A few months ago, I wrote a post titled, The Name Game, about some of the complexities and solutions of naming your baby.  As of late, I am reminded of just how many complexities there are!  Weeks away from my baby being born, I still whole heartedly agree with my earlier advice from that post.  The only problem is that I forgot to address one major issue in the dilemma.  What do you do when you can’t even think of a name? 

Truthfully, I can think of a name I would consider using… but not one more.  My husband hates my choice of name, and can only offer silly suggestions in return… so here we are…with a list that is blank.   I have found myself in desperation turning to cyberspace for answers…name suggestions…anything to help me out through this process!  Heavens, I audibly gasped when I humored myself by playing on BabyNameGenie.com, and the animated genie randomly suggested my one name choice as “the one” meant for my child.  Surely that was a sign…or, maybe not.  After this experience, I had to really come to grips with letting my desired name go, because when a genie couldn’t even convince my husband of it, I knew I didn’t stand a chance!

I’ve visited name generating sites  for suggestions, turned to lists of the latest celebrity naming trends, looked to 2011’s most popular lists, and read up on finding true baby name happiness…and  still… I am left searching. 

I suppose when it comes down to it, baby can’t go on forever without a name…and I need to be at peace with not having this figured out today.  Maybe I just need to turn my faith on a good old fashioned parenting game of Rock-Paper-Scissors to settle this dispute with my spouse…and just maybe I’ll get my name after all!  In all truthfulness, I do believe there is something to be said for meeting your child before choosing their name…and when the pressure is truly on…I’m sure it’ll all be settled. 

In the meantime, I’ll keep looking for my inspiration in the form of a Google search!

Are you also looking for a perfect name?  Here are some of my recent site-searches for some help on the matter (even if they don’t give you the perfect name… they’ll surely entertain you!)

Name of the Year

This website is naming entertainment at its finest!  The mission of Name of the Year is to discover, verify, nominate, and elect some of the most unique names you’ll ever find.  With chart toppers (all real names) such as Honka Monka, and Nojah Nimpson—you’ll quickly see what I mean by entertainment.  You’ll be shocked to hear some of these real names…there seems to be far more possibilities than I was even aware of!

Nymbler Name Generator

Nymbler allows you to choose several names based on your liking, and then it offers endless suggestions influenced by your taste. 

Baby Name Generator Genie            

Truly entertaining (and my only name ally at this point), this Genie pumps out name combinations to go with your last name.

Baby Center’s Top 100 Names of 2011

Browse 2011’s top picks for baby names, and learn about their popularity over time.

Article: 5 Routes to Baby Name Happiness

This Nameberry article confronts common struggles that come with naming baby and offers some viable solutions.

The Nameberry website also offers several guides and lists when it comes to choosing the perfect name for baby!

You can also read our earlier Name Game Post here.

Here I sit, 18 weeks pregnant, and the gender predictions have begun!   It’s baby number two for me, and being the planner that I am, there is no doubt that I will be finding out the sex of my baby.  Just a couple of weeks to go… and the blessed ultrasound appointment should tell us what we can expect! 

Curiosity has gotten the best of me this week… and for sheer entertainment… I’ve been looking up different forms of predicting baby’s gender.   There certainly isn’t a lack of options out there to try out!

Check out these Gender Myths…

You’re Likely Having a Girl If…

:: You are carrying baby high.

:: You crave sweets.

:: Mommy’s face is round, full, and rosy.

:: You find yourself with more acne than normal.

:: Your belly is the shape of a watermelon.

:: You crave orange juice.

You’re Likely Having a Boy If…

:: You are carrying baby low.

:: You crave salty or sour foods.

:: Your feet feel colder than usual.

:: You experience little to no morning sickness.

:: Your belly is the shape of a basketball.

And some other popular methods for predicting baby’s gender:

Chinese Gender Chart 

Combine mom’s birth date with conception/due date for a prediction on gender! Go here to give it a try!

Old Wives Tales Gender Predictor

15 questions, based on Old Wives Tales, to determine boy or girl.  Go here to try one out.

Baby’s Heart Rate

It has been suggested that baby’s fetal heart rate can give you a clue as to gender.  140 beats per minute or higher suggests a girl.  Fewer than 140 beats per minute suggests a boy.

Needle or Wedding Ring Gender Prediction Test

They say that all you need is to take a needle or wedding ring attached to thread.  Hold it over the belly of pregnant mommy who islying down.  If you see a strong circular motion- baby is a girl.  If the motion is back-and forth-baby is a boy.

Online Gender Prediction Quizzes

You will find quizzes all over the internet, all similar to the one found here, that will combine your answers to determine the most likely gender of your baby.

Urine Analysis Tests

There are a variety of brands that offer at home gender prediction tests.  These tests run an analysis on the hormones in your urine, and process the reactions to chemicals to make a prediction of baby’s sex.

All in all, I can’t say I’m completely convinced with any of my results! But, at least they’re consistent with my mother’s intuition… I HAVE NO CLUE!  I will say… these tests were entertaining, to say the least!

Whether you plan to find out your baby’s gender with a typical ultrasound, more unconventional ways,   or decide not to find out until delivery day…at least nearly all of Oilo’s products are gender neutral!