9 days.

Eli,

If you do not decide to push through and come before, next Monday I am allowed to get off the medicine that has been holding you in, and then it's anyone's guess when you will meet the world. I will have spent 7-8 weeks on bed rest and believe me I am ready to move around, but I have enjoyed sitting and lying quietly and thinking about you. I wonder what you will look like, I am pretty sure you have your Daddy's nose, but the rest is a mystery. I feel like it's Christmas, except I do not have a calendar with a big star on the exact date.

I am one to always think the worst, and you will learn that your mama worries way too much and creates scenes in her head that will likely never happen. I worry that I will not be here to see you grow up, but I promise to cherish every single day that God allows me. Years ago I never imagined myself making it to the point of getting married. After I met your Daddy and got married, I never imagined I'd get to experience buying a house and having a baby. We are in our new home and have set up your nursery anxiously awaiting your arrival. My dreams are coming true Eli, and it's all because of you.

Your Daddy & my anniversary is August 1st, we both agree that our best present would be a healthy baby. I am so excited to see the personality you will bring to this world. I have many wishes for you. Most importantly, I pray you will come to know and accept Jesus into your heart. I hope you find joy in the small things but work hard for what you want. I wish you confidence to try new things, and the ability to bounce back when it doesn't work. I pray you will seek to find the good in people but guard your heart. I hope you go out of your way to help those in need, just as your Daddy does.

I look at your tiny clothes and cannot imagine you being that small, and then I look at your bigger clothes and I can't imagine you being that BIG! Right now you are quite snug in my belly, and I'm not sure if I will miss the kicks to the ribs or bladder that take my breath away, but I will definitely miss the bond we have right now. Once you are born I will never again get the feeling back, and I'm going to soak up the remaining time we have together.

I cannot wait to meet you.