About that Name

So after I finished writing the blogs the past few days, Matt read them. And he threatened to hack into this and "make the name right" if I didn't clarify.  So about that name...

William Matthew Folsom

Jessica & Oom Wim in Spaakenburg, NL 2010

William is the Americanized/Modern version of two amazing men in my life...my adopted American Grandfather, Williard Greiner, and my awesome Dutch uncle, Willem.  Plus, William is just a good name...I can't think of a single William that I've crossed paths with in my life that I didn't find pleasant.  The middle name is Matthew, and if I have to explain that one maybe you're reading the wrong blog.  Of course that his daddy's name. The Folsom family has a tradition that the first son's middle name is the father's first name.  So the trend will be: William Matthew - Matthew Byron - Byron Lamar - Lamar (???).  You get the picture.

Hhere's the "fun" part.  Nicknames. While we both realize that the name that will really stick is what he prefers to be called and what his friends call him as he grows up, but here's our thought process so far. Bill was my grandfather, but I can't see myself calling my infant son Bill. Will is just too played out at this point.  So, I say, why not go with Wim, which is short version of Willem - and is what my uncle goes by anyway!

Matt however, has insisted since the get go (probably when we were still dating) that a boy's name would be Billy.  As a former teacher, for some reason, "Billy" just reminds me of the annoying goofy kid in my class (not that I ever had a Billy). However, Matt has good reason to call the baby Billy.  When he was in highschool, he had a friend who sadly committed suicide. This happened after his girlfriend dumped him while he was recovering from back surgery and was on pain meds. 10 years later, the pain meds he was on have been pulled off the shelf because of the high incidence of depression and suicide.  While we can't conclusively blame the meds, there's a good chance that if Billy were around today, that chain of events may not have happened.  So, Matt has decided the baby's nickname will be Billy.

Now that we know he's for sure a he, there's no need to call him "The Blob" or "Gummy Bear."  Right now, Matt keeps calling him "Billy in the Belly." And when he comes out, you can call him...

William, Wim, or Billy

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to self - need to scan a picture of me and Grandpa so I can post in here.  Same thing with Matt's Billy.