What's In A Name

Today I should be large, uncomfortable, and ready to give birth. I should be wishing I could to go to the hospital to get induced like I was with Chloe and Noah. I should be packing hospital bags and readying my kids for the change that is about to occur. Instead I sit and stare at my beautiful 10 week and 1 day old baby and it's hard to believe I have finally arrived at the day he was due to arrive. After a crazy pregnancy and following an even crazier 24 hours, Adam entered the world and while those that read this may be tired of hearing all that is related to this experience, these posts are for record keeping and I want to record and remember all that I can from this time in our family's life.

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Adam. I am aware that we have two children with obvious biblical names. Adam and Noah were wonderful leaders in the creation of the world and the time of the Bible. They are examples of faith and strength and my boys would do well to be named after them. Repeatedly I am asked if that is the case - did we intentionally name our sons after these prophets. My answer is a somewhat emphatic no. In fact, not personally being a fan of "theme" names, I was opposed to naming Adam as such because of the biblical connection having both names would imply. My preference for a name was Owen. Joe and I went back and forth and had yet to reach a decision between Adam, Owen, or otherwise when our baby decided to join the party.

About four hours elapsed before I was able to see Adam for the first time, having just caught a glimpse of a tiny purple body being handed off to a neonatologist at delivery. Doctors had come to tell me of his progress and to assure me that he was stable. Joe had watched him be resuscitated and had been able to pass some information on to me. I was kept very well informed, but that doesn't replace actually being able to see him for myself and at 4:00PM that desire was granted as I held this tiny, fragile, beautiful child in my arms.

At first I was surrounded by a nurse and respiratory therapist. Joe was with me and we asked lots of questions. I kept staring at this little child still wondering if this had all really just happened. As questions were exhausted and Joe realized he needed to go check on Chloe and Noah, I finally had my first moments alone with my baby. I stared for a while and then started to talk to him. About how he scared us. About how perfect he looked even tiny and filled with wires and IV's. About how excited Chloe and Noah were to meet him. About how he better be strong and get healthy fast so he could come home. About what his name should be.

As I talked, I had placed one of my fingers in his hand and was surprised when he grabbed it, having been told we wouldn't see a whole lot of interaction for the first little bit of his life. He held my finger as I asked him what he wanted his name to be. Rooting for Owen, I asked "Should your name be Owen?" No response. I asked a couple of others names I liked and received the same non-response. They didn't fit and we both knew it. Finally I asked "Should your name be Adam?" My question was followed with a squeeze of my finger. Pretty sure it was a reflex I asked again and asked other names again as well. Each time I said the name Adam I felt that pressure on my finger and I knew that this was the name that was to be his.

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With that the name was decided. Adam and Wesley as a middle name after Joe's dad. Even though the intention was not to name our child purposefully after a prophet, I am grateful for the strong examples that have carried his names and hope that he will appreciate the name he chose and that he too will be an example of faith as he lives his life.

Although still not as big as either of my others at birth, Adam's due date finds him at 71/2 lbs, starting to smile and recognize us, and making us grateful for the time we have been able to share with him earlier then expected.