So, as I’ve mentioned, I have a wee obsession with naming my babies MONTHS before they are born. Not days before, not the DAY they are born, or God forbid, the day AFTER. Way, way, way before.
So, the day before our ultrasound two-and-a-half weeks ago, Bobby and I had our final “name talk” to choose our baby’s name. It was slightly contentious, and ended with Bobby telling me after we had both voted for differing favorites, “You can tell me what the baby’s name is tomorrow after the ultrasound.” He was going to give in to me, but I couldn’t choose a name he didn’t like.
So we went to the ultrasound, and much to our surprise, the baby was a BOY! I think we are both still a little shocked about that. My pregnancy felt so similar to my pregnancy with Sophie, we were both really thinking girl. But the little booger was definitely a guy. And we were both thrilled, but we were having a much bigger difference of opinion on the boy’s name, so I was kind of bummed to have to make a choice on that. But I did.
And his name is Jonah Laton Rapson.
I wanted to name him Laton, (rhymes with “Dayton”) which is my and Emily’s grandfather’s name (yes, our Frigidaire Grandpa) , and also my brother’s middle name.
But Bobby just couldn’t get on board with it, and he really loved the name Jonah, which means “Dove” and also “Peace” (the Dove being a peace symbol and all.) And it does go awfully well with Joshua and Sophia, so that is what I told him, after the ultrasound, that our baby’s name is.
I can’t find “Laton” in any name books or websites (or apps for that matter!), though the name “Leighton” is pronounced the same way and means “From the meadow farm”, which is appropriate because my Grandpa was a farmer from the holler before he moved to Ohio with his wife and young kids. I am pretty sure though, that when he was born in 1926, my great-grandmother just made it up. Not bad, I say! I mean his brother was named Roy and I like Laton a lot better than Roy (my apologies to any Roy’s out there.) But I digress.
Now I am sure all the comments on this post are going to be “Oh I know Jonah this and Jonah that and Jonah is getting to be so popular” – just don’t tell me ok? I screwed up enough with Sophie’s name! I only know ONE Jonah, who will be two when ours is born and lives in NYC (Sorry Melcy, I didn’t mean to steal your baby’s name, my husband made me do it!)
But anyways, despite my earlier attachment to Laton as a first name, I am now totally on board with Jonah. I love it! I love calling him that, I already have silly nicknames for him, and I can’t wait to put a sweet little face with that name.
And for the record, the little girl would have been Joanna. Either Joanna Claire (Bobby’s choice) our Joanna Kathleen (after my and Emily’s grandmother). Jo for my aunt (Emily’s mom), it was her middle name, Anna for my cousin Anna, and my BFF Luanne – kind of sad I won’t get to use that name, but I’m thrilled to have my little Jonah on the way! 17 more weeks to go and I can kiss his little Jonah face!
