::happy birthday o::

Exactly a year ago today, at 8:19 PM, our little O was born. It has been the most challenging, yet the best, year of our lives. Architectdad and I are very lucky to have her in our lives.

Needless to say, with her birthday and Christmas being so close together, she received A LOT of presents. From fabulous new clothes to amazing new toys...she has made out like a bandit!

However, I must mention my favorite. It was given to her by her great-uncle, a NASA PhD engineer. He gave her two terry cloth bibs that say: "Future NASA Astronaut" across the front. Functional and full of positive reinforcement. I like that.

Grandpa + Teta threw her a pre-birthday party. The Teletubbies birthday cake is unbelievable! Yes, my child loooves watching big, alien babies that speak in broken English. I'm actually okay with the whole purse-carrying business, though.

Architectdad and I threw her another party today and invited her playgroup pals. Good food and great company.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LITTLE O!!!

::holiday transportation::

Happy holidays!!! Not only is it Christmas time, O is nearly one year of age! Phew...we've made it! It has been the best year of our lives, despite the many challenges. Our little girl has brought us tremendous joy and humility that we could not have experienced otherwise.

Now back to holiday business. For those of you who are travelling this holiday season, please take care. Getting to your destination safely is more important than getting there quickly. And for the "tiny" travellers in your life, I highly recommend the Radio Flyer series of ride-on transportation as holiday presents.

You may already be familiar with the American classic Radio Flyer steel and wood wagon. You know, the ubiquitous old-fashioned, red wagon that always seem be filled with unbelievably cute kids and puppies??? Well, they've updated their product line to include adorable ride-on toys and learning bikes. The craftsmanship and durability remain outstanding. The simplicity of the designs are perfect antidotes to the My-Little-Pony purple tricycles out there.

V let us borrow the Radio Flyer walker which is perfect for pre-walkers like O. The walker is designed in such a way that it is virtually impossible to tip over.

You can find Radio Flyer products on Amazon.com. By using one-day shipping, you can still get your presents to your loved ones on or before Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas!!!

::dirty dawgs::

Hound dogs are smelly. REALLY smelly. Actually, I think they enjoy their own stink--even though Mommy and Daddy can't stand it. To combat the nasty aroma, we use Body Shop White Musk shower gel on the beagles.

I find regular dog shampoo does not take away the stink completely, and the "nice" smell does not last very long. The shower gel smell stays with them for at least a week and it makes their coats silky and shiny, and keeps their skin moisturized. Although technically, beagles are supposed to have "hound coats" that are a little rougher and weather proof. They are utility dawgs after all!

::petite bebe::

After O recovered from some weird stomach flu, she has been eating non-stop. Cheeri-Os are her prefered snack of choice. She can polish a 14 oz box of Os by herself in a week! As a result, she has grown quite a bit. A little bulkier, but really tall.

So it was time for some onesies for Miss O that fit her newly expanded body. We found some lovely basic white cotton L/S onesies by Petite Bateau . Each garment is well crafted and the edges are beautifully trimmed with delicate eyelets.

PB also offers daywear and underwear for older girls and boys. The womenswear Ts have long been celebrity favorites.

::method acting::

If you are a neat freak who is also environmentally conscious, you'll love home products by Method Home. Not only are we excited about the "green" products, the clean and modern aesthetic of the packaging had us at "hello."

Our favorite Method product is the HE compatible baby laundry detergent. The cleaning agents are biodegradable and the solvent is non-toxic. It even contains natural enzymes that will dissolve disgusting poopy stains. Yes, that's right. To boot, the fragrance is soft yet not irritatingly powdery like other baby products. Since the detergent is HE compatible, one 32 fl oz bottle will wash 32 loads of 3.0 cu ft laundry. If you'd like to opt for a fragrance-free version for your sensitive baby, Method also offers the Free + Clear version.

For the compulsive hand washers like myself, try the self-foaming hand wash. Sooo much nicer than those ubiquitous, fruity-scented job-ies.

You can find most Method products in larger grocery stores and Target. The baby laundry detergent is a little tougher to find, but you can order online from Method directly or in bulk on Amazon.com.

::shake those booties::

During our brave trip to the mall today, V and I bought each girl their own Ugg boots. I know, I know...Uggs are sooo over. But the truth is, they are durable and they keep those girlie feet warm and toasty. So thppptttttttt...

If you are looking to splurge on an ultra luxurious holiday gift for a little one, check out Car Shoe for Kids and Prada Linea Rosa for Kids. Not very practical of course, considering how quickly kids grow out of their shoes. But they are adorable nevertheless. Both brands can be found in Nordstrom (but not on their website).

