Last One Before I Go Back To Talking About Shoes Or Clothes Or Veronica Mars

First, before I get to the point, I'd like to thank you. Again. And repeatedly. And possibly forever. When Mike came home the other day and said, "You got a lot of comments on the baby post. Did you actually read them all?" my first reaction was to tell Mike never to start a blog and then I emphatically nodded and said, "Of course! More than once! Those comments are going in a baby book of some sort!"

Many of you are technically strangers. We've never met. We've never shared cocktails or gone to a movie together or bonded over a piece of creamy cheesecake (but next week that will change for so many of you!), but all of your warm wishes were genuine and sincere and so damn appreciated, I can't even stand it.

Thank you, also, for any personal e-mails that some of you sent and for the actual cards others sent. They were read and re-read and displayed and, possibly, cried over because I CANNOT STOP CRYING. (Last night I cried because my glasses fell on the floor. I CRIED BECAUSE I HAD TO LEAN OVER.)

Even though no-one wants to talk about babies and motherhood and the Target baby aisle more than me, I'm actually a bit worn down by the topic. It's just so ... broad. And exhaustive. And did you know there are like nine MILLION things a baby needs and we have money for about 16 of them? But, there is one topic I never tire of. One I think of more than any other, at all times of the day, EVERY DAY.

Baby names.

I'm fairly positive we're having a boy. I had a dream we were. Mike is pretty positive we're having a girl. He had a dream we were. But my dreams have a better track record, I'm just saying. We also have girls names (plural!) we like so that's not the gender I'm particularly concerned about naming. What I am concerned about is that WE CANNOT AGREE ON A SINGLE BOY'S NAME. AT ALL. THE END. PERIOD.

That's where you come in, Internet!

Give me the best boy's name you've got (or more than one if you're rolling around in them). I don't want to steal the name you've carefully selected for your own child, but the chances of our kids sharing a preschool class are slim, right? And I'll give you loads of credit! I'll even send you a thank-you card!

(I would like to add, sort of cryptically, that our last name is a beating [a really cool beating!]. It's just that it's impossible to pronounce EVEN THOUGH IT SOUNDS EXACTLY AS IT'S SPELLED. It's going to be difficult for our child right out of the gate, so I'd love to give him a first name that is original yet also easy to spell. I'm not entirely convinced a name like that even exists, but there's a helpful guideline.)

(Also, let me tell you, if I had known how overly opinionated my husband is when it comes to naming his children, I would have bargained and negotiated with him long ago. As in, "sure I'll sleep with you IF YOU LET ME NAME OUR FIRST SON IN FOUR YEARS." It wouldn't have been the most romantic moment, no, but smart, hell yes.)

Now, go!

Comments

[Christina]

I love my boys name and you are more than welcome to it! Nathan Riley. Riley happens to be my maternal grandmothers maiden name. We are big on using family names- and man did she just about loose it when she found out we had used it. So even if you dont like our name thats cool, think about the people you love already and maybe a varation of that name will work for you. Sadly my other grandmothers maiden name was Bacon....

[Katie]

I always wanted to name any son I might have Jack because I love the name, plus it's kind of an homage to my Dad, John. Then I met Jonathan and his sister was pregnant with a baby boy whom she planned to name Jack. And she did. Now I have no idea what to name a potential boy!

[Raven]

If I had another boy his name was to be Gabriel Ethan (probably called Gabe for short) or Ethan Gabriel, you are totally welcome to that name if you want it, since I am sans plumbing and can't ever have another spawn of my own. I'd be pretty honored if you did, but you know, no pressure ;-)

[She Likes Purple]

Raven: I'm in love with the name Gabriel (Gabe) but Mike doesn't like it. Internet, let's glare at Mike.

[Erin]

Boys names are so difficult! Here are a few I favor, though n othing too terribly exciting:
Caleb
Henry
Jacob
Noah

Congrats again - I can't wait to find out what you're having! Have you checked out swistle's baby name site? It's good for drumming up some ideas!

