Wednesday, April 25, 2007

The Last Laugh


Today my sister-in-law had her baby. She had an 8 lb, 2 oz girl. Her son, born in 2005, weighed 10 lbs. My sister-in-law (my brother's wife) is a petite thing who looks like she shouldn't carry a heavy purse, let alone a 10 lb kid. For the past four months, she has looked like she swallowed a basketball. From behind, she didn't even look pregnant. The baby was perfectly centered, so much so that my sister-in-law had the hardest time finding clothes that fit. Her tummy stuck out, and every maternity shirt she wore ended up having that Pooh Bear look to it. I gave her one of my Bella Bands, and for once that poor woman didn't have to worry about her belly showing. Point is, my sister-in-law is a true soldier. Congratulations to my brother and his wife--but especially his wife!

Many months ago, my brother told me they had finally come up with a name for their child. Note to future parents: if you have a name that is dear to your heart, don't tell anyone. The best thing you can do is guard it until it's printed on your baby's birth certificate. If you don't, the following may happen to you:

As I was saying, they had decided on a first/middle name: Destiny Niveah. I promptly said, "The middle name is nice, but the first name? Sounds like a stripper's." My brother was appalled. "No, really," I said. "Destiny, Bambi, Candy--they're all stripper names."

My brother tried to brush my comments off, but then I got on a roll. "If you name your kid Destiny, instead of sewing her booties, I'll buy her glass high-heels." I laughed. "Yeah, and on her birthdays I'll give her money--in ones!" Basically, I beat the joy right out of my brother. I'm (slightly) ashamed of myself now, but really, I was only trying to ensure my niece wouldn't get stuck with a name that limits her future employment opportunities to places with a happy hour. Hahaha--OK, I'll stop now.

Anyway, after a few weeks, it came to my ears that my brother and sister-in-law had decided on a new name. Friends and family would find out at the baby shower. When I finally heard the new name, I smiled. Because it's a nice name? No. It is a nice name, but that's not what made me smile. Is it because the name is unique? Well, it's uncommon but not unheard of.

I smiled because my brother, of all the available names in the known world, chose to name his daughter after the only girl in school who ever got on my nerves.

I know when I've been beat.

1 comment:

Gina said...

I think that was done on purpose ;)

Ha! Just kidding.. although it was kinda funny.. :)


Congrats Gabe and Angelica!