Name game

Voting has ended, and the results of my name poll are in. Nine people voted Clara, ten people voted Violet, and one person said (s)he disliked both equally (nice! I mean, I know I put that option in, but come on!). The most surprising thing about this poll is that 20 people actually read this blog. Who are you all?? :) Otherwise, I guess it's comforting that neither name is completely offensive (except to one curmudgeon), but it really doesn't change my personal opinion on either.

What has been swaying me, however, is Jack. I started realizing that his recent hostility regarding the baby pretty much coincided with us referring to her exclusively as Clara. Suspicions were confirmed when he straight out told us a few days ago that he wouldn't like her if her name were Clara but he would if we named her Violet. Now, I know a lot of people are thinking (and have told me), I'm the parent and he's the child and he'll just get used to whatever we decide. Honestly, I'm not so sure. He is awfully stubborn.

Also, there is a part of me that superstitiously wonders if his adamant insistence on the name Violet isn't the universe's way of telling me that's what I should name her? I mean, he did know she would be a girl after all...

So we've resumed tentatively, ambivalently, occasionally referring to her as Violet, and I have noticed a change for the better in his attitude toward her. He has started talking to my belly again, "giving" her little treats, and asking questions about her. Today, he asked where her car seat was. When I showed him, he said that he wanted me to put it in the car right now. I never thought it was possible to want to hug and throttle a kid at the same time, but that's how I feel when he's so sweet about "Violet."

Well, we have another four months for one of us to get used to the other's name. Stay tuned to see which one wins out. I honestly don't know myself which will. Thanks for voting, everyone! (Well, everyone except for one. :) )