Taking the Scenic Route

Zane has a fever and only slept a few hours.  We are back up now.  This really sucks.   Normally we wouldn’t even consider taking him anyplace with a fever, nor would we give tylenol for it unless it got above 103 or so (the point we consider the ER).  However, we really want him to feel good enough just to make it a few hours this morning and then Zach will bring him back home to sleep.  I don’t want somebody else to have to deal with him because he is cranky from not feeling well, even if they do love him very much. 

It wasn’t like Zach or I were getting anything resembling comfortable sleep anyway.  Both of our brains were buzzing, and Zane tossing and turning and moaning was keeping both of us on high alert.

As I typed this Zane had a huge, horrid poop.  That has to help him feel better for right now.  Maybe it will be out of his system soon.  The doctor today said the big thing going around was of the 24-hour variety.  We can hope he will be better soon.   If we can’t get the fever down, we might be leaving early and stopping through the ER at the hospital I am delivering at to have them look at Zane.  I don’t really see that happening, but we are keeping it in mind.

I am going to have to talk to the doctor about whether or not we should let Zane be around her until he is doing better.  I am not very confident that her immune system can handle it very well, especially being early.  Ugh!  This could get really complicated.

edited to add:  Zach said he didn’t feel as warm, so maybe his fever is breaking. 

Zach’s Last Day as a Father of One

Zach had a very busy day today.  He has been charging batteries, doing laundry (including weird things like covers for things and my Maya wrap), cleaning car seats, making food for everybody, trying to keep Zane entertained when Zane isn’t feeling very well.

This afternoon he drove us to the doctor appointment, and  right now he is giving Zane a bath.  Before bed he will be making a trip to the store for some blank video tapes and some coloring books and the like for Zane for the next few days.  He has also had to find things to pack in since we seem to have misplaced our luggage, and will be packing for the hospital for me tonight.  Installing the car seat will probably happen during daylight the next few days.

We decided that instead of Zach at the hospital with me and my Mom with Zane, it would probably go smoother if he stayed with Zane and Mom stayed with me.  Mom enjoys talking to nurses, ect, and actually knows several people that work there (including her childhood best friend, her “blood sister”).  Zach really gets annoyed with small talk.  Zach can handle Zane’s erratic schedule a lot better and will have a lot easier time getting Zane to sleep at night.  Now that it looks like Zane might be getting sick we are glad we made that decision.  Zane loves grandma very much, but I think he is likely to be much grumpier if he isn’t feeling well. 

Zach will also be my “guest blogger” over the next few days.  I am expecting to be in the hospital until Monday, but he said he would post updates and pictures on here for me.

Zane’s last day as an only child

Like I mentioned previously, he seems to be trying to get sick.  The cough he picked up last night appeared to get a little better once he was up and about, and he seemed reasonably energetic most of the morning.  However, when waiting in the doctor’s office, he almost fell asleep in daddy’s arms during the appointment.  He just looked like he felt rotten…wasn’t crying, but not very happy with the world either.

He isn’t eating as much and is just not himself.  He keeps trying to fall asleep and we need him to not take a nap since we have to be out of the house at 4:20 or so in the morning tomorrow and we need him to sleep at hours conducive to that.  Normally there would be no way we could get him to bed before 11pm, but I don’t think it will be an issue tonight.  Hopefully.

The picture on the left is actually from last night.   We went ahead and opened Grandma Zandra’s Christmas gift that came yesterday.  (Zach’s Mom)  It is the coolest gift…the Melissa & Doug upright toy piano.  The keys are marked with the letters of the keys and color coded and there is a little songbook.  After some pounding he started to follow Zach when he read the notes, he found the note on the keyboard and played it.  He didn’t stay in the same octave through the whole song, but it is easy to see that he will progress on that.  The piano actually has a nice tone to it too.  I am really happy with it, but more importantly, Zane is absolutely enamored with it!  Thank you Grandma!

My last day as a pregnant lady

I don’t know if it is my *very* last day as a pregnant person, but it is very likely.  This pregnancy, as wanted as it is, was really hard on both me and my family.  I feel really rotten and, even though a part of me doesn’t like the fact that I am having to have a c-section early, my heart knows that it is necessary.  My body is not doing well at all.  I feel worse all the time and hurt a lot more than I ever did with Zane.  I actually feel like I might be running a bit of a fever right now too, besides all the other fun stuff.

