Third Baby Bump | Gender Predictions

In true third baby fashion, I haven't documented this pregnancy like I did with my last ones. I'm going to blame that on the two who already keep my hands full! haha

We are well on our way through the third trimester though and on the home stretch to meeting this baby in just 6 to 7 more weeks! Our kids have loved following along with the baby's growth through the Baby Center app I have on my phone and love getting to see the baby change from week to week. Pregnancy no matter how hard is such an incredible miracle!

Some updates ... my wedding ring sadly no longer fits. I think a lot of it has to do with this daily 100 degree summer we have been experiencing this year. I'm looking forward to wearing it again, along with he rest of my wardrobe. Physically I take things a day at time ... some days are easier than others. I'm sleeping pretty good, still waking every 2 to 3 hours to pee but am able to go right back to sleep. I've learned my acid reflux can get the best of me at night depending on what and when I last eat. My tail bone hurts a lot of the time like my legs catch as I walk which is something I haven't experienced before. Hoping it returns to normal post baby! The big thing lately is my energy is incredibly low. I was low on iron during my glucose test blood draw (passed the glucose test part!!) and have started taking a supplement for it which felt like it was helping my energy the first few days but I haven't noticed much of a change since. Supposedly vitamin c helps with iron absorption so I've added a cutie to my daily diet too to see if it helps. I've had my first experience with braxton hicks contractions this time. They were unnerving at first but after doctor reassurance, I'm not as on edge about them now. I've found myself taking a nightly bath before bed to relax my body and it feels nice to be weightless for a while. I'm still exercising daily but the movement has definitely changed ... more walking and lifting lighter weights than intense cardio. 

Some fun things!!! Lyla girl and I went through all of the the baby gear and clothing bins in the garage together. She loved every minute of it and it feels good to have most things set up! The crib looks so sweet in our bedroom and I just got a new crib sheet for it thanks to a sweet gift from my friend! Our dresser also has the cutest changing basket on top making our room feel like a haven for me and baby soon. I got the coziest robe to take to the hospital and I've lived in it every morning lately. I'm really looking forward to getting together with family and friends for a baby sprinkle my sister-in-laws and mom are having for me and baby next weekend! We also have family/maternity pictures scheduled in a week and a half and it is hard to believe this will be the last pictures as a family of 4!

The BEST part of pregnancy for me has always been feeling the baby move! It's the one thing I will miss and have noticed I'm hanging on to the most being that this is our last baby. Unfortunately, I have an anterior placenta this time so I don't feel baby as much as I did with Liam and Lyla's pregnancies. It has made it difficult for the kids to feel the baby move much or to document any videos of it. I swear baby knows when I put a hand on my tummy or hit the record button because the movement immediately stops. haha Little stinker!  

 We are all getting so excited to meet this baby! It feels so real to see the daily countdown now be at 52 days left! The biggest question besides when will I go into labor is who will we get to meet in the end, boy or girl?! We are all so curious and excited for that surprise! Liam and Lyla are set on a girl. Liam, because he wants to keep him and dad as the only boys in the family (which I think is really sweet that he'd want another little sister and loves his time with his dad so much) and Lyla, maybe because she already has a brother? Wants to dress up her sister like a dolly? Wants a best friend who loves all the girly things she does? I'm not sure! haha I do know however she is loving testing out all of the baby's things just like Liam did when she was born. She also needed convincing that we weren't having one of each gender ... dad wasn't carrying the boy baby in his tummy and mom, the girl baby in hers. haha It's so hard to understand at that age. We are just crossing our fingers that there is no disappointment from either of them if this baby is in fact a boy! 

I thought it would be fun to look at some gender predictions like I did before Lyla's 20 week ultrasound and see if they turn out to lean one way or the other?!

- Gender Predictions -  

Nausea ...

Lots (girl) None (boy) | GIRL

Baby's Heart Rate ... 

Above 140 bpm (girl) or Under 140 bpm (boy) | GIRL

Chinese Gender Calendar ... 

Based on age and month of conception | BOY

Mayan Predictor ...

