God places such value on people. And He really loves future generations. A lot.
Usually when I read Psalm 127 and the verse I have posted here in my xanga header, I think in terms of my own children. They truly are the richest gift the Lord has given me.
But God doesn't say that only the children of my own flesh are His greatest gift. He says children are a blessing and that the fruit of the womb is a heritage from Him, period. Whether the new baby is yours or mine or hers, that child-- full of hidden potential and possibilities-- is a tremendous gift from the Lord. Each and every life represents God's intricate design and an opportunity for eternal investment. Wow!
If you haven't known me my whole life, you might not know that I was never the kind of girl who was holding every baby in the church. You might assume that since I have a handful of children and love them dearly that I must just be the kind of person who naturally adores babies. It simply isn't true. Oh, there was one family for whom I babysat regularly as a teenager whose children became infinitely precious to me, but I was not naturally drawn to "oohing" and "ahhing" over babies and toddlers. A little bit of time shared with a particular child could quickly induce attachment in me, but I've never been one to see a baby from afar and simply have to hold him.
One of the biggest lessons having children has taught me is to love every life I see a bit more at first glance. As various challenging moments in motherhood have come, I've had to dig deeper into the Lord and His Word because I find that my love-- which seemed so great upon the arrival of my firstborn but quickly proved itself temporal and self-centered-- runs out and that I need His in order to persevere. As I press into the Lord, the revelation that God loves His children overwhelms me. He loves His creation. He is passionately pursuing each and every life, and so should we. And the more I search for His heart for the sake of my own children, the more I
find myself "oohing" and "ahhing" over babies in general.
After all, children-- all children-- are God's greatest gift, you know.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Me
I am watching tennis.
I have indigestion and heartburn after eating a slice of whole wheat toast and an apple.
I went grocery shopping this morning.
I feel alternately frustrated by and grateful for WIC.
I miss Daniel.
I like that it's much, much cooler today.
I think I weigh about 20lbs more than I did 6 months ago.
I appreciate clothes that don't have to be ironed.
I hope to visit Europe one day.
I have indigestion and heartburn after eating a slice of whole wheat toast and an apple.
I went grocery shopping this morning.
I feel alternately frustrated by and grateful for WIC.
I miss Daniel.
I like that it's much, much cooler today.
I think I weigh about 20lbs more than I did 6 months ago.
I appreciate clothes that don't have to be ironed.
I hope to visit Europe one day.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Us
:: From the couple e-mails I've received and the handful of phone calls, the team in Spain sounds to be doing wonderfully. I've no doubt they've been an incredible blessing to a Church in Spain that is in many ways needing breakthrough. They're a pretty awesome team, after all...
Still, I'm ready for them to come home. I've been fine with them being gone, but yesterday (day #11 of their trip) the 3-week trip started to feel long.
:: Dad's Sunday morning sermons of late have continued on the theme of recovering Biblical manhood and womanhood. It's been an amazing series and I wake up every Sunday morning anxious to get to the sermon so I can hear more. (On that note, if you haven't been there, I urge you to order CDs.) And as he's looked into Biblical manhood a lot the last couple weeks, my appreciation for Daniel has only grown deeper.
If there's one thing Daniel is, it's responsible. He is not afraid to carry the burden of himself, me, our children, and the Church, both local and worldwide. He is quick to apologize when wrong. He is not one to sit back and criticize the efforts of others. He is deeply involved-- emotionally, physically, and spiritually-- in every sphere of influence God has given him. He works hard.
I'm very thankful for Daniel; for his leadership, care, love, and call.
:: Gabriel has been playing so hard since we've come to my parents'. He literally is on the go with Uncle Merrick from the moment he jumps out of bed until he returns to bed at night-- unless I stop him at some point and require that he sit with a book for a while. He is loving it and I am glad to see him enjoying playtime so much, since playing is not naturally Gabriel's forte.
:: Each day, Bronwyn runs after the boys for a while before tiring out and coming back to be with me. As energetic and fun-loving as my daughter is, she also loves sitting and reading a book or watching a Little Bear video. And she cannot survive without a nap. Trust me on that one.
