Elle Imagery

We are expecting our first child.  A baby girl.  We are due in June.  To say that we are beyond thrilled would be an understatement.

Here is a journal I have kept for my baby girl…

We found out we are pregnant with you on October 31st (Halloween).  I am already 5 ½ weeks along.

I took a test when I was late and it was negative.  A week later, took another and there you were.  We have waited a very long time for you.

We are due June 29^th, 2012.

First Dr Appointment on November 8^th.

Dad got to see your heartbeat flicker on the monitor, you are 6 weeks.

First craving, Hooters wings… you must be a boy!

November 22^nd, 8 weeks 4 days.  Both Mom and Dad got to see your heartbeat.  168 beats per minute, very strong heart.  Dr. says risk of miscarriage is extremely low (90%) …now that you have such a strong heart.

Fast heart beats usually mean you are a girl this early on.  The Chinese calendar also says you are a girl.

I have very healthy cravings now.  Fruit, salads, yogurt, veggies, juice.  Now I think you are a girl.  Except for Chick-fil-A…  You are in LOVE with Chick-fil-A!!!

We have already told your Grandparents the good news.  They are thrilled!

The rest of our family members found out on Thanksgiving.  I already have a belly and I am having a hard time hiding it before everyone knows.  At Thanksgiving dinner, we went around the table and said what we are grateful for and I said I’m grateful to be pregnant again.

Next Dr. appointment is on December 15, the day Dad graduates from college, we will be 12 weeks and out of the woods.  All went really good.  We announced and posted a picture of you on Facebook.

Dad turned 30.

You got lots of presents for Christmas, boy and girl since we don’t know what you are yet.

We went on vacation to celebrate Dad graduating college.  You went with us to Vegas, Anaheim, San Diego, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas.  I felt you get the hiccups at 14 weeks on the cruise and felt you roll over at 15 weeks on the way home from vacation in the car.

Our next appointment is on January 10th.  We might be able to see your gender but it’s still a little early…  Your legs were crossed so we couldn’t tell.

I was really upset so we scheduled another appointment to check again.  You are 16 weeks… AND A GIRL!!!

You really like Mexican and Chinese food.  I keep joking you are going to come out Asian.  You DON’T like Chocolate.  I finally stopped throwing up (a lot) around 18 weeks.  I am happy.  I have only gained 4 pounds so far (3 of which were on the cruise).

You like Chocolate.  A LOT.  And ice cream.  The Mexican and Chinese cravings have subsided.  Now you just want chocolate and ice cream… and chocolate ice cream.

We reached the halfway point right before Valentines.  We got another sonogram to check and see if you are healthy and to double-check your gender.  You are very healthy and still a girl.  Dad made you a DVD of your sonogram.  The technician said you have big feet.  Sorry ‘bout that.

Funny story:  We can tell you are a little diva already because the seat belt was squishing my stomach which you apparently did not like as you repeatedly kicked it until it was moved.

My best friend is also pregnant… with a boy. Due 1 month after.

Dad’s best friend is also pregnant; they aren’t going to peek like we did. Also, due 1 month after.

You are about 25 weeks now, which is in the 6^th month of pregnancy.  Your room is almost ready.  We have all your furniture except your rocking chair.  Gigi and I have made your bedding and it’s looking very, very cute and feminine.  Your walls are light grey & your furniture is white.  The bedding is white and grey as well as some light pink, cream and light yellow.

I have a big ol tummy in real life but not in pictures… we can’t figure out why.

We have decided to name you Ella.  My great Grandma on my Dad’s side was named Ella and my Great Grandma on my mom’s side was named Ruby Eleanor.  G-Nanny (Ruby Eleanor) was my best friend when I was little.  I have wanted to name you Ella for as long as I can remember.

Dad talks to you almost daily, with his mouth to my tummy so you can hear him.   You like this… except when he makes loud noises and scares you.  You jump.  He thinks this is funny.

You kick a lot.  We think you will be a dancer.

We can’t WAIT for you to get here Baby Girl!  You already have us wrapped around your finger… we are in TROUBLE!

XOXO

(PS, the picture of the lamb is your first stuffed animal.  It’s from Gigi.  In case anyone else needs to run out and get one, it’s from Anthropologie.)