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CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT: Family. Friends. Hounds. Books. The Beach. Autumn. Cameras. Computer. iPhone. The color orange. Caramel frappucino. The words "dude!" and "nice!". Oh...and world peace ;-)

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30 June 2007

::zzzzzzzzz::

There is a book that a lot of parents are raving about; it is called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." It is a no-nonsense book about how you can help your baby develop good sleep habits, which will in turn make him/her a happier child. No doubt, a sleeping, happy baby most likely has well-rested, happy parents as well.

While O has always been a good sleeper, she is now waking up in the middle of night looking for me. I'm chalking it up to temporary separation anxiety (is that like temporary insanity?!). The book says babies, like adults, will naturally wake up several times a night. But the trick is to get them to fall asleep again by themselves. So I have been letting her cry it out for a couple of minutes, then I go into the nursery to comfort her. Usually, the binkie alone will do.

If reading the book still doesn't help, you can opt for what a lot of parents have done--hire a sleep coach. I'm not certain what exactly goes into the "coaching", but the parents swear by their methods. Many say the whole experience has changed their lives. It is not cheap, but well worth the investment if you have exhausted all other resources. Having happy parents are just as important, I think!

27 June 2007

::maxi cosi by quinny ::

My last experience to the baby superstore was hell; I think it had a lot to do with the fact that O was 1) uncomfortable in her infant seat and 2) the view facing backwards just doesn't cut it anymore. E and I talked about this yesterday and I think it is almost time for the convertible car seat.

Most people will tell you that your baby shouldn't sit facing forward until she/he is at least one year old. However, most infant seats have a 22" or 22 lb limit, whichever comes first (geez, sounds like a car warranty!). At this rate, O will grow out of her seat before she is 9 months old! ***The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the child be 20 pounds and one year of age before switching them to a forward facing car seat. Therefore, a convertible seat that can face both backward and forward would be an ideal choice for a baby who is over 20 lbs but under one year of age.***

After searching around on the internet, the Maxi Cosi Priori by Quinny is at the top of my list. There are actually three Priori models: the Fix, the XP and the SPS. All three models conform to the ECE R44/04 safety guidelines. The Fix comes with an IsoFix floor attachment for added stability in frontal crashes, while the SPS offers the most side impact protection out of the three. As far as I can tell, only the XP model is available in the U.S. at the moment. It features a padded seat and three reclining positions. The Priori is suitable for babies and toddlers 9-18 kg (20-40 lbs). Both Pacifier and Elite Car Seats sell them, although they have not been released just yet.

Quinny is also responsible for the wildly popular Buzz stroller, just recently released in the U.S. The base model comes with a one-touch folding frame and seat (in delicious colors!), and you can either add the Maxi Cosi Mico infant car seat and/or the matching Dreami Bassinet--each sold separately. The base model is $500; the infant car seat is $150; and the bassinet is $190. In the end, you would be spending less for the Buzz system than you would for a Bugaboo, and you are getting a lighter, easier to fold product. Not bad at all!

25 June 2007

::beep beep::

Here is something for your little Ernhardt or Danica--ultra sleek toy cars from Automoblox. Each toy car is made up of wooden "blocks" and plastic Lego-like pieces. The models range from compact to sports utility. The idea is that all of the pieces are interchangeable, so your little one is free to create a totally new model from the existing ones. The solid German beech wood is accented with brightly colored polycarb roof and matching rubber tires.

Each car conforms or exceeds the U.S.'s ASTM F963a guidelines, as well as the E.U.'s EN-71 standards. The craftsmanship is intended to be of heirloom quality, so that your child can pass it on to his/her child.

Architectdad bought a few for his cousin in Texas. He compared prices on various websites--including Automoblox--and ended up buying them from Amazon.com because it offered a slight discount.

BTW, we just received our Boon Flair high chair today (bought it from Amazon on Friday). Love it, love it, love it!!! Easy to assemble and clean. Fabulous!

24 June 2007

::land of the rising sun::

Ever since I was little, Hello Kitty has always been my favorite cartoon character. Although, at this point, she is more like an empire, with her own Hello friends and product line that could put Mickey and Minnie to shame.

In terms of design and architecture, Japan has always been a step ahead. Tadao Ando's Water Temple is one of my favorite buildings of all time. It comes as no surprise that Japan has some of the coolest children's clothes as well.

Brands such as Makie, Miki House and Chigo bring us sweet children's apparel that are fun, with a hint of Asian influence. Makie has a storefront in NY's SoHo on Thompson street, but it is a little more difficult to find Miki House and Chigo products. I have seen them in higher end shops, though. But don't you just love the faux bois bibs?!

