Now that we are parents to be, we understand the importance of forcing our stories and pictures of the most fantabulous child in the world on everyone. We might talk about ourselves occasionally too. Since we both reject the popular social networking outlets, Travis (being Travis) came up with a solution – a blog! So here we are – entry #1 – welcome!
The baby (aka Cletus, Mortimer, Little Travy) is due 10/10/10. Cool birthday if we can pull it off! Despite what the nicknames imply, we don’t know the sex yet, but we will soon: May 17th. Let the betting begin!
Here are the most recent ultrasound pics from April 5th. He was quite active – rolling around, hiccupping, sticking his tongue out and generally being uncooperative. Already a trouble maker! My fav picture is the one with his arm above his head – he kinda looks like Mr. Potato Head!
Feel free to leave a comment and check back often for updates!
I just love this website…. my little Travie is going to be so loved. Quite Clever, Travis…. or big daddy! Love it, love it, love it… keep the blog going.
Hey, this is a really cool way to communicate! I’m a little disappointed that you all are considering names other than Mortimer/Mortimette, but I’ll try to work through my anguish. He’s looking mighty good!!
Dad
Don’t worry Dad, nothing we come up with could possibly top Mortimer/Mortimette. Those are true gems!
Thanks … glad you like it! We will keep it refreshed as much as possible with pics, news, and I suppose video eventually.
Congratulations to both of you! I am so happy to hear the great news!!! You will make fantabulous parents!
This is great! Can’t wait for all the updates. Take care of that little potatoe. 🙂 love ya guys!
Well at least Cletus is getting you two to be slightly a part of the social networking world…Always knew (s)he’d be a positive influence on you two!!!
Congratulations on your new addition!! I am so happy for you both. I look forward to new picture’s as he or she grows!!
Hi Travis & Amanda,
Wow!! Congratulations you two!! We are really stoked to hear that you are expecting a baby. This is going to be great fun for you and will change your lives in so many ways. My advice (unsolicited) is to ignore most advice you get. Most people who have children don’t remember how to care for a baby, so ignore them! I can barely remember how to change a nappy (diaper), let alone get a baby to go to sleep.
Helen and the girls will be keen to see the little one when we come back to the US in Dec/Jan. I hope you feel like travelling then, because we are planning to come back for sure, just haven’t set the dates yet.
Now…. as for baby names, I’ve noticed a lot of names here in Australia that are done to death, Jack, Emma, Jade etc. Not bad names by any means, but where is the originality? I don’t know of a single kid named Horace or Virgil; not one Ethyl or Beryl under the age of 80!
So if you are really stuck for a name, these are names that you should probably also dismiss.
Take care you all and we will see you soon.
Doyle
Thank you! I’m glad you are all coming to the states in Dec/Jan … it would be great to see everyone. I’m sure a short drive up to Blairsville is something we can manage.
Regarding those names … wow! Between your suggestions and Dad’s, clearly the work has been done for us! I mean, you just can’t go wrong with a Horace, right? You might have to arm-wrestle Dad for naming rights though, as he seems pretty set on Mortimer.
Yes! Mortimer.
Congratulations!!!!! I am so excited for you guys. Luke is going to be really excited about having another cousin. Let me know when the betting starts. My super spidey sister senses tell me Cletus is not a proper lady name.
Love this – definitely looking forward to more pics and commentary. According to the Social Security Administration, Mortimer has not been in the top 1000 baby names for the last ten years (their name site is by far the best use for the social security bureaucracy ever). So there you go – a real original.
However I agree with Jenny that Beulah may be more appropriate…
Not making any bets but what this family needs is a really awesome GIRL BABY. I suppose Travette would be okay!
HA HA Travette…Love it.
Dr.Banana/Luke said that he hopes his next cousin is a boy…because girls are annoying.
CONGRATULATIONS! I am Janet Lee to most people, however, known as Nana to my 4 year old grand-son Jakari and 12 days old grand-daughter Jaelyn. Jakari weighed in at 10 lbs.4oz, Jaelyn weighed in on April 5, 2010 at 10 lbs. 2oz. I am so proud being a Nana. I say that because I work with Carol at UPS Capital. She is just as elated as I was when expecting my grandchildren. I am so very happy for all of you and can hardly wait for the little bambino/bambina to arrive. While I watched Jakari grow inside my daughter, I nicknamed him “Seeds”. I nicknamed Jaelyn “Blossom”. I was fortunate enough to witness both natural births in the delivery room. Me and my son-in-law get along just fine. KUDOS! to you both for your patience and faith. I can hardly wait to share the joyous moment with Carol here in the office. 10/10/10 is simply perfect. A Sunday to remember. My vote is Sara or David. Or maybe twins Sara and David :-)Be blessed with simply wonderful days.
