Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Choosing a Name

Choosing a name for this baby has been top priority for me lately. I really need to have a name for her. It is just one of those things that I need to do in order to get me more excited and involved in this pregnancy. I know that sounds really weird because of course I am excited to have a baby, but a couple of months ago I realized that I had been putting up a wall around my heart. I had not been thinking a whole lot about the baby or even day dreaming about her (like I normally always do when I'm pregnant) because I think subconsciously I was protecting myself from getting hurt. I didn't want to give my entire heart to this baby without knowing that I was going to get to hold her longer than a day. After I realized what was going on, I talked to some of my closest friends about it, Cory, my mom, mother-in-law, and sisters. They have really been wonderful in helping me feel more of a connection and bond. Cory set up the crib a couple of weeks ago, my mom has talked through it with me a lot and helped me deal with my emotions, my mother-in-law has bought a cute little dress for her, etc. All of these little things really help. I know it sounds kindof odd, but I guess it is just part of this whole healing process.

Anyways, now I am trying to decide between two names. With each of my children (except Katelund) I have given them a middle name after somebody significant in my life. Cloey's middle name is Noel after her aunt Stefani Noel and Clairisa Kelly is named after my perfect brother who died at 4 months old, Kelly William. With Katelund, I just chose a middle name that sounded good. I would've continued that pattern but when I was pregnant with Cloey I just knew that I was supposed to name her after Stefani. I actually received that prompting while reading my scriptures. It was a pretty cool experience and in retrospect I can see the significance of that decision. With Clairisa, it was definitely another prompting. Obviously in retrospect, it is very clear why...my perfect daughter named after my perfect brother....it was the perfect name to choose.

For this next little girl, we (Cory and I) have really debated back and forth about whether we should stick with the whole c or k name or if we should choose something completely different. Right now our top choice is Hailey (I actually wanted to name Cloey Hailey but I gave in, and I'm so glad I did because I can't think of Cloey having any other name). Anyways, the dilemma for me is choosing the perfect middle name. I am debating between two of my pioneer ancestors, both of them have INCREDIBLE stories and legacies. So really it just kindof comes down to which one sounds right. I'd love to hear your opinions. Here are the choices....

Hailey Jane

or

Sara Hailey (she'd go by Hailey)

But, if you are like me you may want to know the stories behind the names. I actually wrote about both of them a while back on my pioneer week posts, but instead of making you read all of it, I'll just give you a quick summary.

Jane lost her parents as a little girl but ended up being adopted by her dad's best friend, William, whose son had said she was the prettiest baby he had ever seen and wanted to marry her when she grew up. The son was serving in the military when she moved in with his mom and dad. Jane continued her father's job as a preacher and then after William's wife died, she took care of him. A couple of years later William (the son) came home and fell in love with her and they got married. They heard William Clayton preaching about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and they eventually were baptized. They left for Nauvoo and then moved west with the saints. In Jane's own words at 82 she wrote, "I heard Joseph Smith preach and I know that he was prophet of God."

Sarah heard about the gospel while living in England. She knew it was true and was baptized against the wishes of her family. She wanted to go to Zion with the rest of the saints but her parents said that if she went then they would have nothing to do with her ever again. She chose to go. She cut all of her hair off in order to buy passage on the ship and then she hid in a big black kettle on board so that her older brothers wouldn't find her and try to stop her. She made it to Utah with the rest of the saints but she never heard from her family again. She gave up everything in order to go to Zion.

So....which one do you think it should be? Cory won't go for Sara Jane, I already tried. :)

19 comments:

Lew said...

Hey girl!! I like Hailey Jane :-) How fun to be getting so close to holding your little girl. I'm so excited for you!
Miss you lots!

Lindsey said...

I love the name Hailey!! It is on my girl name list too! My pick is Hailey Jane. It sounds really cute.

Anonymous said...

I love Sara jane that is really pretty..... Sandy's middle name is jane....

Ashlie said...

I love Hailey Jane :) Whatever you choose will be beautiful!

Whitney said...

I am having the same trouble-I can't think of a first name-I do know the middle name will be Jane-after my sis-so if you go with jane too then our babies will have something in common-they may even have the same birthdate! Anyway I have a long lists of names and when I tell people they either have a story behind the name or something else! *Chloe is actually on the list :)

Melissa said...

