What's In a Name?

This may be the hardest decision we've had to make regarding the baby, to-date.  When we thought we might be having a girl, we new exactly what we wanted to name her.  Then we got the news of our bundle being a little man and that threw us for a bit of a curve ball!  So for the last 6-7 weeks we've been throwing around name, after name, after name.  Then trying all of the different combinations of the ones we liked.  It's exhausting just thinking about it but we have finally come to an "official" decision of what our little guy's name will be... 

 

WILLIAM "CARTER" WAUGH

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of different things lead us to these names for him.  The first of which was a suggestion that we name him after both Steven's favorite movie character and also my family name.  William Wallace was actually kind of cool when paired with our last name, but we knew we didn't want to call him by either of those names.  We liked that Steven's grandfather uses a name that is a derivative of William so that's when it became a front-runner for us.  And then there's his middle name.  I've always liked the name Carter, and I have a few family members on my mom's side that have that name and that seemed to be one I kept coming back to.  It was one of only 3-4 that we could agree on so after much consideration, Carter made it's way to the top of the pile.  We'll be calling him Carter and the picture above is my latest craft project that will likely make it's way above his crib in the nursery.  I've been busy re-finishing all kinds of furniture for his nautical themed nursery so stay tuned for that post!

One thing I underestimated with this process was just how many opinions you receive when naming your child!  We're proud of our choice as are most of our family and friends and we are anxiously awaiting Carter's November arrival, which seems to be approaching as fast as a jet plane flies these days!  We've made it to 21 weeks and are both growing like weeds.  We can't wait for Steven to get back to his former employer in TN and are so excited to see our friends and family in just 2 WEEKS!!! 

Prayers are appreciated for a smooth transition for Steven as he switches into his new role and for our move from Louisiana to Tennessee! 

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord..."

19 Weeks!

Didn't I  JUST  write a post for the 18 week mark?  Feels like it was yesterday that I posted that, but we've already blown through another week.   

I love the emails that I get from www.babycenter.com updating me on the growth and progress of the little man.  Here is the link to this week's "19 week" update: Click Here to see how much he has grown.

We're almost to the half-way point, but this little guy still has a LOT of growing to do.  Look how cramped the illustration picture makes them look!  I'm sure they're fine but this position looks awfully uncomfortable to me!

I still haven't felt any kicks from him just yet.  A few flutters right when I lay down at night but no really obvious movements.  I know he's squirming when he's awake because we've seen him during the ultrasounds, but for first-time moms to be it may take a little longer to feel the movements.  I've been feeding him some delicious birthday cake so maybe the sugar rush will have him kicking me soon!  (Thanks for the cake, Bebe!  We enjoyed it VERY much!)

He's REALLY Growin' Now!

                                                                   
                                                          18 Weeks! 

How did it get here so fast?  We are almost to the half-way point of this pregnancy and these last 2 months have flown by in such a hurry.  We got to check in on the little man yesterday and due to his squirmy / trying to nap self, we couldn't get a very good picture of him this time.  Our sweet (uncooperative!) boy showed us his hand as we watched him open and close it, as if to say, "Okay, bye! Can I please get back to my nap?"  We were also apparently being too loud for him since he covered both of his ears with his hands to cover up all of the outside noise.  It was precious to see him even if he did just want to be left alone.  He is already 8 oz. (how in the world can they tell that?) and while he's too scrunched up to give an exact length, his legs are looking so long!  I should be feeling those long-legged kicks any day now. 

Lately I've found myself trying to envision what his face will look like.  Wondering if he will look like a carbon-copy of his daddy or if he'll have little characteristics of us both. What he'll look like as a kindergartener and if he'll have a funny personality.  Wondering if I will be able to keep my composure when he proudly brings the first bug inside of the house to show me or if I'll scream bloody murder like I do when I see one now.
It's such a miracle to think we will soon be blessed with a little man with a personality of his own and I can't help but day-dream about it all of the time.

Here are a few more of the pictures from our ultrasound yesterday.  Unless you have a trained eye to tell you what you're looking at, these will probably just look like little glimpses of an alien.

Head is on the right and you can see a piece of his hand and his feet in this one.

 

 

He must have changed direction 5 or 6 times while we were peeking in on him.

 

 

 

Now his head is on the left and I think there's a hand and arm in front of his neck

 

 

And I have no idea what's going on in this picture!  He was SO squirmy!

 

 

 
He got a clean bill of health from the doctor on this check-up and the quad-screen bloodwork (that checks for things like down syndrome and chromosome defects) all came back negative and everything looked to be normal.  We are so thankful for answered prayers for continued growth and what seems to be a healthy baby boy so far. 


Psalm 139: 14
"I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."


