On Monday, my boyfriend asked me if we had any plans this weekend. I thought he was going to take "On-Call" again to get/save some extra money before the baby gets here. (We've both been doing that as much as we can: working extra hours or finding other ways to up the income). I told him I didn't think so. The only thing I knew for sure coming up was the Dr.'s appt on Feb 2nd where we would get the order to have our 20week u/s done. (EEK!!)
So I asked him if he was taking on-call. He said "I don't know... don't make any plans this weekend." And that was it!! And it that was on MONDAY! I've been trying really hard not to think about it so I could get through this week...
But then yesterday my mom asked if we had any plans this weekend. I told her I didn't know and then told her what he had said on Monday. I swear... I think I heard her swoon over the phone!! LOL She said she would be around this weekend and to call her if our plans fell through, but she wouldn't call me. She wanted me to have fun.
That was yesterday around 5:30. I woke up at 5:30AM and have been thinking about what's coming ever since. I'm not asking too many questions because I want to be really surprised when we get --- wherever it is we're going!! All I know is we have to leave by 3pm and it's about an hour north. Sheesh... that really narrows it down! LOL
I'm SOOOO EXCITED!! A surprise date day with my guy!! YAY!
My Little Girl
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thankful
Every day I wake up and thank God for the person next to me.
Yes, of course I mean my boyfriend. But I also mean those people who are emotionally beside me; spiritually beside. Those people who have blessed my life with their gifts of love and friendship.
I grew up in a small town. Well to some people it seems like a small town. To us, it was a big town with a small town feel. It didn't matter if you actually knew someone or not, you would tip your hat to them. Both literally and figuratively. Some of the best people I know came from there. My very best friends in the world, I met there.
My best friend from high school has been through so much with me. We have traveled the world--separately--and shared our stories. We were best friends almost immediately and neither time nor distance has slowed that relationship down. She now lives almost 1,400 miles away with her husband and three little girls. But we pick up the phone after a few weeks or months think nothing of it. Our friendship helped me through some bad relationships, showed me that a good person isn't someone who does everything right, but someone who's actions are done with the right mindset. One of my oldest and dearest friends.
My roommate from college is another person from home I thank God for. We had a year as roommates and that led to a lifelong friendship. We share our lives with each other; our ups and downs; our successes and our failures. She also lives really far from me, but I never feel like we are losing touch. I still quote funny things we said to each other. Still laugh at our silliness from sophomore year at college. Still remember driving to see her through a tornado! She taught me that fun is sometimes more important than you think. If you take the fun out of life, it's really not worth living anymore.
My other best friend from college... She's the craziest, kookiest, most lovable person I know. Southern to the core, she embodies almost every "southern value" I can think of. She actually did travel the world with me. Well, most of the U.S. at least. Within 5 minutes of meeting her, I knew she was someone I needed to have in my life. She loves her friends and her family with everything in her. She is kind and smart...but a bull with a smartmouth if you hurt someone she cares about. I can't tell you how many times I have cried on her shoulder, laughed until I cried, and talked until we were hoarse.
My "new" friend is actually someone I've known since the day I entered high school. We were in homeroom together and I thought she was an awesome person. We never fought or anything those four years; we just moved in different circles. Every Wednesday though--or whenever homeroom was, we would talk and have fun. Now though, we seem to be at such similar places in our lives. It was weird how after not talking for so long, she was one of the very first people I wanted to share my news with. She was there from the beginning of my relationship. She and I shared our stories of how we quickly fell in love with amazing men and threw caution to the wind to follow our hearts. Then I found out I was pregnant, and I *had* to tell her. There wasn't a real "reason" she was one of the first to know, except that it felt like something I had to do.
I have two relationships here where I live now that are very similar to those from back home. One is with a girl I worked with for MAYBE 8 weeks. She and I got very close during that time. She and her "new at the time" boyfriend were very welcoming. They made me feel like I had known them forever. They were so gracious in sharing their life with me. Throughout the past 2 and a half years, I have witnessed the beginning of their relationship follow through to a couple knowing they had found their soulmate; I was invited to their wedding, baby shower, and even to be a part of their new family. Her friendship is one that defies a lot of logic (how can you become such fast friends with someone when you live so far away and didn't know each other that long?), but means the world to me here.
