Arabella is going through a talkative stage.  Truth be told, I have a sneaky suspicion it’s more than a phase.  Anyway, she loves to talk on the phone and Grandy makes a perfect target.  She will review every detail of her day and walk around the house chatting.  Wonder where she gets that from ?

Thanks, Grandy & Grandpa, for always listening.

Artemisia, Antonia, Aurelia, Arabella, Clara, Clementine, Cleopatra, Crescentia, Dulcinea, Ernestine, Ebelina, Eloisa, Fenella, Fernanda, Genevieve, Gwendoline, Hazel, Hortencia, Imogen, Idahlia, Ishbel, Lucinda, Louella, Leagora, Linnea, Margaret, Maddalena, Maple, Madelie, Nataline, Ophelie, Octavia, Orlantha/Orlanda, Polly, Romilly, Rosalie, Tallulah, Valentina, Violet.

Abraham, Cato, Ezekiel, Emmett, Evander, Edward, Hugo, Ira, Jay, Lazarus, Lysander, Leander, Ned, Orlando, Perrin, Rupert, Russell, Sullivan, Thomas, Theodore, Willoughby.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I can’t remember where I first spotted Belsante, but she sometimes appears among rare medieval variants for Isobel.  I’d venture to guess she started out as a diminutive, though I’ve also stumbled across Belsante as a surname.

She’s certainly elegant, even dramatic, isn’t she?  And yet, Belle and Bella are accessible – and overwhelmingly popular – nicknames.

With parents seeking an alternative to mega-hit Isabella, choices like Annabel and Arabella are on the rise.  So are rarities like Maribel – a family name JLo used her daughter Emme’s middle – and Mirabel, as well as surname spins like Bellamy.

Worrisome suggestions abound on discussion boards: Harry Potter villain Bellatrix, Biblical bad girl Jezebel and Disney Tinkerbell.  (For the record, JM Barrie’s character is actually Tinker Bell.  And I’m fairly certain that suggestion came from someone not really naming a baby.  I hope.)

So what say you to Belsante – yea or nay?

Alice, Arabella, Bedelia, Clementine, Clover, Cordelia, Daisy, Esme, Eleanor, Flora, Fern, Hazel, Hannah, Imogen, Ida, Iris, Josephine, Jemima, Juniper, Lucinda, Madeleine, Margaret, Nola, Olive, Poppy, Pippa, Polly, Penelope, Primrose, Rose, Sally, Stella, Shiloh, Matilda, Tallulah, Theodora, Thomasina, Violet, Zipporah, Amelia, Annora, Maude, Clara.

Arthur, Bertram, Bartholomew, Baxter, Bruno, Bramwell, Chester, Cassius, Cato, Dexter, Dominic, Emerson, Emmett, Elliot, Fergus, Felix, Gregor, Gulliver, Isidore, Jasper, Ned, Orlando, Quentin, Rupert, Rafferty, Samson, Toby, Thomas, Theodore.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Rarely Used list of Girls (2005) only 3 have entered the top 100. Are names really slow to enter and creep or do they suddenly appear at like 600?

Aeron, Aine, Allegra, Amity, Arabella, Ariadne, Artemisia, Aviva, Avril, Beatrix, Britt, Calla, Caprice, Cassia, Cecily, Daria, Dimitra, Donatella, Eleni, Ellery, Elodie, Emeline, Emlyn, Esme, Fifi, Finola, Gaia, Gemma, Hadassah,Hermione, Hollis, Honor, Isadora, Jemima, Junia, Kateri, Kiki, Lark, Lavender, Lilias, Linden, Lyra, Maisie, Mattea, Mehitabel, Melia, Mercy, Niamh, Olympia, Orly, Pippa, Romy, Shenandoah, Shoshana, Stefania, Tamsin, Tayla, Thomasina, Tilda, Topaz, Tova, Vashti, Venice, Verity, Zilla.

Arabella 2005- 795, 2006- 649, 2007- 648 2009-657

Gemma 2008- 888

Hadassah 2007- 996, 2008-988

and the SSA website has gone down for me so I can’t find the rankings for Tayla for the last 5 years?

