Family Time, and Nesting :)

All your clothes and stuff!

got the veggies done by the time your daddy got home!

Dear Elijah,
What a weekend we have had! First off, you have been, of course, getting bigger, and It's been fun seeing my body change more and more. We had the Family Baby shower for you yesterday, Sunday the 27th. It was so much fun! I loved seeing all of the family and close family friends. Everyone gave you so many awesome things! You got cute blankets, clothes, stuffed animals, a stroller, a crib, a sleeper, a bouncy, a play pad, and so much more! How I fit it all in your room, I have no idea. Haha... Your shower was so personal and very cute. It was at my Aunt Teresa's house, and Your Nina and her friend Megan decorated with pictures, birds, nests, and other cute things! Your Nino was there too showing love and support. He got you thee cutest little jacket newborn outfit that we are actually planning on dressing you in on the way home from the hospital! You also had a very beautiful cake made with love by Christina Main (Your daddy's cousin's wife). She did a great job. It had your name on it, and was green and brown. She also made tiny cupcakes that matches and were delicious! I spent today washing EVERYTHING! So much laundry for such a little guy ;) I had to pre-wash all your blankets, clothes, and pretty much anything material like burp pads, bibs, hats, socks, and sheets! I got it all done today and also managed to organize your room with the toys and stuffed animals you received! I'm telling you Elijah, this has been so much fun! Today you have been on the move a lot. I woke up and you were kicking, and here I am typing this evening and you are still kicking. I LOVE it. At the shower I looked around and realized how loved you already are. Your whole family loves you so much, and they already say it! You will see when I show you all the really sweet cards that they wrote and gave to you. I of course am saving them! :) I love and cherish everyone who was there showing their love and support to YOU, your daddy and I. Also, the family and friends who couldn't make it. It's so neat having such a caring family. Your cousins Katelynn, Grace, and Hannah were there, and your cousin Nic couldn't make it, but wanted to be there. He is still in New Mexico with your Auntie Jessica. Also, your cousin Gavin was there! He is so cute, and it was nice seeing him. It was fun seeing all the kids playing and having fun. Your second cousins, cousins once removed, aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, Grandparents, great grandparents, and loads of other family were all there to share in our joy of welcoming you. I loved seeing that! What a blessing. Well I better go, your daddy is at the store picking up dinner and I have to steam some veggies before he gets back! Yipes! I love you Elijah.

Bride to be, and Mom to be :)

Your cousin Gavin

Your Nina and Nino

Some great aunts...

Can't Wait!!!

Dear Elijah, 

Ok, so we are pretty much just waiting on you kiddo. We are so excited and keep saying that we can't wait to hold you. I know I've been carrying you in my tummy, but I'm ready to see you and hold you in my arms :) So is your daddy! These last few weeks are going to be torture, knowing that it's so close to you being here! Plus the fact that I can't sleep, my back hurts, and I can't put on my own socks and shoes... Haha... We keep working on your room, and setting up fun stuff. Thank God I have your daddy to install shelves, build changing tables, and move heavy things back and forth. Gosh he does a lot! He is always going to the store, picking up my favorite treats, making me healthy smoothies, holding me when I need it, Rubbing my back, scratching my head to make me fall asleep, laughing at me when I cry over ridiculous things, and taking me out for nice walks. What a guy. I thank Jesus every day for giving me such a great husband. Ok, so I cry A LOT these days, and yes sometimes I do cry over the most trivial things, but last night was my favorite moment ever! I walked into the living room while your daddy was watching "American Idol," which is a singing show that we like to watch together. I was making soup and listening to what was going on. When I walked into the living room to see the T.V., I looked over at your dad and he was all teared up! LOL... He was touched by one of the contestants stories, and it made him tear up. I started laughing so hard, but told him that he made my night. He has such a sweet heart :) He's a tough guy, but not made of stone! I appreciate that so much! 

He gets to do the hard stuff ;)

and I get to do the fun stuff :)

Sluggggish...

