Name Game Journal

In the past...

We both love the idea of naming our son after our dads. Marshall & Octavio. But then his initials would be MOM or OMM. And our nephew has those same initials. We also considered Saint names. 
My #1 goal is something that doesn't translate from English to Spanish. I want it to stand on it's own. I don't want this kid to be one person to one side of the family and one person to the other side. Every BIG Saint name makes that BIG change: John/Juan -  Joseph/Jose -  Thomas/Tomas - Mark/Markos -  Luke/Lucas - Matthew/Mateo....see?

So now at mass, we'll pay extra attention to the names in the readings. One day it was Amos, that's Italian and doesn't sound completely different in Spanish. It's Amos with an accent on the O.

One thing is unfortunate for sure. We cannot name our son after my husband. His name is SO common (especially with our last name) that it causes so much trouble with international travel, customs, car registration, voting, Everything! It's so sad!! We don't want our future child to blame us for the troubles in his life due to his name (I'm sure he'll blame us for enough as it is!)

Sunday, October 7, 2013

Out to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack (will totally bring the kid here- they have a playground!) and decided to talk about names for the baby if it is a girl. We've talked about boy names before but never really girl names.

J melted my heart when he suggested naming the baby Rachel, after me! I love my name and I had been secretly thinking that would be a cool name for the baby. I also like my middle name Noel.

However, I would like a name that easily translates from English to Spanish. Something that changes in accent rather than entirety. Rachel becomes Raquel - that is a huge change in my mind. I'm stubborn and refuse to answer to Raquel. It's Rachel!

I suggested Christina. Or in Spanish Cristina. Sounds similar, one is with an accent and one is not. J suggested Caroline. He says it sounds similar in both languages. I've been leaning towards names that begin with the letter C, I'm not sure why.

We have plenty of time to think about it...

After Gender Reveal...before birth

When we found out the baby was a boy, all my name ideas went out the window. I am better at picking a girl name because I have more girls in my life, than boys. So we're back to picking boy names.

Still waiting to see what saint day the baby BOY will be born on. For now we're thinking of Marshall Jesus M. Initials MJM. Nickname MJ. Future basketball star, recording artist, who knows? But we aren't committed just yet. We still have time!

9th Month
During this 9th month my husband has become obsessed with the name Tiberius. It turns out it is a saint name so I can't argue there. But I'm not willing to give up my dad's name for Tiberius. Hubs will have to give up Jesus. So his initials will be MTM. I think Tiberius is a cool name, but it has no significance to our family history. I don't want hubby to regret that decision.

We found out if the baby isn't here soon he'll be induced on March 13th. The saints with Feast Days on March 13th are St. Agnellus of Pisa, St. Urpasian, St. Sabinus, St. Heldrad, St. Macedonius, St. Roderic and Salomon, St. Mochoemoc, St. Roderic, St. Ansovinus, St. Theusetas, St. Kevoca, St. Ramirus and Companions, and St. Nicephorus. I don't see any of those working...

Birthday!
We kept the baby's name a secret from everyone! Even our doctor. So as soon as the baby was born and we confirmed it was a boy we were asked "What's his name?!?" by all the nurses and our doctor. I was so proud to be able to say "His name is Marshall Jesus". Very very cool. 

So his initials are MJM and his name is Marshall Jesus. Well that lasted for about 12 hours. After word spread my friend nicknamed him Mar Mar, I heard my Father-in-law calling him Chuy, and my comedian of a brother-in-law met him saying "Marshall Marshall Marshall" like the "Marsha Marsha Marsha" of the Brady Bunch. I like MJ but I find myself calling him Marshall for now and it fits beautifully. 

Book Baby Shower

Of course there is no where I'd rather be on my birthday, than my home town Dallas Texas. So I was fortunate this year to have a baby shower the weekend of my birthday. It was hosted by my 5th grade teacher who is now my mom's new BFF. She just renovated her house, you'll catch glimpses in the photos. She really opened it up, it looks great!

It was a 'Book' themed shower. All guests were asked to bring a gift and a book. I wasn't expecting the menu to be book themed as well! Too cute!

Cloudy with a chance of meatballs - served along side meatballs!

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss with Green Deviled eggs
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish with goldfish crackers and home made crackers

The Book of Virtues with bumble bee cupcakes
featuring virtues such as "Bee Honest", "Bee Friendly" etc.

The Hungry Little Caterpillar next to the veggie tray. 

Oh, the Places You'll Go with sugar cookies shaped like feet!

And I could not get enough of the cheese and crackers.
Maybe that means the baby will love this book!

I registered at Buy Buy Baby. I love that they offer a free wrapping station. Some guests did wrap their presents there. That is a diaper cake back there! yay!

