Funny Moments...

Dear Elijah,
Thanksgiving just passed, and your dad and I decided to go to Port Orchard to spend it with Uncle Brad, Aunt Sarah, your Great- Grandma, your Great Papa, and cousins Nick and Max. We had a great time. Before we left we wanted to decorate for Christmas so that we could come home to Christmas in our apartment. Your daddy started to try and put the lights up, and all the nails were falling... He then had to do it all over again since he put them on backwards... Then he got so mad trying to reach things that he almost gave up and wanted to yell, but he spotted me laughing into a pillow on the couch. I was trying to be quite, but he saw me, and laughed too, although he did not think it was as amusing. The whole night got worst. We bought a space heater to heat our old 1920's apartment, and when your daddy plugged it in, it was so nice a warm! Then all of the sudden our Christmas movie turned off and we heard everything shut down! hahahahahahaha! Your dad was so upset, and I was bummed, but again, it made me crack up! I thought it was so funny since the whole night was going this way. He unplugged everything, we lit candles, and planed for our trip the next day ;) We spent the night with my family in Port Orchard, and then took off to Portland Oregon the next day to see your dad's cousin Missy, her husband Sam, and their new baby Stephen :) When we first got into downtown Portland, we had to find a Starbucks to get internet to check into a hotel. Of course your dad quickly finds out that you have to have a certain kind of provider to get internet at Starbucks... So he got frustrated. I was on the phone ordering a dress for Oscar and Erica's wedding, and I couldn't decide what size I was going to be by then! hahahaha Even though your dad was frustrated, he was trying to help me think of the measurements I might be! We are in Starbucks surrounded by people in close proximity, saying... "Honey, do you think I'm going to lose the weight and be my normal size?"... "Your hips aren't big enough to be a size 4"... "But my boobs are big enough to be a size 4"... "But you should just say a size 2 to be safe" as the lady on the phone is asking me if I will be breast feeding? "Yes, I will be trying to breast feed"... "Then you should lose the weight faster, but your boobs might get bigger!"... "Iy yi yi, just give me a size 2, and I'll make it fit!" hahahahahaha... At least it made your dad laugh. The lady ended by saying congratulations on our new baby :) and I was touched knowing that even though things like this are harder, you are SO worth every minute of it Elijah! haha. As my measurements are being advertised to all of Starbucks, your dad somehow accidentally pressed a button on the computer during all the commotion, and got the internet to work... haha. So we booked the hotel! The entire trip you were so cute Eli! You moved so much, and you always let me know when you were awake! You were awake one time when we were driving, and I told your dad that you were moving, but then stopped. Your dad and I always sing the jingles to stores if we see them, and know the tune :) Cheesy, I know... But we do... So we saw ROSS, and sang... "Do you love it? I love it! I got it at ROSS!" You started moving so much and kicking hard. So we sang it again, and you did the same thing! Then we sang "Sleep Country USA, why buy a mattress anywhere else"... Every time we sang a jingle, you would move! It was funny. So we determined that you like advertisement songs. They are catchy Eli, I must say... Love ya!

Your dad having some trouble with the lights.

Mommy trying to help, your dad thought it was funny!

Our First Christmas Tree

The date I have to fit into a dress by! haha

Your daddy with your cousin Stephen.

Another Season Change...

