It’s a GIRL!!

It is truly awesome when God listens to your heart and not your mouth. Julie and I told each other repeatedly that we would be happy either way, whether Baby #2 was going to be a boy or a girl. We both certainly wanted a boy first, and if you asked Julie, she would tell you that she saw herself as more of a “boys mom”. As for me, I always wanted a brother, so it would be great for me to see Reed grow up with a brother so close in age. But the truth is, neither of us want a single-sex set of offspring, so why not make sure we eliminate that right off the bat. We have also had our girl name picked out for almost a year now, so as it was with Reed (no girl name to speak of), we were bound to have a girl.

So, about the name… there is quite a bit of significance to Alison Michelle. Her namesakes are two important women to our family.

Alison Renee Berry

Alison was a very important person to Julie and I. She and her husband, Chris, were part of the young couples group that welcomed us into their group when we first joined University United Methodist Church. It was through this small group that we became plugged-in to the church and made it our home. We bonded with Chris and Alison as couples and individuals, we shared many memories over 4 years. Unfortunately, Alison’s job required her to be on the road 90% of the time, and on one routine trip between Lockhart and Austin on October 1, 2009, she was the victim of a head-on collision.

If you asked Alison if she had two “L”s in her name or not, she always responded that her name was Alison, not ALLison. So we are going to keep it that way.

Michelle Lynn Reasonover

Michelle was my sweet older sister. She was two years older than me and like Alison; her life was cut too short. On October 15, 1995 my sister was killed in a drunk driving accident at the tender age of 18. It wasn’t until a few years later that I realized how I wanted to honor her life and who she helped me become by naming my daughter after her.

I loved both of these women dearly. Some of you might think it is a little morbid to name your tiny baby after two women whose lives were cut short. All I know is that it was the best possible way I could think of to honor their memories and who they were to me. However, you better believe little Alison will be on lockdown the month of October (every October!!)

-RB & JB

Dear Little Spice…you are growing so fast in there.  Sometimes I still forget you are growing away in my belly because your older brother keeps me very busy.  I can’t wait to see you again…two weeks from tomorrow!!!  In two weeks we get to find out if you are a little brother or a little sister.  Personally I would be thrilled with either.  When I was pregnant with your brother all I wanted was a boy.  Now that I have a boy I would love for you to be a little girl (to help me regain some balance in this house!) but I would also love for you to be a boy so you and Reed can play rough with each other and throw the football in the backyard and maybe even share a room someday.

More than anything I just pray you are growing strong and resting up.  Life on the outside is fun and we can’t wait for you to join us!

That’s all I have for today, just thinking about you! 🙂

Love-
Mom

I am a freak and bought Little Spice’s bedding when I was about 6 weeks pregnant.  I realize that is totally nuts, but I absolutely love this bedding from Caden Lane (www.cadenlane.com) and Katy (the designer and owner who I went to high school with) offered a very unusual 50% discount on one item of your choice.  I had to buy the bedding.  Too good of a deal to pass up!!  I love this bedding for either a boy or a girl, so I bought it.  Check it out and tell me what you think.

-JB

The Pike’s have made their announcement, so I can make ours.  For those of you that don’t know, I’m pregnant again!!  Reed is going to be a big brother in January!!  I have written lots of posted and they are cataloged under “Little Spice” if you are interested in going back to read my random thoughts.  Reed is way too young to really understand what is happening, but I’m so curious how that will change as my belly gets bigger and we talk about little brother/sister more and more.

-JB

Everyone is right when they say the second pregnancy flies by.  I cannot believe I am already 14 weeks pregnant.  I feel like we just found out the other day.  Reed definitely makes the time go by faster because I am always running after him.  I think that is also helping with the weight management

When I was pregnant with Reed I didn’t need maternity clothes until well into my second trimester.  This time my jeans got tight 2 weeks ago so I started wearing a belly band occasionally to work and with my jeans.

The other crazy thing is that I started feeling Little Spice move 2 weeks ago.  My mom told me I was wrong and that it couldn’t be baby.  But on Friday my OB disagreed and said that it probably is baby that I’m feeling.  I don’t feel it very often, but it sure is fun when I do!!

We get to find out if Little Spice is a boy or a girl at the end of August.  Unlike last time, I really would be thrilled with either.  I really wanted a boy last time and it was such a wonderful surprise when we found out Reed was a boy.  This time I would love to have a girl, but I would also LOVE for Reed to have a little brother so close in age.

-JB

So far the biggest change from my first pregnancy to this one is my hunger level.  With Reed I didn’t eat much the first 4 or 5 months, and what I did eat was very healthy.  With Little Spice I feel like I’m hungry all the time.  Randy thinks it’s a girl because he says she is already pushing my buttons.  I hate to eat at night and usually eat dinner as soon as I get home from work.  Little Spice has been demanding that I eat something before bed or I wake up incredibly hungry.  This is why Randy thinks she’s a girl and already butting heads with her (somewhat) headstrong mother

Still no sickness, like with Reed, but I am definitely tired.  I don’t’ remember being this tired with Reed, but I tend to forget the bad things as time passes.  Maybe I was this tired, or maybe chasing after Reed all the time is compounding the exhaustion.  Either way, everything is good!

-JB