What's in a name...

My friend Amber, who is coming to the end of her pregnancy, posted about names for her baby. She asked her readers to post how they got their names and/or decided on the names for their children. Was it after family, saints, or just liking the name? I thought it was a very interesting discussion so I'm challenging you, my loyal readers, to comment! And I know, I have some blog stalkers - y'all can post too!

Here is some background on my name:
As many of y'all may know, I was named Alexis Marie. The names they had thought of before going to the hospital was Clare (or Mark if I was a boy). I've been told I am no Clare. The only problem they had was my maternal grandparents lived in South America, where Alexis was a male name. They were not very happy that their first grandchild (and a girl) was named a "boy" name. Marie was after my mom Maria. I just loved my name, and loved having a good nickname too - Lexy.

I'll let Ry post on how he got his name! I look forward to reading your postings!!

Also, to keep everyone in suspense, we are not revealing the gender (since we don't know) or our names (since we still can't decide). We are taking suggestions...

off to the beach...

We are off for a few days a the beach! Ry was asking pumpkin this morning if he/she was ready for his first trip! Hopefully momma is - it is a long car ride! Should be fun also to see Charlie the dog interact with the ocean. Whoop - babymoon part 2 (or would it be 3...)

good news...

After 18 weeks of progesterone shots, it looks like I am *finally* in the correct range! No more shots!! Whoop! Good job pumpkin!!

it is funny...

When you are looking something up on the internet and find a photo of yourself...



More info at UT Non Profit Career Fair (you know, the other school!)

98 days...

Well, today is the day! 98 days to my due date from Dr. Love which is June 19 (although the 20 week ultrasound pushed it to June 23). I can't believe it has gone soo fast!! Today I move into my 3rd trimester. So much to get done!

This week we've had a house full of college girls. 3 of my cousins (Monica, Allison and Corey) and my sister Tessa have been here. They painted the baby's room and it is beautiful! I will totally think of them every time I go in the room.

AND My parents come in this weekend, so we will have fuller house this weekend! But the house is filled with love and laughter - it has been wonderful!

pregnancy musings...

This last week pumpkin has developed a new habit - waking me up at night. Sometime between 2-4 am I am woken by his/her kicking. I try to go back to sleep, but usually am awake at least an hour, up to 4 hours.

This has given me time to ponder my pregnancy. We have been wanting to expand our family for a few years now. And with 3 miscarriages, hormonal problems and chromosomal issues, it has been quite a roller coaster.

Due to that, it was hard for the first several weeks for me to actually believe I was pregnant. I didn't even start my pregnancy book until I was 14 weeks pregnant. Through all this time, though, I feel we have been soo loved and comforted. So many have lifted us up in prayer, I know that is why things have been going so well.

And things have. Yet, in the middle of the night you still wonder. Are we doing the right thing? Will I be a good mom? Will I be able to provide for my child? Can I be as good of a mom as my mom was for me?

And then I remember that I have a wonderful network - a super husband, wonderful family, friends, and those who lurk this blog :-)

But what if I didn't? What if I had no one? What if I had no supportive husband who makes dinner when I can't stand the smell of food? Or wonderful friends offering to throw me not one but two baby showers? How hard would this be? And so many women have to go through this each day.

So as I laid in bed last night, trying to go back to sleep, I grabbed Ry's hand. I knew everything would be just fine. We will do the best we can for all our children - that is what we have been doing and continue to do.

And when I get discouraged, I will offer it up for those women who do this alone. That they will be comforted by His love, and be given the strength to persevere.

We have a theme!!

Yea! We have a theme for pumpkin's room! We found it about a week ago when my mom was visiting. Has such beautiful colors and reminds us of New Zealand!

My sister and 3 of my cousins are coming this weekend to visit us for a week for their spring break. Oh to have spring break again... I thought a good project for them would be to paint the baby's room! Will post some before and after's in the coming weeks!