Tuesday, July 15, 2008

I legally changed my baby's name and it felt great.

"You did what?"

"I legally changed her first name." I said.

"WHAT?!? When did you change Lola's name?"

"She was eight weeks old when we went to court and changed it." I explained.

"Shut up!"

"No. I am being serious. I can't believe you didn't know that. She is totally a Lola, isn't she?" I asked.

"Yes. Totally 100% a Lola."

My sister's high school friend sat across from me at my parent's house in Chicago, last week, in disbelief as I illustrated for her, the process of changing Lola's name a couple of weeks after she was born.

It was such an ordeal at the time we were doing it. And now, it has turned into one fantastic story to share with friends over a bottle of wine.

"I can't believe you had the balls to legally change her name."

"I know. I know. Me neither. But. What was I supposed to do... continue living my life knowing that something didn't feel right? Something was not right and I changed it. It was crazy at the time and now it feels so normal." I continued.

It is okay to legally change your baby's name after they are born. I did it.

Want to read the ENTIRE story behind changing Lola's name? I am hijacking "From the Land of Monkeys and Princesses" (one of my must read blogs) while Rachel is on vacation sans kiddos in Vegas. Go ahead and read the method behind my madness.

44classy comments:

maggie said...

On my way! Now I'm all curious.

Jenelle said...

Ha! I checked out your story and could sort of relate. Not to this extreme--but we did struggle coming up with a name. It seems like a lot of people name their babies as soon as they know if they're having a boy or a girl, but we didn't name our son until he was 24 hours old. Family members were starting to get very annoyed with us! If people would have left us alone with him, we probably could have named him sooner, but we were mobbed at the hospital, and couldn't have a private discussion.

Wendi said...

I had almost forgotten this story.
I am off to reread it.
Thanks for sharing it again.

Anonymous said...

I wondered, for a long time, whether Lola was her REAL name or your blog name for her. I love that it's her real one.

My parents had my last name changed when I was 16.

I had it changed from my married last name to a name I chose last January. While doing that I sat next to a lady who told me she used to weigh 300 pounds and her name was Bertha. She was down to 140 and was changing her name to Swan.

Elizabeth Byler Younts said...

you've got my attention!

Jill said...

Ok - I have to check this out! I've always wanted to hear about someone doing this...

Tiffany said...

You are the first person I have met who has actually done this! I love it. I think it is awesome that you listened to your intuition and did something about it.

So funny.

Rhea said...

I read the story and I think it's great! My kids keep asking if they can change their names...I told them when they're 18, but I don't think they'll actually do it. They just have fun with the idea. lol

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

I love it. It's actually something I'd totally consider- you're right- no sense in living the rest of your life knowing it wasn't "it!"

Steph

A Crafty Mom said...

Wow, that is very cool!!! How neat. The closest thing I have heard to this is a friend of mine who didn't name her baby until she was a week old, lol.

Beth Cotell said...

I think it's so cool that you had the nerve to change her name!

Unknown said...

You are so cool. I think I love you. Or your coolness. One or the other. Maybe both. I don't know. Now I'm confused.

Mama Smurf said...

I wish I had your cahoonas....

We gave my daughter the middle name Angelina because it was my Great Grandmothers name...and my Grandma's name is Lena (short for Angelina), and my mom's middle name is Angela (named after her Grandmother). I fell in love with the name.

I immediately regretted not making Angelina her first name but didn't have the guts to change it. I still regret it to this day.

Good for you!

CC said...

I legally changed both of my kids names! But different circumstances.... as they had been born in Korea and had Korean names and we at least wanted them to share our last name! ;)

CC said...

Oh, and you can totally leave the hospital without naming your child. They hospital doesn't like it, but you can do it. Our friends waited 3 weeks to finally name their son after his birth and had to mail all the birth certificate papers to the state.

Diva's Thoughts said...

What a great story. I've never known anyone to change their child's name. It's a good thing you did that...I love the name Lola. :)

Dziadek said...

A ja mam koszulke z jej starym imieniem.To bedzie pamiatka

Quarantine Hobby said...

