Two Black Sheep

The Guide

I really wanted to do a Maternity Leave Project Wrap Up post, but having 2 kids & getting back to work is proving to be more difficult than I thought.  Even though I started work last week, this is the first week that contains actual traveling.  Today was the first day that I had to pump & drive.  Only one honk from a big rig today, so that ain't bad.  Sometimes I don't understand why they're honking.  I swear that I'm not driving down Interstate 71 with my boobs hanging out.

Instead of finishing up projects, we put together a "nursery".  Yes, it should have been done prior to Tuck's arrival.  But he came to very selfish parents who didn't want to give up their office/computer/Playstation room.  Most nights he's been doing very well at making it all they way without waking up, so we felt it was time for the boys to become roommates.  Gus got a twin size bed & Tuck got an actual crib.  Since we let the boys cry for a bit before we run into the room, I had to explain to Gus that sometimes babies cry at night.  Usually we'd let them go for about 15 minutes.  It rarely goes on that long.  But a couple times when we're tucking everyone in at night, we'll find Gus with his head under the pillow. Only tonight did he really complain.  I went in after only a couple squeals from Tuck (I figured he wasn't done eating).  While choking back his own tears, he says "I can't hear my song with Tuck crying."  I almost chucked the computer into the basement & pushed the crib into the office.  Almost.

On a final note, this has been bothering me for the past couple of days.  If I hear one more person say the phrase "Mothers are more calm with the second one that's why they're better," I'm going to smack them in the forehead with my breast pump.  Tuck is a great baby.  So great, that our father asked Mom if they were too old to have another child.  I'm not bragging.  I've had nothing to do with it.  He's just a regular newborn.  The kind you see on soap operas before they age into a young adult in 3 weeks.  You know it's a fake baby on screen, but you hope that's how a newborn acts. People tell you that they sleep, coo, look off into the distance, & stretch.  When I tell people about the difference between Gus & Tuck, I get the above phrase.  I think it's rude & false.  In the early hours, Tuck has only made me cry in frustration once.  For the first month, Gus made me cry about 28 times.  With him, I'd nurse, walk, rock, nurse, walk, begging for him to stop, shove him to SK, repeat.  Tuck would nurse, require a little rocking, & go back to bed.  Sure it wasn't fun some nights, but it was much better than the Gus experience.  On top of all of the Gus nights, I didn't get a break during the day.  Same thing.  People have told me that it's because I'm used to a crying baby, or I don't feel the need to coddle him as much.  Nope.  I got used to Gus crying after the first week.  When there was nothing I could do to calm him, I just went  to the basement for a couple of minutes.  Alone & it helped.  Tuck just slept all day.  I'm sick of people telling me that it's because I'm more calm now.  Really?  Not true.  Is any mother truly calm with a 3 year-old running around the house?  This is where I hope that we've still got a blog in 3 years.  I want to see the differences between the kids then.  After 4 months, Gus turned into a fabulous kid.  At nine months, we said "No" & he crawled away.    Mom always told me, "I'd rather have a fussy newborn & a great toddler."  I wonder if roles will reverse on me this time.  Those same people that feed me the Phrase are also the same people that say "All kids are different." (Why can't all newborns be different than?  Why is it the mother that's different with the second one?  Fuckers.) I can't wait to see.

Ok.  Maternity Leave Progress Post up next.  Also a Project Spectrum post.  Ava, you should join me in me plan since you'll be getting all those veggies!

-L

Stop This Train

All plans for a PS 3 post went out the window when Tuck decided to finally turn on me. Finding & taking pretty red/orange/pink pictures isn't easy when you're working off of 4 hours of sleep. We could have had a lovely collage of Tuck in various shades of red, but I was too busy begging him to keep his eyes shut.  So instead, Ava & I decided to become engrossed with the Britney Spears drama.  At least our nights aren't as bad as hers.  Sure one more night of Tuck screaming, & you might have found us sitting on a corner clutching Pup.  Thankfully, Tuck slept last night, so no fake British accents or a cocktail mix of prescription drugs for these Sheep.  At least for today . . .

