ArtsyRNmom

Husband just got me a new puppy, and we are bouncing back and forth with names. Female, staffordshire bull terrier (a "pit bull" breed, to those who aren't savvy on the proper names. I don't want any bull on how the breed is evil, etc. It's not the breed, it's the owner. Just giving that info for naming purposes). She is a very light blond color with gorgeous green eyes and a pink nose. Very sweet and gentle. We have a 2 other staffs, Bella and Gunner. Ideas?

My husband and I are planning on trying for a second child soon. Our son is Luke David. We have ideas for a boy, but are leaning heavily towards Roman Tyler. For a girl we love Abby Sophia, but we also love the name Lexi, but are having trouble thinking up middle names. We would prefer her to not have a D middle name (she'd share the same initials as Luke) or N (my initials). Any suggestions?

My best friend just found out she's having her 2nd boy. They think they've decided on the first name Nathanial, but don't know what to use for a middle name. Any suggestions? Her other son is Alexander (Xander) James, if that helps. Thank you!

My husband and I are planning on trying for a second child soon. We have a couple names we like, but are looking for more options. For a girl, we like Abby Sofia and Jocelyn Linda (Linda after his mother). For a boy, we're more unsure and having difficulty agreeing on names. Any suggestions? We like traditional names, unisex names (for a girl, especially), and ones that aren't hugely popular (Ashley, Amanda, Emma, etc.). But we're open to different types of names. Oh, and our son is Luke David, if that helps at all. Thank you!

My younger sister has just been accepted to a university and she graduates HS in 2 months. I would like to know what YOU have found to be the best gifts for college (whether they be useful or fun) so I have a better idea of what she will like best. Thank you!

I am 5 months pregnant and have a history of heart surgery. I was born with a mitral cleft and had corrective surgery when I was 4 y/o to fix it. Of course, this makes my pregnancy high risk. Don't worry, I have regular appointments with my OB and my cardiologist (my next cardio appt is in 2 weeks). I'm just trying to get an idea if what I'm experiencing is "normal" for pregnant women. If I do anything physical (climbing stairs, carrying the laundry to the washer, etc) I have trouble breathing and my heart rate skyrockets...in fact, yesterday at one of my jobs (the waitress job) my heart rate skyrocketed to 120bpm. I sometimes have heart palpitations, and when I take my pulse during those times, I can sometimes feel my heart skip a beat (and I can feel it in my chest). I used to have that happen every so often before I was pregnant, but now it is much more pronounced. I'm just not sure if women with "normal" pregnancies experience this as well, or if this is due to the stress of pregnancy on my not-quite-perfect heart. Again, I'm just checking with other women to see if this happened to them, but either way I fully intend on speaking with my doctor's about these problems. I'm even keeping a journal so I can keep track of when and how often this happens. Just wanting some input from others who may have had similar experiences.

I am 5 months pregnant and have a history of heart surgery. I was born with a mitral cleft and had corrective surgery when I was 4 y/o to fix it. Of course, this makes my pregnancy high risk. Don't worry, I have regular appointments with my OB and my cardiologist (my next cardio appt is in 2 weeks). I'm just trying to get an idea if what I'm experiencing is "normal" for pregnant women. If I do anything physical (climbing stairs, carrying the laundry to the washer, etc) I have trouble breathing and my heart rate skyrockets...in fact, yesterday at one of my jobs (the waitress job) my heart rate skyrocketed to 120bpm. I sometimes have heart palpitations, and when I take my pulse during those times, I can sometimes feel my heart skip a beat (and I can feel it in my chest). I used to have that happen every so often before I was pregnant, but now it is much more pronounced. I'm just not sure if women with "normal" pregnancies experience this as well, or if this is due to the stress of pregnancy on my not-quite-perfect heart. Again, I'm just checking with other women to see if this happened to them, but either way I fully intend on speaking with my doctor's about these problems. I'm even keeping a journal so I can keep track of when and how often this happens. Just wanting some input from others who may have had similar experiences.

My dog duke has a sore on his rear leg. It's raised, hard, very red, about the size of a nickel now. It has grown the past few days and has raised (it was just a flat red spot to begin with). Now it looks like there may be a little puss coming from the center, or it is just paling in the middle. I'm not sure what it is...I'm going to the vet in a few days to neuter/spay him and my other dog, so I'll ask then...I was just wondering if anyone had an idea as to what it might be.

There's something I just don't understand. Singers, songwriters, actors, directors, etc. get paid mad money to shake their fanny in front of people or run around on a movie set. Yet military, cops, firefighters, teachers and even those in the medical field, in comparison, make crap. My father works for the Sheriff's office as a sergeant and he has 2 other jobs just so we can make the bills and have food to eat. We don't spend our money frivolously, we live comfortably. But he works 6-7 day a week shifts and we hardly ever see him. My uncle is a firefighter, and it's the same for him. Of course, we all know how bad the money is for teachers. I am going to be a nurse, and I know I'll make pretty good money....but my question is, why do the people who entertain us make more than those that teach the next generation and keep us safe and healthy? It seems like America values entertainment over safety, health, and education. Do you agree? If not, please tell me why. I want to know.

There's something I just don't understand. Singers, songwriters, actors, directors, etc. get paid mad money to shake their fanny in front of people or run around on a movie set. Yet military, cops, firefighters, teachers and even those in the medical field, in comparison, make crap. My father works for the Sheriff's office as a sergeant and he has 2 other jobs just so we can make the bills and have food to eat. We don't spend our money frivolously, we live comfortably. But he works 6-7 day a week shifts and we hardly ever see him. My uncle is a firefighter, and it's the same for him. Of course, we all know how bad the money is for teachers. I am going to be a nurse, and I know I'll make pretty good money....but my question is, why do the people who entertain us make more than those that teach the next generation and keep us safe and healthy? It seems like America values entertainment over safety, health, and education. Do you agree? If not, please tell me why. I want to know.

I'm kind of bored with my current hairstyle and I was hoping someone would have a few suggestions I could mull over. FYI, my hair only becomes wavy like that in the humidity...otherwise it's straight as heck. I don't have much time to mess with my 'do, so something that is low-maintanance would be best. The one I have now I just shower and go. And also, I have no interest in dying my hair. I'm actually waiting for my natural color to grow out right now. Any help would be appreciated, and if you happen to have pics of a suggested hairstyle, that would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Here's the site:

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x79/Lilhumminbi...

Getting some ideas on boys/girls names and wanting opinions on some names I like. I really like the name Danika Lynn (for a girl). For a boy I like Caleb, Hunter and Jackson. However, I'd like some other names for girls...something that would fit a girl whether she's a girly-girl or tomboy (so maybe something you can abbreviate...like Danika can be Dani) but nothing that you have to have a Ph.D. to spell/pronounce. Also, for a boy something that can include Jackson or Caleb, or something totally new. No John's or Jame's or anything too popular, but nothing too out-of-the-ordinary either. Thank you!