Choosing her name

I knew a cute little girl with this name at church in Israel. 

A few years later, our first apartment as a married couple was on a street with the same name. I would see it and hear the name over and over again and liked more over time.

This was back in early 2017, when we first started trying to have kids. I wasn't working (no work visa) and didn't know anyone in Cannes, so besides our weekend travels my thoughts during the week when I was alone all day were pretty much consumed with having a baby.

I would get my hopes up every month, get excited and start daydreaming about being a mom. And this was the name I imagined for our little girl.

David wasn't on board at the time because he thought it sounded "too French." It took a few years of convincing. Hidden benefit of infertility: plenty of time for David to come around.

I always thought my first daughter would have this name, but she ended up being our Magnolia. If you don't remember, you can read the story of us choosing her name here.

After years of this name being at the top of my list, we realized that the name is in the song "The Yellow Rose of Texas." I joked to David that I would visit Texas if he would agree to name our next daughter this name. He agreed, probably not thinking I was serious.

But I was totally serious- and guess where we went in May of 2022? 

The deal was made, and we agreed that if we were lucky enough to have another daughter, her name would be Rosalie. 

So from the cute girl in the Galilee branch in Israel, to living on Avenue Sainte-Rosalie on the French Riviera, to an old Texas folk song that helped David realize the name isn't "too French", to me making the small sacrifice of going on a trip that was not my first choice... our precious second daughter got her name.

I think it's beautiful, just the right amount of uncommon but not weird, goes perfectly with Magnolia, and sounds adorable with our last name.

I also like that both Rosalie and Magnolia were named after trips we went on.

I wanted to give her a one syllable middle name to match Magnolia June. It was between Belle and Pearl. We decided on Belle because it doesn't go with another girl's name we may consider in the future, and because it goes perfectly with my idea for a nursery theme.

Rosalie Belle Rubino, we are in disbelief that we get to meet to in a few short months! Just like for your sister Magnolia, we were sure you were a girl and that this was your name as early as your embryo transfer. We are so lucky to have you and to grow our little family garden. <3