uh?

I can't think of the word I was wanting to use for the title of this post. I'm sure the reason is due to pregnancy/mommy brain, being sick out of my and doped up on benadryl and not having slept the past 3 nights.

Mug shots.

There's the word(s).

Don't judge me. Please.

I seriously considered posting a picture of myself today. I got up this morning and went to a dermatologist appointment and Eli and I came home and crashed. I actually looked somewhat nice, as in hair fixed and a little make-up... I can't go anywhere without mascara and blush. I woke up from the nap and went to the bathroom and when I looked in the mirror I laughed and cried. Laughed because I look hideous and cried because I really look hideous. {hormonal?}

You know when you're watching the news and they start talking about someone who has beat a kid that they were babysitting and flash their disgusting MUG SHOT? You, or at least I, sit there and you say, "Who in their right mind would leave their kid with someone who looks like that???"

Well ladies and gentlemen, that is me today. I know now that those people may not always look like they have been eating crack rocks 3 meals a day while washing it down with a bottle of Jack. (I tried to think of some type of redneck liquor but I guess Jack will do)

Uh, so I forget where I am going with this post. I guess I just wanted you to know that I look, and feel, like a meth junkie living in Cragford, Alabama's old Mellow Valley school house.

You know what, just because I can laugh at and with myself...

Picture included.

Ladies, show this to your husbands. They'll be so grateful for your beauty.

Daniel, If you read this... please don't leave me.

I may delete this when I'm coherent so enjoy for now ;) Please notice how swollen my face and nose are from all of this congestion. To be completely honest, this picture actually makes me look a little better than what I actually do. And of course no picture would be complete without my little bed bug who is sickly himself.

"I'm A Big Brother"

This book has been at the top of our reading queue for a few days now... Along with "Tractors" and "Big Rigs."

In the book there is a brown headed little boy who is now a big brother. It's kind of funny because he favors Eli before we cut all of his hair off. We read it several times a day and I always point to the little boy and say, "There is Eli and here is his baby brother Drew." Eli kind of laughs about it and turns the page.

A few minutes ago I had walked out of the room and Eli was pulling the books out of the end table for the 100th time today. I came back in and caught him looking at the book.

Is this really what he thinks about being a big brother?

I really hope not...

Eli understands...

Even though I've "known" for a while, yesterday it really hit me...

Eli understands so much of what we say.

For the past couple of weeks whenever I tell Eli we need to go change his diaper, he tootles right on back to his room and stands a few feet from his changing table. I use to just pick him up in the middle of whatever he was doing and just tell him we were going to change his diaper. Even after he started walking. I'm not sure how we evolved to him actually walking to the room himself but yesterday it just amazed me. I had not even told Daniel about it until a couple days ago because it just hadn't sunk in that we had a new little routine.

We are working on body parts. He's really good at finding everyone's noses but he has no interest in belly button or ears or anything else... But that's fine. Eli only has a nose for now. ;)

He understands what talking on the phone is. He knows that he's pretending because if my phone actually does ring he grabs it and brings it to me. He even will race me for it just so he can actually be the one to pick it up and hand it to me.

He hums along with a lot of the songs we sing during the day. When we sing "This little light of mine" he holds his little finger up and waves it around. When he's playing with his cars and trucks, his trucks make a louder noise than the cars. And he always brings the same book about tractors to sit in my lap and look at with me. Is that coincidence or does he understand that we talk about Grandpa's tractor when we look at it?

I wonder what else he understands.

It makes me think of the Sunday school song we use to sing "Oh be careful little..." and you would insert with each verse "eyes what you see, mouth what you say, ears what you hear, hands what you do, feet where you go..." Good little song. Even better for mommies and daddies to remember!

Whooah, we're halfway there...

Uh huh. A little Bon Jovi for yah. Who, by the way, I think didn't lose his looks like a lot of 80's icons.

Anywho, we really are halfway there!!!

...that is unless Andrew decides to make an almost 2 week late appearance like his brother did.

I found a really cute baby book today and picked it up. I was really excited as to how similar it is to Eli's.

Weight gain: about 3 lbs... I am suppose to gain a pound each week from here on out!

Baby's size: He weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now and is about 6 1/2 inches long from

head to rump! He's swallowing these days and gearing up for his first dirty diaper!

Woo hoo!!!

Gender: A boy :)

Maternity clothes: Sometimes... they are way more comfy!

Stretch mark: Nope, hopefully I received enough from Eli!!!!

Sleep: I really only wake up when Daniel and Eli are snoring.... And occasionally

a trip to the potty...

Movement: Yes! I don't remember feeling Eli moving this early. Daniel even felt him last Tuesday!

Cravings: None really, I have just been hungry a lot.

What I miss: Nothing at all! I'm too excited to have another sweet little boy!

Looking forward to: Our 20 week ultrasound and seeing him again!

And a look at my growing stomach...

It's awkward trying to figure out what to do with my hands?

haha....

And my main squeeze... who is too big to sit still to take a picture these days...

**** I just hit post and forgot to set it to publish tomorrow, oh well... I only know how to go back and edit...

I want...

I started this post after I had been looking at a bunch of stuff online...

then I realized how stupid, for lack of a better word, that was of me to post about a hat and new shoes I wanted, so I deleted it... I saw the site below, and now I know what I really want...

http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123247949

I want these guys and their families, as well as the thousands of troops who aren't with loved ones, to be in your prayers.

And I want to be in your prayers also.

Pray that I always remember that every day that my husband is alive, I'm blessed.

Pray that he returns safely in November to meet his new little boy.

Pray that his team returns safely as well.

That's what I want.

Sick Prize

I can remember just about every time as kid and I had to go to the Dr. I would always get a prize.

Well, for the past 2 weeks or so, Eli has been in a funk.

I'm not sure what is really going on with him but on Wednesday we finally have an appointment to get him checked out. He's constantly digging in his ears, but not tugging or crying about them. It's like they are just annoying him. He had a cold towards the end of last week and lately he's been wheezing and that just freaks me out.

Today, part of Eli's Easter basket stuff came in the mail. I thought that since he hasn't been feeling so hot, he could have part of it. And honestly I just wanted to see it on him...

Here is he... My little handy man :)

The little tool belt has a button on top and makes little hammering and twisty/screw-driver noises. He is so funny using the tools to push the buttons.

Just Eli...

Eli is just himself. I can't explain the joy he brings to our lives but I am so thankful that my days are full of Just Eli.

I hate editing videos, but I had to share this one. He knows when I am recording something and he usually won't do whatever "trick" I'm trying to capture.

His "conversations" are usually a little bit longer though.

****please notice at the end when I asked who was on the phone he put his finger over his mouth, went "shh" and pointed at the TV. I may or may not do that to him when I'm on the phone, hoping the TV will entertain him for a few...

And here are a few pictures I hadn't realized were still on my camera...

Eli got this for his little brother after we did the gender scan :)

Celebrating at Frank&Benny's

Aren't they so handsome!

Seems like all British restaurants give away balloons.

{Yay........}

All that excitement can really get to a little man!

Headed to the Zoo! He NEVER takes a picture with me so I'm proud of this one!!!

We have to stay barefoot until we reach our destination!