::you fix it::

As soon as O went down for her morning nap today, I called Seventh Generation and told them about my problem. The Customer Relations agent was very helpful and apologetic. And he actually sounded like he cared. Unusual these days.

He told me that once in a while, some defective diapers do slip past quality control and end up on the shelves. That bothered me though. If I were a new customer, these defective diapers would turn me off to 7th Gen diapers forever! Quality control should be just as important as saving the environment. Just think, I will now have to throw 150+ new, non-biodegradable, disposable diapers in the trash. Argh!

For my troubles, 7th Gen is sending me a refund check and I am sending one of the packages back to them for examination and record. This is good, because at least they care enough to figure out where it all went wrong. Hopefully.

Now I'll just have to sit and wait for my refund check, which is supposed to arrive 2-3 weeks from now. Not so efficient.

I then called Drugstore.com (took me forever to find their toll-free number on the website). The representative apologized and said she could either refund my purchase or they could send me a new case. I was afraid they would send me another defective case, I opted for the refund. They credited the amount back onto my credit card. Efficient.

Now I just have to haul my and O's behinds out to a non-Wholefoods organic store for some more 7th Gen diapers. Sigh...

::trouble magnet::

What is it about this blog?! If I write about how much I love something, that "thing" inevitably breaks down or becomes defective in some way. First it was the Candeloo lights, then it was the Nurseryworks crib, then it was the Bugaboo Bee and now it's the Seventh Generation diapers!

First, you know all about the Candeloo lights from a previous entry. In fact, my friend Lauren is now in the process of getting a SECOND replacement base for her lights.

O's Nurseryworks crib has started to delaminate--the veneer on the footboard is peeling off! O picked off the pieces with her pincer grip and I found her with a big chunk of it in her mouth! I contacted Nurseryworks and sent them some photos of the defect. One of the owners replied immediately and promised to send me a new one. It has been a month and the replacement still hasn't arrived.

The Bugaboo Bee is also a little off-kilter. It has failed to fold properly several times; and every time we attempt to flip the seating direction, the balance is somehow thrown off. I haven't written to Bugaboo yet. But I'm definitely going to.

The most recent trouble comes from the 160 Seventh Generation diapers that I ordered from Drugstore.com. The price was great, but the product??? Not so much. I have not had any trouble using them up until now. It seems this whole case of diapers lacks the full amount of absorbent gel which keeps the babies' tushies dry and leak-free! Every single piece I used from this batch has absolutely no absorbency and leaked every time. I even did a little kitchen experiment on the diapers. I poured some warm water into the diaper just to see if the moisture is absorbed. Nothing. The water stays near the surface and the diaper doesn't even "puff up" like it normally does when the gel comes in contact with liquid. After some research on the internet, I noticed that Seventh Generation diapers have been plagued with quality control issues in the last year. Apparently they changed from a German manufacturer to a U.S. based factory. Hmmm...

I wrote to Seventh Generation and Drugstore.com already. We shall see what happens.

::wallpaper fun::

Remember the vinyl wallpaper our parents had in the kitchen? Before the rising popularity of semi-gloss paint, vinyl wallpaper was the wall treatment of choice. It cleans up easily and there are thousands of patterns to choose from...not necessarily good patterns, but choices nevertheless. Of course no one ever told us, until recently, that vinyl is a highly toxic carcinogen that pollutes not only our bodies but the environment as well. The canals of Venice, Italy are dirty not only because of hundreds of years of medieval dumping, but because of the toxic waste being produced by a vinyl factory nearby. Eeek!

Inke Heiland of the Netherlands brings us hand-cut vintage and new wallpaper patterns in fun, modern motifs. For the tree-hugger in you, check out the eight-foot tall tree. You even have the option of choosing the color palette according to the month of year!

For the animal-lovers, there is a menagerie of animals to choose from: monkey, crocadile, giraffe, elephant, ostrich, birds and lion. Rrroarrr!!!

::fabulous hand-me-downs::

Since V's daughter, M*x, is six months older than O, we were the lucky recipient of some fabulous hand-me-downs. There are beautiful dresses and cardigans by the French brand, Jacadi and sweet separates by the German brand, Kanz. Thanks V and M*x!

::make it makie::

Simple and elegant. That is Makie. The Japanese designer makes children's clothes that are well-made with amazing details. For instance, the white smock-necked blouse is made from white-on-white textured fabric and finished with a tiny little button at the neckline. So lovely.

And of course, I LOOOVE the orange cord/grey poplin reversible jumper! Again, the use of quality fabrics and sweet details make this a beautifully crafted garment.

