Late to the Party

     I know I’m late to the party on this one, but in my defense, I did start the post yesterday.  I had every intention of finishing it when I got home from work, but then I cooked dinner and went to choir and tried to make sure the house wasn’t in disrepair when our friend came for dinner.  After all that it was time to eat a cupcake and go to bed. 

     Never let it be said that I don’t love a good link up…or a good post idea…or anything to make my posting a little easier.  Today I’m linking up with Shay at Mix & Match Family for “What’s Up Wednesday,” and we’re doing this Myspace survey style.  Does anybody but me remember those?  How long did we spend crafting the perfect answers?

What we’re eating this week…


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     I’m not some sort of Shay fan girl…I just really like breakfast casserole.  I love them in basically any shape, form, or incarnation, but this one was just different enough from my usuals.  So good.

What I’m reminiscing about…

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     There’s pretty much never a time I’m not thinking about the beach.  We won’t be going this year what with our teeny tiny on the way, but there’s nothing stopping me from just looking at the pictures and pretending I’m there.  Rest assured that by next summer (when my baby will be almost ONE…he’s not even here yet.  I can’t even think about it.), I will be speeding down the highway Fast and Furious style.

What I’m loving…

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          These pants are my favorite thing I’ve ever bought at Walgreens.  You read that right.  Walgreens.  I now own two tunics and a pair of pants from Walgreens.  (Not to mention my Family Dollar maxi skirt and Dollar General swishy shorts.)  They’re pretty long on me, so I have to wear them with tall shoes, but since I just got the cutest black wedges (with a 30% off coupon) at Kohl’s, it’s like a ready made outfit.


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     I think everyone in town has these shoes this season.  I’ve seen so many colors of these…and I love them all.  I like these because they aren’t too tall.  Even with my belly making everything unbalanced, I can still wear these easily.

What we’ve been up to…

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Funny story…this sign was misspelled until approximately 2 minutes before guests arrived.  My aunt and sister are both smart people and really good spellers.  We still aren’t sure what happened. “Congratulions” Rawr.

     Davis had his first shower last weekend!  My sister and aunt threw the sweetest shower, and Davis got some of the cutest things!  I’ve been able to do lots of his laundry (still fun) and get things organized in his room.

What I’m dreading…

     My kids took their state standardized test this week.  Boo.  I’m not going into some sort of long, drawn out post about how unfair I think these are or how inaccurate, but this should sum it up…


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I am not a test score…and neither are my kids.

What I’m working on…

Meal planning a month and a half in advance
End of the year activities
Nursery organizing
Sleeping through the night without sweating
Keeping my house clean when all I want to do is sleep

What I’m excited about…

     I’ve officially reached the point where I’m more ready to meet Baby Davis than I am enjoying being pregnant.  Don’t get me wrong here.  I have loved being pregnant, and for the most part I still feel really good.  Now it’s just more exciting to think about meeting Davis than it is to think about being pregnant for four. more. weeks.

What I’m watching/reading…

     I love the end of the school year, but it also signals the end of good television until the fall.  Most of my shows are winding down, and it’s reruns until basically September…boo.  We have been really into Vikings for the past few seasons.  Probably not historically accurate, but you weren’t there…you don’t know…


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What I’m listening to…

     Back when I had a thirty minute commute, I listened to a lot of radio. (Country if you’re wondering.)  Then whenever I was feeling especially stressed, I would turn off the radio and use my commute as a time to pray for the day…and then again on the way home.  Now I almost never listen to the radio.  I have enough going on in my head.  Sometimes the music is just extra noise.  I do like to listen to my choir music when I walk on the treadmill (or have an especially trying day).  This week it’s “And We Are Glad,” “Who Is Like the Lord?” “There is Power in the Blood,” and “You Never Let Go.”

What I’m wearing…

     Currently, it’s pajamas.  Any other time it’s either my Walgreens pants or whatever else I can stuff myself into…I’ll spare you the pictures.

What I’m doing this weekend…

    We have another shower for sweet Baby Davis!  I’m so excited, and I love seeing people love on him before he’s even here!

What I’m looking forward to next month…

     Are you kidding?  Davis Malcolm will be here (I hope!).  My mind hasn’t reached the point over being over being pregnant, but my whale-like body is definitely slowing down.  We’ll be full term in about a week and half, and then we’re just waiting on Davis!