A Texas onesie from my mom with a baseball hat.
My hubby wears baseball hats all the time and my mom swears she's going to buy a matching Texas shirt too.
She's loving this grandmother thing.

This beautiful piece of art was created by our family friend.
It is a collage featuring our last names and stamps from areas significant to our family.
Such a great personal piece!
I need to tap into my creative side when it comes to gift giving!

Baby's first tie!

The largest gift award goes to my two best friends (and bridesmaids)
This 3-in-1 walker Ally and Shaena.
Shaena swore she only bought off the registry, but she didn't on this one!
It is a black car that looks like a bat-mobile, Hubs loves it.
I said it'll be great for when it's wine night and I don't want to chase the baby around. 

Good Night Moon book and stuffed bunny from little sister Theresa/MOH

Baby got lots of stripes!

I had a lot of fun. Didn't get emotional at all! No tears from this hormonal mama!

The highlight of the event was the new BumGenius cloth diapers.
I registered for the One-Size diapers so guests were figuring out how the snaps and folds worked.
After looking at them when I got home I'll need a crash course also!

All recorded by my mom in the baby book we received at Christmas!

My younger sister, Jessica, (she's 3 years younger than me) and my mom.

Jessica was the photographer throughout the afternoon and did a great job! 

I think I'm standing on my tiptoes since Jessica is like 5 inches taller than me. No fair!

A pleasant surprise was seeing my friend from college who is also pregnant!

I missed out on a belly bump with my Sister in Law, but Danielle was the next best girl!

Baby Girl Baby Shower

Wow! The baby shower this weekend was a HUGE success. How can I tell it was a success? I'm exhausted!!

Here are a few photos of the décor - inspired by Pinterest...

Pink Rice Krispie Treats! DIY

Fabric Wreath as mentioned in previous blog post

Mommy Chair and backdrop

Mommy mum

Table Scape - lanterns and ceiling décor less than $20. (Hobby Lobby)

Frames and glass apothecary jars - FREE! (From previous wedding inventory)

Thank You area featuring rice krispies and sonogram of baby girl

Everyone who came in to the party commented on how pretty it was. And those who knew knew it was pinterest inspired.

The macaroons were sneaked in from Amarillo. The mommy-to-be's husband visited her favorite French bakery in Amarillo, put them in a gift bag and made up a story about how she should give the bag to me as soon as she arrived at the party. Little did she know...it was all for her!

Cake and cupcakes from Market Street Supermarkets. Delicious!!

Mommy to Be!

Guests playing "What's in my purse" winner had over 200 points.

Her big ticket items were diaper (50 points), social security card (50 points) and pay stub.

It helped she had a big purse!

Mommy with her newborn niece, Evelyn.

Snacks! Featuring some wedding gifts of mine...

silver appetizer tray, wooden cutting board and silver cake stand.

That was fun! Finally using my wedding presents!

Mommy reading the diaper messages her guests wrote. Her favorite author won a prize! 

 

"Don't come any closer!" "Gonna need a towel!!"

 

And the winner was....

 

"Woah! She's dropping bricks!"

 

 

Such a fun party to host with my sister-in-laws:



I have GOT to learn how to dress during this pregnancy. My goodness!

I was running around decorating all day I didn't realize I looked like this until the end of the party when this photo was taken. Ayayay

High Heels!

My Aunt Jean

  My great aunt Jean passed away on July 16th. She was the sister to my late grandfather Thomas Jeffrey and is survived by her younger brother Richard “Ricky”, who led the meal blessing at our wedding.

     She was a dedicated Catholic and author of the short Christmas book ‘If You’re Missing Baby       Jesus’. A story about her mom, my great grandmother, who found an extra baby Jesus in their manger set. She left a sign at the store that read "If you're missing baby Jesus call 7162". It is a beautiful story. I love Christmas and I love family, so this short story makes me tear up every time I read it. The above link has the entire story, featuring my grandpa as “brother Tom”. But please consider purchasing this book for a Christmas classic.

     Jean died in Door County, Wisconsin her favorite place in the world (even though she retired to Tucson). She had recently been diagnosed with a lymphoma. She died while on vacation surrounded by her family and holding her daughter’s hand. When God is good, he is good!

Please remember my family in your prayers as I know she is praying for us now. 

Her obituary is here and she remains with us always,

 

My plans for Mothers Day

Mothers Day 2009
Me (#1), #3, Mom, Grandma, #2

Unfortunately we are not traveling to Dallas to be with my family on Mother's Day.  I'm seriously bummed about it.  The last time we were in Dallas was for our wedding!  I can't wait to be there on Memorial Day weekend. 

