Always Late, but Worth the Wait

This should be my new personal motto when it comes to blogging. Seriously, I have had intentions of blogging way before now. I've had several "urges" to blog, just not the urge to sit down and take the time to upload and organize pictures and think through what to say.

Last weekend Mom and Dad came up so Dad and Josh could run the Reedy River Run downtown Greenville. They also brought the third piece of Carter's nursery furniture. So now we can officially put all the pieces together and get ready for the arrival of this little girl...who will be here in less than a month! While in town, our Sunday School class had also planned a baby shower for Baby Carter, so I was happy that Mom was able to attend that with me. It was a great shower and was accompanied by a day of snow and sleet.

Tillman playing with so many different toys at once, including one of her new favorites from Mom and Dad, a Dora karaoke microphone.

Sunday lunch

Reading before nap time. This is Tillman's new favorite way to read in her chair, sitting side-by-side. I personally love it because it's very uncomfortable with this big belly to have her sit in my lap and try to get comfortable for an extended amount of time. 

The third piece of furniture for Carter's nursery. I love it all!

I didn't have a problem filling it up quickly either.

A few of the girls from Sunday School. 

The amazing cake Amanda made from scratch. Isn't it beautiful!!

The spotlight.  Carter was blessed by some very generous girls with some super cute gifts and necessities.

Holly's mom made this cute little hat for Carter. I don't know if it's knitted or crocheted, but it's one of those handmade from scratch projects. So cute and so soft. It's already packed in our "starter bag" for the hospital. 

Blessed!

I love these girls. The majority of our Sunday School class.

Proud Grandma; she's already counting down the days. :) 

Random cuddle time with soon-to-be-big sister. I love this because this time she wasn't sick.

I thought those hands folded were too cute. 

This weekend Josh was gone to Pawley's Island for a Student Council convention from Thursday until almost 6:00 tonight. Tillman and I got in plenty of Mommy-daughter time and got to spend some quality time together. I was skeptical of the amount of time I would be with her by myself because she listens to Josh soooo much better than she listens to me, and I have a pinched nerve in my back and am not supposed to be lifting heavy objects (aka my 30+ lb. child). However, I must say our time together was great. We did some fun things, got spoiled a little bit, and were ready to welcome Daddy home this evening. 

Friday was a professional development day in our district, but could also be used as a flex day for those teachers who had earned extra hours throughout the year with other workshops and meetings. So, Kasi had the awesome idea to take Tillman to Robin's house, she would take Hadley to her daycare, and she and I would spend the day together out and about having a girls' day. So Friday morning we got an early start and headed to downtown Greenville. It was a great day and it continued into the evening with Kasi and Hadley over at our house until bedtime. 

Downtown Greenville is ready for St. Patrick's Day.

Kasi and I started our day by walking part of the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The weather was beautiful and beyond cooperative! It felt great to get out and get some fresh air. 

After our walk we strolled around the shops downtown. I found this cute onesie at Mast General. I passed on it though. I got myself a beautiful picture frame instead. I figured it would last longer to get my money's worth. :) 

Then it was lunch at this amazing restaurant!! I think it's fairly new, and yes, I will be going back.

Pimento cheese burger, white truffle and parmesan fries, fried pickles, sweet potato fries, Madagascar vanilla milkshake. Yum! Yum! Yum!

After walking, shopping, and lunch, it was time for me to go pick up Tillman from Robin's. She got in a forced nap, and after that Kasi and Hadley came over to play outside and continue girls' day/night.  

Getting the fun started by having popsicles on the deck.

My big girl

Kasi and Hadley

The girls playing with beach balls

This one is pretty cute. The ball gets stuck on the ledge.

Slide time on the playground. I don't know if you can hear it, but Hadley would say, "Come on Tillman!" and Tillman would respond, "I'm coming!" They said this every single time they went down the slide. 

After playground time, we moved to bubbles. 

Intently following the bubble trail. 

Dinner time - matching applesauce pouches. They both out-ate Kasi and I and sat in big chairs. They are over the booster seat phase. They must have worked up a pretty big appetite. 

After dinner game of tag. They are so cute. 

Well, needless to say, Tillman went down easy Friday night. I was able to enjoy some quiet time to myself and get some things done around the house. 

Saturday we slept in a little, watched some cartoons, then set out for the day. We ran some errands and ended up at McKinley's softball game later in the afternoon. After the game, we went to dinner and then McKinley came over for a sleepover. I was thankful for that because I hadn't slept well Thursday and Friday nights knowing that Josh wasn't home. 

Tillman reading her new book about Easter while I got dressed. 

She's a cutie. 

Kamden and Tillman at dinner posing for the camera. Kelsey told them to make "duck lips."

They look like they're pouting, but they're not. 

This one is too cute. They were holding hands and hugging the whole time we were playing photo-op.

Sunday morning pigtails - getting ready for church. 

McKinley did this while I was in the shower and I love it! They were sooo cute!! 

Somebody insisted on wearing her Dora bookbag to church this morning. I couldn't argue with her. I mean, look how stinkin' cute this girl is. A bitter pill at times, but so cute and worth it! 

After church we went to lunch, shopped at the new Marshall's that opened in Easley this week, at which I spent too much money, and grabbed icecream from McDonald's on the way home as a way to wrap up our girls' weekend. It was fun and I'm glad I got to spend some quality time with my girl, but I'm also very thankful to have Josh back home with us. Now he gets to do baths and bedtime routines for the next four days by himself. :) Just kidding, unless I can get away with it. I mean, my back hurts, right? 

So now my focus turns to finishing out the next 3 short weeks at work (one of which includes PASS testing!), prepping my lesson plans for maternity leave, getting Carter's room ready, making sure we have everything we truly need, and enjoying our Spring Break (with a pedicure) before Carter's arrival on April 9th. Phew! Oh, and getting as much sleep as possible between now and then.