Everyone has their idea as to where the Beckhams got the name Harper - Personally I like to think it was after the author of To Kill a Mockingbird. However, reading the article below it seems there was a much more modern inspiration.

Courtesy of www.dailymail.co.uk

The Beckhamos’ decision to name their newborn daughter Harper Seven may have split public opinion yesterday, but one thing’s for sure: her three big brothers think it’s a wizard decision.

That’s because Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and five-year-old Cruz are said to have been behind the unusual moniker.

Harper is the name of a character from Disney series Wizards Of Waverly Place, the boys’ favourite TV show.

 As Victoria, 37, was recovering from the birth in Los Angeles yesterday – with husband David at her side, a source said: ‘The entire family had input – Victoria and David love the name, but it was the boys who actually came up with it.

‘Victoria loved it because it’s an Olde English name and even though Harper is an American by birth, she will always have English roots.’

The Mail has been told that former England captain Beckham used to read books based on the Wizards Of Waverly Place series to the three boys when they were younger. 

They have also visited the set of the show, about three young wizard siblings and their friend, a girl called Harper Finkle.

When it came to baby Harper’s middle name Seven, that is her father’s ‘lucky number’, famously being his squad number for Manchester United and England.

Number fixation is a well-known symptom of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), from which Beckham suffers.

The family friend said: ‘Victoria and David only came up with the name at the last minute.

‘It’s a very lucky number for David and he has always wanted to name one of his children Seven.

‘It was obviously David’s number at Manchester United and she was born at 7.55am, during the seventh month of the year and weighing 7lb 10oz, so it made perfect sense to them.’

 After his daughter arrived on Sunday morning, Beckham told fans: ‘She weighed a healthy 7lb 10oz and arrived at 7.55 this morning, here in LA. Victoria is doing really well and her brothers are delighted to have a baby sister.’

Beckham is expected to have another tattoo – his 20th – in the coming months to commemorate Harper’s birth.

As news of the birth spread yesterday, television fans were quick to point out that the couple are not the first to come up with the name.

It appeared in a classic episode of cult sitcom Seinfeld, and many are speculating as to whether the Beckhams are fans of the show.

In an almost prophetical 1996 episode George Costanza, the show’s hapless screwball who once described himself as ‘Lord of the Idiots’, boasts of his idea of an ‘original’ name for a baby ‘Seven’.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, he is ridiculed by all those around him in a clip that will be lapped up by critics of the celebrity trend for unusual names.

Costanza can be seen driving with girlfriend Susan when they get on the subject of baby names - and he believes he hits on the perfect name.

‘It’s a beautiful name for a boy or a girl,’ George says after announcing his choice. ‘Especially a girl. Or a boy.’

 Ironically, he then explains it is not only a name but a ‘tribute’ to New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle. Like David Beckham, the baseball star wore the number 7.

As they get into a heated argument, an upset Susan continues to bash the name, saying, ‘It’s not a name, it’s a number It’s awful, I hate it!’

Later in the episode, George reveals the name to sitcom lead Jerry Seinfeld, who immediately makes fun of him.

‘I defy you to come up with a better name than Seven,’ says George.

‘All right,’ replies Jerry, as he walks into his kitchen looking at objects around him before picking up a coffee mug.

‘Let’s see - how about Mug? Mug Costanza. That’s original. Or Ketchup. Pretty name for a girl.’

Celeb favourite: Neil Patrick Harris and his partner David Burtka named one of their twins Harper, which is also the name of Tiffani Thiessen’s daughter

 Although the Beckhams have professed their love for all things American, it is not known whether they are fans of the very American sitcom - or whether they’ll be naming their next child, if they have one, after a mug.

The couple’s older children have far from ordinary names. Brooklyn, born in 1999, was named after the New York borough where he was conceived.

Romeo, born in 2002, gets his name from Shakespeare’s lovesick character, while they named Cruz, born in Madrid in 2005, after the Spanish word for ‘cross.’