Dearest Elijah,

Broadway at 4am

You and me went from sunny California to SNOWY Seattle. Once again as the plane reached the sky you started moving around something fierce. I think you may be able to feel mommy's anxiety when I fly without your daddy. When we landed I found out that your dad had been sitting in traffic for two hours already and was no where near the airport! I felt so bad for him, especially since he now had to find another rout to come get us. He was already so worried about getting us home safe in the snow, and now he had to take roads he had never heard of. Thankfully he was able to get some help from Grandma Darcie and Grandpa Jim over the phone. They looked on Google Map and managed to get him to the airport. After 3 hours in the car, your daddy made it to us! I was so happy to see him, I almost cried! The drive home was pretty basic, after a few wrong turns we were back in our neighborhood ;) We landed in Seattle at midnight, and got home at 4:30am. Although I was tired, I stayed up an extra hour cleaning the apartment! hahaha. Your daddy thought I was crazy, but I can't sleep if I see a mess. haha. So after the dishes were done, the vacuuming was finished, and the place looked like a woman lived here again, I got to cuddle up in bed with your daddy which was the best part of the night/morning... ;) NOW FOR MORE EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!! Your daddy felt you for the first time last night! His face lit up the entire room. He had been trying to feel you all day and even wanted me to eat some skittles to see if that would give you energy to kick! hahaha but mommy did not do that Eli, I gave you some chicken and veggies instead. We had to wait till 11:30pm because that is when you usually become active. Always when mommy is going to bed or in bed, you start moving like crazy. I stayed up late with your daddy while he was writing a paper for school to keep him company. I baked some Christmas cookies to fill the time ;) So when I sat next to him, you started kicking, and I took his hand and put in on my tummy. We waited.... and nothing... You started kicking again, and he again placed his hand on my tummy.Your daddy still could not feel it. It's like you would stop right when he put his hand there. I told him you were like the "Dancing Frog" on Loony Tunes. When the frog puts on a singing, dancing show for that guy, and when the guy takes him into a talent agency, the frog just sits there like... "ribet"... haha! But finally you kicked hard and your daddy was able to feel it! I was excited too. It's so nice to have him in on these special moments when you move around. :) He fell asleep with his hand on my tummy last night. Just in case ;) You are growing so much, and so am I. Last night my T-shirt I wear to bed all of a sudden became a belly shower! Your dad thought that was funny, yet I am still in shock every time a piece of clothing doesn't fit anymore... :/ When we walked in the snow, I could not button the lower button on my coat! I'm glad we are growing together.

Our apartment

California updates...

Hi Elijah,
I'm in California right now because we just had your 20 week doctor's appointment. Your grandma Diane took me to my doctors office and was able to come in and see you on the ultrasound too ;) Your daddy could not make this one, and he was sad to not be there, but I have pictures to show him. Everything looks great, you are growing, and are the exact size you should be. The doctor confirmed that you were a boy again :) heehee. After your appointment Me and your grandma went to Joann's Craft Store to meet your Auntie Tiffany. We there to help your grandma pick out a frame for a family portrait we took not to long ago.  You are in that picture, in my tummy at 11 weeks. :) Then your grandma let me pick out some really cute fabrics for a blanket that she is going to make for you! How exciting huh Eli? I personally can't wait to see how it turns out. Your daddy has been calling us a lot since we have been in California, and I told him all the new news about you. When you and mommy were on the plane, right when we got in the air you started moving around so much. You moved more than I had ever felt you move before. It was strange. I was hoping the elevation wasn't bothering you! But you calmed down after a while. Then later that night when we were in California at your Grandma Darcie's kitchen table, you started kicking me harder than you ever had before. I put my hand on my tummy where you were kicking and was able to feel you with my hand too! That was a first. Daddy has been trying for weeks to feel you. Your grandma Darcie rushed over and was able to feel your little kicks. It was a VERY exciting moment! Usually I can only tell people that you are moving, but it's nice when other people can feel it too. Your daddy was not too disappointed because he is just glad that you are moving and are healthy. He knows that it gives me peace when I can feel you. :) I'm here in California for 5 days all together, and though I am having a great time, I miss your daddy like crazy. Your cousin Nicholas is here at grandma's house so that I can see him while I'm here. He is so cute, and I know you guys are going to have fun together. He loves to make silly faces at my tummy to try and make you laugh. And he doesn't like when people drive fast or play loud music because he doesn't want them to scare the "baby". haha He is already looking after you ;) Your daddy calls us every night before bed, and talks to you on speaker phone. It's so sweet! He sang to us too! My favorite country song ;) He always say's... "Hi Elijah, I love you... I miss you... Are you being good for mommy?" haha... I love his conversations with you already. Love you

On My Mind...