Then there's my boyfriend. Within 5 minutes of meeting him, I knew he was the most amazing person I had ever met. He was gorgeous, sure. He has the most amazing eyes. His smile and laugh are infectious. His arms are DROOL WORTHY! But it was his heart that made me fall so quickly. He helps his friends and family without complaining. He is always the first to show up and the last to leave. He puts aside time for himself to make time for others. I swear, there is not a better person for me. I liked him from a far for years; never thinking I would be lucky enough to end up with someone like him...let alone this very person who takes my breath away every time I look at him. (He still does.)
I guess the common theme through all these relationships is: I knew without a doubt and without hesitation that these were people to follow. When God shines that bright light on someone, you'd be an idiot to turn away. God brought these people to me to show me how to live by example. It's as blatant as a whop to the back of the head (otherwise known as a "Gibb's slap"). There doesn't have to be a logical explanation for why these relationships built, grew, developed. In fact, logic seems to have no place in them. I am someone who likes to think things through before I go and do something. And sometimes I weigh those options quickly. But with each of these people, there were no other options. These were to be my fast-friends, bossom-buddies, and besties. These people have brought so much to my life; I wonder if I will ever truly deserve the greatness that comes from being their friend.
Now I know there are a TON of friends who I am leaving out of this blog. I'm sorry. It's really early and I have to head to work soon. But I want you to know that your friendships and the lessons I've learned from you have shaped and molded me. Thank you all for your love, guidance, lessons, honesty, trust, and friendship.
Yes, of course I mean my boyfriend. But I also mean those people who are emotionally beside me; spiritually beside. Those people who have blessed my life with their gifts of love and friendship.
I grew up in a small town. Well to some people it seems like a small town. To us, it was a big town with a small town feel. It didn't matter if you actually knew someone or not, you would tip your hat to them. Both literally and figuratively. Some of the best people I know came from there. My very best friends in the world, I met there.
My best friend from high school has been through so much with me. We have traveled the world--separately--and shared our stories. We were best friends almost immediately and neither time nor distance has slowed that relationship down. She now lives almost 1,400 miles away with her husband and three little girls. But we pick up the phone after a few weeks or months think nothing of it. Our friendship helped me through some bad relationships, showed me that a good person isn't someone who does everything right, but someone who's actions are done with the right mindset. One of my oldest and dearest friends.
My roommate from college is another person from home I thank God for. We had a year as roommates and that led to a lifelong friendship. We share our lives with each other; our ups and downs; our successes and our failures. She also lives really far from me, but I never feel like we are losing touch. I still quote funny things we said to each other. Still laugh at our silliness from sophomore year at college. Still remember driving to see her through a tornado! She taught me that fun is sometimes more important than you think. If you take the fun out of life, it's really not worth living anymore.
My other best friend from college... She's the craziest, kookiest, most lovable person I know. Southern to the core, she embodies almost every "southern value" I can think of. She actually did travel the world with me. Well, most of the U.S. at least. Within 5 minutes of meeting her, I knew she was someone I needed to have in my life. She loves her friends and her family with everything in her. She is kind and smart...but a bull with a smartmouth if you hurt someone she cares about. I can't tell you how many times I have cried on her shoulder, laughed until I cried, and talked until we were hoarse.
My "new" friend is actually someone I've known since the day I entered high school. We were in homeroom together and I thought she was an awesome person. We never fought or anything those four years; we just moved in different circles. Every Wednesday though--or whenever homeroom was, we would talk and have fun. Now though, we seem to be at such similar places in our lives. It was weird how after not talking for so long, she was one of the very first people I wanted to share my news with. She was there from the beginning of my relationship. She and I shared our stories of how we quickly fell in love with amazing men and threw caution to the wind to follow our hearts. Then I found out I was pregnant, and I *had* to tell her. There wasn't a real "reason" she was one of the first to know, except that it felt like something I had to do.
