Baby Names in 2012

Dear Mom:

I realize you have put a lot of thought into choosing the perfect name for me.  I know finding the perfect baby name is not an easy task and is a task that bears a lot of responsibility.  The stress of finding the perfect name for your unborn child can be enough to make one crack under such extreme pressure.

You may elect not to share the name with others, because you don’t want to be influenced or have to deal with the social pressures of choosing a name based on its popularity with your friends and family.  I get it.

However, oh powerful name selector, here are a few things to consider:

1-I will have this name for my entire life.  Unless of course I hate it so much, that I decide to change it at a later date. You have been warned.

2-It is a name that will generate nicknames.   Please try to avoid names that rhyme with Rick, Chuck and Patty.  While great names, they might not be worth the hazing I will be forced to endure for 12 years or more.

3-This perfect name, is a name that will be called out loud and perhaps butchered in public for years and years to come.  Please be careful in how you elect to spell this perfect name of mine.

4-If at all possible, it would be nice to not have the same name as 5 other kids in my class.

5-If you are a celebrity, please disregard 1-4. No rules apply.

No pressure.

Love,
Your unborn child

Easy enough, right?! Here are a few lists to get you started.

1. Baby Center Popular Names

2. Celebrity Baby Names | Celebrity Names for Babies | Baby Names | BabyZone.

3. Unique Baby Names, Meanings. Baby girl names and baby boy names.

4. Baby Wizard app (free)

5. Baby Names by American Baby Magazine

 

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Dr. Seuss Day 2012

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!! In honor of Theodor Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) today has been named Read Across America Day by the National Education Association.

In addition, the movie The Lorax, based on the original book published in 1971 is being released in theaters today! This book is such a wonderful book and is a fantastic way to start teaching Arm Candy about our environment.

The truth of the matter is that you are never too old to learn from Dr. Seuss. Below are a few of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes!

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
― Dr. Seuss

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”
― Dr. Seuss

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Potty Training for a Princess

Parenting is full of surprises! 95% of them are wonderful surprises! The remaining 5%  is reserved for potty training.

I can handle a lot in both my professional and personal life, but for whatever reason, potty training has got my number. Life always seems to be moving along blissfully and then out of nowhere I get hit with the potty training truck.

There are so many schools of thought on the “best” way to train and the “best” time to train.  I am all for whatever method works best for you and your child.  Regardless, of what method you use or when you decide to start the process, one thing is for sure; prepare to make it a party and bring a lot of patience.

Never had I imagined that I would be singing and dancing around the toilet.  I can now do the potty dance with the best of them! We have created our own “potty” song and give out stickers and treats for our arm candy when they go on the potty. Yes, this is what our life has become.

This week, we began potty training my daughter, who is 100% OBSESSED with princesses.  It was a no brainer when it came to figuring out what we would use for her motivation and reward for ditching the diaper. It worked for Pavlov right?! We are relying on a little help from her friends:  Cinderella, Belle, Tiana, Snow White and Aurora.

Here are a few tools (bribes) that make potty training a fairy tale. Or…maybe just less of a nightmare.

Every princess needs a throne.

Disney Princess Potty

       1. Disney Princess Magical Sounds Potty System

Princess Soft Seat

2. Disney Princess Soft Trainer Seat

Princess Potty Book

 3.Princess Potty Book

Princess Potty Chart

  4. Princess Potty Chart

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Sweet St. Patrick’s Day recipe ideas

Who says you have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?!?

There is not an Irish bone in my body, yet I can’t help but get excited about March 17th. If you need a little green in your life this St. Patrick’s Day, check out these easy and adorable St. Patrick’s Day kids recipes for your favorite little leprochaun!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe from Betty Crocker.

Now I just need to find something green to wear! Does Arm Candy count?

Cheers!

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FREE VALENTINES PRINTABLES

I LOVE Valentine’s Day and I LOVE printables! It only makes sense that if you put the two together that I would fall deeply in love! Check out these lovely finds from amandaparkerandfamily@blogspot!

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Taco Time Cactus Card Winner!!

We have a winner of the $25 Cactus Card to Taco Time Northwest! The lucky Arm Candy Confessions reader is:

Susan Lamkin!!! Congratulations!!!

