What's in a Name?

What's in a name? In my opinion, EVERYTHING! I think it's so important to pick the perfect name for your baby - it's almost like giving them a brand for the rest of their lives. That may sound dramatic, but it's SO true! A name can conjur up all sorts of feelings and emotions - whether they can be attributed to your child or not. Think about the names that your husband suggested that you immediately said, "NO WAY!" to, all because they reminded you of someone you knew from high school, college, work. Beyond it's official meaning, names can carry emotional baggage as well. For example, once we decided on the name Paige, everyone immediately loved it. And about 90% of the time, people would say this exact statement, "I knew/know someone named Paige who is the SWEETEST person ever." Are ALL Paige's sweet and nice? Of course not! But it seems as if there are enough of them out there who fit into that category where the name "Paige" conjures up positive emotions.

And then, we have to consider the "official" meaning of the name. Every child loves looking up what their name means - I can remember feeling so special when I found out Erica meant "honorable ruler." How regal!! Paige means "messenger," which I have decided really means: messenger = messenger of God = angel : ) Here middle name is Karolina, which means "tiny and feminine." One name I liked if Baby #2 is a girl is Camryn. That was until I found out it's official meaning - crooked nose. I swear! What a terrible meaning! Another name we really like is Leah. But the official meaning of Leah? Tired and weary. What the fuzzball?! How am I going to explain one day that while Paige is my "tiny, feminine angel", you are my "tired and weary" daughter with the "crooked nose." Nice. Mother of the year, here I come!

We're not having as much trouble with deciding on a boy's name - my husband has had his heart set on a particular name all his life. So that's that. And the meaning is the same as Paige's actually - messenger : )

7 more months to figure this out - as my husband keeps reminding me every day when I throw names out at him. But this literally keeps me up at night. Oh, the pressure!

For the Love of Elastic Waist Bands

I recently decided to transition back into my maternity clothes. Not all of them yet, but definitely the pants. I probably needed to a week or two ago, but went the loose and comfy sweatpants route instead. My belly is only slightly bloated at this point, but what's forcing me to the prego-pants tipping point is all the bruises! See, as soon as I found out I was prgeo (litterally at 4 weeks on the dot), I had to go back on the oh-so-fun twice a day Heparin injections. Heparin is the blood thinner I was on after the mini-stroke/TIA at 30 weeks during my last pregnancy (here's a link to that lovely post in case you forgot). They say that the blood-related conditions I have (Protein S Deficiency and Factor V) cause my blood to clot very easily, especially during pregnancy. So far so good - except that my belly looks like it has been in a brawl with a UFC fighter. It's basically one giant bruise. Not so pretty. And it's painful! Hence the desparate need for loose fitting prego-wear.

But I ran into a slight problem when I went to put back on my prego skinny jeans - they were too big! No, not because I've had some sort of dramatic weight loss (unfortunately). But becasue they got SOO stretched out at the end of my last pregnancy that the elastic waistband is about 4 sizes too big! I know they will fit again eventually when my belly gets to be the size of a watermelon or beach ball, but for now I went and picked up 2 new pairs at Old Navy. They are pretty great, I must say. Here is a link to the ones I got in case you are looking for some nice but inexpensive maternity jeans. They were on sale for about $25 each when I got them - definitely wait until another sale!

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5854&vid=1&pid=675514

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5854&vid=1&pid=775651

The Joys of Morning Sickness

You think I'd be an old pro at this by now. This is, after all, the second time I'm experiencing being prego. But a funny thing happens in between pregnancies - even ones less than a year apart... You completely forget the specifics of what it was like to be pregnant. The memories of morning sickness, aches and pains, labor... it all washes away as soon as you hold your new baby. I think it's God's way of making she we all keep procreating : ) I remember during my first pregnancy thinking that the morning sickness would never end - that I would feel nauseous for the rest of my life. But then one day - just as quickly as it came on initially - it was gone. And a few days later, I couldn't even remember what it felt like to have morning sickness. So when I found out I was prego again, I was a little nervous about having morning sickness, but not super nervous because I really couldn't remember the specifics. But oh, let me tell you this... the levy broke on those awful memories the first day I woke up with that terrible feeling. Everything comes flooding back with the quickness, and you think to yourself, "Why did I do this again?!" Luckily this time around I know it has an endpoint - and that afterward my mind will be erased again. Halleluia! But for now I'll keep feeling like I have ridden a loopy roller coaster a few too many times, avoid gag-inducing foods, and get through it one day at a time. Oh, the joys of motherhood!