WHOOP!

This has been such a fun year to be an Aggie!  You know, Aggies never lose, we just run out of time sometimes, (tee hee!) but we are used to running out of time more often than not.  This year has been the exception, and I have been so excited and proud of our team!

Hubby is a Nebraska fan.  His family went to Nebraska.  Since his beloved Huskers are leaving the Big 12, we knew this would probably be the last opportunity to see them play in Texas.  So, off we went - to dear College Station.

Here we are at the Tailgate, all three of us : )  It was the baby's first Aggie game!!

Here we are with our hosts, and two of my favorite people on this earth!  Jeff's cousins, Kristy and Don.  They are two of the best people I know.  They are Aggies, and let us hang out at their tailgate all day!

I love our band!

The stadium was so loud and so full of spirit. 

We had NO idea how hard it would be to root against each other.  We've never really had to do that before!  It really took a lot of the fun out of the cheering.  I wanted my Aggies to win so badly, but it truly hurt my heart to watch hubby's break for his beloved team.  I know it sounds silly, but it was just awful!

Zero touchdowns, and a few field goals later...we WON!  I just adore college football!  I'm so sad it's almost over!

16 Weeks!

I'm 4 months along!

This is a big week for us, we have our ultrasound on Wednesday morning - and we are hoping to find out the sex of the baby!  We decided that we are going to have the nurse write down the gender on a card in an envelope and seal it.  I am going to take it to the bakery next week, and ask them to make cupcakes with pink or blue filling inside for boy or girl.  We will bite into them the next Saturday with our friends and family, and we will find out if Baby Ellis is a boy or a girl together!  It is going to KILL me not to open that card and peek!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Baby is the size of an avocado!

Total Weight Gain: Gained 4 lbs!

Belly Growth: 7 inches  (WOW)  I know the belly growth is necessary, but it's difficult for me to watch my body change like this.  I'm trying to embrace it.  Hubby has been amazing this week.  He knows I am struggling with this part, and he has gone out of his way to make me feel beautiful and good about myself.  I am so incredibly thankful for him.  I feel so blessed to have him as my partner during this time.  He has been my rock.

Maternity Clothes: I'm still loving the Bella Band!

Amon Maternity Behold Belly Band, M (Pre-pregnancy Size 6-8), Black

Gender: 2 more days until the appointment, but 2 weeks until we really get to find out!!

Movement: I've felt something in there a few times, but I have no idea if it's the baby or not!  It's usually when I am very still, like when I am lying in bed in the morning trying not to wake hubby up because I'm up so early :)  So, for now, I'm going with no.

Sleep: Still sleeping through the night, and much less tired than I have been.  I am usually asleep by 10PM, and my body wakes up around 5:30 or 6AM each morning.

Symptoms: Nothing really!  My galbladder has been hurting a little after I eat, and I am hungry all of the time, but just for a few bites of food, never really a full meal.  I consider myself very fortunate that I haven't been sick at all!

What I Miss: Coffee, Wine, Diet Cokes...and a cold beer during College Football Saturdays!

Cravings: Cheetos!  And I have been wanting grits this week. REALLY wanting some grits!

Emotions: Better this week.  TV shows get me, and I have been incredibly overly sensitive.  Hubby and I bought our first baby stuff together - and he picked it out!  It was so sweet and fun.  Check out this cutie little aggie cap and booties!

Gift Idea & Etsy Rave

I adore giving gifts.  I mean, I REALLY adore it.  I search for the perfect Christmas gifts for months, imagining how happy people will be when they open them, and how much they will enjoy them time and time again.  When I finally find the perfect gift, it makes me so very happy!

I'm linking up to Too Cute Thursday from Marriage Tales!  Check out her blog and see other cutie things!


Well, I found that gift here recently, and I just have to share it with you!  I was looking for one of those "Established" signs for a couple that is celebrating Christmas in their new home.  I saw tons of the at stores and craft shows, but they were really expensive.  With the baby coming, we are doing a light Christmas this year, but I still really want it to be wonderful and thoughtful.

