5 weeks old today!

Hello Everyone! As I sit here to update this, my son is laying next to me on the couch tootin' up a storm! I am just thankful he's outgrown the screeching every time he has gas! He just lays there and moves his legs up and down and toots away!! Ha...the things I talk about now that I'm a Mom!
So, I am back to work...2 days a week right now. So that means I have a 5 week old, 3 1/2 month old and a 3 1/2 year old! Some people have called me crazy...but I can tell you that I am not doing this on my own. God is giving me the strength (spiritually and physically), stamina...lots to do this job he's placed on my plate! The past year has been quite a journey. God is once again proving to me that His will may not always be our will, but He's just pouring more of Him in me to handle all that I've been given! I am personally excited to see what He has in store for my life and the life of my family.

Here are some pictures I just took of Eli!! He is amazing. I just fall in love with him more every day! I think I kiss his fantastic lips a million times a day! Oh gosh...he's just wonderful! I can't wait to see what his personality is like!! Oh gosh! Is he going to be a firecracker? Or is he going to docile and easy going?!!!?? Anyways...here are the pictures! In the one of him awake...you can see his male pattern baldness!! He has rubbed his head so much up against the bumper of his crib, that his hair has come off the top of his head!! It's hilarious!!! Okay...enjoy the pictures and I'll try to be better at updating this thing!

Elijah Mack Burke

Just talkin' to his Mama...


Chillin' with his Daddy...looking around at stuff!!


Had just turned 2 weeks old...

He's a healthy baby!!!!

So, I haven't updated anything in nearly 2 months....SORRY! But Elijah Mack Burke was born on June 28, 2007 at 4:46 pm! He weighed 8 lbs 9 ounces and was 21 inches long! He was born via c-section after 20+ hours of labor, they decided it was time to take him out. And thankfully they did because the poor little guy was stuck in my pelvic bone. So, it was a journey. A long journey. My husband was amazing. I am sure that God allowed me to go through 20+ hours of labor to bring John and I closer together. I know my husband loves me beyond what could be put into words, but that day, that very long day God opened my eyes to actually see it. See the love and how much he cherishes me! He was a champ too! After the surgery I obviously couldn't do much by myself. So he changed every single diaper while we were at the hospital. Helped me in and out of bed. Helped me do everything! It was pretty amazing. Jesi, my sister-in-law, was with us for the labor part! She was a vital part of it too...she was the one that just took care of stuff and stood up for me when I was in too much pain to speak my mind.

I am not going to lie and say it was all amazing. It was a hard pill for me to swallow having to have the Section. For some reason I was under the illusion that to enter into 'real womanhood' I had to physically push a baby out. And when I couldn't do that, it was really hard. But, God is opening my eyes more and more every day that I cannot do this alone. That I need help. You see, I am not one to ask for help. I hate asking for help. I don't want to feel like the person feels obligated or like they have to do something for me. I love helping people...I am Martha. Not Mary. I loooove helping and serving, I HATE being served. So, God is defintely requiring me to ask for help from others.

But, life is wonderful. We are adjusting to having a baby. He is wonderful. More and more alert as each day passes! We love him and think he is the cutest baby God ever made!!!! I'll post pictures next!! I have a million!!

Are we there yet???

So, I am officially 35 weeks 3 days pregnant. Guess how many days I've been pregnant? Yeah, it's 248 days. I can't remember what it's like not being pregnant...yeah who am I kidding, yes I can!
I am getting close...but I am so ready. I am praying he comes in the next two weeks! Or before that if God deems it okay. He is heavy. Big. GIGANTIC. Seriously, look at that. I don't know where else he has to grow. He's already maxin' it out! It has been quite amazing to watch this body of mine change. And my skin stretch and move and change. John took this picture tonight...so it's a very new one! Hmm...I'm packed and ready for the hospital, Eli's stuff is all clean and ready for him too!!! I don't know if anyone can really ever be ready for a baby.
But, we're trying to be as ready as we can be.

Here is a picture of Eli's room...well, part of it...but it's his crib, bedding and Hamly...the pig! The glider was recovered by my best friend Lani...and we love it!
Those are some mirrors I painted for his room too!!! I'll post more pictures of his room..we still have to buy him a dresser! Hmm...might need to jump on that...I know.

