Tybee Island & 33 weeks

we LOVED our babymoon!!!

Taylor and I went to Tybee Island, GA this past week for our babymoon. We had such a fun time. We laughed so much I could have sworn I'd have the baby right there. We toured Savannah, GA, on a Trolley ride which was a TON of fun. Going on the Trolley was great because we learned all the about the city and it's history. We also explored Tybee Island's Lighthouse. We walked up the lighthouse- yes even me and Winnie- all 178 stairs!!! I can barley make it up our stairs at our apartment, I was amazed I made it up the lighthouse with no problem.  Sunday afternoon we visited Savannah and enjoyed shopping around town and ice cream at Leopold's [go there!].

Here are a couple photos from our time in Tybee:

Trolley ride with Hollywood = the BEST!

Winnie's first trolley ride :)

Taylor did a beer tasting at Moon River

One of the many squares of Savannah

Forsyth Park, Savannah GA

I love him so much!

I made it all 178 stairs!

Stunning view of Tybee Island from the top.
We also met a neat couple from Canada up there. :)

Our view from the top of the Lighthouse

32 weeks and 6 days

My favorite meal in Savannah @ Fiddlers Crab House

Taylor's favorite meal in Savannah @ Fiddlers Crab House

Mmmmm! I could've sat there all day eating those!!

Windy morning on the beach watching the sunrise.
Taylor keeping me warm and blocking the breeze. <3
Oh and yeah, nice hair right? haha

Our gorgeous view

The weather was nice while we were there, but not laying out weather, which was a bummer, but we made the best of it. :) When we weren't out on the town we were resting. We had such a great time.

Though, Winnie caused me a lot of pain this past week and I am also sick wish a cold, this trip was just what we needed. Taylor and I were able to reconnect and enjoy ourselves without any worries of work or home or moving or painting or anything. Thank you Lord! And did I mention we laughed a lot? Cause we did... a lot! :)

Winnie is now about the size of a durian or about the length of an average pumpkin. She is now keeping her eyes open while she is awake and her pupils are able to adjust to bright and dim light, like ours.

How far along: 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 17 lbs
Maternity clothes: Yeah
Stretch marks: None- but I have a road map of veins all over my stomach. It's crazy.
Sleep: Sleep has been good. I am starting to wake up at least once a night to pee again.
Best moment this week: Being with Taylor in GA, laughing and enjoying each other before a baby.
Miss anything: What it feels like to not be sick.... ;)
Movement: She has the hiccups often and moves all day long.
Food cravings: Earlier this week at the beach, Old Bay French fries.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Have you started to show yet: Yes! I've had many people ask how far along I am and if I know what I'm having. :)
Gender: Girl!!!
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks this past week. It was wild, but no pain :)
Symptoms: Sciatica real bad! I had serious leg problems while at the beach. God gave me a lot of grace to make it through each day with the numbness and nerve pain. Also back and rib pain. I think my right ribs are bruised from her tiny feet and knees.
Belly button in or out: Out
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: We move THIS Saturday!!! It's nuts to think we will be sleeping/living/eating/doing life officially in our home this weekend. It's bittersweet saying goodbye to our apartment- our true first home. I'm also looking forward to starting our Birthing class this Thursday. It.is.time.

Weekend in DE / 32 weeks

This past weekend as a lot of you already know, we surprised my parents. All of us kiddos had planned a cruise trip to the Bahamas for our parents 30th Anniversary. Taylor and I drove Friday night to Delaware, surprised our parents Saturday and drove home Sunday. It was all worth it. :)

Here is the video of my parents reaction:

Here are some photos from this weekend. We had such a quick but fun time!!

Cami teaching Tay Tay how to play the Lego game

Hanging with baby Joey 

Mom & Dad's surprise Anniversary cake

We also made them this sweet photo book

Love these boys :)

Mom & Dad reading their card that says "Pack Your Bags"

Once they found out they are going on a cruise :)

Happy love birds <3

Joe, Taylor, and Ocean playing catch

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Winnie is doing fantastic. I had my follow up appointment today and my Doctor says we are looking great and right on track. I am measuring 31 inches which is right where I need to be. He found Winnie's head and bum, which explains what has been in my ribs- her tiny feet and knees. Her heartbeat is 128 bpm.

Right now she is about the size of a small watermelon... and mommy feels it. :)

We have been busy busy with traveling to DE then working on things at the house. Though Winnie isn't shy to tell me it's time to stop, she will be getting lots of rest this week, Georgia here we come!

How far along: 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 16 lbs, lost 2
Maternity clothes: Most of the time
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: The little sleep I've gotten this week has been okay. Starting to get real uncomfortable.
Best moment this week: Surprising my mom and dad and spending a day in DE with family. That was the first time most of my family has seen my belly since 11 weeks when we announced it. And hearing Winnie's heartbeat at my appointment this morning.
Miss anything: Energy
Movement: She has been giving me kicks under my right ribs. As cute as it may be, it's pretty painful.
Food cravings: Nothing
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Have you started to show yet: Baby watermelon belly!
Gender: Girl!!!
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Fighting a cold, fatigue, and back ache. This babymoon is coming at the most opportune time!
Belly button in or out: Outtie
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Looking forward to: FIVE days at the beach with my husband!!!!! We leave tomorrow morning. Hallelujah!

31 Weeks

This week has been crazy so far. I dropped my mom off at the airport Monday morning, we had our final walk through of the house Tuesday night, closed, cleaned like mad people and didn't get much sleep on Wednesday. . . The rest of the week/weekend are just as busy if not busier. But thankfully, Taylor and I do well with busy. We work really well together and God continues to strengthen us with what we need to get through each day. His grace IS sufficient!