Dear Elijah,

I've been feeling pretty sluggish and tired. It may be the sleepless nights, but I think it's also because you are getting so big. I still want to be active so I asked your daddy to take me out this morning to the Ocean for a walk. I'm so glad we did because it was really breath taking today. What a wonderful day for a walk by the sea, and a cup of decaf from Starbucks. Before we made it out of the house I was telling your daddy that it took all my energy just to get dressed! Hahaha. I felt like after I was all ready to leave the house, I could have laid back in bed and gone right back to sleep! I'm so glad I didn't though :) We finished installing your shelves in your room, and your daddy finally finished the changing table!!! Yay! Hahaha... It wasn't hard, just time consuming. Glad it's all together now, and I'm happy to see your room looking more and more cute! We have monkeys and Giraffes everywhere. Mostly monkeys :) Daddy called you his little athlete this morning because you were kicking me like crazy! You are so funny! I already love your ways ;) Before we were leaving Starbucks to walk the ocean trails, this old lady walked up to me and stood so close to me. She was just trying to tell me how gorgeous the trails were over there, but boy did she get all up in my face! Hahaha... She had like NO bubble... My only saving grace was that you were blocking her from being nose to nose with me. Haha. She was sweet though, and we appreciated her enthusiasm!  

There you are Eli, enjoying the ocean breeze. Haha

Your dad took this while I wasn't paying attention!

Changing Table Fun!!!

Dear Elijah,

Well, you are growing daily, and it sure does feel like it. I woke up this morning and found it harder to get out of bed. I actually found rolling over more difficult and almost started crying! Haha... I told your dad that today was the first real day that I felt like I was ready to have my body go back to normal! Not that I want to kick you out or anything Eli, I am just beginning to feel SO uncomfortable. I walked into the post office and was out of breath! Sick! I hate that feeling. I walked into the bank, and I was out of breath! Yipes! It's not so fun. But I shouldn't complain too much seeing as how I can still walk around fine, and you and I are both super healthy :) The doctor told me that I have gained 20 pounds so far and am where I should be weight wise. Yay! I don't mind the weight so long as it protects you and keeps you healthy. Your daddy started to build your changing table the other night. I kid you not, this is his third night working on it. He will start, and about a half hour later I hear him shout "Step one complete!" Hahaha. There are sooooooooooooooooo many pieces, and a lot of it he is having to measure out and make his own holes, and such. The second night I heard, "step two complete" as he was laughing and saying he was done for the night. He is getting it done, just taking his time doing it. Maybe because I keep pulling him away to snuggle :) Hehe. Well Eli, we are in our 34th week! I am so anxious to see you and experience this whole birth thing. Oh my goodness, my heartburn has been out of control! Your dad is practicing drums right now, but then he is off to the store for more TUMS! I eat them like candy these days. Oh, I got to go visit your great grandma Gutierrez two days ago, and it was so nice to see her. She got to feel your move! I was so glad she felt you while you were in my tummy. And on another note your daddy snuck up on your poor great grandma File today in target and scared her half to death! RUDE! Poor Darlene, but it was nice running into her and your grandma Holland today at Target. We were actually there buying shelves for YOUR ROOM! Woohoooo! Love you baby face ;)

The changing table blues. Haha

You and me in our 34th week!

So Big!

Hard at work ;)

Floating...

Dear Eli,
We had such a blessed, sweet, fun, exciting weekend! I invited my cousins over for a Barbecue at our new place, and it was so much fun getting to see and hang out with my family FINALLY! I haven't seen most of them since we have been back. Yesterday around 2pm everyone came over, and it was just so nice to be around them. I've missed them so much, and it's nice to have cousins who are some of your best friends. We ended up watching a video of you that your daddy and I just got from the last 4D ultrasound we had. They were so sweet to watch it and get all excited :) They saw you, and your long legs, and cute face. I could watch that video a thousand times! Then after that we popped in mine and your dad's wedding video. They had never seen it before. We got to see your cousin Nick run down the Isle crying, Your Uncle C.J. breaking it down on the dance floor, and your uncle Oscar cheering on your daddy as he sang "I believe in a thing called love" at the reception! It's hard to believe that was less than a year ago, and now we are entering a whole other exciting time in our lives with you coming to join in on all the fun! We ended up staying up till midnight talking, laughing and of course telling funny and embarrassing stories. You will find out that your family loves to laugh ;) It was such a refreshing time for your daddy and I to be able to relax and soak in the people we've been missing. They are so excited for you to get here, and they all plan on being at the hospital when you are born!!! We are all also SOOOOOOOOO excited about another event taking place this May!!! Your Uncle Oscar and Auntie Erica are getting married, and it's coming up so soon! I'm hoping to make it to Erica's bridal shower, but that depends on you Eli. Her shower is kind of close to your due date! Hahaha. So you can't be a thunder stealer Elijah, you have to wait till after your Auntie's tea party! Hahaha.

