A bit OT..Twin Names from a Disney Wedding

[maddiesdaddy]

Hi all. We are 9 months out from our DFTW, which was, in a word, amazing. In my wedding day recap, I announced we were pregnant with twins! We are so excited. Not quite Disneymoon babies..but close!!! They are due 7/27 but we won't get there. At 34.5 weeks, they will be here shortly!!!

For those who don't know our story, we are a blended family. Though just friends at the time, we officially started dating after we overlapped our separate Disney trips. We each have one child from our first marriages and wound up at Disney for one overlapping weekend...my last weekend there with my daughter on an annual fall trip...and her first with her son. So, Disney is VERY special to us...and thus the MK engagement and the DFTW.

We are having boy/girl twins. And we have decided the boy's name will be Riley and the girl will be Quinn. We have talked about those names for a long time and we love them. Having a daughter, it was hard for me to think of boy names but I really got behind Riley, despite it having many girls with the same name. We actually know of more boy Rileys than girl Rylies. Anyway, we originally thought of some middle names that for us, flowed with their names, balancing the syllables...a two syllable first name with a one syllable middle name and a one syllable first name with a multi-syllable middle name.

So, originally, we thought Riley Chase and Quinn Kennedy....but....

we have received some negative feedback. Not that it matters, we won't name them to please other people, but it has given us some pause. We have kept the names a secret, telling only our mothers. We are truly set on the first names as we have had them since the news of the double pregnancy hit, but the middle names gave us room for some creativity. As my DW and I discussed the options, we thought about what was special to us and it was Disney. So, we sat outside tonight and contemplated some Disney middle names to represent our love for Disney.

Keeping with a similar desire to balance the syllables, we came up with Riley Flynn and Quinn Aurora.

Disney is, of course, so magical for us, so this last minute change has given us the opportunity to maybe incorporate a bit of Disney magic into the twins' names.

Just wondering what you thought of the original names, the new Disney-fied names, or anything.

Although I also posted this in the Family board, I couldn't think of a better place than this one, since this is where the magic really came to life.

We're excited so all opinions are ok. We just wanted to share and get input. Thanks for listening to the ramble.

 

[lurkyloo]

Congratulations on your double bundles of joy! I know you already said it, but I'll second that it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of the names, so go for the ones you like best! I like the idea of adding a Disney touch in the middle names, and the ones you've picked are subtle enough that only Disney fans will get them anyway.

 

[Chilly]

What Carrie said is exactly right!

I also love the first set of names you picked.

I didn't see the recap in your TR about the twins though, so very many congratulations, how exciting to be having one of each.

Please post photos when they are born.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Congratulations on your double bundles of joy! I know you already said it, but I'll second that it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of the names, so go for the ones you like best! I like the idea of adding a Disney touch in the middle names, and the ones you've picked are subtle enough that only Disney fans will get them anyway.

Hi, Carrie. Thanks for the congrats and for your thoughts. I was pleasantly surprised to see a lurkyloo response so we appreciate it! All good points (as usual). We know it doesn't matter but we were almost glad for the opportunity to re-think. Disney is very special to us so after mulling over things, this was something we really are thinking about.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

What Carrie said is exactly right!

I also love the first set of names you picked.

I didn't see the recap in your TR about the twins though, so very many congratulations, how exciting to be having one of each.

Please post photos when they are born.

Hi, Chilly....the recap was just a last update. I (still) owe some pictures of our album to those who have asked about our artist commissioned album and I was explaining why I hadn't responded. The twins news was a shock and put into motion a move (needed a bigger house) and thus we have things in various states of boxes until we decide where everything goes.

Thank you for the congrats. We couldn't be more blessed with such a crazy surprise.

I promise that the little ones' pictures will make their way onto the boards. When we took our current kiddos for a March trip (since we would have to skip our annual September trip..., we got the twins some Mickey ears so I'm sure they will make the first photoshoot!

Thanks again for your feedback..it is much appreciated.

 

[TinyDancer]

I love the names.

My oldest DD is Briar.. from Sleeping Beauty.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

I love the names.

My oldest DD is Briar.. from Sleeping Beauty.

Briar..that's super cute!!

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Deesknee]

Multiples are magical! Congratulations.

my 2 cents... I love Riley Flynn, Quinn Aurora, although pretty, I stutter on, seems like the Qui sound with all the vowels of Aurora make it not flow smoothly, but again as you and others have stated... what others think doesn't matter, so I am just voicing an honest opinion. I know naming multiples makes for a lot of names to consider, I would have welcomed honesty at that time.