Let's talk knits, friends.  When Ava got into town, I had just received my issue of Spring Interweave.  As always, I got excited to see what was inside.  I saw the preview, but there are usually a couple of patterns that are left out.  I wanted to see those patterns to make my judgments on the issue.  Everything in the preview was in the magazine.  No pleasant surprises.  Perhaps it's because Spring knitting just isn't that exciting, but we were both unimpressed with the issue & have been with the past 2 issues.  What's even more surprising is we have yet to find another blogger or thread that shares our views.   Are other bloggers just really nice and we're really bitchy?  Maybe Interweaves doesn't fit our taste any longer?  I would be surprised if this were true.  We aren't sitting around creating artistic knit items.  Sure, some of the patterns are pretty, but knit worthy?  Not for us.  But why do knitters only voice praise for a magazine?  Is it because we look forward to knit magazine so much and feel bad if we're disappointed?  Whatever the reasons, we'd like to see a great issue real soon. 

So, what's on the needles? Did Tuck ask for anything specific other than a boob in his mouth? Well, Koolhass and no. We both decided to give Malabrigo a go and figured since so many others had great success with Jared's pattern and the yarn that we'd buy a ticket for the train and see where it took us. So far, two repeats in, all is well on the Koolhaas Express. In fact, Ava could have her finished before she gets on the plane back East . . . if she gets on the plane (shit-tastic weather here and at home). Granted, knitting through the back loop is a pain when you aren't used to it, but so far, so good. Tuck was being entertained by the knitting lingo so maybe there is hope for the boys yet, but if you look very closely, we're pretty sure that it's the Jedi mind trick thing he's trying to perfect, not cabling without a needle.

We'll get  PS 3 and ABC Along posts up soon. Ava is still trying to pick a C word (mind out of the gutter, folks . . . that one would be too easy). If she gets on a plane this afternoon and makes it home to snuggle in her own bed, it just may be Continental.

Lola and Ava

PS - Because you are probably waiting on pins and needles (and thus in an uncomfortable position), Ava chose the Hollyhock colorway for her Koolhaas and Lola picked Glazed Carrots - always looking out for her family's nutrition, that one is. Let's face it, Lola will be done with hers well before Ava  . . . even with the two repeat head start since it really is a fast and dirty knit.

 

I Just Called to Say I Love You

Thank you so much for all of the comments about TBA!  When you're dealing with anxiety about coming home, it was sweet to see all of the lovely comments.  Mom left our house for a meeting, but thankfully will come back tomorrow night.  This gives me a wonderful opportunity to check the blogs & post.

The c-section went very well.  I never really expressed my concerns with having to have a c-section.  It was odd knowing what day your baby will be born.  It was scary knowing that I'd be slit open & a baby would be pulled out.  I was also really looking forward to having Ava in the room during the birth.  And finally, a c-section is a little anti-climatic.  With a vaginal birth, you push & push, until you're "rewarded" with a baby.  This time I felt a little robbed of that victory.  But our entire nursing & OB team were fantastic.  There is nothing better than a stranger taking your hands, rubbing them & reassuring you while you're getting a spinal.  The one thing that really bothered me about a c-section was the room.  During Gus' birth, the lights were dim & the room was made to feel cozy with dark woods, fake flowers, & warm temperature.  This time, the room had to be bright white, freezing, & everyone was masked up.  I felt like I was in an episode of X-Files.

It's funny what people will talk about while your insides are on display.  When they asked if I had tried shaving, I just laughed.  I don't "try" to shave when I can see my toes.  We discussed the meaty umbilical cord that shot blood all over the place.  SK kept asking me if I was looking at this point.  Nope.  We discussed the fact that I have "belly dancer abs".  Not sure what the fuck this means since I've never had abs in my life.  Apparently beneath my poochy belly are abs of a diva & the OB's really enjoyed them.  And I loved hearing that my baby was pissed!  He screamed the second his head popped out & didn't stop until he was swaddled.

We can't keep calling this kid, TBA.  We had many visitors ask, "What's this kid's nickname?"  Not referring to the blog, but they know that I call Gus by that name as often as I use his real name.  I thought for a long time that I'd call TBA "Ollie", but it didn't work when I tried it late one evening.  All of a sudden, Tuck just seemed to fit.  So, I introduce to you our little Tuck.

He's doing very well at home.  Sleeps alot!  I mean ALOT.  I had to ask the nurse if it was normal & she looked at me & checked my vitals again.  "Newborns sleep, sweetie."  Not my first one.  Ever.  Tuck does enjoy keeping us awake from about 2:30-5 a.m.  Anything outside that time frame, we beg for a glimpse of his eye color.  Today was the first day that Gus asked to hold him.  I don't think that we've ever taken so many pictures.  He made sure to hold his head & give him a kiss.  He also loves to say "BroFher".

