Nicknames

I don't like sharing my kids' names on social media - it gives them a bit of anonymity while I blast everything else about their lives with photo evidence.

So I use their nicknames.

Hulk is my first baby. He was huge (over eight pounds two weeks early). He's intelligent, clever, likes to ask questions (like a good scientist), and has a temper that comes out with a flip of a switch at which point his face turns pinkish purple. Not green, I know, but close enough to earn him the moniker. In his anger he can become destructive and will say and do things that he will later claim he never did because he doesn't remember doing them. He also enjoys solitude, preferring to create and play on his own than with other kids.

Little Viking Girl was born with beautiful and coveted red hair. Shortly after she was born I read the book "The Year of Living Danishly". At the end of the book, the author/narrator has a little boy with red hair and the nurses in the hospital congratulate her on her "viking boy". I thought that was cute and started using "my little viking girl". She's lived up to the name. She's wild and energetic, doesn't take no for an answer, and takes what she wants. She fiercely rules our home. We also call her monkey because she climbs everything and loves to hang upside down.

Baby #3 is five months old and we finally came up with his nickname. To be honest, we haven't been actively searching for one rather trusting that the inspiration would come on its own. He is happy, sweet, cuddly, and big. The first things I noticed about him after he was born were how big his hands and how wide his shoulders are. Seriously, if I believed in football he'd be a good lineman. His only main interests are eating and sleeping - if he's not doing, one he'll happily do the other. He has been the easiest baby, the best sleeper, and is such a comfort to have around with his sweet happy spirit. So we've decided to call him "Teddy" after the warm, comforting, friendly, chubby teddy bear.