The Story Behind The Name

We debated back and forth on several name ideas up until the day we found out that our bundle is going to be our little boy. We only semi agreed on some names but we both agreed we did not want anything too trendy or cute because our baby would eventually grow into an adult that needed a steadfast, strong name. It was hard to really commit to any one name not knowing what the gender would be so we had a few in mind but I felt like when we knew the gender the name would come.

I had no idea that in the few minutes following the reveal of our little boy, we would be set on a name. It clicked. Sitting there waiting for the doctor after the ultrasound we were elated and the name just came to us. We had already decided the middle name would be John. A few weeks earlier, one evening, the name came to me while we were watching tv. I wanted a saint name and I knew that John was also the name of Ed's grandfather that he loved so much. John seemed like a good fit. I did not say anything to Ed at the moment because he was very engrossed in the show. 

The next morning at breakfast out of nowhere, Ed says, "What about John?" The way we both came up with the same name in a few hours of each other made us immediately agree John would be part of the name.  However, I wanted something slightly more unique for the first name so we pushed on.

Around the same time, during the Oxford Film Fest, my mother and I saw the name Buckner in a documentary. We both loved it but neither one of us said anything at the moment. The name reminded us both of my grandfather, who was always known as Buck. However, this was a unique variation of the name which would give our son history and his own unique identity.  I brought it up to Ed a few days later and he liked the strength behind the name.  At that time though we did not know if bundle would be a girl or boy so we did not decide.

Back to the doctor's office that wonderful morning, we were ready to call our son something besides Bundle. We knew John would be the middle name and I brought up Buckner again mentioning that both grandfathers would have a part of the name. We both loved the idea and named our baby boy Buckner John that moment.

Two Calming C's

I feel rejuvenated after this weekend.  Amazingly, I stayed home and for the most part of the weekend did chores. Not what most would consider an exciting nor refreshing weekend. However, it was one of the best weekends that I have had in a long time. I learned that two C's in my life really help set me up for the week ahead and feel rested.  Cleaning and coffee houses are two of life very simple pleasures. They are now two C's that I will trust to get me inspired and going again.

Cleaning is good for the soul. I knew this at one point but in the last 21 weeks of nausea and fatigue due to pregnancy, my cleaning and organizing skills have been lacking. I have done the bare minimum just to make things look decent. But I knew that our home was not where it was suppose to be which was draining even more energy from me. As the weekend approached, I could think of countless other things I thought I would rather do than clean the house and organize my closet in preparation for our upcoming move. But Friday morning after a slight meltdown (blame it on the pregnancy hormones), my husband assured me that we would tackle the house together so both of us would feel good about. Thankfully, I have a hubby who loves a clean home too!

Saturday morning came and after a somewhat slow start to the day including orange juice in bed, since I no longer like regular coffee, we began cleaning.  What I initially thought would be an energy draining task turned into an energy giving task.  At one point in the morning, I realized stress was leaving me as I eliminated junk from my home. I suppose at the same time, my soul felt like I was eliminating clutter from my life. I remembered that cleaning and organizing were once my stress relievers and that I could turn to them in the future.

On Sunday, knowing I had a clean home, I was able to relax at the other C...the coffee house. Specifically the new Cups Coffee House that just opened in Oxford.  Coffee houses have always inspired me. You suspend time for an hour or so while you talk about whatever comes to your mind. Time is lost if you choose not to talk but read or people watch.  Whatever I do, the outcome is always the same. I leave feeling inspired and relaxed.  There is something said about allowing yourself free time to do nothing.  Time to allow your brain to wander. It is in that time, surrounded by other people doing the same in an art and music filled space, that new ideas are formed. I leave there craving my creative side and wanting to do more in my life. I know it sounds like a tall order for such a simple activity but this weekend I relearned that the simple things in life are best.

The First Kicks

A few weeks ago, I was sitting on the couch one evening and thought I was having muscle spasms at the top of my stomach. I kept switching my position to see if I could make the spasms stop but then I realized they were not spasms.  The tiny little vibration feelings were the first kicks! Since that day our little boy has been busy especially around meal time. The vibrating feelings make me think he is a happy baby already and just letting me know it as he kicks and squirms.  I can't wait to feel even more!

It's a... BOY!

On February 21st around 9am we found out our little bundle is a BOY! More importantly, the sonogram showed our sweet baby looks all healthy.  When the sonogram technician asked us if we were ready to find out, she pointed to the screen and said, "Do you know?" Our little boy was making it very obvious he was all boy!  We screamed, hugged and celebrated in that sweet moment. Whoever claims that they must wait to the delivery to be surprised is wrong. We were overjoyed and surprised right in that moment because whenever you find out it is a wonderful surprise.

Later that day, after our families were told, we had a small gender reveal party at my office. I love my colleagues and our student employees (who insisted we do something to celebrate) so we chose to have our reveal there. My mom came with us and a few very close friends were there.  We, of course, knew the gender so we were the ones surprising the rest of them. We had both girl and boy themed cupcakes. The one we picked up would reveal the gender!

Trucks or Tiaras???

Holding out the suspense

The moment we chose!

One of the best reactions! My friend Merrill came over after the reveal to her own personal reveal!