Deciding on a name for one's unborn child is one of the more important decisions an expectant parent can make. Okay, maybe even the most important decision. I can't be sure.
I like to think that by naming our children we are preparing for them their life stories. A name is a first impression after all, a sort of predetermined identity.
Archer was a total slam-dunk for us. Hal and I were in agreement almost immediately and probably within the first few weeks of my finding out I was pregnant. Archer was unique and strong and masculine, timeless, even graceful. Archer's middle name, Sage (as in wisdom not the herb) came later. Our girl names were a lot tiny bit more complicated. We battled over first names (finally deciding on Colette) and then battled over middle names (finally deciding on Reverie) but it took many an argument before we got there. Fists shook in frustration. Baby books were thrown from car windows, etc.
This time around has been much the same way. Mainly because we are so fond of the name Archer and would like to choose an equally as compelling name for number two. Something with a little story. Hal's fickle heart changes daily and the name we agreed on last week (for a boy) has now been boycotted (ha!) for sounding "too old."
"Not too old! Timeless!" I said.
"Bec! Come on... It's an old man's name."
"You're an old man's name!"
"Look. It's 3am. We have six-months to decide. Can't we just..."
"No! We're going to figure this out NOW! Ahhhh!!!!"
Our girl name is in stone, of course. We're both in love with it much like we were with Archer-a sure sign, I thought, we'd be having a girl, but after our ultrasound seemed like "maybe it's a boy" I've since doubted my pre-ultrasound It's-A-Girl! instincts. (We'll find out the sex fo sho in about a month.)
In the meantime, I'll likely be throwing a thousand-zillion names at Hal, only for each and every one of them to be greeted with eye-rolls, rejected for being too "old," "weird" or "what the fuck? Are you high, woman?"
I can assure you, I'm not high. I just take this whole name-thing VERY seriously. I mean, don't we all? It's a name! A NAME!
How long did it take you and your significant other to decide on names for your babes and/or if you're currently preg, how's the great name debate coming along? Who's winning?
Please come join me at the psycho-name-obsessed-pregnant-lady table and let's discuss. Don't be shy.
GGC
*Reminder for my San Diego area peeps, I'll be reading/signing Rockabye at the Borders in Carlsbad at 7pm, tonight (Wednesday, April 9th). Catch you on the flip...
*Reminder for my San Diego area peeps, I'll be reading/signing Rockabye at the Borders in Carlsbad at 7pm, tonight (Wednesday, April 9th). Catch you on the flip...