Makie has a storefront in NYC @ 109 Thompson Street, SoHo. But you can purchase some pieces from Nonchalant Mom online.

::nu shooz for babes::

O will never fit into Blahniks when she grows up. It's a fact: her feet look exactly like mine, small but WIIIDE. No strappy Manolos or Jimmys for her, I'm afraid.

For now, she can still enjoy nice baby shoes without worrying about her feet looking like tied-up sausages. I bought her a couple of pairs this weekend: a pair of Robeez with puppy applique and a pair of Pedipeds maryjanes. Coincidentally, O's Auntie N also bought her a pair of Pedipeds on her trip to Vermont. Thanks Auntie N!

After some research, I found other brands that are worth browsing. I've already mentioned Star Child from the UK. They will ship to the US, but with the horrible exchange rate and extra shipping charges, the shoes will cost twice as much as Robeez. Again, you can purchase certain styles from Trendy Kid online.

If you are a fan of Robeez or Star Child, you might also want to check out Bobux. Bobux (originally from New Zealand) baby shoes are made with Eco-leather that is Chrome(VI)-free and surpass British safety standard BS 5665:EN71, which makes Bobux safe for your baby, even if they put them in their mouths.

If you like more bling, try Bikkembergs Junior. The gold ballerina slippers are to die for! It is a bit of a pricey luxury, though.

For your beginner walkers, See Kai Run makes adorable foam-soled shoes that are light and pliable, yet sturdy enough to withstand hours on the pavement.

::m-aa-n made::

After recovering from our shopping binge at Zara, it's time for a little luxury day dreaming. If you are a cashmere fan, you'd love the Belgian brand, Maan. It's a little Jackie-O and a whole lotta elegance. The cashmere Piaff dress is adorable! It comes in two elegantly muted colors that are perfectly suited for a chilly autumn day.

If you are looking for a cozy, woolly coat for your little girl, the Ramones coat is so sweet. The tailored shape and decorative details sets it apart. Best of all, the 100% virgin wool coat is lined in 100% cotton to prevent itchiness.

Browse the Maan website and do a little day dreaming of your own!

::ole'::

The day started out as rainy and dreary; but by noon, the sun finally came out (after a week!) and the sky cleared up. The rest of the day was gloriously autumn. Since architectdad had to work overtime today, I took O out around town by myself...on the subway.

We first visited the new Zara flagship store. I was super curious about the Zara Baby and Zara Kids lines. They did not disappoint. I am impressed by the selection and quality of design. Best of all, it's affordable! I know I'll probably get a tongue lashing from Uncle M about this, but I bought O an orange patent trench coat. Yes. That's right.

Our shopping extravaganza made O really tired, so she fell asleep in her stroller soon after she finished her lunch. In turn, we missed a b-day party which we promised we'd attend. Sorry J and K! I wanted O to take a nice nap, so I zipped her up in the Bugaboo footmuff and we were off to the museums. What a beautiful day to be walking around our nation's capital.

Since I had to keep moving so she'd stay asleep, I walked all the way to the National Botanical Garden. There were many courtyards and gardens along the way, which made the long stroll worthwhile. O woke up while we were in the rose garden of the NBG. She loooved the flowers and trees, couldn't stop pointing at them and touching them. Good news for Puo and Gong, for sure ;-)

::7th Gen::

Yes, I did well in organic chemistry. I had to, my parents said so. No, seriously, it was a very interesting class. In fact, the way one thinks about organic molecules in 3-D is very similar to spatial design in architecture.

However, my geeky interest in "orgo" never translated into healthy living until I became pregnant. During my entire pregnancy, I only ate organic foods and tried to use household products that are cruelty-free and natural. Now that O is here, I am getting better about looking for better products that are good for her and the environment.

Started out as a catalog company, Seventh Generation sells non-toxic household and personal hygiene products that are safe for everyone and the environment. Among the various 7th Gen products are chlorine-free disposable diapers. Chlorine apparently is a major contributor to the rising dioxin levels in our environment. Long-term dioxin exposure can lead to cancer. However, since the 7th Gen diapers are NOT biodegradable (the waterproof components are poly), using them still contributes to our multiplying landfill problem. In that respect, G Diapers have an upper hand. Although, I am impressed by the absorbency of the 7th Gen diapers--one diaper can last through the night without leakage.

One thing bothers me however. The "poly" backing and outer covering is what exactly? Polymer? Polycarb? POLYESTER??? How do we know THAT's not harmful to the babies...considering the recent BPA-plastic bottle scandal.

