Hi Baby E!
It is Thanksgiving night and your mom and dad are resting. Your dad because it is hard work to feed so many people and clean up afterwards. Your mom because it is hard work supervising your dad and, more importantly, growing you. We had lots of your family over here today to celebrate Thanksgiving. Lots of people rubbing your belly and telling you "Happy Thanksgiving!" It was a nice holiday but, I have to be honest kid, we are just passing time until you are here! Next year, you will be here for Thanksgiving. Next year, our lives will be centered around you. Yep, we are just going about our daily lives to pass the time until little Elijah is here.
Every year, your Gramma Debbie would ask me what I am thankful for. While I have things I am thankful for, I am really not good at expressing those emotions verbally. But, I am totally comfortable in typing them all out for you. :)
1) I am bumping your dad this year as who I am most thankful for today. You are going to be top dog today in the things I am thankful for. Thankful for your conception, thankful for your surgery, thankful for your continued growth and health, thankful for the beautiful pictures of you, thankful for feeling you move and thankful for the fact that we are only a few weeks of away from meeting you.
2) I am thankful for your dad. He has worked so hard lately in getting your room ready, getting the house ready for company and cooking us a delicious meal. On top of all that, he puts up with my whining, moaning, weird sleep habits and endless rambling about hypothetical situations about when you are here.
3) I am thankful for having a job in this economy and for having that job provide excellent medical coverage for you & me.
4) I am thankful for insulin so I can still have an *occasional* treat without hurting you.
5) I am thankful for being able to share my pregnancy with those close to me - my friend Emily is only 3 or so days ahead of me with her twin girls, your cousin Lauren carrying baby Jake and Candi carrying baby Henry. It is comforting to be able to ask Emily questions if she is going through the same things as me and it is bonding to have Lauren & Candi experiencing those same things just a few weeks behind me. I am especially thankful for baby Jacob because not only will he be a friend to you, he truly has introduced me to a new friend in your cousin Lauren. Sure, we have been family for awhile but you & baby Jacob have bonded us as friends.
6) I am thankful for silly things like my eReaders, my laptop and internet connection, black Friday sales online, Ambien, having my Christmas shopping done, Altoids, crockpots, stretchy pants/shirts and undies that fit :)
7) Finally, I really am thankful for all of your family & friends who are so supportive of us. I know I tell you all of the time but seriously, I don't think you can understand how excited people are for you. I know that they are excited for your dad and I because we have waited so long for you but they are excited to meet you and be a part of your life. Everyone gets so excited to see your ultrasound photos, everyone enjoys rubbing up your belly, and everyone has been so excited to spend their hard earned money to buy you presents. Your Aunt Laura has told all of Walmart about you and showed them your picture. Your Gramma Debbie continues to buy you presents. Your Gramma Debi D passed a family heirloom down to you - and you are not even blood related. Last night, your Grampa Keith's face lit up when he saw us. He has been pretty reserved about you - I haven't heard much from him. When I stopped over his house, he got a big smile on his face and rubbed your belly. He said we were catching up with him! I think he finally "got it" that we are pregnant and you are almost full term! Your Auntie Val, Auntie Kim and Uncle Jeff are planning a trip *just* to meet you. But, you know what made me really, really thankful today? Your ultrasound photos made your Great Gramma Lang smile, giggle and call you a little stinker. To see her face light up at the sight of you made my heart warm. It is a rough day for the Lang side of your family - our first Thanksgiving without Grampa. She gave me a grin when I arrived with dinner but you brought out a deep, heart felt, reached her eyes smile!
I told your dad when I started typing that he could add his things when I was done. He has been thinking hard... Here you go:
1) I am thankful for you.
2) I am thankful for the opportunity to experience the joy of being a parent in a few short weeks
3) I am thankful for all of the joy you have brought to our family - even though you aren't even here yet.
4) I am thankful for your mom. (*Note how your mom is #4 on your dad's list and he is #2 on her list. hmmmm*)
5) I am thankful that we have jobs.
6) I am thankful for the support we have received from our family and friends.
7) I am thankful for our animals - even though they are a pain in the butt sometimes.
Happy Thanksgiving little one and we can't wait to be thankful for you being an ornery little guy during next years Thanksgiving.