Okay...I'm sleepy...need to go to bed. Love all of you!!!

Eli has officially dropped...

So, in the middle of my 31st week...the kid dropped.
So...that means he's moving down. He is already sitting on my lap...how great, I know! It's amazing...now I can feel his head moving on my hip bones! Whereas before he just kicked my ribs all the time!!!! Well...I just wanted to put up a picture...of my belly that has moved down!

I'll have another update this week...I go see the doctor tomorrow!!!!!

Oh...we also found a home for Colt! Praise the Lord!!!!!

Love you all...
Linds

Can You Believe It??

So, I am 30 weeks this week. Yes, that means I have 10 weeks to go. And, as you can see...Eli is growing. I just noticed tonight how far apart the freckles on my stomach are now! And how my belly button is not just flat and wierd looking. Oh and the dark line (aka linea negra) is totally crooked on my stomach!

I go to the doctor in a couple of days...and again, I am sure I will hear how large I am measuring...and again told I will probably get another ultrasound to determine just how big this kid is. Which we have NO problems with...that means I will get to see Eli again before he joins us! So...we shall see what the good ol' doctor says.

The past couple of weeks I have been seriously nesting. I mean, cleaning baseboards nesting! Reorganizing my pantry and I cleaned out our junk drawer...we don't have one anymore! Today, I put together the craddle/bassinet thing that Jesi (John's sister) gave us...and I washed all the outfits I have for him! I had this dream last night that I was on the verge of dialating...so this morning I felt like I had a fire under my butt to get this stuff done before I go back to work on Wednesday. But, I just have to keep reminding myself that God already knows Eli's birthday! And thankfully, I can rest in that.

Well...I am sure I will write some more after my appointment in a few days if there is any news!

Hope everyone is doing well...we're doing alright here in the ATL!
Love all of you!!!
Lindsey and Eli!

28 weeks...or so I thought.

So, these 2 pictures were taken last week...at 27 weeks.
I think I look the same right now as I did then. So these will have to do for another few weeks!

I had my 'glucose test' today. It's a test that checks for Gestational Diabetes. And it was not as bad as everyone made it out to be. The infamous 'orange drink' I had to drink (within 3 minutes) tasted like REALLY flat orange Fanta. So, I kind of liked it! So, then I had to see a different doctor, other than my usual OB, because I start rotating around to all the doctors in the practice, now that I am in my 3rd trimester (yipee!)! This particular doctor, or nurse or whatever she is...came into the room, introduced herself to John and I sat down asked me a few questions. Then had me lie down so she could measure my belly (uterus). Then she start squeezing all over and feeling Eli's body and stuff...and then she asked, "So, has Dr. Cook told you are measuring ahead?" And I replied with a yes, I know. Then I finally remembered to ask how far ahead I am measuring...ummm, hi, 2 WEEKS!!!!! She told me they would most likely schedule me for another ultrasound to check how Eli measures. Because if he is HUGE...then they will probably induce me...just to ensure I can deliver him. Because, in case you haven't noticed, I am only 5'3" tall.


So, thanks to my husband and his "super genes", he so ridiculously calls them, we will have a large son...who will most likely have curly hair and really strong nails (random, I know).

Anyways, I just wanted to give every one an update. I CANNOT believe it. Can you?!?? It's all great though. I am having more and more peace about Eli's arrival as days go on. We are almost done painting his room (I will totally post pictures when we are finished!)...I am becoming a wierdo and have started organizing closets and I just organized all the shelves in our bathroom and put a curtain over the ones that Eli can't get into! Umm, hi, he won't be walking for at least a year! But, that's me...slightly OCD when it comes to cleaning and getting things organized (when something kicks me in the rear!)!!! But, I do have more peace about our home. John has really stepped up and comes home from work and helps me do whatever I need to be done! I am so thankful! He is so wonderful! And SO excited about Eli's room! Well...now I am just babbling on. I hope this finds each of you wonderul. We Burkes love y'all! Miss y'all...and cannot wait for everyone to meet Eli!!!! Please continue to pray for Eli's growth and development and that I stay healthy too!!

