Name Decision and Update

Names

Our previous post about last names for the children sparked a bit of interest from those reading our blog. Several of you provided comments containing some great ideas and we’ve taken them to heart and considered each seriously.

After several weeks of discussing, thinking and reading your comments about the final names for the kids once we reach the readoption process in Washington State, we’ve finally come to a decision. Here’s what we’ve decided to do.

First Names- This wasn’t an issue at all. We’re going to use their English names already in use. They seem comfortable with that. Evan picked out his own first name on the flight back from Vietnam after watching the movie “Evan Almighty”. We chose Caylan.

Middle Names- We’re going to use their Vietnamese first names as the first portion of their middle names. Also, because we’re not really into hyphenation, we’ll include Thuy’s last name as the second portion of their middle names. With this convention, the entire middle part of their names will be Vietnamese. We’ll continue using their Vietnamese first names at home. Their English names are only used outside of home and they can decide which they want to use on a permanent basis as they get older.

Last Names- We’re going to give them my last name. In addition, Thuy is considering taking on a similar naming convention so that the entire family has the same last name. She would make her name change at the same time as the readoption.

Evan’s name will be Evan Tuyen Nguyen Ball.

Caylan’s name will be Caylan Nhi Nguyen Ball.

Update

Positive things:

The kids just had their six-month, post-placement checkups with Dr. Davies at the University of Washington Medical Center last week. Evan has grown 2 inches and Caylan has grown 0.75 inches. They’re both doing well. They’re speaking more English every day and are now able to carry on rather involved conversations in English. I rarely need to use my Vietnamese with them now, although I will occasionally switch back to stay in practice.

Negative things:

Evan is still wetting his pants. That is the most frustrating thing for us. He will get so engrossed in something and not want to go to the bathroom even though he knows he has to go.

Caylan has a problem with eating. It’s just not her thing. Lately, that’s started to change. Meals aren’t the battle they used to be but they’re still not ideal situations yet.

Overall they’re good kids. They love to help with the house work. As small as she is, Caylan loves to carry bags into the house when Thuy comes back from the grocery store. She’s incredibly strong for her size. She can carry things that Evan has problems carrying.