I have two relationships here where I live now that are very similar to those from back home. One is with a girl I worked with for MAYBE 8 weeks. She and I got very close during that time. She and her "new at the time" boyfriend were very welcoming. They made me feel like I had known them forever. They were so gracious in sharing their life with me. Throughout the past 2 and a half years, I have witnessed the beginning of their relationship follow through to a couple knowing they had found their soulmate; I was invited to their wedding, baby shower, and even to be a part of their new family. Her friendship is one that defies a lot of logic (how can you become such fast friends with someone when you live so far away and didn't know each other that long?), but means the world to me here.
Then there's my boyfriend. Within 5 minutes of meeting him, I knew he was the most amazing person I had ever met. He was gorgeous, sure. He has the most amazing eyes. His smile and laugh are infectious. His arms are DROOL WORTHY! But it was his heart that made me fall so quickly. He helps his friends and family without complaining. He is always the first to show up and the last to leave. He puts aside time for himself to make time for others. I swear, there is not a better person for me. I liked him from a far for years; never thinking I would be lucky enough to end up with someone like him...let alone this very person who takes my breath away every time I look at him. (He still does.)
I guess the common theme through all these relationships is: I knew without a doubt and without hesitation that these were people to follow. When God shines that bright light on someone, you'd be an idiot to turn away. God brought these people to me to show me how to live by example. It's as blatant as a whop to the back of the head (otherwise known as a "Gibb's slap"). There doesn't have to be a logical explanation for why these relationships built, grew, developed. In fact, logic seems to have no place in them. I am someone who likes to think things through before I go and do something. And sometimes I weigh those options quickly. But with each of these people, there were no other options. These were to be my fast-friends, bossom-buddies, and besties. These people have brought so much to my life; I wonder if I will ever truly deserve the greatness that comes from being their friend.
Now I know there are a TON of friends who I am leaving out of this blog. I'm sorry. It's really early and I have to head to work soon. But I want you to know that your friendships and the lessons I've learned from you have shaped and molded me. Thank you all for your love, guidance, lessons, honesty, trust, and friendship.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
So many ideas!! (Dang you Pinterest!)
Yeah... Pinterest is kind of like Target for me. It's a complete TIME SUCK!! I will promise myself not to spend more than maybe half an hour and then I look up and realize it's been an HOUR AND A HALF! Sheesh!
So I have all these ideas of things I want to start doing for my baby. Craft-wise. I'm still holding off on "really" planning the nursery because I don't want to do it before we know what we are having. But the baby shower... Now THAT is entirely different! lol
I don't want a "It's a Boy/Girl" baby shower. I don't want something that's overly boyish/girly. I want something gender neutral and fun. I have been to about 5 baby showers in the last 3 years, and 4 of those 5 were animal/jungle themed. So that's kind of out. I guess I'll wait on the "theme" until we know the gender. (insert pouting face right now. lol) Here are some things I know I want (and don't want) there at the baby shower.
I know that, as of right now, we are planning to have one sometime in May. Probably Memorial Day weekend since that's easiest for most of my family to travel here for something like this. And I'm pretty sure it will be a rather large group of rowdy, fun loving people.
****
Other crafty-ideas I'm having?
Those monthly pictures you take showing how big the baby is getting. I loved my friend Taylor's idea of using a toy to gauge the growth.
A quilt of all the onsies/outfits the baby grew out of and I just can't part with. Because I'm sure there will be a ton!
Ornaments and Valentines and things like that with the baby's footprints and hands... even fingerprints!
An ornament of the baby's wristband and beanie from the hospital.
Of course I'm going to scrapbook EVERYTHING! That's tradition for me.
****
Okay... this blog is done for now. Maybe we will be able to find out the baby's gender early and can really start planning the fun stuff!