Once again, thanks for all of the emails.  It's been difficult to not post, but we've had things to do.  And now I'll retire to the couch with a glass of guilt-free wine.  Ahh...  Sweet rewards!
-L

p.s.  I'd like to say that I actually did put on make-up for this blessed event; not that it appears that way in any of the pictures...

Papercuts

I thought that in lieu of a baby photo or two, I'd sneak some yarn in there. If you really, really, really want to see a baby photo, scroll down to the bottom, but I tell you . . . you're missing some killer yarn.

I've had limited experience with Etsy not because I don't want to but because I find it challenging to use. Honestly, type in "yarn" and you get 17170 entries; granted adding "hand dyed" brings it down to 3202, but still - that's a ton of yarn to wade through to find the right choice. One of the first blogs that I read was Carol's and I knew that she was producing her own yarn, yet still I shied away because of Etsy. What if I type in the wrong address? How the hell am I going to find it? What do I do after I purchase it? Fuck.

A few days ago, Carol had a post about pricing her yarn and I thought, "Bite the bullet, find the site, buy the damn yarn and quit your whining." And so I did . . . and I couldn't be happier. This is the type of yarn I like with a little with a twist and some spring. I had to take it outside to do the colors justice (see, Susan . . . it's yellow - a nice, golden, yellow), and I think it may have melted some snow from its cheeriness.

"Zee bebe" (say it with an imaginary French accent - more fun that way) is doing well. SK smuggled a beer into the hospital in a Starbucks cup, so I'll forgive him for having me take down his photo. Lola is heading home tomorrow to a house with three boys and Charlie. When I showed the photos to my students, all of the girls were "oooohing" and "aaaaahing" over him until they got to the photo below. "Oh, that's so nice that you knit your nephew a hat," said one of the girls. "No, sweetie, my sister knits, too. She's kind of like a partner," I explained. "Really? Cool." Yeah, really cool!

Enjoy the long weekend! The girls have two concerts this weekend so I'll be in my usual seat watching them on Saturday evening and the usual seat knitting - but listening - on Sunday afternoon.

Ava

Baby Love

So yesterday, dear Lola ran to Jo-Anne's for flannel since it was only $2.00 a yard and then stopped at Target for some Scrubbin' Bubbles . . . because that's what every 9-months pregnant woman needs. Maybe that did the trick!

Don't let me get all mushy on you, but today we welcome to the fold TBA . . . Becket! Lola, SK, and Gus are all doing well with their not-so-little 8 pound, 13 ounce bundle of joy. So far, so good! Apparently, Lola did not realize that she was in as much pain as she was for the last few weeks until they gave her the spinal. And, in true Two Black Sheep fashion, the nurse kindly pointed to Beck's head and said, "You would have had a tough time pushing that out." The visuals just make me all tingly inside. He's been nursing quite well (always a plus), and Gus doesn't know quite what to make of him yet. He's having more fun coloring with the Bro - probably on the same level any way.

Can't wait to see the little guy in person in a few weeks. Lola will be in the hospital until Saturday; they said she could go home earlier and she "nicely" pointed out that there wasn't a two-year-old running around at the hospital so Saturday would be fine. She promises a post on Tuesday about the experience since Mom has to be at work for the day . . . since she still is in the dark about us.

Oh, and me? No baby here, but I taught another sock class tonight. It was a blast and a half to be around knitters who aren't afraid to try something new . . . including casting on. Yes, I said casting on.

Ava

PS - I replaced the photo of SK and Gus with one of Lola and Gus since SK was upset that his secret identity had been revealed. Part of mean thought about adding a mask and a wicked mustache with Photo Shop and perhaps a killer blond afto. Another part said, "Fuck it . . . stick one of Gus and his mama up and be done with it." That was the part that came home from the bar and is hoping for a snow day tomorrow.

Business Time

When I talked to Lola yesterday after her last appointment (and really, when you are that far along, you start to hope that it truly is your "last" appointment), she asked what I had been up to . . . knitting, duh! "Well, obviously since you haven't been blogging," she replied. There in lies the rub. If I blog, I can't knit, and if I can't knit, then there really isn't much to blog about. Want to know how the chili turned out or how fast four people can devour a medium sized shrimp platter? Thought not.