Every morning for the last week, Bronwyn's diaper has been dry when I change and dress her for the day. This is the last sign of "potty training readiness" I've been waiting for and now I'm wondering (again) if perhaps she is ready to try with success. After having pushed her twice to get potty trained only to realize that my motivation was entirely selfish and not centered around what is best for her, I am hesitant to force the issue. Still, the consistently dry morning diapers sure do seem to indicate potty training...
:: Jackson got his first hair cut yesterday. Yes, it has taken me this long to get around to trimming it, especially since his hair has grown so much slower than Gabriel or Bronwyn's ever did. I can't bear to lose the baby look that the wispy, baby hair gives. Fortunately, Carina did the trimming and she managed to get rid of the hair in his eyes, over his ears, and on his neck without having him actually look as though he's had a hair cut. I am so pleased with the results. He still looks like the baby I like to think of him as!
In true Jackson style, he is now amazing us all with his speech patterns. He refuses to talk for the most part, but will pull out a word that astounds us when he wants something badly enough. I mean, how many children can claim "hamburger" as one of their first words?!
:: I continue to feel pretty good, for the most part. Unfortunately, I am either coming down with a sinus infection or am suffering from allergies for the first time in my life. Either way, I feel wiped out when I wake up and I have been dragging myself through the days. It isn't pleasant-- but it's also not the stomach bug, which I must be grateful for. There's nothing I hate more than throwing up.
The belly's looking decidedly pregnant these days. The baby's also moving a lot; I can now see her little bum pushing out at various times and it's pretty cute, I must say. My next appointment is in a week and I will be scheduled for an ultrasound then, since it will have been 6 weeks at that point since my last one. Besides wondering how things are going with the subchorionic hematome, I'm also anxious to get confirmation that she is really a she. Would you know that after 3 ultrasounds and 4 different technicians/radiologists telling me the baby is a girl, I'm still wondering?
I told you I tend toward skepticism.
:: Today and tomorrow we are predicted to reach highs of 92*, which inevitably means significant humidity, too. We just don't get hot, dry weather around here. I am tempted to complain (after all, summer is my least favorite season), except that last year we had days of high 90s that felt like 105-110*. I'll take this instead of that, thank you very much.
:: My list of people to invite over for dinner and to visit with is growing, as I'm now forming plans to make up for the past months of not being able to host or get out much. The only problem is figuring out where to start! At this point, I could probably schedule guests until the end of the year, except that it feels weird to already invite someone over for dinner in November, you know?
All in all, I'm looking forward to taking full charge of things on the homefront again, including hospitality. Finding mealtimes when we will all be home is the most challenging part of inviting people over, since Daniel's evening schedule is typically his busiest, but I am determined to be creative.
Still, I'm ready for them to come home. I've been fine with them being gone, but yesterday (day #11 of their trip) the 3-week trip started to feel long.
:: Dad's Sunday morning sermons of late have continued on the theme of recovering Biblical manhood and womanhood. It's been an amazing series and I wake up every Sunday morning anxious to get to the sermon so I can hear more. (On that note, if you haven't been there, I urge you to order CDs.) And as he's looked into Biblical manhood a lot the last couple weeks, my appreciation for Daniel has only grown deeper.
If there's one thing Daniel is, it's responsible. He is not afraid to carry the burden of himself, me, our children, and the Church, both local and worldwide. He is quick to apologize when wrong. He is not one to sit back and criticize the efforts of others. He is deeply involved-- emotionally, physically, and spiritually-- in every sphere of influence God has given him. He works hard.
I'm very thankful for Daniel; for his leadership, care, love, and call.
:: Gabriel has been playing so hard since we've come to my parents'. He literally is on the go with Uncle Merrick from the moment he jumps out of bed until he returns to bed at night-- unless I stop him at some point and require that he sit with a book for a while. He is loving it and I am glad to see him enjoying playtime so much, since playing is not naturally Gabriel's forte.
:: Each day, Bronwyn runs after the boys for a while before tiring out and coming back to be with me. As energetic and fun-loving as my daughter is, she also loves sitting and reading a book or watching a Little Bear video. And she cannot survive without a nap. Trust me on that one.
