Wearing me down...

Dearest Eli,
I think I'm going to have to break down and get us into MATERNITY pants... I have no idea where a good place is to get some that are not too expensive. I mean, I don't plan on wearing them forever! But the rubber band idea can only take us so far. I fit into my jeans using a rubber band up top to hold my pants together. Haha. Now it's getting harder to do, and I don't want to stretch my jeans out ;) I have yet to break 100 pounds, but am anxiously waiting for that day! I have never in my life broken 100 lbs, and to tell you the truth, I'm kind of excited for it ;) I have been super good about eating right, and eating the things I am supposed to be, which makes it a lot harder to gain the weight. I am supposed to gain about 3 to 4 pounds a month, which hasn't been happening quite yet. I eat so much throughout the day, and have at least 4 snacks in my purse every time I leave the house. It's like the bottomless pit! Daddy tries to put avocado on all of our sandwiches to get us that healthy fat. Well, I am going to try Target first, and then move from there to find the perfect maternity pants. Wish me luck... If anyone has ideas, I will take them. :)

I'm slowly stealing Your daddy's clothes ;) I think I'm in his pants every night. haha... Those are your dad's pants in the picture of me and you. But look at all the yummy food you get to eat through mommy. I'm trying my hardest to keep you a strong healthy boy ;) Love you Eli baby <3

Fall in love...

Elijah,
You just have to see Seattle in the Fall. You, your daddy and I have gone for some Fall time walks, and they are always so beautiful. We wish you could see, but we took some pictures so that we can show you someday ;) Technically you have lived in Seattle, and although we are moving back to California, we are hoping that someday we will take you to visit the beautiful place where you were conceived. Heehee ;) Love you!

So sad it makes me laugh?

I know that many people have done the "cry-laugh"... Cracking up hysterically into crying hysterically, and then back into laughing... Eli, if you feel mommy's tummy moving a lot, this is probably why. Your daddy and I just finished dinner and were watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire! I took one look at the dinner plates on the table and had an uncontrollable, and I MEAN uncontrollable, urge to do the dishes and clean up. Mike had the urge to have me next to him on the couch instead. So as I grabbed for the dishes, he grabbed me! He wanted to snuggle and be all lovey, and I could not stand having dirty dishes on the table... Oh no, this was going to be a situation. haha, I'm laughing right now just writing this. So, your daddy would NOT let me go as I pleaded with him to let go so that I could fulfill my destiny of washing the dishes... He was persistent and did not know that I was even more persistent. I kept trying to pry his fingers off of me as he was saying "babe no, I want to do the dishes". So it turned into a back and forth "I want to do the dishes", "no I want to do the dishes"... I started to giggle just a little, but then tears filled my eyes. Mike lost it! He started laughing so hard, and told me not to make myself cry! Then I of course said "You made me cry you big meanie". He denied having made me cry which made me laugh. Then I started to cry more, and tears were falling like you would not believe! This turned into laughing hysterically while wiping my tears away watching Mike spring up and grab the dishes. LOL... Oh Eli, your parents are so crazy. But we are crazy in love, and love you like crazy too!

Stylish New Addition...

Dear Elijah,
Last night your daddy surprised me with a night out in downtown Seattle. He called me as he was walking home from work and told me to get ready, but didn't tell me what for :) I have been wanting to go to a place called Thia Ginger. I think Elijah, you would enjoy the food there. It's yummy! I got ready and all I could see was YOU!!! It's been a while since I've worn real clothes... I'm usually in a hoodie and jeans, walking around capitol hill. But your daddy wanted me to be able to dress a little nicer, so no matter what I did, there you were for the world to see. You have definitely gotten bigger since the last time I dressed nice ;) haha. So I went with it. I felt a little self-conscious, but when I saw your daddy look at me, it all faded away. He had the biggest smile on his face and told me I looked so beautiful, and that he loves being able to see you; my baby bump. We drove downtown and parked in Pacific Place mall (Where Thia Ginger is!!!) and he said, "ok, so we are going to Thia Ginger but first we are going to shop"... He was telling me that he was taking me shopping for new clothes! Elijah, do you know how happy that makes mommy!!! haha. So we went to my favorite store and picked out some really cute stuff, and to top it off he took me to MAC and let me pick out some makeup! Could this night get any better? Yes!!! Every moment that allowed your daddy's hands were all over my tummy. I loved it :) We finally made it to the restaurant, and ordered and I told Mike that he is not allowed to spoil our children like he spoils me. Sorry Elijah :( 

Your daddy...