Based on age and year of conception, both even or odd (girl) or one even and one odd (boy) | GIRL 

Carrying Baby ...
High (girl) or Low (boy) | GIRL

Cravings ...

Fruit & sweets (girl) or Meat & cheese & salty (boy) | GIRL

Chest ...

Not grown (girl) or Has grown (boy) | BOY

Ask a Little Boy ...

If a little boy (ahem, Liam) shows interest in my pregnant belly (girl) or Not interested (boy) | GIRL

Observe Your Curves ...

Face is rounder (girl) or Bum is rounder (boy) | GIRL

Ring on a String ...

Swings in a circle (girl) or Swings side to side (boy) | BOY

7 predict baby girl and 3 predict baby boy so we'll see! Last but not least ... all of my baby's ultrasound pictures in a row! Who do you think baby looks more like, Liam or Lyla?!

Mother's Day 2021

Being their mom is the hardest, BEST, most fulfilling gift I've ever been given. I can't believe next year there will be THREE babies in my arms! Liam's sweet hand on my tummy, I can already tell he will be such a care taker and helper with this new baby. You can't look at Lyla girl and not smile from ear to ear. I know she'll be the baby's constant entertainer!

My favorite gift of all, the homemade things they made me from school. I'm always in tears over their  keepsake pile of special gifts. Lyla made me a bouquet of handprint flowers from preschool and Liam made me a handprint butterfly. He also wrote "I love you" and made a heart note and put them in decorated envelopes to hide in his room until Mother's Day morning. I've never felt more loved and adored by these two!

Nic spoiled me too ... blueberry pancakes for breakfast and a prenatal massage I have to look forward to in June! I can't think of a more perfect person to do parenthood with than you! 

To all the mother's in my life ... my own mom, my stepmom, and my mother-in-law's ... I'm a better mom because of all of your examples and I cherish the role each of you play in my life. I'm so grateful to be loved by you and I love you right back!

Our Christmas Card & Letter 2020

I didn't send a Christmas letter with our card this year but if I did this is what it would have said. 

Merry Christmas!! We hope during this crazy year that this note finds you healthy and well. Like many of you, 2020 definitely looked different for our family but it taught us to cherish the one thing that is most important in the world, time together. Liam's last year of preschool was cut short in March and I became a full time teacher to two at home through the end of May. Our classroom was filled with walks and bike rides around the neighborhood having the hardest time not going to the parks while they were closed, doing Cosmic Kids Yoga in the living room, learning letters, numbers, colors, and shapes at the kitchen table with endless art supplies, experiencing virtual Disneyland rides on YouTube, building towers with magnet blocks, and so much more. The crazy thing is, I had prayed for just a little more quality time spent with Liam before sending him off to Kindergarten ... I didn't know what that would look like or what I was actually praying for in the moment ... but I learned it was this. It was getting to teach him his last few months of preschool and having him home every day with me. It was an answered prayer in the hardest but best way. 

In the summer we took our annual trip to Pocatello and Bear Lake. It is always one of the highlights of our year! Both of our kids have asked many times since when we get to go back. Other than that, summer was quiet. No swimming lessons, Roaring Springs passes, Children's Museum, etc. Instead, we spent many days with our blow up swimming pool splashing in our own backyard! We also transformed our yard this summer into a space we all love! We added a cozy sectional out there, a fire table for s'mores, a swing, beautiful flowers, trees, and shrubs we planted with our own two hands. We had a cement pad poured on the side of our home with our hand prints etched in it. 

In the fall, Lyla started her first year of preschool. She LOVES it and wishes she could go more than 2 days a week. She got her first haircut (bye bye baby mullet and hello baby bangs!), learned how to ride her hand-me-down balance bike like a champion, and was completely potty trained night and day by the end of the year!! Proud of that girl of ours!

Liam's school year started 100% online until slowly he went back every other day, to eventually the elementary schools opening full time. He is thriving in Kindergarten ... reading above grade level and making all kinds of new friends! His dream of riding the bus came true, too! He learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels this summer and is the such a good example to those around him at school. We are so grateful for him!

