The Name Reveal.

I've been debating for a while now about whether to just come out with our littlest miss' name, or to wait until she's actually here to do the introduction post. With Claire, we kept the name a secret and formally introduced our newest Loveland. And I loved it. I know we hurt a few feelings along the way though. Last night we decided it wasn't really a secret and we know this is definitely our gal's name, and I got the OK from Ross to do an announcement post.

We've had the name picked out for a really long time. At 16 weeks, we just couldn't wait any longer to find out what we were having. We decided to pay for an elective gender ultrasound and went in a month early to discover we were having another lady! (I have been wrong both times. Both pregnancies I would have sworn that we were having a boy, especially this one.) We really didn't have any girl names thought up yet, and we had a lot of work to do.

As you all well know, I am in love with "old lady" names, while Ross is a fan of "unique" names. This one is a compromise. We've told a few people the name we've chosen already, and I really haven't loved the reactions we've gotten. Maybe it's a good thing we're doing an announcement post rather than an introduction, so we can get all of the shock and bewildered faces out of the way before she arrives.

Ok, I've given enough back story and jabbered on enough, right?? Here we go. Our littlest lady will be named...



Please forgive the green wall. The flash makes the color more shocking than it really is. But there you have it.

Aoife (EE-fa) Elaine. NOT Eva.

We are fully aware she will be forever spelling and pronouncing her name, but we love it. Here's where it comes from.

This name is obviously off of Ross' list. He has quite a bit of Irish heritage. Before we even came up with our lists, he mentioned how much he loved Irish names. After I had looked at a few, I decided I really did, too. When going over Ross' list, at first I passed this name by without even a second glance. I just had no idea how to say it. After Ross told me how it was pronounced, I was in love.

Elaine is my Grandmother's name. I truly adore this amazing woman and am so excited she's letting us use her name.

Well, the secret's out! In just a few short weeks, Miss Aoife Elaine will be joining our family! We couldn't be more excited!!