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Dear Little Bro,

Let me start out by apologizing for your horrible nickname. It is a true testament to your mother's uncreativeness, and I've not liked it since the minute it was first typed. All I can say is that at least I didn't make it Lil Bro...that would have been unforgivable. Unfortunately, it stuck and by the time you read this in some far off Blurb book, you'll have encountered this nickname more times than any of us could count. The good news is your Appa and I have been busy trying to come up with your real name, something we hope is less lame.

Unlike your brother's name, which Appa picked from a list of three names I presented (actually, really only two names and a dummy third to increase my odds) after he refused to talk names with me for months and months and months unless it was my birthday or some other special holiday, your Appa has been more involved in the research of your name.

By research, I mean I give him lists of names and he tells me he hates them all. But hey, at least he is reading the lists, right?

Sure, your Appa has given his suggestions. Unfortunately, we just recently stumbled upon this novel idea of actually naming your kids after family members, but we thought that would be weird to give you a special family name while your big brother got the random (but much loved) name. So, you get a random name, too. Sorry 'bout it. I'm sure we will find another way to give your brother a complex.

In my head, for about 6 months, you were a certain name. Then suddenly one day, that name didn't feel right anymore. Who knows, maybe that was the day you were born and I somehow just knew that you were not going to be a "J." Or, perhaps I just met one too many "J"s. Since then, I've had a shortlist of three names for you. This weekend Appa nixed two of them. I'd been keeping them close, protecting them round after bloody round of name cuts, but I could only hold on so long.

The third name, "W," is a name I'd love to give you, BUT there is another name that Appa has seemed to latch onto (way more that "W"). I'll admit, there is a part of me that loves the fact that your Appa actually has an opinion on a name, and while I don't dislike it, it's not my dream name.

I've been test driving the name for the last few days. I whisper it to your brother and sometimes say it out loud to see how it feels on my tongue. I pair it with different types of Korean names. I write it out on paper. I even changed the filter on my e-mail from "Little Bro's Adoption" to this name. Your Appa thinks I am nuts and your brother is probably a little confused, but I really wanted to give it a fair shake. I'll be honest, I don't think it will ever be my favorite name.

But it is starting to feel like your name.

Only a few more months before we know for sure.