“Is that your bear? What is his name?”
Sofia lifts her little stuffed animal friend to her face where they nuzzle nose to nose, a subconscious reflex she turns to whenever she is feeling shy or is seeking comfort.
“Bear” she squeaks, her eyes peeking up over her glasses as she peers at the curious adult.
I exchange looks with the inquisitor and nod, affirming the true nature of Bear’s identity. Her bear is called Bear. She received him as a gift when we were still in the hospital just shortly after she was born, and they have been together ever since. We tried to push for Bear to have a different name, only to be chastised for such an abominable suggestion. Bear is Bear.
And thus grew a trend in our household of unoriginal names for all of our stuffed animal friends. In addition to Bear we have Brown Bear, Little Brown Bear, Pink Bear, Graduation Bear, and the newest to be named, Bear’s Twin Brother. Her brother’s animal friends have also benefited from this unconventional naming convention. His favorite friend, a Dalmatian, is referred to simply as Woof-Woof.
I credit this to the fact that he learned to say woof before he learned to say dog. Regardless, the name stuck. We also have additional family members by the names of Woof-Woof Junior, and Christmas Woof-Woof.
I have tried to suggest more common names, such as Edward or Jacob (sigh), but to no avail. At this point I would even take names in the English translation of Native American descent, such as He Who Goes Where She Goes, or He Who Always Needs a Bath. Alas, no.
This past Christmas we showed Sofia our new Elf on the Shelf. The magic little elf, tasked with monitoring her behavior throughout the day and reporting back to Santa each night (be good…the elf is watching), was a welcome addition to our family. We explained to her that she had the very important assignment of naming the elf, and the only rule was that he had to be named something other than Elf. She picked…Banana.
Yet even though she looked for Banana every morning and marveled at his ability to reposition himself throughout the house, she never gave Banana his credit; she never referred to him by name. He was simply Elf.
When I was a child I attended a small sleep over, which instead of sleep involved over 16 hours of a mind numbing game of Monopoly. During the throws of REM deprived real estate haggling, my friends and I discussed the names of our future children. As I scarfed down Doritos and peanut butter at 4:00 a.m., I came to the brilliant conclusion that if I had a daughter I would name her Orchasia Keene. Thankfully I got over it. I am therefore trying not to be too concerned that my future grandchild, like every other doll Sofia currently owns, could eventually be named Baby.
Let the “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” jokes commence…now.
They are simply adorable!!! Love it.
Just dropping by to let you know that I have added you to my blog roll, followed you on Twitter and Google, but for some reason Networked Blogs via FB won’t pull up, so I’ll have to come back later to follow you there. I’ve added you to my feed reader, so in my best A-Hnold voice, “I’ll Be Back”.
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Thanks for following and linking up at Trendy Treehouse. I am now following you.
We are having another Follow Me Friday tomorrow. Come and link up.
Have a wonderful weekend. Tara
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Thanks for the follow. I am now you’re newest follower!
Have a groovy weekend!
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Happy Friday Follow! Thanks fro stopping by 504 Main. Looking forward to reading more.
Holly
504Main.blogspot.com
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Hello, Friday Follower here, and I’m following you just to see these little cuties again. Bear! That’s a perfect name Mom! Precious! If you like lyrics/poems please stop by http://themoodymix.blogspot.com
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Hello! Following you back. Thanks so much!
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Thanks for the follow and back at ya!
Have a great weekend
)
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You have a great blog and your kiddos are adorable! Following you back! Nice to meet you
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Thanks for following! I am your newest follower.
LOL my son went through a faze where he named all of his toys after himself. Like “Ben the Shark” “Ben the Bear” etc. It was hilarious!
AJ´s last blog ..Tipsy Tuesday – Organizing your kitchen for under $20
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What a couple of sweeties!
We once had a cat named “Kitty” – whatever works, right?
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Thanks for following my site. I am now following yours too!
We are also a house with unimaginative names for our cuddly toys. My little boy’s favourite cuddly is a dog that is called… woof woof!! There must be something about that name!
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following you back, great post! Have a nice weekend
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new friday follower!
my daughter named a bear Fork…and to this day Fork is still Fork
i like to pretend she knew three years in advance about Edward and Jacob!
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My Teddy Bear’s name is Teddy Bear. I am also unoriginal.