Nic has spent the better part of a year working from a home office! It has not come without its challenges but we love getting to see him more often and spend every lunch together! He has helped the hospital in so many ways through Covid and is officially the first member of our family to be vaccinated! He is always our rock emotionally and physically and he is helped complete more projects around our home this year than he probably cared to. haha We adore him!

Then there's me. Sometimes I struggle to see the difference I make around here until I get sick or something and see many of the plates I keep spinning in the air fall. Then I realize one of my truly greatest strengths is juggling ... schedules, schools, laundry, meals, emotions ... haha! It's a real art! ;) Jokes aside, I our kid's schooling and our home were my labors of love this year. I transformed our kids bedrooms into places that make them both smile and gave me a creative outlet that I really love to express. I finally found answers to the source of the headaches and pain I'd been experiencing for over 2 years and feel relieved to say that I now have coping mechanisms in place to keep it really well managed. It has been a huge blessing!!! 

So you see, 2020 really was filled with a lot of blessings. No matter how many things were canceled or closed, times when we couldn't see family and friends, masks we had to wear, or bottles of hand sanitizer we went through to try and stay healthy. I hope you can see the blessings from your year too. They are there and I know it is thanks to a Savior who is watching over all of us, especially during hard times. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We love you!

Nic, Meagan, Liam, and Lyla

Girl's Weekend 2020

 Despite Covid, we made our annual girl's weekend happen again this year and it was just what we all needed. We stayed local and rented a room at the Grove Hotel in downtown Boise. It was filled with late night girl talk where we tried to solve all the problems of the world (haha!), dinner at a restaurant (Fork!) where we only had to worry about eating our own hot plate of food, the best junk food in-between, pedicures and shopping at the Village, a long walk around the greenbelt, and so much laughter. Thankfully this time there weren't any random run-ins with complete strangers in the deserted mountains or almost falling off a waterfall cliff! Good for my sanity's sake. haha 

We even had a fifth wheel tag along and he was the cutest, happiest, most quiet baby I've ever seen! We all took turns snuggling him and getting our baby fix, that sweet little Jamie.

The hotel's hot tub is located just enough floors up that you have a beautiful view overlooking downtown Boise. There was even a terrace up there that was covered in string lights. We picked up Chick-fil-A for dinner one night and ate it up there. 

Our last morning together we we walked to breakfast and took pictures in Freak Alley.

On our greenbelt walk we passed the Boise zoo and saw Melman peeking over the fence. ;)

It was so much fun!! I love these girls; they mean so much to me. I am grateful for their friendship. The best part about it is that no matter how much time goes by between seeing each other, we pick up right where we left off. 

Meanwhile back at home Nic was holding down the fort perfectly. Liam earned his first reading challenge reward and got the lego he had been working so hard for! His face says it all. They ate pizza for every meal and had the best time bonding together!

Then I came home to this and my heart melted ...

It feels good to be missed sometimes and boy did I miss them! 

Turning 30

If there is one thing I have learned in my 20's, it's that life is too short not to be who you are and love what you love. If you know me, you know I love the beach. I found the closest best thing to it and packed all of us up to spend half the day there. The drive up to Arrow Rock was even more beautiful than I remembered, just as scary at times too (very narrow roads with no railings and a big gas tanker semi truck trying to navigate through them). haha We pulled up, found our own private spot away from anyone else, and made ourselves at home in this beautiful place! 

There's that cute cheeky bum again!

The queen bee ordered dad to push her around everywhere on her fabulous turtle and she was incredible content to float along! If anyone came to close though or dare knock her in (even by accident ... I'm looking at you, dad! haha) her mood turned sour on a dime. Such is the life of an almost threenager!

I've mentioned this before but Nic knows my love language so well, quality time. Every birthday and anniversary he always takes the day off work. My favorite gift of all, to have us all together!

That scowl. haha She also wasn't a big fan of the birds swooping around us after lunch!

