I normally share these updates monthly, but sadly that is not going to happen this time around! BUT, I have been keeping track of the little details and trying my best to take weekly photos at some point during the week. Time is limited now days with our busy life as a family of four, and I know that won't be changing once we are a family of five, so keeping the little details on this space is what's most important now. 

9 weeks:

• Nausea is all day now, even when I wake up in the middle of the night for a trip to the bathroom. Thankfully I haven't gotten sick, I really don't want to throw up. 
• Trying to keep my stomach full with snacks and big meals during the day, even if I don't want toe at. 
• Still using all the peppermint oil!
• Realized looking at my phone makes me feel sea sick, so I've been putting it down a lot. 
• My chin is COVERED in zits & my hair is also become super curly?!?

10 weeks:

• Sea bands are helping SO MUCH!!! Wearing them all day and trying to eat small snacks during the day. 
• Not enjoying meat that much unless it's beef, but still loving salads. Especially taco salads with ground beef!!! 
• Asher has self weaned all on his own, except for first thing in the morning. We'll see if he weans that soon, not going to push it. 
• The belly is very evident now, especially by the end of the day! 
• Had my first midwife appointment this week and got to hear the heartbeat, 161 and so beautiful! 
• It's been a hard week and I've had several times when I've been scared to death about having a third baby, but I know that God will provide like he always does! Leaning into Him for patience and strength. 

11 weeks:

• We announced Eliya Baby 3!!! 
• Eating meat much easier now, even some chicken. Still craving burgers and/or salads.... I'm going to be shocked if this little bit is a girl since I craved the same exact things with the boys before. The only difference is the aversion to chicken. 
• Most days this week I've felt awesome all morning and afternoon till 4, then I hit the brick wall and feel awful! 
• Felt the baby move the day before I was 12 weeks!! Couldn't believe it. 

12 weeks:

• Feeling so much better and loving the little flutters I'm feeling in my belly off and on during the day! 
• Been praying most of this pregnancy to feel better by Solomon's Birthday (the day I turn 13 weeks) but I'm so thankful that God has shown His faithfulness and given me the full week ahead! As long as I keep something in my stomach I feel great!
• Feeling all the hormonal emotions with having a four year old and knowing just how fast it all goes by.

13 weeks:

• Shocked at how round my belly is by the end of the day after eating throughout the day! 
• Enjoying all the foods now, but sweets still don't make me feel super great. I usually just want to skip them. 
• After a busy day for Solomon's birthday party, I felt my first braxton hicks contractions and was shocked they were showing up so early. Trying my best to remember to drink water on the busy days. 

14 weeks:

• Still feeling good with a lot of energy as long as I pace myself. Trying to stay hydrated with a lot of water, also. Craving it most days so it's easy to keep my yeti around with ice water. 
• Enjoyed a short trip to Charleston with the boys while daddy was working. We loved eating some yummy food and of course some Jeni's Ice Cream! 

15 weeks:

• Nausea hit pretty hard on the ride home from Charleston which was a random surprise. 
• Happy to be home and sleeping in our bed again! 
• Celebrated six years of marriage with a date downtown and walking around and enjoying some apps from some of our favorite spots. 
• Flew to Maine and realized how my lap space is quickly disappearing with Asher on my lap! 

16 weeks:

• Felt so old and tired by 7:30 on the night of the wedding! HAHA, we were in bed before midnight which is a first for a family wedding. 
• Enjoyed so much delicious seafood during the trip but we craving a burger by day 4!
• Also had some swollen feet for the first time this pregnancy after a lot of walking and sight seeing. Trying to take it easy and rest when I can. 

17 weeks:

• Feeling the baby much stronger now, a few kicks have surprised me! 
• Needing more food and a lot of snacks throughout the day to keep up my energy. 
• Round ligament pain and the aches are starting. The chiropractor is a must!!!
• Very happy to be home with no trips anytime 

18 weeks:

• Random waves of nausea that got really bad and no food would help. Thankfully the preggy pops helped a little till it passed. This is one of the few things that makes me wonder if we have a baby girl on the way?? 
• Exhausted by bedtime and falling asleep with the boys most nights. 
• Got to hear babies heartbeat at the midwife appointment and Solomon helped hold the Doppler, it was a sweet moment! 