Every morning for the last week, Bronwyn's diaper has been dry when I change and dress her for the day. This is the last sign of "potty training readiness" I've been waiting for and now I'm wondering (again) if perhaps she is ready to try with success. After having pushed her twice to get potty trained only to realize that my motivation was entirely selfish and not centered around what is best for her, I am hesitant to force the issue. Still, the consistently dry morning diapers sure do seem to indicate potty training...
:: Jackson got his first hair cut yesterday. Yes, it has taken me this long to get around to trimming it, especially since his hair has grown so much slower than Gabriel or Bronwyn's ever did. I can't bear to lose the baby look that the wispy, baby hair gives. Fortunately, Carina did the trimming and she managed to get rid of the hair in his eyes, over his ears, and on his neck without having him actually look as though he's had a hair cut. I am so pleased with the results. He still looks like the baby I like to think of him as!
In true Jackson style, he is now amazing us all with his speech patterns. He refuses to talk for the most part, but will pull out a word that astounds us when he wants something badly enough. I mean, how many children can claim "hamburger" as one of their first words?!
:: I continue to feel pretty good, for the most part. Unfortunately, I am either coming down with a sinus infection or am suffering from allergies for the first time in my life. Either way, I feel wiped out when I wake up and I have been dragging myself through the days. It isn't pleasant-- but it's also not the stomach bug, which I must be grateful for. There's nothing I hate more than throwing up.
The belly's looking decidedly pregnant these days. The baby's also moving a lot; I can now see her little bum pushing out at various times and it's pretty cute, I must say. My next appointment is in a week and I will be scheduled for an ultrasound then, since it will have been 6 weeks at that point since my last one. Besides wondering how things are going with the subchorionic hematome, I'm also anxious to get confirmation that she is really a she. Would you know that after 3 ultrasounds and 4 different technicians/radiologists telling me the baby is a girl, I'm still wondering?
I told you I tend toward skepticism.
:: Today and tomorrow we are predicted to reach highs of 92*, which inevitably means significant humidity, too. We just don't get hot, dry weather around here. I am tempted to complain (after all, summer is my least favorite season), except that last year we had days of high 90s that felt like 105-110*. I'll take this instead of that, thank you very much.
:: My list of people to invite over for dinner and to visit with is growing, as I'm now forming plans to make up for the past months of not being able to host or get out much. The only problem is figuring out where to start! At this point, I could probably schedule guests until the end of the year, except that it feels weird to already invite someone over for dinner in November, you know?
All in all, I'm looking forward to taking full charge of things on the homefront again, including hospitality. Finding mealtimes when we will all be home is the most challenging part of inviting people over, since Daniel's evening schedule is typically his busiest, but I am determined to be creative.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Uninspired
I haven't been feeling too inspired to write of late.
If you haven't noticed.
I'm feeling mixtures of a whole lot of things, and I can't tell where one thought ends and the next begins. For example:
If you haven't noticed.
I'm feeling mixtures of a whole lot of things, and I can't tell where one thought ends and the next begins. For example:
I'm liking the summer. I'm at a loss as a mom. I'm tired from early mornings with my littlest man. I'm enjoying spending the last couple hours of each day with bits and pieces of my family. I'm alternately starving and sick with indigestion. I'm hot beyond belief one day and freezing a couple days later. I'm missing Daniel. I'm saying good-bye to a sister. I'm making phone calls I don't want to make. I'm experimenting with ways to get rid of grass-stains (unsuccessfully, I should add). I'm wondering how days slip by so quickly. I'm waiting for something. I'm smelling a single fragrant rose. I'm reading through the Gospels. I'm grateful for colors. I'm considering our government and potential leaders. I'm wondering what I used to think, talk, and pray about before I had children. I'm looking forward to having people over again (you know, now that I'm up and about more). I'm falling behind in my e-mail communications. I'm thinking it's been a long time since I had coffee with friends. I'm baffled by how hard simple things can be. I'm leaning on the grace of God.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
My Lovelies...
As promised, here are the pictures from one of our very fun afternoons last week. What cute and happy faces!
Jumping In!
Look at the blue, blue North Country sky!
