February 26, 2012

13 Weeks

 Our first trimester is almost over. Has it really been this long since we found out?! In the past three and a half months, we have:

started a little bun in the oven 
told all our family about our big news
watched our little one wiggle and dance on the ultrasound screen
learned so much from baby apps and other momma friends
heard a beautiful heart beating
heard some pretty good dance moves while trying to hear a heart beat
(I have) grown about one pants size (but haven't gained weight yet)
 employed the hair-tie trick to keep my pants up!
refused to buy maternity clothes just yet
eaten plenty of grilled cheese sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, and real-fruit popsicles
already known a love for this Little One that will only grow stronger as time goes on




Dear Little One, 
You are 3 inches long now, the size of a peach! I just know you'll be the cutest little peach! I find myself dreaming of what you will look like when you make your first appearance. Will you have your Daddy's thick dark hair or his beautiful brown eyes? Will you get my little nose or have green eyes like me? What will your character be like? Will you be mischievous like Daddy and  have his good athletic ability or will you be artsy and love the simple things like your Momma? Regardless of who you look like or what activities you love, we promise to raise you in a family that loves God, no matter how imperfect or crazy we may be. Love for Him is what matters most. Keep growing strong in there, Little One. You're one-third of the way here. 
with my deepest love, 
Momma

February 24, 2012

Jump!



Sorry about the quality. But this was our entertainment tonight. I just love my sister!!

(She wants me to tell you that it's because she saw a girl do it on Wipeout... 
But we say otherwise. She's just so creative)




February 20, 2012

12 weeks


I'm almost out of my first trimester. It all seems so crazy - to think that I'm one-third of the way to holding a little baby that is growing inside of me. We have our next appointment on Tuesday, where we get to hear our babe's heart beating. I think this will make it all the more real. Until next time, know that we are growing increasingly more excited each day.

Not sure why my shirt is folded up... I didn't realize this until I was editing my pictures (after dark). Oh well! Can't be perfect.


Dear Sweet Baby,
I am growing more overwhelmed each day, knowing that your existence in my arms is growing closer. There are times when I worry that I am not going to be prepared enough to take care of you when you arrive. I find myself overwhelmed with the what-ifs of providing everything you’ll possibly need. Am I old enough, smart enough, capable enough to properly take care of another human being? Can we afford to do this? Are we ready?

But then I look around at our house that the church has provided us, and I see that we managed to hang all our pictures straight, we have a good meal on the table every night, your dad and our little puppy are well-taken care of. We pay our bills, we save what money we can, and we even treat ourselves to a movie or a date every now and then.

When it comes to raising you, we won’t have it all, and we certainly won’t know it all, but we’re going to give it the best shot we can. I can’t promise we will be able to give you everything you’ll ever want, but we measured our worth and counted our blessings, and I can promise you this little babe, we’re pretty wealthy in the things that you’ll need most. We can just pray that God will prepare us in the best way possible to raise you and provide for you.

We love you so much already.

Love always, Momma



February 14, 2012

Our Valentine's

If you walk into any store around this time of year (really any time after New Year's Day), you will no doubt find everything redone in red and pink, with hearts all over. Eli and I are not so "lovey dovey" about it. As much as we appreciate having a national holiday dedicated to celebrating those you love, we feel like this is something we should be doing every day, not just once a year. That said, we still try and find simple ways to make Valentine's Day special.

Last year, we went on a date the weekend before Valentine's Day. This year we tried something different: Eli cooked an entire meal of my choice, and I baked a dessert of his choice. Sounds like a deal, right!

The delicious meal cooked by Eli himself: steak, cheesy garlic mashed potatoes, and fancy green beans. He even looked up a new way to cook steak - in the good ol' cast iron. Definitely one of the best steaks we've ever had.



From Eli's request, I made my first ever Chocolate Lava Cake. If you have never made one or eaten one, go to the Pioneer Woman's recipe right now and make it. Right now. It's that good! And make sure you follow all the directions. This cake is definitely worth making correctly.


Oh, and be sure to serve it hot with a couple scoops of Blue Bell!


After all of this wonderful food, our bellies were so full and grateful. Then we finished out the night by watching NCIS and snuggling on the couch. Another great low-key Valentine's Day celebration.

So how was your Valentine's Day? Did you do anything special or start a new tradition? We'd love to hear about it.


February 12, 2012

11 weeks

 Well we've made it to week 11 (11 weeks and 4 days to be exact) of this wonderful 40-week journey called pregnancy! It's amazing to think that for the past 11 weeks a tiny little person has been growing inside of me, and will continue to grow over the next six months. We are both so excited to see what God has planned for our little family!

Lately, Eli and I like to lay in bed before we go to sleep and talk about how my body is going to change, what life will be like when we're parents, things that will change once we have a little one, and just our dreams, goals, and fears of being parents. This is such a sweet time for us and I really love that Eli is as excited as I am about our baby, even though he hasn't personally experienced the physical changes yet.

Up to this point, I haven't really felt morning sickness to the degree that others have. I've been a little nauseous, but only when I haven't eaten for a while, like in the mornings when I first wake up. Thankfully, gluten free crackers and ginger ale are my new friends! I'm just now starting to have a little belly, but if you didn't know I was pregnant, you would think I've just been eating too many cupcakes (which may or may not be true...)



Dear Little One, 
We are so excited to meet you for the first time in just over six months. Right now, you are the size of a plum and you have all your major organs, fingers, toes, eyes, and ears. Please stay strong and healthy, and grow as big as you need to. I promise my belly will make room for you. Your Daddy and I pray for you every day, but we're not worried because we know you're being taken care of by the greatest Father of all. I hope you enjoy all the grilled cheese sandwiches and cheetos you've been getting lately! Maybe you'll love cheese as much as me when you're older!
I love you always, Momma