Memorial Weekend

We have had a very busy Memorial weekend! I'd like to start off by wishing everyone a Happy Memorial Day and giving a big thank you to those who are serving or have served our country. I am enjoying my Monday off work and thought this was a great opportunity to blog while watching Regis & Kelly (guilty pleasure).

Memorial weekend has always been a favorite of mine. There's something about the unofficial kick-off to the summer that has always been exciting to me. Growing up in Iowa, this weekend ususally had at least one day of rain, wind and cold but would turn into a nice weekend - most of the time. In Texas, we are enjoying 90* temps with high humidity. I guess you can't have it all. =)

We kicked the weekend off with a wedding on Saturday night. We had a great time and this was a perfect excuse for me to sneak a picture of Joe in for his debut. You can also get a small glimpse of my growing baby bump.

Sunday was a little more low key, but it was also my birthday. I turned 29 on the 29th. =) I spent the day getting a jump start on cleaning out the nursery while Joe worked. We celebrated my birthday together Friday night, but went out for another dinner Sunday. Joe got me a Sony Bloggie (handheld video camera) so get ready for video posts, especially after the baby arrives! Joe also recevied a "gift." He had the opportunity to feel the baby kick for the first time!

Today, perhaps a neighborhood BBQ, some relaxing and a little shopping. I just love 3-day weekends, especially when it transitions to a 4-day work week.

This week was an exciting baby week for us. We found out the gender on Tuesday, I felt the baby kick for the first time on Thursday (and Joe felt it on Sunday). We also selected the nursery bedding and the overall theme. Here's a sneak peak:

I found a lamp and wall decor piece that coordinated perfectly and had to pick them up. I'm trying not to go too crazy to quickly, which is a hard thing to do!

Next weekend we are headed to East Texas for Canton Trade Days (the largest flea market in the area) and will be able to spend time with Joe's parents in the process. The goal is to find some super cute stuff for the nursery. Fingers crossed!

From the Husband

The anticipation is over and we now know we are having a baby boy. The ultrasound was, for lack of a better word, awesome. We also know the name, Joseph Robert Priest III, named after my father and myself. I should say he is named after my dad who continues to inspire me to be a great father and husband. We are truly thankful for having a very healthy baby so far. The wife, as you can see, is already buying things for the nursery and my to do-list is about to go through the roof but it will be alot fun setting everything up.

The anticipation is over - it's a...boy!

After many weeks of anticipation, today we had our 20 week doctor's appointment and were able to find out the gender of Baby Priest. Cooperating and ever so proud, we easily discovered Baby Priest is a boy!

Here is your photographic evidence.

And the 3D money shot. Baby Priest is one proud boy. He showed us several times. =)

We are both so anxious to meet him now and have several months to prepare and get everything ready. I couldn't resist and purchased the first piece for his room on my way home from work today.

I guess it's a hint for the theme of his room, which many more pictures will come. For now it's paint swatches and a honey-do list for Joe.

Thank you to everyone who shared their gender guesses with us. We love hearing from you all!

From the Husband

Only a week left until we find out if we are having a boy or a girl. We are both very excited to know and can't wait until next week. We actually went to a couple of baby stores this past weekend and I was definitly a little overwhelmed with all the stuff you can buy. They have fifty of everything and fifty more you order online and I believe we are going to be spending a ton of time deciding what to buy. I guess this is the start of the learning process for parents-to-be. Oh and thanks to the wife for a wonderful day off together, I wish we had every day off together.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mama's! I received two Mommy-to-Be cards. One from Joe and one from my mom. It made my day for sure! A big thank you to all of your sweet phone calls, text messages and Facebook posts as well. So many sweet, thoughtful people out there.

As promised to many, I took 18 week belly shots tonight! Bear with me. Joe's still at work - 12 hour work day - so I winged this one myself. Thank goodness for the self-timer mode on my camera.

A definite change in the last two weeks. And in two more weeks we find out what we're having! May has always been a crazy busy month for us and I'm sure it will be again this year, which means it will fly by for sure.

I love rainy Sundays!

Today was a very unusual Sunday. Joe was off work and it rained all day. We spent all morning in pjs enjoying the weather (50* in Texas in May is unusual) and decided to venture out into the elements this afternoon to tackle a project. Project area rug for the living room is complete! Meet Mr. Fluffy rug.

Full living room shot. Pardon the bad lighting - did I mention it's raining.

An upclose shot of Mr. Fluffy rug in his two-toned greatness.

And most importantly, it's Sam approved.

On a side note, super excited that May is here! Only 23 days until we find out the flavor of baby Priest. That's how my OB stated it and I had to steal it. :)