So I have all these ideas of things I want to start doing for my baby. Craft-wise. I'm still holding off on "really" planning the nursery because I don't want to do it before we know what we are having. But the baby shower... Now THAT is entirely different! lol
I don't want a "It's a Boy/Girl" baby shower. I don't want something that's overly boyish/girly. I want something gender neutral and fun. I have been to about 5 baby showers in the last 3 years, and 4 of those 5 were animal/jungle themed. So that's kind of out. I guess I'll wait on the "theme" until we know the gender. (insert pouting face right now. lol) Here are some things I know I want (and don't want) there at the baby shower.
- I want a diaper cake... that isn't shaped like a cake! There are so many cute ideas for these things and they don't have to look like a wedding cake or birthday day or anything. I saw a tricycle, a baby stroller, a train, a motorcycle, a car, "sushi" roll, a boat, a basket (so it's a DOUBLE WHAMMY-you put things *in* your diaper gift!), and baby bottles. They were all really cute; some looked easier than others, but then again you can actually order them online and save yourself the trouble of those complicated ones!
- I don't want cards. Everyone is going to bring a children's book and write their message to the Baby in there. This was something my Grammy did every year in my birthday and Christmas books. I still have those too. I'll go back and read her messages and they mean almost as much as the book. "You may have riches and treasures untold/Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold./But richer than I you'll never be/ fore I had a mother who read to me."
- I want those cheesy games! "Guess what's in the diaper." "How big is her belly?" "Guess the baby picture." "Baby Song List/Alpa-Name Game." "How well do you know the Mommy-To-Be?" "Memory Game." Yeah, I want those. haha
- I don't want to forget anyone. So, kind of like at a wedding shower, I would like to have everyone write their address on an envelope.
- I want to have people sign a border I would use for a sonogram picture.
- I don't want to have it at some restaurant. Those places just really aren't that great for getting people to mingle and talk and meet new people. Halls or homes are the way to go!
- I want someone there taking LOTS of pictures! I have done this for my friends Billie, Jen, and Taylor in the past and loved seeing everything later. They all said they liked having them because there was so much going on at the time and they felt like they missed some things. And I don't just mean pictures of presents being opened. I mean EVERYTHING! Cakes, people, groups of people, the decorations... I want pictures that are kind of "abstract." My photog friends will know what I mean! lol
- And I want a BELLY CAKE! I would like this cake in the baby shower theme! Isn't it AMAZING?!?!
****
Other crafty-ideas I'm having?
Those monthly pictures you take showing how big the baby is getting. I loved my friend Taylor's idea of using a toy to gauge the growth.
A quilt of all the onsies/outfits the baby grew out of and I just can't part with. Because I'm sure there will be a ton!
Ornaments and Valentines and things like that with the baby's footprints and hands... even fingerprints!
An ornament of the baby's wristband and beanie from the hospital.
Of course I'm going to scrapbook EVERYTHING! That's tradition for me.
****
Okay... this blog is done for now. Maybe we will be able to find out the baby's gender early and can really start planning the fun stuff!
Friday, January 11, 2013
I need ideas for the "Gender Reveal"
So I've been on babycenter.com and they are starting to talk about how they are going to reveal their babies' genders. I know I am still a few weeks away from being able to find out what we are having. The books say you can find out usually as early as 17 weeks...and Sunday I'll be 15wks so we're not THAT far off!! I don't know for sure when I'll be able to get the ultra-sound that will tell us though. Maybe not until 20wks. That puts us at February 17th.
I'd like a fun way of telling people. I have a good girl friend and she decided to have a cake made. She took the U/S picture (sealed in an envelope so even she and her husband don't know what it is yet) to the bakery and they are making the cake for her. It'll be a surprise to EVERYONE, including her! I thought that was cute, but I wouldn't be able to pull that off. That envelope wouldn't make it sealed very long! haha
I have said if my boyfriend isn't able to make the appointment where we find out, I will have the technician print me a picture with "It's a Boy!" or "It's a Girl!" on it, put that in an envelope, and wait to open it until we get home. That will be soooo hard though! So I can't imagine waiting DAYS longer! It won't happen. Plus, I'm hoping we can schedule the u/s appointment late enough on a Friday that he will be able to make it. As long as his work lets him leave at his normal time that day and nothing comes up. You never know though and there's almost no way to plan that far ahead for him.