What else is new…

     Well…blogging more than once every other month lately has been kind of nice.  I forgot how much I actually like writing things down and reading blogs and exercising my brain beyond my weekly television schedule.  I’ve stalled about halfway through my little redesign, but I hope to have a new header soon!

What’s in a Name?

     Today was a typical Tuesday…and it was Tuesday all day long.  For a little fun on this typical Tuesday, I’m linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals (who I just love) for Show & Tell Tuesday.  This time it’s all about names…our names, our babies’ names, etc.

     To start things off, my name (now) is Allyson Butler McGuire, but my maiden name is Allyson Camille Butler.  I know I’m a little partial, but I’ve always liked my name.  Plus, before I was married, my monogram was ABC. Love.
     My husband is Keith Wilson.  He doesn’t go by both ever…but I do call him Keith Wilson a lot, or KW, or Keithasaur (that one’s probably his fave).  I don’t know a ton of Keiths, so that’s nice.  Not just a John Doe.

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Finally an Easter picture!

     When we started thinking of names for our baby, we settled on one really quickly.  This could be because I have 4+ names in the old think tank.  I would tell you all of them, but I’m saving them for future babies…so you’ll have to wait.  We were totally settled on a boy name and a girl name, so it was really just a matter of choosing.  Once we found out we were having a boy, the choice was made.  Then when Keith started telling people, he told them the wrong middle name.  It was one that we liked and wanted to use, but not the one we picked…or so I thought.  As it turns out, I started to love the way it sounded, and Davis Malcolm stuck!  There’s no special meaning behind Davis other than that we just love it, but Malcolm is my dad’s middle name and his dad’s middle name (he’s a junior).  Since my dad’s the only boy on our side of the family (until now), we liked the idea of using his name.

I’m not super into name meanings, but I do kind of think they’re fun to look at.
Allyson means noble.  I do have a light up tiara so…
Camille means perfect.  Need I say more?
Keith is apparently a place name of unknown meaning.
Wilson means son of William (which is strong-willed warrior)
Davis means son of David (which is beloved)
Malcolm means follower of St. Columba

     I can’t wait to read about all of your names and baby names!  I’m always interested in what other people choose for names, so I’ll definitely be prowling the link up!

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Nursery Reveal

     Let me start by saying, I am not a photographer.  That being said, get ready for the best pictures this blog has ever seen.  They aren’t the best because of how they look, but they show the best/most exciting thing ever.  How’s that for an introduction?  Let’s take a peek into Baby Davis’s nursery!

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     The idea for this room started with my crib. I knew I wanted to use it, and I love the classic look of it. Before we even knew that we were having a boy, I knew it would be in there.  The next purchase was the wall art. I found those at Dirt Cheap for about $3 apiece. I bought them thinking I could work them in somewhere in the actual living space of the house, but they just lived in the closet for awhile. They’re “paintings” on wood, and I liked that better than just a similar print. 

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We still need a changing pad, but you get the idea.

     That dresser was a Craigslist find. I always knew it would be a changing table, but it had a previous life in our bedroom before we settled on our current dresser. It was already refinished and painted, and I love it! The drawers are really deep and are already housing diapers and some other baby necessities.

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     When I saw this pin (links here), I knew I needed that rug.  The more I got to looking, the more I thought that the tomato red color just wasn’t what I was going for, but I loved the style!  I googled the brand, and found the one we settled on.  The colors are much more muted than the other one we looked at, but they still match the pictures on the the wall.
     The final piece of furniture is a wardrobe that came from my grandmother’s house.  It belonged to her mother, and I’ve always thought it was so cute!  It even has a cute old-fashioned key that opens the mirrored doors.  The drawers are deep, and I have a feeling I’ll be storing quite a bit in this piece.  I’ll probably put his sound machine and maybe a picture on top since it’s not too tall and is close to the door (so I can turn the machine on, lights off, and slip out quietly).
     The only other thing I want for this room is another basket that I can put books in.  I’m on the hunt for something wide and trough-like (if that makes sense) that I can put next to a floor pillow or pouf of some sort to make a reading nook.
     I love the way his room turned out, and I can’t wait for him to be here, so I can put him in it!  Even Keith likes it…I know men aren’t typically into décor, but he got to keep his duck on the wall, and there is definitely nothing frou-frou about this room, so he’s on board!  I’m sure we’ll add more things as we close in on these last few weeks (I can’t even…), but as of now, we are calling this room done!