I headed to my go to site - etsy, and I stumbled across Renee's shop - Nestlings.  She was such a pleasure to deal with, and it is so evident that she truly loves what she does. She sent me back a proof within a day, and I had my gift so quickly!  She communicated with me throughout the entire process, and when I got my sign in the mail - I knew it was going to be my favorite gift to give our friends this year!  It came wrapped beautifully and professionally, with a pretty green bow (I'm a sucker for bows!).  The sign itself is amazing quality, and much more beautiful than the ones I have seen in person for 3 times the costs.  If you are looking for something like this for Christmas, weddings, or anything else, check out her stuff!

No, I was not paid or given anything to write this up, I just wanted to share an amazing find with all of you :)

Here are some of her beautiful products -

Prayer Thursday

Hi Ladies! 

Thank you all so much for your prayers this past week!  If we can pray for you, please leave your prayer request in the comments below, or feel free to email me - michelle.ann.ellis@gmail.com

Here are our prayer requests for this week -

Please pray for Veronika.  She recently lost her grandmother.  Please pray for her healing and for a safe trip to the funeral.

Please pray for sweet Joanna and her husband, they are waiting for God to bless them with a baby!  They are the most adorable couple I have ever seen, truly!

Please pray for Sarah.  She is in the process of fundraising to bring little Silas home to his forever family!  Please pray that God will provide them the funds that they need to make this possible.

Please pray for my friend Candice and her husband.  They are waiting for God to bless them with a child.

Please pray for Christy at The Domestic Princess.  She recently lost her father.  Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Please pray for Leslie Joy Evans' family.  She recently went to be with her heavenly father.  Please pray for her husband and her family during this time.  You can learn more about her here.

Please pray for Teresa.  Her husband, Jack, had a stroke and is hospitalized.  Their family needs us to pray for them and Jack's doctors and care.  You can read about them here.

Please pray for Leslie and Noah.  They recently suffered a loss.  You can read about them here.

My Grandmother was recently diagnosed with Alzehiemers.  We are all confused, concerned, and scared.  Please pray for her, that God will give her the peace that he will take care of her.  Please pray for our family, that we all have patience, strength and understanding for her.

My Grandfather is having severe back problems and may require serious back surgery.  Please pray for God to show him the right decisions for his care and the relieve his pain.

Please pray for Laura.  Her Grandma is showing signs of kidney failure.  She has had a very rough time over the past 15 years, losing two husbands and her mother.  Please also pray for her husband Don, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and is going through treatments.  Please pray for God to give her the strength and hope to fight through this, and that he hold her tight with love and comfort during this time.   Please also pray for Laura's husband, that he have God's guidance in his life right now.

Please pray for sweet baby Bennett.  He was born oh-so-tiny, but has been getting bigger and stronger!  You can read his little story here.

We have been praying for sweet Annika for awhile now, at the request of Kasey.  Please say a special prayer for her dear little body, that God will give her the strength to fight this disease.  Annika is 5 years old and was diagnosed with a rare form of acute lympocytic leukemia.  Please pray for her, her family and her doctors.  I can't imagine what her family is going through.  Isn't she beautiful?  Just look at that smile!



Please pray for baby Cohen's parents. You can read their story here.  He is in God's beautiful hands now. 



Please pray for sweet Sarah.  She is praying and waiting for God to bless her with a true Godly man that could be a wonderful influence to her young son to share their lives with.  Her testimony is so beautiful, I felt inspired just reading it.

Please pray for my coworker Colin.  His daughter in law had breast cancer three years ago, and won that fight.  Unfortunately, the cancer is back - this time in her spine.  She is going through radiation now and the prognosis is not positive.  Please pray for her.

Please pray for my Daddy's (Jerry) job search and that his good spirits continue.  I just know God has the perfect plan for him. 

I have been following Lianna's blog for a few months now, and she just seems like the sweetest girl!  She and her husband are waiting for God to bless them with a child.  You can read about them here.  Please pray for their journey to become parents.

Could you please also pray for our friend's Dad?  He had surgery a few months ago and is having some memory problems.  Please pray for their family and his doctors, and that they can find out what is wrong.

