Uncle George Home for the Holidays!! :)

I am 29 weeks along in this photo with my little brother George Patten.   I had great fun with my family this Christmas and seeing my brother was one of the highlights of this holiday season.   I can't wait to see him again when the baby is born in March 2012.

This is a side view of my belly compared to my bro's flat stomach.  This shot really shows off my big,beautiful, belly!!! 

28 weeks

Note to Self...

Names I though of last night.....

Sterling Reilly Patten
Sterling Castleberry Patten
Benjamin Reilly Patten
Benjamin Maddox Patten
Liam Maddox Patten
Liam Reilly Patten
Liam Alexander Patten

The Name Game!

I woke up at 2:19am and guess what was on my mind names.....   I have talked about names with my family members over the Thanksgiving holiday.    They all had great suggestions!   I was talking with a co-worker as well, and she said "the hardest thing about pregnancy was picking out a name".  I agree!
I am going to list some new names below that I like.  I am also going to put some names together to make sure they flow with each other.  Here it goes.....
Number ten- Broden  Origin (Irish /Gealic)  The meaning is "ditch".   I don't like the meaning but the name  is okay.   I like the nickname Brody.
Number nine- Brennan Origin (Irish/Gealic)  The meaning is "tear drop".   This is a nice name.  What do you all think?
Number eight- Tyler Origin (English)  The meaning is "a worker in roof tiles".  Cute name!  I think it would be a good name through out life.
Number seven- Denton Origin (English) The meaning is the "settlement in the valley". I am not sure how it is spelled. It was my mom's middle name given to her at birth.  I think it is a good middle name.
Number seven-  Brice Origin (Scottish) The meaning is "son of a nobleman", or "one that is speckled".   It is a nice one syllable name.
Number six-Patrick Origin (Latin)  The meaning is "patrician".  This name is a popular name that I like.
Number five- Gabriel Origin (Hebrew) The meaning is "God is my might".   I would call him Gabe.
Number four-  Kai Origin (Hawaiian/Welch/Greek)  The meaning is of the sea/the keeper of the keys/of the earth.  This one is interesting, and is used more than you might think.
Number three- Kane Origin (Gealic) The meaning is "the little warrior".  I could also spell it Cain.   Cain is a biblical name. He is one of the sons of Adam and Eve.
Number two-Alexander Origin (Greek) The meaning is "helper and defender of mankind".   I would call him Alec.
Number one- Sterling Origin (English) The meaning is "little star".   This is one of my favorites.

Sterling Reilly Patten-   I love this name.  Reilly is my Mom's middle name.
James Tyler Patten-  This one is a nice name.
Denton Alexander Patten- This one is okay.
Liam Alexander Patten-  This one is nice.  It does not have a name from my mom's side though.

I still like
James Liam Patten
Liam Maddox Patten
Liam Conor Patten

New Kitchen for Baby! Thanks Grandpa!

Week 24

Thanks Muzzy!

Muzzy had it set in her mind to buy a crib for her first great grandchild, at Babies "R" Us.   When Muzzy and I arrived at the store it was a bit overwhelming, because there was so much to choose from.  We took a stroll around the store a few times, and I narrowed it down pretty quickly.  When I picked out the crib my sweet grandmother's eyes lit up.  I will never forget her face. She looked so happy!   We asked the store sales clerk to help us pick out a mattress.  I went back in forth as to which one I thought would work.  I asked Muzzy which one she wanted to get, and she announced "I want to get the best one!"  I could not believe it.  I felt so grateful to have such a generous grandmother.  
The crib that I picked out is expresso brown, and it has a dresser to match.   I can already see the nursery in my mind, and it is adorable.   I will have to take pictures, and post them once I get it all together.   I could not do this without God, and my family.   I am so lucky, and blessed to have everyone's support!  Muzzy I could never thank you enough for the crib, dresser, and mattress.    You are an awesome great grandmother! The baby is going to love you just as much I do!  

Week 23

Name block...

