Three and a Half.

Eli,

For the past month or so, any time someone asked how old you are, you’d reply “I’m Three and a Half!” with such gusto. And now, you truly are Three and a Half. I cannot believe it.


I really thought that by the time you turned Three and a Half, your baby brother would be here. But he’s turning out to be more like you than I thought. He’s still hanging out in my belly - and you’re beginning to wonder if he’ll ever come out. You asked me one day how he is going to come out of my belly, and I couldn’t think of a way to explain it to you - but before I could open my mouth, you asked, “Will they put a rope down your mouth to pull him out?!” I have no clue where that came from, but I LOVE the way you think, buddy.




This month, we’ve spent a lot of time counting. You count everything, over and over and over again. You love to read numbers off of signs and papers and the tv. You have mastered counting to 100, after just a couple of days of help from Mommy (and even then, only with the tens). I guess I don’t really know what to expect from a Three and a Half year old, but you continue to blow me away with everything you pick up, and how you pick it up so quickly.




You are also still very into spelling words. If we aren’t counting, we’re spelling. You’ve added a lot of words to your list of words you can spell this month, so many that I am not sure I could list them all here. You really test both Mommy and Daddy’s spelling abilities, because you’re constantly asking us how words are spelled...

Last month, we started the potty training process. It wasn’t going well, until all of a sudden! You went potty!! And then, you didn’t. One night, you decided that you wanted to go sit on the potty. So, Daddy took you in there, and I sat outside listening. I thought I heard that tell-tale noise,and then I heard you say, I did it!! We all were so excited, and you earned a prize (Squinkies! yay!). You did it a couple of more times that weekend, and I thought we had turned a corner in the whole process. But, Then, You just decided you weren’t going to do it again. It probably doesn’t help that I’m 9 months pregnant, either, because I can’t sit on the floor with you and wait and I’m just too tired to worry about it now. I am not sure when we’ll finally get it, but it has to be sometime before August, when you start preschool!





We were lucky enough to have visitors this month! Your cousin Gracie had a volleyball tournament here in Indianapolis, so she and Aunt Kelly were able to come and spend a little bit of time with us while they were here. We even headed downtown one morning to watch Gracie play! There is nothing I love more than watching you interact with your family. Those moments are too few and far between. We have to learn to cherish them when they do come...




We took you to your first official Easter Egg Hunt this year. You were so excited to go find your 10 eggs in our neighborhood park. You just couldn't wait to go pick them up and put them in your basket - until it was time to go. When they yelled "Go" you lost it. You just kept repeating, "I don't wanttttt toooooo," until we explained there would be candy involved. Then, you couldn't find your 10 eggs fast enough.

Well, Buster, This is definitely the last letter I will write you before Baby Brother joins us. These last few days are very bittersweet for Daddy and I. We are so excited to meet Baby Brother - and for you to finally meet him. But, I am also kind of sad, because soon our days will change, and it will no longer be the two of us. It will be hard at first, and it worries me how you’ll handle it (although, I am sure you’ll handle it like every other change you’ve encountered - like a champ). I just want you to know how special you are to me (and Daddy, too), and just how much I love you. There are no words to show just how proud I am of you. You will always be my baby, Eli. No matter how old, or how big you get.




I love you forever and ever,
Mommy

3 years 5 months

Eli,

This could be the last letter I write you when it’s just the three of us. The odds of that are slim, but it could just be that I write your 3 and a half year letter while at the hospital with your baby brother. I can’t believe that it’s getting so close, and that our days as family of three are numbered.

This month started out with us introducing the potty to you. We’ve ditched the diapers, but are now stuck on pull-ups. The first week or so, we did great sitting on the potty. You’ve yet to actually GO on the potty. I’ve tried a few different tricks (the biggest being bribery with new Squinkies), but to no avail. I know it will happen when you are ready, but I am ready now. So, yesterday I made a deal with you. When you do go potty like a big boy, we’ll throw a potty party - complete with cupcakes. That seemed to really get you excited. Hopefully now that things will die down again before your brother arrives, we can really focus on getting you to relax and just do it!

(I'll refrain from posting the cutest picture EVER of you sitting on the potty. We'll just keep that to ourselves. Until you meet someone and decide to settle down. Then, I'm busting it out and blowing it up - poster size.)

