What's In a Name?

To get my mind off all the maternity leave BS, I have to shift my focus to something less stressful and aggravating. Thank you for your suggestions and supportive comments about that and how to deal with my negative friend. By the way, I did speak to her and she said she didn't realize she was being unsupportive. I believe she will be more sensitive in the future. As far as leave, I haven't figured out what to do. I clearly need more than 12 days, especially considering at least 7 of them will be used up while in Ethiopia. Honestly, I don't understand how it's even legal or why adoptive parents haven't rallied together and created an uproar. Perhaps because the majority are married or have spouses with great benefits or maybe earning an income isn't an issue? I'm not asking to take off an entire year (which I really think is an appropriate amount of time) but just time to get to know her and she, me. Who better to take care of my child than me? I should be the one to feed her, change her, play with her, teach her, interact with her. I should be able to witness the firsts in her life, not some daycare provider. I know it takes a village, but shouldn't I be the primary one to have this role? As that day gets closer and closer I am getting more and more sensitive about the subject and more and more worried about the influences of outsiders. I just really, really want to be there.

On the way home I visited a daycare center. I have to say I was actually pleasantly surprised. It was bright and cheerful and the ten minutes or so that I was in there, the kids seemed happy and well-looked after. I will be going in for a tour next week and putting my name on the waiting list. I know daycare is just something I will have to accept and there are places where my child can thrive.. I know that. I just wish it could just be the two of us.

Anyhoo~ names! Yes, I have been thinking a lot about names lately. It would be great if I already was very attached to a name. It would save so much time! I could start referring to my daughter by the name, I could buy things with her name on it, etc. But waiting to come up with name also makes sense. I think there's a lot to be said for waiting to meet a child (biological or adopted) before making a final decision on a name to see if a name fits. And in my case, not knowing the how old she will be when I pick her up may mean I will keep her given name, particularly if it was given to her by her first family. I think an infant can adapt to a new name fairly quickly but I'm not sure about a toddler.

I won't put my exact list of name choices as it's a great way to get uninvited comments and opinions (been there, done that!) but suffice it to say I like both androgynous names and feminine names. I like the idea of using a family name or an Ethiopian name, too! I think I've narrowed down the list to about fifteen! LOL

Part of the problem is by becoming a parent later in life means you have come across a lot of names by now that you like, names I would have never even considered ten years ago. When I was little I was sure I would name my daughter Jennifer. I loved the name Jennifer. I had a Raggedy Ann doll that I carried with me everywhere, but instead of calling her Ann, I called her Jennifer! That name isn't bad but it isn't in the running. Being an older parent also means that many of your friends already have children and have used names that you like. And then add to that being a teacher for fifteen years and another whole slew of names has to be ruled out. I am getting closer and I will reveal her name before the end of the year! :)


All this thinking of names reminded me of all the crazy unique names I have come across in the classroom over the years...

There was the little girl named Schawntrisicia (pronounced Shawntricia). That was a mouthful and so hard for her to learn to spell. Well, yeah!

And there was the child named Pepsi. A boy. "Like the drink?!", I asked him. A huge smile spread across his face as he proudly told me that yes, he was indeed named after the soda.

And then there was the little girl named Taylor. Cute name, right? Not too unusual. Until you learn her last name was also Taylor. Yup, that's right. Taylor Taylor!

Oh! And let's not forget the twins Greg and Gregory. I kid you not. Or even better, the twins Schillick and Shillack.

(Some people just shouldn't reproduce. Ha!)

Any suggestions for interesting names to go with a 2-syllable last name?