Hi Elijah,
We are on the downhill stretch of introducing you to your family. Your dad is still writing about your Aunt Laura & Uncle Mark. I figured I would take today to tell you about your cousin Jeremy since we celebrated his wedding recently.
I don't recall Jeremy ever going through a punk phase or rotten phase when he was growing up - maybe as he hit his 20s? haha. I remember him being a sweet kiddo. As he got older, he got busier in his life - sports, sports and more sports. Jeremy always had something going on and still does - bowling, flag football, dodgeball, softball. You name it and Jeremy is probably on a league somewhere! Jeremy is a smarty pants - I would be happy if you inherited his brains and his athletic ability. He was always a good student and worked his way through college by working on campus. Now, he is working full time at First National (yes, Eli, he is a traitor with the competition) and trying to work his way up the corporate ladder. I don't know that you will get a ton of time with your cousin Jeremy - we don't get to see him a ton. With his sports and the time he spends with his friends, I don't know that we will get to squeeze you in there too often. Maybe when he is bamboozled into watching your new baby Lang cousin, we will drop you off over there to bond with him.
Jeremy continually surprises me - whether it is because he settled in Omaha (I never expected him to stay here!) or because he was so emotional at his wedding or because I catch him in a rotten mood :) I hope that you can stand at the alter and experience as much love as him and your cousin Cory did on their wedding days. They were both utterly entranced with their brides and I hope that you feel that way too.
Then, we inherited Kylie shark. She is a shark at the poker table and she is a goofball. She has a big heart and she has already volunteered to babysit you all the time :) I hope that her spirit (especially when she has a few cocktails) can rub off on you. Even though I anticipate me and your cousin Lauren to be the funsuckers with our kiddos, I am guessing that Kylie shark will be the fun parent and Jeremy will be the funsucker :) You will probably always be telling me how you want to hang out with her because she is more fun than your funsucker mom.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Dr Appt
Hi there little Elijah Lang Brigham,
Our doctors appointment was a bust today buddy. We got the crappy room at the office so we could barely see you on the ultrasound and there was definitely not a 3d option in the crappy room. You lucked out though buddy because your arms and legs were up above your head and would have blocked any shot that we might have had in a good room. So, instead of grounding you from 1 year to 2 years old, we can blame the crappy room at the doctors office :)
Your rate of growth has slowed down and that made the doctors happy. You are no longer in the big fat pig range of the growth chart - I think you are in the normal range. Dr. Bonehead said he will remove your stitch at 37 weeks - around 12/27. Looking less and less likely to be a Christmas baby or 2009 baby. Oh well, you come out when you are healthy and ready. As of this appointment, your head was in the position for you to be born and your little bum was at the top of my tummy. I feel you everywhere though so I think you stretch out all over at any given time but when the ultrasound wand comes up, you get those legs and arms up over your face just like your dad would if he were that flexible.
I had your dad feel you today. I made him push down on my tummy and you kicked him. You were telling him to quit picking on you and give you some room. I think he kind of liked it :)
As you may have noticed, your middle name is now settled. You are officially Elijah Lang Brigham. Elijah just because. Lang for your mom's heritage and Brigham for your dad's heritage. We also settled the debate of who can be at the hospital when you are being born. If you recall, your mom says NO ONE except your dad. Your dad wanted to tell people so he had company. I finally won that one too - we aren't going to tell anyone until you are born and we have some time with you. Then, we can open the floodgates and your family can come love you up. These wins for your mom didn't come cheap. I had to give up my stake in how long your dad takes off work.
I talked to Mary, your babysitter today & you have a spot at her daycare center. I have to call her back next month and firm it up but at least you have a place to go while your mom and dad are bringing home the bacon to give you shelter :)
I will leave you with a picture from our ultrasound. You have to be really careful in looking at it because it is definitely hard to make out your features. I had to turn my head to the left. Then, I had to look at the arrow that was pointing to your nostril. You definitely have your mom's nose. Then, I had to look at the other arrow and see your lips. Definitely your dad's lips!
3 weeks until we see you again kiddo and we can't wait.
