20 Weeks Pregnant

Well, here I am, at the halfway point! I can hardly believe it - especially that we're having a boy! We have decided to name him Jackson Ryan. And we are so excited to give this meaningful name to our little boy. Ryan and his long time best friend Scott (neighbors as kids, he led Ry to the Lord, baptized him and married us) have long called each other Jack as a nickname. C.S. Lewis and friend J.R. Tolkein called each other Jack as well. C.S. Lewis was incredibly transformational in Ryan's life and since Jack means "God has been gracious, God has been good," what better name than Jackson for the son of "Jack?" :o)

Now that we have the name, it all seems even more real and present. I feel his bumps and kicks often. My pelvis has already begun to pull apart and my tummy is quite large for 20 weeks! I know people say you pop out faster with the second, but whoa! I'm of course secretly worried that I am just extra fat, but I know my body is doing what it needs to do, and will try to relax, at least until I start to kick my patootie after the baby is born!

I still don't know exactly what to do with Jules' room to get it ready to welcome little brother. I'm sure I'll start sewing up a baby storm after Christmas :o) I'll make some blankets, a carseat canopy, a crib skirt, sew some new curtains etc., you know, just to make him feel at home. I've been working on some graphics (thank you Pinterest!) to frame for their room. And yet, I still can't decide what to do about furniture. Big girl bed for Julia? Crib in the closet? Dresser/changing table combo? Sigh.

It is so exciting to think that we're expanding our family. What is it about the second kid that makes a family feel more real? Maybe it is the extra chaos. :o) Though I don't look forward to the sleepless nights, and I love my Cari time in the middle of the day when Jules naps, we'll eventually find equilibrium, and the change will, I'm sure, feel as though this new way of life is how its always been. I hope . . . .