What's in a name?

Genesis 29:34
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah.  Some scholars derive the name Levi to mean "joined in harmony" or "connected".  Some scholars believe the name simply means priest.  Levi was one of Joseph's older brothers and many biblical historians think that when Simeon and Judah decided to kill Joseph, it was Levi along with Rueben who convinced them to throw him in the well instead. Levi is also known for the slaying of Shechem in which he avenged his sister's rape and rescued her.  Levi was always particularly pious and thus one of the reasons the Levites were called to be priests.

22 weeks

Today is our 22nd week of pregnancy.
I was thinking back to the day we found out we were pregnant.  I was in such disbelief.  I don't think I let it truly set in until we found out Levi was a boy.
Now I feel him everyday.  He's very active around 7-8am and 9-11pm.  Last night I saw my belly move when he kicked me.  William still hasn't felt the little guy yet... but he talks to him regularly and likes to "shake" my belly to "wake Levi up".  He'll soon learn to never wake a sleeping baby.

Here's the belly:

I've been feeling pretty good since last week... just tired and stressed from work.
I'm definitely ready to meet our little guy... but can't complain about the pregnancy part thus far.

Definitely looking forward to my showers in the coming weeks! Can't wait!

Some Befores and Afters... and other things!

Letters for Levi's room... Before

After:

William thinks he is soooooo funny.  If anyone else calls my child this they will be dead meat.  The only thing that makes this okay is that it sounds a lot like "Elvira".  My family will understand why that's okay.

Comically large piece of foam to make cushion: Before

After:

Chalkboard Wall:

 William's sweet note to Levi and I: (I'm the top line... he's the bottom two)

Living Room before the rug:

Living room after the rug:

 William's pumpkin baby:

Tons of pumpkin bread! 

 After the crazy hail storm: 

21 weeks

21 weeks today...
William is falling head over heels in love with his son.

This weekend

This weekend I took it easy...
By that I mean, I painted a wall in my house so that it can be a chalkboard...
And I made some more crafts for Levi...
And I worked on my "bench seat" cushion... until it got too heavy for me to lift...
And I helped Jonna and Bryan at their garage sale...
And I watched the Baylor Bears lose.... booo....
And then I watched the Rangers win!

Most of all, I missed my husband. He's probably going to start being gone more again... and so I'm a little sad and worried.  Especially after days like Friday.  I had to make an "emergency" run to the doctor.  I really haven't been feeling well.  It's kind of crazy that it took 4 months for me to finally feel the effects of this pregnancy.  Luckily, Levi is unphased.  As the doc said, "that's the sound of a kid on the move" (while chasing him around to hear his heartbeat).

Tomorrow on the agenda...
Trip to Joanns for more crafting supplies
Fold a massive mountain of clothes
Go to the grocery store
Do some paperwork for school, since I ran out of there at 11:30 on Friday
Eat some apples (Levi requests that I eat like 4 apples a day right now... dang pregnancy cravings)
And give my husband a great big hug when he gets home.

20 weeks!! Half way there!

I can't believe this pregnancy is half way over.  It's so amazing what a difference a week can make.  Last week, prior to our ultrasound, we were pregnant and there was a baby growing... but it didn't feel like it was a person.  Now we talk about Levi constantly and baby preparations feel like they are in full swing.

This week the baby is the length of a banana about 10 inches long from crown to heel.

I feel his kicks every day now.  He is very active! William hasn't felt them yet... but I'm sure it's coming up soon.

I am getting bigger now, but still don't feel all that pregnant.

All my excitement stems from nursery planning right now.  I've definitely hit a little nesting spurt.  I cooked all day on Sunday, despite not having cooked in months.  And today I got lots of crafting supplies! Here's a look!

Levi's new chair!

 Letters for over his crib

 A comically large sized piece of foam to make a cushion for my "window seat" in the study. 

 Test driving the new bedding! Looks great!

 Too cute!

 Uh oh... someone thinks this is her new chair.  

I'll post more pictures soon of some completed projects! 

Phone Dump

Since Monday... Levi has gotten a few new clothing items!

Levi's mommy is definitely looking pregnant... finally. 

 And of course his first pictures (first in which he didn't appear to be extraterrestrial). 

 Cute baby foot!

 Long legs... no wonder I get kicked so much. 

 Little face

 Face plus an arm.

 BIG yawn!

And William's favorite... his little boy parts!

Today was one of those days

Today I found out my first child will be a boy. I'm beyond excited.  Someone told me earlier today that I would be a good boy mom... and I think that was the first time I realized I was okay with it.  William's attitude up until today made me have strange feelings about being a boy parent.  Don't ask me why, or how... it just did.  Deep down I kind of always figured it would be a boy... but I was resisting it.  (Again, I blame William ;) ) But as I saw our little Levi yawn today, I didn't care.  I was just waiting to hear that he was healthy.

The rest of the day has felt like a whirlwind... I could't focus on work and the kids were off their rockers.  I had a first as a "teacher" today when I felt truly sad and defeated at a choice a child made.  A child stole from me today.  And I caught him... and I can't explain how hurt I feel that a child would make the choice to steal from me.  All he had to do was ask for what he wanted... I would have given it to him.  I know parenthood will only make me feel like this a million times over... but boy was it rough.

So today was just one of those days.  A day I will never forget... for many reasons.

It's a....

BOY

We can't wait to welcome little Levi to the world!
See you around February 29, 2012! I'm measuring 19 weeks and 1 day already... so maybe a little earlier!

Look at this video... isn't it the cutest?!