31 weeks

Hi little man!
You are 31 weeks today. WOOHOO. 96% survival rate with only 20% chance of medical complications. I don't think our odds are going to get much better because there is always a small chance of medical complications. Our program says you are 16 inches and up to 5 lbs. I think you are around 4 lbs but that is just a guess based on your last appointment. Only a few more short weeks and you will be here. I can hardly believe it.

Did you have fun with everyone loving up your belly at the shower yesterday? I think you slept most of the time then you were up all night. Too much activity for you, huh? But, that shower punch was tasty, wasn't it? :) Your mom really doesn't like showers - I have no problem giving people gifts or socializing but not really a huge fan of showers - even my own wedding showers. However, yesterday was a really nice shower - good food, good ambiance, people socializing. It was kind of overwhelming to me because all of these friends and family came out in full force to celebrate YOU! You are already so loved. When I stood up to thank everyone for coming, it was a little emotional for me to think just how long we have waited for you. To think that your mom and dad have wanted you for 11 years and you are finally almost here is astounding. To know that 40 people were sitting in that room with the same anticipation and joy is humbling. I was so shocked at how much "loot" you got. I really didn't expect you to ever receive so many gifts. I had hoped for your car seat (we can't bring you home without that), a few outfits and some fun things. You received 1.5 truck fulls of stuff. Seriously, 1.5 trucks and your dad has really good spatial skills. It was amazing! Guess what though, kiddo? It wasn't 100% about you! I got some gifts for me :) Your Great Gramma Lang knows what a whiner I am so she got me some movie gift certificates. Your Gramma Debbie also got me a willow tree ornament of a mom holding a son. I have wanted to buy those for 11 years and now, I own one because you are on your way!!! I also got a fleece blanket from your Auntie Val that I have been wanting for ages - it kept us warm and toasty last night, huh?

I can't list everything you received or this post would be a bajillion pages long. However, I will tell you about 3 little funky gifts that were unexpected - you got your first Sigg canteen from the Cvilikas'. I love Sigg canteens and how green they are. You got a giraffe from your cousin Jeff. You got lots of jungle stuff for your room but this one was kind of funny because he has some irrational fear of giraffes. He figured if he bought you that, you wouldn't have that fear. Too cute! Finally, you got a little sippy cup with your name on it from the Volenec family. I had never seen such a thing. It was so cute to see your name on a sippy cup in fun kiddo colors.

Well kiddo, there was so much more to tell you about your shower but you probably felt everything I felt so you are up to speed. I had really, really bad dreams about you last night so I would encourage you to be super active today to reassure me that you are fine :) We are worn out today, huh? We woke up with a headache and hurting, swollen hands. It is a true day of Sabbath for us. No cooking for the week or anything - too much effort for today. I did make a breakfast quiche for us for the week and a couple other little crockpot things for today but none of that bulk cooking stuff for today. We need our rest.

Dr Appt

Hi Little Elijah,
For the most part, our appointment today was pretty darn boring. In and out. No photos. No 3d. No measurements. We did get to see you up there but even the ultrasound was quick. One really exciting part - she pointed out you breathing to us. That was pretty cool. Must have been your diaphragm that she saw moving. I think we threw off your schedule by moving up your appointment a week. You were moving a lot but your hand was right up by your face again :)

I was nice to the doctor today - I was exhausted so I didn't have it in me to be feisty. He wasn't concerned about my blood pressure or swelling but it did inch higher up again. I didn't even ask him to take me out of work - I was that mellow.

Yesterday, you about killed me. I thought you were super, super low and I was getting shots to the ovaries and bending over in pain. I thought your head and arms were down there because there was just a ton of pressure. But, today, your head was up above my belly button so it must have just been your legs beating me up. You have been pretty active today too. I stopped over to see Miss Viviann Lindberg (she is one week old and beautiful and a good sleeper) and it is like you can smell a newborn because you spent the whole time saying "Hey lady - I am in here. I am more important - don't you be cheating on me with other babies." Once I got in the car, you were quiet.

