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Discovering Unique Names for Your Baby

tiny footThis is a guest post from Sophie Baker-Britton.

If you are expecting a little bundle of joy in the coming months, you have probably started to discuss names with the people around you. Whether you know the sex of the baby or are waiting to find out on the day, getting a few names in mind can help you to choose the right one as soon as they come into the world. If you are looking to avoid the common names and are searching for something unique, continue on as some of the more unusual names are explored in further detail.

Aurelia

This girl’s name is of Latin/Hebrew origin is pronounced ‘aw REE lee uh’ and means ‘Golden’. It is unique whilst still remaining pretty both on paper and when spoken.

Dante

This boy’s name of Spanish origin is most popular in Italy today but remains an unusual choice for a baby born in the UK. In terms of famous individuals with this name, Dante Alighieri is the most notable as he is considered one of the greatest poets in history.

Taryn

This female name has roots in multiple origins, although it is now mainly considered as a Gaelic version of the name Tara and means ‘Tender/Innocent’, although other possible origins state other meanings such as ‘Thunder’, ‘Little Princess’ and ‘Of the Earth.

Quest

A masculine name of British origin, Quest is undeniably a unique name for your baby boy. Quest means ‘Voyage of Discovery’ which could be quite apt for this new little person!

Gia

Gia is a feminine Italian name that is derived from Gianna and Giovanna. Gia Carangi is probably the most notable person with this name; she was a top fashion model in the 1970s.

Reuben

This Hebrew name for a boy means ‘a son, behold’ therefore would be quite relevant for those who are happily surprised by the arrival of their baby boy. The spelling ‘Ruben’ is the Spanish alternative of the name, with Grammy award winner Ruben Studdard being the most noteworthy person with this name.

With thousands of unique names to choose from, it can seem like a daunting task trying to find the perfect one for your baby. It is because of this that taking to the internet to find baby name websites that offer origins and meanings as well as flicking through baby name books are both great ways of stumbling upon a fantastic array of beautiful and unusual names.

Sophie has a keen interest in the meanings behind names and enjoys discovering the unique and unusual options as well as traditional alternatives.

Creative Commons License photo credit: limaoscarjuliet

Choosing Your Baby Shower Invitations

Guest post by Adriana Copaceanu, who writes about and reviews cute diaper bags of all types. Why settle for a plain baby bag when you can show your style while carrying all those essentials for your little one? Her top recommendation is a Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag.

A baby shower is a big event, especially for the mother to be.  So if you’re in charge of the baby shower planning, it’s important to set the right tone and theme for the baby shower right from the start.  Your guests get their initial impression of your baby shower’s tone and theme at the moment they receive their invitation.

When you’re deciding on baby shower invitations, you have a lot of options: so many, that the task of selecting your invitations can seem somewhat daunting right at first.  So, before you start exploring invitation options, here are a few things to determine that will help you narrow down your options.

Budget

When it comes to arranging and planning a baby shower, your available budget for the event is a major consideration.  Figure out your over all budget for the entire event first, then you will have a clear idea of how much you can spend on invitations.  This is important, because you can actually spend a lot of money on invitations.  The good news, however, is that there are reasonably priced options available, as well.

Theme

Your baby shower theme will also play an important role in determining the style of your invitations.  Clearly define your baby shower theme before you begin deciding on the design and style of your invitations.  This strategy will also help you to define – and stay within – your baby shower invitation budget.

Styles

Determining your budget and your theme in advance will take a lot of stress off of the “shopping” phase.  Here are the basic tiers of invitations options you will be selecting from.

Elegant Invitations

Some baby showers are planned in a fairly formal theme.  For these types of baby showers, elegant invitations are often the most appropriate choice.  For elegant invitations, you will want to consider professional, custom printing.  You will find a variety of beautiful styles to choose from.  Be aware, however, that this is typically the most expensive option.

Store-bought Invitations

For most baby showers, store-bought invitations will suit both your theme and budget quite nicely.  In the store-bought category you will find everything from “pretty” to “cutesy” to “funny”.  This category offers a wide variety of “character” themes as well.

Hand-made Invitations

Hand-made invitations offer that one of a kind, personalized touch to your invitations.  Hand-made invitations can be purchased from boutique-style printers, or, if you’re the least bit handy with paper crafts you can make them yourself.  This option offers you an opportunity to create something truly unique and special for the mother to be as well as all of your invitees.  If you are able to carry the theme of your hand-made invitations throughout the rest of the baby shower, as well, you’ve successfully planned an event they’ll all remember fondly for years to come.

Similarly, if you find yourself at a loss in coming up with a theme for the event, browsing baby shower invitations can be a useful resource in finding inspiration.  Either way, your invitations will set the tone for your event.

The Easiest Way To Create The Best Baby Registry

*8th ed BBfpcolors2I found out that Babies R Us deleted the registry I created when I was pregnant with my first son. Apparently, they delete registries after a year, which I think is really lame considering most people plan on getting pregnant more than once. I’m pregnant again and have a friend who is pregnant with her first who needs advice on what to put on her registry.

So, now I have to reinvent the wheel.

But I’m not too bummed about it because I remember the one major help in creating my first registry was the book Baby Bargains, so I’m going to buy the latest addition that just came out in April. It’s an exceptional book that includes finding the best bargains on baby products, detailed product reviews on everything you need for your registry(including baby clothes and maternity wear), and advice on what you really need to buy and when.

The book never steered me wrong as I was very happy with everything we bought. The Baby Bargains website is also incredibly helpful as they post updates to the book including bonus material, blog about new products and baby news, and have a very active forum where readers discuss and rate products. [Read more...]

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Road To Motherhood

Jesica_4Who doesn’t think Sarah Jessica Parker is absolutely adorable? You can practically fit her in your pocket, and she’s always an incredibly positive and genuine person. Plus, she’s in one of my favorite movies, Footloose, so no matter what she’s within 1 degree of Kevin Bacon.

I was initially surprised to read in the news that she is expecting twins via a surrogate mom. Because most people start immediately thinking things like:

“Why would you let someone else carry your children?”

“Won’t you feel less like their mom if you didn’t carry them?”

[Read more...]

Tradition, Tradition!

If We Hold On TogetherI remember reading this article about Jennie Garth in People Magazine.  Her family has a bunch of traditions like Friday movie nights, bingo tournaments, and the “Blue-Plate Special”:  Whenever someone in the family accomplishes something, they get to eat dinner on the special blue plate.  How cute is that!

Creating fun family traditions not only provides an ongoing sense of closeness in the family, but also creates a sense of expectation and excitement.  There’s always something to look forward to.  And for moms like me, who get a little teary-eyed when milestones are met, traditions are a perfect way to celebrate positive changes in your lives. [Read more...]

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