Watermelon Patience

I was always the first one to ask for watermelon, after the marathon of a time in the pool; It was somehow magically tastier after the pool. I waited for the melon to be cut and it seemed like eternity to a ravished stomach. The app on my phone says that you will be proportion to a watermelon and suddenly I'm feeling that impatience again. After my mom would cut the watermelon, that first bite is always marvelous and worth the wait, The wait was worth it. Seeds and all, it was worth it. You are worth the wait my beautiful baby girl.

Your Daddy and I have your room set up, awaiting your arrival. Your Daddy has put holes in the wall, and hung girly stuff, I dont think he's ever done that before. You'll love the tree he put up for you, thats girly too. He loves you dearly already. 

Your brother has developed a protective bone over you. This will most likely last until you meet your husband, Im going to apologize now for this, Hes your big brother and my love, thats how he loves you :) He knows how to make eggs now, so a heads up to ask him to make you breakfast ;)

God knows the day you will come and meet us, until then we will wait, I will take out your clothes and imagine how your little body will feel in them and I will savor it when I find out. 

I will think about how sweet and amazing you will be to my soul

While Im waiting...

XOXO

Mommy

-----

Here we are at 34 weeks and you've already flipped upside down, ready to burst on the scene!  You are already high-fiving me through momma's tummy ---

I have a feeling I'm going to convert you into a big sports fan.  I need someone else to watch the games with me... pleeeease!   This means you should go ahead and start liking the color maroon; you'll have a few Aggie items sooner than later... We think we'll be meeting you sometime at the beginning of November, but I'm thinking you'll really want to be here for that Alabama game on October 18th... so come early if you'd like... if not, I'll at least turn the volume up for you.

Come to think of it, you'll be singing and dancing too.   Your rhythm is impressive for being -6 weeks old..but those hiccups lately have been messing up your mojo.  Don't swallow the amniotic fluid, sweetie, it's not kool-aid.  That'll get you every time.  Ok, That was kinda gross... sorry about that. 

You are starting to keep mom up lately, but she's being a real sport about it.  I think for the next 5 weeks I'm just going to reduce my sleep by 45 minutes a week, until I get used to the typical "first month 3 hours a night" sleep.  Anything for you (and mommy).  Sleep ain't no thing anyway.  I say that now don't I.... sigh.   I've been able to sleep as long as I want for a decade almost now.  It was nice for a season  :)

We have you a tiny halloween costume just in case you decide to show up that week.  You will go as a football.  Your great-grandma already knitted you a little football suit for you, so there you go.  

Can't wait to meet my first child -- daddy's little girl now and forever.  40 days and counting...

Dad

P.S.  Here is your first Aggie outfit, maybe....

  

Selah Ilana Fuller

God knows our hearts, doesn't he....  He knew deep down somewhere inside I was secretly yearning for a baby girl.  Momma was too.  Even though, boy or girl, our joy would run deep, there's been this unquenchable craving for a baby girl ever since I was 8 years old.  You see, I was certain that my youngest brother was going to be a girl... and my parents decided to wait to find out at birth.  So, I waited... and waited... and "it's a boy" was shouted at precisely 10:03am on March 31, 1992.  Honestly, I shed a tear knowing that was probably my last chance at a little sister.  Of course, Brady, my youngest bro, grew on me soon, and I was jabbering away with him and protecting him from the evils of the world nearly instantly.  But that craving never really faded.   So,  hearing the nurse say "looks like a girl" quenched a 22 year, pit of my stomach, won't go away, longing to protect a precious girl.   Oh, and Selah is already a daddy's girl.  

We went to listen to All Sons & Daughters tonight -- you were clapping I think inside mommy's tummy... Or at least dancing along for a bit.  You have a heart for worship already and a spirit for song.  You react to my voice by jumping around... enjoy it, because times almost up on wiggle room!  

It is officially 3rd trimester time!  This is the best part -- I get to take care of mommy like I love doing.  Rubbing her feet, making breakfast, doing all the chores... ehhh, ok maybe not ALL of them.  hehe...  Since we have to do a C-Section, we are scheduling your arrival on Nov 3rd... we shall see if you are jumping at the bit to find your way out sooner!   

Selah is your first name -- it means to stop and listen or praise... from the Psalms and Habakkuk 

Ilana is your middle name --  it's the Hebrew word for tree and the greek word for bright light - the perfect combination of strength and love.

