Party Time!!!

Dear Elijah,

My friends here in Seattle had a baby shower for me. My friend Maria hosted it, and it was so adorable! It was such a blessing to be able to share that time with my girls here in Seattle before we had to move back to California. They got you some really cute stuff ;) and while I was opening it, things became so surreal. I couldn't believe that I was receiving gifts for my baby! It's like, so weird, in such a cool way. I LOVE seeing all the tiny clothes. Baby stuff is so cute. Last night your dad and I were talking about you. We can't wait to see your tiny feet, your tiny hands, and your little face! Your our mixture! Hahaha, we made you with our secret ingredients. We like to joke about who you are going to look like the most. It's so cool that God uses us, and our genetics to create a whole new person. We just keep saying that we can't wait to meet you! We will wait though, since we want you to finish baking. :) Ok, well I'm going to try and go back to sleep now. Your dad left for work this morning at 5am, so I got up too. I can never go right back to sleep when he leaves. I think I might be tired again. I love you. Your daddy loves you too. Goodnight!

Cute cup cakes Maria made for you!

Your first sweet baby shower

When I was...

Dear Elijah, 

I just wanted to share with you a few of my favorite things growing up. I loved playing with these awesome toys, and games. I didn't have all of these items, but I had a lot of friends who did! Hahaha. My friend Stacy had a SKIP -IT, and a Creepy Crawlers Set! My friend Jennifer had the Guess Who Game, My sister had the My Buddy Doll, and the rest of it I either owned, inherited as a hand me down, or shared with my siblings! :)

These skates totally didn't work very good, but I loved them anyway. You snap them on over your shoes!

You could actually bake your own bugs!!!

Me, uncle C.J. and Auntie Melissa got this one year for Christmas!

I had an older version, but it took forever to actually cook something ;)

One of my favorite games we used to play as a family

I slept with my glow worm, and even had a glow worm glow in the dark sleeping bag!

The care bears taught us some very nice lessons on caring for others :)

We loved this game, especially the travel size one for our long road trips!

This was my FAVORITE game

I always played this at my friend Jennifer's House! So fun!

Your uncle, Auntie and I shared this one, and loved it!

I really liked Lady Lovely Locks, and always wanted her hair ;)

This game was a Christmas present one year for me and my siblings. We used to play it all the time on our bedroom floor

We got this another year for Christmas when we were in Oregon! Uncle Brad helped us set it up for the first time :)

Your Auntie Melissa had a My Buddy :) She cut his hair off though...

I wanted a My Size Barbie, but was to old for barbies when this came out. But my cousins Jess and Ray had one, so I got to play with theirs!

We used to watch Rainbow Bright, and thought she was pretty cool.

This thing kept me entertained for hours!

Your auntie Melissa had a Strawberry Shortcake. I played with her's a lot...

I always wanted one of these, but never got one. I forgot which friend of mine had one???

I inherited a lot of Pound Puppies from Jenni, and Patti. My neighbors growing up :)

Light Brights were great! We used to use it as a night light :)

This was a doll filled with water. My friends Stacy, Erika and I all had one.

Oh memory lane! We had some great toys and games growing up, but it's the memories you gain along the way that make them so fun. The friends you play with, the funny stories, and the fun family times that came along with these things made them all so special to me! Your daddy showed me a bunch of his favorite toys and games growing up, and I think he might make a guest appearance on Letters to Elijah to show you them too! :) Love ya...

TRADITIONS!!!

