baby names

So, of course baby names are a common topic of conversation lately...not just around our house, but everywhere we go. 

I had a work lunch today and it came up again...then my friend and colleague sent me an NPR article talking about baby-naming-hostility.  People get a little peeved when you don't want to disclose what names you're thinking about.  Why is that?  Are you going to embroider the name on a pillow for me?  We definitely have some names in mind, but I know how judgmental I am...so it stands to reason that other people would be just as judgmental as I would be, right?  There are names I can't stand...like super trendy names or "fad" names.  Oh, you want an example?  Ashton.  Really?  The ONLY Ashton that anyone knew before was Ashton Kutcher...now it's a cool name for your kid?  I don't think so.  Or Bailey, that was super popular a few years back and with that name came Connor and Riley.  I wonder how many Bailey's have to go by their last name or Bailey First Letter of Your Last Name because there are 6 of them in the same 4th grade class. 

See, I'm judging.  According to the NPR article, it is most common to name a girl something that ends in "a" right now.  Emma, Ava, Isabella, Sophia, Olivia, Alyssa...and on and on.  I wonder why that is trendy?  The article also says it is common for people to name a boy something that ends in "n" right now.  Hudson, Evan, Ethan, Owen, Jackson, ASHTON, etc.  Our top names don't follow that "n" rule.  Is that a good enough hint?  My best friend had a dream we named our son Owen William Beals.  My sister had a dream we named him Max William Beals.  Both cute, but both not on our list.  I do love that people other than us are having dreams about our baby though. 

Anyway, feel free to guess or even suggest names for us, but know that until he arrives we're keeping the name a secret. 

For fun...try this.  Baby Name Genie.

30 weeks and slowly losing it

I'm not losing my mind, but I'm pretty much losing everything else.  I would say sleep, but I gave up on sleep when I was 15 so that one doesn't count, but here is what I'm losing:
patience...with everyone, but especially the gross neighbor who lets her 2 dogs bark all day
my appetite
the ability to put on my own socks
comfort
a cute wardrobe
energy
the ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel
my belly button
one-toned skin on my face - stupid melasma
my social security card (this doesn't really count, but I did lose it)

I have felt pregnant for like 2 years...is this normal?  Don't get me wrong, we wanted this more than anything and tried for a while to make it happen, but thinking about doing it again makes my head spin. 

Today at work I was multi-tasking on super speed...no big deal...but trying to prepare for the next 6 months of my life is really hard.  Not only am I getting ready for my 5 week summer program working with 120 incoming 9th graders, but I'm also preparing for 2, 3-hour Diversity & Inclusion trainings up at Camp Orkila for over 100 staff members...AND trying to plan out everything for the fall so the students still get served by the Y even though I'll be on maternity leave.  Thank god the school closes at 3pm in the summer...they rushed everyone out of the building right at 2:59...so I get to "work from home", which means constantly refresh my email and have my work cell handy. 

Doing all of this as pregnant as I am is EXHAUSTING!!!  I'm such a whiner...seriously! By this time at night (6:30pm) I'm totally wiped out...barely able to put on my slipper boots (best Old Navy purchase in a long time)...worried I won't be able to stay awake to watch Pretty Little Liars and not even wanting the delicious dinner that The Husband has prepared. 

what kind of mom will I be?

So, today I was having a conversation with one of my close friends about toys..which definitely got me thinking about what kind of mom I'll be in general. 

I have all these ideas, but I know the reality will be very different.  For example, I don't want my house to be overrun with toys.  I get that kids like toys, but babies are entertained by simple things like kleenex boxes, locked cell phones and remote controls...do they really need a million blocks, stuffed animals, and plastic stuff?  One of The Husband's friends has a one in one out rule for any toys.  If their child gets a new toy, they have to choose an old toy to donate.  I love this idea!!  I also think there are good storage options for housing toys.  Have you ever walked into someone house and seen stacks of toys in every corner?  Yuck!  I'd like to utilize our basement as play space, but also have a nice storage unit (maybe one that is also a bench for more seating) that hides all the toys when baby Beals isn't playing with them. 

I realize I need to think a little sooner than toys...like sleeping.  So many people have baby sleep in their room with them...in a bassinet or a pack and play or their bed (weird).  I don't want to do that.  Our closest friends put their baby in his crib in the other room right away.  I'd like to think that is what we'll do.  I know I'll be tired...really, I know...but I don't think I'll bitch and moan too much about walking a little further to his room to feed him or change him or soothe him. 

I'm sure all of my parent friends have opinions on these things and I'd love to hear them.  Not everything works the same for everyone, but I KNOW you all had a vision of how you'd do things before your bundle of joy appeared. 

yuck

So, this morning I had to drink a bottle of dextrose for my gestational diabetes test and it was AWFUL.  Not only did I have to drag my ass out of bed early after a late night of 4square, but I had to chug this sugar water in 5 minutes or less.  For those of you who know anything about me you know it takes me forever to drink anything...I can nurse an iced mocha for like 3 hours.  So, downing this disgusting beverage made me want to puke.

I'll get my test results on Monday...wish me luck. 

I just re-read my first line and it immediately made me think of that Stanley Steemer commercial where the driver is asking his colleague if he's ever had to clean up after an alpaca...because he has...and it was AWESOME!  haha.  If you haven't seen it, here you go!  It gets me every time...so funny.

I normally get a milkshake after every doctor appointment (once a month isn't a lot...stop judging me), but I couldn't bring myself to get a milkshake at 8:30am this morning...nor could I stomach it after my dextrose cocktail.  So, after a long day, we sat down at 8:15pm to watch The Town...all comfy on the couch...in our jammies...and I had to complain about not getting my milkshake today.  I'm such a jerk sometimes.  Anyway, The Husband jumped up, changed back into regular clothes and is currently at the store buying vanilla ice cream so I can make us home-made shakes.  What a guy, right?  Oh man...I can use the chocolate malt powder that I bought for the cookies I just made (thanks again Sister).  Turn of events...life is good tonight.

Just heard the car door...off to make milkshakes!