Bryce Dallas Howard Expecting…again!

It’s official: Bryce Dallas Howard is pregnant!

The actress, whose latest film The Help is due out this summer, is expecting her second child with husband Seth Gabel, she confirmed to PEOPLE. 

The couple already have one son, 4-year-old Theo. Big brother Theo could give his new baby brother or sister (the sex has not yet been confirmed) this fabulous Le Top Baby “Petit Duckling” Collection footed coverall as a welcome to the family gift. 

Le Top "Petite Duckling" Footed Coverall

 

 

 

Your stylish ducks will be in order with this tea green long sleeve footed coverall with wrap styling at neckline for easy on and off. Features classic embroidered ducky in white stitching and the gentlest cotton. Mini embroidered footie buttons add simple touches. Back and underneath diaper snaps for easy dressing.

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Ana Ortiz has 2nd baby on the way!

Photo: Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage

The former Ugly Betty star, Ana Ortiz, and husband Noah Lebenzon are expecting their second child! “We know it’s a boy! [We] are trying to come up with some names that we can agree on,” says Ortiz, 40-years-old. High on the list of contenders? Names that work in both English and Spanish, much like the one given to daughter Paloma Louise, 23 months. This cute Le Top Baby blanket from the “Playtime Pups” Collection would be perfect to swaddle her upcoming bundle of joy in. 

Congratulations on your pregancy!

 

Le Top Baby "Playtime Pups" Blanket

Keep him comfy wrapped in this splendid and generous double layer 30×36 size carriage blanket. Light blue print made of the softest cotton featuring embroidered puppies and toy truck with white textured cotton framed border for a classic feel. A perfect gift for years to come.

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Rock on! Kids Rock Activities for Summer!

Need to find a cheap and fun activity for summer? Here it is! Whether you are home or on vacation, there are always rocks somewhere. With just a few supplies — paint, glue, and clay — children can transform the stones they stumble across into animals, people, or toys.

Both tempera and acrylic paints work well for rock craft projects; tempera looks chalkier but washes off easily, making it the best choice for kids. Acrylic paint has a glossy finish. Before painting, kids should sketch out their plan: It’s easier to envision what the finished project will look like if they draw it first with pencil on paper. You can also talk it over with your child if that is easier than sketching so that you have a plan.

Stones are as distinctive as people. Some can be slender; another, dappled and rotund. Family members can paint their initials on the rocks that suit them and turn them into refrigerator magnets too!

Rock Frogs
Ribbit! These frogs are trying to look relaxed, but as anyone can see, their heavy-lidded eyes are ready to pop open at the prospect of a fly lunch.

Pig Magnets
Attached with cement glue, flat disks are perfect for making pig-shaped magnets.

 

Tips for this craft activity:

1. Glue rocks together before painting them, attaching small stone features such as eyes, feet, or beaks to body parts before joining larger parts
2. Attach whiskers and tails after painting.
3. Cement glue makes the strongest bond but should be used only by parents working in a well-ventilated area. (Kid-friendly glues are less durable and are best for rock crafts that will sit on shelves.)

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Top Baby Names of 2011 & Meanings

I have tons of friends having their 2nd wave of babies in the next few months. What’s the topic of conversation? Baby names – what is cool, not cool and what would be cute! Here are the top baby names of 2011 and their meanings. Seems like the film Twilight had quite the effect!

The list is put out by the Social Security Administration (who has to have something fun to do with all those birth records), and they have a feature which shows the change in the popularity for names, giving some limelight to those who did well for themselves without making it into the Top 10. The two with the biggest jumps were Maci and Bentley, just like the young mother and young son featured on Teen Mom, following their stint on 16 and Pregnant. Another fast-riser was Knox, the name of one of those seemingly thousands of kids in Brangelina’s family entourage. Tiana, the name of the princess in The Princess and the Frog, saw a surge, as did Kellan, a name shared by Kellan Lutz, another actor from Twilight.