He may not have my looks but he has my adventurous spirit. He was equally as pleased as me to be swimming and loving a day at the beach! Speaking of swimming, no one else dunked their head except for me. They all counted down for me though and after I ran and dove in Lyla goes, "Wow, mommy is a mermaid!". My life has been made!

At lunch time, Lyla dropped a bite of her sandwich in the dirt. I brought a garbage bag along so we tossed it in. The sky was completely clear until 20 seconds later when 2 seagulls landed right next to the garbage bag and fought over who was going to get the bite. Lunch and a show!

This was the thief himself. haha He flew a little ways, dropped it in the water, dove back down to snatch it again, and was back to soaring the sky. Enjoy your dirty sandwich, mister! 

If you would have asked me at 20 years old what I would want for my life in the next 10 years, it was always my hope and dream to have a family. Here I am ... dreams really do come true. <3 nbsp="" p="">

He's looked for sticks since he could hold one in his hand. Now, he looks for "wands" like a true wizard that he is! 

Everyone doing "CHEERS" with their sandwiches!

My only other desire for the day was a yummy dinner where I could sit through the whole meal and eat it while it is still hot. We ate at P.F.Chang's ... wearing my favorite new hat from my family!

That night we picked up the kids at my mom's and had oreo ice cream pizza. Who know there was such a thing but it was incredible!

The celebration continued later on in the week with a girl's night with my step mom and sister-in-law's! We had pizza and an ice cream cake with my name on it! The girl time was a total dream. 

My dad even popped in here and there and I taught him how to cook homemade pizzas. ;)

Looking back on the last decade of my life, there has been so much growth for me. That's what I hope for the next decade too. To learn more, dream more, change more, love more, and be the best version of my self that I can possibly be. Here's to 30, flirty, and thriving! ;)

9 years

9 years married to this handsome guy and as you can see, our anniversary celebration looked a little bit different this year. It was my year to plan it and back in January I began dreaming up a night away in McCall just the two of us. It would have been the first time since Liam was about 18 months old. We'd get room service, sleep in, and relax in the hot pools. When the corona virus hit, I was in denial and kept postponing canceling until literally the day we needed to in order to get a full refund. After I made that phone call it was the first time I really let myself cry and feel disappointed for some of the things I felt like this virus has taken from me. Then I had a moment of clarity where it made me realize how grateful I am it didn't interrupt our wedding day like it has for so many. That was a beautiful day!

My favorite thing to do with him on our anniversary dates is spend time reflecting on every moment leading up to and since the day we became husband and wife. Boy how I wish I could go back in time and tell those two young and in love souls, just wait until you see what you have in store for you! Slow down and take it all in. These are some of the moments you won't ever forget! So many of those moments along the way stand as a witness of why we are so great together. Marriage is not always easy but we fight for each other and communicate through the hards things until we reach the other side even better. I adore him.

We were so lucky this year to have two dates! Yes, it involved wearing masks and the weather wasn't in our favor most of the day but we may not have ever chosen to bring blankets, string lights, and pick up take out dinner to eat in the back of our car by the river either. It was simple, just like the dates we used to have when we were first married. And truthfully, there wasn't anyone else in the world I would have been there with than him. I love you, Nic Williamson! Cheers to 9 years! XO

Mother's Day & Father's Day 2020

What is it about Mother's Day and Father's Day where your kids act up more than usual?! haha Somehow, both days turned out that way. No breakfast in bed for us. ;) They were waking up early, crying at the drop of a hat, and running to their rooms any time someone angered them. My sister-in-law texted me "Happy Mother's Day! I hope it is a peaceful and relaxing day!"

.....................................

Peaceful and relaxing indeed. 

Oh I'm just kidding, we adore those little stinkers so much! Our world wouldn't be the same without them and we cherish being their mom and dad, even on the hardest of days. 

There were definitely some bright shining moments for me on Mother's Day! For example, while Nic isn't the 'kids, help me make mom breakfast' type. He does always remember that I love getting one of these from them ...

