::fatboy::

We bathe our beagles regularly, but there's just no getting away from the "hound stink." Therefore we end up replacing their hound bed regularly. I've been buying the LL Bean dog bed for them for years. However, since the bed is poly-filled, it becomes flat very quickly. They now offer a memory foam bed (Tempurpedic for dogs!), which I may try in the near future.

For now, the hounds are enjoying their new Fatboy doggielounge in camouflage. Jukka Setala of Finland designed the original Fatboy beanbag (for people) in 1998. Since then, Fatboy has come out with a full range of beanbag furniture, including the doggielounge and catbag. There is even a Marimekko beanbag in "Unikko" or "Kaivo" print.

The nylon covering has a special coating which makes it easy to clean with a damp cloth. The filling is made of small EPS pellets. You can adjust the firmness of the bed by removing some pellets. The beagles seem to like it, but we will see how it holds up against the "hound stink" in a couple of weeks. The photo to the right is F lounging on the sofa (illegally!) while she waits for her new Fatboy to arrive!

::new look for binkies+noseprints::

Well, I finally got tired of my old blog background. I am in the process of revamping the whole layout. Since I am not a trained web professional, it will take me some time. In the meantime, enjoy the new (but temporary) ::b+n:: look!

::pajama party::

When O was three months old, we stopped swaddling her and put her in Under the Nile sleepsack for bed. She is now growing out of the sleepsack, so I had to find different sleep clothes for her to wear at night.

Like most babies her age, O is like an Olympic gymnast when it comes to sleeping. In some mornings, I will find her turned 180 degrees away from where I left her--usually with her blanket no where near her. Two piece pajamas just aren't an option because the top will inevitably end up bunched up around her armpits, leaving her belly exposed all night.

Again, I turned to Kate Quinn Organics for an answer to my dilemma. The onesies are great, but not enough coverage in the leg region. So I opted for the long sleeve kimono jumpsuit. The side snaps makes dressing before bed calm and without fuss. The long sleeves and long pants ensure enough coverage for my little gymnast. And the organic cotton is sooo soft.

However, if you have a "sweaty" girl or boy, you may find the short sleeve version more practical. Also, there is a tanktop-style terrycloth sunsuit that is perfect for the beach or poolside. Unfortunately, the sunsuit is out of stock on the KQ website. But Snazzy Tots has plenty of them in stock at a lower price point.

::parentus ergo chiropainus::

Your motto, pre-parenting: Cogito ergo sum. “I think, therefore I am.”
Your motto, now: Parentus ergo chiropainus. “I parent, therefore my back really hurts."
--Daily Candy

There is nothing truer than that. If you think the last month of pregnancy was killer on your back, just wait until you have to sling a 20+pounder on your body because the Bugaboo is too cumbersome to bring on the subway. Yes, I take the subway. Sometimes.

Last week, I put O in the Kate Spade carrier so that my hands are free to carry dog food home. The experience was pretty excruciating. One day she is light as a feather, the next she is as heavy as a concrete block. V said she bought an Ergo baby carrier for M*x, so I thought I'd give it a try as well. I've seen a lot of moms and dads use it, and I've heard a lot of moms and dads rave about it.

It is absolutely wonderful. It is really comfortable on me and O is snug as a bug in a rug in it. I carried her around for five minutes this morning and she immediately fell asleep. You have the option to carry your baby in three different positions (front, back, hip), whichever is most comfortable. It is even equipped with a privacy hood which is perfect for nursing. You can even cradle carry newborns in the Ergo, provided you add the Ergo padded infant insert. Ultimately, the feature that sets it apart from other baby carriers is the padded hip strap.

The creator, Karin Frost, originally designed the carrier for her son because she believes baby-wearing is an important part of the Continuum Concept. The Ergo allows you to go about your daily business/chores while carrying your child around with you. Comfortably. Up to 40 lbs. Although, I don't think O will be riding on my back until she's 40 lbs. That's just plain goofy!

::albert by the way of ulla johnson::

Albert NY is a high-end children's clothing line created by designer Ulla Johnson and stylist Edie Ure. The Albert aesthetic, as described by its creators, is a modernized Victorian look. By combining historical motifs and contemporary graphics, Albert products are truly unique..

