Earlier this week, Mr. Handsome and I announced our first pregnancy, and we have been overwhelmed by all the prayers and well wishes that you have sent our way. You are very kind! This is new territory for us, and it has already been quite the adventure.
I am more than halfway through the pregnancy, and although the due date still feels far away, I know it will go by in a snap. The first five months have passed by so quickly that I still sometimes forget that I’m pregnant! But then I feel a kick and am reminded that there is a little life growing inside me. The whole thing still feels too good to be true, similar to how the first months of marriage felt.
I am still struggling with morning sickness, and as the baby has grown, life in general has become increasingly harder, but I know it’s more than worth it. Below is a short video message that I filmed for my readers.
Laura
You look lovely and as I read your post, though you talk about difficulties, you seem to really be in a state of joy and grace. 🙂
It’s beautiful to witness, even if just from a few snippets here and there!
I’m one of those readers who don’t agree 100% with your (as much as you talk about it) or the Duggars’ way of living faith, but I’ve always appreciated your graceful way of handling yourself in all situations that the internet presents.
Best wishes from Italy!
Ellie
Thank you, Laura. That means a lot. I enjoy having readers from all backgrounds, walks of life, and geographical locations. As long as people are respectful of each other, it makes the comments that much more enlightening to read. Thanks for following my blog all the way from Italy.
Ellie
Laura
Yeah, I really like how you allow contrary opinions on your blog.
It shows maturity (and also that you’re not threatened by others or different opinions).
Sometimes when people don’t allow contradictory opinions, I think it shows that they don’t really trust their own to stand the (peaceful) confrontation, it shows that their own position is week.
Also, how boring would life be if we had around us only people that are the same as us?
Ellie
I agree. 🙂
Anonymous
Good day to you two too! I was wondering if you have any cravings? (You should use words like natural and pregnancy safe remedies to qualify what you do. Years ago drugs were taken for morning sickness that ended up harmful.) I was not sure if I should get into the comments on this new topic, because it is going to be a lot of blog posts! But in general from here on, I do wish you a continued wonderful experience and the best of everything!
Ellie
Thank you for the well wishes. Surprisingly, I haven’t had any cravings. Eating is more of a chore, since I haven’t been feeling well. I enjoy fruit, although that has been a life-long “craving” for me.
Anonymous
NO pickles craving like the Duggars.
I’m sister had morning sickness and she had soda crackers and 7 up that helped her when she wasn’t felling well.
Allie
I can’t see your videos, they don’t even appear on your blog for me.
Ellie
Are you running an ad blocker? Try disabling it, and the video should work.
ELlie
Sue
Congratulations,Ellie!So happy for you!
Ellie
Thank you, Sue!
Ellyn
Hi Ellie – I too felt sick for almost my entire pregnancy with my little girl (who is now almost 2). I didn’t take any nausea medication to try to keep things natural and I’m so glad I did. She’s a healthy happy girl and I had a great delivery. Maybe all that sickness paid off in the end! Hang in there!!
Ellie
How sweet, 2 is a fun age. I am also trying to keep things as natural as possible. That’s wonderful that you had a smooth delivery. I’m hoping and praying for that, as well.
Ellie
Ellyn
I’m sure you’ll have a good one! I labored at home for as long as I possibly could, then got an epidural when we finally went to the hospital. She was born pretty soon after that, and the best part it was pain free 🙂
Ellie
That’s what I’m hoping to do, labor at home for as long as I can and then head to the hospital towards the end.
Deb
So you WERE pregnant when made the Easter basket video for your local news!!!! HA!!!!
Ellie
I don’t think I was at that point. 🙂
Anonymous
You look amazing!
Ellie
Thank you!
Sasha
Congratulations to you! Your baby is fortunate to have you as a mother. I also enjoy announcing my pregnancies over and over so we never announced on social media. I liked telling people as I saw them.
Ellie
That’s very kind of you, Sasha! How many children do you have?
Jessica
Congrats! Hopefully morning sickness goes away soon. I have one daughter and four boys. With my daughter I was sick the whole pregnancy. With my sons, I was not sick the whole time. We are pregnant and a few weeks into the second trimester and I still don’t feel well. It’s definitely different with every pregnancy. All that we go through is so worth it. It’s such a blessing being blessed by God and given the opportunity to raise children for Him. It’s not always easy being a mommy but there’s nothing like it in all of the world. Soon you get to enjoy the sweet embraces, slobbery kisses, and every thing wonderful that makes up motherhood. For right now enjoy all of the kicks and flips. Before you know it, you’ll get to see and hold your miracle. Because life is truly a miracle. And I’m excited for you and your husband.
Ellie
Thanks for the encouragement, Jessica. Congrats on your pregnancy! Are you planning to find out the gender?