… swung into gear on Wednesday, when we invited fashion’s finest for a peek at the S/S2010 collection, including a brand new couture line by top secret super special designer (seriously, if we tell you we have to kill you, and we’re not in that business, thankfully).

The verdict…SS10 is all about the nude / skin hues, lingerie touches with lace panels and sheer silks, the odd jolt of bright bright colour, the killer jumpsuit (absolute reigning king of wardrobe staple), stunning tailoring – a true Pinko hallmark now – and a big ‘yes please‘ to the divine detailing, eye popping colour and enduring elegance of the couture pieces. Top tasty treats from Princi kept everyone refuelled, oh if only we could eat there everyday, and o the guessing game was launched, much to the frustration of the gossip girls – who could that secret designer be…answers on a postcard please.

Big thanks to everyone who came, 60 press from the length and breadth of fashiondom…writers, stylists and bloggers including Vogue, Harpers, Elle, Glamour, Cosmo, Marie Claire,  to Grazia, You, Stella, Times Magazine, FashionBite and Cuki&Zleo.

My job for the past 4 years has been case management for a State-program for people with disabilities. I work for a non-profit agency, not the State of Texas. We are the contracted communicators between the people & the government.

Arabella got on the same program I work for (called CLASS) after 5yrs 3months on the waiting list in 2007.
Darin got on a similar program in Feb 2009…

So I’m constantly learning more about both sides – government & the people – of the funding & services.

In an attempt to organize and share the info, I’m working on a website…
I need feedback, reviews and questions. It’s impossible to see your own blind spots.

There’s a button on the sidebar:
Texas Medicaid Waivers Explained

Please be gentle, but specific in your critic… If I put too much info, left gaps, etc.

Rowan Alice Daisy(Kellie’s combo )

Rowan Agnes Rose

Rowan Lily Beatrice

Rowan Celine

Rowan Eloise

Rowan Iris Jane

Rowan Isabella Frances

Rowan Isobel

Rowan Joella

Rowan Lula Poppy

Rowan Noelle

Rowan Prunella

Rowan Nuala

Rowan Ysabel

Rowan Amabel

Rowan Arielle

Rowan Cybele

Rowan Ella Jean

Rowan Isobel Primrose

Rowan Honey Coraline

Rowan Adelaide Lucy

Rowan Simone Iris

Rowan Arabella Jane

Rowan Isobel Rosa

Rowan Beatrix Maude

Rowan Alice Lucille

Rowan Amelia

Rowan Beatrice Adela

Rowan Annabella Jane

Part of the Cape Coast. The spa offers the new African Rainforest Experience. With South African products and inspired by African rains, the combined treatment of free-flowing water, fog envelops and a variety of African colors and scents that stimulate the senses to an extraordinary experience. The setting and the range of activities including the Western Cape Hotel & Spa is a popular venue for small conferences or team-building exercises. Surrounded by the Houwhoek …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIz2hrZn1jg&hl=en

Brad apparently had extra helpers hanging around him in his office tonight and decided to make the best of it.  This video was posted to his Facebook page and it makes me smile!  It highlights how adorable Arabella is, how active (and pacifier-addicted) Abraham is, and what a good daddy Brad is.  Can’t beat that!

On a girl? I really have just started liking this, hubby says no.

I like  Sydney, Arabella & Violet as a sibset.

Twins.

Kaia & Layla, Gaia & Evelyn, Elizabeth & Samantha, Beth & Amy, Edie & Beth.

Names with hyphens (boys in brackets)

Lola-Jean, Arden-Grace, Mia-Moana, Nola-Mae, Chlea-Jade, Janesta-Rose, Matilda-Rose, Abigail-Maree, (Dar-rel), (Cee-Jay), Marlee-Rose, Sophie-Lee, Danny-Jo, Tracey-Lee, Kobyn-Rayne, Indiana-Rose, Marie-Louise, Poppie-May, Bella-Tiarne, Miabella-Rose, Destiny-Pearl, Tiana-Jade, Danika-Leigh, Safahri-Jade, Taitum-Jaymz, Liliana-Jade, (De-yon) Summer’Jayne, Alexis-Grace, Payton’Lea, Shana-Lee, Tiana-Jae, Matildah-Rose, Ka’tia, Torrie-lee.

