Doctor Doctor Doctor... and moon beans :)

Dear Elijah,
Well, today is one of the few appointments that your daddy will miss. He is usually there right by my side, but today he has to work. Your Nina Melissa is going to take me, so that's nice of her. We will find out today how much I'm dilated. I'm dying to know!

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night WIDE awake! I could not go back to sleep even though I really did try. Instead I sat up in bed all bored watching your daddy sleep. Haha... That is until I kissed his face till he woke up, and then said, oh hi honey, your up! Haha... It didn't last long. He fell right back asleep. But I did get to tell him that I couldn't sleep, and he tried to care, so that was nice :) So I decided to pray. I prayed for you of course, and for your dad. Sometimes at night is when I think about how much your daddy has on his shoulders, and I pray for him and that God would give him strength. Then I end up going through the whole list of family members which is HUGE by the way. You have a BIG family Elijah. Keeps you praying, that's for sure. I actually spent a lot of time praying that my family members would make wise decisions on a daily basis and listen to God's voice. I prayed that they would all be safe and always be aware of what they expose themselves to. Then I fell back asleep like a baby :)

Your dad just told me right now as he is leaving to work... "Babe, if you call me, and I don't answer, cuz you know, we're having a baby or whatever, don't leave a message, just text me so I can read it right away..." It sounded funny to me. I had to write it. He said "goodbye you two, keep me updated"... We are all on high alert since your due date is 2 DAYS away :) How exciting... There's a country song called "Bring on The Rain," but I changed it to, "Bring On The Pain!" Hahahaha... We also changed the lyrics to a worship song call "Jehovah Jireh" It goes... "Jehovah Jireh, my provider, his grace is sufficient for me, for me, for me..." We changed it to... "Come on Elijah, you can do it, come on out of me, of me, of me..." Hahahaha... I like that song, it's a good one. We also made up a song that is really simple... It goes... Eli B Eli Beli, Eli Beli Beli, Eli B Eli Beli Eli Beli B! See!!! Easy!

So here's the thing Elijah... I learned so many songs and phrases growing up, and I went 20 some years singing and saying these things wrong. No one had the decency to correct me, so I will let you in on a few easy to mess up songs and phrases so that you do not go through the same embarrassment...
1. When you sing Pat a Cake Pat a Cake... It's actually "Mark it with a B", NOT... "Mark it with a bean"
2. When you sing Would You Like to Swing On a Star... It's actually "Carry Moon BEAMS home in a jar," NOT... "Carry Moon Beans home in a jar."
3. When people buy vacation spots around the world it's called a "Time Share," NOT a "Time Chair."
There are many more, but these were the big ones that I suffered much ridicule over! Hahahaha. Love you :)

Dear Elijah,
Well here we are! 3 days into our 40th week and 3 days away from your actual due date!!! I went on a 2 mile walk this morning with your Nina Melissa again! It's been so nice, and it makes me feel good. Then I went with her to the gym while she trained with your daddy, and I sat on an exercise ball and ate some yogurt ;) Haha. Your daddy and I got some time in between clients to rest at home together, and now he is off to work again! You have been moving ALL DAY LONG!!! Right when I woke up this morning, through the walk, and still right now you are squirming around in there. I seriously don't think you have stopped to sleep today! So funny... I am hoping to see you soon here buddy. We are so close to the day you are "supposed" to arrive, but if you want to, you can come earlier. That would be fine :) Or later, I guess... But not too much later, or they are going to make you come out. That's not very nice, so I hope you come on your own :) Heehee. I love you! Can't wait to see you! Ouch! You just got me in the ribs again... So cute :) Here are some pictures of us today!

3 days baby!

3 days into our 40th week!!!

Walking Walking Walking...