Love to you all from ATL!
Lindsey

27 Weeks...AHHHH!

So, this week is either the last week of the 2ND trimester or the first week of the 3rd trimester...I have no clue, it's all very confusing to me. How I am pregnant for '40 weeks' yet they say the baby comes at 9 months. Well, I am no math whiz, but 40 weeks equals 10 months last time I counted. But, hey, they are the medical professionals.

I had my first Chiropractic experience on Saturday and it was a little frightening. I mean, I walk in and there's tranquil music playing, every one looked as if they were in a daze. There were people walking around in white robes because they had just had an 'ionic cleanse' and I wanted to turn around and wobble off! It was very interesting to see why my back is aching so much. You want to know why...oh it's only because my son is HUGE and my hips are starting to open like they are supposed to do when I give birth! Well, right now it's just my left side that's acting funny, but this morning I think the right is starting to do the same! So that's exciting...NOOOOOOOOOTTTT!!!!!!!!! I mean, don't get me wrong, I am so thankful that God is allowing my hips to spread like a freakin' elephant so Eli can get out, but I want to know why there isn't a hormone that numbs the body while having to become wider and wider!

I feel like I am starting to have more anxiety attacks, or it could just be that Eli is smashing my lungs. I feel like I have a small amount of time to do everything...I mean we don't have a crib, his room is a holding ground for CRAP! And all the baby stuff we do have is still in the attic! I am getting more and more ready to set up his room. And possibly one day finish painting it! I keep telling myself we have 13 weeks, but John was a month early and I think I was a week or 2 early...so I might only have 9 weeks. Holy MOSES! That's a single digit number...I think John will be painting tonight while I am at my Bible Study! We also still have the dang dog, Colt. Which is another anxiety attack in itself. Pray that we find him somewhere. Please pray. I woke up one morning last week only to walk out into the hallway by the bathroom to find one of the most horrific smells, EVER. Yes, Colt, the dog that has been potty trained for 5 months, took a big, stinky, nasty poo in the middle of the dining room. I think that was John's breaking point too! Because I woke him up to clean it up! I can't even smell that because it makes me dry heave! So...yes, we are both excitedly looking for new home for that sweet puppy!

Well...I have no babbled for quite sometime now...and find it time to go. I hope you all are doing wonderfully! And I hope you all are praying for us...John, Eli and I! Pray peace and PATIENCE over the Burke's! We love all of you!

We are so excited, nervous, anticipatory about the coming of our son! Words cannot describe it. We are uber thankful for his life...and are honored that God is blessing us with a son! God, the Creator of the Universe thinks we are going to be wonderful parents! WHOA! What an expectation to live up to, you know?! Anyways...I was just thinking about how exciting that is!

I will put up new pictures at some point this week! You have to see the giant growth on the front of my body! It's amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

~~Lindsey~~

23 weeks

So, this is 23 weeks. I (think) am 5 1/2 months pregnant...and I still can't believe it! I feel like I look so strange walking through the mall or any store for that matter because I constantly have my hand on my ever-growing belly...so I can feel him move! Because, he does move all the time...his kicks are getting closer and closer to my rib cage, which is an interesting feeling altogether.

The first picture I was slightly annoyed because the dog we are trying to get rid of was trying to eat my Croc (a pair of shoes I wear every day)...in the next one John told me to look serious-however I think I just look stoned (ha)...and the last one of me in my beater we were making fun of the photographer from Dad's wedding who made us pose with one foot infront of the other making a 'T' with our feet (Jasa posed too!! And I don't look that pregnant from that angle)!!

But, as you can see, Eli has grown since last week...Monday (2 days ago) he had gained 5 ounces in exactly a week...and yes, that is almost 1/2 a pound...he weighed 1 lb 4 ounces!!!!!!! In 7 days!!!!!!! YIKES!! His head is still measuring 8 days ahead of the rest of his body...so I might have quite a large baby! I'd rather healthy than the other alternative!!