Today, Sunday the 21st, we had a baby shower for you! It was given by the Trinity Lutheran Church women. I was beyond blessed by their love, support and generosity towards our little growing family. They all showed up with smiles and words of support. They all were so nice and gave you so many sweet gifts. I was touched by the whole thing. Then my mom, your grandma Darcie, gave a small devotions. She read about the Elijah in the bible who you are named after :) and then she read a word from the bible that she was given for YOU! She of course made me cry like I asked her not to. She gave me a book called The Power of a Praying Parent, which means a lot to me since she read it while praying for me and my siblings. I also got to talk to an old friend of mine who's name is Annalisa. She has been living in Bolivia helping at an orphanage. She spends time with little children and God has used her so much out there. Your daddy and I had been praying for her ministry over there and for the kids that God was loving through her. They don't have much, and most of them don't even know what a family is. We sometimes forget how blessed we are to have families who love and care for us. But it's people like Annalisa and others who are inspiring and let us see that God can use others to love others. He can bring people love who don't have it. I will continue to pray for the kids over in Bolivia, and since Annalisa is now home here in San Pedro, that will be a good reminder to me to never forget to pray for children who need homes and love. I am so blessed and joyful knowing that you have so many people willing to pray for you even while you are in my tummy. You are being welcomed with prayer, and I appreciate these ladies so much for that. So thank you Trinity Lutheran Church, you all mean a lot to this family. It's so nice being a part of a caring Christ centered community. And on another note, my belly button has yet to pop all the way out, and I have yet to receive a stretch mark! HAHAHA... Now that I wrote that I'm going to wake up tomorrow morning with an outie belly button and my very first stretch mark :/ heehee. Love you baby boy!

Grandma, Mommy, and Grandma!

Your Nina, Mommy and Grandma!

Annalisa (my childhood friend) and Nina!

Nothing to worry about :)

Dear Elijah,

So these past few mornings I've been getting sick, and the past few days I feel like I can sleep ALL DAY! Last night I was up with heartburn most of the night, and you were on a mission to keep me up with harsh kicks to the ribs! You love kicking me in the ribs right now, it's like your new thing. It HURTS!!! So if you would please stop I would greatly appreciate it. Heehee... Sometimes it feels like you just wedge your little foot up there and twist it around. So nice! I don't know when you sleep right now, because it seems to me like you are always awake and moving. We went to our doctor yesterday and they did an ultrasound to check if everything is alright since I was having cramping. You looked good, and everything was where it should be and what size it should be and all that jazz. So it was nothing to worry about, she just wanted to make sure it wasn't pre-term labor, and it wasn't. Although, sometimes it feels like you are fighting to get out. Haha. I was abused at the last appointment, meaning I felt that my doctor was a little too invasive for my liking. So I asked your daddy if I could have a treat afterward, and he said OF COURSE! So he took me to Coco's to get my favorite cream of broccoli soup, and then to Frozen Yogurt!!! What seemed like a grim day of morning sickness and a doctor who has no boundaries, turned into a great day of treats and fun! Don't worry Elijah, we will most definitely take you to get a smoothie at Jamba Juice or Frozen Yogurt when you have to go to lame doctors appointments.  :) Love you. and hey, take it easy in there buddy! Haha

a picture of your daddy I came across ;)

Nesting... heehee

Dear Elijah,

Well we have been here in the new place for a couple weeks now and are really enjoying it. Your room up to this point has been our storage room of extra boxes, and stuff we didn't quite know what to do with. I finally got tired of your room being unfinished yesterday, so I woke up and started in on making your room nice :) Your daddy took all the boxes out and took all our junk to the garage. We finally had your room at least cleared out yesterday! Today I was able to set up a few more things. We don't have all your room stuff yet, so we really just wanted to clear and clean it so that we will be able to set up everything in the next month. We got started with some small stuff like your clothes and other things you have already received from some very sweet people for Christmas and just along the way. Your daddy's clients in Seattle were giving us baby stuff when we were leaving, and that was so sweet. Also, we got some really cute stuff from my baby shower in Seattle ;) So we had a few things to set up! I was sitting in your room today just thinking. My mind went on a ride, and I was holding your little socks, and staring at your closet full of sweet baby clothes. I couldn't help but spring ahead to a vision of me hanging onto your leg as you are trying to leave to college. Hahaha... Im already having those thoughts! Haha, oh no Eli, you are going to have one crazy mama! I am so excited to be your mommy. We are getting so close! 

