20 Weeks Pregnant

And we made it people. The technical half way mark. The time in your pregnancy where you stop and say, WOW! I made it halfway. But then you think about it and how LONG it has seemed that you have been pregnant and then you realize you have just as long to go as you have been pregnant already... that is kind of depressing... but the good thing is things seem to move quicker once you pass the halfway mark. I think it's because your belly is growing so much and you feel the baby move that it just seems to go by quicker. I don't know why that would make it any different, but it did at least for Lyric, so we'll see.

I wish I had more interesting things to talk about. But it just doesn't seem like things happen... OH wait I lied.
We have colostrum people. I know, it's way earlier than I had with Lyric. I looked back and that didn't start with Lyric till after 30 weeks, but lo and behold, we had some colostrum leakage one morning (sorry if that was TMI for you). At least we know I'm still producing right upstairs :) It's not like every day, and actually hasn't happened since then, but it looks like that part of my body has already been jump started. Some days it feels like I'm having a let down... you know, the feeling of the tiny needles all over your chest area... ya, not a lot of fun. But it's all for the baby. I honestly can't wait to start nursing again.
I never thought I would be one of those ladies who liked nursing. I thought I would do it just because I knew it was good for the baby and um, FREE, but when I started, there is just such a bond and a love that happens.
I'm not one of those nurse till they're 2 ladies by any means, but I am definitely looking forward to nursing till at least 6 months again.

I also started getting itchy belly syndrome, which just means my skin is stretching, which is pretty plain to see. My belly button has totally popped out on top, and is flat at the bottom. I'm wearing a non-maternity shirt today and it keeps riding up, which I guess tells me that I need to stop wearing this shirt.
Everyone at work (instructors and such) that didn't exactly know I was pregnant have been making comments this week. I think it's because it's obvious enough now where they aren't afraid of being offensive. Oh men.

HERE is the 0-40 post

and her is more about Shiloh:
This is the week most women get that ever-important gender-revealing ultrasound. If your baby isn't shy, the genitals can be clearly seen at this point. Will the baby pee standing up or sitting down? Well, that depends on how you potty train—but if you're interested, you could leave the appointment knowing if you're carrying a boy or a girl. Other highlights this week:

Your baby has established sleep patterns akin to a newborn now. Many babies even have a favorite sleep position already. Some snooze with their chins resting on their chests, while others nap with their head flung back. Many babies at this age fall into noticeable cycles of sleep and activity, so you may know before she arrives whether you have a night owl or an early bird.

If your baby is a boy, the testes have begun descending from the pelvis into the scrotum. If it's a girl, her uterus is completely formed and the rest of her "parts" are in development. (Is that TMI?)

From this point forward, your baby will put most of her energy into gaining weight and, not coincidentally, so will you! Right now your baby weighs approximately 10½ ounces and is about 6½ inches long, about the size of a can of Red Bull (which has way too much caffeine for a pregnant woman to be drinking).

So here's to 20 more weeks (give or take a few) of pregnancy!

UGH!

Que heart burn.
It's not that bad actually, I think it's more along the lines of eating waaaayyyy too fast.
I was at work early today, so I skipped breakfast, which led to me eating my ENTIRE lunch, down to the last crumb in under 6 minutes.
OMG, now i feel like I'm going to upchuck.
AND my stomach is so tight. Any time I have to reach across the desk or anything it feels like my skin is about to burst.
Is that enough complaining for you?

But you know what does make me in a good mood? Seeing this:


And I also bought Shiloh his first Star Wars related thing:

Speaking of Shiloh and Star Wars, Pottery Barn has this cute Star Wars collection out. I am for sure getting the pillow, but I really like the pattern of the sheets and was thinking maybe I could buy the sheets and make a crib skirt and bumper... but the sheets are pretty expensive. I think I am definitely going to buy the blanket though. It only comes in a twin size bed, so he'll be able to use it when we move him up to a big boy bed.
Jonathan moved his office out of the guest bedroom already. Totally his idea. I told him he didn't have to do it for a few more months, but he wanted to. I'll post a picture later of where we put his office, which is technically in the dining room. But I think it really works. I mean, it's not ideal obviously, but it is functional and not too much an eye sore.
Jon is really excited about decorating Shi's room. He's brought it up quite a few times, as opposed to with Lyric he was doing everything he could to get out of working her room :) Oh men and their sons :)

So I'm really excited about yet another long weekend ahead of me. This one though I don't have to juggle vacation time to take. Yeah for work holidays!

Anyways, I need to get back to work, but decided to take a short interlude.

Later peoples!

