Baby Will

The time is getting closer until we get to meet the little guy that will turn our family into a party of 4.

William Cullen Strzinek, who we plan to call Will, is due in about 2 ½ weeks. We can’t wait to meet him. After saying no to so many different boy names, a couple of months ago, we agreed to go to the name that always came back up. William is a family name on my side, as both of my grandfathers are Williams. Tate has the Robert name passed down from the Strzineks, so I love that this baby will have a name passed down from the Enrights.

And Cullen is the chosen middle name. However, it has nothing to do with vampires. Surely in a few years the Twilight fever will pass and people won’t wonder anymore if I was really that in love with Edward Cullen. Actually the name is from the location where Wade proposed to me about 12 years ago…Cullen Auditorium on the ACU campus.

Around here, he is affectionately referred to as Baby Will. Being pregnant for 9 months is a good thing in some ways as it gives you time to get in the right state of mind. Early on in the pregnancy, I was pretty nervous about the thought of two kids. I’m sure for any of you out there with 3 or 4, you think I’m sounding a little wimpy. I of course was over-the-moon thankful for the gift of a healthy baby, but wondering how will I parent two kids. Let alone, two boys.

And with the second time around, comes the awareness of what is ahead. With your first, you get to be blindly naïve. There are some good things about that. This time, I know exactly what those sleepless nights feel like.

And this pregnancy has definitely been different and much harder than when I was pregnant with Tate. I’ve felt guilty having any kind of complaints about pregnancy, because I know firsthand from several years ago and know so many others that right now would do anything to be suffering through the last few weeks of pregnancy.

Throughout the uncomfortableness, the hairline fracture on my rib, the sciatic nerve pain, and the swelling, I’ve worked hard at being “positive pregnant person.” Not sure that was always accomplished, but I wanted so bad to honor this gift that has been given to me.

And so as time has gone on and my belly has become insanely large, I have bonded with this little mover and shaker (seriously, this boy can move) so much and can’t wait to lay eyes on him…sleepless nights and all. That is the blessing of pregnancy. What was once very uncomfortable and painful at times will change in a heartbeat to a beautiful feeling that is impossible to describe.

I already have an intense love for this little boy. I already want and desire the best for this life that hasn’t even let out its first cry yet. I’m in awe of the miracle of life forming in me every single day.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.

I know that full well.” ~ Psalm 139:14