I was a little shocked when I saw my blood pressure at the doctor’s office today… 154/98.  Quite a jump from Monday’s reading.  I think if it weren’t already scheduled, it would have been at the appointment.  I found out that my blood pressure should go down in a few days, but I am likely to get more swollen and feel even worse before I feel better.  The height of it will probably be 2 days after the c-section, and then I should start feeling human again.  I am so looking forward to feeling better.

In just a few hours I will be holding my precious little girl.  Isn’t it amazing!

December 17, 2001

Christmas Day 2001

Labor (obviously between contractions)

Meeting Zane

Dawn helping me nurse Zane the first time.  I couldn’t feel my hands very well.

My parents hold their first Grandchild

One of my all-time favorite photos. 

New Daddy

Zane and Me

And we were surprised that we couldn’t put him in a seperate room in a crib.  lol.

Crying Zane, Worried Mama

The basket that has brought home every child in my paternal grandparent’s family.  My 70 uncle (oldest surviving) was the second baby to be brought home in it.  I was number 11, Zane was number 25 (if I am counting correctly).  The new baby will be number 27.

Introducing Barnum to Zane

Honestly, I am not complaining here, I just figure that someday I can hope to look back and laugh at this.

This is probably going to be “Too Much Information”…

I am hoping it is something I ate and we aren’t all getting sick here.  Zach and I are both having some intestinal distress, mostly excessive gas.  With Zach, that isn’t too bad, other than discomfort.  For me, I had an episode last night where I spent a good hour in the bathroom because I had intestinal cramps, at times so bad that I was trying to decide if I was going into labor or not.  I started doing that fun ‘every pore in my body is spewing sweat and I felt like I was going to pass out’ thing.  Zach stood in the door fanning me with a book to help me cool off and keep me from passing out.  Eventually he ran and got the fan and blasted in directly on me, which worked better for both of us.  Eventually I started throwing up rather violently (you know, potty chairs are kind of handy for that…lol…they even have a pour spout).  You know your husband loves you when he not only notices your hair is getting hit (I was too sick to care at that point), and not only holds it out of the way, but manages to get a ponytail holder and put it in a ponytail.  Then, he grabs me a new bowl and disposes of the old one.  I am not sure I could have done the same without losing the contents of my stomach, especially since he was feeling great either. 

After a while sitting there for a while, I noticed my feet and hands were getting red from sitting there too long, so I crawled into the bathtub so I could stretch out and still have containment in case I couldn’t get up in time.  Funny note here I will get back to…I noticed the tub seemed really sticky.  After a while I started feeling better, relatively speaking.  I stopped sweating and it just went to moderate pain that could be attributed to gas and possibly strained muscles from throwing up like that.  I sat on the toilet for a while longer  (um, why is the seat sticking to my butt?), but when nothing was happening, I decided to take a shower.

Here is where it gets a bit entertaining.  I turn on the shower and as the water hits the tub there are bubbles EVERYWHERE.  The entire bathtub fills with bubbles!  That is when I notice the container of “Mr Bubbles” (we got as a treat for Zane for when I am in the hospital) is empty.  At some point, Zane found the bubbles and dumped the entire bottle into the empty tub.  lol.  I guess we need to put the Bubbles up a little higher when we get them again.

I did end up staying up for a while to make sure I wasn’t going into labor.  My stomach was hard as a rock, but it was constant, so I think it was just too much gas.  It isn’t very comfortable, but not nearly as bad today.

All three of us started coughing last nigh.  I wasn’t coughing very much, but with my abdomen feeling like it does, I certainly felt every one of them.  However, all three of us are doing better since we got up.  I couldn’t sleep, so as soon as I got up, I put a pot of water on to boil.  By the time the guys got up I wasn’t coughing any more, and I noticed that they also stopped.  Hopefully it was just the result of too dry of air and we aren’t getting sick.  

In the news…

The transit strike.  I am glad I don’t live in New York right now, but I totally support the workers.  I am so glad that somebody finally is stepping up and willing to put their necks on the line for all workers.  It is sad it took something so drastic to get people to listen though.