David confirmed the news on his Facebook page after he and wife Victoria welcomed the baby, who weighed 7lb 10oz, at 7.55am yesterday morning.

 The footballer wrote: ‘I am so proud and excited to announce the birth of our daughter Harper Seven Beckham. She weighed a healthy 7lbs 10oz and arrived at 7.55 this morning, here in LA.
‘Victoria is doing really well and her brothers are delighted to have a baby sister xx’

Following the birth of the couple’s fourth child, a spokesperson said: ‘David and Victoria Beckham are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter.

‘Happy and healthy she arrived at 7.55 am this morning at Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles. Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz are excited to welcome their new baby sister to the family.’

The child was born by elective Caesarean, in the same way as the Beckhams’ older children.

And a source told The Sun that David was so happy about the new arrival that he was literally crying with joy.

The insider said: ‘David has been crying with joy. They are all so happy.’

The pair are also said to be ’stunned’ because the little girl looks so much like Victoria did when she was a baby.

Paddy Power are already giving odds of 12/1 to have a UK number one single, 25/1 to marry an English footballer and 40/1 to become a fashion designer in her later years.

Following the birth of the little girl, David’s sister Joanne tweeted: ‘Big congrats to my sister in law @victoriabeckham and my big bro on the birth of my beautiful niece can’t wait 2 see u all xx’

A delighted Mel B, who is expecting her third child later this year, also expressed her excitement on the network site, writing: ‘Congrats!!! Yipeee another spice baby is born, damn it wish it was me this AM cos I feel like I’m about to POP!’

And Emma Bunton added: ‘Big kiss to @victoriabeckham can’t wait to meet your gorgeous little girl!’

Victoria has remained active throughout her pregnancy - working on her fashion line and travelling up until last month.

Just days ago the LA Galaxy star, 36, posted a portrait of his heavily pregnant wife that put her form on show in all its glory.

He wrote on his Facebook page: ‘Took this pic of Victoria while she wasn’t looking. She looks amazing, so close now to the baby being born!’

 And, earlier this week, David and Victoria were wished good luck for their arrival by Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

David attended a drinks reception welcoming the royal couple to Los Angeles, but Victoria was absent from the event given that she was so close to the end of her pregnancy.

The footballer told Prince William: ‘Victoria really wanted to come but she is just so tired at the moment. She sent you both lots of love. How was Canada? It looked amazing.’

Prince William replied: ‘Don’t be silly, send her all our love and tell her good luck with it all. It’s been an amazing few days – we’ve been so lucky with all the incredible places we’ve been able to see and we’ve met so many fascinating people. It’s been amazing, amazing.’

And, following the birth, William and Catherine were quick to send a message of congratulations to the Beckhams, according to their press secretary Miguel Head, who added they were unlikely to have time to meet the new arrival.

 David also spoke about the media frenzy surrounding the birth of his first daughter.

He said: ‘I woke up on Wednesday to a tonne of messages on my voicemail from our friends congratulating me on the birth of our daughter.

‘I turned to Victoria and said: “Did I miss something?” Apparently it’s being reported every day that she’s already been born. One way or another, fingers crossed, she’ll be with us in the next few days.’

On Wednesday a Twitter rumour spread like wildfire that Victoria had given birth to a baby girl named Felicity, a claim that was quickly rubbished by their spokesperson.

The former Spice Girl turned fashion designer, 37, has often hinted at her desire for a daughter, saying in one interview that should could imagine “painting her nails, putting on make-up, and choosing clothes” with her.

Last year she said: ‘Everyone keeps asking me if I would like to have a little girl and I think, at some point, if I am lucky enough to have another baby that would be great. If I am blessed enough.’

The couple’s main home is a £14million mansion in Beverly Hills but the couple have yet to decide where they will live once his contract with LA Galaxy expires in November.