Our doctors appointment was a bust today buddy. We got the crappy room at the office so we could barely see you on the ultrasound and there was definitely not a 3d option in the crappy room. You lucked out though buddy because your arms and legs were up above your head and would have blocked any shot that we might have had in a good room. So, instead of grounding you from 1 year to 2 years old, we can blame the crappy room at the doctors office :)
Your rate of growth has slowed down and that made the doctors happy. You are no longer in the big fat pig range of the growth chart - I think you are in the normal range. Dr. Bonehead said he will remove your stitch at 37 weeks - around 12/27. Looking less and less likely to be a Christmas baby or 2009 baby. Oh well, you come out when you are healthy and ready. As of this appointment, your head was in the position for you to be born and your little bum was at the top of my tummy. I feel you everywhere though so I think you stretch out all over at any given time but when the ultrasound wand comes up, you get those legs and arms up over your face just like your dad would if he were that flexible.
I had your dad feel you today. I made him push down on my tummy and you kicked him. You were telling him to quit picking on you and give you some room. I think he kind of liked it :)
As you may have noticed, your middle name is now settled. You are officially Elijah Lang Brigham. Elijah just because. Lang for your mom's heritage and Brigham for your dad's heritage. We also settled the debate of who can be at the hospital when you are being born. If you recall, your mom says NO ONE except your dad. Your dad wanted to tell people so he had company. I finally won that one too - we aren't going to tell anyone until you are born and we have some time with you. Then, we can open the floodgates and your family can come love you up. These wins for your mom didn't come cheap. I had to give up my stake in how long your dad takes off work.
I talked to Mary, your babysitter today & you have a spot at her daycare center. I have to call her back next month and firm it up but at least you have a place to go while your mom and dad are bringing home the bacon to give you shelter :)
I will leave you with a picture from our ultrasound. You have to be really careful in looking at it because it is definitely hard to make out your features. I had to turn my head to the left. Then, I had to look at the arrow that was pointing to your nostril. You definitely have your mom's nose. Then, I had to look at the other arrow and see your lips. Definitely your dad's lips!
3 weeks until we see you again kiddo and we can't wait.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Jacob and Xander
Hi there little E,
Your mom is not a huge one to remember anniversaries of when people passed away or go to the cemetery - I feel like I can talk to them from the privacy of my own head. However, today marks the 1 year anniversary from when your little brothers were born. Man, that was the longest day ever! I am not going to go into details about it - you can read that in your brothers' book. However, I wanted to mention it here to you because I think you are a big part of the reason that this isn't bothering me today.
I can honestly say that the boys have crossed my mind today but not in a sad or emotional way. But, I don't know if that is because time has passed and I have healed or if it is just because you are here to distract me. You have been pretty darn active and it isn't because of sugar - I have been good all day. I think you are just moving around and making a fuss to remind me that even though we had our losses last year, we have to keep the faith that you are our future this year.
While I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, your dad and I were a little wistful today when we discussed it. If something so simple like a stitch could have kept your brothers in there cooking, it is a shame we lost them. I used to blame my weight or the diabetes but I was the thinnest I had ever been last year and was in diabetic remission. So, it just wasn't meant to work out with my cervix or I just couldn't carry twins. I guess the most important thing is that we have a solution for you and you are 25 1/2 weeks now! You can keep on causing a fuss to distract me though :)
On a side note, I had a completely vivid dream about your Gramma Debi D's sister last night. When the dream ended, I asked her to look after my son for the next 10 weeks or so and she said OK. While it was an interesting dream in itself, I was so darn excited that I called you my son for like 3 dreams in a row. I must have finally accepted your family jewels and there are no more baby girl dreams!
Can't wait to see you tomorrow kiddo. Please get all your orneriness out today & give us a good photo tomorrow.
Your mom is not a huge one to remember anniversaries of when people passed away or go to the cemetery - I feel like I can talk to them from the privacy of my own head. However, today marks the 1 year anniversary from when your little brothers were born. Man, that was the longest day ever! I am not going to go into details about it - you can read that in your brothers' book. However, I wanted to mention it here to you because I think you are a big part of the reason that this isn't bothering me today.