So, I knit to the point that my hands hurt and I actually wondered aloud if this is what the beginning of arthritis feels like. I knit all day Christmas, pretty much all Boxing Day, and the next and into the next. Usually past 10:30 PM, I am no good with the needles, but for this project, I just wanted it done. By the end, I felt like George Foreman in some of his later fights where he literally is propped up against his opponent just hoping for a few more seconds.

Suffice it to say that the bar project is no more, safely off the needles and blocking on our bed. The Flyer walked past the bathroom and uttered a simple phrase - what the hell! Ah, yes, what the hell, indeed, possessed me to knit this can be summed up in one word: love. There will be real photos by the beginning of the New Year since I don't want to spoil the surprise. The intended recipient reads the blog and I would like for this person to be somewhat amazed by my questionable talents.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and the year. We go back to school on the 2nd and 3rd (the girls and me . . . I get one whole day to myself). I think I need to take a wee break tonight before I tackle a plain vanilla sock that I am knitting for a class.

Ava

PS - There's no real reason for the first photo . . . just playing around with the camera. You can just barely see an old photo of the girls and the Flyer in the corner. It's still my favorite after 16 years.

Sweet Potato

I've been a bad bad blogger.  I haven't posted in a while.  I read skim my Bloglines, & I rarely comment on other blogs.  I've become a lurker again.  I have a feeling that my current bad habit will start to fade very soon.  Since I missed the Thanksgiving posts, I thought I'd post what I've been thankful for the past 3 days.

::Washable markers::

Gus has been coloring all-day & all-night.  It's a riot to see what he's creating.  When you ask what he just finished, he'll causally say "A man sitting in a car with his dog."  Hmm?  Beautiful.  He's pretty good about keeping the art on the paper, but when he does slip, it cleans up easily.  Thank you, innovation! 

::A hobby that will keep my boys warm::

I almost forgot that I made Gus a Wallaby this year.  It still hasn't been blocked, which also means that it remains nice & scratchy.  He didn't seem to mind.  I still haven't figured out why he was playing with tongs.  What I have figured out is that it's easier to stop trying to "figure" out a 2.5 year old.

I'm slogging away on TBA's blanket.  I have about 1.5 blocked rows until I can scratch it off my list.  I'm constantly picking this thing up because it needs to be done prior to his arrival.  I'd love to add a border, but we'll see when I BO the last stitch.  If I'm in the middle of a contraction, this will be a borderless blanket.

I also started the Beer Mitts from the latest Stitch n' Bitch book.  I had SK flip through the book & see if anything appealed to him.  He's such a picky dresser that I felt confident he wouldn't find a sweater.  I knew he'd be attracted to the fingerless mitts & the dead teddy bear.  Since he's in his 30s, we went with the Beer Mitts.  I'm using Cascade 220 & my Knitpick Options.  This project has renewed my love of Cascade 220.  The color & quality of this stand-by is fantastic.

::A good muffin recipe::
I haven't had any cravings with this pregnancy.  Zip.  There's nothing that I must eat, but I do love baking muffins.  Maybe it's just the ease of grabbing one before I hit the road.  I'm not sure, but I've tried several healthy recipes.  I have a really good one from Cooking Light, but now I've found a clear winner.  Recently, I picked up Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food.  We don't have an issue with Gus & vegetables.  We have more of a "I-Don't-Need-3-Meals-a-Day" issue.  But if you can squeeze more vegetables into meals & desserts, why wouldn't you?  We've made a couple of the dishes & tonight is the meat-loaf & mashed potatoes.  Both have an enormous about of carrots & cauliflower purees mixed in.  But I really bought the books for the breakfast & dessert options.  Yesterday, I made the Peanut Butter & Banana Muffins.  God gawd, people!  If you love peanut butter, make these muffins!  It's just a plus that they're made with whole wheat flour & carrots.  SK didn't enjoy them as much as I do, but it had nothing to do with the added vegetable.  He just didn't like how much they taste like peanut butter.  More for me, honey.

So that's my "Thankful" list for the past 3 days.  I've also got to say a huge "THANK YOU" to Ava for coming home.  I'll be back & ready with a nice knit-worthy post.  I've got a hotel trip this week.  Translation: Lots of knitting time.  I've also got a trip to Ikea scheduled.  Translation: Stuff to store my knitting notions.  Oh & meatballs!