Girls

Belinda, Victoria, Adelaide, Amy, Bethany, Lauren, Eva, Kendall, Bridie, Gisele, Melanie, Erin, Yasmin, Clare, Natalie, Michelle, Faith, Rhianne, Ruby, Carissa, Jacinta, Keeley, Laura, Samara, Elle, Nina, Lola, Louise, Violet, Callista, Anastasia, Zoe, Carmen, Helen, Felicity, Melissa, Elena, Valentina, Freya, Delilah, Amelia, Isla, Julia, Cassandra, Imogen, April, Morgan, Lucia, Poppy, Tess, Winter, Angela, Molly, Jacqueline, Bonnie, Jade, Alice, Ebony, Rebecca, Aurora, Celine, Monique, Lisa, Madeline, Bronwyn, Lucinda, Willow, Carly, Daisy, Camille, Raffaella, Piper, Lara, Nadia, Angela, Lucy, Libby, Nikita, Thea, Chelsea, Cleo, Reese, Arianne, Catherine, Francesca, Toni, Ingrid, Katherine, Paula, Sabrina, Roxy, Bronte, Mariah, Sandy, Sasha, Dakota, Cara, Tiffany, Tyra, Holly, Miranda, Julie.

Shirley, Luella, Annie, Shirley, Marnie, Bessie, Amity, Lucille, Rosa, Lulu, Mimi, Reba, Elsie, Pearl, Iris, Rosetta, Olive, Tilly, Babette, Heidi, Yvette, Tabitha, Eloise, Hermione, Diana, Clementine, June, Beth, Josephine, Mina, Chrysanthe,Hazel,  Daphne, Mabel, Amaryllis, Georgie, Lillian, Dahlia, Teodora, Ivy, Esther, Arabella, Ida, Meg, Olive, Aubrey, Jane, Cynthia, Alison, Juliette, Mary, Allegra, Eleanor, Mariette, Evangeline, Klara/Clara, Kit ,Dina, Lolita, Olympia, Sally, Edith.

Coco, Quincy, Angel, Caprice, Jewel, Majenta, River, Jazz, Avalon, Cherish, Cairo, Rain, Winter, Shiloh, Harmony, Elodie, Saige, Lucky, Vienna, Paisley, Tigerlily, Maple, Indigo, Pyrate, Trinity, Tulip, Nevaeh, Porsha, Serenity, Hope, Kitty, Arden, Anakie, Pixie, Alaska, Demi, Ocean, Chardonnay, Patience, Melody,Nevada, Dusty, Harper, Modesty, Chevy.

Monieka, Nikkisha, Alyvia, Khloie, Sascha, Talieya, Illiana, Havania, Neva, Ashlan, Adahlia, Somma, Lyla, Cloe, Alecia, Eliesha, Addicyn, Cheyanne, Alexxa, Avah, Wynta, Aaleah, Aleksa, Marleya, Tessah, Chaylee, Jayde, Shae, Chelce, Natalee, Armahni, Scarlotte, Summah, Alaliela, Izabella, Serynnia, Shaela,  Nieve, Azaiyah, Ellenore, Shilah, Mychaela, Avaril, Sylvannah, Innika, Ayva, Rosemari,Jimima, Trelyse,

Ellia, Cianna, Jylea, Quaylah, Imara,Temika,Araya,Inara, Allyra, Aleka, Ashadiah, Arkie,  Zahni, Paea, Ecren, Ejren, Kokoda, Risha, Damara, Taniesse, Aashaylee, Daija, Delana, Folosade, Zoni, Oceah, Chimme, Zari, Irem, Ayansa, Janaiah, Alara, Shallyn, Tithi, Sharell, Shylynn, Tekeia, Tiese, Daisharn, Saybra, Sena, Nour, Mataya, Mohala,