The Albert website, for some reason, only showcases the 2006 collections. Nevertheless, browse through the collections and I am certain you will love it too. Look for select Albert onesies and tees on Sons + Daughters.

::custom marimekko bugaboo cover::

O's Puo has finished the custom Bugaboo covers. She made a seat cover for O's friend M*x, using the vintage 1964 signature Marimekko print called "Unikko." She backed the cover with solid linen fabric--a nice finishing touch, I thought.

O's cover is made from the "Selanne" fabric by Fujiwo Ishimoto. Since the 100% cotton does not stretch, Puo had to make the pattern slightly larger than the fleece cover so that it will fit onto the seat. She also made a pattern for the canopy cover. Since the graphic on the fabric is directional, Puo had to match up the lines on the different components of the canopy. The result is amazing!

We are thinking of making and marketing them for the masses...what do you think?! I've seen other custom bugaboo covers that are made from lesser quality fabrics and craftsmanship. At $150-$200 a set, it's like you are getting a brand new Bugaboo all over again...designer, no less.

On a related note, I am digging the new Denim Bugaboo Cameleon. Very rock-n-roll. Architectdad and I are also getting very excited about the debut of the Bee in September. Too bad it doesn't come in orange...wait, I'm sure we could just slap some custom cover on there and we're good to go!

::sale sale sale::

Believe it or not, it is that time of the year again. SUPER SUMMER SALES!!! Fall is just one month away (?!?!?!) so every store is clearing out its spring/summer collection to make room for the new cozy fall/winter collection. We might have to make a special trip to NYC to join in the frenzy!

Look for clearances on Sons + Daughters (thanks Uncle M for spoiling O with gorgeous dresses for next spring/summer), Pacifier, Snazzy Tots and Piccolini. Look on Sparkability for super sales on Nurseryworks furniture and bedding.

::vintage bean::

Vintage is making a huge comeback--not just in women's wear, but in children's clothing as well. There are obviously a few different definitions of "vintage wear." A truly vintage garment, in my opinion, is something that was made and/or worn in the past. On the other hand, a lot of clothiers are now using vintage fabric in their contemporary designs.

Baby Bean Vintage Daywear belongs in the latter group. Its creator, Christine Visneau, studied fashion design at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. She uses 100% vintage fabrics to create one-of-a-kind, hand-made garments for little girls. Each garment is unique because she uses assorted vintage fabrics. However, if you would like to know exactly what you are buying, you can email her and request to see the swatches.

::baby rosco has arrived::

Congratulations to Lauren and James on the birth of their son today! He was born at 8:25 AM - 7lbs 2oz, 19-3/4 inches. We cannot wait to meet him ;-)

::sckoon::

Sckoon is a similar brand to Pristine Baby. It is also a Japanese company that offers well-made, elegant organ cotton products for babies, woman and pets.

In addition to adorable baby and toddler clothing, the brand also offers organic cotton cloth all-in-one diapers that actually get softer with each washing. The undyed basic onesies and jumpsuits are perfect for everyday wear. It also offers soft, cuddly stuffed toys for babies (and dogs!). Check out their sale section for great deals.

::pristine baby::

Pristine is a Japanese brand that sells organic cotton products. Its baby and kids line, Pristine Baby, has wonderfully elegant, simple things for little ones. Everything is made from unbleached, organic cotton cloth that has been produced using environmentally friendly processes.

The styling of the kimono onesie reminds of an abstract samurai costume. So easy to dress and sooo cute!

The English language website has just been launched, but the e-commerce feature is yet to be activated. However, you can buy Pristine Baby products on the Sons + Daughters website.

::salvor fauna::

When I was a freshman in college, my calculus teaching assistant wore wildlife t-shirts all the time. She was not a petite woman. In fact, Uncle M (my classmate) was a little scared of her.........'Till this day, he still has nightmares of Big Ol'Wendy and her "save-the-timber-wolf" t-shirt.

