Introducing...

Nadezhda (Nadia) Grace Slawson

Even in 4D!

I think I'm still getting over the surprise of the fact that we have a daughter (that still sounds amazing to me!), but I'm likin' it!

And we praise God that her spine is perfect. Thank you, Father!

Since our daughter will be born in Russia this summer, we thought it only fitting that she have a Russian and American name.

Nadezhda (pronounce the "zh" like the "s" in pleasure and put the emphasis on the 2nd syllable na-DEZH-da) means "hope". As Christians we have a hope that no one else can comprehend, and that hope has become more dear to Thomas and me over the past year as we have seen God's faithful care for us. In Russia children are named, and then they are often called during their childhood by an informal version of that name. The informal version of Nadezhda is Nadia. We realize that our American family and friends might have a hard time pronouncing Nadezhda, so feel free to call her Nadia. Why didn't we just name her Nadia? We really like the name Nadezhda, call us crazy. And this way she has options when she gets older.

As long as I can remember thinking about baby names, I've wanted to name a girl Grace. My best friend growing up is named Grace, and this is how I first thought of the name. Then as I grew older and grew in Christ, God's grace became ever more precious to me.

And so we have Nadezhda "Nadia" Grace Slawson. Isn't she beautiful? I don't even mind being wrong.