Please say a quick prayer for all the women waiting for God to bless them with husbands or babies.

Thank you for praying for hubby and I!  Can I ask that you please pray for our little one?  I know it's silly, but there are so many times that I worry about him in there :)

Thank you so very much for all of your prayers!  Please let me know if we can pray for you!

Baby's First Gifts

This baby is already spoiled, and oh-so-loved!

He got his first mail this week - from one of my most favorite people in the world - my Aunt Cinny!!  She always chooses the most perfect, wonderful things!!

How adorable is the swaddle blanket, and the matching burp cloths??!!  I love green, and the patterns are so cute!  Now...I just need to learn how to swaddle...

How sweet is this little outfit?  It is the softest thing I have ever felt.  Ever!  Maybe the Baby came wear this home!!

And our first receiving blanket.  It is just as soft as the outfit.  The trim is so sweet, I just love it!  Thank you so much Aunt Cinny, from the bottom of our hearts!!!

And...he got his first little socks!  Gamm-E bought these for us, and she bought boy ones and girl ones, since we don't know just yet.  And, a Pooh bear that sings "You are my Sunshine", which just so happens to be one of my favorite songs from my childhood.

Thank you for the goodies!! 

Now, we just need to clean out a room to start putting all the baby's little treasures....



15 Weeks



I'm 15 weeks along!  Only 9 more days until we find out if our little Mango is a boy or a girl!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Baby is the size of an orange!

Total Weight Gain: Gained 2.5 lbs (I lost half a pound...I'm not sure how considering that I eat ALL DAY LONG)

Belly Growth: 6 inches  (WOW)  I know the belly growth is necessary, but it's difficult for me to watch my body change like this.  I'm trying to embrace it.

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but I am IN LOVE with the bella band.  Seriously in love.  From this day forward, I will give this is to every friend I have when they tell me they are expecting.  It allows me to wear my pants, but unbuttoned.  I know it sounds weird, and hubby thinks it is the most hilarious thing ever - but it's worth its weight in gold to me right now.  I'm ordering another one from amazon - here's the link if you

are interested.
Amon Maternity Behold Belly Band, M (Pre-pregnancy Size 6-8), Black

Gender: We find out the day before Thanksgiving!  We decided to have our gender reveal party on December 4th.  My parents are going to come in town and everything - I just can't wait!

Movement: Not yet, but I'm so excited to feel the baby!  Sometimes I wonder if it's okay in there :)

Sleep: I just started sleeping all the way through the night.  And, I am less tired, so I only need about 7 1/2 hours again, which is wonderful.

Symptoms: Nothing really!  My galbladder has been hurting a little after I eat, and I am hungry all of the time, but just for a few bites of food, never really a full meal.  I consider myself very fortunate that I haven't been sick at all!

What I Miss: Coffee, Wine, Diet Cokes...and a cold beer during College Football Saturdays!

Cravings: Nothing really odd or special this week.  Although, my friend Lindsey brought some lovely Paula Dean pumpkin bars into my life, and I cannot.stop.eating.them.  I asked her for the recipie, I'll share it when she sends it.  They are to die for!

Emotions: Not too terrible this week.  I had a slight episode where I got worried about our marriage and how it would do through all the big changes coming our way, but after a few tears and some reassurance, I felt much better.  I'm not totally crazy just yet : )

Advice Please...Gender Reveal Parties & Progressive Dinner Ideas...

Most of the most wonderful ideas, decorations, and foods I have ever made have come from you amazing ladies out here in blogland.  So, today, I need you!  I have two requests today : )

First, we are going to have a gender reveal party!  We are thinking of doing it in just a couple of weeks, so I am thinking that an informal evite or email would be okay - what do you think?  I need some fun cutie ideas!  Does anyone have cutie invite wording or other places or inspiration?

Secondly, I need help with our neighborhood Christmas party!  Remember last year, we did An American Christmas, and we made food and drinks for Arkansas?  This year, we are doing the ABC's of Christmas, and we drew the letter "A"!  Since we are doing it with two other couples...of which all three wives are Aggies *WHOOP*, we decided on the theme, "An Aggie Christmas Tailgate" haha!  I have to give hubby credit for his one - totally his idea. 