I can honestly say that the boys have crossed my mind today but not in a sad or emotional way. But, I don't know if that is because time has passed and I have healed or if it is just because you are here to distract me. You have been pretty darn active and it isn't because of sugar - I have been good all day. I think you are just moving around and making a fuss to remind me that even though we had our losses last year, we have to keep the faith that you are our future this year.
While I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, your dad and I were a little wistful today when we discussed it. If something so simple like a stitch could have kept your brothers in there cooking, it is a shame we lost them. I used to blame my weight or the diabetes but I was the thinnest I had ever been last year and was in diabetic remission. So, it just wasn't meant to work out with my cervix or I just couldn't carry twins. I guess the most important thing is that we have a solution for you and you are 25 1/2 weeks now! You can keep on causing a fuss to distract me though :)
On a side note, I had a completely vivid dream about your Gramma Debi D's sister last night. When the dream ended, I asked her to look after my son for the next 10 weeks or so and she said OK. While it was an interesting dream in itself, I was so darn excited that I called you my son for like 3 dreams in a row. I must have finally accepted your family jewels and there are no more baby girl dreams!
Can't wait to see you tomorrow kiddo. Please get all your orneriness out today & give us a good photo tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
So tired...
Hi Elijah!
Gosh darn it your mom is always tired. I am exhausted then I try to go to sleep and lay there for hours. Then, I am exhausted during the day. Then, in the evening. It doesn't matter if I take naps or sleep at appropriate times - just always tired. Are you just plain sucking the energy out of me? :) I have even tried an ambien and it didn't help. I don't know what to do except suck it up and realize that this is probably what life is going to be like when you get here. I kept waiting for that second trimester burst of energy and as I count down the final 4 days of second trimester, it still hasn't arrived. Maybe we will be a rare pair that has a burst of energy in the 3rd trimester? I am doubting it but I can always hold out hope - just like I hold out hope you will be the best darn sleeper on the planet :)
About 39 hours until we see you again. Can't wait! We go to the dr. on Thursday and I so hope you will cooperate for another 4d photo. You know - not put your legs and arm over your head? Put your body in a position where they will even take the 4d. Come on, make your mom proud.
Gosh darn it your mom is always tired. I am exhausted then I try to go to sleep and lay there for hours. Then, I am exhausted during the day. Then, in the evening. It doesn't matter if I take naps or sleep at appropriate times - just always tired. Are you just plain sucking the energy out of me? :) I have even tried an ambien and it didn't help. I don't know what to do except suck it up and realize that this is probably what life is going to be like when you get here. I kept waiting for that second trimester burst of energy and as I count down the final 4 days of second trimester, it still hasn't arrived. Maybe we will be a rare pair that has a burst of energy in the 3rd trimester? I am doubting it but I can always hold out hope - just like I hold out hope you will be the best darn sleeper on the planet :)
About 39 hours until we see you again. Can't wait! We go to the dr. on Thursday and I so hope you will cooperate for another 4d photo. You know - not put your legs and arm over your head? Put your body in a position where they will even take the 4d. Come on, make your mom proud.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Preparing for your photo shoot
Hi Baby E,
Baby Levi had his photo taken last week and at a nationally recognized local studio. Your dad and I came home to check it out to see if we *had* to take you. Well, sorry Little E, as much as we love you, we can't dish out that much cabbage for your infant photos. So, we are going to try to do it at home. Apparently, we have to do it within the first 2 weeks of birth, crank the heat up to like 100 degrees, feed you, strip you, cover the lovesac, contort your body into unimaginable positions, and snap away. But, the most important part of the photo shoot (besides you, of course), is the little hat on your head. I found these two on Etsy and want you to wear something similar so we are going to look for a pattern for Gramma Debbie to make them for you. Otherwise, I will order them for Etsy. I have no idea what you look like but I can't imagine that these won't be the cutest photos ever. If all else fails, we will bring Uncle Zach or Sherry Shark over to take them for us.