P.S. Travis, talk to her belly very often. The reward will be in the delivery room while baby is crying, your voice will calm the baby and it will look towards you. Absolutely amazing! —- JLP
What wonderful news! Congratulations!
Enjoy these months, they will go by quickly.
You’ll be fantastic parents!! After all it’s much
easier than dog parenting. At least that’s what my
german shepherd has taught me!
Congrats and Best Wishes!
I am so happy for you!
How about a nice dog name like Chip or Spot, maybe Pansy to go with Marigold? Ha ha!
This is the coolest blog i have seen.!! I cannot express how truly excited i am. Congrats!This will be the most awesome thing you will ever experience(being parents, i mean).It is exciting and scary all at the same time.I agree with Uncle Doyle on his views of how you forget everything… So true! When Brittany was born(almost 20 years ago-wow?)The doctors and nurses told us that you MUST lay the baby on its stomache when you put it to bed. Then, three years later when David was born,The doctors and nurses said that you MUST place the baby on its side(with a rolled up blanket,or burp cloth to hold them in place),Then 8 years later, with Jake They changed it to laying the baby on its back!!( the doctors even had a slogan at that time… “back” to sleep…(clever, huh?)So, Where am i going with all this you might ask?? NO WHERE, except to tell you to follow your own instinct, cuz’ no one knows what the best way to get a baby to sleep better than you guys will(that is IF the baby sleeps..hahaha kiddin ya’). Well, i have written a short novel and only confused you and myself.I am here for babysittin’ or dogsittin’ or big sisterly advice…kisses, Vic
Oh, i almost forgot.. You should name the baby something no one can ever spell correctly- Add’s to the fun!!! Vic
Hi Everyone,
The Cook family has a tradition of giving the boy-folk unusual names. Ed and I can attest to that.
Girls didn’t get off lightly either.Our Grandma Cook wanted to name our sister (Travis’s Aunt Roberta) “Ida”, which was her name. Luckily our mom (who had a great name, eh Amanda?) refused and saved the creativity for Ed & me.
Now, I’m pushing for “Horace”. People will be able spell it, surely, or will it end up being spelled “Horse”?
It is difficult to find a first name that suits the surname Cook, being one sylable and rather common. Horace Cook has a good ring to it, don’t you think?
Look at little Cletus! I can hardly wait to meet the little guy/girl. I still can’t believe that we are due 2 days apart from each other. It is the cooliest thing ever! Enjoy every moment of this experience. It is the best!!
I didn’t vote for a name because you failed to set up a block for “all of the above”. However, Doyle’s suggestions are pretty solid. You do need to also consider a nickname. As a non-Southerner, I’ve observed that here in the South, you can go into any bar (or Denny’s) and yell, “Hey, Bubba”, and about 75% of the non-comatose males will cheerfully answer. So, that should put this matter to rest. Love those wigs….
Dad
Hey Guys……… We all know that little Travie is going to be a boy……. I am going to spoil that little fellow to death. You can keep throwing out your names…. but my boy is going to be called Little Travie…. no matter what the birth certificate says. Enjoying the blog… Love to all of you!
Excellent point, Dad. We need to ensure the nickname gets just as much attention as the real name. Bubba and Cletus do pair up nicely for both formal and informal occasions, I think. Kinda sounds like the morning radio crew for a bad country radio station.
HELLO TO ALL,
IS THIS NOT THE MOST WONDERFUL NEWS EVER? FOR ME AND MY FAMILIES,(CHURCH),IT IS A LONG AWAITED ANSWERED PRAYER, AND TRUELY A BLESSING. I KNEW GOD WOULD BLESS YOU GUYS, I JUST WASN’T SURE WHEN. HE LIKES TO PUSH THE BUTTON CLOSE SOMETIMES. I NEED TO HAVE A TALK WITH HIM ABOUT THAT STUFF.
NOW AS FOR THE NAMES. NOT ONLY DO I HAVE THE PERFECT NAMES, BUT THEY ARE REAL FAMILY NAMES. MY MOM’S,(YOUR GRANDMOTHER TRAVIS) MIDDLE NAME WAS CLEMENTINE. YOU WILL EVEN HAVE A SONG NAMED AFTER HER,(OH, MY DARLEN CLEMENTINE,…IT WILL BE A GIRL! BUT IN CASE IT IS A BOY; WHICH IT IS NOT, WE HAVE CELESTINE. HE IS YOU GREAT GRANDFATHER’S,(MOM’S DAD)NAME. NOW I CHALLENGE EVERYONE TO COME UP WITH BETTER NAMES THAN THESE WONDERFUL FAMILY NAMES!!! NANA #2 HAS SPOKEN!!!