So now to the REAL reason for this post: I need help with a list of ideas on how to showcase my little one's gender. I know it'll be really close to Valentine's Day and there are probably a ton of "cute" (aka Cheesy) ways to tell using that, but I'd like something REALLY fun. I have maybe TWO ideas right now. That's it. So for those of you who read this blog.... PLEASE send me a list of ideas! You can email me, leave me comments on here (you have to have a gmail account though, I think), facebook me, call me, text me... There are a ton of ways to get ahold of me!! But we don't have a lot of time. It seems like it, but these past 10wks since I found out have FLOWN by. I can't imagine what the next 2-5 weeks will do. :)
I'd like a fun way of telling people. I have a good girl friend and she decided to have a cake made. She took the U/S picture (sealed in an envelope so even she and her husband don't know what it is yet) to the bakery and they are making the cake for her. It'll be a surprise to EVERYONE, including her! I thought that was cute, but I wouldn't be able to pull that off. That envelope wouldn't make it sealed very long! haha
I have said if my boyfriend isn't able to make the appointment where we find out, I will have the technician print me a picture with "It's a Boy!" or "It's a Girl!" on it, put that in an envelope, and wait to open it until we get home. That will be soooo hard though! So I can't imagine waiting DAYS longer! It won't happen. Plus, I'm hoping we can schedule the u/s appointment late enough on a Friday that he will be able to make it. As long as his work lets him leave at his normal time that day and nothing comes up. You never know though and there's almost no way to plan that far ahead for him.
So now to the REAL reason for this post: I need help with a list of ideas on how to showcase my little one's gender. I know it'll be really close to Valentine's Day and there are probably a ton of "cute" (aka Cheesy) ways to tell using that, but I'd like something REALLY fun. I have maybe TWO ideas right now. That's it. So for those of you who read this blog.... PLEASE send me a list of ideas! You can email me, leave me comments on here (you have to have a gmail account though, I think), facebook me, call me, text me... There are a ton of ways to get ahold of me!! But we don't have a lot of time. It seems like it, but these past 10wks since I found out have FLOWN by. I can't imagine what the next 2-5 weeks will do. :)
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Today is 14weeks!
Well TODAY is the start of my second
trimester. Officially 14weeks!! I can honestly say I'm not going to
miss a thing about these first three months. I got big early (showing at
6wks); had morning sickness all day, every day from 6wks-now (with some
actual "getting sick" happening these last 2-3 weeks); and just feeling
like I can't do anything. Whether it's because I suddenly have no time
to, no energy to, or just want someone else to do it... These first
three months were draining!
I guess I will miss the "firsts" though. This is my very first pregnancy so everything was new and/or unexpected. I got to hear the heartbeat at 9weeks and then again yesterday. It was a nice way to wrap up this first trimester. And seeing my boyfriend fall in love with our little one; he's always putting his hand on my belly and won't sleep unless he's touching it. If he wakes up in the middle of the night and I'm not there, he pulls me back and puts his hand on my belly again.
I finally started to look PREGNANT (as opposed to just fat) within the two-three weeks. Being 5'2", I was really worried about gaining a ton of weight fast and looking just fat. Well, I haven't gained an ounce! I actually lost 11lbs since finding out! But the "bump" is a full blown preggo belly now.
I think having these little mini-goals throughout the pregnancy has helped keep me from feeling overwhelmed or like I'm never going to see July 7th. I look forward to the next milestone and focus on that one until it gets here.
I guess I will miss the "firsts" though. This is my very first pregnancy so everything was new and/or unexpected. I got to hear the heartbeat at 9weeks and then again yesterday. It was a nice way to wrap up this first trimester. And seeing my boyfriend fall in love with our little one; he's always putting his hand on my belly and won't sleep unless he's touching it. If he wakes up in the middle of the night and I'm not there, he pulls me back and puts his hand on my belly again.
