Ups and Downs: 23 weeks 2 days

Well I've been on the pregnancy roller coaster for the past few weeks now... It's been crazy.

I wish I could vent about work... but I just can't.  First of all there is too much to tell.  And second of all, to understand the stress I'd have to explain to you the kiddos I'm working with.  And well... I'm not wanting to get sued right now for breaking confidentiality.  So there you go.

William has been told by the "boss" that he will start working in Arkansas soon.  Therefore, we have been applying to jobs like crazy.  Working in Arkansas would mean he would basically be gone indefinitely.  He would get "off" for drill... but all of his drills until February are in the field.  Which basically means going into the holidays I won't see him until who knows when.

On the flip side, right now he is working from 7pm to 3 am... which means he sleeps with me from 3- whenever I wake up and then I can see him after work. This is a lot better than when he was working 5pm to 5am.

Well I need to go to sleep.  I'll be up at 3 when William comes in.  And I need to get some sleep for my little ear of corn (that's how big Levi is).

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.