Jackson has the fairest skin in the world, thus the cover-up:
Jumping In!
Look at the blue, blue North Country sky!
Jackson has the fairest skin in the world, thus the cover-up:
Monday, June 18, 2007
25 Weeks and Counting...
She's kicking up a storm these days!
My next ultrasound will be in a little less than 3 weeks, most likely. We'll see then exactly how things are going, but I would say that from the looks of things, all is great!
My next ultrasound will be in a little less than 3 weeks, most likely. We'll see then exactly how things are going, but I would say that from the looks of things, all is great!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Moments in Time
Life is made up of lots of little moments in time, most of which seem neither spectacular nor inspiring. And yet the sum of it all is more far more special than anything we could hope or wait for, don't you think?
Our most recent moments in time have been lived down the road at Mom and Dad's. We are enjoying our time here a lot-- especially Gabriel, who thinks that time with Merrick is just about the greatest thing ever. I am particularly enjoying my parents screened-in side porch, which is a lovely respite from sunburns in the day and mosquitos in the night.
Jackson and Bronwyn have come down with colds, which meant missing graduation parties today. While I struggled with the two of them over naps this afternoon, Gabriel and Merrick laughed and shrieked in the yard as they scampered through the sprinkler for over two hours. I must say that hearing little boys enjoying themselves so thoroughly helped eliminate any frustration I might have otherwise been feeling.
Tomorrow is Father's Day, but I keep forgetting. Daniel's gone, so such things aren't quite at the forefront of my mind right about now. Still, steaks will be grilled and cards will be given. I even remembered to mail cards on time (I hope) for the out-of-town dad and granddads.
I am 25 weeks pregnant now. So far, the heat isn't bothering me, I'm still sleeping very well, and my biggest complaint is that maternity clothes are un-fun. Mostly, I'm feeling very grateful to be pregnant.
There are some very wonderful pictures on my camera of children playing in their kiddie-pool earlier this week, but I don't have the necessary cords for moving them to the computer with me, so I can't share them. They are such great pictures of such an extra-special moment in time. For now, you'll just have to take my word for it.
Lemonade is good. Especially when good lemonade is for sale 10/$10 at the local grocery store. Mmmm.
Don't you love when you get lots of nice little moments?
Our most recent moments in time have been lived down the road at Mom and Dad's. We are enjoying our time here a lot-- especially Gabriel, who thinks that time with Merrick is just about the greatest thing ever. I am particularly enjoying my parents screened-in side porch, which is a lovely respite from sunburns in the day and mosquitos in the night.
Jackson and Bronwyn have come down with colds, which meant missing graduation parties today. While I struggled with the two of them over naps this afternoon, Gabriel and Merrick laughed and shrieked in the yard as they scampered through the sprinkler for over two hours. I must say that hearing little boys enjoying themselves so thoroughly helped eliminate any frustration I might have otherwise been feeling.
Tomorrow is Father's Day, but I keep forgetting. Daniel's gone, so such things aren't quite at the forefront of my mind right about now. Still, steaks will be grilled and cards will be given. I even remembered to mail cards on time (I hope) for the out-of-town dad and granddads.
I am 25 weeks pregnant now. So far, the heat isn't bothering me, I'm still sleeping very well, and my biggest complaint is that maternity clothes are un-fun. Mostly, I'm feeling very grateful to be pregnant.
There are some very wonderful pictures on my camera of children playing in their kiddie-pool earlier this week, but I don't have the necessary cords for moving them to the computer with me, so I can't share them. They are such great pictures of such an extra-special moment in time. For now, you'll just have to take my word for it.
Lemonade is good. Especially when good lemonade is for sale 10/$10 at the local grocery store. Mmmm.
Don't you love when you get lots of nice little moments?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tomorrow's Excuses
It's been a busy couple days. We're getting ready for tomorrow.
You see, tomorrow the kids and I are packing up and heading to my parents' for 3 weeks.
The reason the kids and I are leaving tomorrow is that Daniel is leaving tomorrow for 3 weeks in Spain and, well... I'm still not supposed to lifting my children or climbing stairs excessively and, well... if you have kids and a 2-story house, you know this is basically impossible if you're home alone with them for 3 weeks and, well... yes, as a matter of fact, I am imposing on my family for help during this time.