Your cute little clothes!

Week by Week!

Dear Elijah,
I've been reading about my pregnancy week by week, and each time I read, I receive a peace of mind kind of reassurance from it. Heehee... It helps to know that your mommy's normal, and most pregnant women are and have gone through everything I am experiencing. This week what I read was so true and confirmed everything I have been experiencing! For instance, "Your baby is still gaining weight (about half a pound a week), and he could grow up to another full inch this week. With that much baby inside your uterus, your amniotic-fluid level has maxed out, which explains why some of his pokes and kicks feel pretty sharp these days. (There's less fluid to cushion the blows." That makes complete sense as to why I can not only feel you so much more now, but I can also see your little pokes. Also, "With midnight bathroom runs, leg cramps, heartburn, and your basketball-sized belly, it's no wonder sleep is elusive." Couldn't have said it better myself! Haha... They also said, "Shortness of breath: That burgeoning belly is pushing anything out of its way — including your lungs, which can’t fully expand. It’s more uncomfortable for you than it is for your baby, who is getting the oxygen she needs from the placenta. What helps? Standing as straight as you can so that your lungs have a little more room." I figured that trick out before reading it since my shortness of breath has been pretty bad. I just stand as straight as I can, and when I'm sitting and can't breath very well, I stand and stretch my belly out so I can get some good deep breathing going on!The funny thing I read today was, "Increasing clumsiness: A bigger belly means a shift in your center of gravity and that can spell clumsiness. What to do about it? Slow down and take it easy — rushing will only make you clumsier." I was rushing the other day and found out that it took me twice as long to "rush" than it would have if I would have just slowed down. I dropped something three times, tripped twice and fell sideways into a wall... I learned the hard way that I really need to slow down because it's true, my center of gravity is WAY off. It's such a weird feeling when you have no control over your body when you are rushing around. I lose all sanity when it happens. Your daddy walked into the kitchen last night to find ice cream all over the refrigerator, on the floor and all over my hands... I can't exactly tell you how it happened, I just know that I was in a hurry... I'm going to try this whole slowing down thing. Love you Eli <3

Here we are on Valentines Day Eli :)

Good Stuff...

Dear Elijah,

This morning in church you were so funny! Your uncle Jake was sitting next to me, and he saw you moving around inside my tummy! You were making my tummy make funny shapes, and it was so cool that your uncle got to see what I get to see on a daily basis these days. Every day you get a little bigger, and I feel it and see it. On another note, our pastor, pastor Nathan, said some very powerful things today in service. Your daddy and I were blessed by the teaching today. It was soooooooooooooooo simple, and really back to the basics of following Jesus. So refreshing to hear someone speak with such passion, not at you, but to you. It was a very personal message to Christians. In our daily lives, God chooses us to do His work, and we sometimes overlook the fact that our message can be spread in whatever we are doing. Or we get caught up in the planning part so long that we never actually get around to doing it. Hahaha, it seems so simple and elementary, but I swear I get caught in so many webs along the way, that at times it's hard to remember what I was working towards. Haha. So it got me to think about you and our growing family. I thought about how I'm always telling your dad that we would be good at this or that, or we should really get involved in this or that, and then we get so busy doing other things! It's not like we do that with everything, but enough things to make me notice. I have been feeling like God wants us as a couple to do some, what seem to me like CRAZY things, but I know God will make it possible. I shouldn't even question if we are good enough, or if we will be able to, I should just trust that if God is asking, we should be doing. Again, so simple, but so hard to grasp sometimes. I pray that we will be able to nurture Gods calling in your life, and that you will always have the courage to do what God is asking. It's not always easy, and I totally get that! So I guess we will all be learning together. We love you Baby Elijah!

p.s.

