Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Family Photos 2014

With my photographer best friend, Nicole, living in Cali with no visits scheduled until late this fall and budgeting for the impending move ruling out one of our favorite photographers (Kylee Ann), Clynn & I started scrambling for who would take our 2014 family photos! By now, most of you know we never skip a year and with us moving to Texas sometime between September 2014 and January 2015 we really wanted this years photos to capture a completely different look and to harness the spirit of Seattle. With that as our goal, it really is perfect that Nicole pointed us in the direction of the amazing Frank Caudillo. Frank had previously never dabbled much in family or couple photography. Mostly photographing landscape, cars, and his classically gorgeous girlfriend, Brandi. Brandi and I have sense become friends and they were so flexible and great to work with!

All of the photo editing credit goes to Nicole Barkis and to those of you who don't know, that's probably around 50% of producing a beautiful photo!

ENJOY!!









WOAH-WAIT-WHAT?!

Es Cierto! This photo shoot was more than just yearly family photos! <3 <3 <3






How far along? 15 weeks today. Baby W is the size of a PEAR!

Current due date: February 18, 2015

Were you trying? ABSOLUTELY. Some friends and family know we have been trying for almost a year. Crazy how even MONTHS of research, preparation, and anticipation can still result in utter and complete shock when you FINALLY see a positive test! After months of heartbreak seeing negative after negative and my husband being SOO patient with the fortune I've spent on fancy pregnancy tests, I have to say I am THRILLED with the timing on this. Everything couldn't be falling into place more perfectly.

Total weight gain/loss: In my first trimester I got VERY sick and lost around five pounds. I have now worked up to one pound below my pre pregnancy weight so I hope I'll be seeing that scale climb soon so I can stop worrying!

Maternity Clothes? Not yet! Though, I did buy some medium sized shirts and a couple new bras to accommodate the new solar system I decided to start growing. Also, if you are female and don't know the hair tie trick, you NEED to learn it! I've used it even on bloated days before I was pregnant and now use it about 50% of the time.

Stretch marks? Nope! I am so excited for my Honest Company Belly Balm that came in the mail just five minutes ago! I am starting to get a little itchy, though, I don't know if the feeling sprouts from growth or the fact that Baby W has been drying out all my skin everywhere! (I am also in love with Burt's Bees Radiance Day Cream!)

Best moment this week: I came down with an umbilical hernia in my first trimester that was TERRIBLY painful. I was worried I would have to cope with the pain for many weeks, but the discomfort has all but disappeared this week! I know I had some prayers going up with me in mind and for that I am VERY grateful. One more shout out to the PHENOMENAL surgeon who took the time to massage my hernia back into place and teach me how to care for it. He truly had skilled hands as every previous doctor to touch my stomach I pretty much wanted to punch in the face. Also, we scheduled the appointment for our gender ultrasound! 
We are anxious to put a real name to Baby W & start SHOPPING!! <3

Miss anything? I miss sit ups. I miss being able to lift the big toddlers in my life. I miss being vegan (more on that later) however, I still EXTREMELY limit my animal dairy intake. (Don't worry crazies, there are many forms of dairy these days!) I also miss letting the puppies jump all over me. I don't like them walking across my belly anymore. Once in a while, I miss when this whole experience was just mine and Clynn's precious little secret, but we know this baby will be loved and adored by many so we couldn't keep W from friends and family thoughts and prayers any longer.

Movement? Call me crazy but YES. I first felt the baby about a week ago. Drinking orange juice on an empty belly will get this baby grooving. I am excited for W to get strong enough to give Clynn a little kick. <3

Have you started to show yet? I suppose the legitimate answer to this is no? Those photos were taken close to 14 weeks. However, after I eat it sure is allot more difficult to hold in. I am definitely showing when it comes to the eyes of those who know me best and pay attention throughout the day. My Aunt Julie saw a little bump, sister Mariah says she can tell when she looks, and Clynn can definitely tell. I certainly feel like I am showing more some days than others.

Looking forward to: Seeing some healthy weight gain so I can stop worrying that it'll never happen, finding out gender, and moving into our new apartment in Texas!!

(There are a few more little questions on this survey that aren't yet applicable. I'll add them on in weeks to come. I am aiming to do a "bumpdate" every three weeks.)

Lastly, the past few weeks of telling our closest friends and family has come with such a wave of emotion. Worry that all the wait to make sure we announce at the safest time possible would still end in heartbreak, slightly overwhelmed that some would put too much pressure on us as new parents, heart thumping like never before as each parent and grandparent discovered what we were trying to tell them in our tricky little ways, smiling so big that we were making memories in places that would imprint on our hearts forever...

THANK YOU for the warm, kind, welcome, and loving memories everyone. These have been some of the most joy filled days of my life. I sincerely love you all.

The Wilkinson Family



Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Welcome August

Look at us, pushing up on the last full month of summer. Yikes, time flies when the sun is shining! We've been enjoying BBQ's, TONS of fresh fruit, the river, night walks, tan lines, Frisbee Golf, Ultimate Frisbee, ice cream trucks, and Volleyball!


Actually, we're quiet excited. The end of the summer marks the end of summer quarter and we're still holding out hope for that move to Texas!
(So keep the sunny days coming ;))

A few small changes I thought I would fill ya'll in on. :)

Clynn has decided to go to military school as a Radiology Technician instead of a Laboratory Technician. He'll be learning to perform minor repairs and to operate X-Ray, CAT Scan, and other various "see through your skin" medical equipment. His goal after finishing school is to work the same position in the civilian field. MUCH better starting pay than the basic work his math degree qualifies him for.

This made me giggle and seemed fitting.


We are no longer leaving August 23, 2014. After many notifications and concern from my family, we have discovered that is the exact day of our family reunion! SORRY EVERYONE!! haha, we will definitely be staying for that.



Also, Clynn's only brother is getting married on August 29th and of course we wouldn't miss that for the world!

<3 CONGRATULATIONS SAMMY & NEAL!!! <3
I, for one, am very excited to not be the only 
married in family (of our generation) on the Wilkinson side anymore!
SOOO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU SAM. =D

The new timeline for our departure is set for sometime in September 2014. We will have a better idea once Clynn gets his orders (probably late this month or early next month).

AND LASTLY!

Has anyone been wondering 
"WHAT HAPPENED TO THE AWESOME GYPSY ADVENTURE???"

Weellll, to be honest...reality hit us and we ran out of money. Can't go anywhere without gas and food! As a few of you know, we ran into a huge snag with our student loans the same time my military unit ran out of funding we were counting on. It has caused us some hardship. We are steadily and surly working through this through. :) Adventure is sure to ensue. My in laws are seriously the best to take us in while we figure things out.

I hope you enjoyed the update! Hopefully, the next one will include some plans in action. :D

Happy August everyone. 
Love,
The Wilkinson's