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!

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! 

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.... 

17 weeks

How Far Along :: 17 weeks
Gender :: Unknown
Inches :: 38 1/2 in.
Maternity Clothes :: Still regular clothes but I am loving my maxi skirts these days for this growing bump.
Belly Button In or Out :: In
Sleep :: Like a baby! Still getting used to my new snoogle pillow though... it has ended up on the floor more nights than not. ha I'm betting that will change as I am further along.
Best Moment this Week :: Every time I hear Nic praying for the baby. Heart melted!
Miss Anything :: Lack of face acne! I feel like I am in my early teens again.
Movement :: Maybe next week?!
Cravings :: Homemade egg mcmuffins, watermelon, and chex mix.
Feeling :: Still lacking in tons of energy but other than that, great!! 
Emotions :: Feeling blessed every time I think about the fact that I am going to be a mom. It has always been my dream.
Looking Forward to :: Our trip to Merville (Meridian) this weekend to visit some of my family and hopefully shopping for a crib for the baby! 

three years

Happy Anniversary to the man of my dreams! You are everything to me and I can't wait to start this new adventure of parenthood with you. I'm so glad you picked me. I love you!!!

year one here

year two here

16 weeks

How Far Along :: 16 weeks
Gender :: Unknown
Inches :: 38 in.
Maternity Clothes :: I am still wearing my regular clothes but the waist in a few pairs of pants have gotten a little on the snug side. I feel like I am in that awkward stage at the moment where I have a little bit of a bump but am still not totally looking pregnant... just like I gained a few lbs are maybe ate one too many pieces of pizza at our anniversary dinner tonight. HA 
Belly Button In or Out :: In
Sleep :: Sleep has gotten so much better this week! It may have to do with the fact that it is the last week of school and there has been a lot of physical labor involved in packing up my classroom. I have come home absolutely exhausted every day.
Best Moment this Week :: Sharing our hopes and dreams about baby over our anniversary dinner. Also, the snoogle pillow Nic gave me for our anniversary. I have a feeling sleep is going to be a dream tonight!
Miss Anything :: Energy! I have had to decide when and where I want to use my energy for the day because it feels like a finite resource.
Movement :: Still anxiously waiting!
Cravings :: Jamba smoothies, toast, and pickles.
Feeling :: Tired but so much better than I did on Friday and Saturday. I got the flu over the weekend and it was awful. I wouldn't wish throwing up on my worst enemy. It felt a little scary too when I couldn't keep anything down for 24 hours now that I am not just thinking about my own health. 
Emotions :: Feeling so excited that I have a full year of teaching under my belt and get to spend the whole summer nesting. Spring cleaning and organizing, here I come!
Looking Forward to :: Our summer bucket list!

15 weeks

How Far Along :: 15 weeks
Gender :: Unknown but if we are anything like the rest of the Williamson side of the family, we most likely have a little boy in our future!
Inches :: 38 in.
Maternity Clothes :: Still wearing regular clothes.
Belly Button In or Out :: In
Sleep :: Sleep has been rough lately. I underestimated how early on peeing 6 times a night would start. Ha
Best Moment this Week :: Hearing baby's heartbeat at our 4 month appointment!! 152 beats per minute is absolute magic... there are very few sounds that top that for sure. Also, getting my first baby purchase in the mail. It was a snuggabunny pack n' play which we plan on using as baby's bassinet.
Miss Anything :: Sandwiches!! I am such a habitual eater (prior to pregnancy anyway) and I have eaten a turkey sandwich for lunch almost every day for my whole life. No joke. Quite the transition when you are supposed to avoid lunch meat. ;)
Movement :: I haven't felt anything yet but I can hardly wait to!!
Cravings :: Pickles and FRUIT!
Emotions :: Feeling over the moon! It has been so fun announcing the news to our friends and family the last couple of weeks.
Looking Forward to :: Starting a fun canvas project we have planned for the nursery.