Dempsey, Logan, Kirby, Blake, Emlyn, Kameron, Espen, Chandler, Eliette, Isaiah, Harvey, Shelby, Zia, Gabriel, Sidney, Jayden, Tully, Elliot,  Blaire, Darby, Finnlay,

Keali, Kiana, Kiahla, Kiyarah, Kaylia, Kalara, Khyaura, Kaitara, Kiyarah, Kirrali, Kyndra, Kadelle, Kiesha, Kyndral, Kymani, Keiley, Keana, Kiralee, Kasia.

Asta, Amika, Talya, Kaya, Shanti, Tahnee, Sakura, Aroha, Sachi, Priya, Sabra, Lia, Alessia, Aniela, Sora, Ximena, Donatella, Natalya, Halina, Athalia, Maja, Amani, Natassja, Aomi, Amal, Isha, Luciana, Quiana, Myfanwy, Zaira, Leda, Layal, Manaia, Mahina, Soleil, Solange, Jaya, Mahalia, Zavia, Azura, Seren,

Leonard James.

Ivy Lillian.

Florence Emily.

Margaret Clara.

Arabella.

Dorothy June.

Louisa May.

Rose Ellen.

Henry Walter.

Francis Louisa.

Eveline Charlotte.

Petra

Maple

Girls: Halle, Alaiela, Amelia Mary Rose, Layal, Isla Grace, Lianna, Charlie Parker, Dahlia, Julia, Havana, Scarlett, Taryn, Gabriel, Cassandra, Poppy Jane, Shaela Dawn Rose, Jahnesta-Rose, Saybra, Azaiyah, Elodie, Amali Hineauta, Mahlia, Izabella, Imogen Grace, Teodora, Dakoda, Lani, Ida Maria, April, Ivy, Chevelle, Imani, Iziah, Serynnia, Morgan Elizabeth, Esther Ruth, Nieve, Sidney Violet, Amira, Winter Serenity, Angela, Arabella, Jacqueline, Imogen Allegra, Meg, Eesha, Ellenore, Manaia, Iva, Lola, Honora, Jakora, Kasharla, Alice, Genevieve, Camille, Lyla, Lilly, Mabel, Marika, Laekin, Malaika, Sadie Nicole, Pearl, Angelie, Anjea Coco, Freya, Janae, Ruby, Stella, Tilliah Rose, Leilani, Teale, Sasha, Ellazae, Ashli.