Many thanks to our friends at Taco Time NW for the generous giveaway and thank you to everyone that entered!

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Party Circuit 2011

It is official.  Birthday party circuit 2011 has come to an end.  As with previous years, my son’s and daughter’s birthdays wrapped up the tail end of the September/October birthday party circuit.  (Missed last year’s post? See here) I still love the birthday madness that fills the months of September and October.  This year did not disappoint.  Party highlights from 2011 include a reptile man, a fire station, a scavenger hunt and endless amounts of squeals and delight.

I made the executive decision to do a joint birthday party for my arm candies.  Having two children born in the month of October, it only made sense that they should have a joint costume party on a farm,  no!? It made perfect sense to yours truly, so to the farm we went.

In addition to the adorable children in their fabulous costumes, I have a few other faves that I want to share!

First, the venue.  We held the party at the most adorable family run farm ever!! Don’t believe me, check out their site here. I am all about having a fenced, safe, fabulous area to let the kids run and play! Fox Hollow Family Farm provided the perfect venue and exceptional service.

Second, the favors. I fell in love with these adorable popcorn holders I found on Etsy at 6 Elm Designs.  I had them personalized for my son and daughter and included a popcorn mix, chocolate covered pretzel (that my son and I made) and a couple other little treats! Andrea Miller of 6 Elm Designs was so wonderful to work with and the product turned out exactly as I had hoped!

Second, I decided to try a recipe for DIY White Pumpkin Marshmallows posted by Paper & Pigtails.  It was an extremely easy and fun project for my 4 year-old and I.  (I put my father to work too) I added a little bling by throwing on some orange sprinkles and had my dad paint on a few faces. All in all, it was a fun project and a very sweet treat.

Lastly, I have been on a pin wheel kick lately.  I decided that these little twirly wonders, created by Earth Cookie Creations, would make for the perfect gender-neutral cupcake topper.

  Threw in some drinks for the party goers…..

And there you have it!

 Cheers to another year of blessings and bliss to all my favorite Fall Arm Candy!

Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I’m Spiderman.

CURRENT GIVEAWAY: TACO TIME $25 GIFT CARD! ENTER HERE.

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Costume Discounters

Boo! Yep, October has snuck up on us and is flying by!  If you do not have a costume for your little arm candies, don’t worry! There is still time to find the perfect costume at the perfect price! Costume Discounters has an amazing selection at really affordable prices.

In addition, if you find an identical costume on the web Costume Discounters will MATCH THE PRICE and take an additional 20% off! SAY WHAT?! You read it correctly.  Pretty fantastic, right!?

I had the pleasure of reviewing a toddler leopard costume for my daughter! Living in Seattle, I always lean towards a costume that will keep my littlest arm candies warm, but want something that is still adorable! The Pretty Leopard Costumemet all my costume requirements.  It is cozy and adorable! Did I mention affordable!?   The costume fit true to size and arrived on time and neatly packaged!

Pretty Little Leopard. Costume Discounters.

My daughter had a chance to try the little leopard on for size at her costume birthday party over the weekend.  She managed to make it through the party in one piece and ended the party just as cute as when she started.

Here is a picture of my favorite feline and favorite canine.  Who says dogs and cats can’t be friends?! Thank you Costume Discounters!

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10-Minute Trainer

Attn:  BUSY MOMS!  If you feel like you don’t have time to work out, Ten Minute Trainer is for you!!!!  Check out the great review in Self Magazine! Contact me for details or visit my beachbody site for ordering information.

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Peanut….Peanut Butter

Confession:  I can’t take credit for the fabulous find that I am about to share.  On a recent playdate, a good friend and guest arm candy confession-ista shared (see her post here) one of the most fabulous snacks with my little arm candy. She shared the Original Peanut Butter by Justins Nut Butter.  OMG! These little packets of nut butters are AMAZING!

Immediately following our playdate, I came home and ordered an enormous amount of nut butters from Amazon.  I am now fully stocked and obsessed with these modern day wonders.  My daughter absolutely loves the original and my favorite is the Maple Almond. Heavenly.

I also love the company’s Sustainability efforts, which you can learn more about here.

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