I know EXACTLY how you feel... the name, the clothes, etc. Our only problem is we can't decide on any name that we really like or that seems to fit. I like the name Hailey Jane (Brian liked Hailey, but I already have a little cousin Hailey, so that's why we chose Hallie, plus I love the name) We are planning on naming our little boy after Brian (I feel that his personality is very similar to Brian's) but finding a good name to go with Brian is kind of hard. We thought about naming him Brian (middle name) and then call him by his middle name, but then in school I didn't want him to always have to correct people or his teacers by saying he goes by his middle name... make sense? :) We need MAJOR help with a boy name! Any ideas? There is one name I really like, but Brian doesn't think it is a name. I am the same as you. I don't feel that I have completly connected with this baby yet because I don't know what we're going to call him, and he's coming in 2 months!
Okay, sorry to keep rambling.. I should call you. ; )
About the clothes... we just found out that Brian's parents want to take family pictures this weekend and everyone will look so cute, and might I add... thin! And then there is me that has NOTHING to wear except my casual sweat pants & Brian's t-shirt. Somehow I don't think that will fly for a nice picture. :) So, I have until Sat. to find something to wear...aaaahhhhh... wish me luck. I don't know if this would work for you or not, but I hate maternity pants, so instead I go and buy regular pants, but just larger sizes to wear, so they look normal, and fit normal, and after I have the baby, then I can still wear normal jeans until I get my weight back down. So, I'm sorry for the long novel. :) Good luck with the names... what great stories from each of them. love ya!

InkMom said...

I like Sarah Hailey . . . I love Sarah with an H on the end, the Hebrew way.

We had a name picked out for MayDay that, when we met him, was so obviously NOT the right name. So I have a hard time giving a kid a name until I've met him/her. We have a list or first name possibilities, and two or three middle name possibilities, and we'll try them out on her when we meet her in a few weeks. I know some people can really get a feel for a baby's personality while they're still in the womb. I am not one of those people. I need to inspect toes and see hair color and try the names on for size before I make it permanent. So we'll see what we end up with!

Rebecca said...

My vote is for Hailey Jane. I totally have to have my babies' names before they are born too.

Jennifer said...

I would have to pick Hailey Jane. My husbands name is David Brandon and he goes by Brandon. It is crazy when it comes to paperwork they want your first name and middle initial but he goes by his middle. I am never sure what name he has used when I call any company about issues. After that I have said I would never do that with any of my kids. Good luck

Kim said...

I love Hailey Jane. It sounds like an adorable little southern girl with blonde curly hair! :)

Davis Family said...

Hey Melissa, how exciting to be picking your little girl's name! I like Hailey Jane. It just sounds so sweet. Hope you're doing well!

Jill

Stefi Patterson said...

Well as much as I really like the name Hailey Jane, I think I actually like Sarah Hailey. Nathan and I agree it sounds better; Sarah Hailey Mann. You could just name her Noel again ;) I like that idea best. lol j/k Both of those names however have incredible history and meaning. Good luck to you and Cory.

kristi lee said...

I like them both...Hailey Jane has an adorable ring to it. I also liked someone else's suggestion of Sara Jane.

Jen said...

I'm adding my vote to the Hailey Jane camp. I think it sounds super cute. Also, just keep in mind that if she goes by her middle name, she will have to deal with that with every new job, new teacher, new ward, etc.

On the other hand, when she is older, if she were Sarah Hailey, she would know when telemarketers are calling--Sarah is NEVER home (=

MANDY said...

Hailey Jane sounded perfect to me.....I didn't even go back and forth, even though I love the name Sara. That gets my vote. I'm glad you shared how you were feeling with your loved ones...there is therapy and healing in trusting them to help you out. I love you.

Sherrie said...

Apparently I am going against the norm along with Stefani, I like Sarah Hailey better. However have you thought about naming her Hailey Rebecca? Is your mothers full name Rebecca? Just a thought. Albeit, A lovely one at that:)

All Fun Family said...

Such a tough decision! I really like the sound of Hailey Jane, but I really like the look of Sara Hailey Mann...but I think if she's going to go by Hailey, it would probably be easier if Hailey were her first name. My vote is Hailey Jane Mann.

Amber said...

What's up with the girls in my family?? No offense, mom or stef, but I definitely think Hailey Jane sounds much better and so Southern. Southern & Sassy!! Love it!

Deon said...

You know that I love the name Sara, but my vote is for Hailey Jane. They are both beautiful though. I'm not sure exactly when you are due, but I think it's right before me. We are also having a girl. I am having a really hard time thinking of a name, nothing seems to fit. I like your idea of looking at your Pioneer heritage.

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