We are halfway there! 20 weeks!

It's a...


BOY!!!!!!!

Mr. Elliott Norman Horton will arrive before, on, or after Oct. 18th, 2011!!!!!!

Words cannot express our excitement about this little boy. He is amazing and we have yet to meet him face to face!

We went in for our ultrasound at 9 am last Wednesday. We were both excited and nervous, but overall ready to see our little one. I had to have a full bladder for the ultrasound which was REALLY challenging to deal with. Those of you reading that are mothers or soon to be understand. It was so uncomfortable to have someone pushing over a full bladder!! Luckily, our tech let me empty mine 2 times during the ultrasound to have our little guy have some more room to move around. Right when the tech put the tool over my abdomen, Elliott's head came into sight. It was amazing. Breathtaking. Surreal. To see this little man, that we had created, squirming around in there is nothing short of a miracle. It was truly one of the best moments of my life. Evan had a huge smile on his face the whole entirety of the ultrasound, as did I. Elliott sure is a mover! He was rolling, and somersaulting, and flipping all over the place in there! He would punch or kick the techs tool whenever the tech was pushing strongly. It was so cute to see. The tech was really nice and worked very well with our little man even though he wouldn't sit still. Every time the tech would voice, "alright, I am going to measure _____"...Elliott would flip or move so the tech had to change his plans. The tech finally decided to not say what he was going to measure and then of course he got mostly everything he needed. Our ultrasound was technically on 19 weeks and 1 day's time in my pregnancy. Elliott measured on average with all his fetal insides at 18 weeks and 5 days. Just about 3 days difference, that's pretty good seeing as initially he was a week behind at our very early ultrasound. He also measured in at about 10.5 ounces when average was about 8. He is going to be a big boy, I'm sure! Length wise he measured average so that's great news too!

One thing not a lot of people know is that I, or Mommy, actually didn't know Elliott was a boy until after 9 o'clock the day of our ultrasound. Evan really wanted to surprise me with the sex of Baby for an early birthday present. It was something I thought I was going to struggle with but surprisingly I did okay. When it was time during the ultrasound I was told to turn away and I did. I didn't cheat at all! I watched Evan's face through the whole thing and his eyes were wide and he got an even larger smile on his face when the tech typed the gender on the ultrasound screen. It brought tears to my eyes seeing the excitement. So! After a full day and very busy day at work, I sped home and very hesitantly walked into the door. I didn't know if I was going to be bombarded with balloons or signs or what not! Evan was very calm and acted as if he had forgotten all about the surprise which of course made the anticipation even worse! As I walked into the house I saw 6 different sized boxes laid out on our table numbered 1-6. I was told to unwrap them following the numbers and so I started.... box #1 had a pack of 5 onesies..all white! I about died! I ravished the next sets of gifts soon to find the most adorable little boy's dressy outfit. I cried. A son! I get a son! What an amazing feeling. It was so awesome.

On a last note about the ultrasound...we do have some challenges coming up that we have to endure. Elliott has a mass in his pelvis and a blockage in his bowel. Our doctor seemed concerned, but not too concerned. He is VERY blunt and honest which we both appreciate and explained that its somewhat common whats going on but we simply do not have the equipment needed here in Grand Forks to get a really good look at what is going on. We will be going to Fargo to see a high risk baby doctor on June 16th (week 22) to have an ultrasound and follow up appointment. Doctor Trottier also explained, if it was something of larger concern we would have been sent down that day. Its reassuring to know that its something that can wait, but nonetheless...its terrifying hearing something could be wrong. Elliott's been a strong boy ever since the early challenges we faced and it is a HUGE accomplishment to make it to the 20 week mark as well. Please pray for us through this time and we will have a large update concerning that around week 23.

I have been feeling pretty good lately. Still pretty tired and charlie horses to the max when I sleep. It has become increasingly difficult to find comfort when I sleep. I also feel him moving and shaking a lot mostly at night. On our way home from the cities this weekend he was moving nearly the whole drive. I love feeling him. Evan can feel him at night when we are getting ready for bed. It is such a cool thing to feel him and have Evan be able to feel how strong he is. I can't wait to feel him more and eventually see him moving in there!

Here are some pictures from the ultrasound and this past weekend! Enjoy!!!

That is the 20 week belly! Big Boy!

Close up belly!

