The name Andra is Scottish, and means Strong and Courageous.  We picked it because that was the kind of girl we thought we wanted.  We have encouraged strength and courage for 7 years.  When she wiped out as a little kid I would just say "Brush off girl", and she would.  Anytime anyone gets hurt we chant "We are tough, we are strong, we are tough, we are strong." I forced them to watch all the half pipe and skiing in the Olympics repeatedly saying "That is a GIRL - check her out!"

And now I ask myself, what the hell was I thinking?  Today we went for a bike ride, and Andra has taken to starting half way up a big hill, taking her feet up and barreling by me like a bat out of hell.  Then she turns it around, rides back up, drops the bike, throws up her fists and yells "Xtreme Girl!" 

I can't take it.  Turns out I AM a nervous mother.  I hated riding down hills fast (news flash - I am a control freak), and I feel that same paralyzing fear every time she flies by.  I am a wreck by the time we get home - and Grace is mocking me.  So in a moment of panic, I hollered to her "AAAAH!  Where did you get that courage?!?!?"  and she yelled back "from the Andra heart!"  I think the baby names website should have come with a warning.

PS  Grace can mock me all she wants, the training wheels are NEVER coming off her bike.