Tomorrow is our big day - it is our shower. Friends and family will be coming together to celebrate you and spoil you. Expect lots of people rubbing up your (well, technically my) belly. Oh, and besides the food, company and (hopefully) gifts, did I mention shower punch? Cream cheese mints? Cake? We will be dosing up big time to enjoy all of our favorite sweets. Between the shower and some shopping afterwards, you should be all taken care of. I figure that if we get your car seat and my breast pump, we should have enough to get you home. Last night, we got you a little outfit on clearance - our first outfit we bought you. It was a little jean overall and shirt. We also got you a little winter zip up with an overall sack. It is kind of hard to explain but your dad loved it. Want to know why? There was a carrying handle at the bottom. He wants to carry you upside down. He was giggling in the store just thinking about it. Your aunt Laura rolled her eyes and said it wasn't a carrying handle, it was the opening for the seat belt. I don't think he cared what the intended purpose was because he wants to use the darn thing as a carrying handle :)

OK little one, let's shoot for a good nights sleep tonight so we are in good spirits at the shower tomorrow.

Your mom was wrong...

Hey Baby E,
I admit, it doesn't happen very often but I was wrong. That I would admit that I was wrong probably happens even less frequently but I will keep it real with you.

I told you last week that your mom would be a mess when your room was done and I saw your crib and my rocker in it. Um, nope, that didn't happen. Your dad busted his butt and your room is all done except minor little things. He started putting your crib together - I was fine. No biggie. I hung your "E-L-I-J-A-H" pictures on the wall - no biggie, I was fine. I started putting your clothes in your closet and um....I was done for. Seeing those little bitty clothes that your friends and family have purchased for you was what pushed me over the edge. The painting and flooring - those were cosmetic. The crib - that was furniture. The clothes that are so tiny that I couldn't fit a hand in them? Yeah, that makes you real. That makes you on your way.

It sounds silly because even as I am typing this, you are rolling around in there saying "Hi Mommy!" I don't know how it could get any more real than that. Feeling you makes me happy, makes me say "Hey little Eli, what is going on in there?" Seeing your clothes? Well, that makes me cry in happiness because it means you are really on your way and we will need to put clothes on you!!

I will give you some pictures tomorrow. Your dad still has to get your doors up - one chalkboard door & your murals. He still has to move your 2 dressers in there. Just a warning kiddo - your parents were too cheap to spring for a matching furniture ensemble. Your crib and changing table and floor is light wood. Your rocker, picture frames and dressers are darker wood. Live with it :)

Quickie...

Hey Elijah!
Today is your cousin Lauren's birthday so you have to send her out some good birthday pregnancy juice. Afterall, she is carrying your soon-to-be BFF. :)

30 weeks

Hi Elijah!
Your mom has been quiet these last few days. Your scrapbook can only have 100 pages and I am already at 76 so I have had to cut back a bit to make sure we get it all in. But, I have a TON to tell you today.

Biggest news for today - you are 30 weeks my little man. 3/4 of the way done cooking. WOOHOO. This seems like a huge milestone to me. Not as big as 28 or 37 but 30 just sounds so cooked :) Our pregnancy program says you have a 95% survival rate and only a 25% chance of medical complications. Numbers look good, little one.

I made a big decision for you last night. Your dad had the Nebraska game on and my mind started wandering to you going to college. Here is the rule - you can go wherever you want but it has to be within driving distance. So, you have about an 8 hour radius from us. Yes, that is my final answer.

I gave up the sleep drugs for several nights. I just plain didn't like how they knocked you out. You were so subdued and weren't moving much because you were sleeping so much. However, last night, I didn't fall asleep until 3:30 and was up at 6:30 so we might have to do one tonight. Just don't want to do one every night. I will try again at the doctor to get some time off work for naps :) We were supposed to go on 11/20 but I moved our appointment to 11/13 because both your dad and I are off work. We will get to see you a week earlier. woohoo!!