You have some pretty great (and funny) grandparents Eli. They came over tonight for a valentines dinner/game night, and we were all laughing all night! Can't wait till you can be a part of it all!

 

Symptoms are not hear say anymore... haha

Dear Elijah,

We are now in our 33rd week! It's crazy because I remember watching Mike's cousin Missy posting on facebook that she was 26 weeks, and I thought, WOW, she is soooooooooooooo close! Now of course your cousin Steven was born, and you and I are at 33 weeks! It's crazy how time flies. I thought it would never go by this quickly, especially in the beginning when I was so sick. Everywhere we go now, people don't even look at my face anymore, because their eyes go strait to my stomach. Hahaha... It's a little weird, but I'm getting used to it. Yesterday morning your daddy took me out to breakfast for our Valentines weekend, and we went to the Pacific Diner here in San Pedro. The waitress immediately took notice of my tummy and her eyes got so big. She asked me how far along I was, and when I said 8 months, she gasped! Hahaha... Seriously, she was in shock and said that I was to tiny to be 8 months. This is funny because I have heard so many things, that I don't even know anymore what I'm "supposed" to look like at in any given month. Haha. I've heard, "whoa, your so big!," to "I didn't even know you were pregnant till I looked down." But with everything being said, my doctor says I'm the perfect size. She measured my tummy and said, "congratulations on being perfect". So I guess we are ok Eli. 

Last night was pretty crazy. You were sound asleep in my tummy at around 3am, and I was having the worst heart burn ever! I couldn't lay down because it was so bad, so I had to sit up. Then my legs started cramping up and hurting really bad. Your daddy went from rubbing my back, to rubbing my legs. He is such a trooper. I took some TUMS, and that started to work after about 20 minutes or so. I feel asleep propped upright though, and woke up all slouched with a neck ache! I am like the text book pregnant woman. I always thought that symptoms of pregnancy were most likely women being over sensitive. Haha, ok I admit it! But now I know that all of these symptoms REALLY do exist. They are not just hear say. I have experienced almost every single pregnancy symptom. Every time my doctor mentions what I may be feeling that week, I do! Your dad jokes that I am the cookie cutter prego woman. I get a weird symptom, and then read about it in my week by week pregnancy book. I'll tell you what, you know you are preggers when you get excited about little things like... Well, I'll tell you later. I have to pee like every ten seconds, I kid you not! It's like my bladder got 10x smaller. Really, you just got bigger and are putting more pressure on mommy's bladder. Which is why I have a sip of water, and then run to the bathroom. Also, you being bigger contributes to mommy's heart burn getting worse. But it's all good! As long as you are growing, healthy and happy, I am more than happy to bear the brunt. You are my little sunshine! Every time I look at an ultrasound picture I get butterflies in my tummy and my heart. Every little or big pregnancy symptom is so worth having knowing that it's because you, Elijah James Holland, are growing in my tummy! I seriously can't wait to hold you in my arms! 

Your dad got you and I some pretty flowers!

LOVE

Dear Elijah,

This weekend is a BIG weekend for us :) Actually, this past week has been pretty big since we met with the birthing coach, and scheduled our tour of the hospital you will be born in. I'm so excited! I haven't felt nervous yet, just anxious to see you! Today was the beginning of a fun filled weekend for your daddy and I. We are celebrating Valentines Day BIG!!! We wanted to really get into it since it's our first Valentines Day as a married couple, and we have taken to celebrating as many things as we can! Life is a celebration :) We both believe that there is so much to be thankful, and joyful for. So on a day like Valentines Day, we say... LET'S DO IT! Heehee... Not that we don't celebrate our love every single day, but we love the fun a day like this can bring when you jump in head first! Hahaha. So I got out my red apron, and made your daddy breakfast this morning. Then we went to the place your daddy proposed to me! I almost cried because one, I'm emotional these day, and two, this place brings me back to that day he asked me to marry him, and I was so happy! It's special... Next we went to play cards at Starbuck, that Starbucks being the one we went to right after getting engaged! Finally we went to the beach to eat our Busy Bee sandwiches, and lay out in the sun to talk and cuddle. It was so much fun. We also read the bible together, and were reminded of our wedding day when your Grandpa Jim read "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." That's in 1 Corinthians 13. We want you to know that kind of love, and if you know Jesus, you will know what true love is. That's so comforting. We seriously can't wait to share our faith and love with you Elijah! LOVE YOU! HAPPY VALENTINES WEEKEND!!!

