Back to Work/Back to Reality....

{Baby G. loves his play mat!}

Today was my first day back at work following a 12-week maternity leave. It was both easier and harder than I had expected. On the one hand, I felt as though I'd simply picked up right where I'd left off; my time away felt more like days rather than weeks. And yet…everything felt different as Baby G. continued to dominate my thoughts as I struggled to make it through a sleepy afternoon without the benefit of a nap.


The idea of leaving him with our nanny (whom I like very much) does not distress me nor do I feel overcome by guilt, convinced I am betraying him by not spending every waking moment taking care of him. And yet...I do feel some regret, some sadness in the knowledge of how much I’ll be missing in the coming weeks and months. I’ve spent the past 12 weeks witnessing every milestone, no matter how trivial and I’ve loved seeing Baby G. develop into a much more alert and interactive being than he was just weeks ago. But I also know that prior to Baby G.’s arrival, I loved my job and a large part of me is excited at the prospect of returning to my professional life, ready to conquer new challenges. I know many of you out there are also working mothers (and fathers) and share these mixed feelings with me.

{...And his mobile!}

I am sure you've also noticed the drop off in my posting (and commenting!) over the past few weeks -- and my absence is simply the byproduct of my cherishing what was left of my time at home with my son. Unfortunately, as I adjust to my new role as a working mom, I expect my blogging to remain sporadic, as my priorities have by necessity shifted to accommodate this new addition to our family. In the coming weeks and months, I hope to find my way back here to the design blogosphere, but in the meantime recognize that my reality currently does not allow for the level of involvement that I'd had the luxury of having up until 3 months ago. I ask that you bear with me during this transition and I hope we are able to reconnect soon once I’ve figured out how to fit my passions for design and blogging around my new duties as mother.


Know though that I do miss reading many of your blogs on a daily basis, living vicariously through your renovations and DIY projects and sharing your day dreams and fantasies of beautiful design. I firmly believe that blogging has revolutionized and democratized the interior design world and I’ve loved being a (small) part of that shift. I hope to see you all back here soon for more of what I love, hate and hate to love in the worlds of design, fashion and style.


Until then,
Averill

Car Query

Locked, loaded and ready to roll!

Yes, I know I've been a very bad blogger, but y'all may be unsurprised to hear that being a new mom and blogging regularly aren't exactly simpatico. In any case, while I promise better, design-oriented posts later this week, I wanted to pop in this morning and get folks' thoughts on cars.

2011 Acura RDX

While this isn't exactly a car blog, I thought you, my lovely and smart readers, might have some valuable opinions and insights on purchasing a "mom" car. After swearing up and down I wasn't going to succumb and trade in one of our small sedans for a SUV just because I happened to have a 15-lb. bundle of joy...well, just 10 weeks in, and I'm succumbing and we're going to start looking for a smaller, crossover SUV later this year.

2011 Volvo XC60

So here are my criteria: (1) comfortably fits rear-facing car seat while allowing ample room in the front for 6'-plus parents (something our current cars do not allow); (2) reasonable amount of cargo space for carting gear, groceries and the occasional flea-market score; (3) not so big that I'll detest driving it (I had a 4-runner for exactly a year in law school before trading down to a Matrix -- it was way too big for me then, and still is now); and (4) under $35k. Oh and yeah, I'd like leather seats, too.

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan

Tall order? I certainly hope not! Right now, I'm thinking about the Acura RDX, the Volvo XC60 and the Volkswagen Tiguan. I currently own an Acura TSX (and love it; we'll be trading in Dave's older Pontiac Grand Prix), but I have very little experience with Volvos or Volkswagens personally. There are things that I like and dislike about each of these models, but I'd prefer to hear your opinions uncolored by my own so I won't go into details here. 

Have you owned any of these cars or know of someone who does? If so, would you recommend one (or all of them)? Do you have any other suggestions? Regardless, would very much appreciate your thoughts!

Update (7/4/11): We bought the Tiguan and couldn't be happier! (Though we did test drive the Volvo xc60 and it is a very, very nice car; we just found a deal on the VW we couldn't refuse!)