I feel pretty good about the 7th Gen wipes, though. Non-chlorine, cloth-like wipes infused with natural cleansing, healing and moisturizing agents. I love using it because I can use it to clean Olivia's hands and sippy cup without worrying about her ingesting fragrances and harmful chemicals.

The 7th Gen diapers cost a little more than Huggies and Pampers per unit, but is comparable to the gDiapers. You can find 7th Gen products at your local Wholefoods stores or other organic markets.

::go organic::

Sooo...I am trying to feed O only organic food. It is possible, but it is definitely more expensive and the selection is limited. However, I find that the limited selection also keeps me in check in terms of the quality of food. No organic Oreos...yet. I also try to dress her in organic clothing. Again, that gets pricey. Do the benefits outweigh the expense?

How about organic mattresses? I've heard that a lot of parents are now buying organic cotton or wool mattresses rather than the typical plastic and foam models. Supposedly, the flame retardant on the conventional mattresses are off-gassing some serious chemicals that could harm your baby. Natural materials are actually fire resistant. For instance, if you put a flame up to your wool rug, it will not burn. Believe me, I've tried it personally. Another option is a mattress made from natural rubber. Makes sense, since rubber actually comes from a living tree.

I also just bought O a Born Free sippy cup. Apparently, it is made from polyamide rather than the harmful polycarbonate chemical, Bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA has been shown to cause neurological, developmental and reproductive problems in laboratory animals. As a bonus, Born Free bottles and cups feature a new air vent system which supposedly reduces colic symptoms.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS??? I'D LOVE TO GET SOME FEEDBACK ON WHY YOU'VE GONE ORGANIC!

::smashing pumpkins::

V and I, along with our husbands, took M*x and O to the pumpkin patch this weekend. Hay rides, pumpkin picking, caramel apples...the whole thing. We took O there a couple of weeks ago with Grandpa R, but went back again because it is such a festive atmosphere ;-) Can you imagine that?! An entire holiday centered around the color orange?!?!?!

Most people prefer the regular old jack-o-lantern type pumpkins. We like the Cinderella or Fairytale Pumpkins. They are flatter and usually have well-defined ridges. Love it! There is also a blue/grey variety which is unusually beautiful.

And then there's the issue of the Halloween costume. At first, we wanted to dress O up as a beagle. But we just couldn't find the right costume for it. Then we thought, since she moves like a monkey, we should dress her up as a monkey. But we thought that'd be too cruel. So finally, I decided on dressing her in basic black with an orange tutu for the prima ballerina look. O's Puo immediately jumped on the bandwagon and produced the tutu within a day. It is adorable! However, you must wait for the photos ;-)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!

::dirt be gone::

I ordered my new Roomba vacuum robot from Amazon.com on Monday. The package arrived on Tuesday via regular UPS shipping. Fabulous.

I looove it. Can't say enough good things about it. The new model is quieter but with more suction power. The bin is definitely bigger and the three rotating sweeping brushes are to-die-for. They attack the corners and baseboards like nobody's business. The anti-tangle technology is working well on most of our rugs. The Roomba is still unable to detangle itself from the longer tassels. I came home one day to see it stuck in the corner on a pile of frillies. Hmmm...

The Roomba also comes with its own "lighthouses" which you can place in the path of the Roomba to prevent it from entering an off-limits area or stairwells. Pretty nifty. Of course, if you are an apartment dweller or have baby gates all over the house, the lighthouses are pretty much moot.

I still use my Dyson in the living room everyday because that is where O spends most of her playing time. But the Roomba is so great for under the sofa and bed. We no longer have hairy dust bunnies residing under our furniture ;-)

::bacon + eggs::

I am really digging Mahar Drygoods. They offer beautifully handcrafted baby+kids items that you may not find elsewhere. It's not "crafty" in a bad way...just really simple, modern gear designed and made by artists and craftspeople.

Just take a look at the Bacon + Eggs Breakfast Bib by Sheriff Peanut. The all cotton bib is coated with clear vinyl in the front for easy cleanup. Each bib is handmade by the artist, so each bib is unique. It's not really a bib you'd use for a drooler or babies who are already eating solid foods by themselves (i.e. no catch-all pocket at the bottom of the bib). But it is perfect for those who are experimenting with semi-solid foods.

::puff mommy::

It was our two-year wedding anniversary on Tuesday. Architectdad found time in his busy schedule to spend time with us ;-) I told him "no presents", since we just spent mucho $$$ on the beagles dental cleaning. BTW, if you have pets, make sure you have their teeth cleaned and checked by a veterinarian every 3 years; otherwise, you will not only end up with a HUGE dental bill, you may also end up with a very sick animal. The bacteria in their mouth can infect the jaw bones, and if swallowed, the germs could get into the pet's body and cause systemic infections.