Hey everyone!  
I have drawn a blank on names.    I want you to give me some suggestions!     I am still in the process of buying a name book.   One of my friends at work who is 8 months along gave me her name book.   I have not found a single name in that book that I like.  It was sweet of her to give that to me though!!!!
I will let you in on the names that have been floating around in my head.   Believe me! I think about it constantly. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night thinking of names.    If you could suggest names that you love it would be great help.
I have been thinking about middle names, and how all three names flow together.   I take a peek at the initials  to make sure it does not spell anything "off color".  Anyway here it goes.....
Liam Skylor Patten-  This one is nice!  It has only one family name and that is Patten.
Liam Maddox Patten-  I like this one as well.  It has two family names Maddox (mom's side) Patten (Dad's side) Liam can be short for William.  This one is full of family names.
Liam James Patten
James Teirnan Patten-  I love the name Teirnan.  No one else seems to like it.  It is an Irish name.  I can just hear an irish man pronouncing Teirnan, and it sounds beautiful to me.    Let me know what you think, but be gentle about your comments.   I like this one a lot.   I would call him Teirnan not James.  I just think the name flows better with James as the first name.
Liam Conor Patten- This one is nice but not top on my list.
Callum Maddox Patten-  This one is high on my list as well.
Aidan James Patten-   A lot of people like Aiden.   I still think of Carrie's boyfriend on "Sex in the City" when I hear the name Aidan.   This one is not high on my list, but it is a possibility.
Thanks everyone!  I can't wait to hear your suggestions!!!

A Little Awkward....

Thanks for reading and watching my blog! It is nice to share my pregnancy with everyone this way.   It is a little intimate and awkward as well.   If you feel strange reading it, believe me, I feel the same sometimes when I write/publish it.  Overall I am glad that I have created this blog.  To me it is like a scrapbook that I am sharing with friends and family.   I hope to share it with my new addition some day as well. :0) 

I hope that you are enjoying it!

Kicks!!!

I was listening to some music earlier this evening, and I felt a kick.   I have felt some movement, but this is definitely different.   I was in the bathtub when it happened, and I saw my stomach move.   (totally weird!)  It was almost like he was "rocking out" to the band The Weeks.   A band that is fairly new to me.  The band was introduced to me by his Daddy a few months back.  His Daddy loves the Weeks!  He would be proud I think.   I am going to let him know next time I talk to with him....

Names and More Names....

Number ten...... Rune-  The origin is Norse.    The meaning is "secret lore".  I like the way this one sounds! 

Number nine.....  Jude- The origin is Hebrew.  The meaning is "praise, thanks".  This one will obviously make people think of the Beatles.  That is not necessarily a bad thing.  Jude is actually a biblical name.

Number eight.... Rudy- The origin is Germanic.  The meaning is "famous wolf".   This one makes me think of the movie.  It is a great movie, so that is not so bad.

Number seven....Finnegan- This one is Irish.  The meaning is "descendant from Finn".  I have been looking at a bunch of Irish names!

Number six.... Sebastian- The origin is Latin.  The meaning is "man from Sebaste".   Cute name!  I could see kids poking fun at this name though.

Number five... Teagan- The origin is Gaelic. The meaning is "little poet".   I love the meaning, and the sound of this one.  

Number four... Teirnan- The origin is Irish or Gaelic.  The meaning is "little lord or lord".  I love this name!  I was thinking of using this one, until someone pointed out that the nickname could be Terry.   It is also unusual and hard to say, for some.  I still like the name, but may not use it.  

Number three. Skyler (Skylor)- The origin is Dutch.  The meaning is "guarded scholar".  I have not found a spelling of Skyler with the OR ending, but I like that spelling the best.   (Mostly spelled Skyler or Skylar)

Number two.... Conor- The origin is Gaelic.  The meaning is "lover of hounds".  The meaning is hilarius and the name is sweet. What do you think?

The number one name of the week is....... Jonah- The origin is Hebrew.  The meaning is "dove".   I love the story of Jonah and the whale in the Bible.   It would make for a extremely cute nursery!

Names that are still on the list from last week.

Aidan

Lochlan

Callum

Liam

Maddox

Let me know what you all think positive or negative!!  Thank you!

  

Top ten baby names of the week.....

Number ten....  Rowan-  Rowan is of Gaelic origin.   The meaning is "little red head" it is a flowering Irish tree that has red berries.   I guess he would have to have red hair for me to consider this name, but I think it is kind of nice.    I don't think red hair is in the gene pool.

