How fast a year goes by...

In just a few short days, the husband and I will be celebrating our first year as a married couple. I can't believe an entire year has gone by already! So much has changed in our lives...we bought a house and are expecting our first child. I guess that makes us grown-ups, huh? :)

Today I dedicate this blog post to all of my amazing family and friends who helped make our wedding day so special. These are candid pictures that captured the special moments. I'll post professional pictures in another blog post.

So, here's to our family & friends...to whom our lives wouldn't quite be the same!

On the right- me and my fabulous hairdresser/friend, Ryan...on the left, MOH Jasmine and Ryan's partern, Matthew

Sharing a laugh with my girls...I don't remember what was said, but it must've been funny!

Kasey & Cory -- two of my favorite people from my Lonestar bartending days

My beautiful MOH Jasmine -- love ya girl!

My two sister-in-laws...Jessica and Stephanie. They're both just as beautiful on the inside as they are the outside!

My wonderful 'maids patiently waiting to do pictures after the ceremony

I've known Stephanie since 6th grade when we were in the flute section of the band together :)

Kasey, Stephanie, Ashley & Amber...4 amazing women who became my sisters during our many years of slaving at Lonestar together :)

My Uncle Doug enjoying our chocolate covered carmel apple favors...thanks Uncle Doug for videotaping our ceremony & reception. You captured moments that I'll treasure for a lifetime!My amazing mother-in-law (right) and her friend Dorothy who arranged all of our centerpieces!

Aunt Jan...I can't thank her enough. She designed and created all of my invitations, escort cards, table numbers and favor tags. And here she is using a bronze ram head bookend to shove the broken wine key down into the bottle of wine so the bride-to-be (me!) could get a much needed glass of Chardonnay while getting ready! And believe it or not...it worked!

Many thanks to Leslie, my cousin and bridesmaid who fearlessly climbed the ladders in the barn when we were decorating!

And here's a few from the wedding....just for fun!

House improvements

Check out my husband's handywork! This is the landing at the top of our stairs -- he installed new hardwood flooring, gave it a new coat of paint and build a half-wall. We still have to finish installing the trim around the half-wall, but it's pretty much finished!

The crib has arrived!

Brody's crib came in earlier this week and the wonderful husband got it assembled in less than an hour (and that included putting the back on wrong, but don't let him know I told anyone that). We still need to get a mattress so I can finish putting all the bedding on, but here's what we have so far!

Is this what they call "the pop"?

It's funny how much difference 2 weeks can make in the growth of a baby....and that of mom's bump! The first picture was taken at 20 weeks...the second picture was taken yesterday at 22w4d. Let's just say it's getting tough to tie my shoes!

Progress on Brody's nursery

We have the beginnings of a nursery! Ever since we moved into our house, this room hasn't had a purpose. It was a "guest room" for a while, but considering the bed was never really set up, I don't think that counts. It mostly just housed the furniture from my first apartment, and some miscellaneous boxes left over from the move.

Here are some before and "in-progress" pictures. We ripped out the carpeting, painted the walls and replaced the carpeting. It still has some tools in the room because Keith is working on laying the carpet in the closet. The crib has been ordered and should be here soon! We're still in the process of finding the perfect dresser and glider rocker. Oh, and I should mention the nursery is having a jungle theme!

The room "before" with the carpeting already ripped out

The "In Progress" pictures with the carpet and new paint colors

It's a Boy!

We had our "big" ultrasound on Monday and found out we're having a boy!!! Keith is beyond excited and I must admit, I'm pretty excited as well. I was saying that I didn't have a preference, but as a mother, it's my job not to be biased, right? In truth, I was secretly hoping we'd have a boy for our first-born.
The ultrasound tech and the doctor both said the anatomy scan looked great and we should be expecting a healthy baby boy in January!

And for those of you who are wondering, our son will be named Brody David Hayes :)

My lovely baby bump

And here's my lovely baby bump in all its glory -- sorry the picture is so dark. I took it after my cousin's wedding in our hotel room. I'm finally starting to look pregnant and not just fat! My bump has really shown itself over the past week -- it'll be interesting to see what the next 20 weeks hold in store for me!