Ellie
Jessica
We are planning to find out. We have another ultrasound in a couple of weeks. We gave all of our girl clothes away since our daughter is 8. We had 4 boys in a row so if it’s a girl we have to get clothes. After four little boys, (They are 6, 4, 3, and 13 months.) We would love another girl. But would definitely be happy with another boy. My daughter really wants a sister, but my sons think they needs another brother.
Ellie
I hope you get your girl. But boys are great, too. LOL that your sons think they need another brother. It would be sweet to see them with a little sister, I’m sure.
Jessica
It really would be sweet. My daughter has prayed for a girl for so long. If it’s a girl one of my sons has already declared that she’d be banned from the boys club. I’m sure he’d get over that once he saw her.
Jessica
I’m curious to know if you are having a girl. At least for me, I was always sicker with my daughter than my sons. And alot of people have told me the same thing. May not be true for everyone though. I know first pregnancies are different because your body is getting used to everything.
Ellie
I’ve heard that, as well. We plan to announce the gender soon. I’m hoping that all future pregnancies will be a bit easier. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see!
Ellie
Jessica
I hope so, for you. This is our 7th pregnancy and besides the first pregnancy, it’s probably the hardest. You’d think it’d be easy by now, but still not feeling well and not doing well with food doesn’t help. It’s worth it though.
Ellie
That sounds rough. Hoping you start feeling better soon. I’m sure your kids are thrilled to have another sibling!
Anonymous
Hi Ellie, congratulations! We had five children. They are all adults now! Time will go fast so enjoy them growing up! I know you will, you are going to be a great mom! I had morning/all day sickness with all of them. With the boys, and we have four, I could drink orange juice but with our daughter I could not. Feeling sick can be very difficult. I will be praying for you. God bless you and Mr. Handsome! ! You look beautiful!
Ellie
Thank you for the prayers! I’m sure I’ll blink and our kids will be all grown up. I’ll have to remind myself to cherish each day. I’m sure you have a lot of fun with your adult children, though. Each season has its blessings. 🙂
ELlie
MarriedUK
Remember the days are long but the years are short! There’s nothing worse than a bad day with kids and the “witching hour” can seem to last forever… but then one day you look at your big boy son and think – “where did the time go???”
Ellie
That’s great advice, MarriedUK!
Regina Shea
Feeling the baby is such a wonderful feeling. What’s even more fun is playing with the baby when you see maybe a foot and you ever so gently push baby’s foot and he/she will move another foot or perhaps elbow. You can even have fun with putting an object on your belly like a paperback book or even a small glass and watch the baby kick at it. It’s so funny to watch.
Ellie
Oh that will be fun! Looking forward to it. 🙂
Ellie
Anonymous
If it’s not too personal if a question, do you and Mr Handsom have an idea of how many kids you want? I love reading your blogs, can’t wait to see more posts about your pregnancy, and baby posts in general!
Ellie
That’s a great question. We would love at least 4, but we are taking it one at a time. Thanks for being a loyal reader. 🙂
Ellie
Anonymous
Do you guys have a name picked out, or are you still deciding?
Ellie
Still deciding. It’s harder than we expected, lol.
MarilynDKC@AOL.com Marilyn
Ellie, you look lovely. Will keep you in our prayers and thoughts for a healthy baby and pregnancy. God Bless you and yours.
Joan, Marion and Marilyn
Ellie
Thank you! We appreciate that.
Cyndi
Hang in there! I gave birth to the most wonderful baby boy after being sick for 8 1/2 months, including every labor pain. After 37 years, he is still my greatest accomplishment. Every ache, pain and nausea are definitely worth them. God bless your family!
Ellie
Thank you for the encouragement!
Lauren
Hi Ellie,
Something that helped me with my morning (or all-day) sickness were sea bands. They are designed for motion sickness, but use accupressure and will also work for morning sickness. I also made it a habit to carry a little snack all the time. I wouldn’t ever eat many big meals, but I was almost constantly snacking. Having something in my stomach seemed to help me not feel as sick.
Hope those suggestions help you (or another reader!)
Ellie
Those are great suggestions. Thank you. I have one of those bracelets, and they are a lifeline. Wonderful invention! 🙂
Anonymous
Try Wint-O-Green (wintergreen flavored) Lifesavers for pregnancy nausea. It’s the only thing that got me through. Also, if you can find them, those old-fashioned thick pink mints that are wintergreen flavor and can help, too. I used to eat them as a kid to prevent car sickness. I don’t know their trade name. Sometimes you see them where penny candy is sold. But the Lifesavers, which you can find anywhere, can be….life savers.
Ellie
Thanks so much for the ideas. I do love mints! How many children do you have?
Ellie
SuperJames526
Congratulations,Elle! God has truly giving you two a blessing. Can’t wait to hear/read more updates soon!