Baby Levi had his photo taken last week and at a nationally recognized local studio. Your dad and I came home to check it out to see if we *had* to take you. Well, sorry Little E, as much as we love you, we can't dish out that much cabbage for your infant photos. So, we are going to try to do it at home. Apparently, we have to do it within the first 2 weeks of birth, crank the heat up to like 100 degrees, feed you, strip you, cover the lovesac, contort your body into unimaginable positions, and snap away. But, the most important part of the photo shoot (besides you, of course), is the little hat on your head. I found these two on Etsy and want you to wear something similar so we are going to look for a pattern for Gramma Debbie to make them for you. Otherwise, I will order them for Etsy. I have no idea what you look like but I can't imagine that these won't be the cutest photos ever. If all else fails, we will bring Uncle Zach or Sherry Shark over to take them for us.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
25 weeks!!
Hi Baby Elijah!
Another week in the history books. You are 25 weeks today. This marked a good change in your percentages according to my pregnancy program. Last week, you had a 60% chance of survival but even when you survived, you had a 75% chance of having serious medical conditions. Now, you have a 70% chance of survival and when you survived, you dropped to a 55% chance of having serious medical conditions. Again, we don't want you to come for at least another 10 weeks but it is so exciting to see that first number go up and the second number go down. The program says you are 13.6 inches and 1 lb 10 oz. Yeah, I don't think you are 26 oz. You were 18 oz a couple of weeks ago.
Your dad took my picture yesterday for my scrapbook. I wasn't too happy with how it turned out. I think I may need to change the lighting in the bathroom because my hair and face do not look that straggly when I leave the house. I think I look more pregnant than these pictures show but it could be denial!!
We also registered for you at Babies R Us yesterday. Of course, your mom had to ham it up with the scanner and your dad could barely stand to have a stinking photo taken.
Finally, last night, we saw a lot of your family & the Lucas' up at the Sundowner. I think it was the first time your Grampa Keith has acknowledged that you are coming. He knew and he asks how I am doing but I think our past history makes him too nervous to think about you too much. But, I was whining about how hot it was and how he needed to drop the temperature for his grandson. He said "My grandson who's name I can't even pronounce." Then, Cory called him Grampa Keith and he said "Hmmm...Grampa Keith? It is about time, I am not getting any younger." Yeah, he is kind of gruff and mumbles but he will be so excited to meet you!
Your dad is out of town today - he is in KC watching the Chiefs get stomped on (like normal). So, no funny business is allowed today. If you decided to make your way into the world today, your dad would never forgive himself!
Another week in the history books. You are 25 weeks today. This marked a good change in your percentages according to my pregnancy program. Last week, you had a 60% chance of survival but even when you survived, you had a 75% chance of having serious medical conditions. Now, you have a 70% chance of survival and when you survived, you dropped to a 55% chance of having serious medical conditions. Again, we don't want you to come for at least another 10 weeks but it is so exciting to see that first number go up and the second number go down. The program says you are 13.6 inches and 1 lb 10 oz. Yeah, I don't think you are 26 oz. You were 18 oz a couple of weeks ago.
Your dad took my picture yesterday for my scrapbook. I wasn't too happy with how it turned out. I think I may need to change the lighting in the bathroom because my hair and face do not look that straggly when I leave the house. I think I look more pregnant than these pictures show but it could be denial!!
We also registered for you at Babies R Us yesterday. Of course, your mom had to ham it up with the scanner and your dad could barely stand to have a stinking photo taken.
Finally, last night, we saw a lot of your family & the Lucas' up at the Sundowner. I think it was the first time your Grampa Keith has acknowledged that you are coming. He knew and he asks how I am doing but I think our past history makes him too nervous to think about you too much. But, I was whining about how hot it was and how he needed to drop the temperature for his grandson. He said "My grandson who's name I can't even pronounce." Then, Cory called him Grampa Keith and he said "Hmmm...Grampa Keith? It is about time, I am not getting any younger." Yeah, he is kind of gruff and mumbles but he will be so excited to meet you!
Your dad is out of town today - he is in KC watching the Chiefs get stomped on (like normal). So, no funny business is allowed today. If you decided to make your way into the world today, your dad would never forgive himself!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Your Grandparents
Hi Baby E,
I know I told you that I would let you meet your grandparents and figure them out yourself. But, I noticed a pattern in all of my posts about your family - I have certain things I want you to inherit from each one. So, I figured I would give you a sneak peek and tell you a few things that we hope you inherit from your grandparents and maybe even a few things that we hope you don't :)
Gramma Ruth -
We hope you inherit her:
1) Love for reading.