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LOL soooo adorable! Thanks so much for following Momedy. I am happy to follow you back-great blog!
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Thanks for the follow, I’m following you back!
Great blog. Your kids are soo cute! Just look at those curls!
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That is just too cute!!! Love it! Thanks for following my blog! I’m following right back!
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Thanks for the follow. I am following you back! Looking forward to reading more. ~Lanie
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CUTE KIDS!!!!
Thanks for the follow, following you back
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Thanks for the follow. I am following back. Happy Friday
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Hi there!
Visiting you from the Friday Follow bloghop!
I loved this post about names. Here, we have the opposite problem. My oldest comes up with the most elaborate names for her animals. We have no idea where they come from!
~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com
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Following you back!
We have a non-original stuffed animal name household too. Like yours, ours start out basic (Duck) and then when other ducks are added we get Big Duck, Little Duck, etc.
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Following along………..nice to meet you! Come on over and check mine out too!
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Thanks for popping over from Friday Follows. Cute story! My son once named his fish Fish. I love the minds children!
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That’s so funny! I was just watching Dirty Dancing, he got so much crap for that line. Well hopefully she will grow out of it for you and your future grandchilds sake. I love you blog and look forward to getting to know you better! Oh yeah I’m here from Friday Follow, thanks for following me!
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Hi. Thanks for following me. I’m following you now too. I’m also from MA.
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Friday follow. Love your blog. =)
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Happy FF! Thanks for following my blog
xo
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thanks for follow following you back
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Following you back from Friday Follow
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following you back
I have a fun weekly game of Tag, every Tuesday
http://bit.ly/dnxssI
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We’re have a bear, blue bear, kitty, penguin over here. When the kids were so little it just seemed to make sense to name their animals after what they actually are. We also have doll, pink doll, and blue doll.
Thanks for the follow. I’m a follower now too.
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Following you back. This is my first Follow Friday
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Following you from the Friday Follow!
http://stacievaughansblog.blogspot.com
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From ff. Thanks for stopping by. I love you blog.
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thanks for following me on Friday Follow I am Following you back on Saturday… lol I to get a late start in following…
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Thanks for stopping by on Friday Follow. I am now following you back. My son had a stuffed panda bear which he named panda. Very original.
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Happy follow Friday (on Saturday) thanks for the follow, following back
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Happy Friday follow!! I am following back!! My sister had a blue Easter Bunny that she named… not flopsy or cutie but instead she named him Dave! Enjoyed!
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Following you back from Friday Follow. I think Bear is a name that suits him just fine. My daughter has three imaginary children that go by the names: Water, Juna and Stickey Gooey. Imagine having a grandson named Stickey Gooey!
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Thanks for the Friday Follow..right back at ya! Your little boy is adorable…oh, the hair!!! I love the names… we name silly things in our house!
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I had a bear when I was little (still have it) that I named Teddy Little Bear Franklin. It was from a book that I read and the name stuck too.
When my daughter was 2 she named her cabbage patch doll, Blue Baby. There was no rhyme or reason, she said that was her name and that’s what she was called!
I think you are safe that by the time your grandkids arrive, they will have different tastes in names.
I’m now following you. Thanks for the follow.
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Thanks for the Follow- I’m following now. I like Bear’s name!!!
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Thanks for stopping by to follow. So glad you didn’t pass it because Friday was over.
Love your header. Gorgeous kids! Look forward to reading more as I follow you.
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I’m with you on the tardy FF, but at least we DO get around to it. You have a beautiful gift of writing!
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An adorable story told with immense wit and creativity (even if the names are not, they make perfect sense to the kids)!! I love the pictures that so aptly fit the story. I think I even remember the name Orchasia but I don’t remember how you came up with it. I sometimes long for the days when you were young. Can’t wait for your next story!
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Oops, forgot to mention that I love the take on Shakespeare!
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This was such a fun post that I had to read it aloud to my hubby. I am your newest follower!
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My son does this too! His bear was named “Boo,” which is how he said Bear when he first got it. Recently I pushed him to name a monster he made something besides “monster” and after some prodding he came out with “Mac Buppy” Haha!
P.S. Thanks for the Friday Follow, I’m following back!
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OMG! I hear you! Your Pink Bear and ours must be related!!!
Part of me wants to name one Princess Katherine McBear, but it never catches on…
Following you now!
Great blog.
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