meu nome e

What's in a name? Mi nombre es? Does a name predict who we will become?

During my teenage years, I considered my name a "mom" name...Linda plain and simple. White bread plain in the English language. In Spanish, Leeeeenda. Pretty. Cute. So much more to the name. So much more special. My husband and I struggled with the perfect name for our daughter. My first intuition was Stella. Victor loved it (although he began the name discussion with "Victoria"...haha funny). The 9 month-long argument included these wonderful gems...also included are the reasons they were eliminated...or chosen...what a deliberation:

Stella (strong contender...but Stella...steeeeeella!)

Alexis (Victor didn't like)

Isabella (too long...Victor says no)

Alexa (sister-in-law's cats name)

Sofia (too "golden girls")

Natalie (loved it...Victor not liking the "English" sounding names...Natalia? too Italian!)

Nena (my favourite aunts name...pronunciation Nina...foresaw pronunciation problems)

Mia (strong contender...but in-law's laughed at the meaning in Portuguese...Mia equals the cat's meow in Portuguese...I was defiant and wanted to name her this nonetheless but the moment our glittering baby girl was placed on my chest, I saw a Bella, a beauty. I said her name aloud and she opened her eyes for the first time. And so Bella it was).

Felicia (chosen as a middle name...Feliz! Happy! Content! Jose Feliciano - "I want to wish you a merry chrrristmas!" also my make-believe name as a child)

Ah...the list went on...but we settled on Bella Felicia. Beautiful Happy! Sounds like the name of the nail salon down the street. Beautiful Happy Nails. Nonetheless, we love it. From plain and simple Linda, came pretty/cute to beautiful happy. Improve much?

a new dawn...a new day...a new life for me

"Feeling Good" by Nina Simone. I sing this song everyday to my sweet angel...new to this world, it reminds her of being in the womb. Of the day she made an appearance, I sat limp in the shower singing and humming this tune while my mother sprayed me, all love filled and in awe.




Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom on a tree
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That's what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me

Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me


And I'm feeling good

- by Nina Simone

Love and marriage go together with a baby carriage

A lot has happened since I last posted. I've reached two major lifetime milestones in just 9 short months...the first being Victor and I now have a beautiful little girl named Bella (Banana Peanut Boo Boo Monkey). The second, our marriage that had been planned for September 12, 2009 was moved up a little early to May 30 (I was not a fan of being 7 months pregnant at my wedding).

I wanted so badly to post while pregnant however, I was pukes mcgee for all nine months and had no energy other than to go to work, puke, then come home and sleep. I spent many long days at work, running back and forth to the bathroom while working against major deadlines. It left me little to no "get up and go" when I got home. So Victor would cook me dinner (if I could stomach it), I would throw up, then fall asleep around 7pm. Good times. But THANK GOODNESS for the hormonal forcefield of my little one, Victor and I now have a beautiful, healthy baby girl who fills our life with so much joy. I mean, life was getting to be a little monotonous without a little monkey to fawn over!