Ima gonna rant anyway, just because I need to put it somewhere where others can laugh at it and make it go away, and I can't put it on my website. It's an abbreviated version of the Parental Differences of Opinion About Childrearing Rant that was originally scheduled.

When we first discussed "Mallory" as a name, I said that people would think it's a girl's name. Robert disagreed. I pointed out that we had originally considered it as a girl's name. He counter-pointed that was because it was unusual. I fretted about it for a few weeks, but ultimately acquiesed, as I liked the name and the nick.

Last night I told Robert there was some gender confusion. One friend asked if we'd named him after the sister on Family Ties. The nurses at the embassy have all said, "Oh, that's a great name? Who did you name her after?" Another American at the embassy said, "What's its name?" and when I said Mallory he continued, "How old is she?" I summed up with saying that people really have been thinking it's a girl's name.

Robert said, "No they don't."

I reviewed my points. I described the nurses' reaction when I told them Mal was a boy. It's clear to me that they do. Honestly, it could be either, but we should be aware some folks will think it's a girl's name.

Robert said, "No they don't."

Why was I not gifted with this kind of Denial Ability? It's like a superpower. Life gets so simple.

*sigh*

What JZ said, Plei.

Yay on nice-boy datage, Fay. (Datage? Dateage? Date-age?)

Sounds very interesting, Hil.

It was. So much stuff just looks so totally different when you're standing in it than when you're looking at pictures of it. I've also never had so many political discussions in so short a period of time in my life. (The mix of speakers they had was interesting. At one point, an Army official talked to us about the security fence. He started out by saying, "I am in uniform right now, and therefore I am giving you the official Army viewpoint. If you talked to me on the street, I might say something entirely different." Then he gave an entirely unconvincing spiel, which almost none of us bought at all.) There was also a Knesset member whose party just started a "Not all kipahs are orange" campaign, which has apparently pissed off a lot of people. I thought he was really interesting, and that his arguments for disengagement were the most cohesive of anyone else we heard.

Israel is also, I think, the first place I've ever seen religious graffitti. There was a ton of it in Tsfat, but also other places.

I definitely want to go back, and see more stuff with more time to experience it. And I want to learn Hebrew and Arabic, because there were so many things where I just didn't understand what was going on because I couldn't understand the languages.

And now I'm rambling and should probably get some sleep and try to get back on American time.

Aww, Raquel! That's some monster denial! I think it's located on the Y chromosome.

But I still like the name. I think it's lovely, even if people do think he's a girl.

And JZ, thanks!

I just need to keep reminding myself we were this close to ending up with a child named Mallouritzaemz Thompson, as Greeks don't do middle names, and as women don't take their husband's name at marriage and since I was the only one at the courthouse to get the birth certificate, they couldn't legally give the baby any last name but my father's.

I would love to visit Israel. We keep talking about going there and Cairo, just as soon as it gets affordable to fly anywhere from Athens.

While I'm on the topic: New photo of Mal

Oh Raquel, what a beautiful picture of Mal.

Your husband's denial is almost a work of art. My mother has told me of similar (different subject; same results) discussions she had with my father over the years. I know I've had similar ones with dh.

Oh man Plei, I wish I could help. I don't suppose your state has a lemon law?

Hooboy. More from the dating scene. Dinosaur woman replied, very excited that someone liked her writing and knew where a dinosaur skeleton might be found. So that's nice. I have also sent off messages to three other unsuspecting females, we'll see where that winds up.

A month or so ago, just to brighten my own mood, I undertook the project of going back over the Phoenix archives and compiling a file of all my favourite comments of me. The relevance of this is that I reckon I can keep up this whole email dating thing for the rest of the year just with that file alone.

Ahhh, breastfeeding. A topic I spend much time thinking about these days. Ellie was loves the football-hold position, but she's starting to get too big. We both suck at the sidelying, but I'm hoping as she gets bigger it might work better. Right now, I can't balance myself while holding onto her and it's too uncomfortable to work well.

The one funny part is that she loves the left boob, hates the right one. So I'm about a DD on the left side and maybe a C on the right. It makes me feel very awkward in public.

Plei, I hear you on the clothes thing. I have a bar exam interview next week and nothing really fits right (see the uneven boobs and post baby weight). I just broke down on the phone and told the guy that I would wear what I could and it wasn't intended as disrespect. Thankfully, he was really nice about it.

Also, I suck at nursing in public. For me, nursing clothes aren't so much of an issue. They are nice at home and I'm sure I'll get it someday, but for now, the prospect of feeding the baby in public sends me runnign to my car. I can't hold her, the boob and the blanket all at the same time.

And, so this post isn't all about me and my boobs...

Raquel, can you guys introduce Mal as "Mallory James" (Did I get that right? I hope so.) Not that you have to always use both, but if you always say both to people it might clear things up. Also, Mal is a very cute baby.

And in baby news, I loved the pictures of Isaac and Franny. He's a cutie and she looks so happy to be a big sister.

And EM! 7 months old. I cannot believe that much time has passed. I love her eyes.

Hi Stephanie! I'm glad you're going along well (and getting SLEEP!) Edit - I mean to say, I've heard of lots of kids having a "favorite boob." So funny! Except for the whole "looking normal in public" thing.

Plei, are you seriously attached to the idea of a dress for the wedding? I haven't worn a dress since Evie was born. (I also never bought any nursing clothes - I just expose myself, and to hell with you if you care.) I'm imagining you in some floaty top - a gauzy dark red trapeze top or a big poet's blouse - that you can get the ENTIRE BABY underneath to nurse in public. My favorite shirt in the early months was a trapeze top I'd had since I was 15. Then to make the ensemble formal/sexy, something snug and slinky on the bottom - a hollywood-waisted long tight black skirt and fancy shoes, or something.

Or you could wear a corset and just pop out a boob when babycakes needed feeding. No?

The one funny part is that she loves the left boob, hates the right one

Mal too! We call them the Chocolate Boob and the Broccoli Boob. Although, now that he's more comfortable turning his head to the left, he's more comfortable with the right boob. This whole issue is what started us on the side-lying thing...I couldn't get him to face me sqaure-on, otherwise. He wanted to lie on his back and turn his head.

As for the gender confusion, I introduce him as Mal mostly, and figure people will only make the mistake once. It's not like we named him Juliette or something, and I mostly feel bad for them because I know I hate getting babies' gender wrong. I'm mostly just venting about Super Denial Man. This wasn't his best denial trick ever, just his most recent.

We are gaming tomorrow with our gaming group from DC, one of whom is in Moldova and the rest are in NoVA. Behold the power of the internet. I'm ridiculously excited, as it's the first social non-work event I've done since March.

Raquel, friends of our named their baby "Rice". They just signed the card they sent us with their names and "Rice". I have no idea if they had a boy or a girl. I just can't figure out why they named their baby after food.

I think Mallory is a great name, regardless. And gender confusion arises with wee babies due to baldness and neutral clothes. I wouldn't stress about it.

I'm glad Owen wasn't a picky nurser when he nursed. A boob was a boob was a boob. And he pretty much nursed how I held him.

My insurance company just sent us a letter about our credit report. We're not getting better rates because of our credit rating anymore and I'm trying not to panic, wondering if this isn't just the usual bullshit build-up from year to year on credit reports (old accounts, a few late payments) or if someone in New Jersey is buying a house in my name. Feh. Now I have to call, get a copy of the report and try to clean it up.