Graham Kirk

Graham Kirk arrived on Friday morning at 11:08 am at a hearty 8 pounds and 10 ounces, 20.5 inches. After checking into the hospital Thursday evening with regular contractions, we ended up having to kick-start my labor with Pitocin around 3 am (don't worry, I caught some solid sleep from 10 pm on). Once my doctor broke my water at 8 am, things quickly accelerated (as did the pain!) and we were pushing by 10.  Dave was fantastic throughout, as were the nurses -- all in all, much less scary than I expected.

We got back home last night and it's definitely been an adjustment to our schedules and our lives. Family and friends have been fantastic though, cooking and cleaning and changing diapers while I work on nursing and healing (unfortunately, I lost a significant amount of blood so I'm working on getting my strength back as well). I'll be taking a few weeks off from blogging while we adjust to this new addition to the family.

Many thanks for all the well wishes late last week! Y'all definitely gave me the extra encouragement I needed to get through the last few days.

Plannin' and Dreamin'...

Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'
Plannin' and dreamin' each night of his charms
That won't get him into my arms

Okay, so I may be taking some liberties with the old Dionne Warwick song, but the essential message is the same: if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. I'm 39 weeks pregnant today, 4 cm dilated and waiting for everything to start. I went to see my OB/GYN yesterday and she expressed surprise that I was still pregnant. Trust me, after several false starts over the past 3 weeks, I'm surprised, too. Even my Gmail seems surprised, as these past two weeks I've ceased receiving my weekly prenatal updates from various and sundry websites that I've been perusing during pregnancy.

Yes, I know, I'm not even technically at my due date yet, but with everyone in my family delivering early (even with the first one), I half expected to be in a similar boat. After weeks of co-workers marveling "you're still here?!" and daily texts from family and friends alike "just checking in," I can't help but feel a bit of pressure to get on with things -- as if I had any control of it!

Well, I suppose I have some control of it. These days an induction after 39 weeks is offered up as an option without any required medical need whatsoever. And that makes me a bit nervous. Shouldn't we wait until the baby is good and ready? Isn't it also true that the average pregnancy actually runs longer than the 40 weeks allocated to women by their doctors? The answer to both is "yes"...and yet....

Now that I find myself at this late stage of pregnancy, I'm suddenly very sympathetic with women who elect to make this decision. Indeed, there's some comfort in having a firm deadline, in being able to wrap up things at the office in a definitive manner without the vague (and often unhelpful) "I'll be here 'til the baby comes...whenever that is" response. A response, by the way, that my clients have not been particularly receptive of. Everybody likes a due date, a deadline, a goal. Letting nature take its course is so antithetical to modern life, where we attempt to control everything. Patience and flexibility just don't seem to jive with our schedules.

So what have I decided to do? Well, I've currently got an induction scheduled for Friday, which would require Dave and I to show up at the hospital at the unholy hour of 4 am in the hopes of having a baby sometime before COB (close of business) on Friday. Very convenient for my doctor, yes? I'm justifying this decision on account of my (normally very low) blood pressure having creeped up in the past few weeks. While not at dangerous levels, this upward trend is somewhat worrisome. In the interim, I'm working from home, walking twice a day and praying to God that he'll come of his own volition. If not? Then I suppose I'll let Science take his course and pray that I'm not making the wrong decision.

The Nursery Reveal!

Apologies for being a week late in getting pictures of the nursery up on the blog, but I was waylayed a bit by work and weather last week and couldn't get the finishing touches put in the nursery until this weekend. Last Friday I showed you a photo of the finished window seat, complete with cushions (which I ordered in Sunbrella fabric for maximum stain-resistance/durability). While I stuck with a neutral off-white cushion, I had a contrast welt done in orange to inject a bit of fun and pick up on the orange grosgrain trim on the pillows and pelmet box. 

Dave and I made the pelmet box from some thin pieces of MDF, glued and screwed together and then thickened by Styrofoam (adds a nice visual heft without any extra weight). I then wrapped the three sided box in batting and used a staple gun to affix the fabric. Orange grosgrain ribbon in two thicknesses was then added with some simple fabric glue. My mom and I then made two throw pillows with leftover fabric and trim. The pillows are a simple envelope style, which eliminates the annoyance of sewing in a zipper, but still allows for removal for washing (essential in a kid's room, I'd imagine).