Salvor Fauna products are not quite that scary. On the contrary, this NYC-based company offers skillfully hand-printed, nature-inspired cotton clothing and home accessories. Their organic cotton long sleeve kimono onesie is to die for. The kimono style makes dressing a cinch and the organic cotton is super gentle on your baby's skin.

This particular style runs small, so I would size up. If your child has especially, ahem, generous thighs, I would even go two sizes larger.

::sip a sigg::

I hate to complain about the weather again, but it is STILL hot! So I have been trying to keep O hydrated with formula. She is allowed to drink water, but the doctor says she might as well drink formula for its added nutritive value.

We started teaching her how to drink from the sippy cup. She loves to use it, but ends up making a mess. She chews on the spout with her one tooth, and grins and lets the liquid dribble out of her mouth. She then looks up at us with the sideways "gamine" look ;-)

Auntie N bought her a Sigg water bottle for when she is a little older. The high quaility bottles are made in Switzerland. Each bottle is extruded from ONE piece of aluminum disc. It is then cleaned with environmentally friendly agent. The inside of the bottle is then sprayed with chemically-inert enamel, similar to the ceramic stove top found on many electric ranges. After some cosmetic maneuvering, the leak-proof top is lastly added as the final touch. See here for an animated description of the process.

The Sigg bottles come in many sizes and shapes. There is even a line for "kidz." The enamel inner coating is perfect for juices or any other liquids for your little one because there is no leaching of metal particles to worry about.

As a side note, our middle hound child, F, is actually bred by our good Swiss friend, A.K. Hence the nickname, Greater Swiss Mountain Beagle. We hope to take O to Switzerland and visit A.K. for her birthday one day. Wouldn't it be nice to spend her birthday learning how to ski in the Swiss Alps?

::vice versa update::

So...after I received the e-mail from the Vice Versa rep, I wrote to Pacifier and said that the other VV products I purchased from their website have problems as well. Again, Wing (the proprietor) told me that she has NEVER heard of any problems with VV products.

Just because they haven't heard complaints from anyone else, doesn't mean it never happens. Their logic eludes me. Some people would rather throw it in the trash, then to start a time-consuming process of getting their product replaced or their money back. I am unfortunately of the latter persuasion.

Quite frankly, it sounds as if they think I am running some sort of baby product scam...bizarre. Seriously, I just want my money back and move on. Thanks.

::vice versa troubles::

I have been having trouble with my Vice Versa baby products. I LOVE the baby milk bottles, especially the cow design, but the graphics on the bottles rub off very easily. I've had to buy a few more just to replace the ones that are scratched. At first, I thought architectdad was washing them too vigorously (!), but I now believe the problem is simply a design flaw.

Also, the fish face bowl also retains water between it's two polycarb layers. I wrote to Pacifier asking them for advice to solve this problem. Wing directed my inquiry to the Vice Versa rep, who in turn wrote back saying she is willing to replace the bowls. According to her, I am the only one who's ever had this problem though. Highly unlikely, since I have three of these bowls and all of them are waterlogged. The matching spoons also have the same problem.

I still love the VV design aesthetic, but the products also have to function properly. Wouldn't you say?

::happy b-day architectdad::

Happy b-day to you, happy b-day to you, happy b-day dear architectdad, happy b-day to you!

As most architects are, architectdad is meticulous and bordering on OCD. But that's why we get along so well ;-) While I've pretty much gotten used to the spit-ups and mysterious stains, architectdad is still somehow able to guard himself against baby mess.

Since O has started eating semi-solids, we've been trying out all sorts of different bibs in order to keep her somewhat clean. The Baby Bjorn rubber bib is great for big messes, but it's a little too big for O at the moment. The regular terry bibs are okay for small messes, but we end up doing more laundry than before. So, I've found an alternative.

Kipiis bib clips allows you to make a bib out of anything--paper towels, cloth napkins, kitchen towels, etc. By fastening two clips onto any of the above, and adjust the back to the size of your child's neck, you have an instant bib. The Kippiis can be adjusted to fit an infant as well as an adult (in case daddy is a messy eater!). Clip on a couple of Viva paper towels and you have a disposable, biodegradable bib solution! Rinse out the Kipiis and it's ready to be used again and again.

