What's in a name?

Wikipedia defines a name as: "a noun, normally used to distinguish one from another. . .a personal name identifies a specific unique and identifiable person."

I've started making a list of baby names ever since I was in high school. No, I never planned on becoming pregnant in high school, I would just hear names and I would right them down. And soon I just found myself adding to my list when I was bored. And it wasn't just first names. It was first and middle name combos, that had to flow perfectly. Names that had cute nicknames. Names that could be shortened. Names, for boys, that when you just used their initials sounded like good. (think JC or Tj).

When we found out we were chosen to adopt a baby, Nic and I both felt it was a boy. So, I focused all my attention on boy names. So, when we found out Baby Ward is going to be a girl I had no idea what to tell our Birth Mom when she asked us if we had a name picked out. I always knew I wanted to name our first daughter Magdalena Irene, but because I felt the name had come to us in such a special way, Nic and I decided that we will hold onto that name when I give birth to a girl. With that name tossed out the window, we had to go back to the drawing bored. But after countless hours of thinking up combos and making sure they flowed together (Nic had suggested Jasmine Lakeesha???) we have come up with a list of seven names. They are as follows:

1. Gwenevieve Noel
2. Isabella Rosario
3. Annabelle Marie
4. Caitlyn Marie
5. Gabriella Faye
6. Evelyn Giselle
7. Jasmine Lanae

We don't know how we're going to decide, but Nic and I wanted to see what everyone else thought. So, we made a poll on the side bar of our blog. Go ahead and vote. Obviously Nic and I will make the final decision but, again, we just wanted our friends to weigh in. Happy voting! :)

Worth a try

So, with Baby Ward on the way (we find out on Monday if baby girl or baby boy-so excited!) I figured this would be a pretty good contest to enter.

Hang to Dry is giving away a year FREE of applique T-Shirts. They are ADORABLE!!!!

Cross my fingers and toes (and fingers and toes of Baby Ward) that we win! :)

Thirty, Flirty & Thriving

13 going 30 is one of my all-time favorite movies. Jennifer Garner is amazing in it. If you've been living under a rock and haven't seen it, here is the (simple) synopsis: a 13 year old girl plays a game on her 13th birthday and wakes up the next day as a 30 year old woman (care of IMDB). Jennifer Garner's character, Jenna Rink, at one point in the movie tells her mom that she wants to be 30 and reads the name of magazine article to her "Thirty, Flirty and Thriving: Why Your 30's Are The Best Years of Your Life."


I'm actually pretty excited about turning 30, but if it were up to my 13 year-old self I would be a married attorney living in a mansion and driving a VW bug with four children (this according to many games of MASH). Never would have my 13 year-old self imagined starting a new career at 29. Neither could my 13 year-old self have imagined having fertility problems. I also think 13 year-old Elaine would be shocked to know that I'm not the proud owner of a VW bug (for reals, I thought they were the coolest car!). But I have learned a few valuable lessons.

Back in November Nic and I went out on a date and I thought I looked pretty HOTT so I took some pics (over 30) of myself when I got home. After these pictures I made this list.

*I can pull off bangs, but the side swept bang is my best friend and I can pretty much rock it!

*I know my “good” side and my “bad” side when taking pictures.

*I may never be deemed a “hipster” by the worlds standards, but I think my style pretty much rocks.

*Though my smile may not be perfect, I love every bit of it. One day I’ll get braces. Or maybe I won’t. We’ll see.

*My nose. It's a love/hate relationship. Ever since I broke it in grade school it's been an issue for me. Overtime I have learned that it suits my face just fine. . .well, most days I feel that way ;)

*“Pretty much rocks (or "pretty much awesome"),” “Dude,” and “for reals” are phrases I use quite often. And you know what? Dude, it pretty much rocks-for reals! I bet you didn’t see that one coming, did ya? ;)

*I’m not dying anytime soon (well, at least not that I’m aware of) and I have a bucket list. I’ve already crossed two things off. Hopefully three more will be coming off this year.

*I have mastered the art of a self-portrait.

*I love the way I look.

*The worry wrinkle between my brows will never go away. Though, I did learn some massage techniques that help it appear smaller. Awesome!

*I love my perfectly imperfect body. I have also learned that I will never be the size 2 I never was.

*I loved my body sophomore year of high school-toned, defined muscles and in awesome shape (Thanks Coach Jill!), and I’m okay if I am never to look like that again. Okay, maybe not completely okay but I really don't have the motivation to work that hard for it.

*Be adventurous when it comes to your hair. It’s only hair. It will grow back. Just make sure you have the right stylist. I have THE BEST hairstylist ever! And it totally makes a difference when one decides to change their look every six months or so.

*What makes a good stylist? Someone who listens to what you want, gives you honest feedback as to what will or will not work with your hair type, explains how cutting it a certain way will make it ‘pop’ more, and when he/she is styling it they explain what they’re doing so you can try to achieve that look at home. A good hairstylist will NEVER lead you astray. My hairstylist pretty much rocks!

*Voluminizing/Body Boosting products are a girls' best friend-forever and always!

*My infertility does not define me. I define me.

*People will love me or hate me. The ones that hate me are totally missing out on having an awesome friend.

*I can not live my life to please people. I must live my life to please myself.

*This video gives the best advice ever:

I would be lying if I said that I woke up everyday feeling darn right sexy because I don't. I catch glimpses in the mirror that make me cringe. Especially when I think I look good in a pair of jeans and realize how wide my seat is when I take them off. But, more often than not I love myself. It's taken a lot of time learning what works best for my body and what color look best on me (I still don't know if I'm a fall/winter/spring/summer color scheme).


This new found sense of self was 20 years in the making (since puberty), but most of this progress of my self worth/value/confidence came within that last year. I think what aided in this was making the decision to quit my job and return to school. Such a huge decision, but doing what I want to be doing just brings out a new sense of pride in one's self. I think with confidence comes a sense of freedom. I feel free from judgement. Though I know it happens it just seems to slide off my back easier.

So here's to the big 3-0. It's going to be awesome!