God is Gracious

Baby girl has a name ... Okay, we're only 85% sure (mostly because I'm commitment phobic and probably won't heartily commit to anything 100% until the day the birth certificate is due), but we're closer. We have actually put two names together and are agreeing on them! I thought this would never happen. Himself fancies himself somewhat non-traditionalist in the name department - given HIS name, no one is surprised. I am much more a traditionalist. I love traditional, 18th-century names.

We thumbed through a baby book, came up with one long list and, one day, while I was on one of my weekend jaunts to somewhere fabulous, Himself took it upon himself to narrow the list, consult his co-workers (all women who have never met me - very scientific poll there, sweetheart) and proudly present a list of 8 names he considered acceptable.

Only one of "my" names was on there (and it wasn't even one of my favorites, nor is it the one we are actually using for Baby Girl).

Interestingly enough, as the weeks have flown by, Himself has become OBSESSED with naming Baby Girl. Obsessed. It drives him nuts that I call her Baby Girl (at least it's not "it" or "the baby"), because I refused to agree on a name. What if we changed our minds? What if she didn't look like that name when she was born? How could I possibly pick something this important without even knowing her? (See? Commitment phobic - and you thought I was kidding).

Two weeks ago, Himself finally said, "what is your favorite name on the list?" I told him. He liked it. I told him my middle name requirements. He picked one. I liked it. Then he said, "So, we have a name." I panicked.

Today, for some reason, it feels better. I like the name. It still feels a bit regal to me - something Baby Girl could have on letterhead (a naming requirement of a friend - it has to be a name that would look good on a legal firm's letterhead). It's just not-quite-common-enough for Himself to like it. It's a bit exotic (okay, if you excuse the fact that it's ethnic origin is from a country NEITHER Himself nor I can claim any relation to, it is very exotic - which still worries me a bit).

So, Himself and I decided that Baby Girl has a name. If you want to know what it is, ask him. I'm not disclosing it freely, because I'm still convinced that we're only 85% there - I'd hate to announce a name and then change it, confusing Baby Girl and everyone else (I know about this - my parents didn't change my brother's name, but started calling him by his middle name, then over a year later, switched to initials and his first name - no wonder he became a Marine!).

I will divulge the meaning though: God Is Gracious. Her middle name means God is my Oath.

It is fitting. God was gracious in blessing us with this miracle life. It is the meaning that made me fall in love with the name to begin with.

God is gracious and Baby Girl is deeply loved.