Jacqueline Sheehan

Dec 28, 2012 5:39 PM EST

We thought a lot about this issue when our first granddaughter Josie was born and didn't come to any conclusions. She solved the problem by naming us. At about 18 months or so, she started calling me Meema, and calling Robby Peepa. We have no idea where she picked these names up, but they have stuck. And, gotta admit I love them.

- Ellen Meeropol

Dec 29, 2012 11:55 AM EST

Loved it - especially the line: In the third trimester of our lives..."
How about Gee-pa to go with Mema? Or take the risk to just wait until your g-baby names you....

- patriciariggs

Jan 01, 2013 3:02 PM EST

Loved reading this, Alan - and a wonderful picture of you.
Are you sure you couldn't honor your father by also using the name Poppa for the newest family member? It is a fun name - and I know two friends who love being called that. The most unusual response I can share is from the father of a niece-in-law. He did not want the usual names - perhaps in response to the admission of age - so he is called "Blueberry" by his grandchildren. Sorry - that's already taken now!

- Marion ( aka Grandma and now Grammy by the youngest)

Mar 21, 2013 7:40 PM EDT

Alan, just read this. If you can wait a couple of months, just wait for him to start babbling. When he begins repeating a certain babble sound that you like hearing (maybe "ba ba" or "la la" or "mo mo"), jump in front of him with arms outstretched, in a "Ta da" moment, like you've just completed a tap dance on stage, as in "here I am, it's me, la la," and when he repeats it, you jump in front of him again. Soon he'll be laughing and you'll be laughing, and your grand baby will have named you your very own unique name.

- Jeanne Borfitz

Apr 01, 2015 2:13 PM EDT

Well, turns out theres a few of us. I am Alan Lipp from Cooper City, FL. Alan is an interesting name. At 25, it occurs to me to not be a name and spelling so commonly given to my generation anymore. So, I find it a powerful name, especially when combined with the uniqueness of my last name...and yours. Lipp came from a shortening of Lifschitz, the name my ancestors had when they emigrated from modern-day Ukraine. What an uncommon name we have!

- Alan David Lipp