What's in a name?

I’ve received a lot of questions about the baby’s name, so here’s a (not so) quick update.

According to my baby name book, we have at least 60,000 name options for our little one. Realistically, we probably wouldn’t pick a name that wasn’t on the top 500 names list, but that still leaves us with 500 names to choose from. Surely Allen and I could find the perfect name for Baby Savat, right?

Naming the baby is certainly the most difficult decision of the entire process because we have such different tastes. Here’s our name criteria: must be a fairly traditional/normal name; cannot be gender neutral (Allen’s rule); cannot be wimpy sounding (again, Allen’s rule and totally subjective); cannot be too popular (top 10 names were ruled out for that) but shouldn’t be a totally never-heard-of name either; and must sound good with Allen (not only is it my husband’s name, but it’s also my dad and grandpa’s name)

So far we have three potential names. They are:

Tyler or Ty for short: This is probably Allen’s favorite. It’s a strong, solid name and it sounds great with Allen, but it’s pretty popular. I also have a hard time imagining calling a baby Ty. It’s currently #27 on the Social Security Administration’s baby name list (down 6 spots from last year) and means “tile maker”.

Evan: Several years ago, Allen and I were at one of those vacation souvenir stores going through name key chains and joking about baby names when Allen saw the name Evan. It’s been on our short list ever since. Evan means “God is good/gracious.” It’s currently #38 on the SSA list (up two spots). In my opinion, Evan goes with Allen the least of the three names, but we still like it so it stays on the list.

Leo: This is definitely the most unpopular choice on the list, but I really like it. First, it has that rare combination of being a traditional yet uncommon name. Second, it’s my favorite great grandpa’s name. Leo means “lion,” which I think is pretty cool. It’s currently #227 on the SSA list (up 11 spots).

So there you have it. That’s the three names on our list. We have been calling him a different name each day in hopes that one will stick. We may very well still be deciding the day he’s born.

You’re welcome to vote on the names, but since this is not a democracy I can’t promise we’ll do anything with the results :)

Rocket baby

We bought the baby bedding!!! Yes, this sentence is worthy of three exclamation points because of what we went through to get it. The first thing I began to shop for when we found out we were expecting was bedding. Allen found this rocket collection that he just loved (rockets are way better than trains because train engineers are not real engineers, according to Allen). Overtime, the collection grew on me, too. I love the colors and I began imagining ways to decorate the nursery with this theme.

So of course, they discountinued the line. Isn't that what always happens? Well for the last week, since I found out we are expecting a boy, I have searched high and low for a set. I found ONE set on ebay and purchased it last night at a great price. We're still hoping to find the matching lamp and mobile, but if we don't that's OK. Here it is!

Bump comparison

Wow! What a difference three weeks make. Here's my bump pic from 17 weeks and then this week at 20 weeks. I can't believe how much I've grown!

For our little monkey!

Dad and MaryLynn stopped by tonight to drop off a gift for Baby Savat -- his first BOY sleeper and a rattle :)

Let the shopping begin!!!

Daydreaming

Early on in the pregnancy I read that you should spend time each day thinking about the baby – the type of person you want him or her to become, the things you want him or her to achieve, etc. I tried – I really did. But for the life of me I just didn’t feel really connected to the baby. Beyond asking him or her what we should have for lunch or if we should go to bed, I had nothing.

That all changed the moment the ultrasound tech said we were having a boy. Instantly my mind started spinning. For the first time I could really visualize the baby and all the fun adventures that lie ahead for us. Here are just a few of the things I’m looking forward to:

-Having that special mother/son relationship
-Watching him wrestle with daddy
-Playing with Tonka trucks
-T-ball games
-Seeing the world through his adventurous mind
-The mother/son dance at his wedding
-Teaching him how to treat and respect women
-Daddy teaching him how to fix things around the house
-The special relationship he’ll have with my dad
-Taking him fishing
-Jokes about farts, boogers and burping :)
-Mother/son weekends with his fraternity
-Cuddling and getting to know the sweet side of my son

If you have, are expecting or hope to have a son, what are you looking forward to?