Boys

1. Jacob: Has come in and out of vogue for over 100 years. Landed at No. 1 for the first time in 1999, knocking Michael off the top after 38 years. In the Old Testament, Jacob was born holding his twin brother Esau’s heel. Namesake Jacob Grimm, the German linguist and writer, was the author of “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” with his brother Wilhelm. Jacobus is the Latin form of the name.
2. Ethan: Biblical name of the third king of Judah who reigned for 41 years. Popular among the Puritans in the 17th century. More common in the U.S. prior to the turn of the 20th century. A favorite Jewish name.
3. Michael: Extended form of Micha, meaning “Who is like God?”. Numerous namesakes found in the Bible. The most notable is a minor prophet who predicted the fall of Jerusalem and the coming of the Messiah. A book in the Old Testament bears his name. Late-comer to the charts in 1959, but becoming a prevalent name because of its strong Hebrew connection.
4. Jayden: A combination of the names Jay and Aiden that’s seen a sudden burst of popularity during the past 10 years. The son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, who appeared with his dad in the 2006 film, “The Pursuit of Happyness.” A unisex name.
5. William: Used as a royal name in Great Britain for nearly one thousand years starting with William the Conqueror. Had seen a steady decline until 1982 when Prince Charles and Princess Diana named their first son William. In the U.S., William has remained among the top 10 for the past 125 years. Namesakes include four United States presidents. Actor Willem Dafoe uses the Dutch form of the name.
6. Alexander: This fun surname evokes a playful, widely liked bon vivant — he might be equally comfortable pursuing quiet, bookish activities and joking around with his pals. Shortens easily to the cute nickname Sandy.
7. Noah: A biblical name for one of the Apostles who was also called Bartholomew. Listed among the top 100 in 1978, peaking at No. 61 in 2000 and 2001.
8. Daniel: A form of the Hebrew name, Kohen. A new addition to the popular chart. A favorite among Jewish families.
9. Aiden: A form of the name Aodan which  means “Fire”. Used by several early Irish saints. Irish American actor Aidan Quinn has brought attention to the name.
10. Anthony: Derived from the old Roman family name Antonius. Associated with early saints and an Egyptian hermit who founded the monasticism. Listed among the top 100 names since 1881 and the top 50 since 1936. Influenced by the long career of Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins. Puerto Rican-American singer Marc Anthony is a famous bearer of the surname.

Check out Le Top’s Children and Baby Clothing by clicking HERE

Girls

1. Isabella: The Portuguese and Spanish form of Elizabeth. A literary name for the heroine in the Henry James novel “Portrait of a Lady” published in 1881 and adapted into a film in 1996. The name has been in popular use since before the turn of the 20th century and hit its peak in 2003 at No. 83.
2. Sophia: Derived from the Greek word that grew in popularity during the 17th and 18th century in England, most likely influenced by the heroine in Henry Fielding’s 1749 novel “Tom Jones.” Italian actress and academy award winner, Sophia Loren, brought attention to the name during the 1960s. Sophie is the French form of the name.
3. Emma: Possibly the Latin feminine form of Aemilius or a combination of Emelia and Amalia. The name has been used for the title character in the novel “Amelia” by Henry Fielding and for a character in the book “Vanity Fair.” Associated with Amelia Bloomer a 19th century women’s rights and temperance advocate and famed aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, who became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
4. Olivia: Lavinia may mean a “woman of Rome” but the name carries the alluring, exotic beauty of an Eastern European supermodel. She’s also a gentle but tragic character in Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus.” With a similar sonance, this name could be an alternative to uber-popular Olivia.
5. Ava: Of uncertain origin, its possibly a variation of the medieval names Avis or Aveline, a phonetic variation of Eva and Evelyn, or a form of the Hebrew Chava. Actress Ava Gardner whose film career started in 1941 largely influenced the name. Numerous celebrities have chosen this name for their daughters, including Reese Witherspoon, Heather Locklear, Kevin Dillon, Jason Priestley, and Mia Hamm.
6. Emily: The feminine form of Aemilius that’s sometimes confused with the similar sounding Amelia. The name has been in popular use for over a century and is currently among the top 500.
7. Abigail: The name of the third wife of King David in the Old Testament who referred to herself as David’s “handmaid” which paved the way for its use in literature for a lady’s servant. The name has steadily climbed in popularity since the 1940s, breaking into the top 100 in 1989. First lady and wife of former president John Adams is a namesake. Known today as the pen name for advice columnist Abigail Van Buren.
8. Madison: The name was derived from an English surname associated with former president James Madison and his wife Dolley. It was influenced by actress Daryl Hannah in the 1984 film, “Splash,” whose character adopted the name after seeing a street sign for Madison Avenue in New York. It debuted on the popularity chart in 1985.
9. Chloe: A variation of Channah which is the Hebrew form of Hannah favored among Jewish families; The feminine form of Chayim derived from the Hebrew word “chai” that carries a prophetic meaning for a newborn child.
10. Mia: Associated with the Roman goddess of spring who gave her name to the fifth calendar month of the year. In Greek mythology she was the mother of the god Hermes. Popular use of the name began in 1996.

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Happy Birthday Shiloh Jolie-Pitt!

Photo: Jackson Lee/Splash News Online

Cheers to Shiloh, daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who turns 5-years-old today! We hope she has plenty of sweets, cupcakes and balloons for today’s special day! We think she would look adorable on the beach sporting this Le Top unisex beach cover-up jacket from our Ship Ahoy! Collection. Happy Birthday Shiloh!

