The average weight of a newborn baby is 7lb 5oz (and the winner is...)

The average weight of a newborn baby is 7lb 5oz - and as usual, I come in above average (haha).

How far above average? Check out the video below, where the one who knows best, my mom, shares how much I weighed at birth:



Yes! A healthy 8lb, 4oz. - making the winner, according to Price is Right rules, Mike Scic with a guess of 8lb, 3oz!!

Congrats to Mr. Scic, who will receive a reusable Dunkin Donuts cup and a DD gift certificate. I'm sure he will make the right decision as what to do with it ::wink::

Thanks to all who participated!!! And a very special thanks to my mom for her video contribution.

The average 25-year-old has taken almost 200 million breaths (and likes to give away free stuff)

The average 25-year-old has taken almost 200 million breaths and has had approximately 9.5 billion heartbeats since birth, according to the Beats & Breaths Calculator from Discovery Health.

On May 10, 2010, I will 25 years old. Yessss - the big 2-5. I've come a long way from this...



So to celebrate, I've decided to give away some free stuff! What, you ask, am I giving away to commemorate such a special occasion?

If you work with me, you know I am completely in love with unsweetened iced tea (sorry diet lemon Snapple iced tea, its o-v-e-r). On my recent trip to Puerto Rico I developed a severe addiction to the beverage and have not looked back.

Ok, back to the free stuff, since I run on Dunkin and care about recycling and such , I am giving away a reusable Dunkin Donuts cold beverage and a gift certificate to fill it with whatever delicious DD product you desire!



How do you win? Simple. Last year I asked you to guess what time I was born. THIS year, you have to guess my birth weight to win!

Enter your estimate in the comments section. Please include your guess in pounds an ounces (for example, 47lb 9oz - not plausible baby weight). Please no duplicates. Closest guess wins, Price is Right rules. No cheating and asking my mother. Contest closes on May 7 at 11:59 AM.

Ready, set, guess!

Candy Land was created as a treament for Polio

Candy Land was created in 1949 as a treatment for Polio , not for the physical illness, but for mental health. Sick children who played the game were able to take their mind off of their sickness and fly away to another world - a delicious world of candy!

Sixty years later, the world of candy is still helping children in need - to celebrate Candy Land's birthday, Hasbro invited children from a local hospital to play the game on a life sized board down the crookedest street in the world - Lombard Street, in San Francisco. Check it out:



How could you NOT love Candy Land? With an age range of 1 - 100 and a setup time of under 3 min, its truly a game for everyone - well accept if you are color blind, then you might need a friend to help (but you can still play!). I remember playing as a kid, and while I always wanted to look like Queen Frostine, my favorite character had to be Gloppy the molasses monster.



Look how happy he is! Not a care in the world...but melting.

Who is your favorite Candy Land character?

Amelia Randall Branigan was born on July 29, 1982

Happy Birthday Amelia!



My sister Amelia was born on July 29, 1982 at New York University Hospital in New York City.

An interesting fact about Amelia - she started reading at age 3 (not too shabby!)

Happy birthday sister dearest! Hope its a great one! xoxo

Smart people are born in May (and love free stuff)

Smart people are born in May, not to say that people in other months are not intelligent or skilled, but the month of May produces some real talent including:

• Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
• Audrey Hepburn
• Tom Bergeron
• Harry S. Truman
• Billy Joel
• Paul "Bono" Hewson
• Salvador Dali
• George Carlin
• Yogi Berra
• Robert Pattinson
• Stephen Colbert
• Janet Jackson
• Bob Saget
• Tina Fey
• Andre the Giant
• Cher
• Notorious B.I.G
• Mr. T
• Tommy Chong
• LaToya Jackson
• John F. Kennedy

and, last but not least, ME!


The stats are there; two Jacksons, two presidents, and two hosts of America's Funniest Home Videos. How can you argue with that? Take into account Mother's Day and Memorial Day and it's plain to see that May is where it's at.

One week from today, May 10th, will be the birthday of yours truly (it will also be Mother's Day, love you mom). So what better reason to give away FREE STUFF? YES!

Here is the deal. Guess what time I was born. So simple. So easy. What do you win if you guess correctly?


An official Encyclopedia Branigan Crownie Making Kit!!! This all-inclusive baking experience includes:

• Bowl
• Oven mitts
• Dishtowel
• Spatula
• Cookie mix
• Brownie mix
• Pan
• Oil
• Oven timer
• Measuring cup
• Official Encyclopedia Branigan Crownie recipe (you saw it here first, betty)

No, I wasn't kidding when I said all-inclusive. You get everything but the perishables. I don't mess around.

Here are the rules:

• Comment below with your guess in the hour/minute format (time zone not needed) - 0:00
  
• Choose AM or PM - if you do not include you will be disqualified
• No duplicates
• Siblings/family, asking my mom will not help you; Friends, facebooking my dad will not help you
  
• Closest time wins
• Include your e-mail address, robot style, unless you like junk mail
• Submit your guess by 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, May 7th, winner will be announced on Friday, May 8th. Just in time for you to bake for Mom (or give to mom, if you are a lazy child) on Mother's Day!

Happy guessing!!

The state of Connecticut hates bowling

Well, ninepin bowling. In 1841, the state of Connecticut banned the owning of ninepin bowling lanes due to the sport's connection with gambling. In order for the clever gamblers to get around this ban, they added a pin to the game, creating the tenpin game we play today (oh, so clever).

The game stuck and is now a national pastime. According to the Brunswick website, over 600,000 kids celebrate their birthday at a bowling alley each year (technically, the correct term is "bowling center" because of advancements in the design and features of bowling alleys--oops, centers).

I myself visited a bowling center (yes center, because trapper keeper like decor makes it a center versus an alley) on a well-known birthday (hint, today). I beat my opponent 2 out of 2 with a high score of 106, very nice (haha, sorry Simon)!

Check out that form!

For more information on the history of bowling, visit the International Bowling Museum.