Bad knit blogger,

Lola

Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex

Only because Lola hates that song did I pick the title . . . that and it can't hurt to have 'sex' in the title. Obviously if I am posting at 9:40 AM on a Monday, there is something amiss with the weather. This being the Poconos, that could mean rain, snow, sleet, hail, or sun . . . today it is a combination of the first two and a half. Lucky for me, I can post before the holidays and parent/teacher conferences, which begin tomorrow at noon.

I probably should have guessed that this wouldn't be an easy trip when I sat on the plane in Newark for 45 minutes waiting to take off and then another 30 for reasons unknown. Needless to say, I was thrilled to touch down in Columbus and see Lola in all her big-belly glory. Yes, sweetie, you are big . . . but only in the tummy. Betty likens it to how Bridget Moynahan looked before her little one hatched. From the back, you would never guess Lola was pregnant, even when she was running after Gus in the fabric store on Friday morning (question: why would a store in Columbus, Ohio, invite Amy Butler to town for a trunk show/book signing on the day of the OSU/UM game?). Mom was suitably surprised when I rang the doorbell so that was nice. The Other Sister was also surprised as were her kids. I think I had more fun this weekend playing with the kids (or getting them riled up with "disgusting" talk of farts and poop and burps). Beaner, our niece, wears a lot of pink, but she is as rough and tumble as they get. I started a "Sassafras" club with her, probably because I knew it would irritate the Other one. Gus was as hilarious as ever and made ups songs for every occasion ("Grandpa said 'Lay back down and go to sleep' then Ava came and got me up") and continues to make me laugh on a regular basis. Lola, you have a great kid there and TBA already has a very loving brother.

On the knitting front, I actually finished something - amazing, isn't it? The first Veil of Leaves sock is done and was autumnal in nature. I had just enough to get to the toe so that's where I started with the Oregon Red Clover Honey. Not surprisingly, I forgot to write down the directions for the star toe, but Betty rescued me with a quick reading of the directions. Thankfully I brought along the Plane Project from the summer and got through about four repeats. Amazing how this project comes back to you. Because of the three hour delay, on and off the plane, the knitting kept my attention away from all the bumps and ill-behaved fliers with me. Note to other passengers: a shrill laugh is not charming, neither is making comments about how much the carrier owes you for your wait. For the young lady who had a panic attack, I felt your pain, both for the situation and for the stares of the other passengers. Thanks to the pilot who said he would get us there before the day was over and just call it "same day service" - much appreciated. To my seat mate who merely smiled, said how pretty the yarn was, and then never said another word - THANK YOU!

Meijers in Springfield had a bevy of British candy bars; many literally jumped into my shopping cart. The kids and the Flyer got some candy . . . I had some nifty tees waiting for my arrival! If I don't post before Thanksgiving, may you all have a happy and stress free one. Enjoy your families and take some time for knitting. Since it will be a traditional Ava Thanksgiving, that means ordering most of the food from Wegman's and spending time without washing tons of dishes. The girls leave the day after Turkey Day for Orlando with Bunnylips and family, so the Flyer and I are considering a quick run into the City when we drop them off at Newark - crazy, don't you think?

Ava

PS - Happy birthday, Tricia! Lucky you - getting to spend it with your kids on a snow day!

Heart of glass

Please pour yourself something yummy (My new obsession is the Pumpkin Spice Latte).  And slather some jam on something tastey.  I finally got around to making some homemade bread.  Is there anything better than a house that smells like fresh bread?  I think not.

Let's talk about what's been going on around Lola's house.  I've been playing with the new camera.  I've read the manual enough to get me through a couple clicks, but I need to read it again & highlight certain passages.  I enjoy fact that I don't miss photo ops, but still need to learn how to focus & find the light.  But I enjoy how the colors & details pop with ease.  Now if I can just get Gus to like the camera as much as I do.  This is one of the only "cheeses" Momma could squeeze out of him.  At least his smile is in focus.  All other photos of him are candid shots. 

Gus is with SK's parent all week!  We're thrilled & have a week of baby-free events planned.  Movies & dinners, nothing dirty, people!  I'm using the time to finish Tilted Duster.  My little scratch pad shows that I've got 5 more groups of the skirt piece until I can bind-off.  Since you increase 2 stitches 3 times during each group, it gets increasingly longer each row.  But with the air getting crispy, I'm getting very anixous to finish it.