Daniel's last days before departure have been a flurry of laundry, printing plane itineraries, laundry, packing sound systems, laundry, paying bills (I fell completely out of the bill-paying-loop upon baby's #3s arrival into our home almost 1.5yrs ago, so Daniel leaving that task to me in his absence would probably mean more work than doing it himself), laundry, double-checking things like the van rental, baggage allowances, instrument carry-on policies, etc., laundry, delegating lawn-care to an unsuspecting and all-too-kind college student, laundry, running to Wal-Mart for shampoo and deodorant, laundry, drama and music rehearsals, and did I mention laundry?-- because it feels like I've been doing laundry non-stop.
My parents hosted an early birthday celebration for Daniel last night-- squeezed in-between Spain dance preparations and an end-of-the-year piano recital. I'm hoping that lunchtime tomorrow will provide a chance to give early Father's Day gifts and hugs to an almost-27-year-old really and truly great dad.
And, in the meantime, my list of things to do is growing the longer I sit here, but after a busy morning, I've been told that naptime isn't optional. I can't complain because I sure was starting to feel tired. The dizziness and faintness that arrived full-force on Sunday morning has been my close friend these last 3 days, so it feels good to put my feet up. (Have I ever mentioned that I just love anemia?)
So, anyway, I know you don't really care about what has to be done here in our little yellow house before the sun sets tomorrow night. This is really just a very pathetic excuse as to why I haven't updated in a couple days.
You see, tomorrow the kids and I are packing up and heading to my parents' for 3 weeks.
The reason the kids and I are leaving tomorrow is that Daniel is leaving tomorrow for 3 weeks in Spain and, well... I'm still not supposed to lifting my children or climbing stairs excessively and, well... if you have kids and a 2-story house, you know this is basically impossible if you're home alone with them for 3 weeks and, well... yes, as a matter of fact, I am imposing on my family for help during this time.
Daniel's last days before departure have been a flurry of laundry, printing plane itineraries, laundry, packing sound systems, laundry, paying bills (I fell completely out of the bill-paying-loop upon baby's #3s arrival into our home almost 1.5yrs ago, so Daniel leaving that task to me in his absence would probably mean more work than doing it himself), laundry, double-checking things like the van rental, baggage allowances, instrument carry-on policies, etc., laundry, delegating lawn-care to an unsuspecting and all-too-kind college student, laundry, running to Wal-Mart for shampoo and deodorant, laundry, drama and music rehearsals, and did I mention laundry?-- because it feels like I've been doing laundry non-stop.
My parents hosted an early birthday celebration for Daniel last night-- squeezed in-between Spain dance preparations and an end-of-the-year piano recital. I'm hoping that lunchtime tomorrow will provide a chance to give early Father's Day gifts and hugs to an almost-27-year-old really and truly great dad.
And, in the meantime, my list of things to do is growing the longer I sit here, but after a busy morning, I've been told that naptime isn't optional. I can't complain because I sure was starting to feel tired. The dizziness and faintness that arrived full-force on Sunday morning has been my close friend these last 3 days, so it feels good to put my feet up. (Have I ever mentioned that I just love anemia?)
So, anyway, I know you don't really care about what has to be done here in our little yellow house before the sun sets tomorrow night. This is really just a very pathetic excuse as to why I haven't updated in a couple days.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Friday, June 8, 2007
Pregnancy
No, you weren't seeing things if you thought there was a prenatal appointment synopsis late yesterday afternoon. I deleted it. Sometimes I write and afterwards I think, "Boy, that was pretty sarcastic." Especially considering how upbeat I felt about the whole appointment.
At any rate, here we are. Tomorrow we finish the 24th week of this pregnancy, and that's a pretty big deal. I feel like I should plan some sort of mini-celebration!