What I find really frightening is the arrogance of the mayor who is talking about putting people in JAIL for defending the rights of the working people.  The people that are being defended are not in glamourous positions.  They are very taken for granted, which is made quite evident by the strike.  This issue affects everybody who works…especially the middle class workers who depend on benefits to live a decent retirement.  I am sick of companies who keep slashing benefits of the masses to line the pockets of the few. 

What is next?  Are they going to call them terrorists now and arresting them as combatants?  I especially despise the idea that they are going to fine the low level picketers.  It is not the union causing the problem.  It is the people who are in charge who are not respecting workers rights that forced the issue in the first place.  Maybe we should put the Govenor and Mayor in jail instead.

My c-section will be the first case of the day on Friday morning.  It is relief to know.  I can’t believe I will have two kids in 2 days from now.  Wow!

Sort of an interesting symmetry to it…one will be two days before Christmas, the other two days after Christmas.

Going back to laying down now.  I am definitely not feeling very chipper right now.

My urine test came back.  I am getting sicker.  I am not in the hospital yet, but he is going to try and schedule a delivery on Friday.  If he can’t get OR space that day, then it will be on Thursday.  I am not terribly surprised because I just feel like my body is not doing well. I have spent the entire day laying down, not because I *should* but because I am so wiped out and feel so awful I can’t do anything else.  Even the next few days are going to be difficult and I know that waiting until the 28th would be bad. 

I am getting tired just sitting here typing, so I am going to go back to the couch.

I know it is weird how we are listing the names, but there is a reason.  We are able to each sit at our computers and look at the lists individually, look up names/meanings/see what google brings up and discuss the names without being over each other’s shoulders.  If you ever catch us while eliminating names it would probably be sort of funny…I go in and strike the name and then submit it again and Zach refreshes his screen to show the changes.  These have to be the most edited posts I have ever made. lol.

Off to ‘popularity’ lists in the hopes of avoiding a “Jennifer” level of popularity for a name. 

Names without good nicknames, or lacking the flexibility to have good nicknames are getting knocked off or moved to ‘middle names’

Audrey, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Old English origin, means: Noble; strength. Audrey’s ethnic backgrounds include French. Entertainers with this name include Audrey Hepburn (Movies), Audrey Hepburn (Stage/Theater) and Audrey Meadows (Television). Historical figures with this name include Audrey Flack (Art/Literature). Nicknames for Audrey are Audie. Other names associated with Audrey are Audrie, Audry and Dee. #64

Azaria, a 4-syllable girl’s name of Greek/Hebrew origin, means: Blessed by God. >#1000

Elizabeth, a 4-syllable girl’s name of Hebrew origin, means: Gods oath; dedicated. Elizabeth’s ethnic backgrounds include Scottish and English/Welsh. It’s religious association is Biblical (see Mt 3:1). Entertainers with this name include Elizabeth Cotten (Musicians), Elizabeth Montgomery (Television), Elizabeth Seal (Stage/Theater) and Elizabeth Taylor (Movies). Historical figures with this name include Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Art/Literature) and Ruler (World Leaders). It has religious backgrounds in Biblical and Saints. Nicknames for Elizabeth are Belita, Besse, Bessie, Bessy, Betsey, Betta, Betti, Bettine, Ealaside, Elizabet and Elsabet. Other names associated with Elizabeth are Babette, Belle, Bess, Beth, Betsy, Bette, Bettina, Betty, Eilis, Elisa, Elisabet, Elisabeth, Elisabetta, Elise, Elissa, Eliza, Elsa, Elsbeth and Else. (family name) #10

Genevieve/Zeneivieve, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Celtic/Teutonic origin, means: Fair; blessed; white wave. Genevieve’s ethnic backgrounds include French. Nicknames for Genevieve are Gena, Genevra, Genny, Genovera, Janeva and Jen. Other names associated with Genevieve are Geneva, Genevieve, Gennie, Gina, Guinevere, Jennie and Jenny. (deviation of my name, almost-family name)  Zenevieve, Slavic, White Wave – same meaning as Jennifer, spelling similar to Genevieve which is the root name for Jennifer (changed the “a” at the end to an “e” – more like Genevieve, fewer syllables)  Genevieve #403, Zeneivieve >#1000