One afternoon, you watched Star Wars (Episode IV) with Daddy. It wasn’t the first time you’ve seen it, but you really paid attention this time. Since that time, you’ve had many “sword fights” with Darth Vader. It’s hilarious, because you will just start swinging your sword around and stop and let me know that you’re hitting Darth Vader. He seemed to really make an impression on you.




You’ve been REALLY into letters and numbers this month. You’ve started recognizing words, starting with ON and OFF (which you learned on your little computer). You get SO excited when you see a word you know anywhere - even if it’s just part of the word you see. Like OFFice. It makes me laugh every time. We’ve added IN, OUT, BIG, and BOOKS to your list of words you recognize. You also know how to spell your name, and are always curious as to what letter a word starts with. We play that game a lot, and many times I run out of words that start with...




One morning, Daddy had you in front of the fridge with your letter magnets. He helped you spell the word “Books” out. You read it out loud, and then stated “Wait. We need A LOT of books” and you added a couple of extra letters. It was too clever, and incredibly cute. You’re just too smart.




The biggest thing to happen this month is your room transformation. We painted both yours and Baby Brother’s rooms over the past couple of weeks, and we moved you out of the crib and into your big boy bed. Ever since I showed you the picture online of what it looked like, you’ve been SO excited to be able to have it all to yourself. After much work on Daddy’s part, we finally got it up this weekend. You’ve taken to it like a champ! That first climb into bed kinda broke my heart a little bit, because we’ve been putting you in bed every night since you were born. But, you’re a big boy now and you put yourself to bed. You’ve slept great in it; I’m so proud of you.




I love you forever and ever,
Mommy (That starts with "M")

3 Years 4 Months

Eli,

Wow. What a whirlwind of a month!

Daddy and I have decided that it’s time to move you into a big boy bed. We haven’t bought one yet, because we are natural procrastinators. In fact, if it weren’t for your Baby Bro’s impending arrival, we’d probably keep putting it off. Because you like your bed. And because Daddy and I are spoiled by the fact that you’re still contained - and have never once complained or tried to get out.




We’ve had lots of outings this month - mostly geared around you. One of your favorites was going to Monkey Joe’s - a place where there are tons of bounce houses. You could spend all day running back and forth between them all. You had a blast. It’s so nice to know that there are places like this around during the winter, because you definitely need a place to burn off all of the energy you have. We spent all day at the house yesterday, and you spent an hour in the evening literally running around in circles (and that’s after spending over an hour in the basement playing!)




Speaking of the Basement - we’ve been spending lots of time down there this month. Most of the time we’re down there, you’re riding your tricycle. You’ve seriously mastered that thing. You go so fast, it kinda freaks me out. But watching you ride it still makes me smile, and it won’t be long until we’re able to take it outside and ride it to the park (I hope).



Over the past few weeks, Indianapolis has been celebrating all things Super Bowl. This is the first time in my life I’ve ever been This close to something so spectacular. We decided to head downtown to see what all of the hub-bub was about. Of course, we picked the coldest day of the week to take you down, but we were still able to get a photo of our little family in front of the XLVI down on Monument Circle. Maybe Indy will have the opportunity to host another one a few years down the line. I bet you’ll have a blast doing all of the activities then...




You’ve had to accompany me to my past few doctor’s appointments. I think it actually helps you understand that this is real, we’re going to have a baby soon. You’ve done so well while we’re there, you’re growing up so much. You have asked me a few times why your little brother isn’t here yet. I just respond with “he’s still growing in my belly, getting stronger.” That usually works, and you’re off to play again.




Today, I decided that it’s time to start introducing the potty to you. We’re going to take it slow, because I don’t want to rush it too much, but I am ready. So far, we’re just sitting on it. Practicing. Hopefully you’ll take to it soon, and you’ll be more open to trying to go potty. But, for now, sitting on it is a start.

So many changes happening this month, and so far, you are handling them all just fine. I’m so proud of you, little man.

Love you,
Mommy

3 Years 3 Months

Eli,

You’ll learn as you get older that December is a crazy month. Shopping, decorating, baking, visiting, traveling. Busy. Crazy. It’s the most wonderful time of the year...

We took you to see your first movie in a theater this month. We’ve held off on it, because we just weren’t sure how things would go - but The Muppets came out and I just HAD to see it. It seemed like the perfect first movie for you, so we did it. We went to the first showing of the day. The previews kind of freaked you out, but once they were over and the Toy Story short was on, you were good. You loved snacking on the popcorn and jelly beans. You did a decent job of staying in your seat (for a 3 year old) and you really enjoyed the movie.

