As most of you have seen already, our baby boy is here!!! 

Solomon Peter Eliya

born on September 14th, 2015

2:04AM - 7lbs, 12oz - 19 3/4 inches

I can't wait to share all the details soon!!!! 

Mom's Birthday.

Yesterday was this sweet woman's birthday and we were so happy to take her out for a little birthday celebration dinner! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping to give her a grandson for her gift this year, but he is being super stubborn and decided he wanted to have a day for himself. I am thankful that we were able to have some delicious food and spend time with her on her birthday, though. Carrabbas is one of those restaurants that we forget about but every time we go (around every 2-3 years) we always wonder why we haven't been in forever. The food was so good and the company was the best!

Now I'm going to spend the rest of today doing all those things you do when you try and persuade your baby to make that very exciting exit.... ya know, go shopping at Target and walk a LOT, have a dance party for a few hours in the living room and even clean some base boards. 

Cross your fingers and say a few prayers for us!!

Pregnancy Post // third favorites.

The third trimester is almost in my rear view mirror and I'm excited to welcome the fourth trimester! Just being patient and waiting for Solomon to decide on when he is ready!!! But, here are some of the things that I loved during those uncomfortable few months and especially in the last month of pregnancy. 

1 // leggings

These are super comfy and I've been loving them around the house and even sleeping in them at night. I find myself washing them a lot since I'm constantly reaching for them. I'm also packing them in my Momma Bag for the birthing center stay since they will be comfy during that postpartum time also. 

2 // fitness ball

I've been living on this thing during the past few weeks and I know I will be using it a lot during the early stages of labor at home also. 

3 // best pillow everrrrr

Peter actually bought me this pillow for my Mother's Day gift and I've used it every day since but it has been a life changer during these last few months. The more uncomfortable sleeping becomes the more I love this pillow. I also love that it can be used for breast feeding after the baby is here also! My sis-in-law swears by this pillow which made me want to buy it in her first place.

4 // acupuncture

I started going to acupuncture once a week during week 34 and bumped my visits up to twice a week starting in week 37. It has been such a great relaxation technique and I'm interested to see if the labor is "fast and furious" because of it also. I did a lot of research about acupuncture and pregnancy and after reading a lot I thought it was worth a shot. We'll see how it all works out! 

5 // red raspberry leaf tea

I also started drinking this every few days after starting acupuncture and now that I'm in the end of pregnancy I'm trying to drink a cup a day, as long as I remember. It tastes great and the benefits of drinking it before birth and after birth was enough for me! 

6 // dates

I usually gobble down six of these a day while drinking my tea. It has been said to help shorten labor if you eat six a day during the last month of pregnancy and why not, since they taste so great! I'm kind of obsessed with them. Some don't like the taste and have to mix them with something else but I personally love them and could have way more than six a day. My doula also recommended eating them to keep "things regular" during those last few weeks of pregnancy and I can honestly say they have helped a TON! 

7 // hot showers

This is the one thing I can hardly go without. I could honestly take several a day, it just helps me feel more comfortable and I love to have a hot shower before bed and slather my whole body in coconut oil before putting on a pair of clean pajamas. It's a nightly ritual that I don't see ending after having the little man. I'm thinking this will be my ME TIME each day. 

What did you love during those last few months??

the due date.

Preparing for this baby boy has been an adventure for sure. A mix of feelings and emotions, confusion on how I should feel, and a lot of advice from friends and family. I thought it would be nice to sit down and write one last letter to our sweet boy. In this time of waiting and preparation, I know one thing to be true, I am so ready to meet this boy! Making it to week 40 is bitter sweet but when I woke up this morning I felt thankful, and that is all I can ask for!

September 5, 2015

Dear Solomon,  

The big day is coming up soon! The day that you are supposed to be in my arms. I know there is a possibility you won't be ready but I'm hoping you will want to join our little world early, or on time. But, there's a chance you will still be comfy in my tummy. Your bony little feet kicking my right side and your sweet little butt poking out my left side. I would be so happy if you joined us soon, but I know you will come when you are ready. 

Patience is a serious thing. I'm trying to find it in everything I do lately and you are teaching me in so many ways. I'm learning that I do not have control of this life, and that our heavenly Father has full control. I pray that you will realize this one day. That you will place all your life in His hands & you will know His overwhelming love and share it with others.

I've also been reminded of how suffering is a gift from the Lord. He gives us hard times to bring us closer to him, to truly let go of ourselves and give in to His love and healing. I truly believe that all these reminders are preparing me for that time when I meet you. If things go according to our plan, I will have some suffering for sure, but you will be our gift at the end. You are a gift straight from God and we are so thankful for it. I pray that I can focus on that end goal, giving everything I am to bring you closer to me. Through every contraction, only focusing on you and knowing that God made my body so that I could have you. You will be mine and I will always be yours. 

The past week has been interesting. I've had those moments of excitement when I thought you were on your way & then I always have the realization that you are not. I continue to go back and forth with my feelings, from impatient and beyond ready, to thankful for this time and finding peace in the fact that you will come when you are ready. It is a strange place to be, but in the end, I know you will come when you are ready. 

Any day now, and we will love you every day going forward. 

Love, 

Momma

a new planner.

I'm so excited to share my new planner today! I've shared my love for Plum Paper Designs before with my last planner but I knew I needed something different for the many changes coming up. When researching the different styles of planners I knew that the family plan would fit our lifestyle best. Plus, the beautiful covers and details inside made me so excited to order a new planner! I also love that you can add months to the planner for such a low price. I decided to start the planner in September and the dates go on until December 2016 so I won't have to worry about getting a new planner for next year. Keeping everything organized with a little baby arriving is so important and I look forward to using it!

I decided to pick six different sections for the weekly layout; ME, PETER, SOLOMON, 

MEALS, BLOG, PLANS & then the last section is empty for miscellaneous things.

I can't wait to list out all the details for each section in the months ahead and stay organized with the many areas that fill the day.

The most fun part of this planner is the baby section! I love to write things down, hence the paper planner in the first place, but thinking about keeping a written record of baby details in the months ahead to help me stay organized makes me very happy. I'm excited to fill these pages!!

Plus, all of you can use the coupon code LIVING10 and receive 10% off their order. The coupon is valid through December 31, 2015. Just visit Plum Paper Designs and pick out which beautiful planner fits your lifestyle the most.  ENJOY!!