How big is Elise!? Sooooo big!

 On Sunday, we celebrated Elise's 3 month birthday!  Call me crazy for celebrating each month birthday but to me, EVERY milestone is so awesome!  I don't want to take Elise and her time with us for granted *at all*!  Elise is an extremely healthy baby who is gaining weight and reaching all her developmental milestones just fine.  But I know, with the blink of an eye, all of that could change.  I worry constantly (over nothing) but still want to cherish these times as much as I can.  Plus, she is only going to be this small for soo long.  Before we know it, she is going to be up and moving and growing up in to a beautiful little girl.  


We try to take a picture of her each week (a side from the millions of other pictures we take of her) but that has failed.  BUT we have taken a monthly picture of her.  

This was her the day she was born in the hospital.  She was 8lbs 3oz and 21 in. long!

This is her at one month.  10lbs 4oz and 23in. long!

This is her at two months.  12lbs 10oz and 23 1/4in. long!

And here she is at three months!  As of last week, she was 13lbs 1oz! 

Okay, and because I am in a very sappy, nostalgic mood, I wanted to share a couple of videos of Elise!!! Mainly because I literally take at least one every day and because she is soooo darn CUTE!

Despite all the chaos and commotion in the hospital of having a new baby, I happen to grab the camera and get this short video of Elise and honestly, this is THE BEST thing I ever did!  That time was a complete blur and now I can hardly even remember how new and precious she was!  But I will forever have this video to remind me!! Ohh I just LOVE HER!:)

This video is of Elise just a cooing a way!  I love her little voice!:)  AND she figured out how to swat at her toys on the mat! 

And Elise has FINALLY decided she *likes* tummy time!  All of the sudden yesterday, she decided she was happy on her tummy!:)  AND she flipped her self over from her tummy to her back!  We screamed in excitement that I think we scared her and now she hasn't done it since! haha We are working on it though!:)

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!:)

<3 The Eme's

Growing baby, shrinking mommy:)

So last weekend, I spent most of Saturday looking back at how fast these 3 months have gone!  I can't believe in 2 days, my baby girl will be 3 months old!  She has truly been a blessing to us and I love watching her learn and grow!  We finally moved her out of her pack n' play and into her crib.  Mostly because she was keeping us up with her moving and picking her feet up and slamming them down on that cardboard surface.  You would think this would hurt her/wake her up.  It didn't.  But it did keep mommy & daddy up.  So she and we are much happier now that she is in her crib.  We still have her in our room because her room is beyond FREEZING!  The apartment we live in is in an old house and her room is the room with the slanted roof and there is zero insulation in between the one wall and the roof.  So she'll stay in our room til it gets a little less cold!  


I also spend Saturday doing laundry, which included packing up a good chunk of her 3 months cloths and pulling out her 6 months clothes.  She has such a long torso that she is busting at the seems in the 3 month onesies.  The 6 month are still a little long but they fit better than the 3 month.  Her 3 month jammies are especially tight.  Her feet were so scrunched and she was stretching those to the max.  Again, her 6 month are a little long but still, much more comfortable for her.  We bought her a bunch of clothes for Christmas.  Some 6month clothes that she'll hopefully be able to wear until Spring.  And I found Carter's was having a killer deal - $5 tshirts and onesies and $8 outfits the other day WITH 25% your entire order.  I got over $200 worth of stuff for less than $60! I was sooooo proud! Each item was either $3.75 or $6!  It just came in the mail yesterday and I'm so excited!  Partly because they are cute and partly because they are a good deal.  Carter's is the only brand I can definitely guess her size on.  I bought some 6 month stuff for her from OshKosh B'gosh and it tends to run wider and shorter in the shirts so they fit her NOW and probably won't make it past January.  


On another note, this mommy did a little shopping on Sunday with my mommy!  I start my education blocks in January and we will be in the schools so I want to make sure I look nice. I've never really had a ton of nice clothes but we went to Maurices and I found a pair of pants and 2 shirts!  I could have bought  SOOO much more and plan to do a little more shopping once I save some more money!:)  BUT I did buy the pants in a size 3/4 which is pretty much my size before I got pregnant! Whoo hoo!  Small workouts at the gym are helping!!!  


Okay, much brush my teeth and such before Elise gets up from her nap!!