23 June 2007

::stumbling on happiness::

It's like reading a witty Malcolm Gladwell book. It's loaded with scientific facts and research, but it is also full of humor--making it an easy read. As the title suggests, the Harvard psychologist, Daniel Gilbert "describes the foibles of imagination and illusions of foresight that cause each of us to misconceive our tomorrows and misestimate our satisfaction."

Citing the latest research data in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, philosphy and behavioral economics, Gilbert tells us about "what scientists have discovered about the uniquely human ability to imagine the future, and about our capacity to predict how much we will like it when we get there."

If you think you know what makes you happy, try this. It may change your mind...for the better!

20 June 2007

::solid food accoutrement::

I spent the day driving around the suburbs with O. The first leg of the trip wasn't bad at all; we visited O's Auntie N at her new store, Roots Market. It's similar to Wholefoods, but better. They even sell gDiaper refills! I bought O an organic diaper rash cream by Badger (the added solid food is irritating her bottom, we think), as well as some organic fruit jars by Earth's Best.

Unfortunately, Roots sold out of the gDiaper refills, so I had to go to another organic market to buy them. I then spent 2 hours wondering around in the baby super store, looking for "solid food" accoutrement. O was pretty good while we were in the store, but she cried the entire way home. I thought I was in my personal hell. She wasn't wet or hungry, just thought I'd abandoned her. Can't wait for her to be large enough for a front-facing car seat!

Nevertheless, I did come away with a couple of cool things for O. I bought her a couple of sippy cups by Nuby so that she can starting learning to drink by herself. This brand is made by the Belgium-based company, Luv n' care. Super cool bottles with clear silicone non-drip spouts. Best of all, each bottle comes with a nubby nipple and spout, plus detachable handles, making it convertible for newborns through 6+ months.

I also bought O a couple of teethers by Combi. The 4-month teether is designed to ween the baby from a binkie, while the 6-month teether is designed to stimulate the front teeth and encourage chewing. They are super cute, to boot!

Now that architectdad and I have taken a long walk with O and the beagles, everything in our world is right again. I'm ready for tomorrow!

::sitting high::

During our Monday visit to the pediatrician, O was finally given the okay to start on solid foods. I have been giving her rice cereal on and off, just so she gets used to the taste and process. The question now is: "Which high chair to use?!"

My favorite is the Nest high chair. Its round classic modern design reminds me of the architect-designed signature pieces from the 60's. It can be configured into three chairs--infant high chair, booster seat and the Nester (for kids up to 6 years old). It even comes in Tangerine Orange! However, at $575 a pop...mmm, it's just a little too fancy for our O.

So we'll settle for our second choice, the Boon Flair Chair. It is a pedestal high chair, similar to the Nest, but the seat looks more like a bar stool you'd see at a diner. The stem features a pneumatic lift for easy adjustments, and the seamless seat makes clean up a breeze. The standard version comes with frosted plastic seat, white cushion and painted plastic base. The elite version comes with an opaque white plastic seat, ORANGE cushion and stainless steel base. Of course I would love to have the elite version, but I think the standard version will work just as well.

Other cool high chairs currently on the market are mostly adjustable wooden models that can be used by infants and teenagers alike. Chairs such as Tripp Trapp by Stokke are wildly popular in Europe.

18 June 2007

::old friends::

Today, O and I had lunch with my high school friend, Doris. It is so nice to catch up after 17 years. She, of course, looks exactly as I remembered her...good Asian genes, I think ;-) In the evening, we met E and S at Starbucks. O and S are beginning to interact in a meaningful way. How exciting!

Doris said she remembered me as an artist. Seriously, I can't even remember the last time I drew or painted for fun. Sure, I used to draw everyday at work, but nothing for my personal pleasure. Recently, I started making things with my sewing machine. Dog collars, leashes and baby related accessories. Nothing fancy, yet, but I'm trying. My mom is the best amateur seamstress in the world, too bad I haven't learned much from her.

I've also started designing graphics which I can then transfer onto plain onesies and t-shirts for O. For best printing results, a lot of designers actually use base stock from American Apparel. In addition to adult products, AA also offer products for kids and babies. Select styles are available in organic cotton as well. Their products are all made in the U.S.A. (downtown L.A.) in sweatshop-free factories. As a result, both the quality and price are slightly higher than the run of the mill T-shirts.

