Baby names and baby book

Since we found out that we are having a girl we've been trying to figure out names and such. (Well, that's a lie. I've been picking out names since I was 13). We set up several rules for ourselves based on our mutual experiences in school, work, and life.

Rule #1
The name must be gender specific.
That means no Erin, Ashley, Jordan, or Toni/Tony.

Rule #2
The name must be one that is only spelled traditionally.
That means no Sarah/Sara/Cera, Ashley/Ashleigh/Ashlie, or any name in which you could put a "y" or an "ie" in the place of normal vowels.

Rule #3
The name must be one which when read is obvious of how to pronounce, and which when heard is obvious of how to spell.
This rule does get a bit redundant with the other rules, but it pretty much means if we DID choose Sarah, that is how we would spell it.

Rule #4
The name must be a traditional name.
This one means that we won't choose a trendy name, or a name with an ethnic base other than roughly our own. For example, Tiffany was a trendy name 20 years ago. Now it is not.

and finally...

Rule #5
The name must pass the "waiting room test."
This is a simple test you can do yourself! When you are sitting in a waiting room for something, doctor, dentist, etc, listen to the name that they call out, and see if it would fit for anyone in the room. What it comes down to for us is does the name work for any age? While "Honey" is a cute name for a baby/child, it does not work for a 45 year old woman. While "Agatha" works well with a 65 year old woman, it does not work for anyone much younger.


I know we seem a bit ridiculous, but after all the name choices, and vetoes (I vetoed Emily, he vetoed Lucy - for breaking rule #5) we have come down to our choice....

Evelyn.

"Medical" leave

As of last week I am finished with work. I am on what is considerd medical leave. This encompasses several different things. But we'll be leaving it vague for now.

I haven't been at work since last Wednesday. Which is really only 3 shifts that I've missed. But I miss it. I miss the kids so much. I was in the toy store today shopping for Ben's birthday present (how he managed to sneak by and be five I'll never know) when I saw a toy that I knew one of our little boys would have loved. I miss all the different personalities, and the sweet and pure caring that they gave. I miss the gentle swarm of hands asking to "pet the baby" a.k.a. rub my pregnant tummy.

As for pregnancy? Maybe it's the stress of leaving work suddenly, but I haven't been feeling great this week. Achy, sore, uncomfortable. I keep telling myself that this HAS to be the biggest I'll get. That there isn't any more ROOM for me to grow more. But deep down I know it's a lie.