We took you to see Santa Claus again this year - and you handled it much better than you did last year, but not much. It took both Daddy and I getting up there on either side of Santa for you to even consider getting close to him. Luckily, we were the only ones there at the time, so we were able to take our time and let you warm up to the idea of sitting on a strange dude’s lap.

I'd say that one of your favorite gifts from Santa this year was your "Little Computer." You've loved having your own little electronic device to play with - one that I don't feel completely guilty about you playing with, either. At least while you're playing, you're learning something... Of course, we definitely limit your time with it, and I don't allow you to just sit around and play it. I am sure it will come in handy when we're in the hospital with the baby, though, because you'd play it all day if we'd let you.

After celebrating our own little family Christmas in our house, we loaded up the van and headed to Kansas City to spend some time with Mommy’s side of the family. We stayed with Aunt Kelly again, which you enjoyed VERY much. You’ve got the biggest crush on your cousin Gracie. It’s a good thing we know she’ll be visiting soon, because you may go through Gracie withdrawals.

After Kansas City, we drove to Abilene to spend time with Daddy’s side of the family. It was the first time you saw your Aunts since August. It definitely took you a few minutes to warm up to them again. You loved having your other cousins around to play with too - especially when Kasey let you watch her play Angry Birds.

The weather was so nice while we were back - a couple of days the temperature reached the 60’s. We took advantage of it and walked to the park a few times. Mommy enjoyed it just as much as you did - because WHOA did I need the exercise after all of the food we ate!

This Christmas we gave you a tricycle - but it wasn’t just ANY tricycle... it was the one that I grew up riding. My parents probably bought it for me in 1984 - the year we moved into the house that I grew up in. It’s been through a lot - including the fire at your Uncle Gary’s house - but it came through and now you’re able to ride it. Watching you ride it around your Mama Jo and Papa Po’s garage for the first time was such an amazing moment for me. It’s a link back to my past. A way for you to forever be connected to those memories of mine riding in my own garage and driveway, with my parents watching on. It connects you to them in a very tangible way. A memory I will forever cherish.

Just a couple of days ago I had you put your hand on my belly while your baby brother was doing lots of moving around. Your hand was right on top of a huge kick, so I asked if you felt it. Your eyes were pretty huge when you replied, “Yes!” When Daddy told you that it was a baby in my belly - your Baby Brother - you started jumping around the room saying, “My Baby Brother?!?!! I Just Can’t Believe It!!” over and over again. It was the first time you really acknowledged the fact that mommy has a baby in her belly. I was so relieved at that reaction - and you had a huge smile on your face when I had you feel him moving around again tonight. You’re going to LOVE being a big brother, Eli. You’re going to rock it.

I love you, little man.
Mommy

24 Weeks

On the 24th of December.

This week, I feel like my picture really portrays exactly how huge I feel. That kinda scares me, because I am terrified of having another c-section. The thought of having a baby and Eli to take care of after being cut open is my biggest worry right now. But, I survived the first time, I can do it again. Right?

The last couple of weeks have been SO busy for us, gearing up for Christmas. I have managed to not stuff myself silly with sweets and other food. Mainly because it just hurts to eat too much. Still. But, I'm still hovering around 14-15lbs gained. So, whatever. I've done very well (with Daddy's help) on keeping my work-out promise.

It's crazy to think that this time next year, we'll have a 4 year old and an 8 month old to spoil...

Compare this post! Eli, 24 weeks.

22 weeks

I feel huge.

I know I've still got a good 16-18 weeks until I'm done, and this is really nothing compared to what I'll look like then. But WOW. The past couple of weeks I've seriously exploded.

I've vowed to myself to work out at least 3 times a week for the remainder of the pregnancy. Everything I've read has said to keep up with your routine, because it not only keeps you in shape, but it helps with delivery and recovery afterwards. That's one thing I wish I had kept up with when I was pregnant with Eli, so I'm not going to give up on it this time.

Daddy has been able to feel lots of kicks here in the past couple of weeks, too. I've started to notice a pattern to them, and of course, there are TONS of them throughout the night. Little man is gonna be a night owl, just like his big brother. :)

3 Years, 2 Months

Eli,

We’ve had lots of major things happen to our little family this month! First, Mommy and Daddy decided it was time to get a Mini-van. It wasn’t a decision that we came to lightly. I have always been very anti-mini-vans. But with adding another little one to the family, it just made sense. So, we did a little research and decided to go ahead and do it. We drove it home for Thanksgiving, and man, was it nice! So much room, we can comfortably carry everyone with us. I can’t believe how much I love this thing!

