What's In a Name?

There were two questions that everyone would ask me during my pregnancy, and I do mean everyone- from the quiet male co-worker to the perfect-stranger-toothless-wonder at the movie theater they would all ask:
1- is it a boy or a girl?
2- What will you name "it"?
(those two questions are the foundation for another blog, trust me).

On February 2, 2016 at 4:00 pm, we named her Magnolia "Maggie" Lane Lenard.
Several Colorado friends have asked us how we chose her name, so I thought I would share with you. Because we didn't find out the gender via ultrasound, choosing names was super fun and kept us busy for many months! When choosing a name, it must pass my series of tests: "can you understand the pronunciation of the name over a voicemail" and "will it stereotype her on a job application" or "is this just a cutesy kid name or can it be a mature name."

I had a very funny great-grandmother whose name was Maggie (my grandfather's mother). This was on our list from the first day.

As we got closer to the end of the pregnancy, we decided that Maggie could be short for Magnolia, the quintessential flower of the South.
The magnolia flower is cherished for its majestic aroma and its trees are statuesque and beautiful. (Magnolia also means "Pearl"- the city where I grew up. Now this is funny to those of you who live in MS!)

In addition, my grandmother "Nanny," was an artist who often painted magnolias on canvas for friend's homes and all of us grandchildren have inherited her magnolia paintings. So as you can tell, it was the perfect fit for our baby girl. Nanny would be proud! We sure are.

Babies Don't Keep

My very talented friend Lacy Deese whipped this up one night right before I had our baby. What started out with a funny, left me in tears. Enjoy.

Twas 3 days before baby when all through the house

not a creature was stirring 

not even a mouse

Except when Heather got up in a hurry

And whispered to Daniel, "I want a Mcflurry."

Pretty soon all these cravings and wake ups will end 

But at 3 am when you wake, you'll have a new friend 

These sleepless nights when you get up 7 times to pee

Will turn into breastfeeding and Netflix on TV 

So here's to the nights of days gone by 

Of uninterrupted sleep and a twinkle in your eye. 

Now the twinkle will come from the love that you share 

For a babe whose days and nights are mixed up and it doesn't care! 

But oh how those nights you will treasure so

Hold on to them fondly and never let go 

Never let someone lead you to guilt or fright 

When they ask "is your baby sleeping through the night?"

And gently remember when you're begging for sleep 

To hold tight to that baby 

cause babies don't keep

Rock it and nurse it as much as you want  

And just watch its hair grow every day-

Cause if you don't...

One day it will be driving and awake you will lie

Wishing it were home where you could hold it tight 

Enjoy the moments your arms ache from the holding 

And take in all the sweet smells and soft skin you're beholding 

When you rock it for hours til your bottom is numb 

Remember it won't be long til the day will come 

That you'll miss these days even though they are hard 

And soak up the moments- don't let them be marred 

By misinterpretations of what's happening really-

Babies don't sleep through the night you silly! 

Its crying is simply its language to you 

It's telling you something- so listen for clues

The dirty diapers just mean that it's eating and growing 

So be thankful for each of the blowouts it's blowing 

Your clothes won't be quite as clean as before 

And you might cry real easy and your nipples be sore 

And all of its good- every single bit 

So bump it and rock it and don't ever quit 

And again don't forget when you're desperate for sleep...

To hold tight to that baby cause babies don't keep.