Also, have you considered the Disney movie National Treasure? I love the character Riley in that movie. no clever ideas, but figured I'd throw that out there.

Hope these last few weeks are smooth and that the heat doesn't bother you.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Multiples are magical! Congratulations.

my 2 cents... I love Riley Flynn, Quinn Aurora, although pretty, I stutter on, seems like the Qui sound with all the vowels of Aurora make it not flow smoothly, but again as you and others have stated... what others think doesn't matter, so I am just voicing an honest opinion. I know naming multiples makes for a lot of names to consider, I would have welcomed honesty at that time.

Also, have you considered the Disney movie National Treasure? I love the character Riley in that movie. no clever ideas, but figured I'd throw that out there.

Hope these last few weeks are smooth and that the heat doesn't bother you.

Hi...my wife is such an amazing trooper. The heat is a little much for her but she is taking it easy for the twins and doing what she needs to so they can keep cooking. She is awesome at this whole mom thing.

Thanks for the heads up about the movie..we haven't seen it..but we are taking 'more time at home' so it will make the weekend rental circuit. Thank you for the heads up.

It's funny..you sound like us. With Quinn Kennedy in the rotation, we kept commenting on all the K sounds...K..then another one right off. Then, now with Aurora, which we like, has all the vowels. So...it's a trade off.

We do appreciate honestly and we're happy to hear it. We aren't looking for all the kudos..though we love love to hear them!!!! We are interested in honest thoughts as we navigage the waters of the name they will wear forever.

Thanks again for all the information.

 

[CinderALLIE]

Congratulations!!

I am going to be no help at all as I think they are all great.

I am partial to Riley as I've always wanted that name for my boy but then my cousin used it. I do think Riley Chase has a nicer ring to it then Riley Flynn and as PP said Riley is still a Disney name. Aurora would be a great middle name.

As you said above it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks you name your babies for you.

 

[Bewitch324]

Congratulations! That is so exciting!! I hope your kids will really enjoy being Big Brother and Big Sister to the new additions!!! So much happiness for your new blended family!!

I love both versions of the names you've suggested. I'm partial to Flynn and Aurora because I do love the "hidden" Disney touch, especially given that Disney has been such an integral part of your relationship...

I love the names Riley and Quinn, super cute, and I love that they're not necessarily "girl" or "boy" names.

Good luck with the soon-to-arrive babies, and choose whatever names make you and your wife happiest!

Take care,
Brooke

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Congratulations!!

I am going to be no help at all as I think they are all great.

I am partial to Riley as I've always wanted that name for my boy but then my cousin used it. I do think Riley Chase has a nicer ring to it then Riley Flynn and as PP said Riley is still a Disney name. Aurora would be a great middle name.

As you said above it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks you name your babies for you.

Thanks CinderAllie....funny about cousins. My wife has a cousin, also named Sarah because both moms wanted Sarah (the moms are the sisters) so...I say go ahead!!!! If it's the right name for you, then family will get over it!! Just our .02 worth for having a similar family issue!!!

Thanks for your input and your commentary....it's good to get all thoughts and I appreciate you posting!!!

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Congratulations! That is so exciting!! I hope your kids will really enjoy being Big Brother and Big Sister to the new additions!!! So much happiness for your new blended family!!

I love both versions of the names you've suggested. I'm partial to Flynn and Aurora because I do love the "hidden" Disney touch, especially given that Disney has been such an integral part of your relationship...

I love the names Riley and Quinn, super cute, and I love that they're not necessarily "girl" or "boy" names.

Good luck with the soon-to-arrive babies, and choose whatever names make you and your wife happiest!

Take care,
Brooke

Hi Brooke...Thanks so much for the sweet words. The kiddos are SOOOOO excited to be Big Brother and Big Sister. So much so. We couldn't be a happier bunch.

Sweet to say about the 'hidden Disney touch'. That's exactly what we were thinking.

Thanks again so much for your added input. it really means a lot.

 

[Lisa29]

Lovely lovely names.

My thinking is that if the first name could be used for a boy or a girl (kind of in your case, though different spellings), then the middle name should really be gender specific and both Flynn and Aurora (and Chase) are definitely gender specific.

Whatever you choose, what you as parents think is the most important not anyone else.

Congratulations and I hope everything goes ok.

 

[Tinker74]

Wow...Just read your wedding trip report...Tears in my eyes!...What a beautiful family, such a magical, wonderful, amazing wedding day. The love just shines through! Such beautiful beautiful kids!(who amazingly look so alike)

And now boy/girl twins!!...Could you be anymore blessed?

