Choosing Baby Names

My husband and I had our first experience of choosing a name when we had been married for two years.  After three days, we chose the name LUCY for our cat.  Seriously.  Three days to name a cat.

With that in mind, it should not surprise you that it takes us a LONG time to name a baby.  It certainly doesn't help that we don't learn the sex of our child in advance.  That means we need a first and middle name for both a boy and a girl.

I seriously believe choosing names is a form of torture for my poor husband.  It can't be too trendy/popular.  And it certainly can't be off-the-wall-weird.  We both lean toward traditional names (in my opinion), but I also like old-fashioned names.  (My name is ANNETTE!)  Derek does not care for the "old" names.

In 2006, for our first pregnancy we borrowed a baby name book.  However, we found the US Social Security website to be extremely helpful (especially since we didn't want too popular of names).  It ranks baby names according to popularity.  (And unlike other sites, it is official!)  You can look at the top 1,000 (or just 20) names or search by year or by name.

In 1976, the year I was born, Annette made the top 200.  However, by 2008, it wasn't even in the top 1,000.

So just how unpopular are our kids names?  Well, M ranked in the 300's in the year she was born (for her particular spelling which is not the most popular).  E was in the top 50 in 2008, but it has gained in popularity.

At the time of this writing, we have one boy name and two girl names chosen.  The boy name is in the top 50 (more popular than ideal), but both girl names are less popular in 200's.  We have not chosen any middle names yet.  Oh my, they are really tough this time, but I am hoping there may be a family name chosen.

I'm very thankful that I didn't come into my marriage having a baby name already chosen as some women do.  My husband may not like to discuss baby names, but he definitely has an opinion!  It seems that with baby names there is not much compromise.  We determine our lists separately, and then narrow it down from there, crossing off names that are just not an option.   Often (for girl names) there are a few names that are on both lists or we realize we like after seeing it on the other's.

This post was written in advance...to be scheduled hopefully after baby's arrival.  Maybe by then we will have determined a name.  With both M and E, they were a full week late...and we needed all 41 weeks of pregnancy to come to a conclusion on their names.

Pregnancy Update: 32 Weeks

On the first day of preschool, M wanted to take pictures of me.  They make me laugh.  Really, do I look like this?  I don't think so!  It's not what the mirror reflects!

This pregnancy, like the others, have been healthy and uneventful.  Recently I could no longer control my heartburn with my diet and Tums.  BUT I was able to hold out for so long before taking something stronger!  I'm so thankful!  It is necessary for me to snack or my blood sugar drops.  For the past week or two if I have waited too long I've gotten shaky.  I'm to the point where I am quite uncomfortable and bending down is not easy.  My slow movements are rather amusing at times, even to me.

This past weekend we (meaning my husband and his brother) moved some furniture (giant desk, queen bed, elliptical) out of the spare bedroom, but there is still much to do...and remove...for that room and the baby in general.  We do have diapers for the little one, so we have something prepared!  I also bought a couple of bottles (knowing that I don't like Avent for full-time bottle users having used them twice).  No names have been discussed nor bedding or clothing washed.  No arrangements have been made for M and E...and no family in the area.  I guess we're hoping to be able to use all of our 50 days until baby's arrival!

Celebration Week!!

  

  

It's always good to have something to celebrate, right?  Well this week we're celebrating our family news!

We're having a BABY!  

~ The baby is due on October 20th.    (Our other two were a full week late, so we won't be surprised if this one is, too.)

~ No, we won't find out the sex of the baby.  We like the anticipation.  For those who are disappointed in this, maybe you can have your own baby?!  (Said with a smile.)

As we thank God for blessing our family with this pregnancy, we hope you will pray for the baby and praise God with us!  

To celebrate with all my blogging friends, Live, Learn, Love will have lots of giveaways this week! 


Visit us throughout the week, beginning tomorrow to see some of my favorite things (and they are not all books)!


Extra entries are available for each giveaway!  
1~ Follow Live, Learn, Love.
2~ Blog about our celebration week.  (Blog once, it counts as an extra entry on each giveaway.)
3~ Become a fan of Live, Learn, Love on facebook.  Yes, that's right.  We finally have a facebook account! 


I firmly believe that every life is worthy of celebration.  You will never hear me say, "...as long as it is healthy." Our children are loved.  It is not a conditional love based on the quality of life our children have.  Though we pray for the health of this baby-and our other children- no one's health will determine how much we love.  (Just as I vowed my husband that I would love him in sickness and in health.  I will, as will he.)

So come celebrate with us!