Norman?

I wish I could take credit for the pictures that went up last night…especially the one with Normy in the sink. But that was all Smoochy. He grew impatient for me to post last night and commandeered the blog at the urging of Grandpa W. who wanted some pictures of the recent baptism and trip to New York. Now I suppose this might leave you wondering a couple things. Such as: Norman? What’s this Norman business? I thought you called him Sonny? And I did, while he was in-utero. But once he was born it just didn’t stick. I am not sure if it was because he just did not look like a Sonny or subconsciously we kept thinking of Sonny’s BBQ.

So why don’t we call him Jacob or Junior? Well, two Jacobs is confusing, and I HATE Junior. It reminds me of a spoiled Richy-Rich kid. The nickname Norman, Normy or Normalicious came about because Smoochy had an uncle that nicknamed his brother (Tyler) Norman. However, the way Smoochy remembered it, this uncle called all the kids Norman indiscriminately. That cracked me up. I could just imagine family gatherings with all the little Normans running around. Hence we started saying to our baby, “You’re such a little Norman.” And boy did that stick. He LOOKS like a Norman with that lopsided grin and squinty eye. He reminds me of a boxer, you know STORMIN’ NORMAN! This becomes particularly apropos when he starts fussing.

The thing is, I think Norman has true staying power as a nickname, and that worries me a tad. For starters there is an awkward fat stage that runs in both our families that often coincides with the Middle School years. Not to mention he is already sprouting a baby unibrow. Not a good combo. Then, I believe if you go through the trouble of naming a child something, that is what they should be called. Just ask Sonny’s Aunt Betsy how frustrating it is to be referred to as Elizabeth, which is not her name. I would like Little Jacob to be Jacob, but that is turning out to be far more confusing than I had anticipated. I thought Sonny would be Jacob and Smoochy would become Dad. However, that is not an instant transition. And though it may happen over the years, perhaps not quick enough to keep Norman from becoming permanent.

I would never have named a baby Norman. Who doesn’t hear that name and think: NORM! from Cheers? Big-fat-beer-swilling Norm. Not something I would do to my beautiful baby. I wish we had just nicknamed him Frankie, which is a play on is middle name. But NOOOOO. It’s Norman. At least for now it has stuck. My adorable baby Norman. Have no worry, for simplicity sake on this site he will still be my Sonny. But if you ever come over for a visit and want to catch an elusive baby smile (and yes, to all of you who urged me to be patient, we have seen some bursts of beautiful baby smiles!) the best way to do it is call out: “NORMY!” in your most alluring baby falsetto!

Back to my opening paragraph. The next question you might have is: New York? Baptism? Is that where you have been? Yes. That’s where I have been. And it is my intention to write about it in just a moment. Or at least hopefully sometime later today. But for now I will leave you with an adorable baby picture to ponder. ;-)