Peek a Boo!

Dear Elijah,

We spied on you today in 3D and it was awesome! You were oh so cute, and opened your eyes a couple times. Right now you seem very content all snuggled up and cozy. You have long legs, and chubby cheeks. It was so fun to get to see you at this stage of the pregnancy. You look the same as you did before, but this time you had more fat on you :) You are in the correct position, and everything looked healthy. We got another DVD of you moving around in there, and more pictures! Look at us, we are already taking so many pictures and videos of you and you're not even out of my tummy yet! I can't imagine how many memory cards we are going to burn through when you are here... haha... Your baby showers are coming up very soon. I'm excited to celebrate your coming, and see some cute baby stuff. Heehee. Your are moving around in my tummy right now as I'm typing. Your Uncle Jimmy and Auntie Tiffany got to feel you moving around last night at your cousin Grace's 6th birthday party. It was a lot of fun. The theme was Fancy Nancy, and we had a tea party and lots of yummy food! Grace will be your oldest cousin :) She is so sweet and we were so happy to be celebrating her birthday with her and the whole family. Your auntie Tiff's little sister Amy is 3 months pregnant now, and we are so happy for her and her husband Al... Their baby will be right behind you ;) He or She could be your future play mate at more fun birthday parties for your cousins Grace, Hannah, and Katelynn  :) Heehee... Your other cousin Nic is still in New Mexico, and we miss him very much. But he will be back soon, and you'll get to meet him. He loves to make faces at my tummy to try and make you laugh. That's it for now. We meet with a birthing coach this week! I'll let you know how that goes ;) The picture below was taken today at our appointment in Long Beach. Your hand is ALWAYS up by your face. You keep it in a fist right by your cheeks... So cute!

This is your cute little profile we got today! We are at 8 months now! Can't believe it.

Distracted...

Dear Elijah,
So your dad and I have been trying to unpack and get settled into the new place these past few days, but there is too much fun to be had!!! We have been in cold weather, and rain for the past few months and when we see sun, we get a little too excited! So our plans have been, unpack in the evenings, and have fun during the day! We are trying to experience the things we really missed doing here together before your daddy goes back to work :) It has been an amazing past few days! We keep seeing things that get us excited about having you around! Like, we can't wait to take you to the beach, the fountains, the parks and all the fun things there are to do around here. By the way, you tasted your first busy bee sandwich today in the womb! Hope you liked it :) I sure did! We also talked about getting a beach umbrella to protect you from the sun when we go. We can't wait to start making your own baby food and taking you on picnics with us! We are excited to be by our families again so that you will be able to meet everyone and have lots of loving people around you. (This just in...) As I am sitting here typing out this letter to you, your daddy says, "So how are we going to introduce Elijah to fish, since you don't like it?" Hahahaha... You see Eli, we talk about you a lot... He is already worried you won't like fish... I told him that I will not force my dislikes on you. You and your daddy can eat all the sea food you want. I will get a salad... Well, today we sat in the sun outside of Starbucks reading relationship books. It made me so happy to see your daddy sitting there by my side reading, smiling, laughing, and sharing with me what he was learning. I was reading "For Men Only" and he was reading "For Women Only." We switched because we wanted to underline and write notes in each others books before we read them the correct way. If that makes sense. We are learning a lot though, and it's nice to know that although we will never be perfect, we care enough about each other to take time together to work on us and our relationship. This will come in handy especially when we welcome you into our small growing family :) We want you to feel always loved and appreciated, and hope that we can be good examples.  Love you cute face! You really are the cutest thing ever. The way you move inside my tummy tells me so much about you. You are a little go getter. Hahaha, always on the move, and always entertaining. Haha. Love ya :)

Your dad very focused on underlining something he would like me to know! Haha

Finally!

