One million seven hundred and thirty points go to Blair.
She noticed a little something in a previous post that was a clue to what we have named Baby Bower.
Yup, that was a cropped photo of Jeremy’s stocking. But if you zoom out just a wee bit…
…you see what we have decided our little bambino will be called.
Once we found out it was going to be a boy the choice was really easy. We narrowed it down to two names….William Jackson Bower or William David Michael Hughes Bower. One sounds like a civil war hero. Say it out loud in this sentence – “WILLIAM JACKSON BOWER and his troops of seventeen thousand stormed Charlotte.” See what I mean? Yeah. 1861 here we come.
And the other, well, it’s a mouthful. William David Michael Hughes Bower is not exactly a kid’s dream. But I figure that some Latinos have long names…and what’s a few more syllables, really?!?! And he’s already gonna be made fun of for having a crazy mother. So we might as well get really tough armadillo style skin on the kid.
In the end, we went with the civil war hero moniker.
William is actually Jeremy’s first name. And he is the fifth in his family to be named William. Plus my dad is William and my family has about ten other people with William in their name. That’s a whole lotta Williams. But the funny thing is – nobody goes by Will. So easy peasy poopie squeezy.
And Jack is Jeremy’s grandfather’s name. And a name of one of my best friends (who had this fabulous wedding!). So of course we fell in love with it immediately as an option. Plus, I mean, who doesn’t appreciate Jack Bauer?!?! seriously people. But we both prefered Jackson…hey, we live in the south. Then we looked up the meaning. Jackson means son of Jack. Jack is a form of John. And John means God is Gracious.
For me it came down to that right there. God is Gracious.
My old pastor used to say that mercy is not getting something we deserve. Like a whippin’.
And grace?
Well, grace is getting something we DON’T deserve. Like a child.
That is exactly how I feel about this baby. I don’t deserve him. I haven’t done a single thing in my life that merits a healthy pregnancy, much less an infant. I’ve never been kind enough. Or good enough. Or generous enough. Or funny enough. I’ve never earned this. Or been worthy. Or ought to get it because of something I’ve done. My God is gracious. That is the only explanation.
That and my boyfriend is a stud 🙂
Your boyfriend is a stud! Hahaha…you are too funny! You completely deserve this happy, healthy pregnancy. And, I love the name you have chosen!
I love the name Will. That was one of two names my husband and I had it narrowed it down to if we had a boy. We went wtih Luke but if we ever had another boy his name would be Will.
Love the name! Also, what type of camera do you use? I love all your photos.
You are so funny! I love the name.
You are hilarious! And you may not believe that you deserve Will, but such a gift from God certainly deserves parents like y’all. What a lucky kid! 🙂
Love love love it. Good, classic, solid name. Can’t wait to meet baby Will.
When we have kids, our boys’ names have to pass the “loudspeaker” test. Their name has to sound strong and powerful when announced on their high school soccer/football/baseball/whatever fields. Mr. B’s name doesn’t pass the test, but our sons’ names will. I think Will is a perfect loudspeaker name.
What a fabulous name – I love the meaning behind it all, too. You two are going to be fabulous parents!!
And God is gracious. All the time. If I ever have a baby girl I want to name her Grace – so she never forgets the most mysterious and miraculous part of life.
SO GLAD you told us the name!!! Love it!
Love the name. My son’s first name is Jackson and he’s amazing.
Sweetpea, I work at a school where poverty is an everyday thing. And here’s what I can say to you…
Are you going to feed this baby?
Are you going to clothe this baby?
Are you going to love this baby?
Are you going to do everything in your power to keep this baby warm and safe and loved and cherished?
Are you going to pay attention and read to this baby?
Are you going to make plans for this baby? Make sure he has a good education? Make sure that no-matter what, no-matter what your life situation is, that he will be your top priority?
If you answered yes to these questions (and didn’t injure yourself giving the d-oh slap to your forehead) then you’re faaaaaar and away more deserving of this little bundle of joy than most of the parents of the kids I teach.
You’re gonna be a great mom. Relax!
Ahh!! I love the name!! It is a very strong name which is so important. I totally thought I saw the Will stocking but I just assumed it was a relative of yours or Jeremy’s!
I am loving the ‘loudspeaker test’ – In fact, I just announced a 87 yard pass for a touchdown with my kid’s name 🙂 Love it Em!
