naming baby

I shared some of my most fave names here and here...and was rather elusive when it came to discussing the name of our little one...even in real life (we accidentally let it slide a couple times, but we kept the name a secret from almost everyone we know, we were proud of ourselves!).  Truth is, we knew what we were going to name her right from the start...and to find her name we took inspiration from our family trees.

Clara is not a family name, per se.  Clare is, however...it's the name of one of my closest aunts....someone who Tommy and I both feel close with.  Jane is a family name on both sides!  It' the name of Tommy sister  and great-grandmother, and my sister's middle name, aunt's middle name and cousin's name.  It's nice to honor these lovely women, and gives Clara a sense of family belonging... and yet at the same time, a name unique to her.

Plus, Tommy really loved the initials CJ...that was the deal maker.  So - Tommy, his dad and my dad have all taken to calling Clara, CJ.  Kinda cute.   I, however, call her Clara.  Or Babycakes, or Lovebug, or Sweetheart, or Sweetiepie, or My-darling, or Muffinhead.