baby names 2013

Baby names totally get me fired up.  I love talking about them and hearing about them, from the awesome to the awful.  They're so personal - I feel like you really get a glance into someone's true self when they tell you what name they've picked out for their baby.

With 2013 just beginning, there are plenty of news articles and radio shows discussing the baby name trends for the upcoming year.

Here are the predictions I've heard so far...

• Names of gods and goddesses - like Atticus, Athena, Juno and Thor.

• Leonine names - Leo (which has been climbing steadily since Leonardo DiCaprio's appearance), Leon, Lev, Lionel and Leopold.

• Using a middle name that isn't really a name - can be anything with personal significance - like Bear, Seven, Star and Saint.

• Meaningful place names - examples:  Reese Witherspoon just named her son Tennessee, Chris Hemsworth's daughter India, and Nick Lachey's son Camden.

• The mid-century nicknames - Annie (love), Molly, Hank, Hal, Ray, Fay and Monty.

• Botanical names - Clover, Poppy, Juniper and Maple.

• Consenant of the Moment is W - William, Wesley, Walker, Winnie and Waverly.  FYI:  Taylor Hanson and his wife just named their baby Wilhelmina.

• Either really short...or really long names.  Cole, Zane, Eve and May.  Macallister, Penelope (shout out to Kourt K.) and Arabella.

• Romantic girl names such as Aria, Briella, Raelynn and Olive.

• Top predictions for 2013 - BOY ---> Max   GIRL ---> Millie

And while we're at it, here were the top baby names of 2012:

Girls

1.  Sophia
2.  Emma
3.  Olivia
4.  Isabella
5.  Ava
6.  Lily
7.  Zoe
8.  Chloe
9.  Mia
10.  Madison


Boys

1.  Aiden
2.  Jackson
3.  Ethan
4.  Liam
5.  Mason
6.  Noah
7.  Lucas
8.  Jacob
9.  Jaydon
10.  Jack


I'm also pleased to see that Patrick wasn't even in the top 100 last year.  Why does that satisfy me?  I don't know, it must be the German gremlin in me.  On the contrary, if you absolutely love the most popular name and everyone you know is naming their kid that (cough, cough, Jackson), I've always believed you should just GO FOR IT!  Don't even think twice!

Was your name in the top ten when you were born?  Stephanie was #6 in 1985!  I'm sort of stoked that my parents went with the unique spelling of Stefanie, though.  Makes it feel not quite so 80's.





{maternity photo}  isn't it to die?

top ten movies of all time

Some people enjoy going out to dinner.  Some people enjoy playing cards.  Some people enjoy candle-making.  I enjoy watching movies.  I could watch one every day if us humans could do whatever we wanted.  There have been days in my life where all I have done is watched movies.  I particularly like going to the theater.  Here are my top ten movies of all time.

PS - I know I'm forgetting a really important one, but this list was done on a whim, without much effort.  Digging through DVD's just isn't appealing when a one-year-old is up in your grill.


+


#10 - Man in the Iron Mask

Leo.  Long hair.  He is a twin in this movie so take your pick:  the good, sweet and caring Leo?  Or the conceited, cruel and hurtful Leo?  I would like a mix, please.

#9 - Father of the Bride

I haven't watched this since my engagement days, mainly because I think I'm to a burn-out point.  I watched this every weekend for like eight years when I was a little girl.

#8 - The Amazing Spiderman

It was no joke when I said this movie jumped up to my top ten.  In fact, I have my high school biology class watching it right now.  Intro to genetics, people.

#7 - Breaking Dawn:  Part 1

Being the Twihard that I am, I have to say I am really into Part 1.  The wedding, the honeymoon, it's all really romantic.  Not to mention the soundtrack is amazeballs.

#6 - New Moon

My fave of the Twilight Saga is New Moon.  It's mysterious, depressing, and really frikking wolfy.

#5 - The Hunger Games

Even without seeing the rest of these movies that have yet to release in theaters, I can easily say I like this trilogy better than Twilight.  Or maybe we're all just sick of Twilight??  I've read all three books and I'm ready to start over and read them again.  The worst part of it all, though, is that Catching Fire isn't out until November!  Boo!

