Anyway, as soon as each was born, I gushed with those pre-chosen nicknames for a while, but eventually, they wore off. For some reason, they just never stuck. I will occasionally use Pumpkin or Bug as a universal term of endearment for my flock, but they each wound up with more unique monikers in the end.

My oldest has been Bazoo since he was about two months old. I just sort of came about one day when we were playing. I was tickling him and, for some strange reason, saying, “Zoobazoobazooba” really fast at him. He loved it! It totally cracked him up. And seriously, who could resist a laughing baby? From then on, he was Bazoo. It caught like wildfire, and everyone started using the nickname. He’s 5 now, and while we usually call him by his name, Bazoo will still sneak past my lips from time to time and he still comes running.

My middle boy loves music. His favorite has always been “The Little Drummer Boy.” In fact, he prefers that to any lullaby you could think of. As soon as he started to talk, he would sing, “Pum, pum, pum, pum,” earning him the nickname Pum Pum.

My youngest, Devin, happened to be born around the time when “Beverly Hills” by Weezer seemed to be stuck on repeat on every radio station in the world. One night, Devin was particularly committed to staying up until the wee hours of the mourn, I was singing anything and everything I could think of. I was so drowsy and probably a touch insane, from a lack of sleep, that I started to alter songs to include his name. “Beverly Hills” became “Deverly Hills” and has remained such ever since. Every one in the family calls him Deverly, including his brothers.

Bestowing my boys with unique nicknames is as much a celebration of their individuality as it is an act of love. Even when they’re in their 50s, they’ll still be Bazoo, Pum Pum and Deverly Hills, whether they like it or not.

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First and foremost, keep in mind that kids have a mind of their own with no understanding of formality. They will likely contribute their own antics into their act. This may or may not include anything from somersaults t0 a tantrum. To help keep the focus on the task at hand, it is wise to have the parents strategically placed where they can be seen and give direction.

It is easier to incorporate kids into a ceremony that takes place earlier in the day. Kiddos tend to do better before sleepiness, crankiness, and hunger kick in. If possible, get them a nap and a small meal prior to heading down the aisle. Oh, and be sure they take a potty break just before to minimize dancing antics. Save getting kids ready for the very last minute…otherwise, dresses will get wrecked, hair will be completely undone, rented tux’s will have holes in the knees. Scuff up the bottom of new shoes to spare small-step slippage.

The traditional roles for tootsie-tots are the ring bearer and flower girl. If the ring pillow is being carried down the aisle by a wee one, it is a good idea to sew fake rings on. Let the groom turn to his best man who will shrug and turn to the first groomsman who will shrug and turn to the next on down the line until the one on the end shockingly has the ring. Don’t hold the kid responsible for really misplacing the jewelry.

Other non-traditional roles may be to walk someone down the aisle, ranging from the future in-laws to the bride herself. Kids are great to roll out the runner ahead of the wedding party, and can do a terrific job of handing out programs. Older children may do well with a reading or playing a song. Pre- and teen-aged girls are often asked to be a Junior Bridesmaids.

If kids will be incorporated in a ceremony, then an anticipation of the unexpected and a sense of humor are a must. But I can’t think of any better way to add the “awww” to the “awww do’s!”

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/mattieb/222247744

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Celebrities sure don’t hesitate when it comes to, ummm, getting creative. From fruits to flowers to spices, Apple, Peaches Honeyblossom, Dandelion, Poppy Honey, Safron Sahara, and Thyme are pretty sweet names. Plenty of parents use city names, Brooklyn, Memphis, Ireland, Indiana, Paris…but travel and destination are also themes used, including Journey, Rocket, Ocean, Mars Merkaba, and Heaven. Not weird enough for you? Here are some that top my list of “they named their kid whaah??” Audio Science, Banjo, Blanket, Blue Angel, Fifi Trixibell, Ikhyd, and Tabooger.

If a family does have a unique last name, some have been known to have fun with it and combine it with a clever first name. Take Bill and Moya Lear of Lear jet fame. They named their daughter Shanda. Former governor of Texas, James Steven Hogg, named his daughter Ima.

Oh, and it turns out that “Nosmo King” was not a real name, but used as a stage name by actor H. Vernon Watson in the early ’20s.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/kaatje/243834320

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The big game is this Sunday, so get your family ready. Your son or daughter will be the absolute life of the party. I mean: what’s cooler than a kid in adorable sports gear? An HDTV? A beer pong tournament? A halftime show? My answer: none of the above. Your kids are babies only once, so make the most out of their cuteness!

Don’t forget to check Smarter for your baby sports gear!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/bibbit/4303221798, flickr.com/photos/snorp/2918694162

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