But you've seen this photo already. Time for some new eye candy, right? Before we get to that though, a reminder of what the room looked like before (think storage room):

Inauspicious start, yes? Well, after cleaning the room out (and several trips to Goodwill), I was able to finally get to work on the nursery in December. After several weekends of smaller DIY projects (the crib skirt, pelmet box and pillows), waiting around on painters (didn't have the energy this time around to paint the room myself) and assembling quite a bit of furniture, it's finally finished (well, mostly!):

Of course, the room really won't be finished until Baby G. makes his debut and it gets crammed full of photographs, toys, clothes, diapers....in short, the room really starts to live. But I'm really happy with how the bones of the room have turned out. There's plenty of room to grow, but it's also cozy enough to feel like home straight away.

I'm still in love with my schoolhouse-inspired ceiling fan. I've decided to forgo a mobile over the crib for now because I hear many babies are more enraptured by a ceiling fan than any mobile...and hopefully Baby G. will fall into that group! Besides, it was impossible finding one in my color scheme (and right now I'm not up to the task of making on myself!).

I ordered the glider back in November, but only just received it a few weeks ago. While I loved the aqua-on-blue polka dot fabric in the store, I had some serious reservations almost as soon as I came home: would the polka dots be too loud? Would I regret not going with a solid color? Would the blues work with the wall paint? Fortunately, when the glider finally arrived, I was relieved to see that it wasn't nearly the disaster that I'd built it up in my head to be; in fact, I rather like it and the polka dots are a playful, fun addition to the room without being overly loud.

My mom made a nice lap quilt with more of the O&L fabric. The back and binding is a multicolored polka dot print, which picks up on the polka dot print on the glider and around the monogram.

The "g" monogram and was my first real attempt at wall stickers. I must say, it was easier to apply than I feared and the end result looks like I painstakingly and meticulously painted the monogram on the wall. I gussied up the white Jonathan Adler-knock off floor lamp with some spare grosgrain ribbon (again, affixed with simple fabric glue).

The rug is from DwellStudio and a great buy at $200. At 5'x8' it fits the room nicely and will be a great play area for Baby G. when he gets a little older. I intentionally left a lot of floor space in the room for tummy time, playing, crawling etc. I think all kids' rooms need that extra space for creativity and play.

With little wall space left, Dave and I installed the bookrack from Pottery Barn Kids. I went with an ultraslim rack over a traditional bookcase both because I love how it shows off the colorful kids' books, but also because I had little wall space left that wasn't near a door (and I didn't want to crowd the room out). Currently, it houses my collection of Roald Dahl books as well as some cute board books I received as shower gifts. The top shelf has baby pictures of Dave and I in fab zigzag frames I scored at Furbish Studio (because not everything in a kid's room needs to be from a kid's store!).

Source List:

Crib: Oeuf

Dresser/Changing Table: Oeuf

Glider: Little Castle

Window Seat Cushions: CushionSource.com

Rug: DwellStudio

Bookrack: Pottery Barn Kids
Floor Lamp: ZGallerie

Fitted Crib Sheet: Giggle

Fabric for crib skirt, pelmet box, pillows and throw: Osborne & Little

Ribbon Trim: M+J Trimming

Wall Decal: Elephannie

Letterpress Prints: Sycamore Street Press

Alphabet Poster: Binth
Chevron Frames: Furbish Studio
Ceiling Fan: The Period Arts Fan Company
Wall Paint: Forget Me Not by Benjamin Moore
Ceiling Paint: Icing on the Cake by Benjamin Moore

Introducing High Gloss

I'm so excited that the premier issue of High Gloss, the latest web magazine to hit the virtual newsstands, has arrived. The brainchild of fellow Houstonian blogger Paloma Contreras (of La Dolce Vita), High Gloss is all about interior design, style, fashion and entertaining. HG promises to deliver high style combined with a fresh, stylish (and thankfully, colorful!) perspective that I honestly haven't seen in its competitors (though let's face it, there's always room for another good decor magazine, isn't there?).

Of course, as a contributor for this first issue, I say all this with a wee bit of bias. You can check out my small contribution as the copy writer of the "Modern Makeover" article, which features a truly gorgeous Houston home designed by local favorite Sally Wheat. The home is truly drool-worthy and I've been dying to share it with y'all. 

Of course I'm not going to go and spoil all the surprises now that the issue is up -- you're going to have to go check it out for yourself. I did, however, want to give you a little sneak peek of the living room, with its more traditional bones, modern furnishings and pops of bold color in the accessories. It's chic, but also incredibly livable.

