The Incarnation of Who They Are: Part 1- Emily Taylor

It was requested to me that I share how the Hearnlets came to possess their names. Of course, as with most mothers, I do not need any prodding in talking endlessly about any details of my children's lives, however I will spare the very personal. (Who am I kidding? I'm sure it will ALL come out eventually!!)
So here we go. Hearnlet #1

Emily Taylor

There was never a question with any of my pregnancies if we would find out the sex. Some people enjoy the mystery of not knowing. Tucker and I were NOT those people. In fact pretty much as soon as the two lines showed up we began discussing names.
The semester prior to getting pregnant, Tucker and I took a Medieval Literature class together. Of all of the literature classes I have ever taken, it was by far my most favorite. (and probably most difficult for that matter) One of the major projects in the class was to read a tale of the Canterbury Tales, aloud in class, as it was originally written in Middle English. For those who may not be aware, Middle English resembles Modern English about as much as a horse resembles a Corvette. No, I'm not exaggerating. It's a completely different language, people; different pronunciation, different cadence, different everything. Ok, so we were each assigned a character from The Tales. After we read the original, we were to translate it into to Modern English. I was one of the last of our class of 10 or 12 to present, so I had the unenviable pleasure of watching my Lit professor systematically discard my fellow classmates one by one in a trash heap, if he was unimpressed with their work. Gulp. Somehow, I made it through with a "good job, Caroline" and an A on the project. Not really sure how that happened, but was for sure one of my crowning achievements. Consequently, it was then I realized if my baby was a boy he would be named Geoffrey Rollins. ( Geoffrey for Chaucer and Rollins after Tucker's middle name) Great story, huh? I don't have a kid named Geoff, do I? Nope. Because...
It was a girl!!
Although, I felt like I had won the lottery when the ultrasound lady told me I was having a girl, the irony of having no clue what to name a girl was not lost on me. We were happy and settled with Geoffrey. Now what?
Ok, parents and future parents, the fact is you can screw up a kid with the wrong name. We all know it. We all know those kids who had to carry the weight of the name their parents thought at one point would be cute. The pressure- it's intense, man.
I, in my mind had an image that I wanted the name of my daughter to reflect. I wanted something sweet and feminine; classic and beautiful; strong and kind. Yeh, I know. It's a NAME, but as an English major, words are important to me, and certainly names carry with them strong associations and connotations.
Emily. It fit all my requirements. It just felt perfect and conjured up images of light blue gingham and eyelet lace. The middle name needed to be strong. Taylor. My grandmother's parents had died when she was a child, and she was adopted by her mother's twin sister and her husband- the Taylors.
Emily Taylor.
Beautiful and strong. Perfect for my girl.

Best Friends

I think the greatest gift that I have given my kids is the gift of each other. Emily is 3 1/2 years older than Lou. After almost 3 years, Charlie was born, and 3 1/2 years later came Patch. For 10 years I had babies. I always knew I wanted more than one child but how many and the time span in which they were to be born was something I just never really thought about. I just kinda "knew" when it was time to start trying for another. Thankfully, pregnancy came extremely quick for me. (although some might say too quick in the case of that first one. ahem.)
When we decided to try for a baby after Emily, I prayed she would have a sister. Of course, the visions of two beautiful girls dressed prissily in matching frocks polluted my mind, but my overwhelming desire was to "grow" a best friend for Emily. Tucker was of like mind, although everyone just assumed he wanted a boy. He still talks about how annoyed he was when people used to comment on how disappointed he must be that it was another girl! Emily loved her baby sister from the moment she found out she was on her way. Although they have the occasional sibling squabble, they truly are best friends. They are together most of the time and understand one another like no other.
When we decided to have our fourth, which literally was a split moment decision, I thought how fabulous it would be for Charlie to have what Lou and Em have! The girls loved Charlie, but it was undeniable the bond that they shared as sisters. Could having a brother be just as wonderful to my son? Ironically, we were told very early on in my fourth pregnancy that we were expecting a girl. We were happy, but disappointed Charlie would miss out on having a brother. (surely no more Hearnlets after 4!!) For weeks we referred to the baby growing inside me as Clara, and mentally prepared ourselves for little girl #3. However, during a routine ultrasound it was confirmed that this last little baby was in fact a boy! Our little girl had grown a winkie!!
Charlie and Patch are to each other what Lou and Em are. They understand one another in a way no one else does. They are "bubbies" and they are best friends. They have each other now and will forever.
I know I had no hand in my children's birth order, but I marvel at God's perfection. He gave my children each other in the most perfect ways imaginable. They are better people for having each other and I am so very thankful.

Snooks

My Charlie. What can I really say?
Charlie has a very non-serious, non life-threatening infection that will necessitate surgery for removal. He is healthy otherwise and this little blip is just a mere drop in the bucket of things to worry about. Yet I do- because I'm Mom.

Over the past weeks we have been dealing with a host of unpleasant remedies in hopes of curing this infection. He hasn't once complained. Not once. He has handled this as he approaches everything in his life; with a happy go lucky charm and a joyful spirit. This dude just really amazes me.
As much as I would love to, I can't take credit for this. These, while qualities that I wished I possessed, are quite foreign to me. Sometimes children are who they are despite their parents, not because of.
Charlie is going to be himself regardless of what others think or how others believe he should be. It is simply not within his power to be, well, un-Charlie-like. He is who he is and he couldn't be happier.
Sometimes during a soccer game, I would look over and see my little guy performing what looked like a Madonnaesque vogue in the field. He did not seek to entertain the masses or be noticed, my boy just wanted to vogue! I would (perhaps impatiently) yell to Charlie to stop dancing and pay attention. He would flash me a smile and stop, seemingly unaware that moments before he was giving the performance of a lifetime.
When Tucker and I were choosing a name for our first born son, my major requirement was a name that sounded friendly. Charlie. Charlie. It's hard to imagine not saying it with a smile on your face. (although the name surely took a hit by Charles Manson, but what are ya gonna do?) Charlie certainly lives up to the name. He is every one's friend. It would not even dawn on him to not like someone. That's just how he is. My prayer is that his 7 year old attitude lasts a lifetime in his heart