Final Countdown!

Last Thursday I went to see my doctor, weekly check up, with no expectations. I left knowing that I was 3 cm dilated and thrown into a whirlwind of 'whooohooo - let the labor begin!' It's Monday...and still, no baby.

Over the weekend I was counting every ache and pain thinking surely the little man would grace us with his presence any minute. It's Monday, no contractions, no baby...yet.

I do believe in divine intervention and in my case I believe someone was telling me I needed to take a few days to decompress. Looking back at the last few months I truly don't know that I ever really was able to relax like I tried to do, primarily because work was just so nonstop. Throw the rest of life on top of that and I don't know that I ever allowed myself to get fully into new mom mode. This week I'm off of work and able to do what I want to do - mani, pedi, a little shopping at Sephora, lunch with friends, hanging with Brooklyn. Laundry can be done at my earliest convenience, dinner can get started before 6:30, life can go at a pace that I have more control of. As much as I'm ready to get into that hospital and get this done I am enjoying these couple of days to get myself back to normal. But...don't get me wrong, it's in the back of my mind always that I'm one step close to being a mom of two. I can't wait!!!!!!

Let the final countdown begin....!

Your name.

I've been thinking about what your name will be ever since I found out you are a BOY. We named your sister during a Mets game, your dad was watching it on TV and I plopped down next to him with a list of names I had written out. We went through them one by one and quickly narrowed down the list.

It hit me, right away, her name would be Brooklyn. As I read it over and over it became so perfectly fitting. Your Dad was born there, we were married in the city, it was our New York, in Texas. Brooklyn. Her middle name, Noel, was easy as that reminds us of Christmas, our favorite time of year. We also found out we were pregnant with her, in New York, at Christmas. It all just fit.

Now, you are coming along and I am searching for the puzzle pieces that will make up your name. It doesn't have to be the same story as your sisters, although we have had many people suggest Bronx, her counterpart, or Austin, where your mama was born. Neither of those are working for me.

Will you be named after another city we absolutely love?
A favorite song or songwriter?
A favorite place we've traveled to?
A moment? A memory?
A grandparent?
An icon?
Favorite TV show?

Who are you?

Hmmmmm, mama is working on it baby, and it will be perfect, for you.

Second.

I was the only child for 8 years in my family. Then - THEY CAME ALONG. One right after the other, 18 months apart.

I love them. They are my siblings, my brothers, my friends. What will it be like for her when he gets here? We joke about how she'll drag him around by the hair, boss him into playing with her babies, blocks, books...eat his food, take his drink, steal his trucks. We laugh at her innocent manipulation, knowing all too well that even at a year and half old there is full intention behind her actions.

I'm 25 weeks this Saturday. I simply cannot believe that. Life is going by so fast right now it's everything I have to hang on to the days and cherish the moments. I haven't stopped to read anyones blog this week, work has just been way TOO busy. I hope to get caught up eventually as I turn to blogs like I do a good book or bad reality TV show - a place to escape for a few minutes.

I am making a mental effort as I approach my third trimester to soak this pregnancy up, to truly embrace it like my mother constantly reminds me to do. He deserves that from me, undivided focus on the one thing only he and I can share before he meets this big, bright new world, his da-da, and his big sister.

He's my second, my son, and I can't wait to meet him.

15 more weeks little man.

BLUE

Last week Dom and I headed off to get an anatomical screening ultrasound (fancy for penis or vagina) and there it was, LOUD AND CLEAR, if it made noise. It's a BOY!!! I don't have a digital copy of these pictures just yet but in the event I get one I will share, for Dom's sake, as he was pretty proud of the little guy showing off his junk. His chest stuck out a little further that day and I think he and the male doctor doing the ultrasound exchanged some looks, secret hi-fives, things men do when it comes to the size of their man parts.

What does it mean to me? A whole new world of baby. I have my little girl, who I love more than life, and all that comes with being her mom. Raising her to be kind, strong, and independent without being a raging feminist, loving shoes and handbags, but not afraid to get dirty. Pigtails, dresses, nail polish, and PINK.

In about 20 or so weeks I'll have BLUE. Those of you that think it's lame to be so gender specific with colors, sorry, but I'm somewhat traditional in that regard. Love yellow, green, blah blah blah, but my babies will be distinctly different. BLUE means cars, trucks, sports, hunting, fishing, bad sci-fi movies with Daddy (probably my daughter too), and teaching him also how to be strong and independent, but loving and nurturing like his father is.

I'm beyond grateful, blessed beyond measure to have the opportunity to be a mama to a little boy. I can't wait to meet him, snuggle him, and love him every day as he grows up - even when he drives me crazy and one day brings home a girlfriend. I know I have plenty of time but I'm announcing here and now that the day he does that and she has on the slightest thing skanky and he's all into her, doing what she says, whatever, mama will need a drink. Many drinks.

For now, I can't wait to focus on his tiny fingers and toes, saving him from his big sister, being 100% responsible for a beautiful, little life. We are looking forward to meeting you, little man, adding the last addition to our crazy family. Keep growing like you are, enjoy the peace and quiet as I guarantee the moment you arrive, you will have none.