2) Love for political and current affairs conversations. Your dad would love that! Well, I guess he would only love it if you were a registered republican :)
3) Independence
4) Thick hair like your dads
5) Patience
We hope that you DON'T inherit her:
1) Gene for cancer - your gramma is a proud breast cancer survivor.
2) Sassy mouth that always picks on your poor old mom :) You can be sassy like her - just not directed at your mom!
Grampa Bob -
We hope you inherit his:
1) Love for his family
2) Desire to keep in touch with his family
3) Happiness at the simple things in life
4) Boyish innocence - I swear that he liked ripping open his Christmas presents more than your cousin Andrew!
We hope you DON'T inherit his:
1) Heart condition
2) Stubbornness (but, I think you are hosed there)
3) His aptitude for screaming across the house to get attention :) Your dad called this his "Bellowing voice."
4) smoking addiction
Grampa Keith -
We hope you inherit his:
1) Blue eyes like Gramma Lang
2) Happiness at the simple things in life
3) Ability to not take things personally and just let them roll of his back
4) In most ways, your Grampa Keith is pretty laid back and easy going. We hope you are too.
5) His ability to make a living for himself and not work for any bosses!
We hope you DON'T inherit his:
1) Knack for mumbling
2) Belly
3) Health problems
4) Hair
5) Temper
Gramma Debbie -
We hope you inherit her:
1) Laugh. Your Gramma Debbie has a laugh that can fill a room. Thinking of you laughing that heartily makes us smile.
2) Love for music.
3) Love for animals.
4) Love of fishing even though your parents will never take you. You will have to rely on Gramma Debbie or Uncle Mark.
We hope you DON'T inherit her:
1) Sweet tooth
2) Boobs - they skipped your mom but we are hoping they skip you too because that would be inappropriate.
3) Health problems
4) insecurities. With Gramma Debbie being adopted, she sometimes deals with her birth. I hope that you know from conception until you are 100 that you are loved each minute of each day and wanted more than anything in the world.
Grampa Larry -
This one is going to be more difficult since we don't have any genetic connection to Grampa Larry but I am sure he is up there looking out for you.
I hope you inherit his:
1) Kindness - he was always helping others
2) Frugality - isn't that a polite way of saying we hope you are cheap and tight with your money? :)
3) Love for his family
4) His snort when he would laugh really hard
5) His skills - not only did he know cars, he knew how to fix things. Even if it was just fixed with a piece of duct tape.
6) His love of the outdoors
We hope you DON'T inherit his:
1) Love of beer
2) Talk like a trucker mouth (But, if you do, that is going to be your mom and dad's fault for teaching it to you)
3) Love of hunting - we are not really for killing things in the wild.
4) His temper
I know you are short on Grampas and you have a lot of Grammas but there is an adopted Gramma you are also receiving by coming into this family - Debi D. Yeah, she isn't genetically related to you but she is going to love you up, spoil you rotten and be the best adopted Gramma you will ever have. So, if you are spending time with her (she offered to babysit only after you are a bit bigger), you will need to inherit her:
1) Sense of humor - it is wicked!
2) Big heart - she just hides it most of the time. Actually, true fact - she tried to save your mom's life once. I was literally drowning at Peony Park and she saw it and started racing across the beach to save me - clothes on and all.
3) Ability to tell it like it is - she has more tact that your mom but she won't pull any punches with you if you need to hear the truth
4) Independence
We hope you DON'T inherit her:
1) Stubbornness - again, you are hosed on this one
2) Desire to move to Florida - you do know that you are stuck in the same city where your parents are for the rest of your life (except a brief 4 year stint in college), right? Otherwise, we will just follow you around.
Can you tell that your dear old mom is already trying to make you the best person ever? You are surrounded by people who love you so much and have so many good qualities that if you could emulate a few of them from each of them, you will be a super star!
