Master Williams

Ryan will now only respond to the title "Master Williams." That's right: He's done! I can now post a few of the pics I took of him at graduation, which was in May, but rather premature. CONGRATS RYAN!
Being silly... as always.
Does that look like "Master Daniel Ryan Williams, B.S., M.S." to you?

Doctors & Seminary & TSA

It has been a very busy week at our house. I am currently sitting on Ryan's computer while he is on our laptop at his office at UW. His defense is in just 2 hours! He is feeling good, and we even got some sleep last night (Thanks Heather & Jenn!).

A few reasons we've had a busy week:

1- Doctors: I had two doctors appointments this week. Monday I had my third ultrasound. I know three sounds like a lot, but the doctors keep asking for them.

The first was to determine if my due date was accurate before we left Madison. They discovered a ovarian cyst, so when we got to Peoria our new doctor ordered another. Then, they couldn't see his stomach or kidneys on that one, so they ordered another, which was Monday.

I have been worried for each one, but every time he is kicking and squirming and happy as can be (with a stomach and kidneys). My cyst hasn't grown either, which is a great thing.

Anyway, the nurse caught him sucking his thumb on Monday (22 weeks, 4 days), and I just LOVE it.
Ryan particularly wanted me to point out his bicep. Yes, he takes after his father in the muscle-y arm department! What a cutie!

So I am starting to worry about his future disposition. Ryan and I are not particularly hyper-active people. But our little monkey seems to be crazy! The nurses always comment on how active he is, and this third ultrasound is mostly a product of his inability to sit still for photos. So here's my question: Does gestational activity predict future childhood activity? All you Moms out there, what do you think? Were your little ones of a similar activity level after birth as before?

2- Another reason for our busy-ness this week was a product of my new calling. Over a week ago the Bishop met with us and found out we were expecting in December (that's right: I'm 23 weeks and not showing enough for people to just notice). Then he told us he was going to ask me to be the ward early-morning seminary teacher, but now on second-thought, he wanted to talk it over with the bishopric and pray about it some more.

Anyway, on Tuesday, he called and extended the call anyway. So, I am teaching seminary starting next week! They are going to have a team-teacher to help me after I have the baby. This mysterious person is also going to teach next week, since we'll be in Canada all week at a family reunion.

3- Another reason for a crazy week: Our trip to Canada. I am the ultimate cheap skate. I hate the fact that the airlines think they can weasel more money out of us by charging us for checking a bag. Does this seem ridiculous to anyone else? I spent several hours researching at TSA's website acceptable items for carry-on, another hour searching the fine-print of our bottles for their fluid ounce size, and then another hour at WalMart purchasing 3-oz size bottles.

I think the most annoying thing was my contact solution: a 12-oz bottle of WalMart brand solution is about $6. Their travel-size is $3, but it is 4-oz which breaks the TSA rules. So, I had to purchase the Bausch & Lomb brand "flight-ready" contact solution which cost $5. Yeah, it was almost as much to purchase 3-oz as 12-oz!

And between endless hours of Olympic-watching, editing of Ryan's thesis, driving back and forth to Madison, and practice run-throughs of his defense... Yes, it was a busy week. We can't wait for our vacation! And, in just two hours, we'll be home-free (fingers crossed)!

Madison Trip... #1

We headed to Madison this past weekend. Originally, Ryan was going to defend his thesis on Friday, and the girls up there were going to throw me a baby shower on Saturday. Unfortunately, Ryan was unable to defend on Friday (but we ARE headed back this Friday for his defense), but since invitations and all the planning was all ready done for the shower for this weekend, we went up anyway.

We had a great time with old friends. We actually felt like we'd never left! I am not a fan of shower games, so my friends avoided those for my sake. Instead, we used stamps to decorate crib sheets. They turned out really nice, and I am excited to use them!

Thank you to all the girls who helped plan and to the girls who came. It was so nice to see all of you. With a lot of luck, we'll be in Madison to finish up Ryan's schooling on Friday. YEA!

Home Again

For today, I am home again. I have spent the last two weeks with my mom, sister, and her baby in Utah. We were able to see many of my aunts, uncles and cousins in the process. Here's just a few of us.

I drove from here (Peoria, Illinois) on July 25th to my mom's in St. Louis, and the next morning we drove to pickup my aunt in Salina, Kansas. We stayed that night (July 26th) in Dillon, Colorado, and the next day we finished our trek to my sister's in Springville, UT. It was so nice to see my sister and her daughter, Janice, who is almost 2.

The next day (Monday morning) we left my sister's house to stay in her timeshare in Park City for the week. It was BEAUTIFUL, wonderful and relaxing.

We spent a lot of time at the pool, chasing J (who has zero-fear of water).

We also spent a lot of time on our balcony, enjoying the beautiful mountain air and watching cute, young families "play" tennis.

The only other way we spent our time was chasing J around the condo, trying to keep her out of the chocolate! She is definitely a girl!

After a week in Park City, we came back to Springville for the second week. We had such a good time with goofy, stubborn J. She is such a show-off for the camera.

Grandma (my mom) noticed a screw had come lose on her rocking horse, so she got a screw driver and put it back in. In typical Janice-style, she also had to "work" on the horse. She loves to be an adult.

Here she is after we talked her into riding her horse (like a normal 2-year old!).

But after two solid weeks of being away, I am so happy to be back home. Ryan made this cute sign to greet me.

I am now 21 weeks, and most people are still telling me I don't look pregnant. Thank goodness the baby is measuring just right. If not, I'd really be panicking. I am going to just be grateful for now that all the discomforts of large-dom have not yet hit me.

Next week we head to Madison for Ryan's defense. We CAN'T wait to see all our friends we left behind up there. The following week we are headed to Canada for Ryan's huge family reunion. (Tomorrow is actually the only Sunday this month I'll be in my ward in Peoria. Oops.)

I am particularly loving not working. Utah teachers start teacher-meetings on Monday, and Wisconsin teachers start the following week. I am loving my lack of responsibilities. Travel on!