Matt + Janae

Verene's top 10:

10. Brought the in-laws to town for 3 months!
9. Sleeps during the day to have energy to cry at night
8. Healthy lungs...really healthy!
7. Lots and lots of hair. No surprise. Look at Janae and I
6. Really cute ears and little hands
5. Passes out after each feeding. I wonder what mom's on? Good thing she inherited my deep sleep habits. It's impossible to wake her - not even with cold water to the face.
4. Everyone looks different to me now knowing they were once somebody's little baby...especially all women who were once daddy's little princess.
3. Her feet can fold up and touch her shins. I actually recognize them from the womb. Janae and I would feel a hard something that we thought were her feet and play with them before Verene was born. We'd push on it and she'd push back. I know now it was indeed her feet...surreal.
2. Sleeps best laying on my chest.
1. Name won't be confused with Vera Wang.

Janae and I loved the name Vera and were planning to use it as our baby girl's name. It comes from the latin word veritas meaning truth and faith (interesting that one word entails both meanings). The name is unique and has a good meaning. Neither of us made the connection with Vera Wang. I had heard of the name once or twice before but didn't know she was a designer let alone a famous one. Upon hearing the name people's reaction were 'I've never heard of that before' or 'Oh, Vera, like Vera Wang.' After hearing the latter comment a few times we considered making a change. Seeing a commercial in the postpartum room for Vera Wang shoes sealed the deal. We had to reconsider.

To change or not to change? It is the name that we wanted to name her and since we are her parents, it is our prerogative. Huang does sound awfully similar to Wang but as a couple people pointed out, they are actually quite different. Debbie's friend from MIT actually didn't get it and kept saying but the last names are completely different. I don't think this reaction is the norm. The association will be made. Growing up can be tough and having a famous person sounding name doesn't make it easier. Out of consideration for her, we chose Verene. It's a variation of Vera, has the same meaning, and is different enough from Vera Wang.