<3

Naptime Confession

So just this last week, I've been really working on getting Elise to take naps in her bed.  Normally, I would let her nap in my arms, in her bouncer, etc. but in ONE MONTH I go back to school (can we pause to say how much I can't believe how fast this has gone!?).  Side bar:  I haven't been in school or working since the middle of August.  At that time, I was 34 weeks pregnant and miserable.  I couldn't imagine that the pregnancy would end and we would have a newborn to take care of.  And I most certainly thought going back to school was WWAAAAYYY far off.  And now, in almost 5 weeks, I will be starting up school again!  I'm excited, scared, nervous, ready, and all that goes with not being home with Elise anymore.  The good thing is I will only be going to school 2 days a week.  Although those days will be long days, but only 2.  And the other good thing (okay, GREAT thing) is that we are leaving her with someone I know and trust!  A friend from high school is going to watch her and I'm soooo thankful.

Okay, back to my naptime confession.  Every time Elise naps, I swear I'm going to fold laundry, do the dishes, shower, clean, craft, etc.  And yet, I spend my time on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Etsy, and looking at all the blogs on my bookmark.  I also spend time looking at all the things I want to buy when we become rich :) and place then in my bookmark and my Amazon wishlist.  Let's just say I have a champagne taste on a beer income as my mom always told me:)  I feel guilty because I have housework to do ... but I also feel that in 5 weeks, my naptime will be spent doing homework and studying AND housework.  SO I think I'll enjoy this naptime while I can:)

Thanksgiving 2011

One more picture I forgot to post yesterday.  Sooo while at the dinner table at my in-laws on Thanksgiving, Elise was so nicely tucked away in her daddy's arms.  And in the midst of all of our laughing, talking, etc., she just so sweetly closed her eyes and fell asleep.  Soo as the sweet and loving parents we are, we decided to have a little fun!  

Thanks to Carole of Carole Moreno Photography for capturing this sweet little photo.  Sooo many captions come to mind with this!  Would love to hear yours but I picture "Stick a fork in me, I'm done!" Bahaha 


Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  


<3 Liz

3 months (almost)

Okay, so I have *totally* slacked in the blog-updating department!  I must admit I have thought about updating several times but then have been distracted with Elise or with Ryan or with working out or the other things going on!  So bare with me, this will be a longer update!

Since our last update, Elise has hit some MAJOR milestones... considering her last update was almost 2 months ago!  At Elise's 2 month appointment she was 12lbs 10oz and 23 1/4 inches long!  She is in the 95th percentile for weight and the 75th for height! Needless to say, she is a very healthy and happy baby.  We go back after Christmas for her 3 month check up.  I so very much love seeing her grow and knowing she is healthy!  We are still attending our breastfeeding support group every Thursday so I am able to weigh her each week!  It is so reassuring to see her weight increase each week!  With breastfeeding you have NO idea how much they are eating each time/day so it is nice to see the weight gain to know you are doing things right:)  I'm pretty sure Elise is hitting her 3 month growth spurt considering she is eating more frequently.

Elise is also full of smiles and laughs.  She is really doing well with her head control when we have her sitting in her bumbo or on our laps.  She also has really strong leg strength and LOVES to stand up!  I find it funny that she immediately stops fussing when you stand her up sometimes!  She is trying to grow up too fast!  She also loves her glow worm and her play mat.  No matter what her mood is, those two things will always make her smile and laugh!

We survived our first big holiday with her!  Thanksgiving was a crazy, busy holiday full of family, friends and FOOD!  We all made it through it and successfully I might add.  Elise was able to hang with some friends and family, some she hadn't met yet.  It was nice!  She also sat on Santa's lap for the first time!  No crying for her, although, I do look forward to future years when she does cry.  I think those pictures are HILARIOUS!!:)  We are looking forward to our 1st Christmas with her, although, that will be busy too:)

Elise successfully slept through the night beginning at 8 weeks!  We had NEVER swaddled her because she seemed to hate it but someone suggested it because it seemed she was not hungry when she would wake at night, just waking herself up sort of a thing.  We tried swaddling, and she slept 9 hrs and has slept anywhere from 9-12 hrs ever since.  HOWEVER, she has now learned to roll over WHILE swaddled so no more swaddling for her.  AND she has now learned to roll over UNSWADDLED, so we are going to have a few restless nights until we get this figured out.  Babies continually surprise me.  Once you think you've got just ONE thing down, they throw you a curve ball:)  I'm soooo proud of her for learning to roll over but just wish she would only do it while awake!:)

We are starting a new tradition with Elise at Christmas time ... building gingerbread houses.  I've actually never made one either so we both had a first!  We spent this past Sunday in our pj's making gingerbread houses, homemade chex mix and watching "How I Met Your Mother" on Netflix.

