrow it to any less than 10 right now. :)

1 :: We have worked on several house projects in the last couple weeks. The biggest one of course is tackling the sprinkler system outside but on the nights we take a break, we have gotten a few things done on the inside too. One of them being this big roman numeral clock. Little miss observant Rue has discovered that there has been something added to the wall above her cage so she spent quite a bit of time the first few days hopping on top of her cage and scaling the wall with her feet figure out what the darn thing is! It is very entertaining to watch!


2 :: Speaking of Rue, I set down a glass of water I had been drinking on the couch for just a minute and she decided to dunk her face in it and have few licks too. See what I mean, always providing entertainment around here!


3 :: My friend Alli took the day away from her boys to drive down from Idaho Falls to have lunch with me. With this crazy busy school year, I hadn't seen her since last summer. It was SO great to catch up and ask her lots of baby advice too since she has had 3 cute ones of her own. Her visit made me think how grateful I am for the beautiful friends I have in my life.

4 :: We also finally got my Ballard Design inspired shelves we built last year hung in our new home. I had some fun this week decorating them for the Fourth of July. I used a lot of the same decor from last year but rearranged a bit.










5 :: I hit the halfway mark in this pregnancy and part of me could hardly believe I am already halfway and the other part of me hopes that the second half goes a little faster because I am pretty anxious to meet this little one. I definitely am not wishing away the time though because I have loved being pregnant so far and I am also not wanting this baby to come any sooner than he/she is supposed. Keep growing!

6 :: My mom is coming to visit me this weekend and I can hardly wait! I am already scrounging around for things to do during the work day while Nic is away aside from my weekly house cleaning and grocery shopping trips so it will be so fun having a visitor on Friday and someone to go shopping with!

7 :: On one of our nights off from the sprinkler system project last week, Nic offered to take my poor neglected and filthy car to get washed. He is SO good to me!


8 :: This is proooobably the 50th time I have mentioned this on here but this wouldn't be my happy list without it considering it has been on my mind 24/7... we are going in for our first ultrasound on Tuesday. What I am most excited for is to see the baby! I still haven't felt any movement so aside from a bump, it still doesn't completely feel like there is a real human life growing inside of me. Also, expect a bucket list type of a gender reveal coming your way next week!

9 :: I am not usually one to wish for rain, especially in June, but I have got to say that I am so grateful it did this week. There is nothing like trying to dig 12" deep trenches into rock hard clay. Here's to hoping that project is finished in the next week or so. Not many women can say, "I put in a sprinkler system over the summer I was pregnant." ha

10 :: I just finished the Divergent series this morning and was totally in tears by the end. That could be part sensitive in nature and a larger part hormones. haha Without giving away any spoilers, I didn't expect a tragic ending but somehow it was beautiful and heartwarming all the same. I struggled with the love story line in the second book and the plot story line in the third, but the bittersweet words that filled the last several chapters of the trilogy made me forget all of those other things and have character withdrawals just like I do with every other book or series when I finish.

June 18, 2014

20 weeks



Funny side story about that cute umbrella you see in this picture... I got it a few weeks ago from JCrew but haven't had the chance to use it because it is well... summer! But June in Pocatello is totally carazy at times and it has been in the 40's and 50's this week with a fair share of wind and rain to boot. As I was getting ready for the picture, I slid the metal extender up to open the umbrella but it would not click and hold at the top. I tried and tried again with no luck thinking lovely, I got a faulty umbrella. So I had Nic try... and he did the same thing. No luck! As I look away to turn the camera on and get it ready, BOOM! Out of the corner of my eye, I see the umbrella fly open, Nic yelp out in pain and then a fit of giggles followed from both of us. I practically peed my pants I was laughing so hard! Apparently we have never used a "modern" umbrella... ya know, one that flies open and closed at the simple push of a button on the handle. HELLO! One ripped up nail later and 2 people who felt stupid, we got that thing open don't worry. ;)
And on that note, the bump update for the week ... 