You can also see me on the list of contributors on page 10. Gotta love how I'm astride the virtual fold, right? In any case, I couldn't be happier for Paloma and her fellow editors at the reception the magazine has been receiving. Congratulations, ladies, on a job very well done! And Paloma -- I'm here whenever you need me!

How to have a Stylish Pregnancy

I've picked up a few tips and tricks for navigating pregnancy as stylishly as possible over the past 8 months or so and I thought I'd share some of them with you today. Fortunately, there are now plenty of maternity clothes options on the market today so you have no excuse not to look your usual cute self (especially since now you'll have that pregnancy glow to go along with your gorgeous bump).

1. Pants/Jeans. Hands down I'd say Gap is the winner in this category for both style and price. Sure, you can throw down some serious cash for designer maternity denim (much of which is pretty useless once you get into the third trimester anyway as they're often cut too low and with too little support for late term pregnancy), but I honestly don't think any of the designer jeans I tried on compared to Gap's "Always Skinny" maternity jeans, which I've been living in since Thanksgiving. Similarly, Gap's perfect trousers have become my work week staple and are (blessedly) wash and wear.

2. Basic Tops. Basic tees and tank tops are essential during pregnancy. You can wear them alone, under open jackets and cardigans, or layer them under shorter (non-maternity) tops for more coverage. While not inexpensive, Isabella & Oliver's scoopneck ruched tees are lifesavers for me. They're comfortable, long enough (without running the risk of looking like a tunic -- a problem that seems to plague much maternity wear, even for this 6' tall gal), flattering and I wear them constantly. For tank tops, I actually prefer Classiques Entier's camisoles, which come in an array of colors and, while not technically maternity wear, are stretchy enough to look good from the beginning of pregnancy to the end. Even better, you can wear postpartum without feeling like you're still stuck in your maternity clothes.

3. Open Cardigans. Fortunately, open front cardigans are a big trend right now and can be found in abundance at all price points. I'm a big fan of Nordstroms' in-house brand Caslon for inexpensive cardigans in fun colors. Again, these have the added benefit of being wearable postpartum as well.

4. Comfortable Flats. Comfortable shoes are essential. I had to temporarily retire my heels a few months ago once my balance started to become affected by my bump. At first I was worried that my feet would grow so I avoided investing in well-made, comfortable flats. Big mistake. Buying a couple of cute, well designed flats will not only perk up a basic black maternity wardrobe, but it will keep your feet (and therefore your legs and back) happy. For my money, you can't get better than Gentle Souls. Just don't go buying a whole new shoe wardrobe until you're well past postpartum and are sure your feet have permanently spread (or not).

5. Proper Undergarments. Let's talk lingerie for a moment, ladies. The first new clothing you'll need to buy for your pregnancy are a few new bras. Make sure they've got plenty of support (I made sure mine had that third hook-and-eye closure and larger, more supportive straps). I would suggest not buying nursing bras immediately as you can never be sure what size you'll need by the time the baby arrives. My other suggestion is to get yourself a few Spanx maternity shaper and/or tights. Not only do they smooth you out, but they provide invaluable belly support as you grow. As for maternity underwear? Completely unnecessary unless you prefer high-waisted granny panties. I've had no trouble wearing my usual boyshorts/bikini underwear throughout pregnancy.

6. Some Fun Stuff. So now you've got the basics down, but fashion is also supposed to be about having some fun, right? For more playful maternity tops and cute dresses, I'd recommend the brands Olian, Maternity America and Moody Mamas. I've found they all fit well and easily transition from the second to third trimester. [Note: it's unlikely you'll need maternity clothes during your first trimester and, if you're taller or it's your first child, during much of the second either. So, if you're newly pregnant, don't rush out and buy a bunch of stuff just yet!] These brands regularly go on sale at Nordstrom and even on Gilt Group and Ideeli, so keep your eyes peeled for bargains. Still though, you really won't need more than a couple of cute maternity tops and dresses.

7. Accessories. Remember, jewelry and purses are one size fits all (well, except for rings of course!). Invest accordingly. Statement-making necklaces and earrings keep the attention up at your beautiful, glowing face and your enhanced decolletage.

So what about you? Do you have any tips and tricks for staying fashionable (and, of course, comfortable) during pregnancy?