My appointment yesterday was extremely encouraging and very thorough. Blood pressure was 90/51, I've gained 4lbs bringing me to a pleasantly-plump 16lb-gain, my uterus measured at 22.5cm (not a big deal because I almost always measure small and, in fact, have never measured more than 38cm-- even when carrying a 10lb baby and looking huge!), and my active little girl's heart was registering at about 146bpm when she wasn't visibly kicking the doppler. A nurse I spoke with 2 days ago had mentioned some concerns about certain symptoms, but we've almost completely ruled out the possibility of either a UTI or PTL by way of several different tests; all seems well.
There were 2 highlights from my appointment:
1. I found out just how much an advocate my doctor is being on my behalf, and this is so reassuring and comforting to me. After the trip to Burlington last month, Daniel and I both felt that continuing care there isn't necessary unless something more goes wrong or the SCH significantly worsens. Apparently, when my doctor communicated this to the specialist, it wasn't taken well. But she stuck up for us. Even to the point that she defended our desire to do ultrasounds every 6 weeks instead of every 2 weeks, provided there isn't more bleeding or other signs of problems.
2. My doctor agreed to let me ease into more activity because I am crossing the all-important 24-week mark and, more importantly, I've not had any bleeding in almost 4 weeks. I took my first walk yesterday evening-- albeit a slow one because Jackson was walking alongside me-- and it was wonderful! This morning I caught up on laundry and then made the short walk to the library and post office. I will confess to getting rather tired just from simple activities after almost 12 weeks of rather strict sitting/reclining, but considering the warnings to increase activity sloooowly, I don't think my energy limitations are necessarily a bad thing right now. Of course, there are still restrictions on lifting, exercising, etc., but I'm happy to just be on my feet a bit more!
It's a good, good weekend!
At any rate, here we are. Tomorrow we finish the 24th week of this pregnancy, and that's a pretty big deal. I feel like I should plan some sort of mini-celebration!
My appointment yesterday was extremely encouraging and very thorough. Blood pressure was 90/51, I've gained 4lbs bringing me to a pleasantly-plump 16lb-gain, my uterus measured at 22.5cm (not a big deal because I almost always measure small and, in fact, have never measured more than 38cm-- even when carrying a 10lb baby and looking huge!), and my active little girl's heart was registering at about 146bpm when she wasn't visibly kicking the doppler. A nurse I spoke with 2 days ago had mentioned some concerns about certain symptoms, but we've almost completely ruled out the possibility of either a UTI or PTL by way of several different tests; all seems well.
There were 2 highlights from my appointment:
1. I found out just how much an advocate my doctor is being on my behalf, and this is so reassuring and comforting to me. After the trip to Burlington last month, Daniel and I both felt that continuing care there isn't necessary unless something more goes wrong or the SCH significantly worsens. Apparently, when my doctor communicated this to the specialist, it wasn't taken well. But she stuck up for us. Even to the point that she defended our desire to do ultrasounds every 6 weeks instead of every 2 weeks, provided there isn't more bleeding or other signs of problems.
2. My doctor agreed to let me ease into more activity because I am crossing the all-important 24-week mark and, more importantly, I've not had any bleeding in almost 4 weeks. I took my first walk yesterday evening-- albeit a slow one because Jackson was walking alongside me-- and it was wonderful! This morning I caught up on laundry and then made the short walk to the library and post office. I will confess to getting rather tired just from simple activities after almost 12 weeks of rather strict sitting/reclining, but considering the warnings to increase activity sloooowly, I don't think my energy limitations are necessarily a bad thing right now. Of course, there are still restrictions on lifting, exercising, etc., but I'm happy to just be on my feet a bit more!
It's a good, good weekend!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
McDonalds
Three of my RSS feeds came in last night boasting pictures and tales of McDonald's. I don't know if they really are making a comeback or not, but for the first time in about 15 years, I'm actually interested in stepping foot inside one of these classic American, loved-by-children-everywhere franchises, if for no other reason than to see what's on their menu these days and why people still go there.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Our immediate plans for after church were delayed an hour or two, so we've taken ourselves home. What better way is there to kill some time than to sit outside on a beautiful 70-something-degree day watching three very beautiful children explore the delights of our yard before our day whisks us away again?
And the sight of such lovely faces in the practically-perfect outdoors begged some pictures and sharing, don't you agree?
And the sight of such lovely faces in the practically-perfect outdoors begged some pictures and sharing, don't you agree?
