Every so often I post something about my girls. I’m not big on splashing them across the internet and neither are they. (My teenager isn’t on Facebook–her choice, believe it or not.) I’ve been thinking about code names for them.
Some blogging genii (my daughter’s prefered spelling for the plural of genius) have great names for their kiddos:
- Kristen Lamb: The Spawn–Perfect for a son.
- Jenny Hansen: Baby Girl–Perfect for an only daughter.
- Debra Kristi: Gamer and Monkey–Perfect.
- Paige Kellerman: Butch, Sundance, and Doc Holiday–If you’ve never read her stuff, you should!
I know there are others. If you have code names for your kiddos, feel free to put a link to your blog in the comments.
What to do when you have two girls who are as different as mine? “The Anti-Teenager” is too limiting. “Daughter 1” and “Daughter 2” are too boring. Their real nicknames are off limits (so I’ve been told).
During a conversation with my older daughter, I realized that she is really The Mockingbird and her sister is The Armadillo. We are from Texas, after all. What better way to salute them in my blog? I thought I’d share some awesome facts about two of my state’s favorite animals.
The Mockingbird
The Texas state bird is the Northern Mockingbird. What’s not to love about these birds?
They’re smart and sassy and bold. They mimic the songs of other birds and other sounds they hear. Really. Some have been known to use the sounds car alarms and chain saws in their repertoires.
Photo by Captain-tucker, Wikimedia Creative Commons
My husband would sit on our front porch and whistle a sequence of notes, and our resident mockingbird would repeat it. I’d like to think that fellow passed along the song to others who mimic it now.
Have you ever seen a hawk fly for its life? Most likely a mockingbird or two will be close behind. If a mockingbird feels threatened, it doesn’t care how big the perceived enemy is. One time, I was dive bombed while walking the dog. I had no idea a nest was in the bush so close to the sidewalk, but the bird let me know about it.
My teenaged daughter is now The Mockingbird.
The Armadillo
The Texas state mammal is adorable, don’t you think?
Photo by Hans Stieglitz, Wikimedia Creative Commons
What is it? (I hear some of you asking that question.)
It’s the nine-banded armadillo. These odd, nocturnal, and burrowing creatures aren’t smart or sassy or bold. Not much about them is remotely like my younger daughter. Although, she often curled up into a ball as a toddler if she got mad.
Despite their weirdness, she thinks they’re cute. So, my younger munchkin is now The Armadillo.
What nicknames do you use for your kiddos when you’re online? Do you use nicknames for yourself?
Diana Beebe 
Very cute! I love the nicknames. I’m always super jealous when people use awesome nicknames for their kids on Twitter. I just think, “that’s a good one!” I don’t have any kids yet, but I try to keep the concrete info to a minimum. If I’m lucky enough to have kids, they’ll definitely get nicknames. 🙂
Thanks, Kinley! I’m sure you will come up with the perfect nicknames for your little ones–you’ve still got plenty of time. 🙂
Aw, those are great nicknames for your girls for your blog posts. I had a hard time deciding on names for my kids, too. I finally decided to nickname each of my three daughters after flowers. The oldest is Tulip because those are the flowers she chose for her bridesmaids bouquets for her wedding. My middle daughter is nicknamed Lily because she choose beautiful lilies for her wedding flowers. My youngest isn’t married yet, so I just chose Sunflower for her. My son is a huge hockey fan, so his online name is Puck. I also have nicknames for their spouses, too. I use my hubby’s real name, George. Maybe I shouldn’t? I don’t know.
I love Kristen’s, Debra’s, Jenny’s and Paige’s nicknames for their kids. I think it’s a kick to read what bloggers nickname their kids for their posts. Some are so original and clever.
The flower names you gave your girls are perfect. I love that all the kids in your family have nicknames. I wonder about my husband now–I never use a name for him. Perhaps I should think of one. He would prefer that I don’t tell on him as much as I do. LOL. Thanks for sharing your nicknames with me.
Leanne Shirtliffe calls her twins Thing 1 and Thing 2. I always thought that was cute too. I don’t have nicknames for my sons. The first one (a teenager) could be called “Mr. Know-It-All,” but I guess I should be more positive, eh? 😉
As a good Texan myself, and based on your theme, perhaps my older son should be the state mammal, a Longhorn, because he is impressive in many ways, but moves slowly and is willing to lock horns at times. My younger son might be the state insect, a monarch butterfly, because he flits around a lot and likes to show off. 🙂
LOL. I love it! Most teenagers could probably be the longhorn, based on your description. Eventually, The Monarch Butterfly might demand a tougher sounding name. 😉 Perfect names for now though.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 are great names, too! Thanks for reminding me of them.
Great nicknames, Diana! I love when bloggers use clever code names for their Since my husband has an online presence, I haven’t nicknamed him but frequently refer to him as DH. My son is grown and I hadn’t thought about nicknaming him. Perhaps I should. Hmmmm. This will take some thought.
Let me know what you come up with. 😉
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OMG! I am sooo late getting here. You should have kicked my butt. If I had a coach it would have already turned into a pumpkin. Sigh. Monkey is sleeping on MY bed behind me. It’s been one of those days. LOL. She wouldn’t detach. Anywho…I love the names you came up with. If they suit your girls, then they are purrrfect! I think it was Leanne and Paige that introduced me to the idea. I think Monkey has more recently decided she’d rather be called Ms. Puss, or something like that. Anything cat related. But I can’t confuse my readers now. Blimey! That could seriously bring about the apocalypse. LOL. Fun post.
LOL. I’ve been a slacker so…(if editing and working and writing and mothering is slacking). Monkey wants to be a cat? You’ll just have to call her “the child formerly known as ‘Monkey'” with her new moniker! It’s the only way to avert an apocalyse. 😉
I think your nicknames are cute! Being from Texas, I am kinda partial. 🙂
I haven’t found names for my children yet. My husband is the dh but if I’ve mentioned my children, its my son or my daughter. Wow, I have quite the imagination for a writer, huh?
Maybe I could call them by their professions – the teacher and the mechanic. My future SIL could be the engineer.
Thanks, Joni! It did take me awhile to decide, but they work for my little native Texans. 🙂 I haven’t given my husband a nickname and probably won’t, even though that’s boring. LOL Use whatever works for you.