19 Weeks Pregnant

We've made it to 19 weeks people! Aren't you so excited!!

Well even if you aren't, I sure am!

When I got to work on Monday of this week, everyone started commenting on how my belly had popped, and I must agree if I do say so myself.

I do have a bit of a belly. Though sleeping has begun to be a little strange. I freaked myself out because yesterday morning when I woke up, I was flat on my stomach. I don't know how I managed that, but right when I got to work I started googling it to see if I smooshed my baby to death. Don't worry, I didn't. But the point of the story is that I am getting bigger. 

 Here are a few belly shots for your viewing pleasure to prove that I'm growing.:

Good times huh?

Well I went to the doctor today and in one month I've gained 4 pounds... ya. I know, seriously.

HOWEVER, the only thing good is that in almost 20 weeks, I have only gained 8 pounds. I looked at my book and I had gained almost 16 pounds with Lyric by 20 weeks. So good times people! 

The only bad thing is that I am really getting my appetite back... I have to start really watching what I eat, which we all know I won't. 

Other than that, everything looks great! I have another appointment in a month, so hopefully I won't have gained more than 5 pounds. That's my goal, just keep it under 5 pounds a month.

Here are the weekly updates from 0-40.

And more about Shiloh:

This week your baby starts bulking up and packing on the grossly named "brown fat" he'll need to keep warm when he gets evicted from his comfortable uterine home. Other highlights this week:

Vernix, a milky white coating that protects your baby's skin, appears all over your baby's body to keep his skin from getting pickled in the amniotic fluid. Think of it as if your baby has been dipped in yogurt, like those delicious but fake-healthy yogurt-covered raisins and pretzels. Ooh, we feel another craving comin' on. ... Under the vernix, a fuzzy layer of hair called lanugo now covers baby's body. Don't worry, your Mini won't look like Cousin It when he's born. Most of the fuzz will fall off before baby makes his grand entrance.

Good news: Your baby's kidneys are fully functioning and producing urine this week. Bad news: That means there will be lots of diapers in your future. But so far you're safe—at the moment the pee just passes into the amniotic fluid.

He or she now weighs about 8½ ounces and measures 6 inches, as long as a turkey sub from Subway on warm, delicious Italian Herbs and Cheese bread (or Honey Oat bread, or Oregano bread or ...)

I wish I had more to say, but seriously, we are both just growing. I'm enjoying life though!

18 weeks Pregnant

Ok, so I'm late posting this 18 week blog because technically I'm 19 weeks now... but oh well!
First off, let's just talk about cravings.
I want queso from Chili's,lemonade to drink and lemon popsicles. OH Lemon popsicles... they have these Dryers ones that are to die for! I swear I could eat like a hundred of them a day! I'm just really into the tart thing.

18 weeks was awesome because I'm sure you all read... IT'S A BOY!!!!

We are naming him Shiloh Na'vee (pronounced how it's spelled).
Na'vee is Hebrew for Prophet meaning "To Call or Speak Forth". I'm sure native Hebrew speakers can give more on the connotation and such, but I just think Shiloh Na'vee is a beautiful name. "Sent by God as a Prophet" is the meaning of his name that I like to go with. Although the meanings of Shiloh are many, Na'vee fits in perfectly with them all.
I think we are still going to come up with a 2nd middle name just for tradition sake, but legally the first middle name is the most important. So we have that :)
I love his name! I love talking to my belly and calling him by his name.
Speaking of the belly, it sure is growing! I'll take a picture and post it in the 19 week blog, because I'm popping even more!
I also feel him move a lot more and can tell that he also enjoys my lemon Popsicles! :) That sugar kick makes him kick! :)
Well that's basically it for week 18. Nothing new and exciting besides the fact that, "IT'S A BOY!"
Um, let's think.
OH yes, how could I forget. I now officially can't sleep on my belly anymore, which SUCKS! I hate it! I toss and turn all night now. I try to shove a pillow underneath me and sort of sleep on my belly/side and put most of the pressure on my hip, which helps me at least fall asleep. But that will only work for a few more weeks.
I want THIS or better yet THIS... my birthday is coming up :)

Anyways, week 18 was absolutely fantastic! We are getting closer and closer to week 20, the half way mark! Yippee! I found with Lyric that once you get into the 20's weeks just go by at a much quicker pace. Love that! Because I can't wait to see this baby boy. I already love him so much... aww!

HERE is the 0-40 week 18.