I saw your Great Gramma Lang today and I think I am giving her a complex by telling you how I am scared of her all of the time. She said that I make it sound like she beat me all the time. Nothing could be further from the truth - she never really beat me. As an adult, she will playfully swat at me but she tells me that I deserve that :) I was never physically scared of her but just scared of disappointing her and the guilt I would put on myself if I did. She doesn't really acknowledge how she gives us "the looks." I told her that I am the only grandkid scared of her because I am the one that loves her the most and doesn't want to disappoint her. She laughed at me and rolled her eyes like normal. Your cousins and uncles would laugh at that too :)

Your Gramma Debbie came over today and brought us lots of goodies. For once, your mom & dad got some presents instead of them all being for you. About time :) After all, without us, none of these peeps would get you!

OK, the big news.... Guess who we saw today? Your Godfather. Yep, that is right, you have a Godfather officially now. We asked your cousin Brian to be baby GodDaddy and he agreed. Brian was baptized Catholic although I am not sure if he officially a practicing Catholic. But, we chose him for several reasons. 1) He is family. 2) He is super excited for you to be here and be your "uncle." 3) He will be a good role model for you 4) He agreed to have the birds and the bees talk with you (haha) 5) I think that you will be very comfortable in talking to him about things maybe you don't think you can talk to us about. He will be a great resource for you to share things with and know that you can trust him. 6) He believes in God and he will encourage you to do the same. Finally, if we can get some nuptials between him & Erica, you will end up with 4 awesome Godparents.

So, you are set with your Godmother Becky and Godfather Brian. Now, we just have to get it set up with the church and take the classes. I was hoping to have the baptism the weekend of 1/29 but I am not sure if that is going to work. We are going to have to start coordinating. After we got the official word that Brian accepted, I realized how at peace I am about the decision for both Brian and Becky - we made a good call. Both of them are so excited to be a part of your life and honored by the choice that I know they are going to be great Godparents to you. Although, we did realize something silly today - neither one of them live in Omaha. I don't know how we did that but just think of it as an opportunity for you to visit fun places like I did when I was little. Becky emailed me several times with excitement over the prospect of being your Godmother and Brian texted me telling me he will be the best Godfather ever. I know both of them are going to do their best to make sure you grow up to be a good person.

Your dad almost finished your floor today - all the painting is finished. He is working really hard to make sure your room is ready and cute as can be. I am doing my part by supervising and helping make design decisions. (haha) I spent the day prepping food for the week. We are trying 9 new recipes this week. The first one we had tonight was a winner. Hopefully, a few more are because they are mostly quick & easy crockpot meals. Quite a few are way outside of my comfort zone but maybe you will like the variety because you have taste buds now!

Well kiddo, time to try to get some sleep. You have been sleeping for lots of hours so you are probably ready to party & your mom is ready to sleep. Just a preview of life to come.

Random musings...

Hi there little Elijah!
Not a ton to report but man, you are getting heavy to carry around. I feel just a huge amount of pressure and when I bend over, it is like you flip over and press even further. I told your dad that my uterus was just not cut out to carry around a baby. His response was "it must be." A lot of support there, huh? Actually, what I meant was that my uterus is not meant to carry around a 40 week baby. I think it can only hold out til 37 weeks :)

We have been sleeping a bit better since the doctor told us to drug up. We went to bed at a decent hour on Sunday & Monday and slept all the way through the night. I know it is necessary for us to get some sleep but I really do hate drugging you up. I hope to maybe drug us up for a week then maybe we will be on a routine where I don't need to drug up. I could probably sell these drugs on the street and have enough to pay for your stroller or something :)

I wondered today if you would have any birthmarks. I have two and your dad has one. I have a LARGE one on my elbow. When I was little, it was completely noticeable and I probably had a complex about it. However, now, I don't even notice it. I also have a small one (about the size of a quarter) on my right thigh. When I said that to your dad, he said "You do not." Thankfully, my right leg also has a tattoo so if he ever needs to identify my body by my right leg, the tattoo will do it. Apparently, he would not recognize me by that birthmark. (Side note: Have you noticed your parents have a warped sense of humor? Get used to it) Your dad's is small too. Now, I am feeling like a dork because I can't remember where it is - I am so focused on the one on my leg. I yelled down at him (yes, he lives downstairs and I live upstairs). His is on his hip. I wonder if you will have one too.