 And bets of what their little girl will grow up to be are already being placed and the Irish bookmaking firm Paddy Power has offered odds of 100:1 on Harper following in dad’s footsteps and going out for the England Women’s team.
The odds of her becoming a singer in the mode of her former Spice Girl mother are 16:1.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge may need one of our personalised nappy cakes!!

New mum Natalie Portman has called her baby son Alef, according to Israeli news reports.

The Oscar-winning actress gave birth to fiance Benjamin Millepied’s child last month and she has honoured her Jewish roots by naming the boy after the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, reports Israel Hayom.

Babynames.com defines the ancient name’s meaning as “Oneness with God”.

An intensely private couple, Portman and Millepied have yet to confirm the birth of their son let alone his name but Portman has never made a secret of her love for her native Israel.

The Black Swan star was born Natalie Hershlag in Jerusalem. When Portman was three years old, her family relocated to the United States eventually settling in New York.

At the age of 13, the actress took her grandmother’s maiden name as her stage name after winning her first starring film role in Luc Besson’s The Professional.

Portman went on to earn wide fame as Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Earlier this year she won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Darren Aronofsky’s ballet drama Black Swan, the film that brought her and choreographer Millepied together

Brand: Coach

Make: Addison Patent Baby Bag

Retail Price: $648.00 USD

Description: Patent leather; Inside multi-function compartments; Fabric lining; Zip-top closure; Two outside back zip pockets; Two outside open gusset pockets with additional small zip pockets; Outside front pocket with turnlock closure;46” detachable strap; 16 3/4″ handles with 10 1/2” drop; 16 (L) x 12 3/4 (H) x 6 (W); Includes baby changing pad

Bellyitch says: I dare say this is a signature bag that many professional women have and carry as a staple (well not this particular version pictured, but the Hamptons leather version. I purchased one at one of Coach’s outlets when I had my first child and it was such a great durable bag that I let it double as a work bag for years and years until I had my 2^nd child. By then however, the weight of the heavy leather was a bit too much for me to bear with all the other crap and a double stroller I had to push around. So I retired it to my closet, but bring it out every once in a while. It was a lasting investment, but the weight of the bag makes me appreciate the Nylon bags I’ve been complaining about even more.

 Brand: Burberry

Make: Classic Check Baby Tote

Retail Price: $575.00 USD

Description: Classic house check with Equestrian Knight logo. Chocolate leather trim. Goldtone hardware. Shoulder strap with inset rings. Open top; extended tab front with buckle. Removable changing pad. 15″ x 11 1/2″ x 5″. Imported.

Bellyitch Says: One of the most well known pattern is the Burberry checkered pattern This is a very classic iconic bag. Nice piece.

Check out our site for beautiful baby gifts

Probably a little risque for this blog but I think that the sentiment in this book is probably shared by parents everywhere. 

If you go to http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B00551W570 you can download the audio version for free.

“Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction) rocks this mock bedtime story, capturing a hilarious range of emotions as the voice of a father struggling to get his child to sleep.

Go the F**k to Sleep is a bedtime book for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don’t always send a toddler sailing blissfully off to dreamland. California Book Award-winning author Adam Mansbach’s profane, affectionate, and radically honest verses perfectly capture the familiar - and unspoken - tribulations of putting your little angel down for the night. In the process, he opens up a conversation about parenting, granting us permission to admit our frustrations and laugh at their absurdity.

Beautiful, subversive, and pants-wettingly funny, Go the F**k to Sleep is a book for parents new, old, and expectant. Due to its explicit language, you probably should not play it for your children.

Go the F**k to Sleep is available free for a limited time. Feel free to share the link to this page with tired parents and other people who could use a good swear and a laugh.

©2011 Adam Mansbach (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Brand: Chaiken

Make: The Chaiken Diaper Bag

Retail Price: $550.00 USD

Description: Soft glazed lambskin is gently gathered at the sides and smooth at the center pocket; Detachable long leather strap, 22″ drop; Top handle, 10″ drop; Front latch magnetic closure; Bottom zip compartment; Two side pockets; Full cotton lining; 12″H X 18″W X 6½”D; Imported.