Elliott's fingers! 5 of them! We couldn't get Elliott to sit still to get a good shot of his feet :(

He is looking right at you!! We like to call this Elliott's "Skeletor" look. :)

This is what we call Elliott's "Terminator" look. It is a little bit meaner than "Skeletor". Maybe he is telling us what he wants to be for Halloween? :)

Our beautiful boy! (He is yawning, how cute is that...)

Mid bite with the cupcakes! Cousins Dani and Matt and Nana V!

"BLUE!!!!"

A very happy Nana!!

Great Gramma Anna taking a big bite of her cupcake! She scarfed it down and about halfway through only one word was said, "Blue!" :) :) :)

Auntie Erica! I caught her in the middle of looking back to her cell phone! It is a funny picture though! Auntie E thought we were having a girl!

Evan and our niece Reagan. She is growing up so quickly and it was wonderful to be able to see both her and Erica this weekend. It was some good training for Evan and I on Saturday. We watched Reagan all day with Nana V. Reagan was an angel!

A very proud Great Gramma! On our 2nd visit, we walked in on her nearly halfway done with a crocheted sweater for Elliott.

Passing out the cupcakes at Evan's!

Dianne screaming, "Blue!" and a VERY happy Grandpa! They are both so excited!

Wayne giving some advice to Evan. Wayne and Leah (our cousins) are expecting a little girl named Hailey in July! They are SO close to having her here! We are all very excited to have our little ones grow up together :)

On a side note...

Papa Tim, Uncle Josh and Cousin Luke are in Disney World right now having a boy's trip. We told them over the phone and with the picture of Elliott's  "Boy Stuff"!  Uncle and Cousin guessed right about us having a boy! Papa Tim is VERY excited that we are having a little boy!

Grandpa Jim, Great Grandpa David and Great Grandma Carolyn are all VERY excited about little Elliott as well. A lot of laughs and jokes were passed during the cupcake reveal. Great Grandpa didn't understand why David wasn't Elliott's first name! All in good fun of course :)

Our friends Ryan and Eric were able to get a cupcake reveal as well. Sadly, I blew the cover because Elliott moves like crazy and I accidentally said, "Ahh, he's kicking me!" As I tried to recover I said, oh I said "It's"...I didn't recover very well Ha ha! They happily enjoyed their cupcakes and we had a wonderful visit!

Thank you for reading a VERY LONG entry! It has been very busy around here and the trip and ultrasound were huge events! We all look forward to talking next week when Mr. Elliott will be back reporting on his developments!

Love to you all!

The Horton's- Evan, Rachel and Elliott

Baby Reagan representing Team Blue with bunny glasses!

18/19 weeks!

Hello Everyone!

I am sorry I am a little late on my 18 week entry, so I thought I would double these up seeing as the next update is a VERY exciting one!

Last week I was measuring about 5.5 inches long! I am getting SO big! I was about the size of a sweet potato or a bell pepper! I am also gaining weight and was around 7 ounces.

This week I am suppose to be measuring about 6 inches long and 8.5 ounces!! We will see on Wednesday if I am where I should be with all my growing! Mommy and Daddy are so excited to see me and they are hoping ALL is well!

My senses are starting to develop now. Taste...meaning that whatever mommy eats or drinks, I get out 2 hours later through my amniotic fluid! Hear...my ears are officially where they should be and I can mildly hear Mommy and Daddy talking. Mommy's heartbeat is nice and soothing and I even get startled if Mommy has to scold Jack. Touch...Mommy and Daddy can't feel my kicks from the outside just yet but if they poke at me, I sure am poking back! I am most likely doing flips, kicks and twists in my little home and moving up a storm!

There is also a coating called Vernix Caseosa developing on my skin. It is protecting my skin from becoming majorly pruned. Just think...if I didn't have that it would be like taking a 9 month long bath! You would be SO wrinkly!

Mommy is doing pretty good! She is feeling like she has a little more energy than normal, but she is attributing that to the upcoming excitement of seeing me for the first time and finding out what I am! Plus, that we all get to go home and see friends and family this weekend. It should be a great time! I am really starting to stick out of Mommy's belly too! She definitely is getting past that awkward phase of looking like she ate a big lunch/looking pregnant! Mommy thinks I have been screwing around with her eyes too...She keeps saying they are dry and that she can't see as well...Its probably true! I am sorry Mommy! I can't help it! Mommy also has finally found some comfort as she sleeps. She has been trying so hard to sleep on her left side. Its challenging for her because she is a tummy sleeper and loves her right side. She has found if she props a pillow between her knees and somewhat under her belly (where I am hanging out)...she feels support and actually sleeps! She is surprised because she will wake up on her back and Mommy says she NEVER has slept on her back. I am also making Mommy have some pretty crazy and vivid dreams. Some she remembers, others she doesn't...