For now that is the update!  I'll try to update more often!:)

Elise Margaret - 1 month

Okay, So I'm probably beating a dead horse, but time is going by REALLY quickly!  Almost too quickly if you ask me!  I still am in disbelief that I was pregnant this year and it is already over.  And that Elise is already 1 month old!  I would like to find a machine to make time go a little bit slower so I can snuggle with her as long as I'd like.  I have truly enjoyed being a mommy this past month.  Elise is by far the best thing to happen to me and Ryan and we are enjoying every minute with her.  She is changing so much every day/week!  

Breastfeeding is going sooooo much better with her!  I am so happy that I decided to attend a breastfeeding support group meeting at the hospital up here in Carmel and have continued to go.  It has truly made a huge difference in our feedings and it is starting to feel more and more natural and less stressful.  We are going to start introducing her to a bottle soon so that mommy can get away from the house for more than an hour and daddy can spend some QT with Elise without worry about her waking up before mommy gets home and her screaming til I can feed her!  Aaand so that mommy and daddy can celebrate with mommy's favorite red wine that daddy surprised her with! (Side note:  I'm not DYING to have a drink by any means, but a glass of red wine sure sounds delicious!)


Elise is growing just wonderfully!  We have her 1 month appointment on Friday so we'll see her official 1 month stats but as of last Thursday she is up to 9lbs 12oz!  She has officially grown out of her newborn diapers and newborn clothes.  Her 3 month pants are a little big around the waist but they work!  She is sooo long and skinny like her daddy!  

We are going to be working on getting her on more of a 'schedule' in these next few weeks.  She has been battling thrush so sleeping has been a little bit of a challenge.  Thankfully, she's been on her medicine for 5 days now and I think things are getting to be better.  I'm hopeful they'll continue to get better!  I think she has hit a growth spurt too because she has had a few nights of only going 2-3 hours between feedings instead of 5.  Mommy is begging for more than an hour or two of sleep at a time.  


We successfully had our first weekend back in Fort Wayne last weekend and I'd say we all did very well!  We packed appropriately with clothes and diapers and she did well with all the traveling.  As long as she is full and has a clean diaper, she sleeps sooooo well in the car!  I'm so thankful of that because she has many of trips back and forth to Fort Wayne in her future!:) 

Not much else to report here!  But here is our little cutie:)  Her hair is still wild and crazy but I *LOVE* it!

OneMonthLove,

Liz & Elise

Elise - 3weeks

I can't believe Elise is already 3 weeks old!  Time sure has flown by!  Some days I feel like she was just born, and some days it feels like she has been around forever!  Things are going very well around here as we are adjusting to life as parents:)  Despite the lack of sleep we've been getting, we are still on cloud 9.  These past few days, she has actually been sleeping a little longer at night so I've welcomed the extra sleep.  I have been exclusively breastfeeding and we have definitely had our ups and downs.  I've been discouraged and struggled and shed a few tears but last Thursday I went to a breastfeeding support group and it was *SO* helpful.  There were about 15 other women there with babies that ranged from 8 days to 4 months and many of them had the same issues as me.  It was encouraging for me to be able to weigh her and see she is actually gaining weight.  And it was nice to be able to ask my questions and get some helpful answers.  I have plenty of people in my life I've been able to rely on and I'm so thankful and blessed to have them.  This week has gotten better and I'm hopeful that things can only go up from here!  

I've finally started feeling 100% better myself.  Ryan, Elise, and I have been taking a walk just about every day around the neighborhood which has helped me *start* the journey of getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight.  I can't wait to be able to really start working out and losing this weight!  I have really enjoyed my time at home with Elise so far and I'm so glad I'm able to have this time at home with her.  Although some days, I'm lucky if I get a shower or brush my teeth, we are starting to get a little more of a routine down and these are starting to be daily occurrences.  

 

I can't get the picture to load horizontally but I thought it was adorable!:)  We hope you are all doing wel!

<3 

Birth Announcement - It's a Girl!

