Emily Elling
Paullywog, The Paulster, and Other Nicknames We Call Our Son
When I was pregnant with baby Paul, his name in utero was Quatro. He was our fourth child, and just like his siblings, we didn’t nail down a proper name for him until the very end of the pregnancy. Calling the baby “the baby” while he was in my tummy felt informal, so Quatro he was called.
We decided on his proper and real name, Paul Richard, around week 39 of my pregnancy. He’s named after my father-in-law (Richard) and grandfather (Paul), and it fits him perfectly.
But since birth, Paul’s racked up quite a laundry list of silly, ridiculous, mostly endearing nicknames. We call him, well, we call him a ton of different names.
A few of my favorite nicknames for baby Paul:
How to Pack a Well-Stocked Toddler Bag for the Park
We go to a park literally every day that it doesn’t rain. Typically we head out in the afternoon, sometime after we’ve had our naps but before dinner. I’ve learned that instead of packing and repacking all the gear we need to have a blast at the park day in and day out, it’s easier to keep a dedicated “park fun bag” stocked and ready in the backseat of the car.
And once or twice a week I take the bag into the house for a bit of restocking and reorganization, ensuring we have all the things we need to have a really great time together.
12 Awesome Reasons to Have a Large Family
Ever wonder why some people have so many kids? I have four (ages 8, 5, 3, and 1) and in my experience, after announcing the 4th pregnancy, you start to get third degree from friends and strangers alike.
Did you want all these kids? (Um, of course.) Do you know how to prevent that? (Sure do.) You must have your hands full (Yup, and it’s the way I like it.) Are you crazy? (Possibly!)
But honestly, raising a large family has always been a dream of mine. And while it does come with its own set of challenges, being a mom to these four little ones has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
A few reasons I absolutely adore being a mom to many:
Paul in an Instant: Spring Edition
Cell phone snapshots. Probably the most accurate way I can look back and reflect on my day. Even when I can’t remember what we did last Tuesday, all I have to do is simply scroll through the good ole’ phone photos and I’m instantly reminded. Oh yes, we went to the library, ran errands, and then headed out to dinner.
Since baby Paul and I are buddies while the big kids are in school, he’s become my little muse of sorts. And everyday I’m capturing sweet, simple, magical moments in his little toddler life. I watch him explore, I see him create, and put my clicker finger directly on the everyday moments of life that all too often pass us by in a blink of an eye.
A few everyday magical moments with Paul, caught on camera:
A Post-Mother's Day Letter to Baby Paul
Dear Baby Paul, (And yes you’re 16 months old and we still call you “baby Paul”. Get used to it, because I’m not stopping anytime soon. You’ll always be my baby.)
Anyway, just a quick little note regarding Mother’s Day 2013…