Dear Elijah,
I believe Jesus woke me up this morning to pray for so many things. I was awake at 4am this morning thinking and praying very hard. By the way, you were moving a lot too ;) Your daddy and I were watching the news before bed, which we usually do not do since I can't stand falling to sleep after seeing things that are not that nice on T.V. But we saw one thing that brought us both way down, and made us so sad. I prayed this morning for the weak, the small and the innocent. I prayed that God would protect and defend them. It brought me to tears and yet I wasn't praying for any one person specifically. I woke up your daddy after my prayers, and asked him to then pray for me because I felt that I was bearing these burdens by myself. Your daddy prayed for me right then, and I felt more peace. He prayed, and I was able to focus on the joys God can bring us even in rough times, and even when we just can not see the good anywhere. In moments like these I ALWAYS think of the people I care for and love the most. I prayed for my ENTIRE family to be safe, protected from evil, and also to be wise, and make good decisions. I always pray for the little ones in our families, but this morning I prayed very focused and steady for the baby's and kids in our family, and for you of course. You are so blessed just as your dad and I were, to be born into a loving family who wants to take care of you. But most importantly, you are being born into a family that trusts in God, and who have been praying for you since the moment we found out about you. We know that ultimately you belong to God, and you are His child. We are so blessed that God chose us to take care of you and love you. But you will never know a love like God's love Eli. It's so strong and pure. Here are some of my genuine thoughts from this morning. After thinking of all the people in the world who need love and protection, I stumbled into thinking about your dad. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love him. Every night when I fall asleep next to him, I pray for him, and think to myself, what would I do without him? How did I ever learn to love him so much? What did I do to deserve his unconditional love? Then this morning I wrote in my journal... Eli, if you wait on the Lord, God will bring you the deepest love that will come from a place you would have never imagined. Your dad and I were not just lucky. We fell right into Gods plan because we were both seeking Him at the time. Your daddy talked to you last night before bed and told you how much he loves you, and all I could think was how blessed you are to have him as your dad, because I feel like the most blessed woman in the world to have for my husband. So even though there are terrible things going on in this world that we need to be woken up to pray for at times, there is still so much love and joy around us. God is still in control, and will never leave us alone. So I am so thankful for all the good and wonderful things in our lives, and will continue to pray for the weak, the small and the innocent since we have the hope of Jesus in our lives. I love you Eli. We are praying for you baby boy :)

my love

Our last night being engaged! Night before we got married ;)

And They Said I Couldn't Do It...

Dear Elijah,
We did it! I took my time and waited patiently to weigh myself again after seeing that I was so close to our goal of 100 pounds! All I wanted to do was break 100lbs, and guess what? I did last night!!! I was at a nice dinner party with some friends, and my sister (your auntie Maila) and they wanted to be a part of the big moment. They brought out the scale, your daddy grabbed the camera, and I got on. It read 103lbs... It was such a great moment! Everyone celebrated, and cheered me on. It was nice to have people there to share it with. hahaha I know it all sounds so funny, but we might as well celebrate even the little things in life ;) So much has been happening. Your dad and I have been discussing the move back to California so that you can be close to your loving extended family. We are praying and hoping God can work everything out for that time. I've been flying to Cali about once a month to see our California doctor. It's been busy, but nice to see family so often ;) Your dad has been working so hard lately and spends so much time at work gaining new clients every week, and maintaining a great clientele. He is so great at his job and he loves it so much which makes me happy. I have been keeping busy with cleaning, baking, crocheting , scrap booking, and dabbling in some photography! Mommy used to love photography but stopped doing it for a while. I'm starting to get back into it as a hobby and it's been a blast! I just took some Christmas photos for some friends of mine who just had a sweet little baby girl, and other friends who have a cute little boy about 4 years old! It was so much fun. You will have to meet baby Mia Garcia someday ;) heehee... Here are some pics of us breaking 100lbs, and some photos from mommy's Christmas photo shoot ;) Love you, you are just so active lately ;)

Good afternoon Eli,
I think you have had quite a week. By the looks of my tummy, you have grown a little bit ;) Also, mommy gets the joy of feeling you move around a little now which means that your daddy is jealous again... heehee. He always says he wants to feel you too, and it's not fair that I can feel you and he can't yet. I guess it's one of the perks of being the mommy ;) He is so excited for the moment he will be able to feel you too. We just have to be patient and wait for you to get a little bigger so that daddy can be apart of that experience too. Love you

Something Different...

