What's in a name?

What a challenge it can be, to find just the right name for a child. A name they'll carry for life, a name that represents who they are. What a spot a parent stands in, as they say, "I give you the name.....".

And this often can result in arguements among friends, relatives, and spouses. You announce a name you have chosen, and some smirk, groan, roll their eyes, while the next person thinks it's just the coolest name! A name a husband likes a wife doesn't, and vise versa, or one name triggers a not-so-delightful for one or the other. And then if you do actually settle on a name, finally? Then there's the spelling of the name.

Throughout my daughter's pregnancy, Alyssa, my husband and I couldn't settle on a name. I gave up and bought a baby name book and started going through the list. Finally, when I was in labor, the name Alyssa was finally decided on. But a spelling for this name wasn't agreed on until the birth certificate was finally being filled out. My goodness. And then the third name I wanted to give her, after her paternal grandmother, the grandmother didn't want her to have that name (she didn't like the name) and requested another one.

Is naming a child really this difficult?

A few years ago, I had a name for my hoped to one day male child - set - it was a perfect name, should this child ever come to exist.... and now that s/he is on his/her way, it doesn't seem like a fitting name anymore.

So the hunt begins.....

The dad has chosen Su-Sheng for a third name ... what a beautiful and perfect name. The meaning and thought behind it is just wonderful.

Samuel - although I saw the spelling tonight as Samuil.... and now I debate between the two. A first name?

But the second (or first, whichever ends up flowing best).... Isaiah, Keenan, Shawn, Orion, Shanti, Sani, Rian, Teagan, Snorre (ok, that was just chucklable) were tossed out there..... but none of those seem to really fit.

Maybe this is part of the reason nine-months is given. Nine months to decide on just the right name :)

The Inevitable Topic

The last few days have been filled with decluttering the house, cleaning, mopping, steam cleaning the carpets, washing windows and mirrors, and the inevitable... laundry and dishes. Luckily the girls have been over spending time with their dad for the most part, so not only did I have time to not just clean but work on decluttering, my mind has also been given the time to ponder a bit more then usual.

The subject today? Weight Loss. One may groan and roll their eyes, but it's a typical fact that most woman seem to be obsessed about. How much they weigh, what part of their body they'd like to slim down a bit, and how they just don't look like how they use to.... often comparing their now much older body to what they looked like as a teen, or even in their early 20's. One ages though, it's a fact of life, and unless you have some crazy hot manicured pop star body, topped with cosmetic restructuring, one's figure tends to change as you get older. Add pregnancy on top of it? Where a woman's body gets stretched to it's full extend, from her face, stomach, and down to her toes? Often times she's left with what looks like a finally released after many months stretched rubber band. And we expect such a rubber band to regain it's original look? Are we nuts?

But we do this. We buy into every gimic, trying every possible way to find that secret cure to weight loss, toning, erasing stretch marks, and the flabby baby tummy (think stretched rubber band).

This is me. Times 7. Well, I'm in the middle of my 7th pregnancy. No longer can I easily cross my legs anymore. My face looks like I sucked on helium, although no squeeky voice to send the children into hysterical laughter. My quickly expanding tummy gives me a lovely excuse for the waddle that I sport.

And I grin and say it's well worth it. I look at my stomach that has well given up attempting to hold any type of structured for. I look back on the body I had before #1, and the HOT body I held before #2, and smile looking at a photo of this body before #3, and chuckle how it all went south after that..... #4, #5, #6... and now #7.

So my mind was thinking today, is it possible to regain form and structure? I can sport my stretch marks with pride. But can I tighten the skin if weight was lost? If I give myself three years to loose weight, slowly building myself up and working on my muscle structure, eating habits, and everything else that builds to good heath... is it possible?

And I look forward to this. Maybe I can be one fit, hot looking, post birthing children mama, and spunky fit sexy newly back in the dating world 50yo :P If my sanity holds after raising my children. Otherwise I'll die happily as a crazy old woman with her crazy bird and herd of horses :)

Merry Christmas!! (posted day after)

What a gorgeous day today! Since my daughters were visiting with their dad, I found myself comfortably sleeping in. Jonah took the time to feed and water the horses, get himself ready to go, and be ready to open his Christmas presents. They were wonderful, and tears came when he opened what his dad sent him - a digital camera. He's waited almost three years before getting this camera, his last was ruined by our bird and it wasn't his fault. He had been responsible. I am so happy for him.

On our way towards the door Jonah spotted a beautiful sight, a deer eating from bushes close to our house. It was such a serene moment, to stand there and watch the deer. Jonah was taking pictures with his camera. I stood behind him and took this one. He opened the window to get a clearer shot, and the deer just stood there watching him. I love living in the country.

12:30pm and the sun was barely starting to top the trees. It was so cold and crisp outside that everything glimmered. Within the woods droplets were falling from the trees, making a lovely sound. What a beautiful morning - afternoon. I started the van to defrost the windshield, and while waiting Jonah took some photos.

16 weeks 3 days. As I type this I take a moment to wrap my hand under my tummy. The baby's been very quiet, and seems to pick up energy in the evening. The taps are still very light, it's possible that it's because the placenta is towards the front - softing kicks. Or the baby just enjoys relaxing during the day and wakes up at night. Just like his brother - and just like his father :)

Blog continued from....

This blog is continued from: http://www.babycrowd.com/jr/online/stardreaming