And here is more about Shiloh:
Your baby's ears are now facing forward and are completely formed so she can actually hear you talking now. You don't need to abandon your potty mouth just yet, but you might want to start thinking about it! Other highlights this week:

This week is also the beginning of ossification. And while that sounds like some long and involved paperwork you'll have to fill out, it's really a fancy medical term for the hardening of your baby's miniature bones. And that's a good thing.

Your baby's nerves are making more and more complex connections. Her sense of smell, taste, sight and hearing are all developing. A substance called myelin, which makes nerve connections travel faster, is now coating your baby's nerves.

Your baby now weighs between 5 and 7 ounces and is about 5½ inches long—about the size of a pickle from the corner deli. (You're familiar with pickles, right? Your regular accompaniment to a big bowl of ice cream?)

Yeah for gestation!

And His Name Shall Be:

Shiloh Vandeput

Obviously that is not his entire name. Jonathan is in charge of the middle names and just doesn't feel like he "knows" them yet.

But we are for sure in knowing that his first name is Shiloh.

So why Shiloh? you may be thinking.

Yes it's unusual, but normally first mention of the name will bring thoughts of Brangelina. Well Jon and I both feel really strongly that this is our little boy's name, and if you care to know our reasoning in detail, please continue on.

Not too long ago, I was reading in Samuel and I came across this passage in 1 Samuel 3. It was talking about how Samuel was serving at the Temple in Shiloh and the story of how he first heard the voice of the Lord. He was lying in his bed and heard someone call his name. He thought the first few times it was Eli the priest, but after being awoken a few times, Eli recognizing who it was, told him that if it happened again to say "speak Lord for your servant is listening". So when Samuel heard his name being called again, out of obedience, he answered directly to the Lord. That's when the Lord gave him a powerful word. "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle..." He then gives a pretty direct word about the current priesthood. We all know this story, but what struck me the most was the last few verses.
"Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, because the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord."

I was sitting in Church when I read this, and I immediately started crying. I don't know why, but I just knew that his name was going to be Shiloh.

That he was going to be known as a man who was visited by the Lord, just as the place Shiloh was.
That prophetic words were going to come out of him and spread across Israel and the nations, just like they did from Shiloh.

I handed the Bible over to Jonathan and he looked at me strangely as I was crying and I whispered what the Lord had just spoken to me. From then on in my mind, if this was a boy, his name was going to be Shiloh.

When reading further about Shiloh, I read this verse that just emphasized its significance even more: "But go now to My place which was in Shiloh, where I made My name dwell at the first..." Jeremiah 7:12 I just feel like it's who he is.

To back it up even further, before I even was pregnant, I feel like the Lord gave me words about my first daughter and my first son.

When I was in Cyprus I had a dream where Jonathan and I were sitting in a living room in a foreign country with a little girl with blonde hair sitting with us. A year or so later I was asking the Lord about this little girl and I felt that he spoke to me some of Lyric's prophetic destiny.
I felt like the Lord told me that Lyric would have a gift of words. That things that she would write would touch the hearts of people in dynamic way. I wrote this song about her that you can read at the end of this blog.

The words about my first son actually began in Cyprus too after I had dedicated my life to the Lord in 2004. One night in Cyprus when I was praying the Lord showed me this picture. In this picture I saw this young man who was speaking with an older man who I just knew was very high up in politics. Then I heard the Lord say that one of the reasons there has been such a fight over my life, was that I was going to have a son who would have incredible impact on key figures. I immediately was drawn to Jeremiah 1 where the Lord calls Jeremiah as a young boy to be a prophet to the nations. Because of this, I had always thought I was going to name my first son Jeremiah. Well that's until I read about Shiloh and I felt that even more the name Shiloh depicted what I feel his prophetic destiny is.

Anyways, here was the song I wrote about him about 2 years ago and his name fits perfectly into it now, gotta love how that works out :)

"Shiloh, listen to the voice of your Beloved,
listen to the Love that will never fail you,
learn to know His voice as He's singing, over you.
Shiloh because you will listen,
at a young age, you'll be empowered with wisdom,
and the Lord will appoint you to speak with kings and the nations.
And you will be known as a man who can hear the voice of God.
And you will be known as a man whom the Lord calls friend."

There are a few different meanings of Shiloh.

From what I've read, translated literally it means "His Gift". Other meanings are resting place, or sent by God. Yet another translation is peace. Click HERE for some more info about the meaning.

You can also read more about Shiloh the place HERE. It's really interesting all the historical/biblical significance that place carries.

So that is our little boy's first name. Hopefully before he gets here he'll have his 2 middle names, but for now it's just Shiloh or "eye" as Lyric calls him. :)

Also, he has his own Israeli wine named after him