How Far Along :: 20 weeks
Gender :: We find out on Tuesday!!!!!!
Belly Growth :: 39 in.
Maternity Clothes :: Lots of skirts with elastic waistbands and still rocking the undone button held together with a hair tie. I have discovered I lalalove button up shirts considering my closet consists of 78% of them and none of them fit. womp womp.  
Belly Button In or Out :: In
Sleep :: Not too shabby.  
Best Moment this Week :: Hitting the halfway mark! Here's to hoping the last half goes as quickly as the first. Not because I'm not loving being pregnant, but because I can't wait to see what baby Williamson looks like. 
Miss Anything :: Apparently button up shirts...
Movement :: Not yet... and I'll admit, I am having a hard time being patient on this one. My pregnancy apps kept saying between 18-20 weeks I should begin to feel flutters as a first time mom, same with other moms we have experienced this before but it seems the 20th week is passing me by without anything at all. Hello baby, are you in there??
Cravings :: Nothing really specific this week??
Feeling :: Thrilled last week's tail bone pain went away. 
Emotions :: The hormone roller coaster continues.... cheers! My week has been filled with lots of happy little moments which I will be sharing more about tomorrow. :)
Looking Forward to :: My birthday!! for a few reasons :: 1. It is my "golden" birthday, I am turning 24 on the 24th and as silly as it may sound, I've been excited for this birthday my whole life! 2. Seeing our baby for the first time at our ultrasound! 3. Finding out if we are having a little boy or little girl!

June 17, 2014

to the fathers in my life...


I know Father's Day was Sunday and I am a couple of days late, but I just couldn't let it slip by without mentioning how much I love the fathers in my life...

To my own Father...
I have your eyes. I am also sensitive just like you are. We share the same immune system {something I am not fond of by the way thankyouverymuch haha}! While there are things we have in common, we have many differences too. The older I get, the more I have learned that differences among people make for rich relationships and serve to help us see the world from someone else's point of view. Our differences are no different for me. They help me to see the world through your eyes and gain a new appreciation. I hope you know that I love you and that you mean so much to me!


To my Father-In-Law...
You and I share something in common too... a deep love for that son of yours. I will forever be indebted to you for bringing him into this world. You are so thoughtful. A perfect example of this is that, on many occasions with Nic on the phone, I have overhead you ask how I am doing. You treat me just as you do any other family member even though you didn't get to pick me. ;) You are so funny, although sometimes I don't always get your humor because it typically comes in the form of you teasing me. Thank you for all you do for us. You are loved!


To my Grandfathers...
While I have lived far away from you for most of my life, you both have made a mark on my heart in your own way. I gained a love and passion for music from my harmonica-playing, National Anthem singing Grandpa Reidar. "I Love My Rooster" will forever be my favorite song because of you. I gained a strong work ethic from my Grandpa Dell whose weathered hands alone show how hard he has worked for those he loves in his life. He also gives the BEST hugs. I love and admire you both so very much!



To my Baby's Father...
You are my whole world and I know just months from now, you will also mean the world to another little somebody who I can already tell, will have you wrapped around their little finger. When you pray for him/her my heart melts. There is no one else in this world I would rather be taking on this adventure of parenthood with than you. You are strong, silly, smart, and the most kind person I have ever known. Our baby will be so lucky to have you for a father, just as much as I am lucky to have you for a husband. We love you!


And to All Other Men Out There...
Whether you have children of your own or not, you make a difference! You are celebrated and thanked this day too! xo

June 12, 2014

nursery planning


One of the most fun things about preparing for a baby so far is planning the nursery. I really want to make it bright, colorful, and fun, while also creating a relatively neutral space for two reasons :: I like the ability to change up the decor and color schemes in rooms fairly often and we plan to use this same room again for future babies. With that said, what I have found to create such a space is to choose large pieces and aspects of the room in neutral colors. With not knowing the gender of our little babe right now, it has lent itself to the perfect opportunity to scour the internet for gender neutral ideas that can be the perfect start for a neutral white or grey nursery with pops of color!!

Here are some of my simple neutral ideas in the early stages of the nursery...


| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

As of right now, we have this ugly brown sconce light attached to the ceiling in the bedroom. I would love to replace it with something similar to this grey pendant light fixture.

I am still on the hunt for the perfect changing table. I think a white dresser is a great option for us because then it doubles as storage for diapers, baby clothes, etc. rather than keeping everything in the closet.

We chose the Babyletto Hudson Crib in white and have already set it up. It looks perfect! I am still looking for recommendations/researching away the complex world of crib mattresses. haha There are times in life when I wish there was just one choice rather than foam vs. coils, organic vs. non-organic, Sealy vs. Naturepedic, and on and on and on! And my head is swimming...

I adore stripes... half my wardrobe consists of them. We would love to paint light grey stripes on the ceiling as an accent in the room.