After 9 months of anticipation, we were finally able to meet our baby GIRL!  Elise Margaret Eme was born on 9/18/11 at 12:11 p.m. - 8lbs 30z and 21inches long with a full head of dark hair!  She is perfect and healthy and we are just so blessed to have this sweet girl in our lives.  We are proud parents to say the least!  On Saturday, September 17, Ryan and I, my in-laws and sister went to a popular Fort Wayne festival - Johnny Appleseed Festival - and we walked and walked and walked for 4 1/2 hours, and of course we ate some goooooood food too!  Then we went to run some errands, trying anything to stay up and vertical for the day to help myself progress into labor.  That evening, we were eating our last dinner with just the two of us and watching a movie when I started to notice my contractions were increasing in intensity and getting closer together and more consistent (I'd been having contractions since Thursday here and there).  So we decided to time them and for a little more than an hour they were 3-4 minutes apart and 45 seconds long.  And then when I went to the restroom, I *thought* my water had broke but wasn't quite sure what it meant to have a slow leak.  So we called the nurse and they suggested we go into Labor and Delivery (L&D).  

So off we went and they monitored me for about 2 hours, and I was progressing slowly but surely, and my contractions were staying consistent.  They weren't sure if my water broke either.  So since I was progressing and I was going to be induced later that day (by this time it was close to 1am Sunday morning), they went ahead and admitted me to L&D.  They monitored me with out any IV's or anything for a few hours and I continued to progress.  Around 3 am they put in a cervix softener to help move things along and by golly, that REALLY progressed things.  That increased my contractions to be 2 minutes apart more than 45 seconds long and WAY more intense and painful.  It only took about 45 minutes for my water to "officially" break and shortly after, I was begging for the epidural.  I give MAD PROPS to any women who does that without drugs!  Brave, brave women!  

So the ever so amazing anesthesiologist came in, gave me he epidural and life was MUCH better:)  I was able to rest a little bit since Ryan and I had been up for almost 24 hours at this point (it was about 5am).  They also started me on pitocin to get my contractions closer together.  At 8:15 a.m., I was 4cm and about 80% effaced.  By 10:15a.m. I was feeling more pressure on my tailbone so they checked me and to my surprise, I was 10 cm and 100% effaced.  So they started prepping me to start pushing.  I started pushing about 11:25ish and she was here by 12:11p.m.!  This process was way different than I ever imagined, probably because of the epidural but I was having so much fun, making jokes, and trying to keep things light since I had no idea what to expect.  I had the most amazing L&D nurse(s), especially one in particular that was helping me push.  She truly made this process move quickly and easily.  I wasn't able to have my doctor deliver her because he wasn't on call, but I ended up with a GREAT doctor and she really helped make this process much more enjoyable.   

Ryan had guessed girl the entire time but for some reason, I still thought it was truly going to be a boy!  So I was *SO* shocked when Dr. Garner held her up and I saw it was a girl!  Life with her these past 11 days has been a rollercoaster to say the least but we are enjoying every moment of it.  Despite the lack of sleep we are getting, and trying to just keep our heads above the water, we are as happy as can be!  It isn't nearly as bad as I imagined it being but I'm still adjusting to 2 hours or so of sleep at night.  And trying to get breastfeeding down is challenging but I'm hanging in there!  She is precious!  

Thank you for all your love, support, and prayers during my pregnancy and after!  We have been blessed with so many loving family and friends who have showered us with gifts and food and support during this time in our lives.  We can't express how greatful we are! 

I plan to keep updating this blog with updates on Elise, but it may not be weekly until I can get a good routine established with her.  

My sister-in-law was able to be in the labor and delivery room with us to get pictures of Elise being born!  I can't wait to see them!  Here is one of Elise just minutes after being born.  She also took newborn pictures of her last Thursday so I'm anxious to see and share those too!


Baby Girl Love,

Ryan, Liz, & Elise

40 weeks on Sunday

So during this 39th/40th week of pregnancy, I keep trying to remember the things I liked and things I didn't like so much about pregnancy.  With other people announcing they are pregnant in the last few weeks, it makes me think back to that week of my pregnancy and think about what goes on during that week.  I can honestly say that being pregnant was way different than I ever imagined.  Not in a good way or a bad way, just different.  My whole life I tried to think about what it would be like being pregnant and this has definitely been different.  First, I never thought I would have such a selfless, caring, and wonderful partner by my side during this journey.  My husband has by far exceeded my expectations when it came to taking care of me and the baby.  It really showed me ((not like I needed much convincing)) how lucky and blessed I am and how wonderful of a daddy he will be.  I really had a very smooth and easy pregnancy.  I consider myself very lucky because I had absolutely no morning sickness the entire time, and everything was very easy.  Hearing other womens stories makes me realize how much worse it could have been.  I can't wait to do this again but I'm definitely looking forward to NOT being pregnant for a little while:) 