AS FOR THE DATE 10/10/10,I HAVE ANOTHER 10 TO THROW OUT THERE. THIS WILL BE OUR 10TH. GRANDCHILD. HOW AWESOME IS THAT? I CAN’T BEGIN TO EXPLAIN THE FEELINGS, AND DEEP LOVE THAT IS WITHIN A GRANDPARENTS HEART FOR A GRANDCHILD. TAKE WHAT YOU FEEL FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND MULTIPLY IT 100 FOLD AND YOUR STILL NOT THERE. YOU CAN’T EXPERIENCE OR EXPLAIN THIS FEELING UNTIL YOU HAVE A GRANDCHILD(REN)OF YOUR OWN.
WELL VICKI, I THINK MY NOVEL IS LONGER THAN YOURS, SO I WIN!!! EVERYONE TAKE CARE AND “GOD BLESS”, AND REMEMBER TO LOVE AS YOU WANT TO BE LOVED”!!! MOM,aka(NANA#2)
WOW, Celestine and clementine…. Now those are some names!!!! I love it
Yeah, Clementine is nice. Only problem is that song gets stuck on a loop in my head!
Just a quick note to tell everyone how much we have enjoyed these comments and to say THANK YOU! I was hoping to respond to each and every one individually but that’s a bit overwhelming – instead, we will do our part to keep the blog frequently refreshed. So check back soon! P.S. – “Cletus” leads the baby-name survey at the moment. 😉
The wigs…omg!!! Trav i just had a 80’s flashback
Too bad you can’t see the shirt in that picture – lots of eagles and American flags – very Colbert Report.
Finally, I will be able to use the surname Amanda had come up with for her Grandmother (what a beautiful sound). We are all so excited about this long awaited blessed event. Has there ever been or will there ever be such a spoiled child?? Of course, red hair is a possiblity, so perhaps a red name would be appropriate – Lucille for a girl, Vincent for a boy. You figure it out! Do you know there is even a Parenting Magazine called “Raising Redheds”??
Keep smiling – I am caught up in your joy!! Love you two – whoops – three!!
Congratulations from the soon to be great uncle and great aunt!!! (or some sort of great something ..but we are not up on the family tree or is it fork???)
We think you should stick with family names..how about Fannie Russ? That covers about everything.
Although I (Sarah) have only been part of this family for 8 years I happen to think a red head is just the ticket..We redheads are only 3% of the general populations but its the best 3% by far…we never make headlines for the wrong reason.
We also feel since the due date is on our anniversary ..yes 10/10 is our wedding day, we should have a say in this child’s naming!! (Ha Ha)
Seriously.. we are thrilled for you and know that nana Carol will absolutely not spoil this child in any way so if the kid needs attention you can ship him/her to Chattanooga at any time
Love Sarah and John and the dogs
Love the blog—and the baby news!! Congrats! A little ATL romper. I’d love to drop in and visit with you two/three + dogs sometime this spring.
And oh—it’s a beautiful thing that you’ve rejected social media. Bravo!
Best,
Cousin Laura
Amanda and Travis,
Congratulations! I am brimming with excitement for you two and I know you will be wonderful parents. And the blog is wonderful, I feel in the loop all the way down in Argentina.
Felicitaciones!
Cousin Wendy
Hi Guys,
Just a note to say “HI”, and to check in to see how everyone is doing. How are you feeling Amanda? You guys are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. When is the next doctor visit? I expect a weekly report !!! Love, Mom
Wow, what a blessing this is. I am so excited and happy for my aunt and uncle!!! I’m here for babysitting if needed..haha.
Love you guys, and congratulations!!!
~Brittany 🙂
tomorrow is the big day!!!!!!!!!!!!! but its a girl, i already know but get go ahead and get a second opinion…
Congrats on the bouncing bundle of boy energy. I may be a little biased since I have 2 boys of my own, but they are fabulous and wonderful and tremendous. Plus, you don’t have to deal with all the teenage drama or pay for a wedding (can I hear a halleluiah from Travis)! Congrats!!!
Hey, hearty congratulations Travis and Amanada. And it’s a boy!! Fantastic! So, to send you a proper greeing in Aussie language, I say “ONYA”!
I’m so pleased for you both, it’s just great news and everyone here is excited about meeting young Horace when we come back for a visit later in the year.
Now, regarding the name. I know I’ve been pushing hard for Horace, putting in late night phone calls, lobbying the influential people, spreading money around, etc, but I’ve still only managed to gather one vote, mine! So maybe you are right to consider other offerings, I don’t know.
Anyway, get yourself to the hardware store this weekend Travis and buy a can of blue paint for the nursery. Pick up some blue yarn for Amanda to work on those baby booties and blankets. And most of all enjoy all the fun that this baby stuff is, it’s truly the best time of your lives.
-Doyle