Source List:
Rug
Crib Sheet (Mine came from Target, but I couldn’t find the link. It says “Purple on Cream,” but it doesn’t look very purple in real life.)
Crib Skirt (tutorial – Yes we did use binder clips to attach it to the spring bottom.)
Curtains (Marshall’s, $19.99 for two blackout panels…winning!)
Basket (Ross)
Burlap Basket (Hobby Lobby)
Art (Dirt Cheap)
Mattress (His mattress is nicer than ours…welcome to parenthood, I guess.)

Spring Break and Cookies

     Now that Spring Break has come to its inevitable end boo and we’ve finally settled down from Easter, it’s probably time for a little recap.  Let’s back up to the beginning of Spring Break.  Keith’s floor at the hospital was kind enough to host a baby shower for us, and we had the best time loving on baby Davis.  We got some of the most precious things for him, and I am so excited to see him in them!  As a little thank you, I made them a plate of cookies and sent them by Keith with a stack of thank you cards.  But let’s talk about those cookies…

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This is probably less than half of the batch.
     I came across this recipe for Dishpan Cookies on Pinterest, and was immediately intrigued.  (1) They were huge and sounded delicious and were mixed in a dishpan. (2) They didn’t require a stand mixer.  I can’t tell you how many delicious-looking recipes I’ve seen that I’ve had to file away until I feel like selling my soul for a stand mixer.
     I’m not going to recap the whole recipe for you…it’s right there, but I will offer a few bits of advice.  First, the batter is very thick.  There’s every chance it will burn up your hand mixer.  You may want to mix it as well as you can with a (sturdy) spoon before you turn your mixer on.  Second, use the largest bowl you own.  There is a reason these are dishpan cookies…I actually used a dishpan because I was afraid my bowls would runneth over.  Third, this recipe makes a lot of cookies. I made them slightly smaller than the 1/4 cup the recipe used and had close to 3 dozen.  Suffice it to say that I’m now obsessed with these cookies.  They are so good.  Go make them now.

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He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth-- the LORD God Almighty is his name. – Amos 4:13

     I know we already talked about our babymoon, but what’s a little more?  My mind is still in the mountains.  I love to be in places that are so different from what I’m use to.  I also love to be in places where pancakes are a food group and Christmas stays year round.  On that note, we got the sweetest little ornament for Davis.  It’ll be front and center on the tree this year.

     After all the excitement (or relaxation of Spring Break), we’re back to the daily grind.  We have about seven weeks left of the school year, and I’m torn between thinking it’s going to drag on or fly by.  Around this time of the year, I have to remind myself to stay present…mentally.  It’s so easy to check out, but that kind of attitude just contributes to feeling worn out.  Please don’t think that I’m some sort of teaching super star.  This year has been hard, and there is a lot that I’ve needed to do better, but I have got to do my best to stay with it.  Wendy Work Whiners always seem more tired and frazzled, and we all know a preggo doesn’t need any help in that department.  PLUS, His mercies are new every morning.  I may need to write this one down and carry it with me everywhere.
     I’ve still got an Easter recap to share with you and that nursery reveal is coming up too.  Look at me, blogging like I have it all together…hold on to that image.

Second Trimester Faves

     Look at me!  Two posts within 2 weeks…it’s like I’m some sort of blogging superstar.  I promised I’d be back with an update about the second trimester.  Some people say it’s the honeymoon stage of pregnancy.  For me it was the stage that went by so fast I almost missed it.  Feeling good has a way of making the time just slip by.  That on top of Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years and staying busy, I feel like I missed the past three months!  I’m going to spend the next two (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!) trying to slow the clock.

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I’m not that artistic…I’m checking to see if can still see my feet.

     All of the stats and answers are about what’s going on now, but here’s a recap of the last few months.  It was the fastest, busiest, three months of my life.  I’m not even sure I really remember it!  I do know I’ve felt so good, and I am so thankful.  I’ve been walking some after work on the treadmill or outside if it’s nice, and I really do think it’s helped keep me feeling good.  It also gives me a chance to listen to the choir music for the next week.  It’s like a rehearsal/quiet time/exercise. 
     Honestly, it’s hard for me to even think that I only have a few weeks left.  I am definitely not ready for him to come out yet, but I can’t wait to meet him.  I’m so looking forward to being a family of three, but I’m soaking up these last few weeks with just Keith.  I would love to get some things done before the end of the school year and he’s here, but I’m getting a little tired.  If the second trimester is the honeymoon stage, the third must be the one where it gets real.

How far along?  32 weeks.  It’s un.real. Unreal.