Dear Elijah,
I was talking to your auntie Melissa today (Your Nina), and she got me thinking about our funny family traditions. We used to do some funny stuff, and to us it seemed so normal! I can't wait to start some family traditions with you :) Your daddy and I already have some fun traditions in place. But when you come along, I'm sure our traditions will keep growing. When I was little, my brother, sister and I would go crazy over a red plate... Yes, it was a regular plate just like others that we had, but this one was RED!!! My mom, (your grandma Darcie) made it a fun, very special thing. We took turns every day with the red plate :) Also, if it was someone's Birthday, they automatically got to have the red plate that day! It made meal times special, and sometimes chaotic. Hahahaha... I admit there were many arguments over who's turn it was. Also, we used to have family nights!!! Those were SO FUN! There were all sorts off cool stuff we did as a family including, Tamale Day, Movie Nights, Worship, Journal Time, The Dictionary Game, Traveling, and so much more. There are just too many things to list! The dictionary game deserves an honorable mention. My dad (your grandpa Cruz) used to flip through the dictionary and read off a definition, and we would have to figure out the word he was defining. We would keep score and make money! He used to give us a quarter for every answer we got right! Such a fun game :) One tradition that still stands today is EVERY time the whole family gets together (cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents) Story telling is a major part of our get togethers. We always end up sitting in one room laughing and telling embarrassing, funny, and crazy stories about each other. Can't wait to see what happens in our family :) Love ya

Your daddy as a baby! I bet him, your uncle Jimmy, and your G'pa and G'ma Holland had some neat traditions too :)

Transparent...

Dearest Elijah,
It's pretty early in the morning, and your daddy has been gone for a while now. Once he left I couldn't sleep, so I googled Dr. James Dobson because when I was a little girl, his voice used to ease my mind, and mellow me out. His voice in the morning was what I was used to waking up to. My mom (Your grandma Darcie) used to put him on EVERY morning, and that is what we would hear while getting ready for school in the morning. Honestly, I had no intention of listing to his sermon, I just wanted his voice on in my room to help me go back to sleep. Well, God had such different plans for me this morning. It's hard for me to be open with the things that go on in my heart, and mind. I like to stick to surface subjects most the time, and don't like to REALLY open up. But to you Eli, I will tell you what's in my heart. Your mommy has always had a very deep seeded passion for Jesus. It's because when I was a baby, to a little girl, to a teenager, to a woman, God has been my one constant and provider. He always brings me to my knees when I become forgetful, proud, hurt, or whatever it is that tries to tear me from His grip. Lately it's been fear. Fear has been creating a barrier between me and God without me really even noticing. I've been maintaining a very surface relationship with Him lately. I haven't meant to do this, and was not even aware of how bad it was getting. I've been asking your daddy to pray for me, and to pray for everything really. Kind of like I'm not worthy to pray myself. I still pray, but not in an open, naked before God way. This morning when I was just trying to fall asleep to a sermon, I couldn't help but listen to the words. I felt a huge revelation coming on, and at first wanted no part of it. It's always uncomfortable to change. Especially when you have no excuses anymore, and God is speaking directly to you. I was actually going to turn it off, but I couldn't. I just started crying. It felt like God striped me down and exposed my inner fears. I started confessing like a little girl who had just been exposed, or caught in her sin. I was crying and telling God EVERYTHING. The very reasons I should be drawing closer to God, were the reasons I had for pushing away. I have fears that God will take everything from me. Things were going so good in my life that I felt guilty and undeserving. I love my husband so much, and I love the growing baby in my stomach so much. I have this wonderful life with my best friend, and every time my husband and I shared indescribable moments together, I would start to fear right after! Directly after feeling overwhelmed with joy, I felt fear that this would all be taken from me if I didn't protect it or appreciate it enough. These fears were becoming so big, and even bigger than God to me. I was afraid to say some of them out loud or voice them to God because then they would be real, and not things I can keep pushing down. I also feared that God would use the people I love, including you Eli, to teach me hard lessons. I am a stubborn person, this I know, which is why I have these fears that God is going to break me using someone I love, taking them away. I'm always afraid that it will always take the hard way to teach me something. But then as I was pouring my soul out to God, I felt like this HUGE, huge, huge burden was lifted. I wasn't alone anymore in carrying these burdens and fears. Just by telling God the truth, He was able to teach me a lesson through my brokenness. I was broken all along, and all He wanted was for me to admit it so that I wouldn't have to carry it alone. Things don't just happen overnight, or in one cry session with God, but now at least I am able to freely talk to God about what has been eating me alive! I know God promises to always be with us. He will be with you Elijah, because He loves you more than I can. He created you. He will be with your daddy because he loves your daddy more than I can, and He created your daddy. He loves me more than you and your daddy can love me, and those are comforting thoughts. Even if bad things happen, and if I lose things in my life, knowing that God has a purpose, a plan, and a love for me that goes beyond this earth, is comforting. I still have so much to learn. Your daddy still has so much to learn. We are babies in a way, just like you Elijah. I know there are always places to grow. My prayer right now would be that God would be and remain my first priority, my first love, and my strongest passion. Also, that God would be that to you, and your daddy. That in this family we would glorify God, and never think what He needs us to do is impossible. I've seen God do to many things to doubt his capabilities. I will always care deeply about what happens to the people I love, my family and friends, but I also know that I need to give my fears to God and never let them create such a strong wall between Him and I. We will continue to pray for you Elijah, trusting that God will hear our prayers, and make you into the man HE has created you to be. Love you.