Dear Elijah,

We finally had our appointment today, and everything went well. Your daddy was able to come after all! My mom, (your grandma Darcie) came to stay at the apartment so that he could come with you and I. Since we were waiting around all day for people to deliver stuff, we thought Your daddy wouldn't be able to make it! But we got there and the doctor said I weigh 114 pounds which is way more than I've ever weighed in my life! Crazy! The most your mommy has ever weighed was 96 pounds! You made me break 100 finally. sheesh. Haha...I feel good though, and you are so worth carrying around this extra weight! It's keeping you healthy :) I love when your daddy picks me up now, he has to use more muscle power. Hahahaha. I know I am heavier than he is used to, and he tries to act like he doesn't notice when he picks me up, but I can see him using more effort. He used to swing me around a lot before, but now he is more careful. I have been watching my tummy a lot today because you have been on the move! When our doctor was trying to listen to your heart beat, you were kicking my stomach up, and moving around so much that she kept picking up all your movement on the machine. It was cute :) We have three appointments next week, so it's going to be busy! We have a session with a lady who is going to tell us what to expect these last few months, and all about infant care! Yay, I need all the info I can get. I'm sure I could figure it out, but having good information makes me worry less. Then a regular check up, and then another 4D ultrasound! I'm so excited for the 4D ultrasound this time because you will be bigger and more filled out than the last time we spied on you. Hahahaha. The big question around our house is "will he have blond hair or brown?" But we have to wait to find that out! 2 MORE MONTHS ELI!!! Wow, that's crazy to think about. Love you!

p.s.
This just in! We have an ice cream truck in our new neighborhood!!! Yipeeeeeeeeeee! Oh how I've missed that...

The Big Move...

Dear Elijah,

Well, Lot's has happened within such a short amount of time! We moved back to California :) Our last day in Seattle was Saturday, January 29th 2011. Our moms, (your grandmas) flew up to drive our car to California, while your daddy and I drove a HUGE U-HAUL truck. Your daddy did a great job driving that big tuck! He only took our one tree branch!!! I think that's pretty good ;) There were some crazy moments on the road, but we made it through. When the road was bumpy, it was so unforgiving. We were getting knocked around pretty bad, but thank God it was only for short periods of time throughout the trip. Haha... We made it to Eugene OR, the first night, which is great for leaving Seattle around 7pm! Then we actually made it all the way to San Pedro that next night around 1am... So I guess it was the morning... But still counts as that night to us :) Haha... The next day we unloaded the ENTIRE truck with the Help of Your grandma Darcie, grandma Diane, Grandpa Dean, grandpa Jim, Uncle Jake and your uncle Jimmy! We are so blessed to have such helpful family. So far so good. I LOVE our new place. Mostly because your daddy is here, and has done everything in his power to make this move go smooth and fun! We never flipped out at each other, and promised each other, no matter what, we were going to make this as fun as possible. It was fun! Stressful at times, YES!!! But fun all the same :) We are still unpacking, and it's our third night here in our new place. I have to say that our neighbors are kind of loud for about 3 hours of the day, but it's not so bad when you put it in perspective. They are young girls, and I think we all know that us ladies can be pretty loud at certain times in our lives! lol... But they are nice, and hopefully won't wake you up too much when you are here and taking your naps. Our first dinner was a chicken pot pie your grandma Diane made for us since we didn't, and still don't have gas hooked up yet! They come tomorrow!!! Yay, we get to actually use our stove and HOT WATER! Your daddy took a cold shower yesterday, and it must have been lame. I opted out and went to my parents (your Grandma Darcie and Grandpa Dean) house to take a warm shower ;) We got all our appliances today, and are having them delivered tomorrow! Things are coming together. You are kicking so much and growing so fast that I don't know if my tummy can keep up with you Elijah! You are totally taking up every inch of room you have in there and still trying to push for more. Haha... I see your feet and elbows run across my belly, and you're always warping my stomach into different shapes. Your daddy spent a lot of time feeling you move today and I told him I never get tired of it. I LOVE when you move, and I can sit here all day just staring at my tummy seeing you move around. I get to see you tomorrow!!! I'm so excited. Our first doctors appointment in a month. That's a long time to go without seeing you or hearing how we are doing. Your daddy has to stay home ALL DAY and wait for all our deliveries and the gas man... Poor thing. I will join him though after our appointment ;) Well, we love our new place, love being close to our families, and can't wait to start setting up your room. Love you Eli.