17 weeks

Time seems to be flying by these days, which is great. Every day that passes is one day closer to meeting our little angel. I am still feeling great and the sunshine and warm weather can only make things even better. With Easter coming up I can't help but dream of getting an easter basket and tons of goodies for our little guy. I live for those kids of things and dream of making life as FUN as possible for my children.

(note to self: don't take any more pictures 45 minutes after waking up. I look sleepy)

How far along? 17 weeks
Gender: BOY!!
Total weight gain/loss? 6.0 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes. I am no longer wearing scrubs tops, after busting a seam I figured it was time to put them away until November.
Miss anything? Deli sandwhiches. My doctor told me is was fine to eat them as long as it wasn't an every day thing. In the past I would have had NO interest in eating a ham sandwhich 3 days in a row, but now I drool at the thought.
Movement? Pretty sure I'm feeling something, I'm just not sure exactly what it is yet. Maybe him rolling around?
Cravings? Nothing out of the ordinary this week.
Food aversions? Red meat
Are you showing yet? I think so. My patients have started asking when I'm due.
Symptoms? Feeling GREAT!
Looking forward to? Easter and homemade coconut eggs from a local church! YUM!

16 weeks

It's a......B O Y! I'm so excited to share the wonderful news. I can't wait to see his handsome little face!
We are FINALLY experiencing some warmer weather here and with daylights savings time this week, spring is right around the corner. I think I can speak for almost everyone, spring can't come fast enough. I was trying to avoid taking any weekly pictures in scrubs since I hate that I live in them half of the week, but that's the reality, I DO live in them half of the week. I figured it was unavoidable for 9 months, so I gave in.

How far along? 16 weeks
Gender: BOY!!
Total weight gain/loss? 5.5 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes. I live in scrubs 4 days a week, which are getting tighter by the day so I'll be wearing t-shirts with my scrubs pants from this point on. So looking forward to wearing maxi dresses again.
Miss anything? Sashimi Tuna and a glass of moscato! This may be my first post-baby meal! Yum!
Movement? I think I felt a little flutter last week but I haven't felt anything else. I am SO ready to feel him kick!
Cravings? Eggs scrambled with cheese and country ham biscuits. True southern girl right here!
Food aversions? Red meat
Are you showing yet? A little bump
Symptoms? Feeling GREAT!
Looking forward to? Buying nursery items/decor and more clothes for our little Prince.

15 weeks

I feel like the weeks are passing by a little quicker now that I'm in the 2nd trimester.Now, If only it would warm up and I could get out of the house for some reason other than work. Hopefully spring will be making an appearance soon.

How far along? 15 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? 5 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes, one pair of jeans so far. I have had several generous friends give me clothes to borrow and I'm so grateful.
Miss anything? The urge to drink coffee.
Movement? Not yet, but I am anxiously awaiting.
Cravings? Chocolate milk
Food aversions? Red meat
Are you showing yet? A little bump
Gender? We find out in a few days!
Symptoms? Feeling great this week. Sometimes I get this "pulling" feeling in my lower abdomen. I gets it's my body stretching?
Looking forward to? Officially knowing the gender and shopping for baby Williford.

14 weeks pregnant

I started out my 14th week of pregnancy with a bang, literally. My husband and I went out to dinner for Valentine's Day and when we go back into town we stopped by my parents to pick up our dog (yes, she always stays with someone if we leave the house. I'm just that crazy) and I tripped over some pavement, landing face forward into my parents outdoor steps. I was in shock for a second and then scared to death. My husband came running up so find me a hot, crying mess. I called my local ER and spoke with a nurse who reassured me that as long as I wasn't having any abdominal pain or spotting that the baby should be just fine. I'm covered in bruises but luckily still no signs of any baby issues. Just one of MANY scares I'll endure as my life turns towards parenthood. Anyway, on to better topics... we go back to the doctor next week and will hopefully find out the gender. I can barely contain my excitiment!

How far along? 14 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? 5 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes, one pair of jeans so far.
Miss anything? Sleeping all night without getting up to pee.
Movement? Not yet, but I am anxiously awaiting.
Cravings? Jalapeno Pretzel crisps and Chocolate milk
Food aversions? Red meat
Are you showing yet? A little bump
Gender? Hopefully we will find out next week
Symptoms? Sciatica nerve pain, it hit me today all of a sudden.
Looking forward to? Warmer weather!! It's supposed to snow/ice here tonight and I'm just ready to see 70 degrees on the 10 day forecast. 

Life on North King street has changed forever, in the best possible way..

UPDATE: I started writing these posts many weeks ago and thought I would go ahead and start posting them now. Hopefully I will get caught up soon.

