Ding/Dong

Lena Mae Parnell

Welcome Little Lena to the fold!

Kari and Matt became parents.

Barb and Bruce and Judie and Tom became grandparents - all for the first time.

Meghan became an aunt - a first.

Brother Mike became a great-uncle - another first.

Lew and I became a great-aunt/uncle - again.

Beep and Bump became great grandparents - not a first.

Wait.
Wait.
Back up there... Beep and Bump???  Now where, oh where did that come from?

Well, since you ask -- Here is the story...

Beep & Bump

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, before I was even a twinkle in my mother's eye, my grandfather (Harold) read an article in a magazine.  In that article it said that if you had a nickname for your spouse that your marriage would last longer.  So.  He started calling my grandmother "Neep".  And that became "Neep Neep".

Not to be outdone, my grandmother (Eva) started calling my grandfather "Nop Nop" (short 'o' sound).

When I became more than a twinkle in my mother's eye "Neep Neep & Nop Nop" were the names that I (and eventually my siblings) used for my maternal grandparents.  "Grandma" and "Grandpa" reserved for my dad's parents.

When it came time for my first-born, having both sets of grandparents nearby, it seemed logical that a 'nickname' would be assigned one set.  Following a tradition already in place, a search was done for appropriate monikers.  Affectionately my parents became "Beep" and "Bump".   Not just to the family -- the nickname reached behind that circle to include friends and neighbors!

Ding & Dong

Which brings us back to today.

What, oh what shall become the new name for my sister and her hubby.  Brand new grandparents...
Oma and Opa are being considered, and may have already won the toss...

Bib and Bop?
I like that.
But think of pour Little Lena and her trying to sort out Bip Bop Beep and Bump!!!
Oh my!

I'm thinking "Ding" and "Dong"!
What do you think?
(And yes, Bruce, you can be "Dong".)