Number nine....Aidan or Aiden- Aiden is Scottish or Irish origin.  The meaning is "little fire"!   I simply like this name.  It is simple, clean, and easy to pronounce.   Notice it is number nine on the list, so it is unlikely that I will use it.   If you like it let me know!!

Number eight... Luke- Luke is of Greek origin.  The meaning is "wolf".  I like that it is also a biblical name as well.   The only thing is my cousin's name is Luca, and that is a little close for me.  I don't think I will use this one either, but you never know.

Number seven....  Sampson- The origin is Hebrew.  The meaning is "sun"!   This is a nice name...  Lots of nick names could come out of this one.   I think of the Regina Specktor song when I hear this name.

Number six.... Noah- The origin is Hebrew.  The meaning is "peaceful".   I love this name for many reasons!  What do y'all think.   I could see myself coming back to this one and using it.   I believe that the popularity of this name is on the rise though.   That turns me off of this one a bit.

Number five..... Holden- The origin is Old English.   The meaning is "deep valley".   This is a interesting sounding name.   I feel like it has lots of personality.  I can just see the little boy in my head, and how he might act.   I feel like he would be a little mischievous.

Number four..... Lochlan- The origin of this name is Irish.  The meaning is "from the land of lakes".  I just like the way this one sounds.   It is very sing songy!

Number three... Callum- The origin of this name is Scottish.  The meaning is "dove".  This name was popular for early Christians.  Dove was a symbol of purity, peace, and the Holy Spirit.   I could definitely see myself using this name.

Number two...  Maddux-  The origin of this name is Anglo Welsh.  It means "the benefactor's son".  Maddux is also a family on my Mom's side.   I think it is a very nice name.  I believe it was my great grandmother's maiden name, but I am not positive.  (My Mom obviously loves this one!)

Number one name of the week is... Liam-  The origin is Irish or Scottish.  The meaning is "protection".   I love this one.   It is one of my favorite's!!

I will have more names in the weeks to come.   I am going to try to find ten names I like every week.   This will keep me on the ball, and I can also receive feedback from you as well!  (Hopefully)  Speaking of that I love getting your comments.   I am going to try to somehow save this blog and show the little guy later!
O make sure you scroll down to check out the videos.......!!!!!

Help me to choose a good baby name :D

I like the unique names, but I don't want it to be too unique!!! You know what I mean!!   I don't think anything like Pilot Inspektor is in the cards.  Names like Bob and Paul are not on my list either!

It time to think about names!!

My baby boy's first gift!!!

20 week Photo!!

Video Announcement!!

I find out....

I find out tomorrow what I am having!! (boy or girl)  Check back for a new video post :)   Thanks all!

18 week picture

17 week pic

Do you have an idea.....

Hi Everyone,
I am hoping that you will want to get involved with this blog.   I was wondering if you have an idea of what I am going to have.   If you feel like I am going to have a boy or a girl, post it in the comments below.   I am going to find out what I am having on the 19th of October.   I am soooo excited I can't wait to know.   PLEASE let me know what you think I am going to have.   It will be so fun for me know!
I am pretty positive that it is going to be a boy.   If it's a girl I will be extremely surprised.   I will be happy either way though.  Thanks everyone!

O!  To ad to my Special Thanks post....  Thank you so much Aunt Margaret for making the baby a blanket.  Also thanks for your support and excitement!  The baby is blessed to have so many people anxious for it's arrival!

16 week picture

15 week pic!

Special Thanks!

I want to give "shout out" to the people in my life who have supported me in this new and exciting journey!
A special thanks to my Dad and Step Mom Shana for my Natural Body facial it was dreamy!
Thank you to my grandmother Nana for my celebratory lunch!  Also thanks for my visiting me, with Mom, at Friday's, and the excellent tip! (Right on Nana! You rock!)
Thank you Mary for lunch at Slugo's. Yummy!  It was fun picking out the colors for the afghan, that you are going to crochet for the baby.  I am so excited about it!! The lady at the store is right I am blessed to have a godmother like you!
I don't want to forget Muzzy!  Thanks for my letters and spiritual books. Your right this baby is a blessing!
If I have left anyone out remind me. I will post more "Special Thanks" in the upcoming weeks!