And in other news, in regards to our upcoming move.....

We found a house!  We had a house-hunting trip filled with 5 packed-to-the-gills days to try and find a place we would like to live in TN.  While it was mentally and physically exhausting, we came across THE house on the 5th day and were able to get an offer out before we boarded the plane.  We are so grateful to our patient realtor, Billie, for giving up the better part of her week to spend in the car with us roaming the Kingsport area real estate.  We will be living close to some of our best friends and are so happy to be under contract in such a good neighborhood!

 

Anything Like Me

                                             

 

 

There is so much happening with the Waughs these days that I haven't had time to update this blog very much over the last few weeks.  But here is the news we've all been wondering about since we found out we were expecting.  Will it be a HE? or a SHE?

From the get-go, all but 2 people have guessed that we would be having a baby girl.  The wives tales and even the Chinese calendar (that I'm embarrassed to admit to trying) suggested that we would be seeing pink.  Pink was on the horizon and we even had a named picked out for our girl.   

SURPRISE!!  Baby Waugh is NOT going to be a daddy's girl, but instead will be our handsome little MAN! 

Steven and I were in absolute shock when this picture popped up on the screen.  I just laid there and said, "how sure are you? ... percentage wise... like 75% sure, or is this just an early guess?"  The technician just replied with a simple "yeah, I'm 100%" and a smile.  It took the entire day to sink in that we would be raising a little man.  Okay, it was more than just a day.  We had been so girl focused that I could hardly wrap my head around this ..... A little mini-Steven!?!?  This just got even more real. :)  We watched as our little man turned over and over on the screen, trying to find a comfortable position while we pushed on him.  He waved to us and showed us how incredibly long his legs had already gotten.  Tall is just in his genes.  He has already stolen my heart with his sweet little pouty lips and tiny fingers and while I'm enjoying this part of pregnancy, I cannot wait to meet our SON!

If you've listened to country music in the last couple years, you may have heard this song by Brad Paisley.  It has been on repeat playing over and over in my head since we found out about our little boy!  He lets his little boy sing the end of the song... it melts your heart!

There is a TON we have to learn for this little boy, but if I know anything, it's that he would do well to turn out just like his Dad.

Take Me Home, Country Road

FINALLY!!!!!!!

It seems like I have had to keep this secret for a LONG, long time ... but I can finally announce that we are moving back to Tennessee this summer!!!  The exact date hasn't been set as of right now but it will be sometime in the next 2 months. 

Steven and I have been missing our family and friends so much since we moved to Louisiana, and with baby Waugh on the way this fall we thought it was the right time to make a more permanent move.  Steven will be rejoining his former employer, Eastman, and is really looking forward to getting back to the familiar faces and kind-hearted people of northeast TN.  We will be a lot closer than we are now to both of our families and we are excited to be able to drive home, especially when we become a family of 3 in November! 

We have loved being a part of our church here in LA and have made some life-long friends while being in Shreveport.  It will be tough to make yet ANOTHER move, but knowing all of the sweet friends we are moving back to makes it easier to think about unpacking boxes, again. 

There are a lot of moving parts that have to happen "just right" for this to work with minimal stress, so we covet your prayers as we make the transition this summer (especially while pregnant!) 

Looking forward to seeing all of you Tennesseans, SOON!


And since this is supposed to be the baby's website, here is an updated pic of the recent growth spurt momma and baby had this past week!  15 weeks along!

"Hold Me Closer, Tony Danza"

You will absolutely not understand that title unless you are a "Friends" fanatic.  If you're not... keep reading and you'll get the gist. :)

We went for our 11 week check up this morning to check in on the littlest member of our family.  It was our first appointment since "graduating" from the specialist office to a regular doctor and it was comforting to see the baby on the big screen again.     

The reason for the fuzzy pic? .... Meet our "Tiny Dancer" who wouldn't sit still long enough to have his/her picture taken!

 

 

I couldn't believe how much s/he had grown in just a few short weeks!  And I don't think I'll ever forget the look on Steven's face when he saw the screen today.  He could see it before the technician turned the screen towards me and it was the most priceless and probably most exciting ultrasound moment we've had [so far!] I can tell - he is already wrapped around that tinnnnyyyy little finger.  He doesn't stand a chance if it's a girl! 

I thought there was a small chance we might get to see the baby move around a little bit but I completely underestimated how much this little one already likes to dance.  Looking like a little clone of it's parents!

james 1:17 : "Every good and perfect gift is from above..."

WEEK 10!

Week 10!!

I just came across this developmental video of weeks 10-14 on babycenter.com and love knowing the detail of everything that's happening with baby Waugh at this point! 

Click on the link below to check out this week's progress:
BabyCenter Website Video : Weeks 10-14