I had a doctors appointment on Thursday ((39weeks4days)) and everything was still looking good with baby.  I gained some weight, but sort of knew that since I *felt* like I was getting bigger.  My blood pressure and everything still looks great.  Baby E is measuring right on at 39 weeks.  I was about 1 cm dilated and my cervix was still just soft, not really effaced.  We have an induction scheduled for Sunday at 6pm! We are so excited to finally know this baby is going to be here! I'm nervous but sooo ready!  We'll keep you all posted.  


Keep us in your prayers,


Liz & Baby E

39 Weeks

So Thursday, I had my 38 week check up ((actually 38 weeks 4 days)).  My blood pressure was still good (118/62) and urine checked all good.  I lost 4 pounds which I'm not quite sure how that happened but my guess is this appointment was at 8:45 in the morning and last week was at 2:30 in the afternoon so less food maybe?  The doctor wasn't concerned since I'm not vomiting or anything like that.  Baby E's heartbeat sounded good at 156.  However, I am still 0 cm dilated and not effaced/barely effaced.  It is frustrating to say the least since I am soooo uncomfortable most days.  I'm not contracting a whole lot, or at least they aren't painful, so I was sort of not surprised.  But I've been walking, walking, and more walking, and eating spicy food, and nothing is working thus far.  So he said at next weeks appointment, we'll set a date for induction, if I don't go into labor before then.  I would love to wait it out but he isn't going to let me go much past my due date so I wouldn't have much time to wait anyways.  And my stomach is so stretched out around my belly button that it is painful and splitting.  So we casually talked about inducing me on Sunday the 18th, which is my actual due date.  I'm just excited to know an end is in sight!  I'm more than ready to get this baby out!:)  We are anxious to know if we have a little girl or boy in there!:)   We figure Baby E is just nice and cozy in there ...or just plain stubborn ((like his/her parents:)))

Just wanted to update you all!  <3

38 weeks

So 38 weeks has arrived!  As of last Thursday, I am still 0 cm dilated but my cervix is beginning to soften.  I finally gained a little weight but I am okay with it since I hadn't in the last 5 weeks.  My blood pressure and signs of preeclampsia are staying away! I really can't complain about this pregnancy!  I have been very blessed with a very non-complicated one!  Although I feel like lately, I'm one big, stinking complainer.  I am struggling to get some good, quality sleep.  I toss and turn multiple times throughout the night.  My hips, ribs, or sturnum ache throughout the night.  I have some crazy heartburn when I lay down.  All no fun.  Not to mention, my huge stomach makes it hard to get comfy in bed.  All will go away soon, and then I won't be sleeping for other reasons but at least it won't be painful sleep ((I hope at least!:)))

I have the baby bag and my bag all packed for the hospital.  I have probably ((more than likely)) over packed but I always pack wayyyyy more than I need so why change my pattern now!?:)  I have a few misc. things to get this week for after I come home from the hospital, but other than that I'm pretty ready to go.  We have everything washed and ready to go so now we just wait for baby:)  I'm walking lots and trying to stay active to start this progress. 

Isn't my husband so handsome!:)  Here we are 38 weeks!

Hope you all have a great week and pray for some progression!:)

37 weeks - Full-term!

Well, we made it!  We are officially full-term!  It feels soooo good to be 37 weeks but I'm soooo ready to start progressing towards getting this baby out!  I am now going to be doing everything in my power to start my body towards that!  I would love for the baby to stay til 40 weeks because I know that is best but then that is it!!:)  I go for my check up on Thursday and we'll see how much I am dilated/affaced!  There isn't much new to report!  Baby is doing good and still very active.  I've been sleeping as much as I can, comfortably, but still seem to be tired!  I'm just finishing up all the loose ends before the baby arrives.  I started to pack my hospital bag and continue organizing and washing the baby clothes and such.  