[Banana]

I love the name Owen, but it belongs to an ex boyfriend so I can't use it. I also really like:

Finn
Quinn
Nathan
Liam
Griffin
Tucker (I love Tucker)

Baby names are SO FUN!

[Jess]

I love the name Simon, and you are welcome to it because Torsten refuses to allow it into contention. For our HYPOTHETICAL baby, you understand. Unlike your very real one. So there's another reason why you are welcome to take it!

Also, boys' names are hard. Good luck with that.

[Pickles & Dimes]

I really like Nolan and Cooper, but my favorite is Jensen. You're welcome to it. We'll never use it because it sounds too similar to Jason.

[Nicole]

I've never even thought of names for my own non-existent children, but after a bit of a think I really like Sean Christopher. Maybe not the most original in the world, but nice.

Congratulations again!!

[slynnro]

I don't like Gabriel either. It reminds me of this creepy guy I went to high school with. Sorry! I am so bad at boy's names. I've always liked Harrison, and I can't ever use it because it would sound ridiculous with our last name.

[She Likes Purple]

Slynnro: Don't you hate it when someone you know ruins a perfectly good name?

[Raven]

As a fellow italian, Mike should be feeling the stink eye right about now.

It's part of our heritage to be able to give a glare that can make people's hair FALL OUT.

[Ashley]

I am the same way with boys names. I could come up with girls names til eternity but boys? crickets start chirping.

Names I have pondered have been Aidan, Cooper and Jackson.

Congrats again :)

[sarah]

Okay, here are my picks:
-Jack (it's masculine, and classic and would go great with your last name)
-Aiden (again, it seems strong but a little on the artsy side)
-Dean (sounds all fancy like but also simple)

Those are my top names. Hope they help!

[Dianna]

I have always loved Jake. Plain and simple. Kahler too, although my boyfriend think it sounds like a girl...what does he know?! I really love someone's suggestion of Jensen, but as for Jackson, that may be a little too MJ for me. However, with your last name I think Jensen sounds cute. Just me though! I've always loved names, weird isn't it?
Anyways, although I have always liked reading your blogs about shoes(!) and Veronica Mars, please keep us updated on this fabulous time for you. It's exciting to be able to read about it and to think that possibly (although I'm kind of leaning towards no) I could be in your same position someday.
As for the baby name, I know that you and Mike will find a name you both love.

[sarah]

oh and duh, how could I forget my brother's names are James and Richard. I have always loved their names, they are super classic yet manly. I would include Jon's (the boyfriend's) name but, well, it's everywhere.

[Elizabeth]

Hmm. Boy names. My faves are the classics. James, Jacob (or Jake) despite its popularity.I really like Augustus, but I don't think I would name a kid that. Nathan, Patrick, Benjamin, Samuel or Sam. Luke is a big one for me, but Luke and Eli sound a little weird together maybe.
Regardless, if we have another boy, I am 99% certain his names will be James.

[Elizabeth]

PS When we moved to Nebraska, one of the conditions was that Mr. E had to let me name my first daughter Charlotte :)

[nonsoccermom]

Boy's names are hard. My oldest is a boy, Alexander, which is the ONLY name my husband and I could agree on at the time. We were all decided on a boy's name the second go-round, though, but of course that kid is a girl. I was a little sad that we didn't get to use the boy's name I was so pleased with: Archer.

[Natalie]

Jake and Noah are out. Those are her nephews' names.
I like Riley, Colt, Charlie, Preston, Harrison, Jack, and Dean. Ask me again in a few days and I'm sure I'll have another set.

Riley is a little bit ruined for me too. I worked with a kid who was on the spectrum, and he hit me in the face all the time.

[jodifur]

Hayden, my favorite name ever

[rebecca]

LAWDY i could talk about this till the cows come home. jason has decided we should name the baby Doctor. it must be the hormones, but it is starting to grow on me. :)
We have had a girl's name picked out for quite a while...Jasmine Carli. (the flower names started with my Violet and continued with my brother's Lily, and now it seems a shame to stop. and my dad's name is Carl.) For a boy, we have generally settled on Gavin Carl-David. (LOVE Gavin, it means 'the white hawk of battle' and carl and david are the grandfathers)
I am huge in middle names that are family names.
anyways, here are some we passed up:
Asher, Gunnar, Max, Rex, Jacob, Caleb, Wyatt (which i still LOVE), Micah, Jace, Ben, Charlie, Samuel, Heath, and Jack.
What kind of FEEL are you looking for?