Izabella, a 4-syllable girl’s name of Hebrew origin, means: Consecrated; Gods oath. Izabella’s ethnic backgrounds include Polish.  Isabella’s ethnic backgrounds include Italian and Swedish. Entertainers with this name include Isabella Rossellini (Movies). Historical figures with this name include Isabella Bird (Explorers/Pioneers) and Ruler (World Leaders).  Isabella #6, Izabella #395

Jacqueline, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Hebrew/French origin, means: To protect; to hold another back. Jacqueline’s ethnic backgrounds include French. Entertainers with this name include Jacqueline Bisset (Movies). Nicknames for Jacqueline are Jackelyn, Jacki, Jacklin, Jackquelin, Jackqueline, Jaclin, Jacquenetta, Jacquenette, Jacquette, Jacquie, Jaquenetta, Jaquenette and Jaquith. Other names associated with Jacqueline are Jackie, Jacky, Jaclyn, Jacquelyn, Jacquetta, Jacqui and Jaqueline. (family name, childhood friend who passed away name) #108

Katarina, a 4-syllable girl’s name of Greek/various origin, means: One of purity; beloved. Katarina’s ethnic backgrounds include Swedish and German. #852

Katherine, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Greek origin, means: One of purity; beloved. Katherine’s ethnic backgrounds include Scottish. Entertainers with this name include Katherine Helmond (Television). Historical figures with this name include Katherine Mansfield (Art/Literature). It has religious backgrounds in Saints. Nicknames for Katherine are Carin, Caron, Caryn, Cassy, Catarina, Cate, Catha, Cathe, Cathee, Catherina, Cathi, Cathie, Cathleen, Cathlene, Cathlin, Cathyleen and Cati. Other names associated with Katherine are Caitlin, Caitrin, Caren, Cass, Cassie, Catalina, Caterina, Catharina, Catherine, Cathrine, Cathryn and Cathy. (family name) #39 (needed to choose between Katarina and Katherine…too similar)

Tatiana, Slavic, Russian equivalent of ancient Italian myth name, a fairy queen.  Diminutive: Tanya, Related name: Tazia  #290

Zarah, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Hebrew origin, popular Old Testament name, means: A princess; Sunrise, rising of light, Zara, Zarry, Zari, Zerlinda Sarah is #12, Zarah is >#1000

Zerelda, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Teutonic origin, means: Armored battle-maiden. Nicknames for Zerelda are Zeralda. Other names associated with Zerelda are Serilda. >#1000

Zora/Zorabella, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Arabic/Slavic origin, Zorah was a town in Judah belonging to the tribe of Dan.Birthplace of Samson, means: Aurora; the dawn, place of wasps, Nicknames for Zora are Zarya, Zohra, Zorah, Zorana, Zorina and Zorine. Bella is Italian origin. Means beautiful  (Zora Belle is a family name, but we would probably combine it into one name – Zorabella, with Zora as a nickname)  Zorabella means “Beautiful Light of Dawn”  Slavic >#1000

Middle Names Only (not in the running for the first name any more)

Anastazie is a 4-syllable girl’s name. Anastazie’s ethnic backgrounds include Czech. >#1000

Hazel, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Old English/Teutonic origin, means: The hazel tree or nut; reddish-brown. Commander. Hazel is also a name in the category of Color. Nicknames for Hazel are Aveline. (family name) #676

Helen, Greek, bright one, torch light (family name) #364

Jazlynn is a 2-syllable girl’s name.  (this one is a strong front-runner for the middle name.  variations of “Lynn” are the middle names of my mom and I, and “jaz” has been my screen name over the years….standing for “Jennifer And Zach”.  It has a meaning unique and special to us) #649

Laura, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Latin origin, means: Victoriously crowned with laurels. Laura’s ethnic backgrounds include Italian and English/Welsh. Entertainers with this name include Laura Branigan (Musicians). Historical figures with this name include Laura Ingalls Wilder (Art/Literature). Nicknames for Laura are Lari, Laur, Laure, Laureen, Laurey, Laurice, Lolly, Loralie, Loree, Loreen, Lorelie, Lorie, Lorinda and Lorine. Other names associated with Laura are Laraine, Laurel, Lauren, Laurena, Laurene, Lauretta, Laurette, Lauri, Lora, Loren, Lorena, Lorene, Lorenza, Loretta, Lorette and Lori. (family name) #129

Isabella is making me want to cry.  In 2001, it was one of 3 or so “girls names” we had chosen for Zane.  It was #42 in popularity in 2001.  In 2002:  up to #19; 2003:  jumped to #8; in 2004 it was up to #7; and this year it is #6.  Granted, we would spell it with a “Z” instead of and “S”, but I really have to think about what I want to do with that name.  I swore I would not use a popular name, but I just love this name.  Ugh. 