20 Week Pregnancy Survey!

How far along? 20W (HALF WAY!!!)
Total weight gain: 6 pounds
Maternity clothes? Absolutely
Stretch marks? No - Thank goodness!
Sleep: I have found my new best friend -- a body pillow.
Best moment this week: Finding out that we're having a baby BOY!
Movement: It's happening more frequently these days. I'm also feeling hiccups -- so adorable :)
Food cravings: nothing new except for pudding cups.
Food aversions: Nothing in particular. I'm happy to report I can eat chicken again
Gender: All boy! There was no doubt on the ultrasound.
Labor Signs: Oh god no.
Belly Button: in but getting closer to being flat?
What I miss: Red wine
What I am looking forward to: Shopping for the nursery and baby clothes
Weekly Wisdom: Only you can know what's right for you and your baby. And don't listen to everyone's horror stories about labor.
Milestones: Hitting the half way point!

We're having a BOY!

We had the big ultrasound today and there was no denying that Baby Savat is a BOY! We couldn't be more excited. Allen's going to have a little buddy and I'm going to have mommy's little man :)

Can you hear me now?

So, according to my weekly updates, the baby may be able to hear me now. That's a good thing because I've been talking to him/her for a few weeks now. We talk about all kinds of things like what we should have for lunch or what a goof ball daddy is being :) Yesterday, I had a dentist appt to get a filling. Apparently the baby was about as impressed with the drilling as I was because (s)he was kicking the entire time! It's so cool to feel that interaction with the baby.

A few old wives’ tales to ponder…

Two weeks from today we’ll have the big ultrasound. While I can honestly say I don’t care if we’re having a boy or a girl, I can’t wait to know one way or the other. I feel like the pregnancy will be even more real at this point and I think knowing will help me bond with the baby. Oh, and I'm ready to shop!

I posted a gender poll to the right. I’m curious to see what everyone thinks we’re having. From day one I said I was having a boy. But nearly every baby dream has been of baby girls. Since my intuition isn’t all that reliable, I’ve taken a few quizzes based on old wives’ tales. Don’t worry. I don’t believe these aren’t reliable, but they’re fun.

Here’s the run down:

According to the Chinese gender predictor, I’m having a girl.

According to the ring trick, I’m having a boy (it spins in circles, not side to side)

According to the wives tale survey I took, I have a 35 percent chance of having a boy and a 65 percent chance of having a girl. Here’s why:

*You are carrying the extra weight out front, so it's a boy.
*The hair on your legs is not growing any faster during your pregnancy, so it's a girl.
*Girls are carried high. You are going to have a girl.
*Sleeping in a bed with your pillow to the north indicates that you will be having a boy.
*Your feet are not colder than they were before pregnancy. You are having a girl.
*Dad-to-be hasn't been gaining weight along with Mom-to-be, so it will be a girl.
*The maternal grandmother doesn't have gray hair (dyed or natural), so a girl will be born.
*You didn't have morning sickness early in pregnancy, so it will be a boy.
*Your chest development has not been very dramatic during pregnancy. You should expect a boy.
*Since the sum of the mother's age at conception and the number of the month of conception is an odd number, it will be a girl.
*Your urine is a bright neon yellow color, so you will have a boy.
*You are craving sweets, which means that it is a girl.
*Your nose hasn't changed during pregnancy, which indicates a girl.
*You have been craving fruits, so it is a girl.
*Your baby's heart rate is 140 or more beats per minute, so it's a girl.
*You must have orange juice every day, so it's a girl.
*You are having headaches, so it's a boy.
*Your belly looks like a watermelon, so it's a girl.
*You show them the palm of your hand, so it's a girl.
*You use the handle, so it's a boy.