Hi Elijah,
Today Your daddy and I talked about you so much. We are so curious about you, what you are going to be like, and what you will look like. We walked downtown today and were sitting at Seattle's Best playing cards, when out of the blue your daddy said "I wonder what he's going to be like?". I said, "charming" haha. We love talking about parenting, and the fun things we want to do. Can't wait to dress you up, take thousands of pictures of you, and take you on mini adventures! But anyways, the best thing that happened today was that I got to feel you!!! EEEEeeeeeeeps! It was so cool! I was kind of freaking out and telling your daddy that I haven't really been able to feel anything yet. :( As I was complaining about how the book says I should be feeling you about now, I collapsed onto your daddy on the couch, and he started playing with my hair. Since I was in a weird position and putting pressure on one part of my tummy unawares, I felt movement! I felt a couple pokes, and a few adjustments. It was so cool ;) It's as if you knew... haha Definitely unmistakable though. Well I'm going to go join your daddy now. We are watching The Princess Bride. Love you. Here are some pictures your dad and I took today. THE DAY I FELT YOU...

Use the good stuff...

Dearest Eli baby,
I can't even express sometimes how much your daddy means to me, and now you! I'm so blessed to be able to share my love with such wonderful people in my life, and now I get to have you to love! It's almost too much to take in at times. I was talking to my sister (your auntie) Melissa this morning explaining to her what I think about family, love and showing love and kindness to the people closest to you. Here is my theory Elijah... Your daddy and I were so blessed when we got married with wonderful presents! We got dishes for nicer occasions, and dishes for everyday use. wine glasses for when we have guests, and then apparently wine glasses that we can use. haha. We got beautiful candles that I suppose we are supposed to save for special occasions as well, and maybe for when guests come over... heehee, that's what some people think ;) Your daddy means the world to me, and is the most important person in my life. I respect him, I appreciate him, and I want him above everyone to know how highly I regard him, and how much I love just being around him. So why not make every moment a special moment. I remember hearing something that stuck with me so hard. It was burned into my soul! haha... I remember someone saying how they would freak out when they were getting ready for guests. They would yell at their own kids and treat them like crap the whole day before the gusts would arrive. She would nag her husband, and yell at him if he accidentally used the "good" dishes, or the "nice" towels meant for guests only. hahaha. It made me laugh because it's so true. People do that! I've done that!!! She finally realized one day that she was treating strangers better than she was treating the people she was supposed to care for the most. Her family was playing second fiddle to people who she was making more important than them. Now here is the thing, I am ALL ABOUT hospitality and using your best things for guests to show that you care. It's very nice to be able to entertain and treat people with respect and kindness. BUT, it's equally important to let your own family know that they too are worth the effort and the "nicer" dishes. haha... I don't know if I'm saying this right, but in simple terms, I love using our best stuff on your daddy, my loving husband. When he comes home, I have all our candles lit, the house is clean, the bed is made, and it looks the same for when my husband walks through the door, and when our guests walk through the door. :) OF COURSE there are times when you just can't keep up with house work, your using paper plates, and the bed could just be left alone since your just going to sleep in it again. hahaha. But I'm just saying, I won't yell at my honey for eating appetizers before guests arrive. hahaha I love using our nice wine glasses for sparkling apple cider while watching a movie in our P.J.'s with my love. ;) I love cooking dinner and making it look like a nice restaurant in our dinning room. I know I will still go out of my way for guests, since I think it's fun, and also important to treat others how we would want to be treated. Yet, that translates to your own family as well, and I personally would hate to be yelled at for drying my hands on the wrong towel, or for drinking out of the wrong cup. So Eli, mommy will try her best not to get mad at you when you leave your sippy cup on the couch for a guest to sit on, or when you are simply LIVING in your house while I'm trying to make it spotless for your grandparents coming to visit. hahaha Love you ;) Melissa, I love our conversations by the way. Thanks for calling me this morning for some good old sister talk ;)

Just a touch of love :)

If you have time. Which I have right now! haha

Startled...