What a sweet surprise!

Dear Elijah,

Usually the week days are pretty mellow for your mama. You and I have been cleaning, packing, and trying to get everything taken care of for the move. I've been on the internet, placing orders, scheduling appointments, and also trying to sleep more since the last couple weeks I've been so fatigued. I don't mind doing all this stuff, it's actually kind of fun and keeps me entertained. The only part I HATE is that your daddy is gone at work ALL DAY! Well, since I've been a tiny bit emotional lately, and almost stuck to your daddy like glue, I think he felt bad. When he is here, I am always right next to him, with his arms around me, and my head and face cuddled up in his chest. No matter how much your daddy works out, and walks to and from work, he always smells SO GOOD! And that smell always comforts me :) Well I noticed that this week so far has been really easy. On Monday, your daddy left early at 5am. I kissed him goodbye, and didn't expect to see him till that night. I woke up to a phone call at about 9am, and it was your daddy saying that he had a surprise for me!!! Then I heard the door unlocking, and leaped out of bed! He moved some clients around so that he had a longer gap in his schedule instead of a few short gaps. So he was able to cuddle in 7pm tonight, so I flipped my hair up into a very ugly bun on the top of my headbed with me for a while, and then keep me company while packing :) It was thee best surprise in the world, and made the day a whole lot brighter. Then this morning he was able to stay with me till 10AM!!! which made such a huge difference. He then left to work, and I was so tired, I could not even open my eyes till noon! I don't know what the deal is? So I finally got up and started my day. I was not expecting your dad till, put on an old T-shirt, and was wearing his sweat pants. I was in the middle of wrapping all our picture frames and packing them up when I heard I got a text :) So I bounced up to my phone and it was your daddy saying he missed me and wished he was home with me. I text your dad back with "Meeeeeeee toooooooo," only to hear the keys in the door again! Wooohooo! Do you want to know your dad said when he saw me? "Wow, that's a nice hair doe you've got going on." Hahahahahaha. I was like, "well I wasn't expecting company!" Although this was yet another great surprise, the best part of the day was when we were sitting on the couch while he was doing some homework, and all the sudden you moved across my tummy!!! It looked like you were having a blast in there! haha... You moved SO much today and your dad was able to see you too! I kept telling you I loved you, and your dad kept butting in (talking over me)haha, saying he loved you too. He was poking my tummy saying he loved you. He says that you have to have more daddy time, but I don't really see how we can make our time with you that equal yet. Right now, I get the most time with you, and I know your daddy can't wait to get in on that. Only a few more months!

On another note HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your Uncle Jake! He turns "13" tomorrow!!! January 19th :) I can't believe he is a teenager now. wow. I was 14 years old when he was born! He is such a joy to be around, and has such a sweet heart. I know you will just love your uncle Jake. He is great with kids, funny, and family is very important to him. I'm very proud to call him my little brother, and he is also very excited to be your uncle :)

Handsome Birthday Boy!

Changes...

