Amazing Grace

I was never one of those girls who had the names of her future children picked out at age 12. I often wondered what was wrong with me when all the other girls would sit around rattling off their favorites. Just like my cooking skills (or lack there of) I had no desire to prepare early on for this step in life.

I am glad I didn't waste my time. Naming a child is very hard, but it is even harder when you are factoring in the opinions of another person - namely the father.

I started out by picking up a book called "Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana: What to Name Your Baby Now" figuring it would help me come up with a name that was unique. I grew up as "Katie B" because of all the other Katie's in class so something different was important to me. But unique names are just that - unique. Most of them don't roll off the tongue too well and most beg for a lifetime of teasing. Nevertheless, after several days of combing through the pages in between bouts of morning sickness, I came up with a short list of names. Not one to pass up an opportunity to create an excel spreadsheet, I added the names to a workbook I titled "Potential Baby Names". (My love of excel definitely did not die after I left the workforce!)

Proud of the names I had come up with, I presented them to Court. Within three swift seconds, all the names were vetoed. He knew a girl in college named X and didn't like her or the nickname that would be associated with the name was heinous.

Back to the drawing board I went, or back to the book store that is, and purchased yet another book called "25,000 Baby Names." This would have to have something in it that we both loved! Right?

During the days and months of morning sickness, I would pick through the pages of the book and add names that I liked to the spreadsheet. It was a slow process because 1) reading anything made me feel sick and 2) there weren't too many names I liked. They were either too trendy, too boring, too popular or just plain awful. Plus, it is amazing what things from your past you associate with a name. For example, in the second grade a boy in my class named Chase attacked my beloved teacher, Miss McMullen. For me, the name Chase will forever be tainted even though for so many others it is ideal.

With that said, I came up with a list of about 30 names. I alphabetized the list, color coded my favorites and even came up with a few first and middle name combinations. The list was ready for Court's review. Many were immediately vetoed but a short list was created. We played around with several for a few weeks but one definitely stood out as the favorite.

So without further ado, our daughter will be named

GRACE ELIZABETH

Let the monogramming begin!