His first name does indeed come from Samuel Beckett. Somewhere between philosophy (Wes) and literature (me) comes "Waiting for Godot," which is probably my favorite piece of theatre. We like the absurdist existentialist connotations. My family keeps talking about baseball, so apparently this name also crosses over into non-intellectual pursuits, as well. We did not know this, but it seems to make them happy so oh well. When we chose this name, the 2006 Social Security list wasn't out yet. You can imagine Wes' horror at finding this name on the list for the first time ever. By then he was well and truly named, though.
This is the portrait of Samuel Beckett in the National Portrait Gallery in London. It is another reason I fell in love with the playwright and the name. I have had a postcard print of this above my desk since college. I find it truly inspirational in a charmingly absurd way.
His middle name - Ace - is after a cat. Yes.
Ace was one of my mother's many cats. When she died, Ace attached himself to Melissa in a rather mystical and deep way and he eventually went to live with her.
Wes and I have very few beliefs in common when it comes to anything spirtual. Wes has almost no spiritual beliefs, period. But we both think there is something going on with cats and babies.
One of my mom's cats, Rasmussen, died when she was in labor with me.
Wes' cat Rascal died when Wes was pregnant with GMB.
When Melissa was pregnant with K and I was pregnant with the penguin, both of Melissa's cats died. One had been her husband's and one was Ace. I began to think that Ace had been the cat for my baby. I continued to think that even after the penguin's demise and as I got pregnant with Beck. One cat per baby. A protector of sorts. A companion spirit.
And that, I guarantee you, is the closest to new agey gobbledegook that you will ever hear me get.
I had always planned to use my mother's name as a middle name for a daughter. When I got a son instead, I had to figure out the best way to honor her. As crazy as it sounds, using the name of one of her pets is perfect. She was as crazy for animals as Wes is.
I think he got his red/auburn/strawberry blond/whatever-you-want-to-call-it hair from the cat.
We think his name sounds like an absurdist existentialist superhero. What could be better?
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THINGS WE TRY TO MAKE HIM SLEEP UPDATE
Heating the basket - nope
$40 Secure Sleeper thing purchased in a fit of optimism yesterday - nope (but we will try again)
Carseat - bought us nearly 4 hours last night but when we tried to put him back after feeding, no go. May be a sometime solution.
Sidelying nursing - attempted again this morning and got me an extra hour, but still a little uncomfortable
Swing - sometimes signals a mellow good time to him but not sleep
Vibrate - hates it at the moment (but we know that can change)