Its like reading a fairy tale....Oh and I LOVE the names!....Did you consider Quinn Ariel?..I see your wife wore the gorgeous Ariel dress on your wedding day.

Either way...those are two lucky little babies...

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Lovely lovely names.

My thinking is that if the first name could be used for a boy or a girl (kind of in your case, though different spellings), then the middle name should really be gender specific and both Flynn and Aurora (and Chase) are definitely gender specific.

Whatever you choose, what you as parents think is the most important not anyone else.

Congratulations and I hope everything goes ok.

Thanks...good points...that is similar to most of our feedback..with names that could go either way, the middles should make it obvious.

Thanks...knocking on wood..this has been a blessfully, event free pregnancy. 2 more weeks until all the lung stuff is a-ok and then we'll be in great shape. We are really really blessed so thanks for the kind words.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Wow...Just read your wedding trip report...Tears in my eyes!...What a beautiful family, such a magical, wonderful, amazing wedding day. The love just shines through! Such beautiful beautiful kids!(who amazingly look so alike)

And now boy/girl twins!!...Could you be anymore blessed?

Its like reading a fairy tale....Oh and I LOVE the names!....Did you consider Quinn Ariel?..I see your wife wore the gorgeous Ariel dress on your wedding day.

Either way...those are two lucky little babies...

Hi..thanks for reading..that is really sweet. We couldn't feel any luckier to have each other so that's sweet that it really shows..and yes, people are truly shocked when they realize that they are not blood relations because they look and act so much like they are.

B/G twins were truly a blessing. In more ways than I can count. It was a complete shock, but if you don't mind a little story telling, our custody arrangements with our current two are exactly the same...week on with us..week off with their other parents. It works..and oh, so well. When we got confirmation that we were pregnant before the surprise ultrasound, we often would talk how odd it would be for this baby to have an amazing brother and sister....half the time. Each week, their brother and sister would leave and what confusion and even lonliness might exist for that sweet baby of ours. And then we got the very shocking news that it was twins and it was like our worries were erased. That baby now had a playmate, a friend, a sibling to always be there and while they would, of course, love their other, older siblings, they wouldn't experience such a significant loss each week. A true blessing and we have counted it each and every day.

Thanks for the love on the names. We did consider Quinn Ariel..a great deal, based on the wedding dress and that through many character visits, has become the fam's all time favorite princess , but Aurora really stuck out for us and that's why it got the nod. We're still processing it all and it will likely be a gametime decision (it is the 4th quarter)...but we're still trying to put it all together.

Thanks so much for the kind words and the sweet comments. We still pinch ourselves each day.

 

[Deesknee]

Hi again. Just wanted to agree with you on the babies always having a playmate. We have multiples and then a singleton, and I notice the singleton is lonely, or bored much more often than the multiples ever were. They are adults now so not much fun for the 8 year old to play with.
Also wanted to let you know our multiples were born at 34 weeks and are very healthy! One has asthma on a somewhat regular basis, meaning he uses his inhaler a few times a month, the other 2 were diagnosed with asthma but very very seldom need an inhaler...maybe once every 18months or so. 1 has GERD and 1 has acid reflux. But are extremely healthy. Just figured i'd let you in on that. They have always had each others backs. Congratulations again!

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Hi again. Just wanted to agree with you on the babies always having a playmate. We have multiples and then a singleton, and I notice the singleton is lonely, or bored much more often than the multiples ever were. They are adults now so not much fun for the 8 year old to play with.
Also wanted to let you know our multiples were born at 34 weeks and are very healthy! One has asthma on a somewhat regular basis, meaning he uses his inhaler a few times a month, the other 2 were diagnosed with asthma but very very seldom need an inhaler...maybe once every 18months or so. 1 has GERD and 1 has acid reflux. But are extremely healthy. Just figured i'd let you in on that. They have always had each others backs. Congratulations again!

Hi. Thanks for the insight. Good to hear that yours were close. They all sound very healthy. I hope the same for ours. Thank you again for sharing.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Hi. I promised to post pictures and an update when the twins were born.

They were. Healthy, happy and as perfect as babies can be!!!

Riley Flynn was born on 7.9.12 just after 1:00 in the afternoon
Quinn Aurora was obviously born the same day 3 minutes later!

Here is a picture of my beautiful bride..just days before their birth. Her glow reminded me so much of her glow at our wedding.

Here are our sweet babies..shortly after their bath after birth..so precious

They are now 2 weeks old now...3 on Monday so here are some more recent pictures:

Thank you all so much for your sweet words!