In the past 6 years I have been with my mom on Mother's Day for maybe 2 of those 6 years?  So it's nothing new to be away, but it still tugs at your heart. 

I did send flowers to my mom that she received on Tuesday.  Instead of roses I sent 30 tulips and she sent me an e-mail saying she was "getting tired of roses" so I'm glad I chose the tulips!  I also made it a point to send them early so that she could enjoy them all week.  Boo USPS for not delivering mail on Saturdays...I sent a Papyrus card in the mail, but I have no clue when it will arrive.  I knew the flowers had a better chance arriving before Mother's Day.

Last weekend was supposed to be a "free" weekend with nothing to do...of course it turned into tons of things to do and just all around unproductivity in the housekeeping department.  I am partially to blame because I wanted to take my nieces and nephews shopping for a Mother's Day present for their mom.  She's a single mom, and while my husband has been a part of their life for years, when I brought up the idea to take the kids shopping he was astonished saying "where do you come up with this stuff?!"  It's a girl thing.

So we went to Walmart and seeing those kids pick out presents for their mom was adorable!  Some of them saved up money while others had to ask mom for money.  Some wanted to spend all their money on their mom and others wanted to get the cheapest thing so they would have money left over for themselves.  Auntie Rachel would not allow that.  Just to make a point we went to the toy section so he could see that spending $3 on mom and $7 on yourself was not only WRONG, but impossible.  He couldn't find anything he wanted for $7.  So he spent his money on mom. 

This Friday we offered to babysit the kids while mom goes on a date.  We offered this weeks ago and she took us up on it, but came home 2 hours later.  I know dates, and a date that is 2 hours long is a lame date!  We told her to take her time this Friday. 

While mom is on a date we'll be wrapping Mother's Day presents and filling out this cute questionnaire I found on The Crafting Chicks blog.  You can download it here.

I'm also searching Pinterest for some fun Friday night dinners that these kids will like.  Hubby's idea? Let them eat junk food all night.  Now that's a cool babysitter. 

I'd rather not deal with sugar-rushed children and an irritated husband all night.  So we'll see what I can find....suggestions are most welcomed!  Just leave them in the comments below!

Where have I been?

I'm sorry I've been absent from blogging.  The week just got away from me! 

The easiest way to catch you up would be via Instagram:

 

BACON

Do I have your attention?

I have never been a fan of bacon - Please don't leave my blog!! - but hubby loves bacon.

I became the world's best wife when I had a hot BLT sandwich waiting for him when he got home the other night.  His sandwich got double the bacon (see below)

 

 

Does that basket weave of bacon look familiar?  Thank you Pinterest!

 

 

Birthday Party

For 10 year old nephew

 

 

Pre-Drinks

Knowing there were 16 kids at this party, none of which are ours....we decided to pre-drink.

Shake your head all you want.  It didn't help.  They still drove us crazy.  And once the parents knew we were drinking, they wanted some!

Party Time

Mexican Loteria game and St. Patrick's day confetti. 

A collision of cultures

Group Photo

A goal of mine is to take more pictures of J's family.  They see each other all the time, but don't have enough pictures of each other.  This was taken on my phone in a dark room, so next time I'll bring a 'real' camera.  But it was a success!  As soon as I posted this on Facebook, J's sister who lives in Ohio commented on it.  She likes to SEE her family. 

 

 

Pinterest Inspired

 

 

Picture frame Template

I cut out the sizes of my frames and hung them up to see if I liked the placement.

One week later, these have moved around multiple times and I'm still not satisfied! Good thing I didn't put holes in the wall!  Saved by Pinterest.  And no Salmon is not my first choice in wall colors, but it's growing on me.

 

 

Kid Friendly Breakfast

My Sister in Law was traveling this weekend, so I baby sat her kids (that's a whole other blog post).  She got sick while she was on the road, so the morning she gets back her kids are like "yay! Mommy's back!  What's for breakfast?" 

I had just bought bacon and eggs so.....

Bacon + Muffin tins + eggs + cheese on tip = Breakfast!

Kid-friendly too! The nieces and nephews (ages 5-10) helped me make these. 

Chef Mommy was taking a break!

 

 

Organize Organize Organize

We finally used some wedding gift cards and went to Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend.  I would have spent $107 but with all the gift cards only spent $11!

First thing out of the bag: a Real Simple drawer organizer. So much easier than situating a bunch of baskets in a drawer. Thanks Danielle, Aunt Edie, and Patterson's for the gift cards!

 

Which reminds me, I have GOT to get my wedding Thank You's in the mail.  That's what I get for DIYing....

 

 

High Heels!