Dear Elijah,

Last night I was totally breaking down knowing that I was going to have to part with your daddy at 5am. He goes into work so early, and it's hard for me to sleep when he leaves. So I end up usually staying up for a while, and then fight to go back to sleep later. So last night I was totally getting emotional knowing the week was beginning again, and that means less snuggling in the morning :( Plus on top of all that, I was a little worried about you because this weekend you were not as active as you usually are. It was kind of freaking me out since I seriously could not feel you moving around at the times I usually can. The weekend, although it was great spending time with your daddy, was also very stressful. I tried laying in different positions, and your daddy tried to talk to you and rub my belly. You finally moved a little when your dad was talking to you, which made me feel better. But to tell you the truth, you have been so mellow, and I miss my active little Eli! Hopefully it's just a phase. haha... I read something that made me feel a little better. Because you are growing so much right now, there is less room for you to throw harder kicks like you used to. Now your movement may be a bit less aggressive since you are running low on space! I feel you now, but it's not as much or as noticeable as it once was. 

Also, Mommy and Daddy had to move our doctors appointment from what would have been tomorrow the 18th of January, to two weeks later, the 3rd of Feb!Since we are moving and couldn't spend the money to fly down when we are going to be there in two weeks anyway! I know this was our only decision, but it still made me nervous. I like checking up on you so often, and hearing that are doing great! So now I have to go a whole month without an appointment, and it's driving me crazy. But under the circumstances, it's what we have to do. I am thankful that we were able to check up on you twice in December though. We took you to First Look Sonograms and were able to see your heart, brain, spine, kidneys, bones and cute little face :) they really did a great check up on you, and then after that, we went to our regular doctors appointment a week later. So we did get to see a lot of you last month :)

On another note, I still have an inny bellybutton! My bellybutton has yet to pop out, but I have to say, it's getting very close. Haha... We'll see how long mommy can hang on to that ;)Love you.

We Heart you Eli :)

Seriously?

Dearest Elijah baby,

Boy do I have a funny story for you ;) Well, today I decided to let your daddy put me through an arm work-out. The last few days when we go for walks, my tummy gets REALLY bad cramps, and it hurts pretty bad. So I thought I would ask your daddy to work me out in other ways now... Your daddy went to get his stuff to work out my arms, and I got ready to get down to business... First, I just want to say this disclaimer, I am NOT a client of your dad's, I only want a tiny work out to replace my walking for a couple weeks. We started, and let me tell you, it was rough. I'm not used to training with anyone, so this was very hard for me. I was doing it though! In fact, I was doing pretty good! I exclaimed in excitement to your dad that I could not wait to have some ice cream after we were finished. His response was, "you can't have ice cream, that will inhibit your protein synthesis." My what??? He went on to tell me that I need to eat more protein if I want to built muscle, and ice cream right after my work out won't help me reach my goal!!! Elijah, do you want to know what your mama's reaction to this was? Do you really want to know? Because I'm not proud of the way I reacted, but it was honest. I was honestly that disappointed. I TEARED UP!!! I started crying and saying, "but I want ice cream, I love ice cream, you can't tell me not to have ice cream!!!" So, um, I kinda freaked out... Took it a little to seriously I guess... But I LOVE ice cream... I couldn't help it. Your dad took a couple steps back and looked at me in shock. He then asked me, "are you really crying?" and then he came in to hug me while I was trying to bargain with him about it. He started laughing and kept hugging me, telling me that I can have ice cream, he just meant that having it right after I work out would make it harder for me to reach my goals... First of all, I HAVE NO GOALS... I'm just a pregnant woman trying to stay active. hahaha. He is such a trainer by nature that information just shoots out of him whether you like it or not. Oh man, we had a good laugh about the whole thing later... We are so excited to add you to our crazy family. We love you very much.

There you are! This was us yesterday. 7 months.

My Tricks...

Dear Elijah,
I have come to realize that I have developed new tricks while being pregnant! But the one that I am most proud of is being able to balance a cup on my tummy. It's kind of silly, but really fun; not to mention, convenient... That's all for now. Love you

Oh You...