I have a new photo for you. This is us at 29+ weeks. Yes, your mom is a dork and I should have taken the momentous 28 week shot but I didn't get around to it. Tonight, I had to actually comb my hair and put on semi-decent clothes as we had to go to a funeral service. So, I figured I would let you see my gut. Yep, you are in there wiggling around. Most of the time, you are right about where my hands are. I have no idea why the pregnancy belly is above it but you like to hang out low. Your dad (the genius that he is) patiently informed me tonight that this is because of gravity. While I agree with his brain surgeon theory, you hang out low when we are laying down too. I wore this shirt (technically a dress but not for tall chics like your mom) a couple of weeks ago when we went on our hot date with Gramma Lang, remember? Um, it wasn't nearly this tight. You are definitely a growing boy. Our pregnancy program said you will gain 1/2 lb a week from now on and triple in size before you pop out. Your dad got quite a hearty giggle at your mom squeezing out a 9 pounder.

Oh, hey - that is your room too. That is your wall. That is your paint color. Your dad is about half done painting. He is going to finish up this week. I am not sure what is going to go on that wall when your room is done. It is either going to be a big dresser with a hutch or your changing table. It is still up in the air.

One final note. I have been making adjustments to my medications. Long boring story that you don't care about. Lord have mercy, I can definitely tell a difference. My mood swings are out of control. My irritability is at an all time high. The demon pregnant wife your dad has been fearing (after hearing about it from friends or seeing it on tv) is now coming out. When I mentioned to him last night how surprised I was that the medication has been keeping me so in check and this must be how a pregnant chic normally feels, he said (very quietly and very shyly and not looking me directly in the eye) "Well, maybe it would be better for you to stay on your medicine." I think he means that it would be better for HIM :)

Well, good night little one. It is time to drug up and hit the sack.

November 1

Hi Baby Move-A-Lot!
Big weekend here in the Brigham household. We were still flying high off of your doctors visit and gazing at your pictures. Yesterday, I cooked all day. Tons more food in the refrigerator and in the freezer. Your dad worked on your room and got all of the woodwork painted. We went shopping and got the fan/light for your room. It is starting to come together. I took the doctors advice and took an ambien. We slept from 1 am until 11 am. But, because it is the greatest day in the world, it was only 10 am due to daylight savings time. woohoo.

Today, your dad made us yummy pancakes, I cleaned a bit and unfortunately, that is about it. We are 14 days out of not eating as a restaurant. Yeah for us! You wiped me out today. Your dad got two walls painted with double coats of paint. i was a little worried because when he showed me a sample, I hated it... a lot. But, with it all on the wall, it looks like I hoped it would. It is just a plain brown. I am handling the room all in stride but when the crib, changing table and the rocker get set up, I think I am going to be crying like a baby :)

In other big news, 2 topics for you. 1) It is November 1. Yeah, I know, duh. Happens once a year. But, the big news is that you, me and your dad made it through October. No coma required, no early deliveries, no drama. We are so thankful. I gave your dad a big high 5 while he was cooking up our scrumptious pancakes. 2) You are officially 29 weeks. One more week bites the dust. You have a 90% chance of survival and only a 30% chance of complications. We are getting closer. For some reason, 30 seems like a big number to me. Not that I want to see you until a minimum of 35 but 30 seems so.... pregnant :)

That is about it from here. We have a busy week ahead - something going on every night. That is hard to deal with when your mom is such a hermit :) I think you are beating me up in the middle of the night as I am dreaming about it. I am thinking I am incorporating your ninja moves (phrase from your Uncle Zach) into my dreams and they are unsettling. So, after last night's dream, you are Baby Moves-A-Lot.

Well baby, our ambien already wore off for tonight - I feel asleep at 7 and up at 10:30. I am not sure if I should try another or suck it up but figured it gave me a few minutes to write to you. Sweet Dreams you little turd.