Saturday, Ryan and I went to Target to finish purchasing a few of the things we still needed.  We also picked out 3 boy outfits and 3 girl outfits for the baby that we will take him/her home in and use those first few days we are at home.  We really had a lot of fun picking out gender specific outfits and cannot WAIT to see if this is a little boy or a little girl!  We will have even more fun buying clothes once the little peanut arrives!:)

We'll keep everyone posted with my progression and when he/she arrives!  Until then, please say a prayer that I can comfortably make it through these last few weeks and that I have a safe and quick and painless delivery:)  And continue to pray that Baby E is healthy and remains that way!:)

Full-termLove,

Liz & Baby E

36 Weeks

I am 9 months pregnant! I just am amazed that I am this far along!  I can honestly say that I am ready to have this baby.  I am terrified of the actual labor process but I'm so ready to be done being pregnant and get my cute little peanut here!  I had my 36 week check up last Thursday and everything is going well!  I only gained 1 pound in the last two weeks which means I have gained 1 pound in 4 weeks since I gained 0 the 2 weeks before!  So I'm thankfully starting to level off with my weight gain.  I go to the doctor once a week now so I'll be back in the doctors office tomorrow morning to see if I have progressed any.  As of last week I was 0 cm dilated.  Pretty soon here I am going to start my walking, eating spicy foods, and whatever the heck will put my body into labor!  I *know* and fully am aware that my body will go when it is ready, but I would like to encourage it in anyway possible! 

My lovely, and talented sister-in-law has posted some sneek peaks for our maternity pictures! They are soo adorable!:)  I can't want to see what she pulls out of her sleeves for the little baby when it gets here!:)  https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.207337502655459.68243.129737563748787&type=1

Enjoy and I'll update here this weekend for 37 weeks!

MuchLove,
LIz

35 weeks

Well,  we are officially at 35 weeks!  Can you believe it?  I feel like I can't stop saying how much I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone!  We have 2 weeks until I'm considered full term and 5 weeks until my official due date!  Wow!  So crazy!  I spent the last week organizing and washing and getting what I can ready for the baby.  I am amazed at how blessed we are to have such wonderful family and friends to spoil this baby so far.  We are so lucky!:) 

We spent a good chunk of Saturday at a Childbirth Blitz class held at Dupont Hospital ((where we are delivering)).  It was a free class so we figured at worst, we would just be wasting time, but we didn't feel that at all.  The two ladies who taught the class were so helpful and knowledgeable.  There were around 20 other couples there with us.  There were a good mix of people due before us and some due after us.  We learned so much about how my body is preparing to deliver, and so much about what will happen once I start going into labor.  We are blessed with so many family and friends to give us their advice and experience but since everybody has a different experience, it was nice to have the by the book information about what I might experience.  


After the class, we had our maternity pictures taken by my lovely sister-in-law Carole Moreno Photography.  We had so much fun and laughed so much.   We went to Matea Park in Fort Wayne and walked the trails to find some good spots.  I am sooooo not a nature person because I haaaaate bugs!  But I was brave:)  We finished up JUST in time for the storm to roll in.  I can't wait to see the pictures!! I know there were some good ones in there!!:)  Thanks, Carole, for putting up with us!!!:)

This week will consist of more organizing, more sewing, and more relaxing.  I am trying to take advantage of this down time without feeling guilty.  I am such an on the go person all the time, I have a hard time just winding down and relaxing when I'm not pregnant.  Now that I'm almost 9 months pregnant, it has been hard for me to just rest and relax.  I know I'll never get this time back so I think I'll try to enjoy it a little more:)   

I have a doctors appointment on Thursday so hopefully everything is still going smoothly:)  This baby seems to be doing very well!  It is crazy active most days but has enjoyed stretching out and shoving its feet in my ribs at night so I wake up with some sore ribs most days.  I still don't sleep a whole lot of consistent hours.  I'm still feeling pretty good.  My back is in pain some days.  And my feet are getting sore after standing for too long. And swollen.  But I see a light at the end of the tunnel so I can handle it. 

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers!! 

8monthlove,

Liz & Baby E

34 weeks

Sorry this post is so late in the week.  I have been busy washing, organizing, and so much more with all the baby stuff.  This past Thursday, my co-workers threw me a baby shower on my last day and Saturday, my mom and sisters hosted a shower for my side of the family.  I can't begin to express how lucky and blessed we feel to have such amazing family and friends.  We have received so much love, support, and gifts from everyone for this baby.  I couldn't feel any more blessed, truly.  