BELLYITCH SAYS: This bag looks very cosmopolitan. Nice design. Room and wonderful features.

GET THIS BAG AT: Saks Fifth Avenue

For less expensive baby gifts try our website!!

Below you will find the listing of hurricane names for the Atlantic Ocean for the year 2011. For every year, there is a pre-approved list of tropical storm and hurricane names. These lists have been generated by the National Hurricane Center since 1953. At first, the lists consisted of only female names; however, since 1979, the lists alternate between male and female.

Hurricanes are named alphabetically from the list in chronological order. Thus the first tropical storm or hurricane of the year has a name that begins with “A” and the second is given the name that begins with “B.” The lists contain hurricane names that begin from A to W, but exclude names that begin with a “Q” or “U.”

There are six lists that continue to rotate. The lists only change when there is a hurricane that is so devastating, the name is retired and another hurricane name replaces it.

Thus, the 2011 hurricane name list is the same as the 2005 hurricane name list although four hurricane names were retired after the devastating 2005 hurricane season so on the 2011 list Dennis was replaced by Don, Katrina was replaced by Katia, Rita was replaced by Rina, Stan was replaced Sean, and Wilma was replaced by Whitney.

2011 Hurricane Names

Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harvey
Irene
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney

Is your name on the list?    Do you know a new baby whose name is on the list?  If so you will be needing one of our baby gifts.

Soon-to-be parents no longer have to endure the trouble of sifting through a seemingly endless book of baby names in search of the perfect one. It’s much, much easier to just let unborn kids choose anyway. That way, they won’t be filled with a lifetime of resentment because they were named “Like” after Facebook or something.

Believe it or not, your still-developing child is more than capable of picking its own name before the big birth, and Kick to Pick – a new 99-cent iPhone app – will help your bundle of joy choose the right one.

The app randomly generates thousands of baby names. All parents have to do is launch the generator, place the phone on the baby bump, and wait for the little guy – or gal – to give a big kick. The app monitors the baby’s movements, and any large kick detected will stop the generator and reveal what the baby has chosen.

But no worries, parents. You’re not relinquishing all baby-naming power. Parents can narrow down the thousands of names by gender or create a list of favorites. They can also just simply reject the name the generator spits out – though that might hurt the baby’s feelings a wee bit.

“The idea for Kick to Pick came from a discussion about baby’s choices and the fact they had no influence over the name they go onto keep for the rest of their lives,” said Nathan Parks, the creator of the app, in a statement.

Thus, if your kid picks a weird name and then complains down the road, you can be sure that it wasn’t your fault.

Article courtesy of Amie Ninh on Time Techland 31st May 2011 

A Canadian couple has decided to keep the sex of their child secret, in an attempt to raise a genderless child

 Brand: Kate Spade

Make: Classic Noel Henry Baby Bag

$465 USD

Description: The kate spade noel mark is an abstract rendering of the initials “ks” and when made into a repeat, it becomes graphic logo pattern: accented with a sporty and bold nylon web stripe, the classic noel group is just right for everyday mommy chic. Ks noel woven on durable jacquard fabric trimmed with patent leather; over the shoulder tote with zipper closure; 2 exterior bottle pockets; interior double slide pockets and zip pocket; 14-karat gold plated hardware, wipeable purple ks noel print lining; lining and changing pad are waterproof; changing pad included; imported; 7.8″ drop length; 10.6”h x 15.7”w x 7.1”d

Bellyitch Says: I can vividly recall when kate spade was THE it bag among all social levels and I think spurred a very hearty counterfeit blackmarket to follow! This is a very pretty bag. I like classic sleek and streamlined looks, so I heart his bag and at half the price of the Prada bag, it looks like a good sound investment.