Obligatory Bump Shot & Giveaway Winner

Okay, okay, so you guys have worn me down. I've resisted showing pregnancy photos of me up until now primarily because (a) I honestly wasn't showing until around Thanksgiving and didn't look really pregnant until Christmas so until recently there wasn't much to look at and (b) I manage to remember that I should take some photographs only at really inopportune moments...like when I've removed all my make-up, am in my pajamas and look really, well, rough.

But let the record show that here I am: 32 weeks and 3 days pregnant...and in my pajamas! I'm pleased to report that I can still see my feet (though I'll admit I have to crane my neck somewhat) and my belly button is still an innie (though it's getting shallower by the day!).

On some more baby-related business, the winner of the Binth Baby Book giveaway is...#3 -- Patch! Congratulations Patricia and many thanks to everyone who entered to win and for continuing to support this little blog. 

Happy weekend!

Happy Second Anniversary, Odi et Amo!

{If I could give you each a Sprinkles cupcake, I would!}

Today marks the completion of my second year as a blogger. 2010 was definitely an exciting time for this little blog as I saw my readership quadruple over the course of the year and my focus -- and my voice -- shift slowly towards the more personal (but I suppose pregnancy will do that to you).

Last year at this time, I featured a roundup of my favorite posts, all of which focused on interior design. This year, I thought I'd celebrate with a roundup my own design projects that I've documented here on the blog over the past twelve months (as well as previews for what's to come in 2011!):

February 2010

The Master Bathroom

March 2010

Sprucing Up a Credenza

March 2010

The Powder Room

April 2010

Mini-Makeovers for My Home Office

July 2010

The Family Room



December 2010
The Master Bedroom - Stay Tuned for an Update!

December 2010

The Backyard



January 2011
The Nursery - Stay Tuned for an Update!

I can honestly say that without the encouragement of my readers -- and the pressure of getting things done so I could have some blog content -- I would not have been nearly as productive in my mission of turning my new, somewhat cold, house into a home as I was (even if I didn't get it all done). While I doubt any home is ever truly "done" (and goodness, how boring would that be?!), I do feel our home reflects us and our tastes so much more than it did a year ago. Many thanks to you all for your continued support,  kind words and generous spirits. I look forward to a third year of blogging, this time with baby in tow!

Gratias vobis ago!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm off for the next few days enjoying some quality time with the family and some much needed R&R. I'll be back next week though with plenty of updates on the nursery (including some DIYs) as I scurry to get the room in shape before returning to work in January.

Love,

Averill

P.S. - The winner of the Bold & Noble Noah's Ark print is #19 -- Mary! Thanks to everyone who entered and congratulations, Mary! I'll be in touch about shipment later today.

*Holiday card designed by my friend Natalie, owner of the lovely stationery boutique Sicily Eason.*

Meet Matilda!

I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of our family: Matilda, a 3.5 month old miniature dachshund!

After the loss of our dear Olivia in October, Dave and I thought long and hard about whether or not we wanted another dog, especially since we're expecting a baby in just a few short months. Ultimately, however, we decided that, if we did want another dog, it was "now or never," as the chaos that accompanies a newborn would inevitably delay getting another dog for several years and that the sooner we could get another dog and get her trained prior to the baby's arrival, the better. Yes, we've been warned that getting another dog (especially a puppy) would only add to our stress levels, but in truth we both felt like our house just wasn't complete without a canine companion and that, like children, the joy of having a dog far outweighs the negatives.

So we've brought home Matilda. While the process of house breaking her has been some serious work (and yes, both Dave and I have lost some sleep), we're well on our way to having a charming, well-trained pup by the time of Baby Boy Conn's arrival in early March. And, perhaps more importantly, she's done so much to keep our minds off of the loss of Olivia. It's been such a blessing to have a lovable, affectionate dog to come home to again. Of course, I'll always miss Olivia, always wish that she had been able to live to a ripe old age, but Matilda has already taught me that there's room in my heart for more than one dog.

P.S. - Stay turned next week for updates on both the status of the backyard makeover and the master bedroom makeover! A ton of progress has been made that I can't wait to share with y'all. In the meantime, happy weekend!

Goodbye Patrick.

Patrick 

{who so thoughtfully confiscated my father's blackberry
for the duration of my wedding in 2006}

I wanted to take a time out today from the usual blogging about design and babies to say goodbye to Patrick, my cousin Carol's husband. Patrick passed away today after suffering massive head trauma in a terrible car accident in mid October. On Monday my family went to say goodbye to him at the hospice, and I cannot begin to describe how it felt to see what the past six weeks had done to such a young, healthy man.

