38!

And the countdown continues...2 weeks!

Everything has gone by quickly until now...it seems to be dragging!! Knowing that she could come at any minute leaves room for much anticipation. I feel like she will never be here but then I remind myself that she will definitely be here sometime within the next couple of weeks! We are very ready for her arrival!

Went to my 38 weeks checkup yesterday. Not much has changed since 37. Still thinning, baby is still low, and braxton hicks continue. I did lose a pound though so that was exciting to hear :)

We had a very low key weekend this past rainy weekend. Joseph put together the swing, bouncer, and pack n play so Baby has somewhere to hang out and sleep upstairs! I got a pedicure and lunch with girlfriends from work Saturday. While getting a pedicure, my friend told me how tan my legs looked. The pedicure lady starting massaging my legs and they instantly turned to a much lighter shade...we all decided that I have officially started to swell and the circulation in my legs is not great right now. They don't hurt but at the end of the day, the swelling is quite noticeable.

Getting in some quality time with his first born...

Mckenzie is working in North Myrtle Beach this week so while Joseph went to a Men's Fellowship meeting at church Monday night to hear Bobby Richardson speak, I met Mckenzie at the outlets and we shopped and had dinner together. We love sister time :)

Tomorrow is my last day of work and I'm SO excited!! Spring Break starts tomorrow so the timing couldn't be any better. I also feel good about leaving work because I'm caught up on IEPs, Medicaid, and all of my paperwork. It's going to be a very nice break and I'm going to love spending 18 weeks at home with my Baby Girl!

We're looking forward to this weekend...It's Easter and Meg, Whit, and Summer will be here with us along with Mom, Mike, Taylor, Caroline, and all the kids in Litchfield! It would be such a great time for Baby Taylor to make her debut! Tonight is a full moon... ;)

37 = FULL TERM!

37 weeks = FULL TERM!!

We are anxiously awaiting her arrival any day now! Went to the doctor Wednesday for my weekly appointment. Once again, the doctor congratulated me on my very thin, no problem chart saying I should win a prize! We are very grateful that God has blessed us with a smoothe pregnancy, now we just pray for a smoothe delivery with a healthy baby :) The doctor said that I'm definitely thinning and she could feel the head very low, which was exciting news to hear!

I went to Columbia last Saturday morning for my last baby shower with my college girlfriends. It was so much fun to see everyone and, of course, they continued to spoil this baby! I love my friends and am very thankful for each one of them. Here are some pics from the sweet shower thanks to my awesome photographer, Jenny:

 Wonderful hostesses!

 Friends

 Caroline's not so sure about the whole pregnancy thing...

 Lynds getting in some practice with sweet Summer!

 Love it!

 Demonstrating how nursing tops work for the girls...

 Yay, a diaper bag!!

 Bec & Me!

Saturday afternoon Mckenzie and I shopped around Columbia and then headed to Sumter for Rebecca and Branford's Couple's Shower. It was at Cain's Mill, which is a neat little log cabin on a pond right outside of Sumter. It was fun to see friends at the shower and they got some great things for their new house that they've recently signed a contract on! So many fun, grown up things happening with my friends these days ;)

Sunday, Mckenzie and I ran a few errands before packing our cars for Rebecca's Around the House Shower we were hosting in Sumter with Morgan & Lauren. Once we packed the cars, I felt like I needed to sit down. About an hour after sitting, standing, lying, and walking, I could not get rid of a terribly sharp pain in my right side. When I finally broke into tears, I decided that I would not be going to the shower but needed to get back to the beach in case anything was happening with the baby. Mom drove me in my car, Mike followed, and Joseph rode with his dad to meet us halfway! Ugh, I hated to make everyone go to so much trouble but it was quite painful. I'm still unsure what the pain was but Taylor was definitely turned funny in my stomach (you could see from the outside) so maybe she was pressing on something in there. I was happy to get back to the beach though and continued to have Braxton Hicks throughout the night but thankfully the sharp pain disappated.

That little scare put me in full-blown "nest" mode and I got all of her sheets, towels, and gowns/sleepers washed, folded, and put away so we are ready for her any day!

I've had a great week at work because my maternity sub has been with me all week and she's doing all the therapy (hallelujah!!!) while I finish lots of paperwork. I don't think I could get it done without her so I'm extremely grateful for her willingness to see all of my kiddos these last two weeks. Officially only 4 more days of work for me!!!

