I've been there...

For almost 2 years this song describes exactly how I felt. Now, through God's amazing grace, I don't have to feel like that anymore. I thank God everyday for the miracle that he gave us. I know that it is only because of him that we are now expecting Eli. He made us wait until the timing was perfect and I realize that now. So for those of you that are struggling with infertility, I understand. I've been there. The best advice I can give you is to give it all to God. Let go of control. I know how hard that is to do. Believe me, I know. But let my story be an example for you. When God knows it's the right time, it will happen for you. In the meantime, hang in there and keep praying and stay strong. Keep your faith strong! And grab some Kleenex's because this makes me cry every time I watch it!

3d ultrasound

We had a 3d ultrasound today! It was so amazing! We could see him in so much detail! We got total confirmation that he is a boy. Here are a few of the pictures that we got and the rest can be seen on my flickr page.

Doctor's appt. Update

I had another check up on Tuesday. It gets kind of tedious going to the doctor every 2 weeks now. But at least I get to listen to Eli's heartbeat at every appointment. Since October 7th I have gained 1 pound. But I have lost 14 pounds total this pregnancy. Last Friday night I found out that I can still wear my pre-pregnancy jeans buttoned and zipped at 7 1/2 months pregnant. I think that's pretty incredible!! Eli's heartbeat was 146 just like it has been. I should be measuring between 30 and 32 fundal height. I am measuring right at 34 1/2. So what that translates into is that Eli is bigger than he should be at this point. So the doctor said that at my 36 week check up we will have an ultrasound. If he is still measuring big then we will have some decisions to make. We can induce labor but if we do it before 39 weeks they will have to do an amniocentesis to make sure his lungs are functioning properly. If I am still pregnant at 39 weeks, which is Christmas Eve, then they will induce at that time. However, if I go into labor on my own anytime after 36 weeks they won't do anything to stop it. Big John and I talked about it and we have decided that we won't induce early. There are too many risks involved with the amnio. Plus, it's a HUGE needle and I don't do needles very well.

I asked the doctor about an old wives tale I've always heard about more babies being born during a full moon. He said that it is definitely true. It has something to do with the moons effect on the pull of gravity that makes women's water break. So I looked at the calendar. There is a full moon on December 12th. I will be 37 weeks 2 days at that time. So that is my goal date for delivery. I know it doesn't work like that but I can hope right???

Monday evening I had my maternity portraits taken by a good friend of mine. It was so much fun and the pictures turned out great! Here are just a few of the many that she took for us!





















You can click on the link for my FLICKR page over on the right side to see the rest of the pictures.

We are having a 3d/4d ultrasound done tomorrow! I am so excited I can hardly sit still!! I will be sure to post the pictures of that asap. We will be able to see what Eli is going to look like once he is born!!!

Trace Adkins!

We went to see Trace Adkins in concert on Saturday night! He was wonderful! We also lucked out and got meet and greet passes which allowed us to go backstage and meet Trace face to face. And let me just say that he is a man of very few words. Big John asked him if he was going to sing the song "The Rest of Mine." Trace said he wasn't planning on it and Big John told him that he sang that song to me during our wedding ceremony 4 years ago. I don't think Trace was really impressed.

But the show was wonderful! Jason Michael Carroll and Craig Morgan were also there and performed. We didn't get to see a whole lot of Craig Morgan because that's when we were backstage. But from what I saw he did a good job.

Here are some pictures from Trace's portion of the show...












Here's how far away from the stage we really were! Big John likes to joke that from where we were, the concert was just a rumor!!



And here is Big John and Trace. Have you ever seen two hotter men standing next to each other? OH MY!! I think I need a minute to compose myself!



And here are me and Eli with Trace... I was going to ask him if he would rub my belly but then I chickened out at the last minute.

My first baby shower!

I had my first baby shower yesterday. It was so much fun! I finally got to get a lot of little baby stuff!!! My two sisters-in-law threw the shower for me. They did such a wonderful job planning it. We did a few games because what is a shower without shower games! They did one that I have never played before. Everyone got a sheet of paper with each letter of the alphabet listed on it. Everyone had to come up with a baby related word that began with each letter. It was pretty tough! The winner had a word for every letter except A and X.

After the games, it was time for the presents (which is my favorite part!!!) I'm not going to post all of the pictures because if I did we'd be here all day. But here are a few...

This is the wonderful Snoopy that my mom made for me. Isn't she talented??



Here is a cute little onesie and matching bib my sister-in-law Jenn got for Eli. Someone said that M is for Morgan. I said it was for Monster!!



This is an incredibly soft blanket! I wish they made these for mommies too!




We really got a lot of nice things for Eli. And the best part... I get to do it all over again in 2 weeks!!!!