I finally started to look PREGNANT (as opposed to just fat) within the two-three weeks. Being 5'2", I was really worried about gaining a ton of weight fast and looking just fat. Well, I haven't gained an ounce! I actually lost 11lbs since finding out! But the "bump" is a full blown preggo belly now.
I think having these little mini-goals throughout the pregnancy has helped keep me from feeling overwhelmed or like I'm never going to see July 7th. I look forward to the next milestone and focus on that one until it gets here.
- 1st U/S= 9w - Done!
- 10w=25% there - Done!
- 14w=start 2nd trimester - Done!
- 17wks(ish)= gender reveal
- 20wks=Halfway there
- 28wks= third trimester
- 34wks=baby shower (Memorial Day weekend!)
- 37wks=my bday (almost exactly)
I still freak out about the fact we have a few things up in
limbo right now. We haven't decided which room will be the nursery, let
alone started decorating it. We don't have any girl names picked out; but
then again, we don't know what we're having either. I don't know who's
going to watch my baby when I go back to work after Labor Day (funny
timing, I know) or what my work schedule will even be like. Plus all the other things that come after having the
baby. So I think I'm more freaked out about the "post-pregnancy" than
the actual next 6 months. lol
Any guesses yet? :)
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Baby Names are DIFFICULT!
Early on in this pregnancy, people were asking me if we had any names picked out. And by early, I mean--5 weeks into it!! LOL So of course, being a true southern girl, I already had a list of names I loved that I had accumulated over the years. I probably had 15 girl first-middle name combos; those came a lot easier for me. Boy names were harder because I had always sort of said I'd let the dad name his son. I mean, of course I had a few favorites, but nothing that was a Die-Hard-have-to-push-this-one kind of name.
So surprise-surprise when we were sitting there watching the Giants play on November 4th and someone suggested Eli. My first response was: "Umm... No. I'm not naming my baby after the Giant's quarterback." My boyfriend was opposed to the name at first because of it's affiliation with the name "Payton." He didn't want people to think he was TRYING to name both of his son's after the Manning brothers. Later on that night we were joking around and of course we fell in love with it! LOL We fought it for a while, but both of us can't think of anything else we love more. We just "know," you know? If we have a boy, his name will have been chosen at 5w0d!!
Girl names have been a lot harder to pick. One reason: My boyfriend REALLY believes we are having a son and doesn't think about girl names.
Another reason is because he wants a girl name which can also be a boy name. I know that works for some people, but I just can't wrap my mind around it. See, I have a SUPER girly name: Rosie. Every girl in my family has a traditionally girly name (Sue, Shelly, Katie, Polly, Missy, Tina, Kim, Krystle, etc). It's what I know. I also have a best friend who's first name is "Billie." She told me a story once about how she went to her first day of kindergarten and was mistaken for a boy almost the entire day. It breaks my heart to think of my baby girl going through that too.Then I think about the possibility of a Chris dating a Chris, or that whole awkward "Taylor Swift/Talyor Lautner" situation. It makes me cringe a little! Lol
And a third reason: I want my daughter to have a "literary" name: either from a classic book or a famous female author. I've been skimming my library at home (because it already contains my favorite books anyways) trying to find names I like. Nothing is fitting!! Those are the main reasons I have been having trouble with picking a girl name.
Family members have been throwing out suggestions. Some we considered; some we tossed IMMEDIATELY! LOL My boyfriend's stepdad suggested Brandy. I immediately thought of E&J which my stepdad drinks, so that was out. There was Starr (and it had to be with 2 r's), but that just conjured up images of cheesy dive places, that I don't want to say. Breanna made me think of that singer "Rihanna"... things like that.
Emily was recommended, which I liked, but I would want to spell it "Emmaleigh" so that it's classy and elegant, but not overly simple. Kiley was the first name we thought about. It was one on my list and I loved it. Until one day I didn't. I evaluated the names of characters from my favorite books.