Elijah,
Your daddy scared us today! I know that you must have been startled since I was completely overtaken with fear. I was relaxing with lit candles, crocheting a blanket, and watching the news when your daddy came home from work. I was excited to see him, so I got up to kiss and hug him :) We were deciding what we should do tonight, and your dad randomly said, "Hey, you should weigh yourself!" I got excited since it's been a while since I have, so I pulled out the scale to see if I had reached my goal of 100 pounds!!! I stepped onto the scale and waited for the result... All of the sudden your dad yelled as if he were at a football game... I mean, the WHOLE neighborhood could have heard him. "HEY" that's all I heard and it startled me so much that I screamed and jumped off the scale in fear. I was so mad at him because he robbed me of my moment of glory! I didn't even get to see the triple digits :(  He saw 100 and got so excited that he yelled... I started cry laughing hysterically, and repeated to him over and over that he stole my moment I've been waiting for all my life! hahahahahahaha. I'm laughing right now and it's hard to type because this is so ridiculous! hahahaha BUT... He did! He scared the wits out of me. Then he had the nerve to laugh so hard he could not speak. He tried to calm me down by telling me that the scale was wrong, and that was NOT my moment. :/  I was like... um... YES IT WAS! so he told me to take off my jacket and my shoes and to get back on. I was hesitant, but decided to do it. I got back on while covering his mouth, and it read 99 pounds. So I did it again just to be sure and it still read 99 pounds! Which means..... It was not my moment thankfully! haha it was the moment before the moment. I should hit the mark in a few days, and I can't wait to legitimately be 100 pounds!!! ;) Oh Eli, you are going to be so funny. With your daddy, you and I combined, I hope we all make each other laugh like this all the time... :)

Mine would read: Mike makes you cry! haha

thought this was funny

um... why does nothing fit?

So I went to H&M, Target, and some other great places to find some maternity pants. The problem was as follows. My butt and legs are the same size as they were and the only things growing are my belly, and well, other things. Therefore, in conclusion, I would like to say that all maternity pants are LAME! And do not fit at all. My friend Sancha gave me the idea of making my own. I was intrigued, and now think that my next endeavor will be to get a sewing machine ("hint, hint" oh husband of mine) and make my own! Sancha, please help ;) I will take normal jeans that are my size, cut the top off, and sew in an elastic band. This has to work! My belly is growing at a rapid pace, and my jeans are shrinking as well... ;) Oh Elijah, this is so fun! I never had a fun little belly like this! I flaunt it, and am super proud of it. haha... By the way, you had your first taste of cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory on Halloween. We were walking by after coming out of H&M in downtown Seattle and decided to go in and share some dessert. Hope you liked it. Do you want to see just how big you are making my belly at 17 weeks? Ok! Here are some pics. By the way when your dad and I were at Target looking for maternity pants for me, we walked by a super cute leather jacket for YOU! It had your name written all over it, and we could not pass it up. Granted you won't be able to wear it till your about 2 years old, but we just had to get it. You will appreciate it when you're older and we are showing your girlfriend baby pictures of you in your stylish clothes. haha Love ya ;)

You can have one of these when you are older ;)

Elijah's Jacket!!!

Love my beginners belly ;)

We can't wait to meet you :)

Midnight Prayers...

Well Elijah,

Your daddy and I pray for you all the time. But when we say our prayers at night as well, you are always in them. Your daddy falls asleep usually really fast while I stay awake for what seems like forever praying for you, and our family. Last night as I was praying for you I remembered all the times God was there for me. All the times he protected me from harm, corruption, negativity, and so much more. I told your daddy yesterday after reading 1 Corinthians in the bible, that even though there are people in this world that I do not like or care for ;) I know he would give me the strength to help them if they were in need, and to love them if they needed love.  I told him, "man babe, I could be so bitter, and such a pessimist right now if God had not been with me. It's crazy how positive God has kept me, and how much love he has filled me with! It blows my mind!!!" I read that above all, love is so important, and we are blessed to have it. So when I pray for you I'm filled with peace since I know that God has seen me through so many things that blow my mind each time I think about them. I prayed that you, your daddy and me would never put God in a little box, but that we would try to see and understand everything God is and can be to us. We are making so many decisions based on you right now :) But we pray that they are the ones God would have us make ;) Here are some pictures me and my siblings when I was a little girl. We didn't have much Eli, but we had love...