Daddy has been pretty busy with school the past two weeks. Trying to stay on top of everything is pretty hard when he works full time. Plus, the main computer got a HUGE virus and Daddy lost a lot of his work he had already done and had to start all over... :( It was not good. Daddy is staying busy at work even though the school year is over...He doesn't have to go in on the weekends anymore which he likes because he gets to sleep in! He plans on finishing the trim sometime in Mid-June, and the housework is always going on...

Well everyone, Wednesday is the BIG day! Mommy and Daddy finally get to see me and Daddy will be finding out what I am first, then surprising Mommy later in the evening. Daddy has something special planned for Mommy. Mommy will post new belly pictures as well as ultrasound pictures (hopefully...if I cooperate and the tech gives us pictures) most likely the following Sunday! GET READY PEOPLE!!!! I am SO ready to show off my moves!! Alright, until next week!

Love you-

Baby Horton -Soon to be Baby Girl Horton or Baby Boy Horton!

17 weeks!

Baby Horton here! I am excited to be back! I have so many things to tell you all about myself and Mommy and Daddy! Let's get started...

I am now about 5 inches long. But that is from head to rump...I get to be counted as bigger VERY soon! You can compare me to about the size of a turnip or large onion. Not very attractive foods, but it will do :)

My teeny tiny bones are starting to now harden. They are cartilage right now and are starting the process of officially becoming bone! I can't wait for Mommy and Daddy to see all my bones in my upcoming ultrasound!

I officially have my own unique set of fingerprints and footprints!

That's a little about me for now...but here is some exciting news from Mommy and Daddy! Well, Mommy isn't 100% sure, BUT she thinks she felt me for the first time two days ago! She was laying down with Daddy and they were both reading...All of a sudden Mommy felt something going on in her lower abdomen. Now, Mommy has been pretty practical thinking, oh it's still to early...its probably just air bubbles, or digested food making its journey for the outer world, but this was different! I finally was able to be strong enough to be felt! Mommy describes it as popcorn popping in a water balloon...That's an image huh!? What is even better is that Daddy actually was able to feel slight movement too. It was absolutely crazy! I am SO strong! Ya!

Tomorrow Mommy has to have an ultrasound done on her heart for some heart fluttering she has been feeling only since I have been around. She went and saw a specialist and they asked a lot of questions and did an EKG which came back normal, but they wanted to make sure 100% that Mommy is okay. Mommy says that at night, after shes turned in...she is woken up with her heart racing and beating heavily and she struggles to catch her breath. What the doctor's think is awkward is that it comes at night after no activity...They think it may be anxiety which could be completely true, but we won't know until tomorrow! I hope Mommy is okay! I have been putting her heart and blood supply through the ringer so far...

Other than that Mommy is feeling pretty good. Mommy's work days are getting harder for her to get through. She is on her feet a lot and her feet get SO swollen and every once in awhile she gets really lightheaded to the point of feeling faint. She takes good care of herself though and knows the signs that her body tells her. Her clients are VERY helpful and understanding. Mommy's clients are also starting to notice me! What happens usually is a while into the service Mommy tells her clients about me, then her clients say, "OH!!! I was wondering but its so scary to ask because you don't want to be that person that makes THAT mistake!" and then they both laugh and agree at how hard being called pregnant when you are not is...yikes! One thing I am doing to Mommy is making her skin break out. She is NOT happy with it. Sorry Mommy! She tells me she will take the acne though over any morning sickness and I was nice enough to not give Mommy any of that. Lastly, Mommy is still waiting to get out of the "tired" phase. She really doesn't know though if its just her feeling so exhausted after the amount of activity she does at work. Mommy tends to have 3 paces. 1 being quick, 2 being slow, 3 being sitting/laying down. At work, Mommy is always a 1 unless shes a 3 while her clients process. Even then its rare for her to be a 3 because shes either cleaning or getting something for a client. She slept for nearly 11 hours last night! OH MY!

