Names

Well, I have been asked by many what our other name choices were so thought I would share and then I'll have a record for myself :)

We never officially had a name for a girl, maybe a sign that we were having a boy?

We had Jack on the list from pretty early on and it was "the boy name" by about 25 weeks I think. Julia was into The Incredibles at the time and kept calling the baby in mommy's tummy "Jack". Whether she got it from the movie or not I will never know. It was especially consistent when we went camping in June. It really grew on us from then on and in Julia's mind this was indeed Baby Jack and there was no alternative name. She INSISTED that the baby was her brother, and his name was Jack.

Oliver was added in September. Jon's cousin had just had a baby boy (Benjamin Clive) and we hadn't been told the name yet and were waiting to hear. I texted Jon that afternoon and said "Jack Oliver!", as in "I've had an epiphany and if we have a boy I love that name, what do you think!" Jon freaked out thinking it was his cousin's baby's name. His phone conveniently died shorty after so he was left thinking it was their baby's name, and apparently ranted about it to Dallas. When I was able to explain that I liked that for OUR BABY we decided that it was definitely the name. Jon is not one to care so much so I took it as a good sign! Oliver had come up earlier because I liked it as a first name but Jon said it was a no-go...I got my way in one way or another!

When I was in labour I cried, yes cried, because I was thinking the baby was a girl and I didn't have "the girl name". Yes we could settle on something but it upset me that I didn't love any particular name and this would be our "daughters" name for her whole life! The name we would have gone with probably would have been Madelyn Audrey, I had tried to convince myself that "she" was Evelyn but it never really fit. Other names we liked as we went were: Mackenzie which we had really liked for only about a week before it got crossed off the list, Elizabeth I liked but couldn't commit because I don't like "Liz" and it seemed inevitable as a nickname, although now I think "Ellie" would be cute. Jon didn't like it anyway so it doesn't matter lol. Jon LOVES the name Anna but we felt we couldn't go there because I have a young cousin, Anna Olivia, and we are very close to their family. I love it too. Audrey was another name that I loved. Jon's grandmother in England is Audrey and she is the sweetest lady. He didn't like it because it reminds him of an old lady (go figure), but said he thought it would be nice for a middle name. Other names we liked but didn't think sounded right with Julia were: Peyton Elizabeth and Emerson. Jon never really liked Emerson but I liked it for awhile. Peyton we both liked but it didn't fit.

Other names for boys we liked were: Gavin, Leo (My Dad's legal first name), Benjamin (taken later on anyway), Owen, and Henry (Jon doesn't like it but I love it).

The other options for middle names were:

Jack Aubrey
Jack Avery
Jack Owen
Jack Brendon

I am happy to say we went with Jack Oliver! I love the name Jack for my sweet baby boy and for my future rambunctious toddler, little boy, teenager, young man, adult and old man! A classic, strong, masculine name :)

He is certainly a Jack!

6 weeks

I really can't believe 6 weeks has gone by already. My little boy has grown so much in such a short time. When I brought him home he was just 6.5 lbs and so tiny and delicate. Now he is 10 lbs and changing every day, becoming stronger and more aware. He is definitely his own little man. Its beautiful how every person is their own person right from day 1. Jack loves to be held, he really doesn't like to be put down! Lucky for him I am forever enjoying the cuddles and closeness. He is a sweet little boy. Unfortunately Jack has some gas issues and gets quite uncomfortable. I feel terrible for him when theres not much I can do but hold him and rock him. He is starting to coo and is very smiley when fed, napped and changed. He especially loves his sister and has been saving his big smiles for her. They already have such a bond and it is so sweet. He follows her around the room with his eyes. Julia has been such a great big sister and really adores him.

Right now Jack has blue eyes, not sure if they will stay or change but all we know is that Julia's started very dark gray/blue and turned brown within the first week. He has dark hair that fell out on the top but is already growing back in! He has about 3-4 cowlicks but we'll have to wait and see for sure when his real hair grows in. The soft newborn hair isn't the real deal!

I hope to start another blog soon after Christmas about life with 2 kids, but until then I'll post little updates here!