Anywho, architectdad gave me a Burberry down puffer coat in anticipation of the upcoming winter season. Of course, on Tuesday, the high temp for the day was over 90 degrees! Needless to say, I didn't have a chance to try it out ;-) Although, as two cold fronts move into our area today, the temp will drop down considerably, so it won't be long! The good thing about a puffer coat is that it is not only warm, but also light. Sure beats lugging a heavy wooly coat around the playground.

Now if I could just convince him O needs her own Burberry quilted jacket...

::let's roomba::

I have never liked vacuuming. Architectdad was always the one pushing that horribly loud machine around the house. Now that I am the mom of a crawling, soon-to-be-walking, baby, I am obsessed about cleaning!

As a fellow mom, V is even one step ahead of me. She even steam cleans every week! To save me some time and grief, she let me borrow her Roomba vacuuming robot. I love this thing! Granted, it is no Dyson. But man, it sure is nice to turn the Roomba loose while O and I are getting our Starbucks and come home to a cleaner house.

The older Roomba models have a small bin capacity, so if you have dogs, you'll need to empty the bin often. There are models with the Intellibin option, which will let you know when the bin is full. Also, there are many parts in which dog hair and people hair can become entangled. The Roomba holds its battery charge for quite a long time. For a 250 sq ft space, the Roomba could definitely go around the room multiple times. Some models will also return to the charging dock on its own when the juice runs out. You can even preset a cleaning schedule for while you are out of the house.

There is one little glitch that bothers me: the Roomba gets caught in the tassles of our Turkish rugs all the time and can't seem to get itself out of the mess. I've come home a couple of times to find it stuck on a rug and making a pathetic little whining noise.

A brand new Roomba model has just been released. It has a completely different look, a bigger bin and more suction. The company also claims that it now has an added "anti-tangle technology." We plan on getting one, so look for my review soon.

Look for remanufactured older models on Amazon.com for a very reasonable price.

::upward mobility::

As O starts to discover her physical capabilities, I have stretched mine to the limit. Since she is always on the floor now, I vaccum the entire apt EVERYDAY (NOTE: I LOVE MY DYSON VACCUM). It may sound crazy, but like most babies, O is able to find the most minute scrap of potentially dangerous objects and stick it in her mouth.

Also, chasing after her is whole new experience. I used to be able to sit her down and do some housework while she's playing with her toys. Now, I have resorted to vaccuming and doing laundry only during her nap times. If I can't get something done during those times, it will have to wait. Although, the high chair has come in handy. Just strap her in the high chair and give her some cheerios and sippy cup, she is set for a few minutes.

Sooo...along with the increased mobility, comes babyproofing. I still cannot believe we are already at that stage! Since architectdad is super busy at work, we've decided to hire a service,
Safe Start Baby, to assess the apt and install child-safety devices. V suggested it months ago, but I kept putting it off thinking O is not there yet. Well, once she started crawling, she wants to learn how to fly.

If you have the time and would like to babyproof your domicile by yourself, you can certainly purchase the devices offered by the service and install them. Most baby superstores have a decent selection of products as well.

My only advice is this: babyproof before your baby is actually mobile. Because once they start crawling, they WILL get into every nook and cranny of your house. If your house is already babyproofed by then, you can allow your baby to explore without constant worries.

::sleep schedule::

For those of you who would like to try using a sleep schedule for your baby, here is my free, unsolicited schedule:

7:30 AM wake-up time; open all the blinds/curtains to let the daylight into the nursery
8:00 AM breakfast
9:00 AM 1st nap – even if she does not look tired or show signs of sleepiness, put her down for a nap anyway; close blinds/curtains to make room dark again; make sure the environment is as quiet as possible; comfort her; do not talk to her or play with her once you put her down

FIRST NAP SHOULD LAST 1-2 HOURS, GENERALLY ABOUT 1-1/2 HOURS

10:30 AM wake up from nap, take her out for a stroll in daylight and interaction with other people
12:00 NOON lunch
1:00 PM 2nd nap – again, even if she does not look tired, put her down for a nap anyway; close blinds/curtains to make room dark again; make sure it is as quiet as possible; comfort her; do not talk to her or play with her once you put her down