“Ship Ahoy!” Hooded Terry Cover-Up Jacket – For perfect seaside style, dress your little one in this super soft white terry zip up cover-up jacket with fully lined hood in ultra soft nautical striped cotton for supreme comfort. Embroidered anchor appliqué, contrast navy trims and white grommet accents for sailing style. Layer up for a cozy look at the beach and pool.

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6 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Strong with Baby

A lot of the young parents I know keep their relationships fresh, strong, fun and spontaneous here in New York. They plan 1 night out a week where they have the babysitter come so that they can get out to see their friends or have some time together. They ask their family or friends to watch the baby for a few hours while they go to dinner or see a movie and more.

Here are 6 tips to keep your marriage with your first baby at its best!

1.    Don’t sweat the small stuff: Sit down with your partner and divide up household chores. Leave out baby duties for now, but include everything else — from cooking and cleaning to paying the bills and walking the dog (yeah, he’ll still be there).

2.    Arrange baby duties: Divide baby duties using the same principle as the chores: Get a pencil and have at it. For newborns, the biggies are feedings, diapers and sleep (sorry, not yours). Then there’s stuff like arranging child-care and doctor appointments. Just be as realistic as possible and don’t overpromise in an effort to be agreeable.

3.    Talk about work: Fantasizing about chucking your 9-to-5 for freelance once baby arrives? Is your partner assuming that one of you is going to make a career out of staying home? Somebody is going to have to take care of the baby during business hours, and the sooner you decide who it will be, the happier everybody is going to be.

4.    Be ready to agree-to-disagree: Of course you’re not going to hammer out every area of potential parental discord, but try to cover a few of the headliners — breastfeeding, co-sleeping, sleep training, grandparents — and you’ll be well on your way to “happily ever after.”

5.    Ask for emotional support: So make an educated guess about the emotional support you’ll need after the baby arrives and then ask for it, outright. Thinking you can’t possibly know what you’ll need? If what makes you feel loved now is for your partner to listen to the minutiae of your day, you’ll probably still need that after the baby arrives. Your minutiae will just involve a lot more talk about changing diapers.

6.    Babymoon: A babymoon’s not a bad idea either. It’s a trip you take with your partner before the baby is born. The afterglow from a fabulous trip can help you overlook small missteps. (And in the months — okay, years — to come, overlooking will be helpful.) Those great memories will also give you something to look back on until you can start building new ones.

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Le Top Darlings of the Day: Sydney, Caroline, Luke and John William

From left to right: Sydney, Caroline, Luke and John William

All hands on deck! These gorgeous children come to us from The Monkey Barrel in Amelia Island, Florida. Sydney, Caroline, Luke and John William are modeling the Le Top “Ship Ahoy” collection for boys and girls. They look ready to celebrate Memorial Day in style! Congratulations to you all for being our Le Top Darlings of the Day!  

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Dye Old Canvas Shoes for Kids

Summer is here and it’s time to take old canvas shoes (preferably white or a lighter color) and make them look bright and new for summer!

With fabric dye, kids can easily create new patterns or shades on their canvas shoes. Have an adult supervise to make sure the kids don’t dye the clothing they’re wearing as well. 🙂 You can buy clothing dye at any local craft store or fabric store. Get crazy and try dipping half of the shoe in one color, and the other half of the shoe in another color to create a wacky and bright summer style statement.

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Welcome Cleo Schwimmer!

Photo by Abbey Drucker

Actor-director, David Schwimmer, and his wife, photographer Zoe Buckman, are the proud parents to their first child, Cleo Buckman Schwimmer. Their baby girl was born on Sunday, May 8 in New York City.

Schwimmer, 44, made the announcement through Twitter on Tuesday, where he tweeted “Hey everyone. Please welcome my daughter, Cleo, to this crazy but wonderful world.” He also posted a photo of his daughter on his WhoSay page.

Rabbitmoon’s “Geranium” stretchy and soft capri jumper in  a beautiful lemon chiffon would be so cute on little Cleo with it’s ruffled dot print shoulders and pink tulle ribbon yoke.

After their meeting in London, Zoe, 26, reportedly moved to Los Angeles to be with him. The pair tied the knot in June 2010 after dating for 3 years.

Schwimmer is reprising his role as the voice of Melman in “Madagascar 3.” He most recently directed the Clive Owen and Catherine Keener film “Trust” that was release in April.

Rabbitmoon "Geranium" Capri Jumper

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Le Top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

No, I did not say that!

Can you be more pacific?”

– Miranda, age 6

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles by sharing your funny quotes with us!

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