What’s in a name?

We have chosen a name for “Baby Barnez.” But let me start by prefacing –

It still amazes me that I spent 6 years in college, gained a Masters, had to pass a test to drive a car AND wait till I was 21 to drink “responsibly,” however no one seems to care to certify me in motherhood.

You have 9 months to prepare yourself. But just anyone can have one! Anyone can raise one! Look at all the paperwork and leaps and bounds you have to go through to even ADOPT a child, yet, hey! get preggo! GOOD LUCK!

It boggles my mind that ANYONE can be entrusted to raise a child and teach them what is right and wrong with NO supervision. In fact, I have to PAY for courses to LEARN HOW to do it correctly! And Lamaze and baby care classes aren’t CHEAP!

Isn’t anyone concerned that I could screw up this child FOR LIFE?? That maybe I won’t know how to swaddle correctly or might get peed on a few times or GOD FORBID by the wrong type of baby carrier?????

And to be left in charge of a name? I mean, a name can SCAR a child for life. It’s okay for people to name their child Apple and River, or Ben Dover?? And society WONDERS why some kids grow up with serious issues. Well, let me tell you this is PRESSURE as a parent. PRESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSURE! How do you pick a name that is nice, strong, MANLY when he grows up, something you think HE will like, won’t get him beat up on the playground and won’t mentally anguish him till he’s 18 and can change it? Never mind other people. People can be so MEAN these days about it. They picked THAT name??? Ugh, I don’t want others to already HATE my child because of his name before he’s even born! No WONDER parents keep it a secret until after the baby pops out.

Leads me into the DRUM ROLLLL PLEASE….. yes, we have chosen a name.

BUT WARNING!!! DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF:

1. You plan to steal my name before July 24th. I WILL find you and torture you until you change it.
2. You want to scowl and make fun of the name and me for choosing it. I again, WILL find you and torture you. ha

That being said:

THE OFFICIAL NAME OF BABY BOY BARNEZ IS:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

MAXIMO LEONARDO JUAREZ.

Go ahead ooooo and ahhhhh all over it. I know it’s cute. Strong. Now let me tell you why.

Besides ALL the mention above, Claudio and I had a hard time picking a name that would 1. be Spanish and dear to him and 2. American and tough for me. Maximo worked well because it’s, well, Maximo, and Max for short! Also doesn’t hurt that Maximo = “the greatest.”

Max, “Where the Wild Things Are”

Leonardo is his father’s name, so it seemed only appropriate that we would give the Juarez family’s first grand son his middle name. Plus Leonardo = “the lion.” So he’s “the greatest Lion.” Sounds pretty bad ass to me. At least no one will be beating him up on the playground.
Also doesn’t hurt that he will be born in July and a Leo! Oh and that Claudio’s fraternity is Phi Iota Alpha and “the lion.” So he beems with joy of fatherhood at this name. A future Michigan State Phi Iota? Sounds like he’s on the right track….

OH. And we also decided to make the baby’s room jungle themed. So lion’s galore! So, now that we are getting closer…if you just happen to pick up little Maximo a gift (wink wink) you’ll have a better idea what to get.

Think Boy, jungle, Maximo.