Pregnant and jumping - Stephanie Williams refuses to miss Carnival 2025

'Chippin' down di road' with a whole new life kicking inside her, expectant mom Stephanie Williams said one pregnancy won't stop her show.

Jumping with the Yard Mas band on Carnival Sunday, Williams, who is six months pregnant, said she was never going to miss Carnival 2025.

"I jump every year because carnival is like a life experience. If yuh miss it one year, it's like yuh miss one whole year worth a life experience," the elated Williams told THE STAR.

When asked if she had any second thoughts about jumping this year after finding out she would be expecting during the season, she replied:

"No, no, not at all, not at all. If I was like nine months or suh and about to go in the hospital, that's the only way I wouldn't be outside," said Williams, adding that the baby was enjoying the music and gyrating as well. "She's not bouncing and kicking now, shi gone sleep but shi was bouncing earlier."

With her mommy tummy neatly tucked away behind her one-piece mesh costume from the Yard Mas band's Rehgeh section, the prideful Williams said the 'Jamaica Land We Love' theme was a perfect fit.

"I wanted supm neat and not revealing too much, but it was the best-looking costume any ways. It also [represents] me because I used to be a likkle Rasta, so it just another way to show off my Rasta lifestyle from back in the days," she stated.

GRATEFUL FOR THE RAIN

Echoing the sentiment of many 'yardie' revellers, Williams said she was grateful for the rain.

"The experience is lovely because the rain came and cool down di place, because it was really hot earlier suh wi just here now enjoying di truck - di music nice, di vibes and crowd great and di place just nice and cool. I expected the rain suh yuh know, mi prepare," she said, as she patted a small towel she folded and placed on her head to "protect miself from catching baby cold [because] mi neva did ago mek mi pregnancy stop mi - rain or shine I would be outside."

With plans already in place for Jamaica Carnival 2026, the young mother said next year her baby girl would be joining her for their first mommy-daughter carnival experience.

"Mi and har a guh outside. Mi a get one a dem baby carry-on and strap har on pon mi and wi outside... mi ago mek her a little Minnie costume and mi and her outside," Williams reiterated with a smile.

As the crowd hurdled behind the Yard Mas trucks, with the sound of soca and carnival music vibrating the atmosphere, the patrons partied as one family, displaying the warmth, love, and authentic spirit of true 'yardies'.