does sophie pope has a speech problem
Friday, December 30, 2011
Stuff People Google 33
Rosie Pope's speech impediment has been a pillar of this blog. The number of posts I've written (here, here, here and here) and the amount of web traffic I receive just from this issue is mind blowing. Sophie the Giraffe has also been the subject of a fair amount of posts (here and here) and viewership. This search phrase confused the two Next Stop Baby regulars and I got a good laugh out of it.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
2012 New Year Resolutions
It's time to consider, reconsider and commit to a few resolutions for the new year. The magical year of 2012 is almost upon us (in 2.5 days) and no time is better than RIGHT NOW to figure out the changes you'll make, bad habits you'll break and goals you'll achieve in the next 365 days.
Before you do so, let me tell you a little about 2012. I'm not psychic, just quick with my Wikipedia research.
Let's make some resolutions.
For the Baby Crazed individual, trying to simmer down in 2012 probably won't work. You're baby CRAZY (not baby happy) and it's the Year of the Dragon. Maybe resolve to put your energy toward something that will benefit your future offspring - learn to knit baby booties?
For me, the relatively new blogger (it's been almost a year!), I've resolved to write at least two posts a week that are focused on story telling, quirky observations and deep thoughts. Through the process of writing for Next Stop Baby, I've also become a blog follower. In part, I wanted to see how other people did this blogging thing and, in part, I was genuinely interested in the subjects. Blogs that post often have a certain appeal because you can count on a daily (or near daily) fix. But, I'm a bigger fan of blogs that post quality content. As an avid follower, it's easy to tell when a blogger publishes a cop-out post...I'm sure you've been able to spot my cop-out posts over the last 11 months. So, I'm vowing to write quality posts only. This will inevitably mean that I will post less often, but I'm cool with that. I hope you are too.
What are your 2012 resolutions?
Before you do so, let me tell you a little about 2012. I'm not psychic, just quick with my Wikipedia research.
- The Year of the Dragon - According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. It will be a year marked by intensity and enthusiasm. Contrast that with 2011, the Year of the Rabbit, which
iswas marked by serenity and tranquility. For those of you who just thought, "yeah right...serenity and tranquility my ass....", this first point might not impact your resolution making. - Leap Year - February 29th exists in 2012.
- The Hunger Games - I couldn't end the year without another reference to this book and the entire trilogy. For those keeping track, I will now reveal that I've finished all three books. While I'm tempted to share my thoughts, they're not really "Next Stop Baby" relevant....though I could be persuaded. The first movie, The Hunger Games, is due out in May 2012.
- Summer Olympics - London will host the 2012 summer olympics, from July 27 to August 12, making it the first city to host three olympic games.
- Presidential Election - On November 6, 2012, the good folk of United States will elect a new (or the same) president.
Let's make some resolutions.
For the Baby Crazed individual, trying to simmer down in 2012 probably won't work. You're baby CRAZY (not baby happy) and it's the Year of the Dragon. Maybe resolve to put your energy toward something that will benefit your future offspring - learn to knit baby booties?
For me, the relatively new blogger (it's been almost a year!), I've resolved to write at least two posts a week that are focused on story telling, quirky observations and deep thoughts. Through the process of writing for Next Stop Baby, I've also become a blog follower. In part, I wanted to see how other people did this blogging thing and, in part, I was genuinely interested in the subjects. Blogs that post often have a certain appeal because you can count on a daily (or near daily) fix. But, I'm a bigger fan of blogs that post quality content. As an avid follower, it's easy to tell when a blogger publishes a cop-out post...I'm sure you've been able to spot my cop-out posts over the last 11 months. So, I'm vowing to write quality posts only. This will inevitably mean that I will post less often, but I'm cool with that. I hope you are too.
What are your 2012 resolutions?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Your Baby Looks Like....
Your baby looks like David Letterman.
Ever met a baby that looked so much like David Letterman that you absolutely needed to make the comment? Thankfully, I haven't. Not exactly. I have wanted to say: your baby looks like an old man. The baby was a little girl and I did actually say it. Outloud. But, I was alone on my couch perusing through Facebook photos so it didn't much matter.
I try to keep these type observations to myself. Or, to the empty rooms of my apartment. I've decided that any reference to a baby looking older than 6 months should be avoided. Even if the baby looks like an adorable senior citizen, even if you mean it in the kindest way possible, it might not be perceived as a compliment. I get offended when strangers comment on my dog's appearance. Just last week, a youngish, hipsterish fellow told me that my dog looked like Baxter from Anchor Man. I was pissed, though I thanked him. Baxter's a fine looking dog, but he is a HE and my dog is a SHE. And, my dog's looks far exceed fine.
Consider this scenario: a baby who looks EXACTLY like one parent. This little bundle defines the gross term "spitting image". Do you comment about the obvious likeness? It seems like a no brainer - Yes. It makes sense (genetically) and what parent doesn't want there child to look like them (or their spouse)? Think again. There are parents out there that don't appreciate your opinion that the baby looks like anyone other than them, the other parent included.