Here's the scoop - there are 12 (yep, that is a whole lot!) houses this year.  Each house represents a letter, and the hosts make a few small food items and a signature drink that goes with their theme to serve for the 30 minutes that everyone spends at their home.  We want to be really creative this year!  And, since we are doing it with two other couples, we can make more things : )

Okay, I'm ready for your amazing, creative ideas!  Thank you ladies so so much for helping me!

Prayer Thursday

Hi Ladies! 

Thank you all so much for your prayers this past week!  If we can pray for you, please leave your prayer request in the comments below, or feel free to email me - michelle.ann.ellis@gmail.com

Here are our prayer requests for this week -

Please pray for my friend Candice and her husband.  They are waiting for God to bless them with a child.

Please pray for Christy at The Domestic Princess.  She lost her father last week.  Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Please pray for Leslie Joy Evans' family.  She recently went to be with her heavenly father.  Please pray for her husband and her family during this time.  You can learn more about her here.

Please pray for Teresa.  Her husband, Jack, had a stroke and is hospitalized.  Their family needs us to pray for them and Jack's doctors and care.  You can read about them here.

Please pray for Leslie and Noah.  They recently suffered a loss.  You can read about them here.

My Grandmother was recently diagnosed with Alzehiemers.  We are all confused, concerned, and scared.  Please pray for her, that God will give her the peace that he will take care of her.  Please pray for our family, that we all have patience, strength and understanding for her.

My Grandfather is having severe back problems and may require serious back surgery.  Please pray for God to show him the right decisions for his care and the relieve his pain.

Please pray for Laura.  Her Grandma is showing signs of kidney failure.  She has had a very rough time over the past 15 years, losing two husbands and her mother.  Please also pray for her husband Don, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and is going through treatments.  Please pray for God to give her the strength and hope to fight through this, and that he hold her tight with love and comfort during this time.   Please also pray for Laura's husband, that he have God's guidance in his life right now.

Please pray for sweet baby Bennett.  He was born oh-so-tiny, but has been getting bigger and stronger!  You can read his little story here.

We have been praying for sweet Annika for awhile now, at the request of Kasey.  Please say a special prayer for her dear little body, that God will give her the strength to fight this disease.  Annika is 5 years old and was diagnosed with a rare form of acute lympocytic leukemia.  Please pray for her, her family and her doctors.  I can't imagine what her family is going through.  Isn't she beautiful?  Just look at that smile!



Please pray for baby Cohen's parents. You can read their story here.  He is in God's beautiful hands now. 



Please pray for sweet Sarah.  She is praying and waiting for God to bless her with a true Godly man that could be a wonderful influence to her young son to share their lives with.  Her testimony is so beautiful, I felt inspired just reading it.

Please pray for my coworker Colin.  His daughter in law had breast cancer three years ago, and won that fight.  Unfortunately, the cancer is back - this time in her spine.  She is going through radiation now and the prognosis is not positive.  Please pray for her.

Please pray for my Daddy's (Jerry) job search and that his good spirits continue.  I just know God has the perfect plan for him. 

Please pray for little Jed Harper.  You can read about his story here.  What a beautiful family turning their sweet son's health over to God.  They are truly inspiring.

I have been following Lianna's blog for a few months now, and she just seems like the sweetest girl!  She and her husband are waiting for God to bless them with a child.  You can read about them here.  Please pray for their journey to become parents.

Could you please also pray for our friend's Dad?  He had surgery a few months ago and is having some memory problems.  Please pray for their family and his doctors, and that they can find out what is wrong.

Please say a quick prayer for all the women waiting for God to bless them with husbands or babies.

Thank you for praying for hubby and I!  Can I ask that you please pray for our little one?  I know it's silly, but there are so many times that I worry about him in there :)

Thank you so very much for all of your prayers!  Please let me know if we can pray for you!

14 Weeks

Since I was in Mexico, I didn't take my weekly picture, so here is a true belly shot!  Goodbye cutie figure!