I'm almost finished with Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.  I have about 20 pages left & I've been putting them off for the past 2 days.  I'll actually be really sad when I shut the book.  I used to get jealous when people would talk about books, movies or songs that had an impact on their lives.  What's wrong with me that I can't connect with something?  I've loved books, & had moments where I've wondered, "Did that happen or was it part of a book that I read?"  But no more!  I've got myself a book!  Kingsolver doesn't bully you into only buying organics or push for Vegetarian (quite the opposite).  There's no condescend tone in the chapters; she gives you facts in a polite and mature way.  We've added more local vegetable dishes to our dinner schedules.  I'm trying to skip meat from restaurants unless I know where the meat has come from.  Not an easy task.  Chipotle has info on their website (how much I can trust from them is up for debate, but I don't want to live life like that).  It's also a nice way to eat more fruits & veggies for TBA.  I've always eaten very well during pregnancy, but I think this time the habits may stick once TBA pops his head out.  We haven't gone crazy & only bought organic produce, milk, & meats.  We just eat less meat.  Our farmer's market has a great vendor that provide free-range meat at almost the same cost as grain-fed.  Also I can't go the Organics-Only route.  I don't find it's always necessary & there is a huge cost difference.  For example, I bought a butternut squash at a chain store for $6+.  The next day at the market I bought one for $1.50.  Listen, I do have to kid to put in daycare.  I'm not saying that I'll never enjoy a Quarter Pounder again, everyone falls off the wagon at some point.   

Speaking of Butternut squash.  I've been stocking up on veggies for TBA.  I started roasting the squash & after 45 minutes both pieces were still rock hard.  I had read somewhere that a little bit of water in the bottom of the pan helps.  So my dumbass added water to the dish.  It was one of those moments when you just knew not to do something, but you still did it anyway.  Ta-Da!  One good thing, SK cleaned the stove & it looks like the first day we bought it.  I'll start over tomorrow.

-L

p.s. I sat down & forced myself to finish the last 20 pages of AVM.  I was a bit weepy at the end when she talked about her first Turkey chicks.  Maybe she'll write another book about food, but until then I've got How to Pick a Peach waiting for me at the library.  Probably not wise to throw another food book in right after my beloved, but I'm getting crazy with Gus at the in-laws.

Gimme More

Since Ava is back to school, this really is our main place to communicate.  Especially during the first couple of weeks.  So here's a baby update, Ms. Ava.  I'll stop with the updates, but 20 weeks is a nice milestone.

The ultrasound confirmed our previous ultrasound beyond a grainy shadow of a baby.  We've got ourselves an all boy family!  The Doc said that he appears to be healthy & I will NOT be surprised with a girl come the end of January.  There's no denying that there's a boy kicking in there.

The Doc was very happy with our name choice, so of course I told Mom.  See, Mom hates the name we've chosen for TBA.  I've told Mom that she has one week to get her comments out & then I won't hear it any longer.  For a woman that scolded Ava & I for obvious jokes about Other Sister's name choices, she has been relentless & mean with TBA's name.  Even saying that she'll call him It when she watches him.  I know that she's joking, but I'm starting to not find the humor in her rants.  When I spoke with Other Sister & gave her the news, we discussed our mother's hatered.  Other Sister says, "Mom says that she's starting to like the name."  Why the fuck wouldn't she tell me this?! 

I've never released Gus' true identity & I'll call TBA a nickname on the blog.  Some people know the names, I'm not being secretive.  Naming a kid is rough.  Having a teacher in the family is horrible.  SK mentioned one name & she almost ripped his head off with tales of a horrible monster from last year's class.  But naming is more difficult when you come from an opinionated family.  This doesn't bother me because I politely remind them that they aren't raising the kid, but I know it was hell for Other Sister.  In our defensive, she came up with some shit-tacular names.  Brad & Ang couldn't have gotten away with what she wanted to name her kids.  And she's the more conservative one of the family.  So Mom can go on & on about what she'll call the kid, cause when we get a name, we stick with it!  We're strong-willed as she would say.  Everyone else points out that it's called stubborn.  Even if 3 people say, "Oh cute!  That's my dog's name" it will also be our kid's name.   

-L