I know I told you that I would let you meet your grandparents and figure them out yourself. But, I noticed a pattern in all of my posts about your family - I have certain things I want you to inherit from each one. So, I figured I would give you a sneak peek and tell you a few things that we hope you inherit from your grandparents and maybe even a few things that we hope you don't :)
Gramma Ruth -
We hope you inherit her:
1) Love for reading.
2) Love for political and current affairs conversations. Your dad would love that! Well, I guess he would only love it if you were a registered republican :)
3) Independence
4) Thick hair like your dads
5) Patience
We hope that you DON'T inherit her:
1) Gene for cancer - your gramma is a proud breast cancer survivor.
2) Sassy mouth that always picks on your poor old mom :) You can be sassy like her - just not directed at your mom!
Grampa Bob -
We hope you inherit his:
1) Love for his family
2) Desire to keep in touch with his family
3) Happiness at the simple things in life
4) Boyish innocence - I swear that he liked ripping open his Christmas presents more than your cousin Andrew!
We hope you DON'T inherit his:
1) Heart condition
2) Stubbornness (but, I think you are hosed there)
3) His aptitude for screaming across the house to get attention :) Your dad called this his "Bellowing voice."
4) smoking addiction
Grampa Keith -
We hope you inherit his:
1) Blue eyes like Gramma Lang
2) Happiness at the simple things in life
3) Ability to not take things personally and just let them roll of his back
4) In most ways, your Grampa Keith is pretty laid back and easy going. We hope you are too.
5) His ability to make a living for himself and not work for any bosses!
We hope you DON'T inherit his:
1) Knack for mumbling
2) Belly
3) Health problems
4) Hair
5) Temper
Gramma Debbie -
We hope you inherit her:
1) Laugh. Your Gramma Debbie has a laugh that can fill a room. Thinking of you laughing that heartily makes us smile.
2) Love for music.
3) Love for animals.
4) Love of fishing even though your parents will never take you. You will have to rely on Gramma Debbie or Uncle Mark.
We hope you DON'T inherit her:
1) Sweet tooth
2) Boobs - they skipped your mom but we are hoping they skip you too because that would be inappropriate.
3) Health problems
4) insecurities. With Gramma Debbie being adopted, she sometimes deals with her birth. I hope that you know from conception until you are 100 that you are loved each minute of each day and wanted more than anything in the world.
Grampa Larry -
This one is going to be more difficult since we don't have any genetic connection to Grampa Larry but I am sure he is up there looking out for you.
I hope you inherit his:
1) Kindness - he was always helping others
2) Frugality - isn't that a polite way of saying we hope you are cheap and tight with your money? :)
3) Love for his family
4) His snort when he would laugh really hard
5) His skills - not only did he know cars, he knew how to fix things. Even if it was just fixed with a piece of duct tape.
6) His love of the outdoors
We hope you DON'T inherit his:
1) Love of beer
2) Talk like a trucker mouth (But, if you do, that is going to be your mom and dad's fault for teaching it to you)
3) Love of hunting - we are not really for killing things in the wild.
4) His temper
I know you are short on Grampas and you have a lot of Grammas but there is an adopted Gramma you are also receiving by coming into this family - Debi D. Yeah, she isn't genetically related to you but she is going to love you up, spoil you rotten and be the best adopted Gramma you will ever have. So, if you are spending time with her (she offered to babysit only after you are a bit bigger), you will need to inherit her:
1) Sense of humor - it is wicked!
2) Big heart - she just hides it most of the time. Actually, true fact - she tried to save your mom's life once. I was literally drowning at Peony Park and she saw it and started racing across the beach to save me - clothes on and all.
3) Ability to tell it like it is - she has more tact that your mom but she won't pull any punches with you if you need to hear the truth
4) Independence
We hope you DON'T inherit her:
1) Stubbornness - again, you are hosed on this one
2) Desire to move to Florida - you do know that you are stuck in the same city where your parents are for the rest of your life (except a brief 4 year stint in college), right? Otherwise, we will just follow you around.
Can you tell that your dear old mom is already trying to make you the best person ever? You are surrounded by people who love you so much and have so many good qualities that if you could emulate a few of them from each of them, you will be a super star!
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