My Best Friend's Wedding - Number 2 : )

This past week was jam packed with primping, friends, dancing, and laughs!  One of my best friends got married to a great guy and my family and other best friend came to experience the day with me.  It was a great and exhausting week.

Take a look at the stunning bride!

And even though Caleb couldn't be there with me,  I had this little guy to keep me company.  He also gave me a little love mark : )  Owen was getting tired the night before the wedding so a was carrying him and thought he fell asleep on my shoulder but instead, he had been sucking on it.  I was left with 2 little Owen hickies.  Caleb is still a bit suspicious : )

The day itself was awesome!  I got to catch up with KatieBeth's family including her awesome sister (and Owen's Mommy,  Linds).  Here is Lindsey doing to her makeup while KB got hers done at the salon.  Oh, and I'm the awesome stylist that did her wedding hair - you may applause now ; )

The day did get long, so in order to give my feet a break I pulled these babies out!

My friend and photography mentor, Sara Parker, and her husband, Wes, were the photographers for the wedding.  I'm excited to see what moments they captured from KB and Rob's big day!  I'll post a link when she gets them up.

So now the happy couple are in the Dominican Republic having the time of their lives and I'm now back in Alabama recovering with my very own love of my life!

Kayla : )

18 Weeks and 5 Days

How far along?   18 weeks and 5 days
Total weight gain/loss:  I don't own a scale so I won't know until my next appointment
Maternity clothes?  All maternity jeans.  Others like skirts and sweat pants I can still fit in quite well.
Stretch marks?   None so far
Sleep:  This week I've been exhausted!  I could sleep all the time.
Best moment this week:   Having my family see the bump!
Movement:   I've felt a few kicks, mostly at night.  I love it!!!

Cravings:  Every commercial I see for food, I want that food right then!
Gender:   ????????
Labor Signs:  None
Belly Button in or out?  In
What I miss:   My pre-pregnancy body
What I am looking forward to:   The next sonogram on Feb. 4th!
Weekly Wisdom:  Eat before my blood sugar hits rock bottom
Milestones: Fitting into my bridesmaids dress for KB's wedding - 

Kayla : )

Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?

Kayla : )

17 WEEKS

So, I'm now 17 weeks.  Okay, 2 days short of 18.  I have a classmate that just had a baby in November and throughout her pregnancy she used this survey to document her weekly development, so I stole it.  Here ya go!

How far along?   17 weeks and 5 days
Total weight gain/loss:  gained 7 lbs even though that belly looks a lot bigger!
Maternity clothes?  most of the time.  Still wear a few stretchy pieces from pre-pregnancy
Stretch marks?   None so far
Sleep:  Since I've been working night at the hospital the past few nights, I have been so tired and sleeping very well.
Best moment this week:   Getting to see Poco at work.  He/she was moving around a ton!  We saw the little fingers and toes and he/she had his legs crossed.  Every time I see Poco I get so excited!  I can't believe that I'll hold this child in my arms in just 5 months!
Movement:   I've felt a few kicks.  Today when Caleb and I got home from the commissary we took a nap and as we were cuddling, I felt movement on the left side of my tummy!  It felt like a medium sized fish swimming around in there!

Cravings:  No.  I'm just glad I can keep anything down!
Gender:   ????????
Labor Signs:  None
Belly Button in or out?  In
What I miss:   WINE!!
What I am looking forward to:   The next sonogram on Feb. 4th!
Weekly Wisdom:   Not listening to everything I hear.  Lately I've been getting a lot of "you look big for 4 months" are you sure there is just one in there?"  or "That child is going to be big!"
Milestones:  Not throwing up in a whole week!

Kayla : )

All little story and a little loot

The past two nights I've been working in the nursery and it has been CRAZY!  Babies were everywhere!  I love seeing those moms with their new babies and answering their questions.  I even had a few patients ask when I am due.  It caught me by surprise, but it was fun.  Then, another lady told me I look big for 4 months, I just smiled and nodded, but kind of felt really sad.  And yet another older lady told me she could tell that I was expecting because "I'm carrying the baby in my back."  I don't quite know what exactly that means, but it doesn't sound good.

