34 Weeks

I don't have a ton to write, but I am so bored that I figured it wouldn't hurt to blog a little bit.

I am on my third week of bedrest.  I can't say that I hate it completely.  I actually feel very blessed to have this time to prepare for my second child because I know I wouldn't have had time to do certain things if I wasn't shackled to my couch.  My scrapbooks are up to date, I've sewn a lot, I've made the baby some blocks, and I'm almost done making a quilt.  I am so happy to have had the time to do those things.  Paul and I have watched a horde of movies.... almost one per night.  I've seen many of my friends more often because they are dropping in to check on me (it's rare that people know where I am and now I'm easy to find!).  We have been so blessed to receive food from sooo many people. The days where I don't see anyone are tough and I'm starved for interaction by the time Paul gets home.  

I do think the bedrest was necessary.  When I do too much I can feel my whole stomach tighten and I know that three weeks ago would have been way to early to have a baby.  I go back to the doctor next Thursday and I will be 35 weeks at that point.  I'm hoping that I will get a green light to be off of bedrest because the baby's lungs will be developed by that point.  Over the past two days I have had a lot of cramping and back pain, but it has been very inconsistent and though it is frequent it has consistently gone away.  If I am really in labor it will only get worse. I have read plenty of stories, though, of women who thought it would be much worse and ended up having their babies on the way or 10 minutes after being at the hospital.... oh, I hope that doesn't happen!!!!

It is weird though because it is soooo different than it was with Noah.  With him I was in a meeting at work the night my water broke.  I was so active and busy right up until the last second.  With this one I am forced to sit around, but there are definitely times when the cramping and pain make it impossible to do anything else.  I never had that with him.

So, that's enough rambling for now.  Paul just got home from the store with my quilting pencils and I'm off to play......

Intoxicating, isn't she?

Well, it's time I finally shared our baby girl's name. I was trying to hold off until she was born, but Noah keeps telling people and Paul posted it on his blog (notice the new link on the right -- Land of the Lizards) so I figured I didn't have a choice since they were winning 2 against 1.

Her name will be Maeve.

Maeve is a Celtic/Irish name that means intoxicating. She was an ancient Celtic goddess in Pre-Christian Ireland and was known for her strength and wisdom.

We took such a long time coming up with a name! Seriously, it took us forever. I always wanted to stay biblical but I didn't like most of the New Testament women's names (Dorcas, anyone?). I liked Lydia but we have two friends with that name. We really liked Delilah and Eve and were set on those for a long time, but I couldn't get over the "temptress" side of their story, not to mention original sin. Paul liked Ruth. I didn't. I liked Stella, after my grandmother, but every time Paul heard it he would yell STELLA like in the movies. And my friend's dog is named Stella.

So, when we were coming home from Virginia we were just throwing random names out there and NPR came on with the Sloane Foundation. I asked about Sloane and he said it made him think of Ferris Bueller's day off. Ugh. And somehow out of Sloane came Maeve. It stuck and we love it. Not popular, not weird, no attachments at all. Just intoxicating, as a baby girl should be.

Her middle name will be Ina, which is Paul's mother's name. Sticking with the family names as best we can.

There ya go! Cat's out of the bag!!!!

EDIT: It is pronounced MAYV (the a is long and e is silent) The original celtic spelling is Maebh which we liked but we thought it would confuse people.

There is an author who is out right now named Maeve Binchy who is fairly popular. Someone from church told me this week that there used to be a Maeve on Ryan's hope (the soap opera) back in the day as well.

ARRGGGHHH MATEY!!!

This week is the last week of regular school at Noah's preschool before Summer Camp begins.  Every day this week is a different theme and party.  Yesterday was pajama day and today was pirate day.  Here's our little scallywag.