[Someone Being Me]

Don't worry about buying baby things, that's what baby showers are for. We had the exact opposite problem on picking names. Lots of boy names and no girl names. I was actually relieved when I found out I was having a boy because I could have a break from trying to find a girl name. I love Caleb, Liam, Christian, Logan, Jackson, Ethan, and Aiden.

[Melissa]

Okay here's my rant. Pick a very unpopular name. With your last name I think he needs something plain (or she). Like Mike LMAO.

I really like Jacob. That's my new favorite name!

[She Likes Purple]

Rebecca: I'd like something kind of different but strong. DOES THAT EVEN MAKE SENSE? Here are names I like: Kyle, Gabe, Sean, Shane, Ethan, Tanner, Logan. Kyle really is my favorite. And Mike likes one name: Tyler. That's it. GLAAAAARE.

[ali]

i wanted Josh to be a Jackson...and call him Jack..but it's my father-in-law's name and jews only name after dead people...

i also really like Nathan.

[hillary]

My fave boy names are:

Edward
Quentin
Finley
Jack
Felix

I do not envy you this task. I think my head would explode if I had to choose a baby name and actually stick to it. Our poor puppy had about 50 different names the first day we got her.

[Lizzie]

I'm delurking because I love babies. And naming them. And I LOOOVE the name Logan - too bad we're having a girl in a couple weeks and STILL can't decide on a name... As the months go on, you'll fall in love with more and different names, so don't worry about it too much right now. Although, feel free to blame Mike for all of it.

[rebecca]

GLAARRRE is right. Tyler?!?! NO. well, obvisouly it is your choice, but it brings to mind immages of rattails and acid-washed jeans. Men are ridiculous. i employ the pick-out-a-name-and-wear-them-down tactic. that is how we got Gavin.

[Kristie]

Oh names. I was fortunate, Eric just said Jackson and that was it. No other contenders for boy names were chosen.

I'm so so bad with name though. I must have read a jillion baby name books when I was pregnant.

I say you name HIM that special nickname you have for HIM. You know the one that starts with a 'J'. I'm SURE the kids wouldn't pick on HIM with that name. ;-)

(I'm pulling for a him. Can you tell? Jackson needs another boy to play with!)

[Erica]

I'd say choose a couple names and then decide when you meet your kid - who knows, s/he might not even look like the name you decided on!

My suggestions are:
Andrew (can be shortended to Andy or Drew later...although if you watch The Office, then maybe not!)
Daniel
Thomas

Good luck!

[Val]

I haven't had the opportunity to pass along my congrats to you yet. So CONGRATULATIONS! Your story gives me hope.

Jensen is my last name so I have a hard time wrapping my head around that as a first name. But I have one favorite boy's name. If the fertility gods ever get around to giving us spawn, I would name a boy Xander. I know its unusual, but I love it. Love it. Do with it what you will. :)

[Jemima]

Ooh! You have to check out Nymbler.com. It takes names you kind of like and finds others based on your preferences. From Logan, Gabe, Kyle, etc that you listed before, it says: Wylie, Colin, Owen, Donavan, Ryan, Brendan, Aidan, Shea, Reid, Sinclair and a bunch more.

It's a fun way to waste a few hours!

[Sharon]

My favourite boy names are Trevor, Andrew, Markus and Matthew. If I ever have a boy some day, I would love to use one of those names, but am always willing to share the names with others. :)

[Tara]

I really like:
Burke
Evan
Trey
Jake
Zak (or Zack or Zach or Zac)

:) Good luck!

[Abby]

Hmmm....

I have always loved my son's name, Brennan. If I were to have another it would be Elliot or Owen.

[Christy]

I'm fond of the name Drake.