Last week my mom visited. Here are some photos of our time together:

Welcoming Mom! 

Off to meet Winnie's pediatrician :)

I did a lot of sitting. . .

We shopped a lot. This trip was hard
because I couldn't breath, but I made it... eventually.

Taking mom out to Toast - yum!! 

After 3 days of packing, we got our toes done...
it was fantastic! 

Toes all bright and ready for my babymoon :)

Sunday afternoon included a special visit from
Nana, Da, and Aunt Bette. What a JOY!!! 

Winnie getting love from her Grandma and Gigi <3

Day of closing! woohoo :)

How is Winnie with all of this? She is great!!! Though she makes it hard for me to breath and stand for long periods of time which made packing interesting she has been doing good. Winnie is now the size of a Pineapple, weighing over 3 lbs and anywhere from 16-18 inches long. What is really exciting is all 5 of her senses are now working. :)

How far along: 31 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 18 + lbs
Maternity clothes: Most of the time
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: I'm starting to sleep off and on now. Maybe it's my body preparing for being up in the wee hours of the night?
Best moment this week: There have been so many good moments. Last week with my mom was wonderful. This week, closing on the house was pretty fantastic! It's crazy to think Taylor and I are officially homeowners.
Miss anything: Being able to breath. Winnie has taken over!
Movement: Lots of moving. The other night I laid in bed just laughing and laughing while holding my belly and Winnie was doing flips and turns and moving all over the place. Taylor was sleeping so it was just me and my girl. Extra sweet :)
Food cravings: Nada
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: My belly is round round round!!!
Gender: Girl!!!
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Trouble breathing, Sciatica, and Charlie horse cramps. I had the worst charlie horse cramp that woke me up from dead sleep and had me crying. My leg wouldn't flex for at least a few minutes. Gah so much pain.
Belly button in or out: Outtie
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy Happy Happy ;) as good ole Phil Robertson would say.
Looking forward to: Next week I have my follow up appointment and then we go on our BABYMOON!!!!

MOVING!!!! [part 1]

Taylor and I have some exciting news to share. We found a HOUSE! We did more than find it though, we closed and have made it ours. But before I go into that, let me share a little on how we got here, GOD is all over our story. :)

We started looking at houses online about a year ago. We made the decision to start looking in person more seriously around January. We had a nice wish list and an even nicer must-have list. We got together with our realtor and began digging deeper into what's out there. Turned out all the houses we liked online went under contract or sold just 2 weeks before we met with our realtor. We were bummed, but still hopeful for something to turn up. We saw a few houses, but didn't like them. We began to compromise on our must-have list and figure out what we really needed. Then, after a little while we found a house we liked. It was out of our preferred neighborhood, but it had a lot of the things we wanted. We slept on it and prayed and decided we wanted to see it again and then make an offer. Well, 2 hours before we go to see the house again our realtor calls and says they got a verbal offer so the house was a no go. Real disappointed and confused we started praying harder and questioning what God was doing. We then struggled with what house God had for us. Long story short, we saw a few more houses. One ranch that we liked, but it was over-priced and didn't "feel" like home. Another we really liked but it went under contract soon after it went online. It felt like God was closing a lot of doors and not really opening any others. But then he lead us to our home. It was out of our initial neighborhood choice and further than we'd like, but it had everything else! We didn't have to compromise, in fact, things I took off the list before we started looking because I thought it wouldn't happen, happened! God was doing big things. It was more than just about a house- it was about our hearts! He was doing a great work on Taylor's and my heart and drawing us closer to himself and building us in our faith. He is faithful whether we got a "perfect" house or not. He is faithful even when we aren't. He was tender and didn't shift when we were frustrated and weary. He was calm and there, waiting for us, calling us. And though we didn't deserve it, he blessed us with far more than we expected. I could go on and on and on. It was a tough season, but fruit is coming! And the house he had waiting for us blew us away.

We put in an offer, they countered, we countered, and an agreement was made. We were officially under contract! Crazy. In a few months we would be home owners. Those days flew by. And this morning, we closed on our new home!

The process was a wave of ups and downs. Making the biggest financial decision we'll ever make tends to bring tension and well, anxiety. God continued to teach us about what trust looks like.... it looked different for Taylor and I. Taylor being the provider had a harder weight of this. So we both learned what it meant to trust God as leader and helper. In the end, it has brought us closer to God and closer to each other. And God has blessed us beyond words could explain. We have a home to bring our baby girl home to after delivery. A home where she'll grow up.

A home that is ours. :)

We love it!! And we are very excited to see what God has for us in this new home. Why this neighborhood, why these neighbors... He has a bigger purpose and we pray He receives the Glory!

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This past week I was on Spring Break and my dear mom came to Charlotte for the week to help pack our apartment and did she pack!!

Here is the beginning of our move in pictures:

Clearing out the storage closet

Taylor had it packed with this....

and all of this... it was a lot! 

Mom getting started

Laying everything out...

The beginning of our wall of boxes. Thank you CFA!

The next series of pictures show my husband and mom looking for a screw from a shelf. . . behind the water heater. It was quite the event and pretty funny to watch. :)

One wire hanger and a fly swatter later. . .
they found it and got it out!  

hehe! Climbing out from behind
the water heater... what a gem! 

Taking down Christmas lights 

Moving [part 2] is coming soon. . .

I will post later on my time with mom and how Winnie is doing. :)