Dear Elijah,
Well, you might just surprise us all and come on your actual due date! Hahaha. I went for a 4mile walk yesterday with your Nina Melissa, and then today we did the same thing. It feels so good to get out there and exercise a bit. Walking might even help you come earlier rather than later ;) Last night I woke up your dad and told him I was forlorn. I wanted to feel pain last night, but alas, there was none! He hugged me and was very sweet, and then went back to sleep. Heehee... Poor guy was probably half awake. I am tired of these tiny contractions! Bring on the pain baby! Hahahaha... I don't care if I'm singing another tune when it actually does come. It's inevitable, so I might as well wish for it, and then scream and cry later! Hahaha. Your daddy is at work today at his new job. Second day on the job, and I am glad he is going to be there for the whole shift this time ;) I felt bad for pulling him out of work yesterday. I am trying to take a picture of you and mommy every day now until you get here. They are going to be our last few tummy shots! (tear) So I want to capture our last few days together with you inside of there... Never thought I would have a tummy like this, so I think it's pretty cool. You make me look cool Eli! I don't mind the big tummy knowing you're in there! Love ya!

There you are today! What a huge baby bump!

You are so cute!

40th week!

Fun Filled Day!!!

Dear Elijah,

Well, you sure did throw us for a loop today! This morning you showed signs of labour!!! I thought, "Don't freak out Steph, your fine"... I called my Tia Dolly right after experiencing signs I've never experiences and she told me to call my doctor, but she thought I should go in. So I called my doctor for a second opinion. Hahahahahaha! I thought that was funny. After talking to my doctor, she said, "You NEED to go into Labor and Delivery right now. So I said... ok... I'm going. Of course it was your dad's FIRST day at his new job. OF COURSE!!! Haha, so I tried calling him, but his phone had fallen out of his pocket in the car and was left in there. So I called and text and called and text until I finally got your Nina Melissa to come get me. I was bummed your daddy was not going to be taking us to the hospital, but I was happy your Nina came through, and was available and more than willing! So your Grandma Darcie heard about my situations and decided to come with. Pretty soon EVERYONE knew what was going on. Hahaha, and I was still not sure I was even in labour and didn't want people to be freaking out. We got a hold of your daddy finally before we got onto the freeway and he met us at the hospital. We checked in, they checked me out, and said I was having mild contractions, and that it is only the very beginning of labour. They made me walk the halls for an hour, and then sent us home. Great experience though I must say. Now I kind of know what to expect, what the rooms are like, and what it feels like to be in that ridiculous looking robe! Hahaha... We know our way around the hospital so much better now :) Definitely a bummer to be sent home with no you, but lots of good came from it, and I feel better knowing everything is alright and normal. They sent me away saying they might even see me again tonight! Who knows?????? I'm glad they didn't keep me there though. I would rather be in the beginnings of labour in my own space. It's not to fun sitting in a hospital while nothing much is going on yet. So we had our first and hopefully our only fake out today ;) I took pictures of us in the beginning parts of labour right as we were leaving for the hospital. Below is what we look like now, while my contractions are mild. I can't wait to see the after pictures! Haha. Love you Elijah. I just went for a very long walk. Lets hope that helped the process... But we are on our way!

You little trickster ;)

Lets go!!!

Morning Blues Turned to Daytime Fun!

