Nursery update

Still waiting on the daybed bedding, and after that we'll pick window treatments and decide if the walls on either side of the window need anything.

But the crib bedding is here, as is the decal (we went with pussy willlows instead of a tree) and baby-name wall art.

This baby name process was much easier and shorter than the last time around, and the decision was made without a single fight, months in advance of Barrett Ander's arrival.

Nicknames

Peanut (Mr. Peanut, Peanut-Man)
Shorty
Chicken Wing
Snugglerumpus
Baby-Cade
Footsy-Bruitser
Bamster
Weenster
Little Bubba
Boopie

Speaking of Grandmas...

...You grandparents- and great-grandparent-in-the-making better decide pretty darn quickly what you want to be called by this kid.

Here and here are some inspirations, and here's an article to help you figure it out.

The Name Game

We're making progress, although the original plan has been modified. Neither of us was a big fan of five names on the other's list, so we decided last night to pick just our top three. And then, since each of our favorite names didn't make the other's top three, we decided to add them back into the mix for consideration. So in total, we're looking at eight possible names. We are literally going to post them on the fridge and keep thinking about them over the next few weeks, maybe months.

The good news: neither of us outright hates any of the names on the list of eight.

Yes, there was one name that we both picked for our original lists (Barrett), but that name isn't a front-runner for either of us. And the most ironic part of this process is that each of our favorite names is actually the same name: Brian's is the traditional English version (Nicholas), and mine is the traditional Scottish version (Caelan). Unfortunately, they're too far apart to use one as a formal first name and the other as a nickname.

Further, a couple of disclaimers on the final list. There are a couple of names on there we both really, really like, but that unfortunately just may not work. Caleb is a favorite of both of ours, but we're concerned the "b" at the end of the first name and the "b" at the beginning of the last name may be too cumbersome to pronounce. And as for Colin, it's another top pick for both of us, but we recently found out it's also a favorite of my brother and sister-in-law, should they have a son down the road. So it's possible names may come off or go on this list of eight, but I think we have narrowed it down pretty well so far.

Personally, I'd like to narrow the list of eight down to two or three by July, so we have some options when we first meet the little guy. It sounds funny, but I have heard from a couple of moms who, after spending the first few hours with their newborns, absolutely knew what names were perfect and what names just wouldn't do.

So here are the lists, as refined last night (click the chart to enlarge):

Liz's revised name list

So here's the deal: We're each coming up with a list of our 10 favorite names, for a pool of 20 names, total. Then we'll trade lists, and I'll pick my five favorite from Brian's list and he'll pick his five favorite from my list. Then we'll sit on that list of 10 names for a few weeks, and maybe let them roll around in our heads until baby boy arrives.

Brian's still working on his list, and here's mine. Again, any comments are welcome.

Ah, what the heck: Whaddya think of these names?

Want to see and comment on my favorite names at this moment? Check out my name list.

Disclaimers:

Brian has in no way endorsed any of these names. In fact, he really dislikes a few of them. So this is by no means a list that is anywhere near final.

Further, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time, just as I have done many times over the past couple of months. Case-in-point, at one point I actually LOVED the names Veradis and Tanith for a girl and Taurian and Jayce for a boy. Now all four make me cringe.

Finally, while comments and thoughts from friends and family are welcome and encouraged, please understand this is OUR baby, and WE will ultimately choose the name. Love it and live with it. And even if you don't love it, you're gonna have to live with it, so you may as well try :)