We are getting ready to head to Houston for James' wedding (John's older brother) and are so excited to get to see John's family! We haven't seen his parents since last summer! And we'll get to meet our new nephew, Micah Luke Strech, who was born February 23rd!!!!!!! WE CAN"T WAIT!!!!

Well, I just wanted to put these pictures up because I think it's fun to see how much I grow every week!!! By the end of it all...I could look like I swallowed a flippin' Mac Truck!!!

Lots of Love from the ATL!!

Linds and Eli!!!

(I had to put one of John on here!!! We went to watch our niece, Tessa, and nephew, Toby a few weekends ago...and this is Uncle John teaching 3 year old Toby how to stand on the swing! Sorry Jes!!)

Oh Lordy...

Just in case you all do not know this...when a woman is pregnant life is odd. I freak out about pretty silly things. For instance, yesterday when I got home from work, I let the dogs out (yes, that is still plural...have not found a home for the puppy yet). Colt (the spastic puppy) immediately runs to the back fence and jumps at the fence barking like crazy. Thus causing our neighbors animals to go crazy...now it sounds like someone is dying in my flippin' backyard. So, me being a bit neurotic these days, I pick up a stick and start waddling, I mean walking, back there. As I am walking towards the dog I am saying, "Colt, you stop that or you are going inside to your place." And yes, I am waving the stick at him...as if he has ever been touched by a stick other than to fetch it! He does listen, he squats to pee...and then hauls rear end busting open the kitchen door! And I stay flustered for oh, about another hour until John gets home and I can tell him about it...and then he laughs at me...so I then laugh at myself!

So the reason I am freaking out today is because I, well Jesi (my sister-in-law), found this AMAZING baby bedding online through the Gap. And it's phenomenal. I can use it for all of my kids because it's gender neutral! Brown, red, aqua, yellow, orange...sounds yuck, but trust me, it's amazing! Well, I go online today to look at it and much to my demise, it's gone. They no longer have it. And of course, babygap doesn't carry bedding in stores. Susan, John's Mom, already bought the bumper and bedskirt! So all I needed to get was the blanket, and my Mom was going to buy it...and now...it's gone. So now, I guess I will have to find something to go with the bedding! Because nothing else will compare to the awesomeness of this bedding!

See, I told you I was a slightly neurotic these days. However, I do have some fantastic news...John has received, yet another raise! Praise GOD! In August he will get yet another raise! God is so good! Soooo good. My husband is such a hard worker and God is blessing him for being that way! Holy cow...we are so blessed!

Anyways...here are some recent pictures of the growth of Eli (meaning the growth of my belly)!

This was taken last Friday...and yes it is that round. It's quite amazing actually...the crazy thing is...I am only half way done! 22 weeks!!

Well, thanks for reading this! Hopefully I have made some of you laugh today! Especially those of you that know me very well...and can picture me walking briskly after a dog waving a stick in the air...talking to him like he was my child or something!

Love you all...Linds (and Eli says *kick, kick, kick)

Almost 20 weeks...

Well, I am almost 20 weeks and feeling pretty large. As you can see, I look much further along than just a mere 19 weeks 4 days. I can still wear some of my non-maternity pants, but Eli will kick me when he feels squeezed.

I feel him moving, all the time! He totally favors the right side of my belly, so when I lay down on my back and put my legs straight, I can see him adjust and reposition himself! It's so amazing! The first time I saw him move was 3 weeks ago! I had some issues that day with a bra that was too small (sorry guys) so I was laying on my bed, complaining while John was brushing his teeth. As I was staring down at my belly, I saw this...thing protrude out next to belly button. I shrieked and called John into the room! Forced John to put his hand where Eli was moving, and John said "It feels like an alien or something. WIERD." It was pretty awesome!

I think the strangest thing has been watching my body change. I mean, my stomach keeps growing out infront of me, pretty soon my feet will disappear from my view! My belly button keeps stretching out...getting wider and wider...I wonder if it'll pop out or not? Have no fear...I will continue posting pictures as I grow!

Well, I am going to post pictures that we've taken of my belly...started taking them at 9 weeks at some point! It's pretty crazy how fast my stomach when...POP. You'll see...just wait.