Elijah,
I have to say that every single day getting prepared for you just gets funnier and funnier. Since being prego effects my moods, emotions, and mind, your daddy keeps getting funnier. Hahahaha... I get my feelings hurt pretty easily now of days, and he is usually very aware of that. He makes adjustments and I can tell how he tries to be more gentle with me... But a man can only take so much! Today YOUR FATHER sat on my hand and farted on it!!! I was so disgusted that I threw a juice bottle at his stomach and ran to the bathroom to wash my poor little hand! Can you believe your father... Whilst I'm in this fragile state, he totally did something he knew would gross me out to the max. He has NEVER done anything like that before EVER! I thought I was pretty special to have a husband who never farted on me... He never did a "dutch oven" or anything like that. So I was pretty shocked... Hahahaha. But get this, after he did it, he could not stop laughing. He was trying to apologize, but I could tell that in doing this, it made him feel so liberated. He was a new man. He was so happy with himself and although he was sorry, I don't think he would take it back if he could. Hahaha. I only write this because I usually tease him by pushing or shoving him into things, and immediately say, "Don't touch me, I'm pregnant!" Haha. He can NEVER get me back for teasing him so much because he is afraid to lift me up, or play wrestle with me since I've had you in my tummy to protect me! Hahaha... So, I guess this was pay back today. Your daddy has been such a good sport through the tears and the ups and downs of my moods. I don't condone what he did, but I have to say it was a long time coming. I most likely deserved it... We sat on the couch together after the this disturbing incident, and you were moving around in my tummy. That put me in a better mood. I LOVE feeling you! Still never gets old.

There are boxes EVERYWHERE right now, and your dad and I have started packing for the big move. This is such an exciting time! We get to move into a new place, and it's so much fun moving with your dad. He makes everything more fun, you'll see ;). I started to pack now, so that we are not in a rush at the end of the month. We don't want to be stressed out because that's not healthy for any of us, but especially you. So, we are taking it slow, and doing it thoroughly. Can't wait to have all your stuff in your new room. Love you. Your daddy is at work, but if he were here, he would tell me to say that he loves you too! 

There you are with mommy trying to open the packing tape!

Look how big you are Eli, This is us at 7 months!

This is the part I'm allowed to do. Your daddy has to do all the lifting!

Oh My...

Dear Elijah,
well, your dad and I went to Babies R Us today to register for baby stuff! After a long speech from the lady at the counter, we wondered into the world of babies. Let me tell you, it was a bit overwhelming to your dad and I. hahahaha. I think we spent the first half hour just trying to figure out where to start. I wish you could have heard some of your daddy's comments and questions. You should have also see your mommy trying to act like she had all the answers... Your daddy would say something like, "what's that for?" and I would reply, "oh, you know, that's like totally for... You know... That thing." We had notes that the lady was nice enough to give us, and lots of determination. We looked at bedding, baby gear, bathing stuff, strollers, and stuff... Your daddy was funny with the stroller. He kept on opening and closing it. He did it like 10 times! While I stood there saying, "so, are you happy with the way it folds up now, or do you need to do that one more time!!!" hahaha. We picked one out and your daddy was so excited. He was rolling it around the store trying to get a feel for it. He wanted to be sure that it was easy, practical, and safe. At the end of everything, we got to finally look at the fun stuff, which were the CLOTHES of course ;) Your daddy saw something on the clearance rack and HAD to buy it for you today. It was a very cute red and black plaid jacket. He couldn't stop holding it up and saying how cute you would look in it. We found so many awesome outfits, and cute hats and socks, and shoes! We were like kids in a candy store at this point. I don't know what it is about tiny clothes, but they are so fun to look at. They make us laugh :) Your daddy is a read the label on EVERYTHING kind of guy, and I'm a SCAN EVERYTHING because it has a cool picture on the box kind of girl. That made things interesting. I stood there with my mind already set on something, and 15 minutes after he was done examining, reading, testing, and comparing; I was able to scan. Haha... (INTERRUPTION) Your dad just walked through the door with like 8 packs of toilet paper. I sent him to the store for cereal, and he came back with that. Apparently they were only 25 cents a pack... ok, (BACK TO YOUR LETTER) At the end of our journey, we were standing in line to buy your jacket, and I grabbed your daddy and hugged him as tight as I could and said, "I'm so glad we have each other... I couldn't;t have ever done this alone." Then a kissed his face off. Eeeeeeeew, I know Eli, but I love him, and I couldn't help it. Haha... By the time we walked out of the store, four hours had gone by!!! We were so hungry and tired, so we went home to eat and rest. I seriously can't wait to give you your first bath in that awesome new baby bath we saw today, or kiss you goodnight in your little sleeper! Although we were overwhelmed at first, nothing could have given us a warmer feeling then being able to focus on you today :) Love you.... Daddy says, "I'm proud of you for all the moving you did today." He got to see you moving your mama's tummy all over the place! haha...