19 weeks:

• Starting to run out of breath, especially when we are out and about and Asher wants to be carried. 
• Enjoying naptime with Asher each day and taking a quick snooze while I lay down with him and Solomon has his quiet time each day. It's the best little break in the middle of our busy days.
• Found out about baby girl and we are all so excited and shocked!

20 weeks:

• Received some gifts for Olive and it seems UNREAL that we are getting a baby girl. It's truly crazy. 
• Our family got hit by a cold this week which helped us all slow down and rest, which was very nice. Hoping we can all fight the funk quickly. 
• The drainage and snot from the cold is making the pregnancy nausea return and it is not fun at all. 

pregnancy post // month seven.

Weeks 25-28

I am sadly so behind with these posts thanks to our busy schedule, but mostly the fact that the editing program that I normally use is no longer free. Grrr, so irritating. So, I'm gonna make do without the editing because I have to keep these memories in one space, even if they look a little different now! 

25 weeks:

• Constantly have to pee. Like, all the time!!!
• Beach vacation made the 25 week mark such a fun and relaxing week!
• Can't believe we are almost finished with the second trimester in just a couple of weeks. 
• Feeling large and in charge, ha!
• Hot flashes are gone for the most part, thankfully. 

26 weeks:

• Braxton hicks contractions all the time!!!
• Not sleeping that well, waking up uncomfortable and having to move around to find a comfy position again. 
• Asher is moving constantly when music is playing, just like his big brother did. 
• We are officially calling him Asher now to see if we like it. I love it, Peter is still not 100% sure. 
• Pregnancy brain is legit this week, I can't even think straight half the time!

27 weeks: 

• Failed the first glucose test, just like I did with Solomon! Hoping to pass the second test, like last time, also. 
• Felt the baby have some serious hiccups for the first time. They lasted FOREVER! 
• Round ligament pain is bothering me again, mainly in the morning. 
• Sore feet and legs every night, hot showers are helping me sleep some. 

Third Trimester

28 weeks: 

• Welcomed the third trimester!!! Can't believe we are in the final trimester of pregnancy. I'm getting very excited to meet our baby boy. 
• Not sleeping that well since I wake up with parts of my body numb and stiff. Makes mornings a little hard to get around for the first little while. 
• I had my first acupuncture appointment for this pregnancy and loved it. Such a relaxing time!
• Passed my 3 hour glucose test but dealing with an annoying UTI! It's been a rough week. 
• Spent the day in Asheville for our anniversary and I was shocked at how worn out I was. The difference from our day in NY (which involved a LOT more walking) and this trip was crazy. 

pregnancy post // month six.

Weeks 21 - 24

21 weeks:

• The kicks are getting much stronger and other can feel him moving around now. 
• The strangest thing keeps happening, I will feel the urge to sneeze and I'm almost sneezing, then the baby will kick and the sneeze will go away instantly! It is so weird and happens several times a day.... 
• Having a lot more energy now, but still need a nap around 4-5 each day, or I'm exhausted at night. 
• The sisters are sooooo sensitive! Which makes cuddling and hugs with Solomon so painful, which is so sad!
• My hair is so thick and full of body, it's amazing!!! 

22 weeks:

• Feeling several Braxton Hicks contractions at random times. I don't remember having them last pregnancy but I might not have known what they were then. 
• A lot of long hot walks in Charleston made my hands swell a bit, even when drinking a ton of water. 
• Noticing my stomach move when the baby moves or has hiccups!

23 weeks:

• Wiped out by the end of the day if I don't have a nap. 
• Stomach got noticeably larger, even family members noticed it. 
• Lots and lots of movement, he definitely loves to kick and squirm around!

(kept forgetting to take a photo this week!)

24 weeks:

• So many hot flashes!!!! I'm constantly sweating, it's unreal. 
• Baby is waking me up in the night with big kicks and makes me get up to use the bathroom or he won't go back to sleep. 
• Strangers are asking when the baby is due now, which is crazy because I'm never brave enough to ask other women that question!
• I've been so emotional thanks to all the hormones and Solomon not sleeping well at night thanks to his molars and growing pains. He's also starting to become more emotional because of the pregnancy I think, thankfully he is still so sweet and talks to the baby all the time. 

pregnancy post // month five.

Weeks 17-20

17 weeks:

• The round ligament pain is unreal this week. So much pressure!
• I am also feeling a ton of little movements and some stronger ones, so crazy to experience this a second time!!
• Picking up Solomon can be quite uncomfortable at times, then sometimes it's not a problem at all. 
• Had a dream that I forgot about the new baby and couldn't find the baby anywhere in the house!!
• Still craving salads like crazy!