Mom has been in San Diego, CA all week but flies home tonight so she has given us permission to have the baby anytime after tonight! Joseph and I are looking forward to our first weekend in quite some time with no plans. We are going to clean, relax, and partake in lots of labor inducing activities (eating spicy, walking, eating pineapple, getting a pedicure, etc)!. We can't wait to meet her sweet little face :)

...And we wait.

36

4 weeks at most left!! Hard to believe! We pre-registered at the hospital yesterday so we're ready whenever Baby Girl is ready to meet us! Went to the doctor yesterday for the start of our weekly appointments. Everything measured 36 weeks and baby weighed approximately 6.6 so the doctor is thinking she will be able 7.6 if we go the full 40. Sounds like a good, healthy baby to me! She is low and in the correct position but I haven't started dialating or thinning yet. I've been feeling pretty big and very tired this week. I think the tiredness is a mixture of a busy weekend, losing an hour due to the time change, and being quite preg!

Last Friday night while Joseph was on the way home from a week in Greenville, Kim and I celebrated my bday with a nice dinner at Five Guys & spent some time at the Beach Babies Kids Sale- a big consignment sale held twice a year in Myrtle Beach. I got Taylor a couple of cute little outfits and a speech game.

Saturday, Joseph spent the day at Yawkey Wildlife Center in Georgetown. He really enjoyed touring the 15,000 acres of pristine wildlife.

 Tom Yawkey's gameroom- Ty Cobb & Ted Williams used to hang out here after hunts

 Old rice chimney

I stayed home and cleaned the house/ ran errands for Kim's shower on Sunday. Saturday night Joseph and I went to dinner for my birthday and had a relaxing evening together.

Sunday, Jessica Benson and I hosted Kim's first baby shower! It turned out really cute and she got some great things! Emmie and Ellen are already some loved babies :)

I'm looking forward to this weekend in Columbia & Sumter- my last baby shower with college friends and 2 wedding showers for Rebecca & Branford! I'm also counting down until my last day of work since Spring Break is coming up...only 9 days after tomorrow :)

35!

35 Weeks!

Yesterday afternoon Baby Girl had my tummy completely lopsided and looking quite odd. I'm not sure if she's started her descent or what but she is creating a lot of tighttt pressure in my lower abdomen...not very fun! But I can endure it because it'll all be worth it in the end ;)

My sweet sister-in-law, Amy, threw me a wonderful baby shower at the beach this past weekend. It was called Morgan's Beach Baby Bash and was decorated with lots of pink and green and cute beach toys! It was fun to see Joseph's family members and to spend time with Mom and Dodi who came down Friday night for the shower on Saturday. Once again, Baby Taylor was spoiled with some adorable things:

Pretty Grandmas!

Sweet blanket made by Ms. Baker

 Doris Taylor & Beth Taylor Powell celebrating soon to arrive Taylor Jones!

 The outfit I gave Nataleigh when she was a baby...

 Joseph's sweet Christening gown passed down!

Wonderful hostess!

 Family ladies

 Girl cousins (one on the way ;)

Cousins that will be 1 month apart and backyard neighbors!

Charlotte & her girls!

Mckenzie missed the shower but came down Saturday afternoon for some shopping before Mom and Dodi headed back to Sumter. It's always fun to have a girl's day!! Of course, we left the shower where Taylor got plenty more clothes and we still couldn't resist buying her a few outfits while out shopping. It's going to be very hard to contain my buying desires with this fun little baby doll...watch out JoJo :)

Saturday was Joseph's Dad's birthday so the guys spent some time in Georgetown at the Winyah Bay Festival during the shower/shopping time.

Monday, I had my school baby shower! I am very blessed to work with such generous and caring people. Baby got lots of adorable clothes, diapers & wipes, safety/medical necessities, humidifer, some handmade blankets and sweaters, a gift card, and lots more! Baby stuff is so much fun!

Tuesday, Joseph went to Greenville for work until Friday. I attended the first study of our new Bible study and it was really good. First lesson: the tongue! We heard great reminders of the power of the tongue and the necessity to encourage one another with positive words...sometimes, especially as women, it's easy to forget this :)

Our nursery chair came yesterday so the nursery is practically complete! I like to just sit in the room and take in the sweetness, imaging what it will be like when she's actually lying in her crib...cannot wait!! Joseph even put together the car seat and stroller...

Hippy & I are both excited for Joseph to get home tomorrow and tomorrow is my 27th birthday so it should be an extra good Friday!!