Coming into the Third...

Dear Elijah,

You and I are coming into the Third Trimester this week! Within the next two weeks or so you are supposed to be getting into position to get on out of there! I can't wait to see you :) So, lately you have been on the move. You kick and punch so hard that your daddy just looks at me with BIG EYES, and has no idea what to say. We finally caught your moves on video, and you can see mommy's tummy move up and down. It's so cool, and such a great feeling for both your daddy and I. 

So... Your mommy started to register for baby stuff yesterday. All I have to say is.. YIKES! I have no idea what half the things out there even are! haha, your daddy got home and I was on the couch with a worried look on my face. He asked me what was wrong and I told him, "I'm registering for Elijah, and I have no idea what we need, or even how to use most of this stuff." I'll tell you what Eli, I have been around many baby's and I thought I knew what to expect and what things I would need. I was 14 when your uncle Jake was born, and helped my mom take care of him, feed him, change him, and give him baths. But I feel like EVERYTHING has changed from that time. Haha. Everything is different now, and there are so many other things to learn. As your daddy was walking into the kitchen to get something to drink I yelled, "babe, we need to take like 50 classes just to learn how and when to use a bottle warmer, and a bottle cooler." haha... There are just so many products out there that are probably useless, or not needed, but the problem is, I don't know which ones those are apart from ones we do need, and that are helpful! So, I asked FACEBOOK! Haha... There are a lot of mommy's on my facebook, and they were so helpful! I actually read every comment that was made on what things they thought were helpful, and what things I should not bother investing in. 

On the flip side, looking at all the cute things on the Target website got me so excited! Your daddy and I sat there for another hour looking at everything, and all our neighbors probably heard was, "awwww... oh my goodness... how cute... precious... aww I can see him in that... what a cute bib... how sweet are those!!!" Haha... We had fun picking out some of the stuff we can't wait to use on you and see on you! :) We love you so much Elijah, and can't wait to meet you soon. Time sure flies when you having fun. We have had a busy few months, and more to come. But I'm glad, because it makes the time go by so fast. I'm so excited about the move to California even though I'm going to miss Seattle and all our friends here. We can't wait to do our second move as newlyweds ;) Getting settled into a place and setting it up together is so much fun! We love decorating together, and working on projects together. We are a great team Eli, and we can't wait to team up to take care of you!  

6 MONTHS

If this is 6 months and one week, I don't want to know what 9 months looks like! haha

My growing baby boy :)

I might be taking out my ring soon...

He was kicking during these pictures! Eeeek! He is so cute! hahaha

We love you Eli

Just have to share...