Your big brother is coming home Saturday -- so we are pumped about that... it'll be the first time you get to hear his voice since your ears weren't quite ready when he left for Orange County.   Then you'll be familiar with all of our voices!  Moms is the sweetest voice I've ever heard.  I bet yours will be a close second, even if it's a shrill cry... well, maybe not shrill.. please... :)

Love you more and more each day and can't wait to show it

Daddy

In suspense

Mommy~

I hope you like Mint chocolate chip ice cream... youll like superman for sure; ill know why.  A couple of awesome things in this world; well...ice cream wins that match!  There are so many cant waits with you...what do you look like when you wake up in the morning, your smell when you get out of the bath, the look you have when you taste a lemon for the first time. Im aching to see what you look like when Daddy comes home, like Mommy most likely, In bliss.

Your Daddy sings to you, hes the worlds greatest singer, youll hear ..better, soon ;)...I look at colors and fabrics for your room for you to enjoy, I have a gut wrenchin feelin though that your favorite color will be the color of your Mommys eyes, the smell of your brother and the hands of your Daddy.

Your brother is gone with his Daddy for 2 months..ill explain when youre older. I miss him so much it hurts, times like these I wish he was still in my belly to keep him safe. Youre going to be smitten by him, really, hes an affectionate little koala.

We will see just what you will be, boy or girl in a couple of days. Youre mine and thats all that matters.
 You will always be safe in His though.

In Him you live, breathe and have your being ~  Acts 17:29

<3 Mommy


It's a miracle that just 2 months ago we're talking about this little lump of a lemon that you were, and now, by God's miraculous ways, you are this perfectly proportioned, beautiful small child.  Definitely an early Christmas present on the way soon, from a passionate Lord who loves us all so much.

Only 41 more hours and we will know whether you will be a 2nd baseman or a ballerina... well, I guess you could be a 2nd baseman as a boy or girl, ya never know...

I felt your tiny hands pushing on mommy's tummy -- it's makes it all so much more tangible now.  Halfway through the time you'll be in her tummy, and you are finally making your presence known.  You keep making me giggle with excitement -- just thinking about you -- a living, breathing human inside that tummy -- I'm in awe.

God says He knew you before he even formed you in the womb.  What a loving Savior and Lord we have... can't wait for you to know that love, even greater than me and mommy could ever provide you.

I've been singing to you now that your ears are receiving the sound waves.  I figure you'll be singing "You are my sunshine" now at age 2, and only mommy and I will know why  :)

We'll be getting your room ready soon -- yellows and grays -- it'll be great, then again, what will you care.  You're going to solely be interested in the next feeding!

Love ya squirt

~~Daddy

Finally, we meet

Mommy ~

I heard your heartbeat. Your Daddy heard it and so did your little brother. 

Your Daddy chases storms, big ones and small ones. They roar and dance in the sky...and your Daddy watches. It takes a beautiful and majestic God for that little tidbit of a miracle to happen in His sky. It forms at His command and leaves us breathless at every grumble and gust. 

Your heart beat and I witnessed a miracle a mighty majestic manifesto that God has declared and set forth by Him

and we are left in awe.

Your wild eyed and smart as a whip brother doesn't quite understand that you're making a comfy nook in my belly, that's ok, hes more worried about being launched in the air by Daddy and streams of Netflix videos..little does he know how fun you are yet ;) You are in for a treat with him, the most caring and giving brother you will have... let's not forgot a mastery at giggling.

God is majestic. God will leave you in awe every time you take the time to get to know Him.

Sometimes, it's through a storm.

Tickles & Kisses

Daddy~~

So, we saw your comfy, little self hanging out in mom's belly this week.   You are just a little peanut in there... all warm and safe.  I read that you can start to taste what mom eats.  Well, I guess that means you are going to either really love... or really hate...  pineapple curry, Vietnamese pho, and fruit.  No, your mom isn't Asian, but we sure like to eat us some Thai and Vietnamese!

Mom's body is producing 50% more blood so you can develop your organs, toes, fingers, and ears.  It's such a miracle to even think that in a matter of weeks you grow from a tiny blob into a recognizable human being, with your new and improved, shapely figure.  

Everyone thinks you are a girl... and you're following the girl pregnancy patterns (more nausea, higher up, etc) but I know God likes surprises to keep us on our toes.  So, I'll leave it to God to decide if you'll be a football player or ballerina.  Either way, you'll be in a spirit-filled home, with a spirit-filled family, who will love you and love you and love you.  