FINALLY, I feel like I have something to blog about. I am SO, so excited to announce that my husband and I are expecting our first child in August. I have been so filled with joy and happiness (and fear) since the night we found out. Once I told my friends I work, I asked " is it normal to be worried about EVERYTHING this early?" I was reassured that was just the "mama in me", which made me feel better. I am beyond ready and excited to find out the gender. There are so many reasons why either a boy or girl would be so exciting and I just can't wait to finally call this little person inside of me by his/her name. My very favorite blogger, Jessica Garvin has inspired me to document by pregnancy week by week. I want to remember each and every week of my pregnancy; the good, the bad and the swollen. I'm definitely in the market for great pre-natal and new baby advice if you have any good tips. So far, I am so lucky to say that I've had a great pregnancy. Only a few days of nausea and tiredness. For now I'll start with my first chalkboard, here we go!

How far along? 13 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? up 3.5 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes, one pair of jeans so far.
Miss anything? Sleeping all night without getting up to pee.
Movement? Not yet, but I am anxiously awaiting.
Cravings? Chocolate Milk, all fruity candy (Laffy Taffy, gummy worms, chewy sprees, starburst)
Food aversions? Red meat (since week 6), hot coffee and seafood (all of a sudden)
Are you showing yet? A little bump (which is starting to feel hard)
Gender? Hopefully we will find out in 3 weeks
Symptoms? Lower back pain that comes and goes throughout the day
Looking forward to? Finding out the gender and shopping for our baby boy/girl

Baking and DIY

This title post is my life, baking and a DIY project. Two of the things I love to do most. I wanted to share my tips for the perfect Oreo ball. I often get asked to bring these to parties and events and thought I would let ya'll in on few secrets to success. Today I changed things up a bit using PUMPKIN SPICE Oreos. Now, I am not a fan of an Oreo cookie by itself, it's just never been something I liked but an Oreo ball on the other hand, die for them! Here is my no-fail recipe and instructions...

Ingredients

1 package of Oreos (any flavor)

1- 8oz package of softened cream cheese

1- 12 oz package of candy melts or almond bark

1 package of candy sticks or festive paper straws (I cut the straws in half)

Instructions

Using a food processor (or wooden spoon) gradually add 7 or 8 Oreos at a time on low speed

Once the Oreos are crushed, add the softened cream cheese

Pulse until a gooey ball has formed 

For the next step I use a melon baller but you could eye ball it as well

Form balls and place on parchment lined cookie sheet 

Place Oreo balls in refrigerator for 20 minutes (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)

Once they have hardened, melt only 5 pieces of chocolate (in 30 second intervals) 

Dip your sticks/straws in the chocolate and stick in the Oreo ball

Place back in refrigerator for 15 minutes (Also very important for dipping)

This step prevents the Oreo balls from falling off of the stick

Melt the remainder of your chocolate

Once the sticks are set, remove the cookie sheet and begin dipping the balls in chocolate

I add sprinkles on top for extra cuteness and a festive overload

I store my Oreo balls at room temperature in a cake dome. I find that if you leave the in the refrigerator, once you take them out they sweat and get mushy.

  and what do you do with the tiniest bit of leftover chocolate? Drizzle pumpkin shaped pretzels, obviously!

If you're looking for a last minute DIY to spruce up are Halloween decorations, I have got the fastest, easiest and most perfect thing for you! These paper bats are sure to give you the eerie Halloween look you're going for and only take a couple of minutes, Trace out a bat onto black poster board (I found a clip art drawing on google images) and cut it out. Stick a piece of washi tape on the back and stick where ever your heart desires! 

 SO easy and FUN!

Only 5 days until the witching hour Halloween! What are your plans? I'm off to watch whatever is playing on ABC family's 13 nights of Halloween! Have a great week!

A few of my favorite things

Good morning and HELLO fall weather! I'm thrilled to report that eastern NC is experiencing weather perfection. I wanted to try something new on my blog. I love reading about things that other people have tried and love...clothes, food, beauty/makeup products, vacations, etc. I just enjoy hearing honest opinions about new things I may not have ever heard about. I thought I would give my opinion on few of my favorite things right now...

I bought this sweater at target this weekend and it's so comfy. I think it's a easy go-to casual sweater for any day of the week. Cherry-Lime La Croix water is my JAM right now. I will be honest, when I started drinking flavored water it was not my favorite, it's an acquired taste. Now, I love it. I used to live off of diet soda and sweet-n-low and decided to cut artificial sweeteners out completely. It wasn't easy but with the help of La Croix, I am now well adjusted. This shirt, I don't even have the words to tell you how much I love it! Hocus Pocus is my favorite of all time, Home Alone coming in a close second. I have obsessed over the movie (and ALL Halloween related things) since I was in elementary school, so this shirt is absolute perfection. Not to mention it's a collaboration of two of my favorite bloggers. Win and Win! I just recently tried this awesome foundation a few weeks ago after getting it half price at the Bare Minerals outlet and I love it. It give as very natural, airbrushed appearance and doesn't feel heavy at all. I've been obsessing over this coat for a few weeks. It's so "Olivia Pope" and looks so soft and comfy and at a great price as well. And last but not least, this Vasanti facial cleaner is a microderm in a bottle. It came in my Birch Box this month and I will definitely be purchasing it. 

Hope some of you will try and love one or two of these products. Let me know if you do! Hope you all of a fantastic weekend!