What's in a Name?

We are having the hardest time figuring out a name for the baby. We had names all ready to go with both of the other kids. We have pretty interesting ways of choosing their names so I'm going to share. Yesterday the kids and I were working on cleaning out our guest room closet where the baby will sleep eventually and we ended up going through their tub of baby things that I've saved that were really precious to me. They love hearing those pieces of clothing or shoes or blankets and it brings back such sweet memories for me.

Xavier Daniel- Somehow, we just always knew that Xavier would be his first name. We didn't tell anyone his name until he was born, but we had known for months that we would have Xavier. As for his middle name, we really couldn't decide. We wanted it to be significant, since Xavier didn't really have a special memory for us, we just liked it. He was the first grandson in either of our families and we didn't want to upset someone on either side(and trust me it would have been an issue with either of our families) by naming him after just Brent's family or my family. SO we rock paper scissored it and decided to name him after Brent Daniel. So that's how our son became Xavier Daniel.

Naia Linnet- Naia's name came a little more difficult to us. We had originally picked out her name to be Peyton. Not after anyone in particular, but Brent really does like the Colts! And that was going to be her name Peyton. We had a couple of middle names in mind and weren't really worried about that at all. On the way to our last ultrasound for Naia at about 32 weeks or so, I had an emotional breakdown about her name! We had a 20 mintue drive to the dr.'s office and I just broke down. I couldn't name my daughter after a football player! I don't know what came over me, but I was in tears and Brent said, Dania we don't have to name her that. We'll find something else! So when we got home we made up new rules for looking. All new names. Nothing from the old lists could be on the new list. We ended up finding Naia and it just fit. We couldn't have picked a more perfect name for her! Linnet is named after me and my mom.

Xavier means new house. Which is kind of funny b/c the day I went into labor with Xavier we moved into a new house!

Naia means flowing. It's Greek.

Okay so with all of that, here are the "rules" that we use(d) to pick out our kids' names.
1. You can't know a person or have known a person with the name.
2. No nickname for the name. Neither one of us are fond of nicknames.
3. No name that's in the top 100 or so maybe even top 500 baby names for the year he or she is born.

I think that's it! Now if only we could find a name for baby number 3! We love all the names that we've seen from others, but I think our creative juices have stopped flowing! Everything we like is either too cutesy or too popular or someone famous keeps naming their kids that!

Back to School already

I bought school supplies for Xavier today. I know, those of you that know "Dania in Real Life" that this is totally out of character for me to buy something so early before actually needing it! I'm the world's greatest procrastinator! It was a little sad buying the supplies though. This is his last year in the Primary school. Next year he'll move over to the elementary school and Naia will start at the Primary school. Also, he had to have spiral notebooks for this year. That seems like such a big kid thing to need! I can't believe he's going to be in 2nd grade.

Kindergarten Graduation May 2007




Father's Day June 2008(notice the difference in his smiles!!)

Just another manic Monday

Not just Monday though!

We've had a crazy summer so far. Trips to Branson, trips to Mena, trips to Springdale. I think we've finally made the rounds this summer with the kids to see grandparents. Last weekend we went to Branson. We bought season passes to SDC so we're really trying to put them to good use! We also went to the Titanic museum while we were there. Very neat. Not something we'll do again, but it was neat to see once. Xavier has been begging us to take him there. He has a huge interest in the Titanic story. He has read several books and watched several documentaries on it. Pretty cool for a soon to be 2nd grader.

We're moving up pretty quickly on the wait list. On the unofficial list we're about #5. COME ON RERRALS!!! We are excited about what's going on in the adoption world. A friend of ours has moved up to the #1 spot for a baby from Vietnam. If they get their referral before September they will still get to go and travel to pick up their baby. Very exciting for them. And several fellow bloggers from the Dillon forum have gotten referrals recently. Also very exciting! So again, keep the referrals coming!