A visit with Uncle Sam...

Our Dear Uncle Sam...

We survived our trip to D.C. and are home. I realize that somewhere along the way of motherhood that I have morphed into an "adult" because I have never been so relieved and excited to get home. I am glad we went and plan on returning when the boys are old enough to walk on their own.

Miles cozy in his stroller at Arlington National Cemetery

A few highlights:
1. The plane trip: My opinion of flying has changed somewhat since becoming a mother. I think I would rather ride in the car for 8 hours with Miles than have to sit with him in my lap trying to hold him still and quiet for 2 hours. It is exhausting and extremely stressful. We tried all the magic pills and Miles fights sleep with all his being even under the influence. He is so afraid he will miss something of great importance. I shouldn't complain - he was really quite good (except for one leg of the flight). Also the recovering ear infection did not ease any of my worries though the pressure change did not bother him at all.

2. Visiting Uncle Sam, Mimi and Granddaddy: Meeting up with my Dad, step mom, and brother - Miles' Uncle Sam - was just as central to our trip as seeing our nation's capitol. Miles took to Sam like a brother and had a grand time playing with him. I am also glad he was able to get to know Mimi and Granddaddy a little better. Thankfully they did a lot of holding and snuggling when naptime fell in the middle of the Smithsonian.

My Brother Sam with a monkey at the Smithsonian

Miles and Sam hanging out at the hotel watching cartoons

3. Seeing a lot of firsts: I don't know how I avoided seeing my nation's capitol as a child, but I have never been to Washington D.C. Seems like it should be a requirement to pass American History but in my case, I should be relieved it's not. It was hard for me to wrap my brain around how much "history" is in this one place. All the buildings echo of another time and place.

Union Station

We took a bus tour and saw all the major monuments. We were able to investigate closer the Capitol(with our own personal tour guide - thanks Quinten), Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and a couple of the Smithsonian museums.

Arlington

The rotunda - or the tundra - whatever you choose to call it...

The group with Quinten, our guide, in the rotunda

4. Experiencing the weather: We did not pick the fairest days to visit. It was cold and rainy most of the time we were there. We were prepared as could be with our rain coats and umbrellas but it was still hard to stay dry. Granddaddy held his big golf umbrella over Miles' stroller so he wouldn't get wet. Miles actually thought the rain was a lot of fun! The rest of us didn't share his opinion. We ended up waiting in line for an hour in the rain to see the Declaration of Independence. I did enjoy the National Archives just as much as any of the other museums - I just wish I wasn't so tired by the time we got there. The day we were leaving it was gorgeous so we crammed in a few last minute monuments.

The line to the National Archives (and that was after waiting about 30 minutes)

Granddaddy holding the umbrella over Miles while waiting in line in the rain.
(Miles is preparing for a career in dentistry.)

The Lincoln Memorial on our one gorgeous day

A quick shot of the Capitol exterior. The funny thing is when you go on the official tour
you don't get to see the outside of it.

5. Walking a lot: DC requires a lot of walking. We had metro passes, and a bus tour but still had to walk at least 3 blocks to get to a station or pick-up point. If I lived there, I know I would be 10-15 lbs leaner just from all the walking. Mason says we really didn't walk that much so I am hoping my exhaustion was from my "delicate condition" and not so much my fitness lever (or lack of). We went over Mother's Day weekend and lucky for me I received the new Wii Fit for Mother's Day. So I suppose that fitness level shouldn't be an issue for much longer.

Miles investigating some bugs at the Smithsonian

Miles trying to pet the porcupine

The Great Name Debate

So during Miles' gestation we had his name picked out by now - at least a first name. We are not there yet with #2 and I am not sure why. Well, I know why. We used our best name with #1 - you can't expect perfection twice! Others seem to have the same question in their minds as well since the question of the month is "Do you have a name picked out YET?" So why the hang up? It's not like I don't think about it. It is always on the forefront of my brain. I hear names on the radio, and movies, and tv shows, even commercials, and give them consideration. I have read our baby naming book - The Baby Name Wizard - cover to cover (minus the girl names) about three times. I ask friends and family for ideas. It's just that nothing has grabbed me.
I have new criteria that I did not consider when naming Miles. The same ideology is present - it has to be a dignified, intelligent, successful sounding name but at the same time not get him beat up. I like to have a name that is a little different but not so different that he gets asked "what?" every time someone asks him his name. And, it needs to grow with him - be appropriate as a little boy, but ok as an adult as well.
Here are a couple new rules that are a bit more practical: 1. The name has to yell well. Sounds very primitive but useful. When Miles goes speed crawling out of the room while my hands are in something like dinner or dishwater (or worse), and things then become very quiet, I proceed to yell to figure out where Miles has positioned himself. It's not effective right now being he seldom yells back but it is the one time I am very aware of what his name sounds like.
2. The name has to write well. I appreciate the fact that Miles' name is short. It is very easy to write when filling in all the doctor office forms and such. Its like the ritual girls do in junior high where you sign your name with your current beau's last name to see how the mrs' fits - I have been doing that(or at least plan on doing that) before settling on a name for #2.

Despite the list below, nothing is set yet. There are a few that I like but haven't monogrammed any cute baby things with them. I am open to suggestions if anyone has good boy names they aren't using or planning on using. I am also going to list my contenders for feedback as well. Again, this is not an exhaustive list - just what I have going on right now in my little head.
1. Grant Mitchell Atkinson
2. Heath Mitchell Atkinson
3. Von ? Atkinson
4. Vaughn Preston Atkinson - writing that I think I like Preston Vaughn Atkinson better.
5. Sinclair is another middle name we like but I don't have a first to go with it.
What do you think about any of these?

We will be meeting with my step-mom this weekend and she says she has a list worked up for us. Maybe next week this will be settled. I hope so. It's starting to wear on me.