How cute was that?! And pretty spot on too, actually! Although I find the fact that my pickiest child said his favorite food I make for him is ALL OF THEM. ;) Probably didn't think about having to choke down broccoli. haha I definitely do love him something fierce!! Both of them!!

Along with that sweet card in bed, they gave me a 'Lyla' necklace to match my 'Liam' one. I love it so much!!

The one part of Mother's Day that was really special for me was spending time with my mom. It was the first time after 2 months apart that we broke our social distancing and had a picnic lunch together by the Boise River. 

 We let the kids take off their shoes and put their feet in the water. They found rocks to throw in and sticks to bring home. It gave me time to talk and catch up with my mom. Everyone was happy and having a great time! 

The sass came back out when it was time to go back home. haha

My mom gave me the most beautiful bouquet of blooms from her snowball bush in her backyard that I loved having on my kitchen table for a few days!

I absolutely adore this picture of Nic and our kids on Father's Day! He is THE BEST dad in the world! He makes them feel so special and loved. For example, this backpack he bought on his own for Lyla after she was sad she didn't have one like Liam. It came in the mail in her favorite color with her name embroidered on it. She was beaming when he gave it to her! And Liam, his dad is his best friend. Their world together revolves around lego building and space ship battles. It's my favorite thing to watch!

We went over my to my dad's for dinner that night and it was our first time back together as a family! The only member missing was Brendan so my dad had us make this sign and we all Facetimed him with it. He later sent me a cropped close up of Lyla's face and I about peed my pants and fell over at the same time from laughing so hard. She'd had a rough week with potty training and it showed. haha

So many mother and father figures in our lives that we love! Hope you all know how special you are!

June Birthdays

I love that I share a birthday month with my favorite guy! I always look forward to June 1st because I jump at the chance to celebrate him. What was cute to see this year is that the kids feel the same way!  Here I am telling Liam, "daddy wants pancakes for his birthday breakfast" and the next thing I know, he is requesting we get paper plates with Hulk on them (what Liam deemed Nic's superhero character) and birthday candles to go on top! I like the way you think Liam Rex. ;) So we sang 'Happy Birthday' to him over breakfast instead of birthday cake.

During the day we stopped by a new ginormous Albertson's they had built close by. It was created as more of a marketplace with lots of different prepared foods and even has a restaurant inside! I think the kids sampled one of everything in the whole store ... watermelon, cookies, popcorn, etc. In the seafood section they had a lobster tank and they pulled out a lobster for us so we could touch it and see it up close! Neither one of our children was brave enough to touch it but they both had smiles on their faces!

During nap time I gave Nic some quiet time while Liam and I went out in the backyard and made targets for his new squirt guns!

After nap time we squeezed in our first time at the waterpark for the season!! Liam was bravely trying every single water slide in the kid section he could find while Lyla didn't want to be set down or touch the water at all. haha She preferred the lounge chair with the water bottle to play with!

 We left the kids behind that night for date and kept the childhood tradition alive with dinner at Red Lobster and ice cream for dessert! I kind of felt like it was my birthday all day long because I loved it so much. I think all holidays are like that for me! ;)

Hope you had the best birthday, babe! 32 never looked so good!! 

A few weeks later it was my turn ... the start of the last year of my 20's!
My favorite gift of all, Nic took the day off work!!!
We spent the morning shopping at Target and playing around the Village ...

Then we went to see a movie (Lyla's first one!!) and saw Secret Life of Pets 2! It was hysterical and adorable just like we thought it would be! Not so good on my headache but worth it! Lyla made it through 2/3 of the movie on popcorn and candy and then had to walk the aisle and hall. Pretty great for her first one and not even 2 years old yet!

Sweet girl napped while I opened my gift, a new Anthropologie comforter I had been wanting for our master bed! I love it so much! Liam wanted to post as I took a picture of it ... ;)

Later that night we went on another date, this time to PF Changs and ice cream to follow for me too!! I had so many messages, phone calls, and texts throughout the day from all the people I love and I felt so special! Here's to my last year in my 20's!