#4 - Ever After

This is one of those movies that just puts me at peace.  I know every single line and yet I can watch it over and over without ever boring of it.  Whether it's when I don't feel good or when I just can't find another DVD to put on, it's always a winner.  There is something very sobering in the idea of a prince falling in love with a woman with some actual personality and spirit.

#3 - The Phantom of the Opera

By george this movie is phenomenal.  Another one that just stunned me when I saw it in the theater.  I love Emma Rossum and I really love Gerard Butler.  He is the most pitiful phantom - breaks my heart watching him.  Regardless of the way the story is written, I always find myself wishing she would just sing the damn "music of the night" with the phantom forever.

#2 - Pride and Prejudice

Okay, wow.  Have you read the book?  The movie is just as good.  I love these period movies, where the love is soooooooo...deep?  Without even kissing or touching, these two have got it going on!  Mr. Darcy's words would make any girl melt to the core. 

"I never wish to be parted from you from this day on." 

And the end?!  Oh my goodness! 

Elizabeth:  You can only call me Mrs. Darcy when you are completely, perfectly and incandescently happy.

Mr. Darcy:  And how are you this evening... Mrs. Darcy?  Mrs. Darcy...Mrs. Darcy...Mrs. Darcy... ::kissing kissing kissing:: 

#1 - The Count of Monte Cristo

This is my favorite move of all time.  I tried reading the book a few years ago and just couldn't push through.  But the movie?  Cripes it's amazing.  The perfect combination of all things romance, action, and drama!

Favorite Christmas movie:  Miracle on 34th Street  (the good one, with Dylan McDermott)

Favorite Disney movie:  Beauty and the Beast

Favorite stupid-funny movie:  Billy Madison or Anchorman

I love all the Harry Potters and despise all of the Lord of the Rings.

Worst movie of all time:  Click  (I fell asleep in the theater and then walked out)

Hottest Disney character:  Hercules.  Hands down.

my wishes for 2013.

 

1.

Paint the walls a little bit out of my comfort zone.  We are renovating the upstairs of our ancient farmhouse this winter...at least that's what the hubby says.  It's going to be a huge project - walls down to studs, new flooring, etc.  One of the rooms will eventually be Patrick's room when he gets a little older or when another baby kicks him out of the nursery.  I hope to paint the walls of the room in horizontal stripes like this one.

~

 



 2.

To be a better teacher.  I consider myself a great teacher, but I want to be a phenomenal one.  There are two ways I want to improve:  with lesson plans and with students.  With lesson plans, I have been doing a lot of research on Project-based Learning.  In fact, I've been the respresentative for our school this year, attending meetings in Toledo and doing quite a bit of research.  I'd like to create a "PBL" for each of my preps this year.

 

With my students, I want to make them a priority.  Like any human being, I can get distracted with my e-mail or looking ahead to make sure I have things ready for another class.  That needs to end.  I want my students to have my undivided attention the entire class period.  They deserve it.

 

 

~

3.
Eat healthier.  Isn't this on everyone's list?  Most likely.  I do a slightly below average job in the eating department and I'd like to get more adventurous in my weeknight dinners as well as lunches at work.

 

 

~

 



 

4. 

Wear my hair a little more funky.  Once in a while I take the time to go beyond flat-ironing or curling, but I'd like to learn a few more tricks.  Now that my hair is finally growing out, I've got a lot more options and I'm ready to try them out!

 

 

~

 

 

 

 

5.

Probably at the top of the wish list (in my heart) is for my brother-in-law to find an angel of a woman to take care of him and his son.  And to make him happiest man in the world. 

 

 

~

 

 

 

{photo sources:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

 

 

 

 

 

instagram 2012

2012 was great.  We watched our little boy grow from a baby that sits to a baby that runs.

crawling commences.

 

 

snuggles.

 

pool time.

 

harvesting wheat.

 

 

first trip to the pool.

 

 

a big boy car seat.

 

 

watching daddy play softball.

 

i turned one!

 

 

playing all the time.

 

confused with mommy's ideas.

 

 

trekking in the snow for the first time.

 

 

 

What will 2013 bring?  Jeff's ringing it in with the flu, I'm busy sanitizing the entire house, and Patrick is choosing to only eat fruit.  All day.