I have found so many book walls all over Pinterest (what would we do without that site!) and love how they look in little ones' rooms. Not only am I a book worm myself but the teacher in me plans on reading all of my beloved favorites from my own childhood to our little. It has also been fun reading some of Nic's childhood books that his parents kept too! We will be using these picture ledges from Ikea to create our book wall.

"Let Them Be Little"... one of my favorite country songs and the perfect print to add to the nursery walls. I'm sure it will also serve as a great reminder when I about lose my mind the first time I find crayons or better yet, permanent markers all over the walls. ;)

Chalkboard basket from Target... perfect for holding baby toys, stuffed animals, and blankies galore!

And last but not least, a rocking chair. My mom saved the one she used from my nursery as a baby and it holds a particular special memory she had with me. It is a light natural wood color right now so I plan to sand it, paint it white, and recover the cushions in a printed fabric to add a pop of color into the room.

Speaking of pops of color... we find out the gender of our little one in a week from Tuesday and if it is a girl, I plan to incorporate corals and peach tones but if it is a boy, an aqua blue color. I can hardly wait! More nursery updates, closet organization inspiration (because that is a whole nother blank canvas in and of itself), and decor ideas coming soon!!

June 11, 2014

gavin degraw



I am not much of a concert goer but there are a few artists that I have always wanted to see, one of those being Gavin Degraw. Rarely does anyone with a big name play in Pocatello but occasionally they do come to Boise and so last October when I heard he would be playing at The Knitting Factory, we jumped at the chance and bought tickets 6 months in advance.

Who knew that it would be the same perfect weekend to announce to our families that we are expecting their first grand baby. The whole weekend was a total dream come true for me! Anyway, Gavin played every song I love and hoped he would play. Nic probably felt like he was at a concert with some crazy obsessed teenage girl. I was jumping up and down and singing at the top of my lungs the whole time. haha

My favorite part though was when he played this song...


This was the same song that was playing as Nic and I walked out of that tiny little white chapel on our wedding day in front of all of our family and friends. We had our arms around each other and slow danced in the middle of a huge crowd. Like I said, dream come true for this romantic at heart! I wouldn't say no to seeing him again if the opportunity ever presented itself.

June 10, 2014

19 weeks



How Far Along :: 19 weeks
Gender :: Unknown for 2 more weeks!
Belly Growth :: 39 in.
Maternity Clothes :: Not yet...
Belly Button In or Out :: In
Sleep :: It just seems to depend on the night. Last night was the first night in a few days that I have slept all the way through the night and it felt so great! I feel like I can conquer the world today! ;)   
Best Moment this Week :: Setting up the baby's crib in the nursery! 
Miss Anything :: Always sandwiches...
Movement :: I keep waiting for this special moment. I've even tried putting my hand on my belly and holding really still for a while to see if I feel anything but nadda. 
Cravings :: Lasagna sounded so yummy yesterday. I hope it sounds great for the next several days because it might take us 10 days to eat the whole thing! Also, peanut butter toast with scrambled eggs and always fruit.
Feeling :: Fantastic aside from some slight tail bone pain.
Emotions :: The hormone roller coaster has started over here. haha Holy momma! I have noticed that I get overwhelmed easily. Like when we hung a bunch of shelves on the wall that needed to be spaced evenly from other shelves AND the sides of the wall, all the while remaining perfectly level at the same time... hoping to nail it on the first try so as to avoid 5 extra unnecessary holes in the wall (ahem, our apartment). Yeah, just about sent me over the edge.  Nic is such a saint! However, just this whole experience has been so exciting that I'll take the crazy hormones any day.
Looking Forward to :: Our first ultrasound in a couple of weeks! We scheduled it on my birthday because what better birthday surprise/present to see your baby for the first time and find out if it is a boy or girl.

June 9, 2014

the room that became a nursery


As we walked through our house for the first time, there was one room in particular that I spent the most time in and had a hard time leaving. It had one of the biggest windows in the house that casted beautiful rays of sunlight inside. It was completely captivating! When we looked at other homes, I found myself searching for a room just like that one. One that made me feel exactly like that one made me feel, but none did. I kept coming back to that room because there was something so special about it... the future it could hold and the dreams that would come true inside.

Sounds so complex huh? One room holding that much promise... but this one did for me! This room would be our future nursery of our first baby that would make us a family of 3. And now that dream is coming true and I could not be happier!

I imagined a crib inside of it, just like the one we put together this weekend. The most fun we have ever had putting something together! Besides a mattress, cover, and cozy sheets (of course)... all it is missing is our little one. Is it November yet?! ;)






June 6, 2014

grad parties, family visits, and a trip to merville... oh my!