In other news, I've really been trying to get my name out there for photography.  With the economy like it is currently and the fact that we still have a pretty limited group of people we know here in Alabama is making it hard to do so.

Therefore, in hopes of getting my name out there a bit more, I ordered business cards.  I like them, but we will have to see how they work.

Next, I ordered a shootsac.  This is a bag for camera equipment to take with you while you are shooting. It is supposed to make things easier to get to for the photographer.  I haven't had much of a chance to break it in yet, but I like it so far.

And last but not least, our Christmas present finally came!  It took us a little while to research which one we wanted and the Samsung won.  Caleb is the only one that has played with it so far, but we are having game night tomorrow night and I'm going to try it out then!

Also, there are 15 days until my KatieBeth gets married!  I get to spend the week with her before she becomes a Mrs. and my other bestest, Ashley will be at the wedding with me!  So excited for the time I'll get to spend with both of them!

Kayla : )

My Pregnancy Journal

Today I ran some errands... YAY!  I started a registry for Baby Poco at Babies R Us!  It was fun.  While I was there I found a pregnancy journal to document the weeks before and after our little one arrives.

This page is pretty much the reason I bought it.  I've been having random waves of emotions and when I saw this page I cried.  The first line reads "Dad's reaction."  I don't quite know why this got me so emotional, but it did and I had to get it then.  I'm really excited about getting started on it.

I feel like this book has everything.  I started an online journal for Poco, but this seems much better and includes things I would never have thought of to include.

I can't wait until I get to fill this page out!!!!!

It even came with cute stickers to decorate the pages with.  OOOOO stickers!!!

And....  A little better picture of the bump.  I actually showered today and felt like getting outside so I took a trip to see Crissy and she took a picture of Poco and me.

Kayla : )

A "BUMP" in the road

So, today has not been the best of days.  I've been at home all day going back and forth between my bed and kneeling in front of the toilet.  Glamerous, I know!  I had a lot to get done today, but Poco decided we needed a rest.  Caleb brought home some medicine for me, so hopefully I can try to finish my errands again tomorrow.

In case you haven't noticed, I started a Kayla Wilkes Photography facebook page.  I've done a lot this week to get some sort of "business" going.  I posted photo shoot offers on craigslist and have actually gotten 2 responses so far.  I also designed and ordered some business cards with my information on them.  And then, of course, the facebook page.  Hopefully, all of this will get my name out there.  We'll see.

I also have a treat for all the NICU girls who keep up with the blog.  I've heard that you guys keep checking the blog for belly pictures, so I've got one.  Now, please excuse the horrible outfit, hair, and no makeup.  I mean, I have been sick all day and Caleb took the picture, so it is not photographer quality : )

I will get a better one tomorrow when I actually make it outdoors, IF I don't freeze first!

Well, that's Poco and me.  I am 16 weeks and 2 days pregnant in the picture.  We get to see Dr. Pollard on Wednesday, so I'll post an update then.

Kayla : )

Reflections of 2009

This year has been one of many changes and great surprises.  Caleb and I moved to Alabama he started flying helicopters, we found out we are going to become parents, my brother got accepted to 3 colleges, I took a few awesome trips back to SC to visit old friends, made some new friends, I started a new job with the nursery and got into photography which I'm LOVING!

Sure, there were a few challenges as there are every year, but for the most part 2009, for me and my family, was a grand year and I'm so looking forward to what God has in store of 2010.  I'm also excited to see what is in store for my family and friends this year.  How will their lives change?  What new memories will be made? What new lessons will God teach us?

No matter how unnerving your 2009 was, this is a new year.  A new plan.  It's exciting to think about all that is possible.  I'm not only excited about 2010 for myself, but for the people I love.



AND...  I cannot get this feeling of my skin tingling to go away because I'm SO EXCITED to see my child for the first time in 51/2 months!  I'm counting down the days and imagining what my life will be like.  I can't believe that I love this orange-sized human so much already!  I can hardly wait to experience this will my husband, family, and friends (which are family!).  YAY 2010!