Top 5 Thursday - Baby Edition

If you couldn't tell by my previous posts, I certainly have babies on the brain. Hey, I'm almost 30 and recently married - it's only natural I would hem & haw about the possibility of a little person in my life. But while I enjoy the thought of children someday, I am less excited about this:

(The actual birth. Seriously, I wish it were that simple...)

...and more excited about the idea of naming an adorable, smushy-faced baby:

Baby names are a tricky thing. I know some people who are so open and honest about their ideas. Others are heavily guarded and don't want to run the risk of negative reactions from family and friends. Just the other day, I was at work and I overheard two teachers discussing a particular name, and one of the teachers scoffed at it - and IT JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE MY TOP CHOICE FOR A GIRLS NAME! Granted, I am nowhere near pregnant and don't plan to be soon, but I was surprised at how sad it made me! And if that's not enough, there's the added pressure of your child's future and how other children (from the future!) will respond to the name and what if they are teased and what if that name determines who my child becomes and what if Angelina Jolie adopts another foreign baby and uses the same name? AND, what if I wait to get preggers and my friend steals my baby name??? My, the possibilities are ENDLESS!

And this, ladies and gents, sparked yet another top 5 list. I also asked a few friends to help me out, and some of them asked that I protect their identities, as they were afraid that they might be mocked for their responses. But don't worry, I told them that the blogosphere is super supportive and non-judgmental:)

The Top 5 Baby Names That You Either:

A.) Cannot use, because someone else already stole it, or

B.) Catch grief for

5.) Cedric

One friend said that she loved the name Cedric for a boy - NOT after Cedric the Entertainer, but Cedric Diggory from the Harry Potter series. I wonder if she likes the name because R Patz played Cedric. Regardless, she catches shit for it. I bet the people who tease her for it don't know that Cedric was a prefect for Hufflepuff AND seeker for their quidditch team. Her child is destined for greatness - because in this world, there is no Lord Voldemort. Point for Cedric.

4.) Brooklyn/Bronx

I have to admit: I actually quite like the name Brooklyn - but for a girl. Regardless, the Beckhams and the Simpson-Wentz's have tarnished the idea of naming children after NYC boroughs. I am still waiting for a Queens or a Manhattan...

3.) The "umbrella" of Bella/Ella/Stella

I couldn't believe I received so many responses with names ending in "ella".

One friend of mine wants to name her daughter Bella - but after Bella Swan from Twilight. I love this girl, but I think people tease her because when she is asked what her daughter's name will be, she doesn't just say "Bella" but rather "Bella. As in Bella Swan. From Twilight." This is why I love her.

Another friend would like to name her daughter "Ella". However, she is constantly asked whether her she will birth a large African-American woman.

And one friend claimed that she can no longer use "Stella" because Tori Spelling already used it.

(Side note: "Stella" is also on my short list!)

2.) Liam

I love the name Liam for a little boy. I am usually asked if he has a brother named "Noel" - from Oasis. The person asking the question is usually MY OWN HUSBAND. Or others our age who listed to Oasis in high school. Point one for hubby, because this question has now deterred me from the name.

1.) Madeline

I have loved the name Madeline FOREVER. I've also said on more than one occasion that we will call her "Maddie" for short. But then a good friend at work named her daughter Madalyn. Then my brother NAMED HIS DOG "MADDY". I cannot have my child grow up thinking that she is named after Uncle Kevin's dog.

What are some of your favorite names? Have they already been used? Do you ever catch grief for them???

The next segment of "Cupcakes Around the World" comes from a friend of mine who happens to be preggers with her first baby. Perhaps she can weigh in on the above list! Anyway, she submitted a fun and simple cupcake recipe for those looking for delicious treats on the go! So, here is Meghan's recipe for funfetti cupcakes, made with love:

I like to use Pillsbury funfetti cake mix to make my cupcakes. Any cake mix is fine though. Instead of using oil, I use 1/3 of cup of butter which is 51/2 tablespoons. Butter needs to be melted in microwave for 1 minute. I also add 1-1/2 cups of mini-chocolate chips. Make sure to put in the chips last otherwise they will melt if put in with the hot butter. I follow the rest of the directions on the box. I like to make the cupcakes at night and then frost in the morning. I mix with a hand held mixer. I find that the batter is smoother this way.

For frosting:

4 cups powdered sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup butter melted

3-4 tbsp milk

3-5 drops of food coloring if desired

Put all the ingredients in a bowl. Mix together until smooth. If you would like it thicker put in less milk, thinner put in more. I mix with a hand held mixer. I find that the frosting is smoother this way.

Thanks, Meg, for sharing your recipe! They look delish!

(images via weheartit and my friend Meghan)