And she shall be known as...

Our baby girl, who has been hitherto been known to us as Peabody, has a real girl's name now. We'd kept a couple of favourites in mind over the last few months but neither of us seemed able to commit to naming her one or the other and all that this would entail - the imagining of her as a real person, bestowing upon her an identity we knew all too well could be so easily snatched away from us.

For me it felt reckless, as if I would be tempting fate to take her away from me. It was my psychiatrist, in the end, who managed to convince me that the sky would not fall in if we began calling her by her chosen name. She suggested that it might help us bond with her and prepare ourselves for her arrival.

And so, we came to call our little daughter Alice, whose birth we hope will bring with it her own special kind of wonderland to share. I love its classic simplicity. I love its literary allusions, especially after visiting Oxford and falling in love all over again with C.S Lewis's stories. I love that it doesn't rhyme with anything outwardly rude or horrible (the primary teacher in me coming out). I love that I've never known another Alice.

Her middle name will be Frances, after Les's mother who died three years ago. She never got to discover the joy of being a grandmother, and this is our small way of making sure she still has an important role to play in Alice's life.

Of course, Alice will also always know herself as Max's little sister. He will always be an important part of her identity; of our family's identity.

We are wishing Alice here safely with all of our hearts. Just a few more weeks, little girl. Just give us a few more weeks to ready ourselves for your arrival!