What is in a name?

TROY

In the summer of 2008, Simon and I were driving back to BC, from Alberta, through the US.  We started talking about having children and picking baby names. During this conversation, we just happened to be driving through Montana and the names of two towns, not far from one another, really appealed to us. It was then that we decided that if we had a girl her name would be Libby and if it was a boy he would be named Troy.

Troy, Montana

Now, since Troy, Montana is probably not the most exotic of places to be named after, here are a few more interesting facts about the name Troy:

• The meaning of the name Troy is Water or Footsoldier. ( I wonder if this is why Troy loves tubby time so much?) 
• The origin of the name Troy is Greek (should have kept the Greek wallpaper mural for the nursery, eh?)
• When I googled what happened in history on June 11...here is what came up: 1184 BC – Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned...SPOOKY!  (Made me wish I had checked google before going to the hospital, who knew he would want to wait until the 11th to give his name more meaning!)

Here is the city of Troy, which is now part of Turkey.
I'm guessing it is slightly more scenic than the Montana counterpart!

Talk about scenic...couldn't resist!  (you're welcome ladies)

ROBERT 

Troy's middle name, Robert, is a tribute to two very special people in our lives:

Gramma Annie’s brother - Robert (Bob) Weber.
We only met "Uncle Bob" 17 years ago, when Gramma found her biological family! (Gramma Annie was adopted when she was a baby) She found out she had two brothers and a sister. Uncle Bob was only 10 months older than Gramma - maybe that's why they looked so much alike? Also of note, is that their biological father's name was Robert too! Sadly, Uncle Bob passed away June 3, 2011 (June 3 was Troy's due date).

Handsome boy

We joked that Uncle Bob was "mom in a moustache" because
the family resemblance was so strong between them.
(sorry...I didn't have a pic with his moustache!)

Simon’s childhood friend Robert (Rob) Gibson.  

This is the boy who spent many childhood days throwing rocks, poking things with sticks, riding bikes, swimming in lakes and getting into all sorts of trouble with Simon.

Trouble...waiting to happen.  That's Rob on the left and Simon on the right.
(that swan doesn't stand a chance)

BAKKER

Troy's surname is Dutch. It literally translates to Baker (yes, the kind that makes bread!). It is a very common name in Holland. 

Bakker Street in Amsterdam

a Dutch Bakery

Simon's dad, Age Bakker is from Hindeloopen, Friesland (a province in the North of The Netherlands).

Hindeloopen is a quaint little village

Simon's dad standing in front of another Age Bakker's house in Holland

Simon and his dad on the dike in Hindeloopen

Friesland is mainly an agricultural province.
The famous black and white Frisian cattle
and the well known black Frisian horse originated there.

Simon with the Frisian flag.  And...those are not hearts, they are lilypads.