One final, even trickier, scenario: a baby who looks like no one. Your brown hair, brown eyed friend and her brown hair, brown eyed husband introduce you to their blond hair, blue eyed baby. The baby's nose is an original and her mouth is somehow the exact opposite of both parents' mouths. There's a slight similarity between the shape of her eyes and the shape of one parent's eyes, kind of...not really. Overall, this baby may have been switched at birth because the resemblance is shockingly absent. Do you comment - where did this blond beauty come from? Do you make a joke of it - someone was sleeping with the mailman. Do you throw the question back at the parents - who do you think she looks like? Do you ignore it altogether?
I've encountered all three of these scenarios at one time or another. I've met the baby who looks like George Bush Sr. I've met the mother who doesn't like people commenting that her baby looks like her husband. I've met the baby who looks like neither of his parents. Being that I'm not typically quick on my feet in the face of potentially awkward conversation, I've managed to say the wrong thing in all situations. The lesson that I've learned and the most simplified rule of thumb is to always choose the path of least resistance. When it comes to babies, even a slight bobble of words can create a highly offended parent. It's a sensitive subject and understandably so. What is this non-resistant path? Just say "she/he is a combination of both parents." If this is a complete lie and you're not comfortable with that (by the way, paaaaalease, it's so not a big deal), then just don't make any look-a-like comment. Stick with general terms like "cute" and "adorable" and "perfect".
Ever met a baby that looked so much like David Letterman that you absolutely needed to make the comment? Thankfully, I haven't. Not exactly. I have wanted to say: your baby looks like an old man. The baby was a little girl and I did actually say it. Outloud. But, I was alone on my couch perusing through Facebook photos so it didn't much matter.
I try to keep these type observations to myself. Or, to the empty rooms of my apartment. I've decided that any reference to a baby looking older than 6 months should be avoided. Even if the baby looks like an adorable senior citizen, even if you mean it in the kindest way possible, it might not be perceived as a compliment. I get offended when strangers comment on my dog's appearance. Just last week, a youngish, hipsterish fellow told me that my dog looked like Baxter from Anchor Man. I was pissed, though I thanked him. Baxter's a fine looking dog, but he is a HE and my dog is a SHE. And, my dog's looks far exceed fine.
 |
| Keeping it classy. |
Consider this scenario: a baby who looks EXACTLY like one parent. This little bundle defines the gross term "spitting image". Do you comment about the obvious likeness? It seems like a no brainer - Yes. It makes sense (genetically) and what parent doesn't want there child to look like them (or their spouse)? Think again. There are parents out there that don't appreciate your opinion that the baby looks like anyone other than them, the other parent included.
One final, even trickier, scenario: a baby who looks like no one. Your brown hair, brown eyed friend and her brown hair, brown eyed husband introduce you to their blond hair, blue eyed baby. The baby's nose is an original and her mouth is somehow the exact opposite of both parents' mouths. There's a slight similarity between the shape of her eyes and the shape of one parent's eyes, kind of...not really. Overall, this baby may have been switched at birth because the resemblance is shockingly absent. Do you comment - where did this blond beauty come from? Do you make a joke of it - someone was sleeping with the mailman. Do you throw the question back at the parents - who do you think she looks like? Do you ignore it altogether?
I've encountered all three of these scenarios at one time or another. I've met the baby who looks like George Bush Sr. I've met the mother who doesn't like people commenting that her baby looks like her husband. I've met the baby who looks like neither of his parents. Being that I'm not typically quick on my feet in the face of potentially awkward conversation, I've managed to say the wrong thing in all situations. The lesson that I've learned and the most simplified rule of thumb is to always choose the path of least resistance. When it comes to babies, even a slight bobble of words can create a highly offended parent. It's a sensitive subject and understandably so. What is this non-resistant path? Just say "she/he is a combination of both parents." If this is a complete lie and you're not comfortable with that (by the way, paaaaalease, it's so not a big deal), then just don't make any look-a-like comment. Stick with general terms like "cute" and "adorable" and "perfect".
Ever been in one of these situations? Have any words of wisdom to share? Moms (and dads...if you read...) how do you feel when someone makes a comment about your baby's appearance or resemblance to someone else?
Friday, December 23, 2011
Stuff People Google 32
There are probably some left field reasons for searching this phrase, but the reason why someone found Next Stop Baby is my reference to a scene from Pregnant in Heels in a post from May (here).
girl in wedding dress getting peed on
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Hollywood Does Baby Names
Here are some of the more unusual baby names chosen by the celebs that we love...ish. Look at these cute babies!!!
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| Ever Imre Morisette-Treadway (Alanis Morisette's son) |
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| Indiana Hawke (Ethan Hawke's daughter) |
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