Daddy is doing great too! He had a VERY productive weekend and got the majority of our front landscaping done! It looks so good. Mommy sat outside with Daddy while he finished up laying rock down and it looks great. Daddy did such a good job. He is so handy! He also cleaned and organized our whole garage AND cleaned our whole deck...all while continuing his school work and full time job. Go Daddy Go!

On a last note, today is Mothers Day! Happy Mothers Day Mommy! I can't wait to meet you in October!

Talk with you all next week when we are about a week and a half away from finding out what I am!!!!

Love you!

-Baby Horton

**In Honor of Mothers Day**

That's Daddy and Gramma Laurel. I am sad I never got to meet her but I know how much she loved my Daddy. This is one of Daddy's favorite pictures of him and his Mommy. :)

16 weeks!

Hello to all!

Mommy is here writing this blog! I am giving Baby H a break on his or her updates and gracing you all with my presence!

16 weeks today! Time is seriously flying. I can't believe we will be at the halfway point in a month. That is CRAZY to me! Here are some facts about where Baby H is at with growing!

-Baby H is about 4.5 inches long right now(Head to Rump). Give or take the size of an Avocado! Yummy, I love Guacamole!
-Baby H weighs somewhere between 3 and 4 ounces! So teeny!
-Baby H is starting to gather a scalp pattern for hair to start growing! Naturally, I am really excited about that because I can't wait to be able to give that first haircut!! Though, I was bald for a good amount of time when I was a baby and I am told Evan was too...Uh Oh! I am predicting a very very very blond little Baby though. Evan and I both were extremely "toe head" and I am one of the last ones still standing! Natural blond right here!
-Baby H is growing toenails and fingernails! Papa Tim always told me stories about how he remembered my little pinkie nail when I was born :)
-Baby H is pumping a massive 25 quarts of blood through that powerful little heart of his/hers. That is SO amazing to me!


We had our 15 week appt. last week and it went very well. Got to hear Baby H's heartbeat again and we are going VERY strong at 146 bpm! That is exactly where we need to be! According to old wives's tales...they say that anything under 140 is a boy, over 140 is a girl!? Who knows! I have A LOT of people telling me they think we are having a little girl. As well as the Chinese Gender chart, pencil test...a whole smorgasbord of random things! Though I keep having dreams we are having a little boy. I honestly can't say I want, other than I just want a healthy child of my own!

At our doctor's appointment, our doctor gave us a lot of information concerning a blood test that will test for things such as spina bifida, down syndrome and some other potential things that can prevent a pregnancy and child from being "normal". Evan and I had luckily discussed this in the past thanks to some of my readings in my books and we decided against doing the test. As much of a planner as I am, we are turning and relying on God to give us a child we were meant to raise. If our child has "challenges" or things that may make him/her "abnormal" then so be it. We were chosen for a reason and will be blessed with a child of our own!

Speaking of how much of a planner I am, we will be finding out what our little Baby Horton is on May 25!!! We CANNOT wait! We are so excited. Everything timed out just perfectly in order for us to find out before we go home! As tough as it may be for all of you to wait, the surprise will be great! I have a great, and yummy idea for how we will tell everyone so get excited people! Memorial weekend! Keep your calendars open!

I am feeling pretty good lately. I STILL am extremely fatigued, and waiting for that to be done...I get dizzy still really easily and have recently had a little thing with my heart and breathing that I am going to get checked out. My doctor didn't seem to worried, but he wants it to get checked out so that is Thursday. I officially have no pants that fit me anymore, and that is REALLY hard to deal with. I am both excited because I am starting to look pregnant, but going through a weight loss surgery makes you look at yourself a lot differently. I am getting through it and Evan's been amazing too! He's so awesome!

Evan is back at school again after a short break and hitting it hard. Work has been going good for him too. Some big changes might be around the corner with him and his coworkers but there isn't movement yet, so we are anticipating something happening. He got our trim pieces ordered and will be working on finishing our trim soon and he has planned out our landscaping that we will tackle once the SNOW we just got on May 1st, melts!

Until next week...

Love,

Rachel and Baby H!

16 week Belly

Jack wanted in on some pictures...giving Mommy some lovin'

Jack and Mommy

Bare Belly! Baby is getting bigger!