Dear Elijah,

So much has been going on lately with the Holidays and being in California. Also, with you and they way you are growing and making mommy bigger and bigger each day ;) So the last day your dad and I were in California, we drove around dropping off our apartment applications to all the places we liked. Some places we liked more than others, but we wanted to be sure we sent in enough apps just in case there was a problem, or other people applied before us. There were TWO places in particular that your dad and I liked so much! We really hoped and prayed we would get one of these two places. When we went to drop off the applications there were all kinds of complications we did not anticipate, plus it was harder for us to do all of this when most of our important stuff was here in Seattle. So, we became disheartened, and gloomy. I started to get cranky, and your dad started to get frustrated. Sometimes when your dad and I start to argue about something, it's usually because there is a lot of stress surrounding us. This makes it easier to make up though, since it's usually nothing personal, just situational. Your daddy ALWAYS, always, always seems to save the day by his oh so reoccurring habit of saying his words completely wrong in the middle of a heated moment. It never fails, I always start laughing! This time he was trying to say, "application", but he said, "acclipation." It struck me so funny. He thought so too. That calmed the situations, and we just prayed and trusted that God would put us exactly where he wanted us. Just realizing that really takes the edge off. So even though to us, getting into the places we really wanted seemed impossible, we also knew that God can always make the impossible, very possible! So as we were packing and just about to walk out the door to the airport, your daddy's phone rang. He was downstairs grabbing our last bag, and I ran his phone down to him! He was talking and talking, and I was trying to hear what was going on. I thought it was another guy from an apartment I would have been ok settling with. But then your daddy mouthed who it really was to me, and gave me a thumbs up, and I got so excited! We were in shock, since we had so much trouble getting together everything these people were asking for with our lives being in Seattle :) But we got it! We think it's such a great place. I jumped into your daddy's arms and felt the stress melt away from him. His face said it all... He was so happy and relieved that we got the call before we got on that plane ;) Praise God! He has been so good to us, and we can see all the blessings He has blessed us with. It's crazy how God works things out when you give it all to Him. It blows my mind. I was praying this morning for you, and your daddy, and was able to see how God is responsible for every good thing that we have as a family. I know you and your daddy belong to God, and that is such a comforting thought. Love you Elijah! Your daddy loves you too. He is at work right now, and I am home sick :( I think all the traveling finally got to me today. So you and I are resting today, drinking lots of water, and eating fruit and veggies :)

You are so big!

Every little thing...

Dear Elijah,
You have been moving for a while now, and I have been able to feel you for months! It still seems though, that every time I feel you move, it's like the first time. You are so active, and I get so excited when you are moving around! I kind of miss you when your sleeping. You have your usual times that you say hello. Around 8am you are so active till about 10am, then sleep till about noonish which is when you kind of roll around and poke me a little, next is around 4pm when you kick around or have the hiccups!  Finally, you start to get REALLY active around 11:30pm! When I lay down to go to sleep, you decide that's when you have to do your aerobic work out for the day. The other night I woke up and my whole stomach was sore. I think it's because in the month of December you doubled in weight, and my muscles were stretching so much. I finally went back to sleep, but when I woke up the next morning, I have no idea what you were doing! You were pushing up against the top of my yummy so hard, to where I could see a little bump right there. It hurt! hahaha, so your daddy talked to you and rubbed that spot on my belly until you changed position. It was so funny!

Your daddy and I brought in the New Year of 2011, watching the ball drop on T.V. with grandma and grandpa Thornblad :) and it was nice and mellow. We had pizza and chocolate shakes! So perfect ;) We have been tired since most of our days here in California on this Holiday break, we have been searching San Pedro for apartments. Almost every day, all day, we are talking to landlords, filling out applications, getting all our information together, and trying to see friends and family in between! I think we have done very well so far. We leave tomorrow, and we are going to be turning in 4 applications to the places we liked the most. Then all there is to do is pray, pack, and MOVE! We have decided on February, and are trusting that God will help us along the way with the details. We already reserved a moving truck, and have what we think is an awesome plan ;) haha... We shall see how that goes ;) You and mommy have to be here in Cali sooner than we had thought originally, so we changed up our plans a little to make sure you are getting the proper care you need. Oh, and good news, I just got the results from the glucose testing, and we are fine! Mommy's blood sugar is great, and I am not diabetic :) I hated that test Eli. I had to drink a bottle of sugar syrup in the morning before eating anything, and then wait an hour for them to take my blood. I was so worried about you because I thought it couldn't be a good thing for you to have all that sugar! But you hung in there, and so did I with the help of your daddy.

Your sweet cousin Nic is gone for 3 MONTHS in New Mexico visiting his cousins and other family members out there. We are going to miss him so much! :( We got to see him and spend some time with him before he left. We are just praying that him and your Auntie Jessica will have a great time, and be safe. They will be back shortly after  you are born! yay!

I hope you like the plane ride tomorrow ;) we will be back in Seattle tomorrow night. I'm going to start researching baby stuff when I get back! I have to find out what moms like the best, and what stuff is a waste of money! haha... Also, what things are recommended and safe! I love you little Ly guy!!! Your daddy is on his way to pick me up for church. He is playing the drums this morning at both services :)