Ooops, I missed 18 weeks since we were so busy!

18 Weeks:

• Waiting patiently for the very sharp and painful round ligament pain to die down! 
• Holy constipation. TMI? sorry..... keeping it real, pregnancy is full of fun things, right?
• Got to hear the heartbeat at our appointment and little babe was moving constantly! The midwife had a hard time getting a steady heartbeat but said it was around 150. She also guessed a girl but Solomon was usually around 150 and constantly moving also! 
• The dreams this week are unreal. Scary ones, weird ones, constant dreaming all night!!

19 Weeks:

• My round ligament pain is gone!!!! Hallelujah! So nice to feel back to "normal"!
• Starting to feel some nesting urges and I'm sure that will crank back up even more once we know the sex of the baby later this week.
• Feeling the baby move so much and I absolutely love it!!!!
• I think Solomon was the first person to feel the baby move! He was pressing on my belly a little bit while I was rocking him and he was almost asleep. I guess the baby wasn't happy about big brother pushing, so it was a very strong movement! Like a big kick for the first time and then Solomon jumped and re-positioned himself on the other side. It only makes sense that he felt it and then reacted, sibling kicks already!!
• We found out the news!!!!! Baby boy! Brothers, I can't believe it!

(the photo on the right is Solomon's "thumbs up" for a baby brother, haha!)

20 Weeks:

• Exciting trip to NJ to see family!
• Starting to get uncomfortable at night if I eat too much during the day. Small snacks and meals throughout the day is much easier. 
• I forgot about the numb feeling at the tip on my belly under my bra during my last pregnancy, until it happened this week. So weird and annoying!
• Handled a lot of walking and flying very well, making sure I drink a lot of water!
• We went to Costco for groceries, and after moving all the boxes and food to the conveyor belt to pay, the little guy kicked me so hard it made me jump!! The lady checking me out laughed at me. We have a very strong boy growing!
• Woke up the day before 21 weeks with a massive baby moving and kicking! It was wild how much bigger he seemed over night and I could tell exactly where he was in my stomach and feel his whole body move around. So much fun!

pregnancy post // month four.

Weeks 13-16

13 weeks: 

• Heart rate was 145 at our midwife appointment at 13 weeks. Solomon also called the baby choo-choo, since the heartbeat sounded like a train. 
• Feeling much better and some days I don't feel nauseous at all. I'm not needing naps everyday either!
• Went on vacation to FL which was so needed and enjoyed!!!
• Still craving salads and veggies, but also sour patch kids. HA!
• Nausea is officially gone! HALLELUJAH!!!!

14 weeks:

• Finishing up our vacation in FL and the crazy heat and walking has not helped my round ligament pain. Trying to stay hydrated and rest as much as I can.
• The belly is officially big all day now, definitely bigger at night, but it's there when I wake up too!
• Felt the baby more for the first time!!!
• More energy in the morning has helped with the cleaning routine so much! Thank GOD!!! But, I still need a nap in the afternoon, even if it's 5-10 minutes. 
• Craving any kind of Japanese food, especially sushi! Literally all I can think about!

15 weeks:

• My belly doubled in size after Friday night. When I woke up on Saturday morning I was shocked!
• Love feeling little peanut moving around several times during the day now.
• Still feel a crash around 4 everyday. Crazy how I can't even keep my eyes open.
• My hair and nails are growing so fast which do not happen last time, even though that is normal when you are pregnant with a boy, apparently? I'm having a lot of girl feelings, I can't wait to find out! Either way I'm so excited!!!!

16 weeks:

• Back in the gym multiple times a week and feeling great with morning classes. More energy = better workouts!
• I literally can not handle the heat. Just can't. 
• I want to eat all day..... just snacking and eating all day long and trying my best to make good decisions. Thankfully salads are sill my favorite!

Pregnancy Post // second favorites.

The second trimester was wonderful, as most pregnant women say....

It was honestly a little weird how I felt like a completely different person when I woke up on week 10 and it only continued to get better every week. I liked sharing some of my favorite things during my First Trimester & all of those favorites are still pretty nice, but I'm thankful that I've been able to skip the OJ with my vitamins now. Water all the way!! 

