Job Update

Back in the beginning of June we found out that the company MyLovf works for was sold and we didn't have any idea what would happen in terms of his employment/pay/insurance/everything.

We know now!

They're obviously not a stupid bunch because the new owners decided to keep him on in the same capacity.

BUT

There are actually a few "buts":

• They have reduced his base salary by about 25% and also reduced his bonus incentives. How does this keep happening to him!? It really boils my blood because he had been told in confidence by people leaving with the old owner that he is crazy underpaid for the position he holds. Now the new people come in and lower it even more!? WTF!?
• Most of the people he enjoyed working with left.
• The atmosphere is much changed and he is back under the level of stress that he left behind at his previous, really awful job.
• The cost of insurance is going up. A lot. We're getting a private policy, but I don't know what that means for my healthcare. I'm thinking my best option is Medicaid; I'm looking into that now. Thankfully, the practice I've been going to accepts the plans.

The one positive thing about it is they committed to keeping his pay the same through August. He's not planning to stay past that and has been talking to his connections about another job. I'm crossing my fingers that he finds something closer to home. The hour-each-way commute he has now is torture. More so on him than me, obviously, but I worry about him spending so much time behind the wheel and would really lovf a little more time with him before and after work.

If you all could spare some prayers that he find another job he likes, I will lovf you forever.

Oh the pressure... of a name...

I know Kit, this sucks.

Picking out a name for Little Man was hard, but I don't remember agonizing over the decision the way I am right now and we still have approximately 29 weeks to figure it out!

**If we're having another boy, I'm rambling and angry for no reason whatsoever. I just need to get this off my chest right now.**

We had our girl name picked out before we even knew that Little Man was a boy. It was darling. It was beautiful. It had awesome sentimental meaning... and then E.L. James wrote that horrible piece of fiction that has sold over 70 million copies. That's more than all of the Harry Potter books combined (yes, I'm a Potterhead, get over it)!

I'm sad for our generation. :(

Anyway, about a week ago I found out that our sweet name was used in the book. I understand she's not a main character, but she does play an important role in the story. I put out some feelers and it isn't an immediate association, but with the movie adaptation coming out six months after I'm due, I'm thinking it would eventually click in peoples' minds the way Rosalie, Jasper, or Esme brings Twilight to the forefront. I HATE that! Hate it. Hate it. Hate it.

Our perfect name is forever tarnished in my mind.

MyLovf doesn't think it's a big deal and we should use it anyway, but I can't bring myself to use a name from a book that "is notable for its explicitly erotic scenes featuring elements of sexual practices involving bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism." Could you do it!? Knowing what you know, could you go ahead and give your innocent, gorgeous daughter a moniker that people will associate with a character that started a raunchy sexual affair with a boy when he was 15 years old?

I can't. I just can't do it.

My honey is annoyed at the thought of having to replace the name we've had picked out for the last almost five years, but I don't think he realizes how off putting the whole thing has been for me. I still really like the name, except now, every time I think about it, I picture rope and whips and ball gags. Ugh. I've been throwing around different names since I found out, but he hasn't warmed up to anything yet.

On the flip side, I was talking to my mom yesterday about boys' names and asked about the proper spelling of my paternal grandfather's name. She wanted to know why I wasn't going to use one of my Dad's names since we used my FIL's middle name for LM's middle name. She must've forgotten that I am forbidden! Forbidden by both of my brothers (who each have one of his names, but no sons to pass it to) from ever using it! She even took their side when we were in hot debate about it. Whatever. I like my Grandpa's name and none of my other cousins have used it, so it's mine!!! Oh yeah, I'm calling dibs.

Ticker Change Day: 11 Weeks

Weekly Survey

• How far along?: 11 Weeks
• Total weight gain: ??
• How big is baby?: The size of a lime at just over 1 ½ inches long and weighs about one third of an ounce.
• Maternity clothes?: No, they're still buried, but I do have my honey convinced to go after them next weekend. If not, a new maternity wardrobe WILL be purchased! I have already hit up three different Goodwills in search of more comfortable bottoms. Scored two pairs of Liz Lange Maternity shorts at $3.99 each! Woot!
• Stretch marks?: Not yet!
• Sleep?: MyLovf moved the Tempurpedic that was in the guest room into our room today, so hopefully I can get some real rest and not wake up with a super sore back.
• Best moment this week?: Bargains on clothing! Lovf it!
  
• Movement?: No, but I'm hoping that since now I know what I'm looking for, I'll feel it a little earlier than 16 weeks.
• Food cravings?: No cravings. I have learned that I need to eat smaller meals though. Eating too much in one sitting makes me feel really uncomfortable.
• Labor signs?:No. **I'll leave this one out until 3rd tri.**
• Belly button in or out?: Still flat
• What I miss: ...can't think of anything.
• What I'm looking forward to: Our next appointment and fishing my clothes and Snoogle out of storage.
• Developments: From BabyCenter: Baby is now almost fully formed. It's hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, and some of the bones are beginning to harden. Baby is already busy kicking and stretching, and its tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as the body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that the diaphragm is forming.

Belly Pics!

Now I’ve Done It

Why do people ask you for your honest opinion on something if they’re not willing to hear what you have to say? You can’t ask for that and then get mad when the person being questioned says something you don’t like. Ugh.

My sister is mad at me because I told her that I don’t care for their front-running Girl name.

Now, I’m very aware that my opinion on their name choice doesn’t matter one single iota. I’m not so vain as to think they’ll change their minds because I don’t like the name. It doesn’t matter whether or not I like it, and that’s exactly what I told her. But she doesn't seem to understand that part (or she's just looking for a reason to get annoyed). She’s angry with me because my honest opinion is that the name she likes won’t age well, doesn’t pass my own personal resume test, and is better suited as a nickname rather than a given name. She tried to get back at me by challenging me to ask for HER honest opinion on our name choices. I responded with “Go ahead and tell me. Just know that I don’t give two shiny shits what your opinion is. I like them and MyLovf likes them, and that’s all that matters. NAME YOUR CHILD WHATEVER THE HELL YOU WANT!” She never did tell me what she thought of our names...

My mom took her side and got on my case for not being “supportive”. I told her that I wasn’t going to lie to someone that asked me for my honest opinion. Why am I in trouble!? It’s not like I’m going to love my potential niece any less because of her name. I’ll use it happily and never mention my distaste for it ever again. To my way of thinking, once a name is concrete it’s no longer up for debate or critique. It is not, as of yet, concrete. Plus… SHE’S THE ONE THAT ASKED! I didn’t just offer up my thoughts unsolicited; I wouldn’t do that.

Her being so super-hyper-sensitive about every.little.thing is grating on my already grated nerves. I’m about ready to take a break from her.

Little Man Cuties

I've got two awesome LM quotes that I have to document so I don't forget them!

I'm not even sure where this first one came from. I was cooking dinner when he ran in and had to say, "Mom, my belly button is so cool! Thanks for making it for me!" You're very welcome Buddy.

I usually drive whenever we're out as a family, but this time DH was driving. He's a bit of a speed demon: Me: "Woah!" LM: "It's ok mommy, I got you."

Stinkin' adorable kid :)