22 Weeks.

Elliott:

You've finally broken the 1 pound mark (but I broke that mark in my pregnancy weight gain months ago)! This week you're 8 inches long from crown to rump and you weight about 1 pound, making you about the size of a spaghetti squash (whatever that is).  Your sense of touch is developing this week, meaning you may be holding on to the only thing in the womb with you, your umbilical cord. You can also see light and dark now.

You still like to move a lot in the evenings.  I can even see my belly twitch when you kick or jab.  There's nothing better after a long day at work than to lay down in bed and feel you move.

Your crib was delivered this week.  We haven't opened it yet, but we're hoping to get it put together soon.  I'm anxious to start seeing your room come together in the next couple of weeks.  We're keeping it simple; the walls are gray and all the furniture is white.  I wanted to go for a modern look, something that can grow with you.

We go back to see Dr. Chang on Tuesday.  We're looking forward to hearing your heart beat and seeing how much weight I gained in the past month.  Even though it's hard to see the number on the scale rise each month, I couldn't imagine a better cause.

We love you so very much,
Momma

Our Weekend According to my iPhone.

Vintage VW Bug.

Lunch at Freddy's in Branson, MO.

Amy and Justin at Freddy's.

Shotgun Weddin' photo shoot.

Who's the baby daddy?

Sake bombs for Kirt's birthday.

Play day with 3/4 of "The Order".

21 Weeks.

Elliott:

It's crazy how fast my belly has started growing the past couple of weeks!  This week you are about the size of a banana, about 7 inches long from crown to rump and weighing about 11 ounces.  I'm feeling pretty good these days.  I have my energy back, and you're not quite big enough to be giving me back trouble yet.  I'm trying to enjoy this time in the pregnancy, using my energy to accomplish as much as possible.  We are having our screened-in-porch turned into a sunroom so we'll have more room to spread out when you arrive.  I picture it being your play room some day, filled with your little toys.  We also ordered your crib this week.  It was a gift from Pia and Stev.  We can't wait for it to come in so we can see it in your room.

I'm feeling you move more and more.  I love it, it is such a comforting feeling knowing you are with me where ever I go.  I'm looking forward to you growing even stronger over the next few weeks.  Every time I feel you, I fall a little more in love.

Thinking of you always,
Momma

Life Lately According to My iPhone.

Morning coffee on the porch at the lake.

Enjoying my parent's lake house on Lake Hamilton.

Reading "The Help" in this cozy nook.

Brunch at Granny's Kitchen in Hot Springs.

Gary in the "Spa-Zebo".

Fresh color.

Sleeping in on a rainy day.

Family time.

Screened-in-porch turned sunroom... almost.

20 Weeks.

My sweet Elliott:

I've reached the half way point in my pregnancy this week!  Only 20 more weeks until I'll have you in my arms.  You now weigh about 10 ounces and are about 6 and a half inches from crown to rump, making you the size of a small cantaloupe.

Most of my clothes no longer fit, so I had to do some shopping this week.  I can tell you are growing by the strength of your kicking.  You are now kicking hard enough to be felt from the outside of my belly.  Your Daddy got to feel you kick for the first time this week.  When he felt you for the first time he jerked his hand away and looked at me in amazement asking "was that him?"  Since then he has felt you several times, and your Pia (grandma) got to feel you kick this morning.  There is nothing I love more right now than to feel you moving around inside me.

We have such wonderful friends who have been pampering me throughout my pregnancy.  Laura made me a goodie bag to celebrate the half way point in my pregnancy, and Meghan baked me homemade cookies this week.  You are going to be spoiled rotten when you arrive.

We feel so thankful to have made it this far in our pregnancy.  I'm looking forward to the excitement of the next four and a half months.

Keep cooking, we love you!
-Momma

Brooke and Paisley's Shower.

This weekend I helped host a shower for my friend Brooke. She is due in October with her first little girl, Paisley.  Since Paisley and Elliott will only be about 3 months apart, we've already decided they will be the best of friends, maybe even fall in love some day.  The shower was a success, she got lots of goodies for Miss Paisley.

Showing off our babies.

The hostesses with Brooke.

Opening gifts.

Paisley's gift from us... I wish I could say I made them myself, but alas, I did not.

We can't wait to meet Paisley in October.  I know she will be a beautiful person inside and out just like her momma.

19 Weeks.

Elliott:

My oh my you have grown this week!  I feel like my belly doubled in size in one week's time.  You're now about 6 inches from crown to rump and you weigh about a half a pound, the size of a large mango. Your cartilage is turning to bone now, and I can feel you kick more each day.

We went to see Dr. Chang on Monday.  I was afraid to get on the scale after seeing how much my belly grew in one week, but to my surprise I had only gained two pounds since last month's appointment.  He listened to your heart beat again.  This time your heart rate was 149bpm.  I had lots of questions for him, but he was patient and answered every one.

Your Daddy came home from Las Vegas this week.  He missed us both very much.  He brought me some new PJ's and you some new clothes and bibs.

He also painted your room this weekend.  We decided on a light gray.  Now that the room is painted and your light fixture is hung, we keep going in and imagining you in there with all your little stuff.

We love you so very much.  We talk to you everyday and wonder what you will look like and who you will grow up to be.  The next 21 weeks can't go by fast enough!

Keep growing strong,
Momma

18 Weeks.

Elliott,

You are no longer "Jellybean," you have a name: Elliott Knight Grant.  Your first name means "Jehovah is my God," and that is our prayer for you, that one day you will call Jehovah your God.  Your middle name was the maiden name of your great great grandmother, and the middle name of your great grandpa Sowle.

Your growing faster every week.  This week you are the size of a sweet potato (about 5 and a half inches long from crown to rump, weighing about 5 ounces).  My belly is looking more pregnant every week, and rightly so since my uterus has grown to the size of a cantaloupe!

Your Daddy spent this week in Las Vegas working, so I was on my own for taking a belly picture.  I used a tripod to take the picture, but without his help, Lola insisted on posing with me.  We just know you are going to love Lola.  I am already picturing you two being big buddies one day.

You have started giving me a little back pain, so I had to buy a huge pregnancy pillow to help me sleep at night.  When your Dad gets home there won't be much room left for him between me, the pillow and Maggie in our queen sized bed.

In less than a week we go see Dr. Chang to check on you.  I can't wait to tell him you are a boy and to hear your heartbeat again.  I don't think that sound will ever get old.

Counting down to January,
Momma