Edith Cecily Grace

Edith Winifred Poppy

Edith Rosamund Lucy/Lucille

Edith Isabella Primrose

Edith Coraline

Edith Genevieve

Edith Pearl Mary

Edith Lily Gertrude

Edith Lily Alice

Edith Violet Lucy

Edith Pandora Jane

Edith Arabella Jane

Edith Winter Maude

Edith Ruby Tabitha

Edith Lavender Maude

Edith Catherine Lily

Edith Juniper Lucy

Edith Anna Margaret

Edith Willamina Ruby

Edith Viola Fleur

Edith Cora Adele

Bei Helmut Krausser in einem seiner Tagebücher heißt es einmal, der späte Strauss der Arabella sei nur noch ein Schatten, ein Abklatsch seiner selbst, habe kaum noch etwas von der Genialität, die den Strauss der Elektra, des Rosenkavaliers, der Ariadne auszeichne. Und wenn man Gelegenheit hat, nach der Frankfurter Arabella am nächsten Abend die Münchner Ariadne zu erleben, dann erscheinen einem die Bemerkungen Kraussers gar nicht so abwegig – und doch zugleich ungerecht. Die Ariadne mit ihrer Überlagerung von Opera Buffa, Metatheater und altehrwürdiger Opera Seria hat mit der kitschigen Operettenseligkeit der Arabella so gar nichts gemein. Nicht von ungefähr spricht Strauss in einem Brief an Stefan Zweig von „Kitsch“ im Zusammenhang mit der Arabella. Wie dem auch sei. Die „lyrische Komödie“ (warum sagen wir nicht einfach die Wiener Operette) um die verarmte Schöne aus der Wiener Stadt und den reichen ungehobelten Prinzen aus den slawonischen Wäldern, um das androgyne Mädchen und den verzweifelten Liebhaber und um den spielsüchtigen heruntergekommenen Papa, die sieht und hört man immer gern, zumal wenn wie in Frankfurt eine so überragende Sängerschauspielerin wie die Nylund als Arabella auf der Bühne steht. Die Inszenierung hingegen, von der man sich so viel erhofft hatte, enttäuscht – zumindest in den ersten beiden Akten. Zäh und dröge und konzeptionslos – es sei denn man sieht Trostlosigkeit und Hoffnungslosigkeit und das Warten auf den Märchenprinzen als eine Konzeption an – zieht sie sich dahin, und man ertappt sich bei dem Gedanken, ob man doch nicht lieber zur Internationalen Automobilausstellung hätte gehen sollen, wenn man schon Messepreise im Hotel zahlt. Aber die Frankfurter Arabella – welch eine elegant-schöne Bühnenerscheinung – singt halt so hinreißend. Da können die Automänner von der IAA mit ihren noch so schicken Spielzeugen einfach nicht mithalten. Nach der zweiten Pause da ist plötzlich alles anders. Da entschädigt eine brillante Personenregie, die keine Requisiten und kein Bühnenbild mehr braucht – man agiert einfach vor einer hellen weißen Wand – für all die Dürftigkeit und Einfallslosigkeit, die die ersten beiden Akte bestimmten: die scheinbare Verabredung zu einer wilden Nacht mit der spröden Arabella beobachtet der eifersüchtige Mandryka  vor der Toilettentür. Zum berühmten Duett lehnen sich die beiden Schwestern an die Heizung in ihrem Absteigehotel (wir sind halt so arm und frieren tun wir auch, und von der Rampe singen wir doch sonst so gern). Vielleicht ist die Inszenierung  auch als Gegenstück zur Musik gedacht. So wenig wie einem sonst so genialischen Komponisten wie Strauss ständig Neues einfallen kann, so wenig kann auch ein Regiestar immer und ewig brillant sein. Aber wie die Musik der Arabella so hat auch ihre Frankfurter Inszenierung – manchmal -  große Szenen. Und am Ende war ich doch froh, dass ich nicht zur IAA gegangen bin und bei Strauss und Loy geblieben bin. Wir sahen  am 18. September die 10. Vorstellung der Produktion. Die Premiere  – eine Übernahme aus Göteborg – war am  25. Januar 2009.Vielleicht noch ein Hinweis: wer einen großen Straussabend erleben möchte, der sollte die Münchner Ariadne sehen und hören. Eine Inszenierung von Robert Carsen, die vor einem Jahr bei den Münchner Opernfestspielen im Prinzregententheater Premiere hatte, zwischenzeitlich von der Deutschen Oper in Berlin übernommen wurde und jetzt im Nationaltheater in München wieder gezeigt wird. In meinem Operntagebuch finden sich ein paar Bemerkungen zu dieser Inszenierung

Marcia Layton Turner & Robbu Hess.

Didn’t manage to get to the end before had to go back to the library but heres the ones stood out for me.

Which do you like? any similar suggestions for me?

Girls

Demi, Bette, Greer, Winona, Elle, Tatyana, Sally, Deva, Mattea, Paloma, Rowan, Scout, Tallulah, Cordelia,

Nora, Lucille, Willona, Thea, Vivianna, Dahlia, Calliope, Iyanla, Alice, Felicity, Lily, Edie, Ambrosia,

Belle, Rosanna, Sage, Oprah, Tyra, Claudia, Greta, Molly, Soledad, Sibila, Dorothea, Frances, Annie,Belinda,

Cleotha, Etta, Dottie, Faithm Reba, Albertina, Cassietta, Cece, Evie, Inez, Mahalia, Maude, Polly, Nina, Adia,