1 // water

Speaking of water, I'm obsessed. I can't get enough of it. I've always been an ice cruncher so now I'm doing that all the time which made me a little nervous since I've heard that was a sign of low iron, but my iron is actually really good, so I guess the ice and water is just a normal pregnancy thing for some? I'm trying to cut down the water drinking at night so I can eliminate some trips to the bathroom while I'm sleeping but I'm thirsty all the time. I also think the steady weight gain and guzzling water has helped with not getting any stretch marks.

2 // pop-tarts

THESE tasty and somewhat healthy pop-tarts make me so happy!! I've tried a lot of the flavors but the raspberry is definitely my favorite! This brand is my go to for most breakfast foods that are fast and easy at work. They tend to be my midday sweet snack that doesn't make me feel guilty. 

3 // peanut butter cups

But.... when I don't mind feeling a little guilty, and I need something sweet, my hands always reach for the perfect mixture of PB and Chocolate. Sometimes at night when I'm feeling the craving I decide to grab a spoon of PB to settle my stomach and leave the chocolate out, but there are times when I have to give in. 

4 // oatmeal

THIS kind is my favorite and my breakfast almost every morning at work. I have a banana on the way to work and then once I get to my desk I have 1/2 a cup of coffee with my hot apple cinnamon oatmeal. It is the perfect morning combo and I love this brand. Just like the pop-tarts, there is enough sweetness to cure my sweet tooth but it isn't overly processed with fake flavors so it isn't overpowering. I know I will continue to eat this once baby boy is here since it is fast and healthy!

5 // naps

yep.... still gotta have them, especially on the weekends. 

6 // coconut oil

THIS stuff is my main obsession. I was using the Burt's Bees belly butter and I really loved it but once I ran out and my skin started to stretch more I thought it would be best to find an unrefined organic coconut oil to use on my skin. I started using a little bit each night on my belly and the smell was pretty strong but once I got used to it I couldn't stop. I now put it ALL OVER my body. Every night before bed I spread it all over my tummy, hips and even my chest, neck and face! My skin has never been this soft or looked this clear. I've also started using it on my legs after I shave and I seriously think it has cut down my shaving some how?? This is definitely a beauty product that I will never stop using! Oh, and I even use it to take off my eye makeup sometimes, it is amazing for everything!!!

7 // LOFT maternity

I have mentioned my love for LOFT Maternity before but after trying many different brands I will hands down say that LOFT is the best! THESE jeans are so comfortable that I end up wearing them all the time, even when I'm lounging around at home. Yes, I put these on instead of PJS! They are that great.... and you can score some great deals on their clothing when they have the extra 50% off deals. They only sale the maternity online which can be tricky but I was told to buy whatever size I normally wear and they would fit well, which is true. 

Well, that's the round up for the second trimester!

Now that we are in the third and final trimester I'm trying to enjoy my time and relax as much as possible... not much longer till our little man is here with us!!!! Oh boy!!

Pregnancy Post // month seven.

into my third trimester and onto my eighth month....

how is this happening?!?

Weeks 25 - 28

Some questions we've been asked

how are you seven months // a lot of people have asked this question and I guess it can be confusing since a lot of women use the nine month guideline for pregnancy but I decided to use the 10 month guide since that is really more accurate.

The 10 month guide says:

Month 1 = weeks 1-4 (when you are really not pregnant at all since this is based off of your last cycle)

Month 2 = weeks 5-8

Month 3 = weeks 9-12

Month 4 = weeks 13-16

Month 5 = weeks 17-20

Month 6 = weeks 21-24

Month 7 = weeks 25-28

Month 8 = weeks 29-32

Month 9 = weeks 33-36

Month 10 (full term) = weeks 37-40

I also love the fact that my midwife group will allow me to go to week 43 before intervening with any type of medicine to push this baby along. Most first time moms will go into natural labor between 41-42 weeks but I'm hoping Solomon will want to come earlier than that!!

are you having him in the hospital, or at home // well, neither. I was 100% preparing to have Solomon at the hospital with the Midwife Team but now that their birthing center (across the street from the hospital) is open, I will be having him there, as long as all goes as planned! I'm very excited for the experience of laboring at home with Peter and our doula, then heading to the BEAUTIFUL birth center once things start progressing. The rooms are spacious with a big bed, shower and birthing tub. We will learn more about the birthing center at the orientation session next month. 

let's be real.

There are many aspects to this pregnancy thing and you can prepare as much as you wish, but there are still moments when you think, what the heck?!? I thought I would share some of those moments with you for fun. All of these little things took me by surprise and so I give them to you, in hopes that they might not surprise you one day!