I had a doctors appointment this past Friday and Baby E is still measuring right on at 34 weeks.  I gained 0 pounds in the past two weeks, which was exciting to me (( But don't worry, I'm still healthy and all that jazz)). My doctor is going to start checking me at the next appointment at 36 weeks to see if I have started dilating and effacing.  He wouldn't start checking me until my 37th week but my husband and my mom are being sent on a business trip to New York during my 36th week and we all just want to make sure they don't miss anything:)  I just can't believe that it is almost time to start checking to see if I'm progressing at all.  Time has flown by and with 5 and a half weeks to go til my due date, I'm just ready for this baby to get here.  I'm nervous for the labor and delivery, but I'm very ready (( or as ready as I can be)) for this baby to finally be here.  I think it will help me breathe a sigh of relief that I can finally know if this baby is a little boy or a little girl.  We've never revealed our names on here soooo we might be doing that soon:)

Keep praying for Baby E and all other expecting mothers and babies!

<3 Liz

33 week

Seven weeks from today is my due date! *7* WEEKS!  *49* DAYS!  Those numbers just seems soooo small! And they are going to get even smaller!  Although I am nervous about being a mommy, I couldn't be more excited for Baby E to get here! Quite a few people will ask me, "Are you excited?", and I always think, how could I not be excited?  This sweet little baby (and all babies) are such a miracle from God and I feel so blessed that God has chosen Ryan and I as the parents of *this* little baby!  I can't wait to see what it looks like, see what its personality is like, and of course, find out if it is a boy or a girl!:)  

Today, I had my second baby shower with my closest friends from high school and after.  I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to support me through this entire pregnancy.  I have remained friends with 6 girls from high school which just warms my heart.  We have been out of high school for 8 years this year and we all still manage to keep in touch.  I love these girls so much and rely on them for a lot.  It also helps that 4 of them are also mommies and these 4 girls also adding to their families this year with me so they always have lots of advice for me!:)

 This was taken in early April of the 5 of us that are adding/added babies this year to our families.  Baby Eli was born Jan. 27 and Baby Xander came early on April 17. Three more of us to go!

 In college, I added this lovely lady to my circle of friends.  She is honest, loyal, and so much fun!  

And I have added a handful of amazing girlfriends through Ryan.  When I began dating Ryan, I met so many of his friends girlfriends/fiances/wives and I so fortunately clicked with all of them!  It makes it so nice when the boys want to get together because we ladies want to get together, too!  I am so lucky:)  Unfortunately, I do not have pictures with a lot of them:(  


This week also begins the last week of work for me at the Math Assistance Center (MAC) at IUPUI.  When I began my journey back to school in May of 2009, I started by taking 2 classes and if I loved them I would continue to become a Math teacher; if not, I would have to figure out what I would do with my life then somehow.  Obviously, I *LOVED* my classes and began tutoring at the MAC in August of 2009. It pretty much solidified my love for teaching.  I can't believe 2 years has already gone by and I will no longer be working there.  Although there have been some ups and downs at the MAC, I have never stopped loving tutoring students, especially in Algebra and Trigonometry!  I'll miss working there, some co-workers, and interacting with the students.  I'm excited to see what the future holds for me after Baby E arrives.  I will be beginning my journey of the last few semesters of my degree with my education blocks in January and I couldn't be more excited!


Hope you all have a great week!  Keep praying for Baby E and these last 7 weeks ((hopefully:))) of pregnancy for me!  Pray for a safe and healthy delivery, and a healthy little boy or girl!  And also say a prayer for all other expecting moms and babies.  I have so many people I know who are expecting, due anywhere between August and December! So crazy!


7moreweekslove,


Liz & Baby E

32 weeks

Hello 32 weeks!  I can't believe there are only 8 weeks to go until this baby is due!  I had my 32 week check up this past Friday and everything with Baby E is looking good.  It had a great, strong heartrate of 161 and is measuring right on at 32 weeks!  From my last appointment until this one which was 4 weeks, I gained more weight than I thought I had gained, which was a huge shock to me.  With the heat indexes being so high, I've been trying to drink as much water as I can so I'm wondering if it is a little bit of water weight.  I have actually felt like I've been eating less since there is very little room left in my belly.  After some encouraging posts from friends on Facebook, I feel better that I am not the only one who is in this boat of gaining a lot of weight with pregnancy and was given plenty of reassurance that with nursing and some hard work, it is totally possibly to lose ALL the weight!  I am not a runner AT ALL so I am going to become friends with Jillian Michaels and 30 day shred and the elliptical at the gym! I thought about giving spinning classes a shot too.  I've been saving my clothing money to treat myself with some new clothes for after the baby gets here and after I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight!  All in all, things have been going well this week.  Despite the "excessive heat warnings" and 100 degree temps and 115 degree heat indexes, everything is good.

