the past 40 weeks

I have not been the best about documenting this pregnancy, so I wanted to at least capture the past 40 weeks in pictures. Today is Miss Anne Caroline's due date, and we are anxiously awaiting her arrival! Her nursery is prepared, our bags are packed, and we have more baby gear than we will probably ever need. Until about 39 weeks, I was completely content with her staying put, but I am now more than ready for her arrival. 40 weeks pregnant is not the super most comfortable state to be in, but overall, I have had a great pregnancy. No real nausea or morning sickness, fairly normal weight gain and normal blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Thank goodness given everything else we've had going on!

how it all started- a (barely) positive home pregnancy test on January 15th

almost 5 weeks pregnant at the SC Inaugural Ball, January 20th

confirmation via ultrasound on February 1st, the day before my 32nd birthday

celebrating the birthday at almost 7 weeks

tiny little peanut at almost 10 weeks

10 weeks at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, MD

12 weeks- thankful for a healthy baby!

first time wearing the belly band at almost 13 weeks

Easter in Spartanburg at almost 15 weeks...

and the big reveal!

touring a lumber yard for work at 15 weeks, right before a tough spell of dizziness and almost passing out...the only time when I did not feel all that great.

DC cherry blossoms and 16 weeks

18 weeks

it's a girl! 20 week scan

almost 21 weeks at a wedding in VA

almost 22 weeks

almost 24 weeks at our first shower on May 31st, a Very Hungry Caterpillar book shower with some of our closest DC friends

25 weeks at a baby shower for Jess

26 weeks at Richard's residency graduation and promotion ceremony on June 21st...

and at a wonderful "hello, goodbye" couples shower in DC the same weekend.

28 weeks on the 4th of July!

closing on our new house at almost 30 weeks

almost 32 weeks, at my first SC baby shower in Columbia thrown by some of my favorite girls

and at almost 33 weeks at my Spartanburg baby shower...these three ladies were fabulous hostesses

almost 34 weeks at Carolyn and Sam's wedding in Raleigh on August 10th, the day we officially moved out of our Kensington, MD home

sweet shower at First Baptist Arcadia at almost 36 weeks with ladies who have loved on me since I was born

Clemson-UGA game at almost 37 weeks, on August 31st with Kim, only 3 1/2 weeks behind me

39 weeks, 6 days...almost there! Brunch at DiPrato's on a beautiful Sunday.

Come on whenever you are ready, baby girl! We cannot wait to meet you.

farewell DC, hello SC

It has officially been a month since we moved into our South Carolina home, and it's hard to believe we've been gone from the DC-area that long. The past four weeks have been a whirlwind of unpacking, arranging and rearranging, preparing for baby and adjusting to the heat and humidity of the Palmetto State. I couldn't go any longer without documenting a few of the things I miss the most (and don't miss at all) about DC.

What I miss...

• our sweet friends- the picture above was taken one of our last nights in DC at Founding Farmers with the Capaldis and the Kwoks. Love them and so many others who blessed us tremendously during our three years there. 
• my office and working on the Hill. My Twitter feed is still full of political writers, but it's not the same as being in the heart of the action. And I miss the sweet ladies and gentlemen who worked in the Longworth Cafeteria, the post office and friends in other Members' offices and on committee staff. 
• our house and our neighborhood. It was our first married house, and while it was older and had its share of issues, it was cozy and familiar. And had a mail slot in the front door. We loved our neighborhood and all the charms of Kensington, from the Farmer's Market to the train station to Main Street lit with white lights. 
• the cultural opportunities in the DC-area. One of our favorite theaters just put on Miss Saigon, and we hated not being there to see it. 
• the proximity of where we lived to New York City. While it's wonderful being closer to the majority of our family members, I am further from my brother Will in Hoboken, NJ. We love NYC, and it was a treat to be able to pop up there for the weekend to see him and take in the Big Apple.

And what I don't miss?

• Sitting in traffic for at least two hours a day during the work week. I drank coffee, listened to the news on the radio, and admired the Rock Creek Park scenery during those commutes, but I am so thankful to be done with them. 
• Living in such a big city. We got to the point where we would occasionally run into friends in downtown Bethesda and I would on the Hill, but generally, I could go out and not see one person I knew. I love being in a place where I see a familiar face in almost every shop or restaurant I go into, and where even if someone doesn't know you, they make a point to chat and be friendly.
• Having to watch Clemson games on TV. It's so nice to be close enough to Death Valley to be there in person. Granted, our attendance this season may be limited because of Miss AC, but at least it won't be due to distance. 
• Our teeny tiny bathroom and closets. We still don't quite know what to do with all our newly-acquired space. A two sink vanity- woo hoo! A walk-in with space for multiple seasons of clothes...so exciting. Though our new space is no where close to being "done," it sure has been fun making it ours. We're happy to be home!

the Gowdy DC office- so miss daily conversations with this crew

the day we left to drive to SC- almost 34 weeks pregnant and incredibly emotional. Got over the tears quickly when it took almost 4 hours to get to Richmond, VA (normally a 2 hour drive!).