Getting Close!

The last few (or maybe couple) of weeks are coming to an end before Eli gets here. Chris and I are so excited, but nervous. I had my shower last weekend and about 70 friends and family showed up. I am so grateful for the support. Eli is definitely going to be one blessed little boy. 

Chris and I also got our pictures taken. They turned out well and we are going to get some printed for family. 

I have been having swollen feet and it has been pretty uncomfortable to lie down to sleep at night, but other than that and my morning sickness during the first trimester, my pregnancy hasn't been too bad. I am lucky I haven't had any problems. Girls, if you are thinking about getting pregnant, take care of yourself before and during pregnancy. I even lost about 10 pounds before I got pregnant. Extra weight is not fun on top of being pregnant. 

Excited and Nervous

It is now April and that means next month Eli will be here. I am really nervous, but ready for him to be here. I know Chris is ready too.

 A couple of weeks ago we went to Ultrasona again to see Eli again. Every time I see him, I want to cry. I still lift my shirt while I am watching TV and just watch him kick and move. It will never stop amazing me. Chris bought the ultrasound  for me for my birthday. He also bought me a prenatal massage. I think I have the best husband ever! 

I pray every day that Chris and I are good parents. I want Eli to have a childhood like I did. I am grateful for strict, but loving parents. Their prayers (along with others) have kept me out of trouble and I have made good decisions( some bad too) in my life. Eli is going to be one blessed and spoiled( but not a brat) boy. I can't wait to see the kind of man he grows up to be. 

I love his face!

Look at that smile!

Changes

Chris got an office job at work. He started his new position yesterday. He is still unsure about if he will like it, but he is going to give it a try. The good thing is, if he doesn't like it, he can go back to his old job.

A few weeks ago Chris showed me a large lump under his armpit. Me being the learner that I am, had to look up what it could be via Google. He kept telling me to stop because he is the same way and had already looked it up. There were articles about cysts and cancer. Me being   a worrier as well, immediately thought cancer. Chris is NOT a worrier, so he was just going to wait it out. NO. I made him schedule an appointment. Turns out it was a cyst. Thank God!

The pregnancy is going well. I am starting to really show now after nearly six months of being asked if I really am pregnant. I have a little over two months until Eli is born and so much is going to be happening. We have my birthday (31) and birthing class this week, my shower, maternity pictures, finishing the nursery,etc in the next few weeks. So much to do and it will be here before we know it! We are so excited to meet Eli. Chris is just as excited as me 😀

Third Trimester

I am going in to my third trimester this week and while I am excited, I am nervous as well. I pray that Chris and I will do a good job as parents. This journey has been great, exhausting and emotional. Every time I go to an appointment and see Eli or hear his heartbeat, I am reminded of God's love and promises for me. Just a few years ago, I was lonely and started to wonder if God had a plan for me. A few years later he showed me that if you wait on Him, He will deliver. I have an amazing husband, a great home, wonderful family and friends, a job, and am expecting the most beautiful baby. God is awesome.

Eli is going to have a wonderful life with parents and family who love him and will have so many great experiences. I hope that most of all he loves God and treats people as God wants him to. 

My baby boy at 26 weeks !!

Update

Baby Eli is continuing to grow and measure right on target with his due date. He is starting to kick like crazy. I think he will be a soccer player like his daddy. We are so excited to meet him and it is hard for us to stay patient, but we are preparing for his arrival. 

Marriage is great. I know we will have our hard times and it won't always be easy, but so far it has been amazing. I am so lucky to have a husband that makes sure I am happy and comfortable during my pregnancy. He does so much for me and I am so lucky to have him by my side during pregnancy and as Eli's father. He will be a great father.

Dolly is still our little fur baby. I love her! She knows to be gentle around me and it is so sweet. She will lay her little head on my shoulder and cuddle with me in the evenings. She is the perfect family dog. She is definitely the best Christmas gift ever. 

Life is great and I am so blessed to have my husband and family in my life. Eli is going to be one blessed (and spoiled) little boy.

Baby Eli

On December 6, Chris and I went with our parents to Columbus and found out what gender Baby Branson is. We are having a boy!! His name will be Elijah (Eli for short) Alan Branson. We have always wanted Elijah, but after seeing what it meant, it makes it that much more perfect. It means "My Lord is God." The prophet Elijah is also someone in the Bible who is often overlooked.  If you don't lnow much about him, read about him.

I am going into my 19th week and time seems to be standing still.  Everyone keeps saying to enjoy being pregnant. I have been sick, sore and just flat out exhausted. I want May to get here as soon as possible. I don't see how anyone who is pregnant can say time is flying by. I just guess I want him here. I have waited so long to get married and have a family, so I guess I just have to be patient.... I have been so far in my life.

Recently I have started feeling little kicks. It's the most emotional thing- just knowing that a human being is in there moving around. I cry sometimes when I feel it. 

We have picked out a theme for the nursery-sports, of course. It is not going to be babyish though. I am going to decorate with some things that can transition into his toddler years and older. I am thinking of red, black and creams/tans for the colors. I got something for the nursery already,  but Chris hasn't seen it yet. I want to surprise him for Christmas.  He is going to love it.

I am so excited to be on this journey even though I have been sore, sick and tired. I am even more excited to be sharing it with the most amazing husband. I can't imagine not having him there for all of this.  God has truly blessed me with a great family, husband,  a home (with room for three if we want), a job, and soon a child.

Baby Eli

He has his first Reds shirt and glove already. Thanks Gram and Gramps (my mom and dad)

Sucking his thumb and showing us he is a boy... look between the umbilical cord and his legs :-)

My family- my parents, husband and in-laws. Eli is going to be spoiled rotten!!!

Baby Branson Coming Soon

I have not posted an entry in a long time, but  A LOT has happened. On September 14, I took a pregnancy test after taking a negative one the previous week. It was positive.  Chris and I were both shocked and overwhelmed with joy. A couple weeks later we told our family at our Anniversary/ Chris's birthday party.

We have had our first and second appointment already and got to hear the heart beat. I bawled like a baby. It became real when we heard the heartbeat. We go again the first week of December for another appointment and then we have an appointment to find out the gender on December 6. We want a boy, but will be excited either way.

I can't believe how blessed I am. God has been there for me during lonliness,  hard times and when I felt like I was never going to find anyone to love. He answered my prayers first with Chris and now with a baby.I can't wait to share this journey with my best friend.  He is the love of my life and I can't wait for him to be a daddy. I am so excited, scared, and nervous to be a mother,  but I had a great example and I hope I can follow in her footsteps.