FTR…Tatiana and Zarah/Sarah were the other two finalists last time around.

Anastazie is a 4-syllable girl’s name. Anastazie’s ethnic backgrounds include Czech.

Audrey, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Old English origin, means: Noble; strength. Audrey’s ethnic backgrounds include French. Entertainers with this name include Audrey Hepburn (Movies), Audrey Hepburn (Stage/Theater) and Audrey Meadows (Television). Historical figures with this name include Audrey Flack (Art/Literature). Nicknames for Audrey are Audie. Other names associated with Audrey are Audrie, Audry and Dee.

Azalia,  Female,   Hebrew, spared by Jehovah, Azaria

Azaliah, Hebrew, Near to God, the name of two men in the Old Testament.The sons of Meshullam and the father of Shaphan

Azaria, a 4-syllable girl’s name of Greek/Hebrew origin, means: Blessed by God.

Elizabeth, a 4-syllable girl’s name of Hebrew origin, means: Gods oath; dedicated. Elizabeth’s ethnic backgrounds include Scottish and English/Welsh. It’s religious association is Biblical (see Mt 3:1). Entertainers with this name include Elizabeth Cotten (Musicians), Elizabeth Montgomery (Television), Elizabeth Seal (Stage/Theater) and Elizabeth Taylor (Movies). Historical figures with this name include Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Art/Literature) and Ruler (World Leaders). It has religious backgrounds in Biblical and Saints. Nicknames for Elizabeth are Belita, Besse, Bessie, Bessy, Betsey, Betta, Betti, Bettine, Ealaside, Elizabet and Elsabet. Other names associated with Elizabeth are Babette, Belle, Bess, Beth, Betsy, Bette, Bettina, Betty, Eilis, Elisa, Elisabet, Elisabeth, Elisabetta, Elise, Elissa, Eliza, Elsa, Elsbeth and Else. (family name)

Genevieve/Zeneivieve, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Celtic/Teutonic origin, means: Fair; blessed; white wave. Genevieve’s ethnic backgrounds include French. Nicknames for Genevieve are Gena, Genevra, Genny, Genovera, Janeva and Jen. Other names associated with Genevieve are Geneva, Genevieve, Gennie, Gina, Guinevere, Jennie and Jenny. (deviation of my name, almost-family name)  Zenevieve, Slavic, White Wave – same meaning as Jennifer, spelling similar to Genevieve which is the root name for Jennifer (changed the “a” at the end to an “e” – more like Genevieve, fewer syllables)

Hazel, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Old English/Teutonic origin, means: The hazel tree or nut; reddish-brown. Commander. Hazel is also a name in the category of Color. Nicknames for Hazel are Aveline. (family name)

Helen, Greek, bright one, torch light (family name)

Izabella, a 4-syllable girl’s name of Hebrew origin, means: Consecrated; Gods oath. Izabella’s ethnic backgrounds include Polish.  Isabella’s ethnic backgrounds include Italian and Swedish. Entertainers with this name include Isabella Rossellini (Movies). Historical figures with this name include Isabella Bird (Explorers/Pioneers) and Ruler (World Leaders).

Jacqueline, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Hebrew/French origin, means: To protect; to hold another back. Jacqueline’s ethnic backgrounds include French. Entertainers with this name include Jacqueline Bisset (Movies). Nicknames for Jacqueline are Jackelyn, Jacki, Jacklin, Jackquelin, Jackqueline, Jaclin, Jacquenetta, Jacquenette, Jacquette, Jacquie, Jaquenetta, Jaquenette and Jaquith. Other names associated with Jacqueline are Jackie, Jacky, Jaclyn, Jacquelyn, Jacquetta, Jacqui and Jaqueline. (family name, childhood friend who passed away name)

Katarzyna, a 4-syllable girl’s name of Greek/Polish origin, means: One of purity; beloved. Katarzyna’s ethnic backgrounds include Polish.

