Timelies, Bitches!

Come April 1, Minneapolis bars are going smoke-free, and I will be So. Damn. Happy.

This is good to know. I'd love to visit some old favorites while I'm there for my cousin's wedding, although I doubt it will happen.

I could use some Bitch help this morning... DH and I both like the name Ellie for our baby. I think her birth certificate needs to say something more formal (although we would call her Ellie) but he thinks it's fine the way it is. I'm curious what you all think about the need for a person, particularly a woman, to have a "formal" name.

In trying to pick out these names, Eleanor, Ella, Ellen, Elena, Michelle, and Gabrielle have all been rejected by DH. He's okay with Elizabeth, but I don't think he's totally happy with it. Any other suggestions of names that might work with Ellie?

My coworker's baby's name is Allie - she and her husband went through the same thing trying to decide if she needed to be Allison or something like that. In the end, they just went with Allie, and they're cool with it. I guess I wouldn't worry about it.

Besides which, if you choose a more formal "real" name, you know by the time she's seven she'll have shortened it differently anyway.

I just love Kara stories! What a fun one to wake up to. And I'm so excited to hear that you may get a dog when you get your house. How fun for the kids! How fun for you!

I'm missing my Toto this morning. He's still at my parents' because I was away this weekend. I pick him up this afternoon, though, and then my sweetie will be home and with me again.

Stephanie, I LOVE the name Eleanor. Too bad he doesn't like it. I have a friend who has a daughter named Eleanor, and I just love it.

Other name possibilities...Eileen, Elayne, Elesha, Elexys, Elisa, Elise, Elissa, Eliza, Elle, Eloisa, and Elsa (which I also love). But, I think Ellie would be just fine. According to the baby name finder I was just looking at, it's of Greek origin and means "light." I think that would be lovely.

Susan, many prayers for your dad, and you, and your whole family. I am sorry you're going through this. How is your mom holding up?

Deena, I'm am sorry to hear Aidan's diagnosis, but glad his prognosis sounds so promising. One of my cousins has an autistic son. He's being mainstreamed in kindergarten this year, with the help of an aid. That cousin's brother is a high school history teacher. He has a couple of students in his classes diagnosed with autism, and said he would never have known, had he not been informed (it's on their ed plans, I think). I am glad you were able to catch Aidan's autism this early. Early intervention makes a big difference, I think. Many prayers for Aidan, you and your whole family.

In trying to pick out these names, Eleanor, Ella, Ellen, Elena, Michelle, and Gabrielle have all been rejected by DH. He's okay with Elizabeth, but I don't think he's totally happy with it. Any other suggestions of names that might work with Ellie?

I don't see anything wrong with just naming her Ellie, even though I'm a formal-name lover (and use my kids full first names, and their dims. interchangeably), particularly since you already know you want to call her that. That said, I really like Ella, which I realize is no help for you, since dh does not. How about Elle?--too super-model-y?

Oh, and someone remind me to call Deena in the morning and confirm for Wednesday, please!

CASHMERE, CALL DEENA IN THE MORNING, AND CONFIRM FOR WEDNESDAY, PLEASE!

SKipping to say I really don't like this week. Went for my montly prenatal yesterday, no heartbeat. Headed over to Radiology for a real ultrasound - baby quit developing almost a month ago, but my body never got the message. D&C today.

I never had a problem with March before, but I think I will join Kristin in hating it until further notice.

How about a first name that starts with L and a middle name that starts with E? More options that way for the formal name, but the nickname "Ellie" still works.

The latest generation in my family is being weird about nicknames. My cousin's daughter is named Morgan Katherine, but she gets called "Mo-Mo." Her brother John Carlton is "Jack." Their cousin Emily is "Em."

Oh no, -t. I am so very sorry.

Oh, -t. Oh, I'm so sorry for you and DH.

March can go now.

{{{-t}}} I'm so sorry.

Oh, -t. I'm so very, very sorry. I wish I could say or do more...a few words just feel so inadequate. Many hugs to you and your DH. You are in my thoughts and prayers.