What is in a name?

Many have asked how we came up with Alexandra's name. To say we had many discussions about names would be putting it lightly. We have tossed around names for a long time, with one of us always really liking one name while the other was a bit indifferent. We knew we wanted a name we both really liked and that was not a compromise for either of us.

Once we knew we were having a little girl, we knew her middle name would be Rose. Genny's middle name is Rose (from her grandmother on her dad's side) and Steve is Penrose (his mother's maiden name) so we felt that by using Rose we would be bringing our family names down the line, at least in a small way. And we both really think that Rose is a great middle name :)

As for her first name, well that one took a bit more discussing. By the time we had our 20 week ultrasound ( and found out the gender) we had 2 boys names we both really liked, but still had not agreed on a girl's name. We were both very excited that to find out we were having a girl, but it meant that we needed to really settle down and talk about names.

We went through the baby name book and created our own lists of names we liked and Alexandra was on our both of lists. That added to the fact that both of us have a strong interest in Russian history and that of Tzar Nicholas and Tzarina Alexandra, it seemed like good choice. And that both Steve and I have long, more classic names, Alexandra again seemed like a good fit. ANd the nickname of Alex was one we both liked.

In picking a name we also wanted one that would allow her to be an individual (not have 3 onther people in her class with the same name) but we also wanted to be able to find things that have her name on them (pens, pillowcases, etc) so we needed something that was not too far out there!

So, that is how we got finally settled on her name. It is one we both love and hope that as she grows up she won't turn around and tell us she hates it :) But only time will tell on that one!

Hope everyone is staying warm and dry!

Genny, Steve, and Alexandra