24 weeks. Seriously...

How in the world did I let six weeks go by without updating on our miracle baby boy?

Boy! Y'all all knew it was a boy, right?

Sigh.

I knew it was a boy from the moment the pee stick showed me two lines. I had no doubt. Then the heart rate of 113 just confirmed it.

My sweet boy. I cannot wait to meet him.

We are still working on names. And by working, I mean we have come to almost a complete impasse. What we have is a shoulder shrug with an, "Eh, okay."

I think boy names are a little more difficult. Women are pretty flexible. If a girl name is a little left of center, the better. So it seems. And everyone appears to be searching for the unique name. They want their little one to be the only one in their class with that name.

We're not all that worried about that. Although I will say, I've worked in corporate America long enough to know there are a zillion Davids and Michaels and Bills. Based on the kids Chris teaches, twenty years from now, contact lists will be filled with a zillion Collins, Matthews and Garretts.

Didn't see the Garrett comin', did cha?

Some names we like but think, not sure we're cool enough to pull that off. Or we're not wealthy enough. Or not international enough.

We've searched meanings too. Some we like, some we don't. Some we have six of in our family already.

We have included Pumpkin in the name game too. Her recommendations are "Crib" and "Tummy."

Let's hope we don't reach a point where those start to look like viable options.

And so, the name search will continue.

Perhaps it will come to an end at the same time my search for the perfect nursery bedding ends. I have a picture in my head but I cannot find it. And it is driving. me. crazy.

Also started the iron supplements again. I was reading back through AK's pregnancy and found the post I'd done on the anemia. I'd totally forgotten. Went to the store the next day and started taking one pill a night. That felt so nice, I decided to double the dose and took two pills a night. And I swear I am moments away from taking three. They make a HUGE difference and my OB said you really can't have too much iron during pregnancy.

I feel a little like Truvey who answered a question about what size shoe she wears like this, "I wear a size six but a seven feels so good I buy as size eight."

Other than those things, E2 is just growing and growing. I am at the point where I feel huge and yet fully grasp just how huge I am not.

Yet.

He is really high. Thus things like sneezing take more effort. That didn't happen with Aubrey Kate until much closer to the end. She was really low. Except for the whole breech thing.

My back is actually doing a little better. The general aching is manageable as long as I wear tennis shoes. Heels are totally out. I think the elimination of the seven hours a week in the car were a huge help. I'm still pretty sore by the end of the night and tight first thing in the morning. But it's livable.

We walk too. To the park. Around the block. Around the house. And back again. All that helps, I'm sure. I never had that option with Aubrey Kate. The job pretty much required me to sit at my desk more than not.

Chris is a huge help. He doesn't let me do a whole lot at night. I would argue but nah. Feels much better to sit down, drink some tea and put my feet up.

Sleep is the pits. If I could stop dreaming about work, that would be helpful. It's like the place is following me. I also dream bizarre things like my aunt murdering my uncle (which thankfully, I didn't see the actual event. Earlier in the pregnancy and I would have had a first row seat to Colonel Mustard in the Conservatory with the Candlestick).

However, naps are fabulous.

The absolute best part is feeling E2 kicking. I just love it. He seems to be on the same basic schedule as Aubrey Kate was. He kicks just a few minutes when I go to bed and then it seems he goes to sleep too. He wakes up with me in the morning and honestly, I like to stay in bed just to feel him. The kicks move all over the place so I know he's rolling around in there. I like the high ones because I can see my belly move.

And it gives me hope that he might turn head down at some point.

That's a whole lot of update. Really, I am still amazed to be here. We met with a small group for the first time last Sunday and I got the chance to share just a little about our journey. It's hard to squeeze five years of a journey into less than five minutes. I felt like there was so much more to say.

But then again, how can you put this into words? I know most of the time, all I can do is cry thank you.

Now for the pictures!

First, is baby boy at 22 weeks, 3 days. He weighed a 1.4 pounds! Definitely not small like AK was. Don't you just love his sweet face? I think that little nose looks just like his sister's. Another Mini Me for Chris!

This is 20 weeks. I was still going to work four weeks ago so this is exhausted, post-bedtime for AK momma picture. Heavens. But the belly doesn't look nearly as large as it felt!

There's no picture for 22 weeks. Why? No good reason. I was just busy with the last of work and getting ready for Mom to come.

And this is today at 24 weeks! In official mom gear. Yoga pants, tank tops and a pony tail are required attire for the park. Not to mention that it is horribly comfortable. Feeling so good today and loving being a mommy.