*My sweet friend Kelly took this picture.  She has an amazing talent for photography.  If you have a minute, check out her pictures on her blog!*

I'm 14 weeks along!  This has gone by really quickly so far, I just can't believe we are 3 1/2 months already!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Baby is the size of a lemon

Total Weight Gain: Gained 3 lbs

Belly Growth: 4 inches

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but I did go up a size in my pants - my normal sizes are just too tight around my belly!  My wonderful friend and neighbor brought over two HUGE bags of her maternity clothes last night.  I am so grateful and cannot wait to go through them!

Gender: We find out the day before Thanksgiving!  15 more days!

Movement: Not yet, but I'm so excited to feel the baby!  Sometimes I wonder if it's okay in there :)

Sleep: I just started sleeping all the way through the night.  And, I am less tired, so I only need about 7 1/2 hours again, which is wonderful.

Symptoms: Nothing really!  My galbladder has been hurting a little after I eat, and I am hungry all of the time, but just for a few bites of food, never really a full meal.  I consider myself very fortunate that I haven't been sick at all!

What I Miss: Coffee, Wine, Diet Cokes...and a cold beer during College Football Saturdays!

Cravings: I love peanut butter and honey sandwiches and Cheetos (yes, together).  Although this week I have really wanted raw veggies and salads.  I'm not much into meat lately, which is really weird for me.

Jill & Billy's Wedding in Mexico!

Well, Mango (what my sweet friend Kelly nicknamed the baby) and I just returned from Mexico! 

We went for my dear friend Jill's wedding.  I just adore Jill.  We joined the same sorority, and they made us wear our bid day shirts to the first day of classes so that we could find our new sisters throughout the day and start to make new friends.  Jill and I were both psychology majors, and had apparently signed up for the same freshman block of classes, because at the end of our first day, she came up to me and said, "Hi, I'm Jill.  We are both AXOs and have all the same classes, so we are going to be friends".  I agreed, and that was that.  We lived together and went through all our important college experiences together.  Our boyfriends even lived together at one point - ha!  That was 10 years ago!  Needless to say, her friendship and the memories that I have with her are invaluable to me. 

Being pregnant in Mexico was interesting...no cocktails (of course), and no dairy, including cheese!  Going to Mexico and not eating cheese, well, just doesn't seem right - haha!  Very limited seafood intake, and not as much energy = hungry & sleepy.  I owe my friends a huge thank you for being so sweet and understanding - I am very blessed to have friends like you!

Her wedding was beautiful!  I don't know that I have ever seen such a beautiful, happy bride!  This was my first destination wedding to attend, and I loved it!  It was like a fun private party with the bride and groom's families and all of our closest friends.  So fun!  Here are a few pics from the weekend....

Fun at the pool

Jill's Shower

A few of my favorite friends!

Beach Day!

Paradise

The perfect setting for wedding vows

Me & Lenti

My favorite friend and me!

Bran & Rickey

The happy, beautiful Mrs. Berg!  Isn't she radiant!?

Jill, I love you so much and I couldn't be happier for you!  Thank you so much for including me in your wedding celebration!

I must add that hubby did the laundry, the yard, and cleaned the entire house while I was gone.  I don't know if I have ever been so grateful for anything he has done for me!  There are no words to describe how nice it was to come home to a clean house with no laundry to do!

I have something to tell you...

We are welcoming our first child into this world!! 

I am 14 weeks along, and our due date is May 7th.  Everything has been great so far, it's been so hard not to tell everyone about it!  Here are just a few of the highlights -

* We told my parents by wrapping up the frame in this picture and giving it to my Daddy with his birthday gifts.  It was a very special moment that I hope I never, ever forget.

* I've felt great!  No morning sickness at all. 

* I am so very sleepy, all I want to do is sleep...and eat.

* Hubby is convinced that the baby is a boy, so we refer to it as him, and he.  I think he will be very disenchanted if it's a girl!  I'm a little worried...

* I'm so thirsty.  All I want is water all the time.  Which means I potty, all the time.

* I'm overly emotional.  Really overly emotional.  I cry at least twice a day, doesn't matter if I'm happy, sad, or just tired.