Lots of love,

Liz & Baby E

31 weeks

Welcome to the dog days of summer! Whew!  It has been so hot here lately with heat indexes between 100 and 115 degrees!  This plus being 7 months pregnant do not mix well!  I've managed to stay cool and keep up on my fluids so thankfully it hasn't been too miserable.  But the little bit that I am outside during these hot times are definitely NOT fun! Everything is going well ...or as well as the third trimester during the middle of summer can go:)  I'm uncomfortable sleeping so I end up tossing and turning most the night.  I feel bad for Ryan because I know I keep him up, too!  I'm still feeling the baby move like crazy and can't help but be curious what the heck it is doing in there!  I have my 32 week check up this Friday so hopefully I'll be able to talk to the doctor about what is left!  I can't believe we only have 8 weeks left!

 This past weekend my in-laws threw me my first baby shower!  We most certainly are blessed to have such great family and friends of the family.  We, or I should say Baby E, is already spoiled:)  I spent the majority of Saturday evening and Sunday nesting which I enjoyed:)  I also spent part of Saturday putting together our stroller and car seat.  With only 8 weeks to go, I am getting a little nervous so I wanted to at least have the car seat ready to go JUST in case!:)  I am a planner and can't help but plan ahead!!  

Please keep praying for Baby E and Ryan and I as we get closer and closer to becoming parents! We couldn't be more excited:)

DogDaysofSummerLove,
Liz & Baby E

29 & 30 weeks

Today, we hit the milestone of being 3/4 of the way done with the pregnancy!  I just can't believe how quickly this whole thing has gone!!  So far, this pregnancy has been smooth sailing!  I have very few complaints... but I have a feeling some of that might be changing.  My torso is so short that I believe the baby has officially run out of room.  I felt for the first time last night a little bit of pressure on my ribs from the baby pushing on there.  My ribs have been digging in my stomach when I sit down after a days worth of eating which tends to get a bit uncomfortable.  And sleep...well sleep is something of the past most nights.  I tend to toss and turn a lot from being uncomfortable.  All in all, I *knnow* that it could be a thousand times worse, but I am a huuuuge baby when it comes to pain and being uncomfortable so I have a feeling this will be a long 10 weeks :)  

Everything with the baby has been doing just fine!  I have been feeling some amazing movements lately that just make me laugh.  Some days I think the baby is trying to break out of my belly.  I just wish I could see the baby flipping and flopping around in there:)  The last two weekends I've been blessed enough to take a break from the heat and wade in a pool.  The water most definitely helps cool me off.  Last weekend Ryan and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary.  My parents graciously gave up their house for a few hours so Ryan and I could make dinner and spend some time watching our wedding video and eating cake!:)  Ryan enjoyed some champagne while I enjoyed some sparkling bubbly non-alcoholic stuff!  We had a great weekend with family and friends.  

 Ryan and I decided to take a picture in front of the beautiful green bushes we took our wedding pictures in front of:)

 Cake && Flowers all ready to go:)

 Our delicious anniversary cake by Suzie's Sweet Shop!:)

 

 Nothing goes better with cake than a cup of coffee:)

 

 Our toasting glasses:)  Annnd my sparkling non-alcoholic drink and Ry's champagne!

 Happy first anniversary to us!  And happy 29 weeks to our baby!

Here is the 30 week picture!! 

Hope you are all doing well!  Keep praying for Baby E that it may keep growing happy and healthily!  

3/4 of the way there love,

Liz & Baby E

1st Wedding Anniversary

So this past Sunday Ryan and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary!  I can't believe how quickly time has gone by!  I still look back on our big day with huge smiles, silly giggles, and a lot of love.  I was all smiles that day and for good reason:)  I married THE most amazing man who continues to surprise me every day.  We have so much fun together and I just really enjoy spending time with him doing anything and everything.  Words can't describe how much my love grows for him each and every day!  And in just 11 short weeks, we will be welcoming our first baby in to this world!  I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.  And for many, many more years of wonderful, marital bliss:)  I love you, Ryan, and I look forward to what God has in store for our lives!  Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary!!!!!!!! <3