{Patrick with Annie}

I'd like though to remember Patrick as he was. A gentle, sensitive man devoted to his family first and foremost. I'll best remember Patrick down at our family's bay house, where he spent most weekends fishing. He was truly in his element out on the water. Patrick's gentle nature also made him particularly good with animals -- I was always amazed at how well even the more difficult dogs in my family responded to his soft touch and firm voice. He was also wonderful with my Grandpa in the last years of his life. Now that Patrick is released from the confines of a body no longer able to contain him, I pray that he is able to find peace, a few dogs (take care of Olivia and Gretel for me!) and a great spot where the fish are always biting.

A few weeks ago, Dave and I heard a verse from Jeremiah (31:1) that has stuck with me: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.” The hardest part of the last six weeks has been watching my dear cousin and her sweet baby girl go through such heartache and stress. This has indeed been a trial by sword (and fire and whatever else). And I pray that God grants them both that rest and peace. I love you Carol and Annie!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year. I absolutely love the holiday's emphasis on family, gratitude and (of course!) food -- especially since those same virtues don't come with the attendant stresses of gifting and performance anxiety that Christmas inevitably seems to put everyone under. After a stressful fall, I'm particularly thankful this year for what I do have: my health, the support and love of my husband, family and friends, and the anticipation of getting to spend next Thanksgiving with a new addition to our family. 

Dave and I are off today to Florida to see his family. Whether you're traveling or staying at home, I wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings.

Photograph courtesy of MarthaStewart.com.

What's in a name?

To borrow a line from Shakespeare, "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." But what about a little boy? While I'm normally the type of person who makes quick, confident decisions, I find myself almost completely immobilized when it comes to naming my future son. I'm afraid of making the wrong decision, of saddling my son with an overly popular or trendy name, of having the other parents in my son's class silently wondering "what were they thinking?" In short, I'm feeling overwhelmed here folks. And, to be honest, Dave hasn't been much help as he's preferred to veto names rather than offer up suggestions or provide any ringing endorsements.

At the start of my pregnancy, the proverbial question was "what are you having?" Now, the question has become, "what are you naming him?" Even my OB/GYN asked me the question at my check-up last week! My answer so far has been a noncommittal "we're working on that," but I know that I'd like to sort that out before I get to the hospital -- if not long before that so that I can get my family and friends off my back. After all, they're desperate to start monogramming!

There are a few things that I know: (1) I'd like to use at least one family name, if not two; (2) I'd like a name that works as well for an adult as it does for a child; and (3) I want a name that fits with our last name (Conn), a task that's tougher than I'd thought.

I also know that we've narrowed down the potential universe to four possibilities...okay, at least I think we have. And since Dave and I have been testing these names out on friends, family and co-workers to gauge their reactions, I thought I might as well open the vote up to a wider focus group, if only to get a more accurate reaction. Bear in mind of course that I reserve the rights to ignore everyone's input altogether or even to go in an entirely different direction.

Here's a quick rundown on the origins of the names (in no particular order) that are still in the running:

William Evander: Named for two men in my mother's family (William Evander Averill and William Evander Hall), the former being my own namesake. William has also been a common name generally in my mother's family -- in fact, both my maternal grandfather and my uncle are Williams (though they went by Bill and Wendell, respectively). Unrelated but nonetheless interesting is that Evander is Greek for "good man" and a deific king in Roman mythology. The classicist in me loves that. Downside: William is uber-popular; Evander may conjure up images of boxer Evander Holyfield.

James Michael: Named for Dave's father Jim and my father Mike. Pretty simple, really. Downside: Both James and Michael are popular (though less so than William); feels rather uncreative on my part.

Graham Kirk: Named for both my uncle and great-uncle, the latter of whom was killed in WWII. Kirk is Dave's middle name as well as his father's. Downside: No workable nickname for Graham (that could be good though, too).

William Moultrie: Named for this guy, a direct ancestor of Dave's through his paternal grandmother. And, as noted above, William is a frequently used name in my mother's family. Downside: Again, William is uber-popular.

And now you get to vote. Of course feel free to leave me comments explaining your vote or even if you've got another name you'd like to throw into the ring.

poll by twiigs.com