Oy. It’s that time again. The time where Adam and I realize that little Grin, will, at some point, grow out of his/her current casa and join the Brehm brood. So, we are tasked once again with a great responsibility and it is that of naming our newest cherubic child. While Grin has served as a fine moniker while inside of momma, we can’t bank on always having our children’s names be based on a joke {grin+barrett}.
As was no secret while Snowball snuggled inside and is once again evident with Grin, naming is a source of great anxiety for me. I drag Adam into drawn-out discussions on possible titles for our tot in which we make lengthy lists and assign numeric ratings…it’s all very OOC. When I say it out loud, that naming is so nerve-wracking, it sounds ridiculous but when I think it through, I can see clearly what a rational human being I am. Seriously folks … one wrong letter … one missed joke … and a life of crap slinging from kids and family members alike will surely be our fetus’ fate.
After paring our lists of possibilities for Snowball to two pink pairs and two blue, we felt good about our choices for our first child. Then, that whole crazy having the baby thing occurred and following 2.5 days of working to see Snowball’s face, I was wiped.
So in reality, after months of racking our Brehm brains for the perfect name, this is what went down:
Me to Adam as I held Barrett (approximately 3 hours after birth):
“I think he looks like a Harrison”
Adam to me:
“Really…I was thinking Barrett”
Me to Adam:
“Okay”
I was stupid tired and I guess I figured that if Adam had not left me after seeing a baby spring from my hoo ha, then he was as good of person as I to settle the decision between the two final firsts. After months of pondering Snowball’s persona, scouring websites, perusing a variety of baby books and scribbling his/her potential signature, in less than two minutes, it was decided.
But don’t be fooled into thinking this is making us lackadaisical on Grin’s name search. Oh no, my friends. The name game is back and bigger than ever. This time, our list has had as many as 10 for gents and 14 for girls…and are now down to less than 5 per sex. It seems like for a lot of parents-to-be, I hear that they either a) can’t agree on a single name or b) have had the name of their dreams picked out since moby dick was a minnow. While Adam and I can totally agree on names, it is impossible for me to narrow it down. It’s hard enough for me to choose a place to eat dinner… the idea of choosing a name for a person to keep for their entire life= stress.
People like to give suggestions and for most suggestions, I have an opposition or food for thought, if you will, regarding the name. We want something original but not like made-up original {Apparently Alicia Silverstone chose Bear Blue. Seriously}. We want something that’s classic but not old {no Bert here} or adversely, new but not too trendy {not thinking of Pilot Brehm}. We steer somewhat clear of family names {neither of our mothers even go by their given names}. We try to decide if each name sounds good with Brame and Bremm. We try to determine if the syllables make music. And this time around, a new consideration, something that doesn’t sound ridiculous when paired with Barrett {So, yes, Grin is out}.
After such a dilemma in deeming Barrett as such, I have to say, we totally gush over his name. He’s just Barrett. And I can’t picture him being anything but.
So, what will Grin’s name be… only time will tell.