SECOND NAP SHOULD ALSO LAST 1-2 HOURS, GENERALLY ABOUT 1-1/2 HOURS

2:30 PM wake up from nap, take her out for a stroll in daylight and run errands etc.
4:00 PM snack
5:00 PM 3rd nap (usually short) – only if she needs it
6:30 PM dinner
7:00 PM start bedtime routine – bathe her, read her a story, sing her a song, whatever works for you and her; turn off as many lights as possible, make the nursery as quiet as possible
7:30 PM bedtime – comfort her with soothing massage; tell her goodnight and you love her, before put her down for the night; do not talk to her or play with her once you put her down

::cio or ap::

Do you let your baby CRY-IT-OUT or do you subscribe to the ideas of ATTACHMENT PARENTING? I honestly don't think it should be mutually exclusive. We do not practice either exclusively. However, for those of you who have met O in person, you probably know she is a happy, happy baby...pretty easy to be around. And she has a great sense of humor! I think she will be attending clown college with M*x when they get older ;-)

Lately, I have noticed that a lot of moms/dads who practice AP think that it is a cardinal sin against Dr. Sears' Eight Principles if you let your baby cry herself to sleep. I respect their opinion, but at the same time, I wonder: if O, at 9 months of age, still refuses to nap and sleep at night, would I be able to keep up with her mentally and physically? I seriously doubt it. Not only would she be exhausted, architectdad and I would be a total mess.

When O started sleeping 10-12 hours/night at 7 weeks of age, we thought we were home-free. Not so. As O developed a sense of her surroundings, she started to refuse going to sleep at night. We tried comforting her and picking her up whenever she cried, but it was not working. Finally, I decided to let her cry it out. It was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do. Architectdad fought against the idea for a long time, but as soon as O started to sleep through the night again, he finally came around. However, like AP parents, we do not let her cry during the day, but then again, she rarely cries.

O is very attached to me and her dad. She is also very friendly to people around her. She is fearless and fun. She rarely fusses and eats well. To give you an example, she has her very first cold right now, but she is still happy and smiling, has not fussed once. She even giggles when we use the bulby-thing to suck out the snot! I may be tooting my own horn, but why not? I am ecstatic that we haven't screw her up!!! Yet...

In the end, architectdad and I follow the Eight Principles of AP pretty closely, without knowing it. Therefore I do believe the method has a lot to offer new parents. However, as with anything else, I am always up for improvisation and alteration. How about you?

::rett syndrome::

Rett Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects almost exclusively girls. It causes lethality in males during the embryonic stage. It is an X-linked genetic mutation that is usually not inherited from the parents.

Infants with Rett Syndrome usually do not develope symptoms of the disorder until 6-18 months old. Neurological development tends to plateau after this brief period of normal development, and is followed by regression of previously acquired skills. Psychomotor abilities rapidly decline between 1-2 years of age. Early features are similar to those of autism. It is, therefore, easy to mistakenly diagnose Rett syndrome for autism. The symptoms vary in severity, depending on the girl.

I was introduced to Rett Syndrome by a friend of mine whose daughter was recently diagnosed with the disorder. E is such a wonderful, lovely girl. With the help of her incredibly patient parents and knowledgeable therapists, she is thriving. A recent landmark research study has shown that Rett Syndrome symptoms can be reversed in a genetic mouse model.

To learn more about Rett Syndrome, please visit the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation. You can also donate money to the Foundation by giving what you can here. (NOTE: Please put "Fairfax, VA" in the Program Area box.)

::splendid weather::

FINALLY, indian summer seem to have left us for good. We had splendid weather today...O and I went to my old firm and demonstrated some of her new tricks. Her skinny Old Navy jeans were also a big hit.

Speaking of splendid, O's terry dress and hoody set by Splendid is a wonderful addition to her fall wardrobe. The terry cloth used to make the garments is sooo soft...like butter. The dress is stretchy enough that it does not impede her movements. She started crawling last week, and has not stopped moving since ;-)

::trouble in paradise::

My iPhone is not working. The top half of the touch screen is working, but the bottom half is not. This happened briefly on Sunday, but it is now completely kaput. Tried resetting and restoring, nothing. Completely ridiculous...I have had it for less than 90 days!

I called the iPhone tech support. Super nice...told me they will replace the phone free of charge. They'll even send a temp phone while the new one is being configured. Although, there is normally a $29.99 charge for the temp phone (they waived it for me). Crazy...considering how much they charge for the phones.

Not completely satisfied with the fix, I packed up architectdad and O and trekked out to the Apple store in the burbs. The sales person and manager were great. But because the "Apple Genius" was all booked up, I will have to go back tomorrow. They promised they will replace the phone, but the Genius will have to fill out all of the paperwork. We shall see. Wish me luck!

