Posted: 18 Feb 2010 04:15 PM PST

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(CP) – 17 hours ago

EDMONTON — Alberta keeps filling up with Ethans.

For the ninth straight year, Ethan was the most popular name for baby boys in the province, chosen by 355 families for their new bundles of joy. Olivia also repeated as the most popular name for girls, with 245 babies so dubbed over the last year.

The annual list from Alberta Vital Statistics also listed some more unusual names.

One family named their newborn son Ericlindross while female monikers include Phantasia and Tijuana.

Vital Statistics says 2009 was the third year in a row of record births for Alberta, with 51,443 babies born in the province.

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Shower etiquette Tips - DesMoinesRegister.com

Posted: 19 Feb 2010 02:08 AM PST

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Etiquette for baby showers has evolved since "Debbie" and "Bobby" topped the list of favorite baby names.

While the main purpose still is to provide the new parents with items they'll need to care for their baby, today's showers are also chances to celebrate with family and friends.

Traditional etiquette holds that showers should be given by a friend of the mother, rather than by a family member. But Patricia Tice, owner of Etiquette Iowa in West Des Moines, says that rule is passé.

"Anyone who loves or cares about the mom-to-be or dad-to-be can host a baby shower," Tice says. "Usually it is a family member of the parent-to-be, but it doesn't have to be."

Here are other points of baby-shower etiquette.

The guest of honor. "Gone is the tradition of only Mom being the guest of honor," Tice says. "Dad can have equal opportunity time in terms of being the guest of honor. Plan your theme accordingly."

When to have the shower. "We have two choices: before or after the baby is born," Tice says. "Keep in mind that babies may have a time schedule of their own, so don't plan too closely to the (predicted) birth date."

For a party after the birth, give Mom and Dad enough time to get their bearings. Check with them before setting a date.

Whom to invite. Invite people who (1) have a relationship with the parent-to-be and (2) would enjoy attending, Tice says. Tailor the party theme so it's appropriate for that group.

Invitations. "E-mail invitations are OK, but to really make a splash, send a beautiful invitation by regular mail," Tice says. "Who wouldn't love receiving a cheerful pink/blue/yellow/green invite by regular mail? Be sure to include the RSVP date and telephone number."

Entertainment. The demographics of your group may determine if guests consider a game fun. "If you have any question about whether or not your chosen game will offend some, then don't do it," Tice recommends. "And don't force people to reveal personal information if they choose not to."

Second (or third, or fourth) babies. How many showers do parents get? "If Mom- or Dad-to-be have motivated friends and/or relatives who love hosting a celebration, why not have an event for second or third babies?" Tice says. "If this is the case, it would be appropriate to have an event that included the older siblings."

Registering for gifts. It's perfectly acceptable for expectant parents to register for gifts at a store, Tice says. Include that information on the invitation.

Thank-you notes. "A new Mom or Dad is not required to write thank-you notes, but I strongly recommend it," Tice says. "There is nothing quite as special as a good, old-fashioned thank-you note - with a pretty stamp. Friends and relatives go to much effort in the planning of the event. It is wonderful to show appreciation and gratitude for the love people have shown by sending a note."

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Albertans name their children the darndest things - Vancouver Sun

Posted: 19 Feb 2010 08:25 AM PST

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The Alberta government issued a release yesterday announcing that 2009 was the third year in a row for a record number of births in the province. Simple enough. But then it went on to list some of the names of those babies. They were ... eclectic. We're being polite here.

Some favourites for boys' names: Argyll, Bison, Boss, Chaos, Cherubim, Dice, Helix, Kal-El, Lightning, Morpheous, Mystery, Thunder and Whip

Boys were also named Costello, Ledger, Obama and Sutherland--and even Ericlindross, who presumably was named for the former NHL player of the same name, although his last name was spelled "Lindros."

For girls: Albertarose, Amazyn, Comfort, Epic, Fury, Fyre, Halleluya, Infiniti, Mischiefs, Mystique, Peanut, Twinkle, Victory and Whysper for girls. There was also Phoenix, with variations including Feenix, Pheenix, Phoeniks and Phoenyx; and Lincoln, with Lincon, Linkon, Linkyn and Lynkyn.

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