How big is baby?  Davis is the size of a squash.  Apparently that’s 15.2 – 16.7 inches and somewhere between 2.5 and 3.8 pounds. 

Gender?  Boy!

Sleep?  I’m still sleeping pretty well. Thank goodness!  I have a big feather body pillow that I cuddle up to sometimes, and that combined with a pillow underneath my behind (don’t judge) and I’m still staying pretty comfy.

Maternity clothes?  Some…I finally got some maternity jeans (cropped so I can wear them all spring).  I’ve still been wearing lots of leggings, and I’m still not too proud to leave my pants unbuttoned…  I also finally bought some shirts.  Belly shirts with a belly (or let’s be honest even without) are really not okay with me.

Symptoms?  Other than the giant belly?  My feet and ankles have started to swell a little. Not cute.  Pregnancy brain is still very real.  I locked myself (and all my kids) out of the classroom the other day, and by the time one of them came back from the office with the key I had found my keys…in my pocket.  For the most part I still feel really good. PTL.

Movement?  Lots and lots of wiggles and kicks and giant rolls!  He loves to ball up on my right side, and he moves so much at night.

Wedding rings on or off?  Still on.  This one is a shock, but I’m not complaining. 

Cravings or aversions?  I still want all the carbs, but not near as bad as before.  Now I want cereal and cookies...

What I miss?  Sleeping on my back…even though I know I shouldn’t do it, sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night I’m belly up…and I don’t even feel bad about it.

Best moment?  We finally registered.  It was so fun picking out things for Davis! Also, I passed my gestational diabetes test (the obnoxious three hour one). Woop woop!

     I seriously cannot believe that we’re in the home stretch.  This is such a busy time of year, and I don’t see it slowing down any time soon.  Two weeks to spring break.  Three weeks after that to TCAP.  Three weeks (not even) after that to the end of the year.  That is crazy to me!  I’ll be a touch on the busy side for the next few weeks years.
     In other exciting news, Davis’s nursery is done!  As soon as I get some pictures, I’ll do a full reveal for you!  It is precious, y’all.  Perfect for a sweet baby boy.  I can’t wait to show it off, and I can’t wait to put him in it.

Friday Favorites

     But first a confession…I’ve started typing two (which is kind of a big deal for me) posts since my last one (also coincidentally titled Friday Favorites), and haven’t finished either one.  That being said, I do have a baby update to post and a nursery reveal, and I’ve done some cooking lately.  If I were a good blogger, that would be about four posts.  We’ll see. 

On to my faves…

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     Oh the mountains.  Keith and I took a little babymoon to Gatlinburg for the first part of my spring break, and as always, the mountains were just the most.  Surely you know by now that I love the beach, love.  Even still, the mountains are always just so incredible, love.  #mountainsaremylovelanguage #thebeachismylovelanguage #vacationismylovelanguage

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Also the food.  I just love the food.  (From top left: breakfast at Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant, blueberry pancakes at Pancake Pantry, and chicken parmesan at Crystelle Creek)

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     Even though I feel like I’ve had the best pregnancy, it was still so nice to do some real relaxing before baby Davis gets here. 

     Speaking of baby Davis, his nursery is finished!  We need the tiniest details, but if he showed up tomorrow (although, please don’t), he would be set in his first little room.  I can’t do a full reveal, because I have some people to show it to in real, live person, but I can’t wait!

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Just a sneak peek.

     And my most favorite favorite of all…

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“It is finished,” Amen.

     I love Christmas.  You already know that…but I can’t even describe how thankful I am that the story didn’t end in Bethlehem.  In fact, it still isn’t over.  Easter always takes me back when I think that the world mourned His death over 2,000 years ago, but he reminded us in three days that He is coming back.  He came back to show victory over death, and He’ll be back again.
     A few days ago I was having a little moment and was telling myself that I was so overwhelmed.  Right then, He told me that I was not overwhelmed and I certainly didn’t need to be because we’re overcomers…because He already overcame.  We don’t have to be mired down by this world, because He’s already won.  I would be lying if I said I always had this attitude, but I should.  That’s what we can claim.  Not that we are strong, incredible people who live on our own strength, but that when ours runs out, His never does.  Where I fail (daily) He never does.  Where I’m overwhelmed, He has overcome.  How can I not be thankful?

     I hope y’all have such a great Easter and are reminded over and over about His love for us.  He’s coming back for you!  Enjoy your egg hunts.  Eat amazing food.  Love that time with your family, but let’s don’t forget His promise!  Happy Easter!