Dear Elijah,

       Well, your daddy is so funny. We found out last week you were going to be able to hear a little bit! I was so excited because the book said that you will be able to hear my voice for the first time, and that you would begin to recognize my voice! Your daddy got jealous... heehee. So he cupped his hand over my belly and talked as loud as he could in the deepest voice that he has so that you would be able to hear him too! He insisted that you heard him ;) You have been in my tummy for four months now and are getting so big! You are about 5 ounces now and 5 inches long. Last time we spied on you, we found out you were a boy, so we named you Elijah. You were flopping around, grabbing your little feet, and sucking your thumb. That's pretty good for your age! We think you are super smart! heehee. The doctor says you are a very active baby. I can't wait to be able to feel you more. This picture is you when you were in my tummy for 11 weeks!

As much as we love Seattle...

We love the coffee, the shops, the walking, and the cooler weather. We also love bundling up with coats, layers and boots! Seattle culture in so rich and relaxing, so we eat it up. We have our favorite things ;) One of which is walking downtown to Pikes Market enjoying coffee at the red Seattle's Best in Post Alley. One wall is always open so that you can sit at the bar and people watch. We bring cards to the new Starbucks down the street and soak in the atmosphere of a whole new environment. It's a coffee bar that serves beer, wine, and liquor... I usually get my tall decaf soy pumpkin spice latte, and Mike a tall drip. We have become regulars at two starbucks coffee's and they know what we like ;) haha... Seattle has treated us well, and has a huge place in our hearts; especially mine! I have now lived here for 8 years on and off with the exception of a few months here and there back in Cali. I've lived on Capitol Hill for so long in different areas. This one is my favorite! I love our apartment and the location right off of Broadway ;)  But, there is always a time for change. This season calls for some California. With the baby coming we both feel the need to be close to our families. This is such a bitter sweet move but when we weighed the two we decided we would rather make certain sacrifices over others. Both places have special things, but when it comes down to it, our families won! 

So much excitement...

Hey Elijah,
So many cool things have been happening while you are growing. You have two precious new baby cousins named Stephen and Gavin. Your daddy's cousin Missy gave birth to Stephen, and my cousin Cathe gave birth to Gavin. We are so happy that our families are growing. Not only is your family growing with new life, but you are also gaining a cousin in-law this year! Not only did I just get to marry the love of my life (your dad), but now I get to see my beloved cousin Oscar and his beautiful fiance Erica tie the knot this May! Our family has been so blessed by Erica and her fun loving personality. She brings us extra smiles and laughs :) 

It Started...

We have loved living in the sweet city of Seattle since we have been married. We have been able to experience the wonders of being newlyweds out here in the middle of the city away from our bigger families. Our sweet apartment built in the 1920's suits us, and we loved decorating it together, making it into our love nest :) God has been so amazing with His faithfulness and love he shows us daily. We know that everything we have belongs to Him, and no matter where we are, God will be with us helping us along. We took the first two weeks after our honeymoon to get settled in, and spend time together before work started. Pretty much sums up the beginning of our journey together in marriage! After months of bliss, funny arguments, kissing, slamming doors, hanging with good friends, going on romantic dates, putting the toilet seat down, picking towels up off the floor, steeling blankets, waking up to sleep talking, laughing, breaking the toilet seat, playing pranks, scaring each other, and so much more, we had only touched the surface of getting to know each other in this whole new way. Both Mike and I knew that we both wanted a family someday... We both knew that we had so much love to give... We are both VERY family oriented... Mike and I decided to expand out tiny family, and open our minds and hearts to a new member of the Holland clan ;) Only if God willed it to be. Well... God willed it... haha! After 8 pregnancy tests, I finally admitted to my unbelieving self that I might be pregnant. Even though 8 tests told me so, I still needed confirmation. Michael knew after the 3rd test ;) but I needed a person in a white jacket who graduated medical school to tell me that my ego was prego; hence our trip to the emergency room. There they took so much blood I almost passed out. As the nurse put a cold cloth on my head and laid me down on the bed, Michael reached for the barf bag! After hours of tests, and an ultrasound where they spotted a tiny black blob in my uterus, the verdict was in. Can you believe it, I was pregnant! Slight problem, I was having pains that they diagnosed as not normal and told me to be in bed in case I was having a miscarriage or a tubal pregnancy... That was very scary for Mike and I, but we went home and decided to do everything in our power to protect the little growing baby in my tummy. This means, we prayed a lot! Our next journey to the doctor was more pleasant. Well kind of, I still had all kinds of lame tests done, and they still took almost all of my blood, but this time we received good news! They told us everything looked great. My wonderful Michael went out and got me Horse pills! Well they seemed like pills for horses because they were so big. They still are! Prenatal vitamins are cool I guess, but they are hard for me to swallow. So after gagging them up a couple times, I get them down. TMI, whatever... Anywho, long story short, we took our families to a 3D ultrasound about a week ago and found out that we are having a precious little BOY! His name is Elijah James Holland. Can't wait to meet you Eli! I love you already so much. I'm 4 months pregnant already, how the time flies. FYI the first few months of pregnancy was terrible. I woke up sick and went to sleep sick. So glad that's all over with now!