Thanks, Doris, for coming into town to meet us...I promise the next time we'll visit you and your family in your neck of the woods ;-)

17 June 2007

::happy father's day::

...to architectdad, Grandpa R and Grandpa L! We are all going to a neighborhood French bistro called Napoleon later this morning for brunch. Bonjour! Merci!

In honor of the Frenchy theme, we will visit Belgium for the day. Okay, it's not exactly French, but there are French-speaking folks there...and the other half of the population are, you guessed it, Dutch speaking.

Simple Kids clothes are designed by British designer Melanie Ireland and produced in Belgium. They offer some of the most beautiful children's clothes I have seen. I almost bought O the Lima baby tunic dress, but it was a little pricey @ $90.00. Although I must say the embroidery work and overall craftsmanship are outstanding. The Brazil silk yellow flower dress will make your little one the belle of the tea party.

15 June 2007

::fun fair organic::

That is the slogan for Speesees, a children's clothing company. Their mission is to make children's products that are organic and conform to the Fair Trade Practices and Principles. In essence, the organically grown cotton is farmed by families who are given healthcare and work in sweatshop-free factories. In addition, the local community where the garments are manufactured also benefit from the industry. One U.S. dollar from every $100 earned from online Speesees retail orders will go to buy the children in the local community various supplies to support a more conducive learning environment.

O's indigo Speesees dandelion dress is not only fun, fair and organic, the indigo dye used is also known for its anti-microbial and insect repellent properties. Who knew?! To browse Speesees products, try their online store. I hope you like it.

14 June 2007

::function over form::

As a principle, architectdad and I refuse to buy anything for O unless it is aesthetically pleasing. I know, it sounds obnoxious and wrong, but that is the way we are with everything.

However, today we broke down and inherited the Exersaucer. V gave us M*x's old ES because O loves it so much (THANK YOU!). It is essentially a "command center" in which O is supported upright. It allows her to practice standing and turning, as she spins around and plays with the toys around her. Trust me, it's not pretty. But she loves it, so that's all that matters. Besides, this will give me a chance to take a shower in the morning without her crying hysterically. I'm all for that.

Another thing, the ES is preparing O for world domination. When she is in the ES, she bears a striking resemblance to the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-Il--ready to obliterate democracy. The earnestness is frightening.

Now if we can only figure out how to incorporate the Commie Command Center into our living room landscape....................

BTW, welcome back E and S!

13 June 2007

::for your little princes and princesses::

While browsing on the Cuddly Couture website, I came across some dresses by Marie-Chantal. The founder is the Crown Princess Pavlos of Greece, Princess of Denmark, Marie-Chantal (nee M-C Claire Miller). You're probably thinking: "good lord, what is it now...tiaras and toutous?!"

Actually, I was pleasantly surprised. The designs are in fact pretty simple and elegant. Tasteful, not gaudy as you might expect. The M-C online store is also well-designed and easy to navigate.

As a side note, I love her children's names: Maria-Olympia, Constantine Alexios, Achileas-Andreas and Odysseas Kimon. L, how about naming your tater after one of the characters from "the Odyssey?!"

12 June 2007

::elfen magic::

I can't stand the heat. The humidity makes me sticky and cranky. Unfortunately, I think O has inherited the trait. In the middle of winter, O only needed two layers and was good to go. Never complained about the cold. Now, she can be practically naked and still whine nonstop about the heat..

I try to put her in loose cotton dresses so that she stays cool. We bought her a few vintage 60's dresses by Gay Sprites from Marchand de Legumes in Nolita. She wore the blue one to the baby shower this past weekend and it was a hit. However, they are a little too formal for the everyday, so they are now back in the closet until our next party.

Today, O is wearing a dress by Imps+Elfs from Uncle M. It is made of cotton and lycra so it is cool and comfy at the same time. It features a ruffled elastic neckline, and sleeves, as well as side ruching on the front and a three snap closure on the back for easy dressing. According to the Sons and Daughters website, "Imps & Elfs works with MADE-BY to clean up the production process. The ultimate goal of this cooperation between fashion and fair trade is to produce clothes that are 100% child labor free and made from organic cotton." Not only are the products well-designed, but the company is socially aware. And guess what? They're DUTCH!!!

11 June 2007

::under de-nile is not just a river in egypt::

Phew...we're finally home. I was a little nervous about O's first long car trip to NYC. Thankfully, she did extremely well...happy and content as usual. While we didn't spend a lot of time with Uncle M and Uncle A, I'm glad O became a little more familiar with them. I am also glad she had the chance to meet our friends and R's breeders, M and T. We visited their soon-to-be new home in Hoboken, NJ...what a marvelous neighborhood and view of Manhattan. From across the Hudson River, one can easily see all the new skyscrapers by signature architects--Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, Frank Gehry...it's an experience you cannot get in Manhattan, for sure.