::update::
I took my sad little iPhone to the Apple store today so that the "Genius" can take a look and tell me what is ailing it. It turns out, this problem is not unheard of. In fact, after about 10 seconds of looking at it, he immediately told me I will be given a new phone on the spot. No complaints here! So all is well again...let's hope this one lasts a little longer ;-) Oh, and I signed up for the rebate...not $100 cash back, but store credit. Good enough, I guess.

::hunter green::

The beagle national specialty show is next week!!! Too much excitement for words. Z's nephews (by the way of his littermate sister) will be competing in the show with 288 other champion beagles.

Believe it or not, there is actually a color which beaglers use to distinguish themselves from the fox hunters. Ever heard of the term "hunter green?" Apparently it refers to dark green formal hunting jackets of the beagle master. Fox hound masters wear red coats instead.

So, in order to prepare O for this event, we went to J Crew and bought her a hunter green quilted barn vest and cordoroy driving cap (with embroidered doggies!) from the Crewcuts children's line. Neither is available online, so the images here are not exactly accurate. The pieces from the children's line are similar to the adult versions...plain, simple and great for layering. Although, I must say that J Crew had way better products in the 90's.

Now all O needs is a cashmere Burberry scarf...

::skivvies::

Someone's mother always says: "Make sure you are wearing clean underwear at all times." As if the other option is even thinkable?!?!?! I know it's a little early for O to be worrying about her skivvies, but nice undergarments are the foundation for a successful ensemble. Wouldn't you say?

When we were in NYC last, O was so excited to be in the Big Apple that she spat up all over her Nana Ki outfit. So, since we were already in Sons and Daughters, we quickly changed her from the stinky two piece into a Hanssop tank onesie which we bought on the spot. Hanssop is a Dutch (!) company that specializes in high quality underwear and clothing. The printed graphics on the cotton/Lycra onesie reminds me a lot of the Victoriana prints by Albert. To boot, the little tank onesie features three rows of ruffles on the bum...too much cuteness!

Another brand which sells high-quality underwear is the Dutch company, Claesen's. The smallest size they make for children is XS, which translates to 2-3 years. So if you know of a toddler who is in need of beautifully made undergarments, a sweet Claesen's set would be perfect for her.

::do what sharon stone did::

Remember when Sharon Stone wore a plain white Gap shirt and a black silk taffeta designer skirt to an award show? Everyone loved it and suddenly, it was chic to pair couture with carefully chosen mass-produced pieces. The same is true for baby clothes.

Beautifully designed children's wear is not cheap. However, it is possible to buy some of the staples (pants for example) from stores such as Gap or Old Navy, and dress them up with other pieces from high-end brands.

As autumn approaches, I had to (sadly) put O's summer dresses away for good. That's when I panicked. I do not have pants that fit her!!! During my panic fit, I visited the Old Navy site, in hopes of finding some plain pants/jeans for my darling girl. Thankfully, Old Navy came through for me.

I ended up ordering the flared cargo pants, the flared jeans and the skinny jeans. The skinny jeans are hilarious...butt crack is extra of course. Phew! Danger is diverted. Now I can concentrate on finding nice tops and outerwear to match ;-)

::all about knits::

Sorry I did not keep up with the blog entries last week. The fall allergy season has started early for me. Ever since the pregnancy, I've been really susceptible to ear-nose-throat infections. So with some major-domo antibiotic, I am well on my way to recovery.

The gorgeous autumn weather we've had this weekend certainly helped with my recovery. Architectdad and I took O to Piccolo Piggies to pick out some new fall clothes for her. We came upon a pair of knit mittens by Catimini. As we dug deeper, we found a matching hat/scarf combo, and a beautifully feminine knit cardigan by the same. By comparison, I think Catimini has Deux par Deux beat, hands down. The designs and graphics are equally whimsical, but the colors are a bit more subdued and less clown-ish.

The French brand, in my opinion, sizes a little larger than average. For instance, we bought O the size 6M cardigan, but she could certainly wear it through the Fall and into Winter. On the other hand, we had to get her the size 2T hat so that we can fit it around her big noggin without too much protest. Hmmm...

You can find Catimini clothing on A Child's Closet and Madeleine Boutique. Also look for Catimini children's linens on French Brand.

::icky poo poo::

My shopping habit apparently doesn't take holidays. While on our beach vacation, I just HAD to stop by a baby store during one of our day trips. The store was surprisingly hip, considering we were surrounded by mullet hairdos and farmer tans. I bought O a little cotton/Lycra knit dress by Icky Baby and a wooden puppy-shaped toy by Beeswax.