One day, you will have to know the fallen world.. but, for now, and for the next few years, you will be safe and sound in our loving arms, and in the unchanging, unflinching arms of a God who will never forsake you.

The fruits of our labor

Dear raspberry sized baby inside momma's tummy,

We haven't got to see you yet... but it's only one more week until we get to meet face to face!   We're going to take mommy to the doctor next Tuesday, and will say hi then.  

It's starting to feel more tangible to me now.   I'm feeling the love I have for you that will grow and grow and grow from now until forever.  My friends are all having babies like crazy, and every single one says that the experience of holding that frail, helpless, warm body close to my heart the first time is indescribable.  I'm not sure I want to wait 7 more months for you...  maybe we can time warp it to October... then again, I think us waiting for you will make it all the more sweet.  

That's a picture of me at the carnival with momma and your big brother close to my side.  I think you are going to either really love, or really detest, lemonade after this next few months.... and, of course, you'll be ridiculously good looking, boy or girl...  :)

You are due on the same day that my mom died.  November second.  He gives and he takes away.  I
know His timing is perfect.  And you'll be perfect.  Just like Mom.

Love,
Daddy

Mommy --

You take my breath away, literally.

You're my little Raspberry Oxygen Junkie, I love you.

I am in love with your Daddy.

He buys my lemonade, thats love.
Youll find a person, that God will give, He will love you fiercely and you will let Him.

I talk to you in between me remembering to breath heavy every now and then, you have swept through every part of my body and knocking on every room in my heart. Breathe all you need little one, if it means mine :)
I talk to you when its just quite moments with you and me

I hope you can hear Worship now, its second from where you've come from but, its beautiful, I touch you and pray over you in church while we worship, I want your cup filled up all the time by Him, you are His Beloved and He wants to, because He loves you.

<3 Tickles & Kisses

Mommy

Sweet & Salty

Mommy:

You are the size of a blueberry and your brain is almost complete, your kidneys have just snuggled into your little body and you are growing like a dandelion.
You haven't craved chicken sandwiches lately, mostly sweet & salty and that would describe your Mommy :)

You have a brother named Zayin that is 7 years old, its Rodeo time here in Houston and hes having a 
blast on all the carnival rides! Dont worry youll get your first butterflies from a ride here soon.

 I cant wait to take you for a ride that will bring all the giggles to the top of you. 

Today we had church, God moved and the hearts of the people listened and that's all that really matters little one...that God is moving (or moving us) and we are open to being touched by Him.

Today I felt you flutter in me today for the first time, thats how god moved me today, how my heart listened to Him. You also took your first communion, how stinkin blessed are you! 

Its not always sweet my love, this life....but, God says you are salt and Gods love is always sweet. When you use your life to give, youll always find God and His sweet love. Sweet & Salty....now wheres the potatoe chips and ice cream...your catching on already ;)

Tickles & Kisses

Mommy 

Mind over Belly

From Mommy:

Miracle.

There's a miracle growing.

Gods tangible miracle

and Were excited! We cant wait to meet you, right now you're the size of a grain of rice and well that's cute.

If there's ever a time to know anything about a baby, and the break-a-leg tries on explaining the miracle that grows and flourishes, the time is now and tomorrow and the next day. There is a heaping amount of information at your fingertips today. Theres a blog dedicated to just craving of pregos..hmm?

Daddy and I will update you and the rest of the Fuller baby followers on how awesome your life is and will be, simply because, we serve an amazing God.

This picture is you at 6 weeks and 2 days old

I crave chicken sandwiches with LOTS of pickles

you like to eat-every 10 minutes

and Im not complaining :)

Love, Mommy 

~

From Daddy,

We have talked about you already like you are days away from coming into the world.  Sometimes as a girl, sometimes as a boy.  Equally exciting, just the same.

A little apple seed inside a womb, helpless and almost microscopic.  In only a few weeks, you will have fingers, toes, a mini, yet vastly expanding, brain and, most fascinatingly, a heartbeat.   A tiny heart... probably could fit on the pinhead of a needle.

I already love you; I can't wait to meet you, but I guess patience must kick in -- because it's going to be a while!

Mommy and you will have many dates to Chick-fil-A... I can tell...  we're out of pickles again (and chicken)...

Love,

Your Father



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