And no, not questions about burning. Like when you pee. Questions you asked me when I begged you for some blogging fodder. Questions you are just dying to have answered (right?) So here goes – hopefully this isn’t too boring:
Joline asks:
Please, Andi, I would like to know your 4 favorite cocktails. (Please don’t mention the one starring Tom Cruise.)
How did she know I would have gotten all cheeky and totally mentioned that movie? Seriously though, loved it when I was 12, but now not so much. Now this is a difficult question, but I’m going to have to go with: Baileys and chocolate milk, good quality port (I do like Taylor Fladgate), Mike’s Hard Lemonade or Mike-arita, and plain old rye and coke.
Heather had 2 questions:
When do you plan to put Grandma up for adoption?
Um, never. My grandma rules. I will, however, rent her out to the highest bidder. I’m sure she’d love to have a cocktail with you (right, Grandma?)
Do you have glamorous hemorrhoids on occasion?
I’m not sure what qualifies as “glamorous” hemorrhoids, but I don’t think I’ve ever had hemorrhoids – glamorous or otherwise. Can we still be friends, even if my nether-regions aren’t as exotic and glamorous as yours, Heather?
Jennifer asked me many questions about me and the husband, which I think are more suited to be an entire post – which I will write at a later date. She did ask one that I can answer here, though:
Did you make a conscious decision to start a family or were you surprised?
Conscious decision. Both kids were conceived on the first try (because you really wanted to know that much about me, didn’t you?) So, as far as we’re concerned I’ve had sex twice. That’s what I plan on telling the children anyway.
Teri, Nell, and Zellmer want to know: how the kids got their names
We liked many girl names, but didn’t really love any. Then I started watching Scrubs and loved that the female doctor’s name was Elliot. We decided we were going to call the baby Elliot regardless if it was a girl or boy, but were really hoping for a girl. The name suits her perfectly – even if I’ve heard the phrase “that’s different” (and never in a good way) a few too many times from strangers – and most people seem to like the name.
As for Mr. Arlo, when we found out we were having a boy, it was almost impossible to find a name that was unique but not weird. Because I’m a complete dork, I did a lot of research into naming trends. This book, this book , and this site were extremely helpful. And I looked up many of our favorite names on our government database. There were only 5 Elliot’s (some with different spellings) in our province the year that our Elliot was born. Since we also wanted our son to avoid being known as, say “Ethan S.” (there were almost 400 of them born here last year), we looked for a long time for a boy’s name.
Several of the names we liked were rejected: Oliver – was the name of our last cat and we wanted to avoid the odd looks that come with telling someone you named your child after the family pet; Gabriel – getting too popular; Graham and Simon – both sounded too sing-songy with our last name; and Nate – this one was a strong contender until I realized that it is a nickname for two popular names (Nathan and Nathaniel) and after I watched the last season of Six Feet Under and found myself more disturbed by Nate’s death than I should have been, the name felt like it just had bad mojo.
We were desperately searching everywhere for names and then I read this book about blogging and was checking out some of the sites that the author mentioned, among them, Jenville. Jen of Jenville has a son named Arlo. The name stuck with me. And I remembered I actually went to school with an Arlo. It wasn’t too weird, but not popular (only 2 born here in 2006), so Arlo became the name. As with Elliot, I think Arlo’s name suits him and I can’t imagine him named anything else (even if a lot of people do ask me if he’s named after Arlo Guthrie – seriously? How old do you think I am?)
Whew. That’s a long enough post for now. Stay tuned for more answers to your burning questions (and again, if it’s in regards to pee, you best go see your doctor).
I can have a Mike’s Hard lemonade with your grandma? Really?!
I love the name Elliot for a girl. Love it.
And Bailey’s — mmmm… Even straight up. Awesome, artery-clogging stuff.
I have a burning question for you – who bought Arlo his “I Love Sports” shirt featured in the Flikr picture cause I know it wasn’t you?
I love the name Arlo. It fits so well. And Elliot for a girl — perfect.
You chose wisely.
(in both kids’ names and favorite drinks
But I hate seeing the doctor! Aha ha.
We liked Oliver at one point, too.
Arlo…way better.
Our Mike’s circle is becoming wider. I’m delighted! Just purchased the large Bailey’s at your and Larsen’s recommendation. Elliot, Arlo and Sacha are priceless names for three treasured great grandchildren. Cheers!!
I like my name Mommy. It reminds me of being at the beach playing with Ellliot and Arlo drinking my fave = beach beer!
I’d like to put a request in to rent your Grandma please…does she do toddler-sitting?
i love both of their names. they are GREAT! and you’re right…unique, but not weird.
I don’t know what qualifies as glamorous hemorrhoids either. I would have to write Glamour and ask. haha!
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Great names! Definitely not weird – and there are some weird ones out there!
(and that Joline is just cheeky isn’t she??)
Love your children’s names & the stories behind them as well!
I’ve been a bad blog friend.
*SMACK*
I wanted the moosh to be Elliot for the very same reason.
Alas, I didn’t win.
Cocktails around my house?
Fermented grape juice.
Fermented orange juice.
Fermented apple juice.
Sour milk.
And none on purpose.
P.S. Wanna come to Indiana, “we’re” pretty awesome.
(You are so getting weird Goggle hits on this one.)
I did the same obsessive research for my girls names. They had to be different, but not unpronounceable. We’ve met one other Matilda and heard tell of a couple of Freyas. I was totally paranoid after there was a character named Matilda in Zoolander that it would become the next big name (like Olivia – there are SO many) but so far so good.
My sister’s oldest desperately wanted her to name the second one Arlo. Alas, she was a girl.
Your Elliot throws me for a loop, because my (male) boss is named Eliot. But that’s just happenstance. It’s a nice name.
I really think that we could make millions off renting out Grandma! I think that she would LOVE to travel across the US, drinking Mike’s with all of your great blogging friends. How about it Mom? Wouldn’t that be Fun??
White Wine is my drug of choice, in case anyone in family had any doubt.
May I borrow Grandma next weekend? She would be a great party guest.
Get down with yo’ bad self, Grandma!
Well now I know you even better! I love your name pics and would be pleased to serve you your favorite drinks if ever you’d visit!
I love these ‘getting to know you better’ type q&a’s. My kids were both conceived on the first try as well, though at the time, we had no idea we were actually trying.
I love Arlo! And how you pursued names–very interesting…
Mmmmm…Baileys and chocolate milk!
Oliver is a great name….i have a nephew named Oliver!
great answers!
I love these name stories!!! I have to email you our name stories, because Goose’s name is also the name of a popular tv show and I hate for people to think I did that on purpose. Now I’m not going to sweat it because you really did name Elliot after Elliot on Scrubs!
And naming your kid after Arlo Guthrie would not be so bad. Sort of edgy alterna-Country. I’m not sure what that genre is called, but my husband would approve. He’s all Johnny Cash. I’m all Joaquin Phoenix.
Grandma’s beginning to think y’all think she’s quite the drinker. I promise she’s only a social drinker and there is no intervention needed. She is fabulous though – and is clearing her social calendar to make the rounds with all my blog friends (hee hee).
Thanks for all of your fun comments. Oh, and Nell, I kept meaning to tell you that your girls’ names are two of my favorites. I did know of one Freya – she was the husband’s ex-girlfriend though so I wouldn’t have used the name. I do love it though.
[...] I really don’t feel like complaining about my kids today. So I’m going to answer more questions. Here [...]