                                                         Dear Elijah,
This morning I found myself extremely tired!I took a shower to try and get ready for church, but then ended up falling asleep again. Your daddy had to go to church without me today. I needed more rest then usual. I think all these days of anticipating you, and having contractions had taken their toll on me. You were squirming around all day today! and tonight when I was eating dinner with family, you kept kicking me in the ribs! Haha... I told you, if you want more room to kick around, and if you need some attention, I would gladly give that to you :) Just come on out! Haha... Our morning was fighting off nauseousness, and trying to peel myself out of bed. Also, I was texting with my Nina (Tia Dolly) asking her about her experience with labour and contractions, and how she knew... All kinds of questions. I'm trying to learn other peoples experiences so that I may better understand what's happening with you and me :) She was a doll, and humored me for the morning ;) You were up and moving, but mommy was not! When your daddy came home from church he asked if I would like to get out and I jumped at that chance. Getting my mind of of going into labour was the best thing for me today. So we met up with two sets of your grandparents, your uncle Jake and uncle C.J. for sandwiches and Bocci Ball down by the San Pedro Fountains! It was nice and refreshing to get out and be active. Your daddy and I lost our first game, and then came back and won in a second game. Good times! All 4 teams got to win once, so that was nice. After Bocci we went to meet up with your Nina at Starbucks and visited with her and your uncle C.J. for a long while. Then we met up with our cousins Oscar, and Erica for some dinner because they happened to be in our neck of the woods. What a FULL and fun day! I'm so glad lots of our family surrounded us today. It was all impromptu, but just what I needed to keep my mind and body busy. I measured my waist today and have gained 2 inches since your baby showers! I knew it! I feel so much bigger! Well, I love you little guy. Come out soon. We want to meet you!!! By the way we are officially in the 40TH WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

40 inches!!!

April Fools!!!

Dear Elijah,

I woke up this morning determined not to have an April Fools day baby, but as the day went on, I thought, WHATEVER! I would LOVE to have an April Fools Day baby. If it means I would be holding you soon :) Didn't happen though. BUT!!! I am very happy we made it to April. I kind of liked the idea of you being an April baby. I love the sound of that :) Plus I saw your daddy looking at your birthstones on-line, and yours will now be a beautiful diamond! Just like you are... :) I went to Starbucks with your Nina Melissa today because if she didn't come get me and take me out, I would have baked about 3 dozen chocolate cookies, 2 loafs of banana bread, and would have begun to wash already clean laundry! Hahahaha. Your daddy has been at work all day and as of right now I am playing the waiting game with you, so it's good to keep busy! I went with your Nina to the gym to meet your daddy since she trains with him. That was so fun! I worked out a little on the bike, and also tried a mini arm work out. Plus, your daddy looks awesome at work, and I love watching him do his thing. He's good! I had contractions last night, but they were soooooooooo far apart, and not worth getting excited about ;) haha. We are on our way to your cousin Katelynne's Birthday pretty soon here. Her real birthday is tomorrow though :) You guys are going to have close B-days! How fun :) Well, Happy April Fools day Eli. I woke your dad up telling him my pinky toe fell off and he was so confused... Then I screamed APRIL FOOLS, and he rolled over and laughed. I have thee best April Fools joke at my disposal right now with you being so close to birth, but I could not do that to people. I think that would be mean, and would feel bad. Hahaha... Plus I want people to actually believe me when it really happens! Love you!

April 1st!!!!!

We made it to April baby!

Count down!!!

Dear Elijah,
This morning your daddy and I decided to go to the beach before your doctor appointment. It was so nice and relaxing to sit on the beach and enjoy the sunny day. Your appointment was fun! You moved a lot for the doctor, just showing off. The doctor thought I was having major contractions at first sight, and I was like, no that's just him moving around. Haha. She felt you and said, "Oh my gosh, that is just movement. He is so active." We listened to your heart beat and that was great. Then she checked your mommy out and told us that she thinks it's pretty close! I was so excited to hear that. She said she may even see us this weekend from the looks of it. She thinks you are ready :) Lets hope she is right, and we get to see you in the next few days!!! Maybe once you are here I will be able to wear my wedding ring on my ring finger again, and not my pinky! Haha... Since our appointment went so well we went to Denny's and got a chocolate shake for a treat :) mostly for mommy. Daddy got a salad!!!! Haha... My sisters from Las Vegas came to visit us this evening and it was so nice to see them! I'm glad they got to see you move around in my tummy and feel you moveing in there. They are on their way back to Vegas now. I better go, Mommy is starting to feel pains coming on. Nights are pretty achy for me. Love you baby boy! Hope to see you soon.

3 days shy of 39 weeks!!!

My sister Maila, me, you and sister Angel :)