I was drawn to the Icky Baby dress because 1) it was on sale (I know, not really logical thinking at all) and 2) the print is actually quite graphic and contemporary and 3) it was on sale.

You can find Icky Baby products in high end children's stores, as well as department stores such as Nordstrom and Barney's.

::we're back::

::soaking in the sun::

Architectdad, O and I are away on a beach vacation. We rented a house directly on a private, dog-friendly beach. The weather has been great and O is sleeping and eating as usual...nothing to complain about ;-) The Candeloo mishap has already been left behind.

O loves to sit in the sand, grab a handful and shove it in her mouth. Thankfully, we've been able to stop her every time. The hounds are having tons of fun chasing crabs and running on the beach. Since it is after Labor Day, the beach is pretty much deserted except for a few locals and late vacationers like us. That's the way I like it...uh huh.

V, M*x and D joined us on Saturday with their cavalier K-C spaniels, C + S. They left this afternoon. It was wonderful to be in their company and we wish they could have stayed longer :-( Uncles M + A are coming to visit us here at the beach tomorrow from NYC, and they are bringing L and her Baby F. Can't wait to see them!

It will be hard to leave this place, but we hope to make this an annual vacation. So...there is always next year to look forward to!

::the bee in nyc::

It was great...not having to lug the Cameleon up and down a walk-up building is wonderful. The narrow width of the Bee is also great for NYC sidewalks--it saved us a lot of nasty stares from stroller-haters.

Since it has not been released for purchase anywhere else but Babystyle, I did not see one Bee on our trip. Plenty of Frogs and Cameleons, though. I would say that about 80% of the strollers we saw in Manhattan and Brooklyn were Bugaboos. We have certainly generated a lot of interest, so it will be interesting to see how popular the Bee is with the NYC crowd.

::where did the light go::

I have been having issues with my Candeloo nightlights. I cannot shut off the lights using the on/off button at the base of the each light. While it is not a big deal, it means that I have to remember to put the lights back in the recharger when not in use, otherwise the juice will run out. Our friend, L, also has similar issues. Unfortunately, her Candeloos won't even recharge.

So, I decided to write to Vessel to see what brilliant ideas they have about fixing the lights. They wrote back right away and said that they'd replace both sets of Candeloos free of charge. I have not received the replacements yet, so I will withhold judgement on their customer service for now. But so far, so good!

::UPDATE::
The Vessel cust rep just replied. Here is what she says:

"Hi Leslie, After reviewing your cases, we have determined that your set of candeloos are no longer covered under warranty. Our warranty is 180 days, or 6 months. We can however offer you replacements parts at a 20% discount. The candeloo lamps are 18 dollars each plus shipping. Please let us know if you would like to order replacements lamps and i can place an order for you via e-mail.Since your friends unit is still covered under warranty, I have gone ahead and placed an order for a new base to be sent to her. It will ship via ups ground in 5-7 business days.Thanks, Vessel Customer Support."

Ahmmm...since my lamps were a baby shower gift, I really don't have any control over when it was purchased. I suppose I should have contacted them as soon as the lamps stopped working...which was 3 months after I first opened the box. INFURIATING. At least they are replacing L's charger. Let's hope that's all it takes to fix the problem.

::ciao bella::

We are in the Big Apple again. O, architectdad and I just spent the entire day shopping for fall baby clothes. To bulk up for our big shopping trip, Uncles M + A took us to a restaurant in the EV called "the EU" (for European Union). If you've never had a BOMBOLINI, I highly recommend it. It's basically a custard/jam filled, sugar-coated donut. Mmm...delicioso!

We of course have already visited our favorite store in the East Village, Sons and Daughters, yesterday. Today, we went to several stores, including Calypso Enfant + Bebe in SoHo, as well as another store in the EV called Crem Bebee. There is so many beautiful clothes and accessories available in NYC. The one brand that stood out from all the rest was Album di Famiglia.

It is a high-end Italian brand that offers elegantly simple children's clothing and accessories. The aesthetic is a cross between Tadao Ando and Dieter from Saturday Night Life (80s reference for those of you who are a little more youthful). If you have been searching for elegant, zen-like, BLACK clothes for your baby, this is the brand to check out.

My favorite piece this season is the down-filled hooded kimono coat for baby. The outer shell is made from the softest brushed cotton; it almost has the texture of super fine cotton flannel. The available colors are subdued yet not severe. Even the black.

You can find Album di Famiglia products on Sons and Daughters or Estella NYC. Ciao-ciao!