Baby Names Resolved

We (I - honestly, Justin just graciously sits and listens to me go on and on about it) have been going around and around with this sweet girl's name - spelling, pronunciation, middle name etc. Xoxie has been growing on us though and so many people have said how much they like it so we're going to go with it.

Here's the thing though - I'm a stickler for accuracy. Ever since A shared with us what she wanted her name to be I've been researching the spelling and the pronunciation. I was also searching for meanings and wanted to be able to somehow embrace this name. I kept coming up with different things and was bothered by the fact that much of the information I found pointed to this being the name of the Aztec goddess of fertility. A goddess complete with idol worship and sacrifices. Not quite what we really wanted our daughter's name to be associated with.

I've also been praying about it and asking the Lord to give us just the right name. After Adia's "name miracle" I had a hunch He might bring something special out of this situation. Yesterday, while researching yet again, I came across a blog of a young family. Several weeks ago they had a new baby girl and gave her the middle name of Xochitl. Xoxie is a nickname for Xochitl - which I have known - but the blog author shared some wonderful information regarding the meaning of the name that really reinforced our leanings toward what her name should be.

Here is what I learned:

Xochitl is a day (on the Aztec calendar). Xochitl is a day for creating beauty and truth, especially that which speaks to the heart who knows it will one day cease to beat. Xochitl reminds us that life, like a flower, is beautiful but quickly fades. It is a good day for reflection, companionship and poignancy.

Isn't that beautiful?

So Xochitl is actually the day, named after the word "flower." Xochiquetzal is the goddess (who was named after the day which was named after flower.... you get where I'm going?). The correct spelling and pronunciation of the nickname is Xochi (So-chee).

Since A had told us the name Xoxi I've been thinking and thinking of a middle name. I wanted something that would go with Xoxie, obviously, but also wanted something that she might be able to go by in the future if she ever wanted to go by her middle name. I had asked and re-asked my grandma about all our family names (or so I thought) but I guess I had skipped one because at my brother's birthday party Sunday afternoon I asked her what my great-grandma's middle name was.

Ellen

Nice. Feminine. American. Uncomplicated (unlike Xochi). It means: torch, bright light. Even better.

So now, we wait. 31 weeks and counting.... for our sweet baby

Xochi Ellen