Now we are tip-toeing into our second trimester (tomorrow-1/6/2013- will be exactly 14w and the official start of "Stage 2"!), I am finding myself thinking about it again. I know I still want a literary name if I can find one. I still want a GIRLY name. I'd rather not have a "flower name" since my middle name is Rose and my mom's first name is Lily. Those are some guidelines I set up, but obviously there were some exceptions. Right now I like:
Like I said, I grew up in the south almost my whole life. We start planning our weddings and naming our babies when we are like FOUR! LOL And considering the list of names I loved just a few short months, it's so strange to me how much trouble I seem to be having with this.
I know it's just going to keep me stressed until I actually do hear "Girl" so I should stop worrying about it. But this is the name they are going to live with forever. I know what it's like to not love your first name and to have to correct EVERYONE! I just don't want that for my baby.
So surprise-surprise when we were sitting there watching the Giants play on November 4th and someone suggested Eli. My first response was: "Umm... No. I'm not naming my baby after the Giant's quarterback." My boyfriend was opposed to the name at first because of it's affiliation with the name "Payton." He didn't want people to think he was TRYING to name both of his son's after the Manning brothers. Later on that night we were joking around and of course we fell in love with it! LOL We fought it for a while, but both of us can't think of anything else we love more. We just "know," you know? If we have a boy, his name will have been chosen at 5w0d!!
Girl names have been a lot harder to pick. One reason: My boyfriend REALLY believes we are having a son and doesn't think about girl names.
Another reason is because he wants a girl name which can also be a boy name. I know that works for some people, but I just can't wrap my mind around it. See, I have a SUPER girly name: Rosie. Every girl in my family has a traditionally girly name (Sue, Shelly, Katie, Polly, Missy, Tina, Kim, Krystle, etc). It's what I know. I also have a best friend who's first name is "Billie." She told me a story once about how she went to her first day of kindergarten and was mistaken for a boy almost the entire day. It breaks my heart to think of my baby girl going through that too.Then I think about the possibility of a Chris dating a Chris, or that whole awkward "Taylor Swift/Talyor Lautner" situation. It makes me cringe a little! Lol
And a third reason: I want my daughter to have a "literary" name: either from a classic book or a famous female author. I've been skimming my library at home (because it already contains my favorite books anyways) trying to find names I like. Nothing is fitting!! Those are the main reasons I have been having trouble with picking a girl name.
Family members have been throwing out suggestions. Some we considered; some we tossed IMMEDIATELY! LOL My boyfriend's stepdad suggested Brandy. I immediately thought of E&J which my stepdad drinks, so that was out. There was Starr (and it had to be with 2 r's), but that just conjured up images of cheesy dive places, that I don't want to say. Breanna made me think of that singer "Rihanna"... things like that.
Emily was recommended, which I liked, but I would want to spell it "Emmaleigh" so that it's classy and elegant, but not overly simple. Kiley was the first name we thought about. It was one on my list and I loved it. Until one day I didn't. I evaluated the names of characters from my favorite books.
- Little Women: Josephine, Meg, Beth, Amy...
- Hunger Games: Rue
- Harry Potter: I love this book and wish I could pull off the British names... :(
- Jude Deveraux books: Bronwyn, Darci, Whitney
- Jane Austen: Emma, Anne, Elizabeth--even Austen, Bennett, or Elliott themselves as names
- Belle from Beauty and the Beast--but with Twilight I know there will be a ton of Bella's.
Now we are tip-toeing into our second trimester (tomorrow-1/6/2013- will be exactly 14w and the official start of "Stage 2"!), I am finding myself thinking about it again. I know I still want a literary name if I can find one. I still want a GIRLY name. I'd rather not have a "flower name" since my middle name is Rose and my mom's first name is Lily. Those are some guidelines I set up, but obviously there were some exceptions. Right now I like:
- Madeline Rose
- Sophia Annabelle
- Andrea Jean
- Lucianna Marie -or-
- Rue or Matilda for a middle name (no idea what would go with them, I just love them!)