We were able to spend a whole week back home with family for Thanksgiving. We drove straight to Mama Jo and Papa Po’s house and spent a few days there. You loved everything about being there. You helped Mama Jo make pie. Papa Po tickled you and ate your ears. He even put you to work! You still ask me where Mama Jo and Papa Po's house is... You can't wait to go back for Christmas.

We spent Thanksgiving Day with Aunt Kelly, and we ate a lot of food. After fully stuffing ourselves, we took you to see the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. It’s a Kansas City Tradition that I absolutely love, and I was just certain that you’d love it too. Boy, was I wrong. The whole evening turned out to be a disaster. You had fallen asleep on the car ride down there, and you woke up grumpy. We learned quickly that grumpy Eli does not care too much for crowds or loud noises. Daddy ended up taking you off to the side, out of the crowd to try to calm you down, while I stayed with Aunt Kelly (that’s a whole other story). We eventually all met up again after the lights came on, the fireworks ended, and the crowds thinned out. You were pretty happy at that point, so we walked around for a few minutes to take in the sights. Next time? We’ll stand on a side street. Away from the noise.

   

We celebrated Mommy’s birthday in style this year - by heading downtown to the Children’s Museum. We finally got you to go on the carousel this time, and you LOVED it! I was so proud watching you ride around and around for the first time, and I was so excited when you said you wanted to ride it again. It brought tears to my eyes, seeing how happy you were.

Since it’s so close to Christmas, they’ve got a Winter Wonderland to play in and a Yule Slide to ride down. Mommy stood in line and rode down with you - it was a blast! I wasn’t sure how you’d handle it, because it was HUGE. But, you laughed the whole time and asked if Daddy would take you down again! We definitely have to go back before the holidays are over...

The biggest news this month is that we found out that you’re going to have a little brother! We haven’t really told you yet, because I am afraid to... I know you’ll be so excited that I’ll never hear the end of it. Although, maybe that wouldn’t be a bad thing - perhaps it would distract you from your constant chorus of “Mommy, I’s HUNGRY.” Hrmmm.

You’re going to love being a big brother. Your little brother already loves you SO much, I just know it.

Love, 

Mommy

21 Weeks

So, I am just over half way through this pregnancy, and I've only gained about 11 lbs! I wish I would have tracked my weight gain with Eli, because I think that would be an interesting chart to read... I have officially passed (barely) my pre-Eli-pregnancy weight. I think it was still a few weeks out from here when I started swelling up, so the next month or so should be fun.

I have definitely popped out in the past week or two. there's no mistaking that belly - although I've been told I still look tiny. I don't feel tiny. 

There have been TONS of hugs kicks from Baby Boy. He's kicking as I type this. I can tell he's breech, because the kicks are down low - which is a different sensation than I ever felt with Eli. 

This week we celebrated my 31st birthday. I feel pretty good, other than when I eat too much (but I am beginning to learn my limits. Finally). 

It feels so natural to say He or Him when referring to the baby now. Maybe that is because that's all I've ever known - but it's a good feeling. I am truly happy that we're having another boy. I mean, how lucky am I to have 3 awesome guys in my life?! 

Compare this post! 21 weeks, Eli

20 Weeks (and 3 days)

Otherwise known as, the day we found out we're having another baby boy!!

We took this photo later than we normally would, but we figured we'd take it today, when we got to have a peek on the inside, too!

More Photos!

For the past few weeks, I've really felt like there was a little boy in there, and today my suspicions were confirmed! Everything looks great, he's right on schedule, and I'm feeling pretty good. He was very quiet during the ultrasound, we saw a few kicks here and there, but mostly he was just chillin... no problem finding the gender this time. He's also breech, which I know we still have plenty of time for him to turn around, but if not, this will definitely help make the delivery decision a little easier...

Thanksgiving week was a little rough for me, meal wise. I haven't been able to eat even a normal amount of food without feeling miserable afterward. I guess I'll just have to get used to eating smaller meals, more frequently. I definitely feel like a I've gained a couple of extra pounds this week due to the pie. And the potatoes. And the turkey. UGH. I still hurt...

Next up, we'll have to start planning the nursery and picking out names. But, there's not too much of a rush, we've still got plenty of time... We're only halfway through!

Compare this post! Eli, 20 weeks.