New Top Names List

BABYCENTER.COM -- The new top 100 names lists are out. We liked the name Noah as a possible boy's name were our next child to be a boy, but at #7, it's way too high on the list. Not interested in being a trend-follower. Some interesting (and some weird) stuff in the trends page. More...

Greg Wiggle to Stop Performing

MSNBC.com -- This is a little bit outdated by now, but I've been really swamped. Anyhow, yellow-shirted Greg (Page) Wiggle announced recently he'd be retiring due to health issues and actually had to pull out of the US tour in June. I'm glad Lori got to take Rachel to see them in concert earlier this year -- they started their tour here in Tacoma not long after we moved here. Anyhow, the new yellow-shirted guy Sam I guess has to be called Greg. I don't think they're doing any more new TV, are they? (Does anyone know?) If not, that makes the transition even easier since they're harder to see on stage than on the TV screen. More...

That's My Girl

Lori relates that earlier today they were driving in the car and Rachel asked "Where are we going?"

Lori replied "Lowes."

And Rachel started saying "No. I don't want to go to Lowes. I don't want to go to Lowes. HOME DEPOT!"

Parents Magazine Speed Reading

Ok, I have a bunch of issues of Parents Magazine here. Lori hands them to me when she's done with them and I've been piling them on the floor with all the Newsweeks I haven't read.

In an attempt to clean up, I'm going skim all the magazines and mention the stuff I found interesting here. Ready? Let's go.

Neutral Tones for Clothing - bright colors and floral patterns are more likely to attract bugs, especially mosquitoes and bees.

Why Do Babies Like to Watch (or have Read to Them) the Same Thing Repeatedly? First, it helps them with vocabulary. They have all these thoughts rambling around in their brains. This helps them develop their vocabulary. Also, their memory. As they begin to remember the story, they are excited to be able to know what's coming next.

Pacifiers Are Good Again - Doctors now believe newborns who sleep with a pacifier are more sensitive to stimuli, making them more likely to react if they find themselves in a position where they can't breathe. (Recommend waiting on a pacifier until they've gotten proficient at breast feeding.)

TV and Food - Children who regularly watch TV while eating are more likely to eat more than children who also watch a lot of TV, but not while eating. Scientists believe that the children are distracted by the TV and ignoring their own bodies' cues telling them they are full.

Separation Anxiety - One family had the children push them out the door at the daycare. It was so much work and fun for the kids that they forgot to be upset that the parents were leaving.

Well, one down three to go. But, that's enough for now.