[Rhi]

Hmmm. I'm trying to think of what will go well with your really long last name. I think Zac would actually be adorable with it.

Also: You need to know that Cherie is wearing maternity pants today and it's the cutest thing I've ever seen.

[Miranda]

LOVE talking about baby names. My husband and I are in the same boat: can not agree on a boy name to save our lives. We're working on it though. Some possible contenders are Sean David (after our fathers who are both Davids and my stepdad who's middle name is Sean), Jacob, Logan, Lukas, Devin/Devan, Riley, Caden, Damien, Aston, Greyson, Nolan and Weston. I think that's our official list in its entirety, actually. Luckily we're all set with our girls name. And I kinda think I'm having a girl.

So what girl names have you been thinking of?? You know, just in case.

[She Likes Purple]

Since I really don't mind people knowing the names we like---although we won't announce the FINAL name until the little thing is here---the girl's names we like are: Sloan (no middle name as of now) or Sophia Marie. We had Addison Sloan picked out forever but I'm just not sure of it any longer. But, see! So many more names that we agree on! Which, come on, totally means we're having a boy.

[Zoo]

I'm a new reader - congrats on your pregnancy! :)

I love love love the name Gavin. Other names I like which may or may not be your fancy:
Abel
Aidan
August
Declan
Easton
Graham
Jude
Mateo
Owen
Weston
Zane
(alphabetized because I'm obsessive :D )

[Kate]

My son is Samuel Arthur - Sam for short. Samuel was just what we liked and it means "asked of God" which he totally was, Arthur was my grandfather's name. The other name we considered wasy Joseph but there are already alot of "J" names in my husband's family so Sam it was.

My daughter would have been Nicholas Jon had she been a boy. I love the name Nick.

I really like the name Matt(hew) too but it's my ex's name so I didn't think that was a good idea. Nor did my husband.

[Heather]

I love James (but NOT Jim or Jimmy), Carter, Andrew, Cameron, Noah, Owen, Liam, and Issac. We have a hard time picking names because they always remind of us of students we had/have in class. Congrats again!

I might have missed this, but are you finding out the sex? Are you telling or keeping it to yourself?

[Melissa]

I like Adam and Dean. With boys, a nice simple strong name hits me right. Not knowing your last name, I can't check either against the flow, but those are my votes. Oh, and Andrew, but Adam is my favorite.

And congratulations!! Such wonderful news.

[Sarah Marie]

Addison Sloan reminds me of Grey's Anatomy! Addison Montgomery-Shepherd and Dr. Mark Sloan. (Addison cheated on her hubby with Sloan) Do you watch Grey's? Ooh, so good.

Anyways... hmm... boy baby names -- the only one I really like is "Diego." Hmm... This is so exciting for you! Yay!!!

[Kristabella]

My favorite boy name is Jake. I think it would go well with your last name. Very strong name.

[Kitty]

I LOVE Gabriel. If I had ever had a son, my (personal) name choice would have been Zillah Trent, but he most likely would have been named Raymond something, after my grandpa.

My other favorites:
Logan
Dean
Stefan
Damon
Silas

[Angie]

My boys are:

Garrett
&
Brennan

Our last name is pretty vanilla, so we went for the more unusual first name.

[Maggie]

Oddly enough, I'm commenting right after Angie, and the boys that I spend all day with are:

Garrett
Bennett

Go figure. I like both names, but I think that Bennett is the cuter of the two. How do you feel about Max? I like Kyle - it's traditional enough, but not common. Or what about Bryce?

[moo]

oh, HELL YES I could talk about baby names ALL DAY LONG.

My son is Grayson and we almost named him Finnegan. My sister, if she has a son, will name him Xavier. If we have another boy, we're leaning toward Hayden, Coleman, or Dorien.

I assume you've checked out the baby wizard voyager thing, right? (just google those four words: baby name wizard voyager).

Other names I've heard that I like ... Evan, Owen, Noah, Nathan, Easton, Jack, Wyelin, Tennyson, Harrison, Gavin, and Grant.

But for the record, you guys are TOTALLY going to have a girl. =)