What to name your child

It's not always an easy thing, finding the right name. When we said we liked Rupert, most people almost fainted. One person even suggested that by choosing such a 'daft' name, we'd blighted the ovum (luckily I know her well and she knows me well enough to know I'd take the joke). So with our nice sedate choices at the moment, we seem to be doing okay.

It changes back and forth a bit, as we debate new ideas, but it seems that Isabelle and James are certainly the front runners at the moment. In fact, we like Izzy so much that there's little chance of us choosing something else for a girl - the only decision now is how to spell it: Isabel, Isobel, Isabelle, Isobelle, or Isabella? James is not quite so set - although my plan to slowly wear Dan down into letting us have Ruben are going nowhere - I have not a hope in hell.

But at least wee Basil can rest assured that s/he won't end up with something too outlandish like these poor devils:

From the New Zealand Herald: New Zealand children have been given names such as Number 16 Bus Shelter, Violence, and Benson and Hedges(twins). But other names, including Fish and Chips, Yeah Detroit, Stallion, Twisty Poi, Keenan Got Lucy, and Sex Fruit, have been blocked by registration officials. The revelations came during written findings by Family Court Judge Murfitt, who ordered a girl be put in court guardianship so her name - Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii - could be changed.

Suddenly Rupert just doesn't seem so bad, eh?

He cudda been a contender

And here's one for the Daventry Khans - evidence of a contender for the title 'Best Feet in the Family'.

Dan doesn't know whether to be bereft that his title is under attack or proud as punch that Basil has such magnificent tootsies.

In either case, it certainly looks like Basil's got his feet from his dad cos there's no sign there of the old hereditary pes planus that plagues the Blackbourns, eh Pam?

* Pes Planus: flat feet

Can you tell what it is yet? (c) Rolfie

No, not a kangaroo, and certainly not a joey - it's Basil! Nooo, really? Who'd have thunk it?

I can't decide whether he's supporting the Black Panthers, considering a future as a neo Nazi, or practicing his moshing. I'm edging towards the moshing.

New improved scan pics

Oh yes, who's a clever mummy?

With the aid of a camera and Paint, I've managed to re-photograph and label the scan pics to give you at least a fighting chance of seeing what's meant to be on there. Well, that's the plan.

Of course, I could have just pointed the arrows at any random white blobs and made up what they are ... but I haven't. Honest Injun.

This one is Basil's head and shoulders - I've added a bit of an outline to help define what's what.

Time for my close up, Mr DeMille

Basil was a star of stage and screen yesterday when he made a glamorous appearance on TV via the mode of a scan. He wiggled his feet, waved his hands and even shook his tushy at us, indicating that he's a show off like his mummy. His feet looked very good - possibly the best feet in the family, and he had a very handsome profile. Mind you, face on he still looked like something that should jump out of John Hurt's shirt, but hey, he's getting there.

The scan pics we have are fairly clear, but they didn't re-scan into the computer very well, so all you get is some more blurry grey blobs that you have to pretend look enchanting. Such is the life of an aunty or uncle (whether real or honourary) so you may as well just learn to live with it. Start the oohing now...

The pic above is the 'face-on' one - yep, the alien one. The two bright white lines are his nose bones, the dark on either side of the lines are his eye sockets, and the big dark patch just above is his very clever wee brain. And that bigger grey blob/line coming down from the face, well that's his arm - can't you tell he's waving? (Okay, so it's not his arm, I made that bit up...)

Passing a big milestone

Well, we've done it - we've made it into the magical second trimester and all is well. Miriam Stoppard assures me that this means we're now far more likely to proceed in a nice boring fashion -and we all like the sound of that.

There's another scan on Thursday this week, and another visit to the midwife, Glenda the Witch (a good witch, I hasten to add), plus blood tests. Hopefully it'll all be plain sailing.

It's quite exciting!