Katarina, a 4-syllable girl’s name of Greek/various origin, means: One of purity; beloved. Katarina’s ethnic backgrounds include Swedish and German.

Katherine, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Greek origin, means: One of purity; beloved. Katherine’s ethnic backgrounds include Scottish. Entertainers with this name include Katherine Helmond (Television). Historical figures with this name include Katherine Mansfield (Art/Literature). It has religious backgrounds in Saints. Nicknames for Katherine are Carin, Caron, Caryn, Cassy, Catarina, Cate, Catha, Cathe, Cathee, Catherina, Cathi, Cathie, Cathleen, Cathlene, Cathlin, Cathyleen and Cati. Other names associated with Katherine are Caitlin, Caitrin, Caren, Cass, Cassie, Catalina, Caterina, Catharina, Catherine, Cathrine, Cathryn and Cathy. (family name)

Laura, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Latin origin, means: Victoriously crowned with laurels. Laura’s ethnic backgrounds include Italian and English/Welsh. Entertainers with this name include Laura Branigan (Musicians). Historical figures with this name include Laura Ingalls Wilder (Art/Literature). Nicknames for Laura are Lari, Laur, Laure, Laureen, Laurey, Laurice, Lolly, Loralie, Loree, Loreen, Lorelie, Lorie, Lorinda and Lorine. Other names associated with Laura are Laraine, Laurel, Lauren, Laurena, Laurene, Lauretta, Laurette, Lauri, Lora, Loren, Lorena, Lorene, Lorenza, Loretta, Lorette and Lori. (family name)

Morgana, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Celtic/Welsh origin, means: A sea dweller; born by the sea. Other names associated with Morgana are Morgan.

Tatiana, Slavic, Russian equivalent of ancient Italian myth name, a fairy queen.  Diminutive: Tanya

Zahara, a 3-syllable girl’s name, means: A flower.

Zaida, Female,  Arabic, fortunate one

Zaira, female, Arabic, rose, Zariah, Zari

Zarah, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Hebrew origin, popular Old Testament name, means: A princess; Sunrise, rising of light, Zara, Zarry, Zari, Zerlinda

Zelia, Greek, Female, zeal

Zaylin, Female,  Zayla, Aylin

Zebina, Female,  Greek, one who is gifted

Zerelda, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Teutonic origin, means: Armored battle-maiden. Nicknames for Zerelda are Zeralda. Other names associated with Zerelda are Serilda.

Zinah, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Persian/Greek/Hebrew origin, means: A woman; hospitable; of Zeus. Zina was one of the decendents of Levie in the Old Testament. Zina

Zipporah, a 3-syllable girl’s name of Hebrew origin, means: Beauty; a bird. The wife of Moses and the mother of Gershom and Eliezer, Nicknames for Zipporah are Tippi, Tippie and Tsiporah. Other names associated with Zipporah are Ceporah and Zippora.

Zora/Zorabella, a 2-syllable girl’s name of Arabic/Slavic origin, Zorah was a town in Judah belonging to the tribe of Dan.Birthplace of Samson, means: Aurora; the dawn, place of wasps, Nicknames for Zora are Zarya, Zohra, Zorah, Zorana, Zorina and Zorine. Bella is Italian origin. Means beautiful  (Zora Belle is a family name, but we would probably combine it into one name – Zorabella, with Zora as a nickname)  Zorabella means “Beautiful Light of Dawn”  Slavic

Zuriel, Female,  Hebrew, God is my rock, tribal chief in the old testament

Middle Names Only (not in the running for the first name any more)

Jazlynn is a 2-syllable girl’s name.  (this one is a strong front-runner for the middle name.  variations of “Lynn” are the middle names of my mom and I, and “jaz” has been my screen name over the years….standing for “Jennifer And Zach”.  It has a meaning unique and special to us)

This is really getting harder every time we go back.  We are having to drop names that one of us are attached to but the other isn’t.  Blame Zach for dropping Zipporah (having issues with the nickname, Zippy)  I do concede that “Zane and Zippy” does sound a bit, well, creative.  Blame me for dropping Zuriel because the nickname “Zuri” is too male for me.  Both of us like Morgana, but aren’t as thrilled with Morgan, which others would routinely shorten it to.  Just like other names better.

36 weeks