3 Weeks and Counting!

Our appointment with Dr. M went well on Tuesday and...its official. We find out if its a boy or girl on the 19th of November. WOW!!! We'll be 20 weeks at that time and have to go in for our ultrasound. I did find out that my nurse's name isn't Kathy like I've been calling her for the past 2 months. Its actually Gina and just so happen, she lived outside of Huntsville for several years. I think she's quite smitten with Nick. But anyway, she checked my blood pressure and weight and everything was normal. I did pick up those 2 or 3 pounds that I had lost. THANK GOODNESS!!! We chose to forgo the tests for Down Syndrome and just figured, why put any undo stress on ourselves. We're relying on our faith and trusting that no matter what, God is....

Nurse Gina tried her best to get a good read on the heartbeat, but she said, "This sucker won't be still." It was literally "dodging the doppler". We did eventually hear the heartbeat, albeit momentarily. I think she said it was around 150. Doctor M came in for a brief consultation. She requested that I not do anymore floor exercises in Jazzercise class, but said I can continue with the cardio. She gave us our next ultrasound date (Nov. 19th) and the date for the follow up visit (Nov. 25th). She also said for us to start thinking about pediatricians and to make our final decision as to which hospital we would like to deliver. I guess we'll tour Baptist and Centennial in the coming weeks. Decisions...Decisions...Decisions... If you have a pediatrician you would like to recommend, let me know. Also, I'm trying to put together a photo montage so you can see how big I'm not getting. Until next week...

Cast Your Vote

Ahhh...Week 16. I can't believe we're almost half-way there. I don't know about you guys, but it seems time has flown by. According to www.babycenter.com this week she's about the size of an avocado. Hmm, some guacamole would be good right now. But anyway, I digress. She's about 4.5 inches long (head to rump) and 3.5 ounces. She's even started growing toenails. CRA-ZY!!! Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day. Now this isn't my personal ultrasound, but this 3-D image gives you an idea of what a baby looks like IN THE WOMB at 16 weeks....astounding!

Now, we'll find out whether its a boy or girl next month, so don't forget to cast your vote on the blog home page. http://www.baby4two.blogspot.com/ So far 77% of you say its a boy. Interesting!

Well, we head back to see Dr. M on Tuesday. Not sure what's will transpire at this visit, but I'll be sure to keep you "posted". Until then...

What Not To Wear...

OK ladies, this question is for you. When you ask your significant other, "How do I look?", do you REALLY want to know? I'm sure this question has made many a man's life flash before their eyes. Do we really want to know what they think, or are we just in search of words of confirmation? Well, this past week I found out the answer to this question, without having to ask it.

Nick was on vacation so he was home while I was getting ready for work. I had already taken out my outfit for the day and proceeded to dress for the day. I had chosen a multi-colored long-sleeved button-down shirt dress that tied at the waist. I looked in the mirror and thought to myself, "Hmm, its a little snug in the belly area, but it doesn't look THAT bad." Well apparently I was WRONG!!!!

One last check in the mirror and I headed for the door. Nick stopped me before I could leave the bedroom. He had this eye-brow raised look on his face and I could tell he was starring directly at my belly. The conversation went a little something like this:

L: "What's the matter?"
N: "That's what you're wearing?"
L: "Yeah, what's wrong with it?"
N: "Uhm...its a little snug, don't you think?"
L: "It doesn't look that bad does it?"
N: "Well..."

I immediately made a u-turn back to the closet. So what lesson have I learned here? In retrospect, I'd much prefer my hubby to be honest with me than have me walking out the house looking a hot mess. There's no need to get upset or be insecure...it is what it is. He was probably being somewhat biased, he didn't like that dress before I got pregnant. 15 WEEKS AND COUNTING....

What's in a name?

1 Samuel 25 tells the story of Nabal and his wife, Abigail, who lived prosperously in the land of Carmel. In short, David traveled to Carmel and sent some of his men up to greet Nabal and ask for food and water. Nabal refused saying, "Who is David?" (v10). Once David got the message of this blatant disrespect, he gathered his army to go and confront Nabal. Abigail heard that her husband had refused David's men and they were now headed there for confrontation. Thinking quickly, Abigail took loaves, sheep, corn, raisins, etc. to David and his men. She apologized saying, "Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means fool, and folly goes with him." (v25 NIV).

Now, to my memory, I had never read this story before. And if I had, it definitely did not resonate with me as it did this past week. For me, it really drove home the point of naming your child intentionally. So, with that in mind, Nick and I decided to research the origin and meanings of names that we were familiar with, mostly family and friends. We used www.behindthename.com and cross referenced with www.babynames.com

Here's what we found:
Nicholas - Hebrew origin meaning "Victory of the people"
Elisa - Hebrew origin meaning "God is my oath"
Jonathan - Hebrew origin meaning "God has given"
Chandler - English origin meaning "Candle maker"
Herman - German origin meaning "Army man"
Sada - Japanese origin meaning "Pure one"
Chelsea - Old English origin meaning "Landing place for chalk or limestone"
Campbell - Scottish origin meaning "Crooked mouth"
Amelia - German origin meaning "To work, excel, and strive"

I'm sure it will be interesting deciding on a name for our new family addition. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to send them to us. Until next time....