Ellie
Thanks, SuperJames! It’s good to hear from you. Are you doing well?
stacey
Great to read your post again superjames! How have you been?
godly-young-widow
Wow; I go on vacation and this is what I get to come home to! Totally exciting and cool! Congrats! Looking forward to more details. One of my siblings is pregnant as well, and it’s so exciting. Different kind of fun with all my nieces and nephews. Praying for you.
Ellie
Thank you for the prayers, godly-young-widow! Hope you enjoyed your vacation. Where did you go?
Ellie
Tammy L.
How exciting Ellie & congratulations to you & Mr. Handsome! I have no doubt that you will be wonderful parents. Praying that you will get over the morning sickness soon & that the Lord will bless you both with a beautiful healthy little one. May the Lord keep His hand upon you during this pregnancy & afterwards. Blessings to you both!
Ellie
Thank you so much for the prayers, Tammy. I’m blessed to have you as a reader!
Ellie
Grandma Honey
Congratulations!!! Do you have any way I can sign up for your blog?
Ellie
Thank you, Grandma Honey! You can sign up for email updates by following this link: https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=nashvillewife
Ellie
Lisa Neighbors
Congratulations to you Ellie and Mr Handsome! Ya’ll are going to make wonderful parents! Something that helped me through the nausea when nothing else seemed to was peanut butter. Just eating a spoonful at a time . ( This actually helps cure an upset stomach also
Ellie
Thank you! We hope so. Hmm, I’ve never tried peanut butter for nausea. I’ll have to give it a shot. Thanks for the suggestion.
Ellie
Ali
When I was pregnant, my morning sickness wasn’t too bad, but I got motion sickness very easily. I would feel nauseous if I so much as sat on a rocking chair or swing. Strangely, that is still the case for me, years after having my last child! Before having kids I used to love being on boats on the water, but now my stomach can barely handle it.
Ellie
That’s really interesting–I’ve never heard that before. I guess those are the sacrifices we make for our children, but I definitely feel for you. 🙁
Ellie
Anonymous
What? You’re not cradling your baby bump?! (Reference to the ongoing debate on the Duggar blog about that!)
Anonymous
Maybe because of all the rude people such as yourself posting comments like that🤔🤔 Ellie has a very small bump now anyways, there’s not much to cradle, and whether she ever chooses to or not shouldn’t matter to you, just as the Duggar girls cradling shouldn’t have been such a big deal.
Anonymous
And yet in the last picture she posted both she and Mr Handson had their hands on her belly *gasp*
Hannah
I love your blog on the Duggar family and the Bates! Thank you so much for your hard work in making it a very enjoyable read!
Ellie
I’m glad to hear that, Hannah. Thanks for reading!
Ellie
Anonymous
I have a feeling that your baby is a girl.
Ellie
We’ll announce it soon. 🙂
Anonymous
Have you dreamed yet about boy/girl, or about names? Back when there were no easy tests, you didn’t know what you were having until it was had. But I had dreamed boy, and I felt so strongly boy, that we didn’t bother picking out a girl’s name. My dreams were quite correct. I had even dreamed some details (minor complications) of the birth that actually happened later. Those dreams were definitely premonitions.
Ellie
We found out the gender and plan to announce it soon. Haven’t come up with a name yet though. 🙂
Ellie
Anon
Ellie you remind me of Princess Kate. She is such a good mom! She went through her pregnancies without gaining a lot of weight, she kept fit. Then she went in the hospital to have them. While the world waited outside, watching like crazy! Just like for her I wish you the best in everything always!
Ellie
Thank you! 🙂
Frank
Congratulations Ellie…Very happy for you! 🙂 All the best!
Ellie
Thank you!
Anonymously
My guess is a boy!
Corianne
My morning sickness miracle, not discovered until my third pregnancy, is topical magnesium. It was life changing! I bought a magnesium spray that I would spray onto my skin daily. Epsom salt baths do the same thing, but you need a cup or two in the bath, not just a sprinkle. Growing a human requires lots of magnesium and most people are deficient. Absorbing through the skin bypasses the stomach upset it can cause, and your body won’t absorb more than you need. It’s amazing and I highly recommend trying it, natural, drug-free, and something you need anyway. Also great for muscle cramps so common during pregnancy. Congrats on your new adventure, and all the best to you all.
Ellie
Thanks for the suggestion, Corianne. I take magnesium supplements but haven’t tried the spray. I’ll have to talk to my healthcare privider about it. I heard from a doctor that many women are magnesium deficient but don’t know it.
Ellie
Makenna
I will be praying that your morning sickness will go away quickly! Thank you for all that you do and for sharing your life with us! You are so sweet and I love looking at your blogs!
Ellie
Thank you, Makenna!
Ellie
Kennedy
Congrats!!! Super excited for you and your husband! God Bless <3
Ellie
Thank you, Kennedy!