Have I mentioned that I absolutely love and adore these little people? Because I do.
Friday, June 1, 2007
A Rose By Any Other Name
You may think that we've simply not been trying to come up with names for the baby-on-board, but it's just not true. I've clocked far too many hours this pregnancy pouring over my name book and baby name websites, and I'm still coming up pretty empty. My thinking is that this isn't because I'm picky but because there are far too many unattractive names to weed through. 
You see, the minute I know this is my little boy/girl we're talking about, names that I would ordinarily say, "Oh, that's wonderful!" about are simply not right.
Baby-naming is tricky stuff, especially for girls. I mean, at some point, pretty much every little girl dislikes her name, so as the mom and one responsible, I want to be sure I really, really, really like her name when that day comes. When I told Daniel all this, he laughed. You actually thought about your name when you were a little girl? Of course I did. Didn't you?
(In case you're wondering, when I was 8 years old or so, I wanted nothing more than to be named Julie.)
And then there's the whole meaning of the name thing. I like when names have significant meanings. But I also really like some names that, upon close inspection, have weird, makes-no-sense meanings. I mean, do you actually know how many names are out there that have meanings like, "From the west meadow," or "Bald eagle," or "Fire?" Well, there are a lot.
All that to say, in the last week I went from completely rejecting every name on my list of potentials to coming to the conclusion after talking with Daniel last night (and he just loves these discussions!) that Aubrey is by far and away the front runner when both our opinions are considered. I can't find much of a concrete meaning for the name (it's either "Elf king" or "Noble leader," whatever that means
) and I am at a total loss for a middle name that sounds pleasing alongside it, but when the lists have been crossed out and re-written 100 times, it keeps showing up because both Daniel and I just plain old like it.
(For all the Honora-lovers out there, don't despair-- I may yet have a Honora one day, after I've had several years to work on plead with Daniel!)
This is not a declaration that our daughter is officially Aubrey, because I've a feeling I won't commit myself until I see her face to face. It's actually more a desperate cry for help: if you've got middle name suggestions, I'm interested. Like, really interested. Please, please, please do share.
Because I agree with Anne: a rose by any other name just isn't as sweet.
P.S. Can I just say that I laughed out loud in a hysterical sort of laughter when I read this. What does that say about my sense of humor?
You see, the minute I know this is my little boy/girl we're talking about, names that I would ordinarily say, "Oh, that's wonderful!" about are simply not right.
Baby-naming is tricky stuff, especially for girls. I mean, at some point, pretty much every little girl dislikes her name, so as the mom and one responsible, I want to be sure I really, really, really like her name when that day comes. When I told Daniel all this, he laughed. You actually thought about your name when you were a little girl? Of course I did. Didn't you?
(In case you're wondering, when I was 8 years old or so, I wanted nothing more than to be named Julie.)
And then there's the whole meaning of the name thing. I like when names have significant meanings. But I also really like some names that, upon close inspection, have weird, makes-no-sense meanings. I mean, do you actually know how many names are out there that have meanings like, "From the west meadow," or "Bald eagle," or "Fire?" Well, there are a lot.
All that to say, in the last week I went from completely rejecting every name on my list of potentials to coming to the conclusion after talking with Daniel last night (and he just loves these discussions!) that Aubrey is by far and away the front runner when both our opinions are considered. I can't find much of a concrete meaning for the name (it's either "Elf king" or "Noble leader," whatever that means
) and I am at a total loss for a middle name that sounds pleasing alongside it, but when the lists have been crossed out and re-written 100 times, it keeps showing up because both Daniel and I just plain old like it.(For all the Honora-lovers out there, don't despair-- I may yet have a Honora one day, after I've had several years to work on plead with Daniel!)
This is not a declaration that our daughter is officially Aubrey, because I've a feeling I won't commit myself until I see her face to face. It's actually more a desperate cry for help: if you've got middle name suggestions, I'm interested. Like, really interested. Please, please, please do share.
Because I agree with Anne: a rose by any other name just isn't as sweet.
P.S. Can I just say that I laughed out loud in a hysterical sort of laughter when I read this. What does that say about my sense of humor?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)