Week 16! Almost Half Way!

Hi Everyone!   I am now 16 weeks along....  I am close to being half way through my pregnancy.   I still feel great!   It has been a great week.   I have had a week off and it has been fabulous!   I have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. (Some would say nesting!)  I still have a ton to get done before my little one comes.  I have to rid of a lot of stuff.    (For those who watch Nate Perkins)   I am getting rid of the "Old Margaret" things, and keeping the things that represent "New Margaret".   Anyway for those who don't watch the show.  They made this pack rat named Laurie clean out her apartment.  She had boxes has high as her ceiling with labels on them.  Some boxes were labeled "Old Laurie" and some were labeled "New Laurie".  Anyway I did not have any boxes, but I used my imagination.  I thought it was a great psychological exercise to get rid of the clutter!   It's weird how we get attached to things but once we throw it away we don't miss it.
I also went to my Choices meeting this week.   They were super nice!  I get to have a free ultrasound, because I attend their meetings.  I also learned a few things from the educational video I watched while I was there.  I did not know that the first movements from the baby feels like bubbles (gas). Weird Huh?
I went to the doctor again this week.   I did not get to see my doctor, because he was in delivery.   I was disappointed that I did not get to see him.    I just felt like the other doctor was rushing through my visit, because she had other patients to get to.    She did point out it is good to get know all the doctors. In case  mine is unavailable for my delivery.   The most exciting news is they scheduled the ultrasound that will help them determine the gender.   I will know what I am having on October 19, 2011 at 8:30am!  I am sooooo excited about that.   I hope y'all are anxious to find out as well.  
Well that's all I have for ya this week!  Thanks for stopping by my blog!  Until next time :0)!

Helpful Info for Pregnant Women

I know that pregnancy can be a scary thing if it is your first go round.   Basically it is the unknown that freaks "moms to be" out a bit.  I have found many helpful resources that have eased my mind.   The first resource I found was the Department of Human Services.   They offer help to those who cannot afford the medical bills  that come with having a newborn.   I signed up for Tenncare health insurance, and was approved.   They offer this to pregnant women with certain incomes.   I was extremely grateful for this.  Health insurance will be a huge help, because I did not have maternity insurance with my current health care policy.   The Department of Human Services offers other types of aides to pregnant women.  I still have yet to look into possibly getting child care vouchers, and food stamps as well.
Also another program that I have taken advantage of is the WIC program.  (WIC stands for Women in Crisis) The WIC program offers food vouchers to women that are pregnant.  They also offer classes like breastfeeding classes.  Also, other educational classes will supply women with free car seats ect.   If you are interested in more info on the WIC program in Chattanooga TN, just go to the health department by Erlanger hospital.  They can give you all the information you need if you are interested in this type of service.
I have also called a group called Choices.   They have all sorts of educational classes.   If you take these classes you can earn what they call "mommy bucks".    You can use these 'mommy bucks" in their store.  The store sells baby clothes, and baby supplies that will help you when your bundle of joy arrives.
This has all been a big part of my pregnancy journey.   I am sure there is more to learn about and more to do to prepare for my new baby!
If you know of anything else that is helpful to a pregnant women post it here on my blog.   If you have any questions for me just ask.   I would love to help ya out!! :)   Thanks for reading my blog....  Have a great day!

Pregnancy Annoucement

Single and Prego!

Hi I am 14 weeks pregnant and very excited about my new arrival.   I have been through all the tests that you can take up to this point in my pregnancy, and everything is normal.   Which is amazing and very exciting!   I am so grateful and blessed.  So far everything about my pregnancy is normal.   The unique part of my pregnancy journey is the fact that I am single.   The father of the baby is not involved at this point, and does not seem interested in being involved.    This is unique to the society that I live in, and is very new to my family.  Although,   I will make a bet that other women are dealing with this same issue.   Which is why I decided to create this blog.   I will give updates throughout my pregnancy journey.   I will talk about all the emotions as best I can.   If you have anything you would like to add to this blog go for it.   If you are going through something similar and need to vent be my guest.   I would love to hear about what you are going through as well.   Thanks for reading my blog until next time.