Like I said, I grew up in the south almost my whole life. We start planning our weddings and naming our babies when we are like FOUR! LOL And considering the list of names I loved just a few short months, it's so strange to me how much trouble I seem to be having with this.
I know it's just going to keep me stressed until I actually do hear "Girl" so I should stop worrying about it. But this is the name they are going to live with forever. I know what it's like to not love your first name and to have to correct EVERYONE! I just don't want that for my baby.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I feel horrible
So I've always said my dog is a "kennel dog." He has a HUGE kennel that's built for a Lab, with pillows and blankets and at least a few toys hidden in there.
Thing is, when I lived with my mom, he got really used to sleeping in her bed while my stepdad would be out of town. Now that I live with my guy, this dog still wants to sleep in our bed. But he will only sleep by me. And I am the lightest sleeper. Any movement wakes me up. And Jax can't stay still throughout the night. He's constantly getting up, moving around, burrowing, coming back up, snuggling against my leg, turning like hands on a clock....and kicking me!!
I tried to have Jax be a kennel dog here, but he actually cries like a little child when we put him in there are night. And that keeps all of us awake. My boyfriend was going with, "Well on the weekends, we can let him sleep in the bed since we don't have to be up early." I went along with it, but then on the weeknights, Jax still wants to sleep in our bed and we are back to square one.
Last night though I lost it. At midnight I woke up and have been up basically ever since. Jax again kept moving around. Kicking me. Walking all over the bed (being sure to miss my guy because even Jax KNOWS that's a bad idea). At 2:30 I'd had enough. I took Jax to his kennel. And I got the most pitiful look.
I know this pregnancy has been hard on my pup already. I have a lot less energy to play with him. My patience is wearing thin (mostly because I can't get a good night's sleep anymore). Jax will come up all sweet and then BAM, land on my belly. Proof dogs aren't stupid; Jax knows exactly what's going on.
Since I know it's not been easy on Jax, I feel worse about the fact he just *cannot* sleep in bed with us anymore. It just can't happen. With as difficult as it already is to get (and stay) comfortable, the additional body heat when I'm already sweating, and the constant kicking...
Someone please tell me what to do with this. I don't want my dog to feel like I'm neglecting him or don't want him. I just NEED SLEEP!
Thing is, when I lived with my mom, he got really used to sleeping in her bed while my stepdad would be out of town. Now that I live with my guy, this dog still wants to sleep in our bed. But he will only sleep by me. And I am the lightest sleeper. Any movement wakes me up. And Jax can't stay still throughout the night. He's constantly getting up, moving around, burrowing, coming back up, snuggling against my leg, turning like hands on a clock....and kicking me!!
I tried to have Jax be a kennel dog here, but he actually cries like a little child when we put him in there are night. And that keeps all of us awake. My boyfriend was going with, "Well on the weekends, we can let him sleep in the bed since we don't have to be up early." I went along with it, but then on the weeknights, Jax still wants to sleep in our bed and we are back to square one.
Last night though I lost it. At midnight I woke up and have been up basically ever since. Jax again kept moving around. Kicking me. Walking all over the bed (being sure to miss my guy because even Jax KNOWS that's a bad idea). At 2:30 I'd had enough. I took Jax to his kennel. And I got the most pitiful look.
I know this pregnancy has been hard on my pup already. I have a lot less energy to play with him. My patience is wearing thin (mostly because I can't get a good night's sleep anymore). Jax will come up all sweet and then BAM, land on my belly. Proof dogs aren't stupid; Jax knows exactly what's going on.
Since I know it's not been easy on Jax, I feel worse about the fact he just *cannot* sleep in bed with us anymore. It just can't happen. With as difficult as it already is to get (and stay) comfortable, the additional body heat when I'm already sweating, and the constant kicking...
Someone please tell me what to do with this. I don't want my dog to feel like I'm neglecting him or don't want him. I just NEED SLEEP!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Emmaleigh Grace
