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