What a great story! We had the hardest time picking a name, too. It's amazing how when they are born a name *fits* isn't it? I mean, they are just little tiny creatures...they have almost no personality when they are first born, yet somehow...a name works or it doesn't. It wasn't until my son was born that we picked his name.

Thanks for sharing your secret :)

Kim said...

I am not sure I have read the story about the name change.. off to go check it out (and I love me some Rachel too!!)

tiarastantrums said...

I have to say I REALLY wished I had known this. When my duaghter was born, I didn't have a name picked, hubbie did. He picked THIS and I just was never sure. For over a year I didn't feel like THIS was a good fit for her. But I let it go. She is goning to be 5 and I still get the feeling sometime that THIS is just not a good fit for "her". ARGH!! I will never tell her any of this though!!

Glowstars said...

You go girl! I love that you had the guts to do that - and to hijack your friend's blog - lol.

Chris said...

What a neat story. I didn't know you could do that. Choosing names is tough!

Helen Wright said...

Good story!!!! I love that you had the balls to change it!!!

I once heard that in Scotland they can refuse the name you pick. Don't know if it's totally true but it too makes for a great story!!!

Don Mills Diva said...

Heading over now!

Moooooog35 said...

I wish my parents would have legally changed MY name.

I'm the only Rodney I know.

All the other Rodney's are either TV Butlers, or big black NFL linemen.

Shellie said...

That will be my next stop! Meanwhile, pick up a present for you at my blog, it is near the bottom of the post after the video on top. Have a great day!

Kendra said...

Well I must say I am very curious now....must read more!

Tena said...

Totally caught my eye, must get over to see what the story is!

Amy said...

I remember this story and thought you are amazing to do what you did. Of course I do love the name Emma ;-)

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

I'm so glad I'm not following you at Rachel's. This would be like following The Beatles on tv.

Blessings From Above said...

I had forgotten about this story! Priceless! :)

Marmarbug said...

Great story! we had the WORST time coming up with my son's name. The WORST!
i am glad you picked out a new name that you loved!!!!

Kat said...

I think one of the first posts I've read of yours was about changing her name. Good for you! If it didn't feel right, it didn't feel right. That is all there is to it. :)

And some people change their names legally after they are 18, so what is a 8 weeks? Nothing! :)

suchsimplepleasures said...

i already knew you changed her name...now i'm going to find out EXACTLY why!!
xoxo

PG said...

that is ace! I'm feeling pretty good about all four of our kids' names, but I don't know that I would ever think to legally change if it broke the other way. Bravo.

Burgh Baby said...

It's shockingly simple how the name change process works, isn't it? I only know because a relative who shall rename un-pointed out (because he would kill me, but no, I am not married to him) was named Homer at birth. He had to suffer until his 18th birthday because his parents wouldn't change it, but he had it done within hours of his birthday.

Tonya said...

Wow that is awesome, can't wait to read the rest!

Cynthia said...

I had a friend change her name as an adult...You saved Lola from having to do this later;)

Angel The Alien said...

Uhh don't tell MY sis that... She wants to change the baby's name to Leah! Like Leah from Jon ANd Kate Plus Eight. But the baby is 13 months old now. MIght be too late!

Tara R. said...

When we were picking out names for our son, we briefly thought about using the boy's name we had set aside when our first born was a girl. We eventually picked a different name... he is most definitely not a Tyler.

Lisa said...

I love, love, love this story! I remember reading it the first time & knowing you were a really fun lady!!!

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

Gotta do what a Mama's gotta do.

Anonymous said...

I would have changed her name too. I agree it must be a sign. I think names are so important. My oldest daughter is Sarah Elizabeth and our youngest is Hannah Ruth. Their names fit them perfectly. My parents had settled on Heather for me but once I was born they re-named me Michele. I am glad I don't really care for the name Heather. My uncle was extremely offended at my parents because he came to the hospital looking for me and they said there was not a Heather Waites there. I love my name however in high school I was called Michael because my parents only had my name spelled with one "l". mwshores@bellsouth.net

April said...

I want to change my girls' last name to my own...but I can't afford the $400 (each) it takes here in CA.

 

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