// my shirts are always dirty

This one totally surprsied me but, I find left over food on the top of my belly ALL THE TIME. Salsa, pop-tart crumbs, something crusty that you have no idea what it could possibly be?? Anything. It never fails, I don't even think to put shirts back in the rotation to get a second wear because they all have to go straight to the laundry thanks to the mess. And also thanks to the next little surprise....

// keep deoderant with you at all times

when they say that you may sweat more than normal they mean, that you will smell more than usual. For the sake of all those around you, keep deo in your purse and carry it with you everywhere so you are prepared!!
Also, be preapared to explain your reasoning for applying deoderant before bed at night when your husband asks "why are you doing that?", tell him it is for HIS benefit and to just go with it.  

// pregnancy brain is a real thing

I didn't really believe in this until it started happening to me. Not just simple things that I forget (because let's be honest, that's normal!) but the whole forget what you are saying while you are saying it, that is weird! And doing bizar things for no reason like, walking around the island in your kitchen several times before you remember what you were doing. So, so weird!

// make sure you always have a snack in your purse

You never know when you will feel like you haven't had a meal in over a week. It is CRAZY. This tends to always happen to me at church on Sunday mornings and I regret the mornings that I didn't pack a larabar just in case. 

// people stop looking at your face

yep. I had no idea this would happen.... I mean, I knew that people would check out my belly but when I walk in the room or walk by someone that I know at work and I get a hello or a hi to my belly, and not my face, well, it's just odd. I wanna say, yo! My face is up here!!!! But, instead, I just say hello back and smile. 

Anything that took you by surprise??

Share your funny stories, I'd love to hear them!

Pregnancy Post // month six.

Seriously crazy that we are starting month seven already!!
Our little man will be here in no time and I can't wait,
we are so excited and enjoying this time so much!

Weeks 21 - 24

Some questions we've been asked

Why do you want a natural birth // this has been a pretty common question I have been asked recently after people find out that I am planning on not having an epidural. I guess the biggest reason for me is my belief that God made our bodies to be able to endure the pain of child birth and women have been doing this for a very long time. The amount of endorphin's and adrenaline that women feel during and after a natural birth is supposed to be one of the most amazing feelings and I would love to experience that. Like I have mentioned before, I would love to have a water birth, and that is not something that can be done if you have an epidural.
However, I have one goal in mind, at the end of this pregnancy I pray that our family of three will go home together. That is the most important thing to me, so if that means I need an epidural or an emergency c-section for any reason then that will be fine. The health of Solomon and my safety is all I care about at the end of the day. I will trust my midwives and doula throughout this process.

I also want to point out that birth is an amazing thing and I know things will end up the way God planned, but the way we can plan for what we want is such a privilege. I know that a natural, epidural free, birth is not for everyone and that is perfectly fine. I do not pass judgement on anyone else's decision, this is just the decision that I have made for my birth.  


Where did the name Solomon come from // Peter's middle name is the arabic version of Solomon and he has said for a very long time that he wanted to name our first son Solomon, because of his middle name. I've always loved the name and I can't imagine our first boy not being named Solomon after all the conversations we have had about it. I can't wait to meet him.
We have also been asked if we will call him Solomon or give him a nickname. We might call him "Saul" around the house but for every day purposes and for school in the future he will go by Solomon.

Pregnancy Post // month five.

So hard to believe that we are already half way through this pregnancy, and on to month six!!!

Weeks 17 - 20

Some questions we've been asked

when did you feel the baby for the first time // we were at our church for a parenting class and we were listening about establishing authority at a young age when I felt the first little thump. Then around 2 minutes later I felt another in the same spot... I leaned over to tell Peter because I was so excited and he just smiled and chuckled. Later he said that the baby could hear what the pastor was saying and didn't agree. HA, a fun memory for sure!

how did you tell family and friends the sex // We will announce the sex and fill you in on all the fun stories, tomorrow!!! We still have our church community group to tell tonight before the secret is officially out!

do you have a "babymoon" planned // we have several summer trips planned that we will call our babymoons! One weekend trip to Charleston in June for some time away, just the two of us. Then we have the family reunion in Niagara Falls in July, which I am so excited about!!! A new place I've never visited before and I get to see all the Eliya family plus celebrate at an Eliya wedding for a cousin!