I love my little family, ready for another member though!

So I am to the point in my pregnancy where every day feels like one big exercise in waiting. I definitely want Liam to cook for at least three more weeks, but I still feel like the waiting is relentless. It's not just the waiting, but the waddling, the fatigue, the achy bits, and other unmentionables.

Nevertheless, I am still in good spirits, and I am really enjoying my family these days and cherishing the last few weeks I will have alone with my husband for many, many, years. Don and I have been spending our time in lots of wonderful deep discussion, long (slow) walks, and lots of laughing, sometimes at each other, but most of the time at our crazy animals. They sure do add to the flavor of the household.

My family is experiencing pregnancy with me in a way that has really surprised me! The other day as Don and I were out walking, I stopped, turned to him and said, "now why are YOU waddling?" He stopped, thought about it, and said, "well, I don't know, I think it's the only way I can walk as slow as you!"

Marley who normally bounces around the house first thing in the mornings, has been a lazy dog these days. She has completely adopted my energy level, and when we go for walks together, she is perfectly content to let the leash be slack and walk as slow as her pregnant mommy. What a good girl she is.

Sasha is just a bad kitty. She has been trying to prepare both of us for parenting by crying loudly in the middle of the night for Don and I.

Anyhow, things are peaceful and happy at the Speedie house. The latest update on the pregnancy is that I think I have started having practice contractions. I guess that's a good thing, although they are pretty uncomfortable.

New Name

http://www.livescience.com/culture/baby-names-effects-100610.html

So, we changed his name...again. Sorry for anyone who might have been monogramming or praying for "Owen" who is no longer "Owen." We changed little Speedie's name from Owen Eric Speedie to Liam Eric Speedie.

Liam is a great name! We are really excited about it. I have changed this little guy's name so many times, but this time, I am sure! This is the only name that has felt and sounded right once I started saying it aloud. Liam is a short version of the name William. It has two meanings. In Irish it means "strong-willed warrior," and in English it means "Guardian." Strong-willed warrior is a little intimidating as a first time mother, but guardian is nice, especially for the first born boy.

We are ready...I think. Don's project in Downtown should be wrapping up within the next four to five weeks and Liam is due in 5.5 weeks on August 19--which happens to be two days before my 29th birthday. The nursery is 90 percent finished, and I think emotionally, relationally, mentally, physically (for me), we are ready to get this show on the road. I keep asking Liam to come a couple of weeks early. I think an August 5th birthday would be nice. I'll probably start doing jumping jacks the first week of August--does anyone think that will help at all?

Anyway, pregnancy issues are as follows...nothing major, a little insomnia here, sore legs and pelvis there, a little carpel-tunnel from inflammation, and a few bruised ribs (he is a strong kicker) but nothing I can't handle--especially because the reward at the end is so awesome!

Post-partum things I am most excited for besides Liam...sleeping on my back, eggs benedict, walking without waddling, jogging with Marley, sleeping without 5 pillows surrounding me (it's really cramping any cuddling Don and I used to do) and of course, getting my body back to myself.

Post-partum things I am most excited for that include Liam...just holding him, and looking at him. I want to meet him and love him. I am also so excited to see Don with Liam. How amazing that we get to go through this adventure together. Oh, and as all of you know, Marley is going to be the best nanny ever, so that will be cute to see as well.

Anyway, please keep praying for Liam, that God would help him be a strong, healthy baby with a kind character. Also, please pray for me to have a safe delivery (2 weeks early!) and a smooth transition into motherhood that doesn't involve any serious post-partum depression. Lastly, I ask that you please pray for my sweet husband, that he can have endurance as his project comes to a close, and that his transition into fatherhood is one of happiness. Please pray that God keeps our marriage strong as we welcome Liam into our family.

God Bless.