Arabella, Guinevere, Iris, Josephine, Mabel, Ophelia, Clementine, Daisy, Mairead, Sojourner, Zelmer, Kaisha,

Augusta, Lovelace, Celia, Caroline, Clemence, Dorotea, Maud, Nettie, Sadie, Sethanne, Themista, Willamina,

Beulah, Carol, Grace, Harriet, Lillian, Margaret, Sibilla, Virginia, Claudie, Ester, Kalpana, Leda, Valentina, Willa,

Amaris, Ara, Indu, Soleil, Vega, Venus, Orea, Ivria, Kaveri, Naiyah, Rhea, Ryo, Allirea, Hazel, Olivine, Opal, Pearl,

Prunella, Ayala, Jemima, Paloma, Aurora, Dora, Josie, Lilo, Demetria, Farrah, Lucy, Penelope, Ione, Sistine, Pandora,

Lucine, Tabitha, Leonora, Elfriede, Grazia, Olympia, Bebe, Florence, Enya, Oksana, Milena, Aurelia, Tatiana, Fifi, Lella,

Beatrix, Amelie, Anke, Leta.

“The colors live a remarkable life of their own after they have been applied to the canvas.”
-Edvard Munch

I have a few very favorite works of art.  Namely Joseph, Jacob, Arabella and Abraham.  God created them each to be unique masterpieces and although I realize that Brad and I have the awesome responsibility of assisting in the shaping of their lives, I also know that God has a plan for them much greater and more beautiful than anything we can imagine.

I am blessed to be able to watch them grow and develop and I pray for them everyday.  My great desire and joy is to see the strokes on the canvas that were placed by my children themselves, their humble parents, and most importantly our awesome God come together into art.

Photos from Summer 2009

]]> http://datruelove.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/what-i-am-supposed-to-be/ Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:39:27 +0000 datruelove http://datruelove.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/what-i-am-supposed-to-be/ http://babynamelover.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/harriet-combos-2/ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:08:29 +0000 babynamelover http://babynamelover.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/harriet-combos-2/

Harriet/Hariette which do you prefer?

Harriet Lily June/Jane

Harriet Lily Jemima

Harriet Lillian Frances

Harriet Arabella Cate

Harriet Ruby Alice

Harriet Amelia

Harriet Emme

Harriet Mabel

Harriet Aurelia Lily

Harriet Audrey Rose

Harriet Fenella

Harriet Adella Jane

Harriet Eula

Harriet Myrtle

Harriet Rosamund

Harriet Ella Jean

Harriet Ellen Paige

Harriet Caroline

Harriet India Jane

Known sibs for Isadora.

Anneleise Arabella ArabelleBeatrice Caio DanielleIdadora Isolde JonahJustin Maude MelindaheartPetra Phibes QuincyRobert SeraphineSerephina Sid SindriTempest Victor Viviana

I like the bold ones

Last summer, Holden & I tagged along on Jessica’s family’s yearly trip to Camp Riverview on the Frio River. It was a blast. Holden is a little river rat and a flexible, laidback camper. I promised him we would be back!

After a busy June & July, our summer winded down in August. And my birthday was the 3rd & Holden’s is the 23rd…
So off we go to celebrate with our freshly-labeled ‘2nd annual Mother-Son Frio trip’. We are going back to Camp Riverview, just down the road from Garner State Park. We are tent camping with just the basics. We are gonna shop together on the way to pick out our meal. We brought our bikes so when we aren’t floating we can explore. We are staying 3 days-2 nights. Can you tell I’m excited?

The bonus: on the way, we are going to the original Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels with Jessica, Jimmy and Marian, Jimmy’s mom!

The only drawback: Arabella heard the planning chatter, and started asking to come. I really felt sad, and made plans for a mini-trip to Galveston for her birthday.
I know I have done lots of one-on-one with her… And I really want to set apart special time with each kid… But it’s hard to not feel like you’re excluding the others.

Well, off to Schlitterbahn!