While we browsed in Sons and Daughters, Uncle M bought an adorable organic cotton tank top onesie by Under the Nile for yet another baby shower. When I was pregnant, I bought a truckload of UTN products--onesies, footies, buntings and scratch mittens. Everything is 100% Egyptian organic cotton. While Kate Quinn Organics has more color selections, UTN makes great basics that are not only soft, but extremely practical. In particular, the scratch mittens I found were indispensable in the first two months. They prevented O from scratching herself with surprisingly sharp baby nails. Now that she has outgrown the swaddling cloth, we dress her in UTN bunting for bed and use the swaddling cloth as a blanket.

For moms who are using cloth diapers, UTN also offer fitted or prefold organic cloth diapers, and liners. The fitted diapers with velcro look a little like the gDiaper pants, which makes it easy to put on and take off. I bought everything directly from their website. There was a slight problem with the shipping, but the owner, who I spoke to on the phone, was able to resolve it quickly.

09 June 2007

::hello from the big apple::

Hello from the Big Apple! Architectdad, O and I drove into town yesterday for L's baby shower. Great weather and wonderful setting. O finally met her "boyfriend" H...although she was in competition with a little blonde cutie. We wish L and J the best...and for the record, they are registered at Amazon, Pacifier and Design Public ;-)

After the shower, we visited our favorite kids store in the East Village, Sons and Daughters. This is where I first saw Koeka products, so of course we came away with the terry cloth Bugaboo cover. I know, I know, I said I wouldn't buy it...but I couldn't resist.

Another great find is a cute summer hat from Kik Kid. And guess what? This is a Dutch company. I think I should just move to the Netherlands and get it over with. Anyway, the hat we bought is printed cotton muslin with a visor-like brim and little pointy "kitty ears." Too cute. There's also a sweet little conductor hat for boys.

O was pretty good on the drive up, but we shall see what happens on the way home.

07 June 2007

::suffering::

I am a sufferer of seasonal allergies. I'm not talking about the occasional sniffles, but more on the level of the Dhammapada...there is no enlightenment without suffering. Basically, my sinuses have been plugged up for the last few months and I have not been able to catch any conversation in its entirety for as long. I have also developed this annoying cough which has turned my lovely alto voice into a raspy Brenda Vaccaro impression. All this due to the fact that my internist has been cancelling on me for a month now...I was finally able to get an appointment for tomorrow. Let's keep our fingers crossed...let's hope Dr P gives mommy something GOOD to get rid of this annoying cough and head congestion. Needless to say, I'm a little cranky at the moment...so here it goes:

*I hate Starbucks...why do I always get the B (or C) Team when I'm there?!?!?! How hard is it to make a venti/no-whip/caramel frappucino?!?!?!

*Bumbo baby sitter now has a tray that "clips" onto the seat...awesome!

*Will architectdad please fix the d!#m dryer already?!

*G-diapers DO NOT handle baby poop well...at all.

*O is the loudest baby I've ever met. Even with my plugged up ears.

I know...it's not very Buddhist of me to be complaining so much...but I'm suffering!

03 June 2007

::feliz parabens::

Happy birthday, M*x! V's daughter turned one this Friday. She kindly invited us to the birthday party, but we were in Bryn Mawr for the annual hound show. We wish M*x a wonderful second year and many more thereafter. And equally important...congratulations to V...you've made it past the first year! It's a cake walk from now on, right?!

Bryn Mawr was important not only because it was a hound-related event, but because it was O's first long car trip. She did exceptionally well in the car. Slept most of the way to and fro. She saw her first foxhounds and horses...very exciting! She also met R's litter brother for the first time. We had Talkback and R together for a couple of days when they were puppies, before we had to deliver T to Mandy's pack. T acted as if he remembered me, which of course made me teary eyed! Both brothers are now getting a bit grey in the face, but still very handsome and impressive. In fact, T won the stallion hound class, and his son, Mt Dew was the champion beagle this year! Yeah! Congrats to Bedlam and Whiskey Creek!

For the record, the Bugaboo negotiated the rolling hills of the hunt club beautifully. We laid out a blanket on the grass and watched the pack competitions while O played with her toys. It was a wonderful day, despite the hotter than average weather.