Baby Shower

Here are a few pics from my first baby shower that friends from work planned for me! Everyone was so generous and Taylor Grace recieved so many cute things! I can't wait for her to use all her gifts and wear her sweet outfits!

My friend Kara and her mother made this beautiful quilt! What a neat idea!

A cute bib/apron with animal prints
Baby Gap outfits - she has alot of pink clothes now!!!! Mark is a little bit wierded out by the pink everywhere.
One of the ladies I work with handmade this sweet little bag
Breast cream- I'm guessing this is pretty important

Seattle Trip

Mark's parents kindly took us on a 9 day vacation to Seattle, Washington! It was absolutely beautiful there! Between the cool temperatures, gorgeous green trees, and snow-capped mountains we found Washington a very tempting place to live!

Taylor's First hike in the mountians!!!! We are at 26 weeks and doing well! Chaco's are not nearly as comfortable when your feet swell up!

These pigs were everywhere around Seattle!

We took a one night trip from Seattle to his family's cabin up on Mt. Ranier for the night. It was a very cozy cabin- no running water- which for a pregnant woman was interesting- but I got creative and found lots of uses of my empty gatorade bottles. We had a great time hiking around the trails nearby. This pic is alongside a river near the cabin. Note- Mark's hairdo is awesome!

Our cousin Kevin and his wife Erica took us out on Union Lake in their boat. - oh and everyone needs to know I TRIED SALMON and actually liked it too!

We got a chance to do a little hiking in the Olympic Mountians just outside Seattle. We walked a couple of shorter trails with Mark's sister Elaine and her husband Matt. We did get to see a banana slug- that was the most exciting wildlife we encountered.

Mother's day gift

This is the prettiest thing I own I think! My mom gave my this silver engraved baby cup as a Soon-to-be Mother's day present. Taylor's initials are on the front. I think it is so beautiful and i just stare at it. Its the first thing I've gotten with her name on it- it seems more real to me when I look at it! Thanks mom!

This is an idea of what Taylor's crib bedding will look like. My dear friend ,Callie, suggested I look at polkatotdesigns.com for fabric and ideas. I was ruined forever after I browsed that website. It was super cute! Who knew someone could almost have a mental breakdown over fabric choices? And after many days of obessing and driving everyone crazy talking about "minky dots" and "snuggle stripe pink" we finally decided on this design. I am so excited about it. And here's a bonus- Callie's grandmother has kindly agreed to make the bedding ensemble for me! Taylor Grace's initials will be monogrammed in the middle like in the picture above! I'm so thankful to have creative friends with talented family members! And friends who can sit on the phone and talk for an hour about patterns and fabric. Now- thats a good friend!

24 weeks!

We are closing in on our 24th week this week! I can't believe how fast this is flying by! Today I had my last official day at school and all my kids graduated from Pre-kindergarten. It was a bittersweet moment- more sweet than bitter of course. Today was my last day as a teacher ...for a while anyway. The Lord is so good with His timing of everything! I've been blessed with energy and good health so far so it was not hard to work while pregnant. And I'll have the summer to get ready for Taylor's arrival. I'm so thankful I was able to be with my sweet kids for the rest of this semester and then start the fall with my new baby.

My workout days are coming to an end!

Its hard to do squats with a bump in the way! So I decided those days are coming to an end. Plus, you get very strange reactions from people when you are lifting weights when you are pregnant- go figure? I knew it wouldnt last long. So, the dogs and I have been taking it easy these days especially since its been getting hotter. I am loving the pool though!

Our Sweet Taylor!

I thought I'd post an ultrasound pic of Taylor in case anyone is interested. Its just her profile, but still kinda cool. She's been doing well- kicking quite a bit these days. Mark hasnt been able to feel her yet but I'm thinking it wont be long as active as she is! Maybe she'll be athletic like her daddy!