Weekend adventures to Meridian are always the greatest! My brother just graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and my mom hosted a grad party for him on Saturday. It was the party of all parties considered it went until the wee hours of the morning and every last bite of food was eaten. I may have bowed out at about 10 (bedtime, I was exhausted). What a party pooper. Definitely was awake when I heard the 1 AM fireworks outside t he bedroom window though! Ha

I'm so proud of him! He is off to Cali in November to work toward his dream of being in the special warfare services as a Navy Seal. We had so much fun celebrating him this weekend. Prepare yourself for mass picture overload...


My mom's hilarious best friend Janel and my grandma both came! It was so fun to see them!!


Speaking of the Naval Academy... my mom brought these little Navy booties back for baby Williamson after flying there for graduation. Aren't they adorable?! 


We got to spend some time with our nieces at the party. They are growing up TOO fast! I can hardly believe Abby is going to be in Kindergarten next year and Ava is such a spitfire! After spinning the girls in circles and causing them to be in fits of giggles, Nic turned to me and said, "Holy crap, this is exhausting!" Oh Nicholas... just wait until 4 months from now... ;)





Comparing belly sizes... ;) I think we will need to take another one of these together in August!

June 5, 2014

happy list



I am officially four days into Summer Break and absolutely loving it. Ask me again in a week or so and I might have changed my mind... ;) Being at home alone all day for weeks at a time tends to make me go completely stir crazy but for now, I have a spring cleaning/organizing/errand running to do list that has been put off for some time. It is keeping me happily busy! 

Here are a few other things that are making me happy right now...

1. Getting to use one of these parking lot spots while checking out Babies R Us in Boise last weekend. :) It will PROBABLY be the last time I use one because heaven knows I can use all the walking I can get. HA But, it was still fun being considered an "expectant mom". 


2. Speaking of baby... this Babylleto Hudson Crib! We ordered it online earlier this week and as you may have read here, sort of been stalking Fedex for it to get here ever since. It showed up on our front porch this morning so I know what I want to do for our Saturday date. Nic?!

3. This Lemon Orzo Salad with Asparagus... it is the perfect summer dish hot or chilled and paired with shrimp. I hadn't made it since last summer and forgot how yummy it was. It would be great to take as a side to a bbq too!

4. I went on a little shopping spree at Ross for the growing bump yesterday. I usually don't have very good luck there but managed to walk away with 5 shirts for $45. It was a pretty great deal and some serious good luck considering Ross is pretty much the only store in this small town that carries maternity clothes. Although, most of these shirts are just a size or two up and not actually maternity.  


5.  Being home all day with Rue. I felt awful  that she only really ever got to get out of her cage for a few minutes in the morning while we ate breakfast before work and a couple hours in the evenings. I'm pretty sure she is a fan of being out most days and getting to camp out on top of the air conditioning vent. Cutest! 

June 4, 2014

18 weeks



How Far Along :: 18 weeks
Gender :: Unknown
Inches :: 38 1/2 in.
Maternity Clothes :: I am still fitting in most of my regular clothes but am getting close to needing to try the hair tie trick on some of my pants. While in Meridian this last weekend, my mom bought me my first pair of maternity capris so I'm all set in the event that the hair tie trick no longer works one of these days.
Belly Button In or Out :: In
Sleep :: Not great this week. Looking back on previous weeks, there seems to be a pattern... one great week of sleep, one not so great week of sleep. Soooo here's to 19 weeks! 
Best Moment this Week :: Realizing my belly finally looks more like a baby bump rather than a food baby when my dental hygienist said, "No x-rays for you I see... congratulations!" She was the first person to recognize that I was pregnant without me saying anything first. 
Miss Anything :: Going out in public for more than an hour without needing a bathroom break. ;)
Movement :: Not Yet...
Cravings :: Homemade egg mcmuffins are still going strong. Nic is probably getting SO sick of them being on repeat all the time for dinner. Surprisingly enough, pickles fazed out just when I bought another jar. I am loving cereal, especially multi-grain cheerios with strawberries.
Feeling :: Relaxed now that school is out for summer and feeling like my bump is growing by the minute.
Emotions :: Happy :)
Looking Forward to :: Our baby's crib arriving any day now! I ordered it earlier this week and can hardly wait for it to get here. I am totally NOT stalking Fedex with my tracking number if that's what you are thinking....