What's in a Name?

As I leaked in the previous post. Baby Boy Hall has a name! Jackson David, aka. Jack. Jackson because it is my maiden name, and David, which is Josh's middle name.

With Lily we kept her name top secret, but with Jack, we knew pretty early what we wanted to call him and have been calling him that as a family for a while now. Lily even knows who (and usually where) "Jack" is. She even says "Jack" as she kisses my belly, which is just adorable!

14 Months!

Today Lily is fourteen months! I know I haven't had time to post which is sad, because it is amazing how "grown up" she is becoming. She walks almost all the time now. She doesn't say a lot of recognizable words, but babbles a lot. She definitely understands what we are saying to her most of the time! It is so awesome to watch her respond to simple things like "What does a sheep say?", or "brush your hair." She is getting teeth, slowly, but surly and has three and a half now!

She is a very independent little miss, which is sometimes a bit frustrating, but overall she is incredibly well behaved. Josh and I were marveling just yesterday about how readily she responds when we say "no" and how she is learning quickly what the "rules" are around the house. Her biggest "misbehaviors" so far have all had to do with throwing her food and drink in the floor when she was finished eating, but just this week she has started saying "all done" and doing the sign or putting her cup in the cup holder on her tray and then clapping her hands and being proud she did the right thing.

This past weekend, while we were out of town for Thanksgiving, she was totally cute and sweet most of the time despite all the strangers and transitions. She is always a little shy when we are at a new place with new people, and didn't really want anyone but mom and dad to hold her (she doesn't really want anyone to pick her up...she can walk herself gosh darn it!), but she pretty quickly warmed up enough to play contentedly by herself. She ate all sorts of new foods happily and slept well in various places at various times. I know we are totally blessed! I only pray that little "Jack" is as well behaved!

*This is a picture of Lily entertaining herself at the car dealership waiting on an oil change! :)

Lily Walks!

Lily has recently been super close to walking. She was so mobile and good at pulling up and cruising that at first we were sure she would walk by her first birthday, but that milestone came and went without her taking more than a couple of unassisted steps. In the last few weeks since her birthday she has shown that she can go from sitting to standing and walk several steps on her own, but she didn't do it regularly. The first time she seemed really determined was about a week ago when she really wanted to help me sweep (we have a video that I'll post soon)! Still, most of the time she would look down and realize she could crawl faster, and use that mode of transportation.

Then, last Sunday, we went over to a friends house where another friend was with her 11 month old. That little girl was walking all over the place. I could tell Lily was watching her. Then, after they left the party, Lily kept trying to walk around. I think she was inspired. She has been walking a lot more this week and even walked about half way down our hallway. My guess is she'll be running by Christmas!

Support?

Apparently when you are expecting baby number two, especially when it's just barely a year since number one, your body goes through more physical stress. I have really been struggling lately with lower back and right hip and leg pain that are probably sciatica. It hurts some after just a normal day. If I do anything remotely physical, it hurts a lot. It's even hard to find comfortable positions to sleep in.

At my last midwife appointment she suggested I get a pregnancy support belt of some kind. I have to be honest, since I totally didn't need one with Lily, I feel sort of like they are silly. Still, having some relief would not be a bad thing. They make everything from really small and cheap ones to elaborate and expensive ones. Does anyone have any experience with one? What kind? I welcome any and all feedback!

My Pants Don't Fit! Know of Any Good Consignment Stores?

I am at a weird place wardrobe wise. Since becoming pregnant with number two I've alternated between my maternity clothes and some of my "regular" clothes that still fit. Ok, to be honest, that has been the case since Lily was born. I've continued to wear the maternity things that were cute and fit and added in things that were not maternity and fit. But, in reality, I don't have much that isn't maternity that will fit, and what does doesn't look as good as maternity clothes do. There is just something about they way they are cut that is much more flattering to the belly!

Today I attempted to wear a pair of my normal khaki pants and a shirt I had before I was pregnant to work, but it didn't turn out too well. The pants seemed ok this morning as long as I kept them tucked under my belly, but in reality were not at all comfortable when I sat down, so I ended up using the rubber band trick to expand the waist, which then led to me feeling like my pants were unbuttoned and coming off all day! As soon as I got home, I switched into my comfy maternity jeans.

My current problem is that all of my maternity things, or at least the majority of them, were for hot weather. Lily was born at the end of September. I wore sundresses right up until her birth. I have skirts, shorts, capris, tanktops, and t-shirts in maternity sizes. I do not have pants or long sleeve tops to wear to work now that it is starting to get cold! I do have some jeans, but I can't (or feel like I shouldn't) wear them for everyday at work.

I did have one friend give me some winter things, and many of the tops are great, but the pants are all a little too short, and I can't bring myself to wear high waters just because I'm pregnant. I think I'm going to have to face facts and go shopping, but I really don't love spending a ton of money on clothes that I won't wear for too long.

I looked at some things on Craigslist today. Has anyone bought clothes on Craigslist before? Something about going to someone's house to look at their clothes is a bit strange to me, but I like the idea of "gently used". Also, does anyone know of any good consignment stores in the area that carry maternity stuff? Or any recently pregnant moms who would be getting rid of size medium winter clothes?