And Benny – I use a Rebel XSi. I also photoshop the photos whenever I forget to adjust the exposure correctly!
XO – KB
love the name! And I agree with Tara up there. if you answered yes to her questions, then you deserve to have a healthy pregnancy and baby. You guys are going to be great parents!
I love your hilarious take on being pregnant and how important a moment this is in yalls lives. Congrats and God Bless!
Love your thought process. We are currently trying to decide on a boy’s name. I like Ian, which is a Scottish version of John, hence I knew it meant God is Gracious. Love it. My husband takes his time deciding on names (unlike his dear wife who has spent her whole life deciding on baby names – ha!) Our daughter is Sophia; most people know that is Greek for “wisdom” and that is what we desire for her (vs. “smarts”). Also, my dad has taught New Testament Greek my whole life and since Sophia’s name is Greek, she was kinda named after/for him.
Haha, I actually noticed that too, but I didn’t want to say anything in case the beans weren’t meant to be spilled yet. 🙂 Awesome name.
Amen! We serve a merciful and gracious God.
I love the name William – in fact, if we have a baby boy, that’s what we’ll name him.
My brother was a girl until the day he was born….though, I think one could argue that he still is 22 years later…but….I’m just saying…thought I was getting the sister as per 3 ultra sounds and wound up with yet ANOTHER brother! No sistahs for sistah….Good Luck!!
cuteness 🙂 love it. PS: I did a post about pregnancy and fashion, you may just enjoy it.
xoxo girlie
First time commenter here, but this subject is very near and dear to me . . .
As the mother of a nearly three-year-old Will (it’s actually his middle name that’s William), I can personally attest that it’s such a strong, solid, not too trendy name. And it’s also a good name to say sternly when he’s in trouble, which is essential to any boy name worth its salt, in my opinion.
And, yes, you do deserve this. Don’t ever think otherwise.
Congratulations! You might know this, but maternity sweaters are on sale at Old Navy for $9 right now. I bought two and I am not even pregnant.
(Sigh) can’t say I didn’t warn you that “Will Bower” and “Will Power” are just too close… I hope he doesn’t get teased his whole life. Oh well, I jokingly suggested to a friend whose last name is Fox to name her son Noah…and she did. Noah Fox? I just don’t get some parents…
One million seven hundred and thirty points? Cha-CHING! Thanks for the points, congrats on the bambino, and most importantly – I love the name!
oh, katie bower, you are adorable. so happy for you! can’t wait to meet baby will bower 🙂 merry christmas
Dearest Tricia,
Well girl – it’s a lost cause about Will getting teased. That’s what family is for 🙂 and as for the name…like I said before – I like to put unrealistic expectations on all my unborn children…so when Will grows up to be president (of some sort of fan club…not the united states) he will feel like his name will be a foretelling of his greatness 🙂 Seriously though…I actually like that it sounds like Will Power…let’s just pray that he has some when puberty strikes 🙂
XO – KB
Absolutely LOVE the name!!! Great job. You are doing amazingly well with the pregnancy and I love reading all your updates.
Awe, Katie I love it! Very darling for a baby, cute for a kid, and totally handsome for the stud he’ll grow up to be 🙂 And yes, you do deserve this adorable, wonderful gift ~ I don’t know you but I can tell that God is smiling down on you, just like he was when he blessed us with our lil’ man. He is so good! Can’t wait to meet Mr. Will, I sooo have baby fever right now 😉 Thanks for sharing!
JACKSON!!!! Best name ever!!! I didn’t know the meaning behind it, so thanks for the info! 🙂 William Jackson is an amazing name and you’re going to be an amazing set of parents! Congrats!!
P.S. I didn’t feel like I deserved my Jackson either. He’s one now and every kiss, smile, and giggle still makes my heart fly!
I saw Will on the stocking, but i wasnt sure if you had a dog haha so i thought it was a dogs name…sorry! haha Nice name though 🙂
Okay, Katie, you won’t hear any more about willpower from me. All my best! 🙂
Oy, that last part made me teary…the baby part, not the boyfriend part 😀 God is so good. Best wishes with you youngin’!
You guys are awesome and that is why you deserve this amazing pregnancy! Congrats girly, can’t wait to see baby Will=)
You got all sappy on me at the end, but I’m still laughing at “Like a whippin.” The South seems to be making an impression on you, Jersey Girl.
Love the name! Go get those Yankees, William Jackson!