::haba bubba::

Haba is a German manufacturer of quality wooden children's toys and furniture. O loves her Flori beech wood clutching toy. The wooden pieces are crafted to withstand humidity and mechanical strain. The little bells and mirror discs are carefully integrated into the wooden pieces for safety and durability. She also loves her orange Grrow-l clutching toy.

You can purchase Haba from Moolka.com or Oompa.com. Both websites offer imported toys that may not be available in your local toy stores. Have fun browsing!

::combat dog toy::

If your dog is anything like my destructor, Rz, then you need this toy. I cannot give him plush toys anymore because within seconds of me giving it to him, it is shredded into oblivion. I bought him the Bamboo combat toy "five star general" because it comes with a "battle-tested" guarantee. Which means, if you or your dog is unhappy with the toy, you can send it back and get a replacement..

Believe it or not, Rz has had the toy for a couple of years and it is still pretty much intact. Granted the edges are a little frayed, but it is still going strong. There are other combat toy shapes available. And, if your dog is a water-lover, the toys float in water. Bamboo also sells basic grooming and home essentials. I bought the toy from a store in NYC, but you can also search for a store in your area.

P.S. I finally figured out how to sync the iPhone to my Outlook calendar...what a pain. It basically requires an upgrade to Microsoft Office 2007 and recreating the calendar events in the 2007 version. It is apparently a common complaint. Maybe it will be sorted out shortly between Apple and Microsoft. YEAH RIGHT!

::move over iPod::

...here comes the iPhone! Last weekend, architectdad and I braved the traffic and went to the suburban mall to do a little shopping. Little did we know, it was June 29th, the release date for the iPhone. The Apple Store didn't open until 6 PM, but there were at least 50+ people waiting outside to get their hands on the newest and greatest. The line literally wrapped around the balconies of the mall atrium. We thought it was a little bizzar; but hey, whatever rocks your boat.

Today, when I came home, architectdad surprised me with my very own iPhone!!! Apparently, my complaints about my current phone has been answered ;-) Is it as sleek as they show it in the commercial? Oh, yeah! Is it as easy to use? Oh, yeah! Is it easy to set up? HECK NO!!!

It took me 2 hours to set up my Outlook email and I still haven't figured out how to sync my Outlook contacts and calender. I've always thought of myself as pretty computer literate, but apparently not.

But it's so PURRR-TY!!!

::no more toothless grin::

O's first tooth has finally arrived!!! Her lower left incisor made its debut today. She has been chewing on everything she can get her hands on--including my fingers. Today, she bit down hard and I felt the tip of the tooth. It was a proud moment indeed.

In addition to her Tiffany silver rattle rings, she also loves to chew on her Kushies Zolo "friends." In particular, she enjoys chewing on the nodule of one of the stuffed characters on the Linko Clip Together Teether and Toys. Ever since she was 3 months old, she's been able to find that nodule on the long strand of linked toys and stuff it into her mouth. Now that she has teeth...ahem, tooth...she will most likely destroy the nodule in no time. O also enjoys sitting and laying under her Shangrila activity mat.

Kushies was originally a Canadian doll company, founded in 1953. It now offers not only toys, but children's clothing and accessories as well. Zolo is an American company that offers toys and designs for the home. I am not certain what the connection is between the two companies, but I suspect Zolo is the designer and Kushies is the manufacturer. In any case, the award winning team produces well-designed, quality toys. And more importantly, the babies find the toys irresistible. Hey, if the National Gallery of Art sells them, they must be good, right?!

::proud to be an a-meri-can::

Architectdad, O and I spent the afternoon with architectdad's relatives. Cousin M reminded everyone that all of us have been in the U.S. for at least 25 years. In fact, my family and I immigrated to the U.S. on the 4th of July in 1982.

This country has offered all the opportunities that my parents dreamed of for my brother and me. It is truly an amazing country in that respect.

Happy 4th of July!!!

::let's go huntin'::

You'll be surprised how many people say this to me everyday: "Hey, looks like you're going on a foxhunt!" Dude. Beagles hunt rabbit and hare, not fox. While their hunting instinct is still strong, our prince and princesses would probably not do well out in the field all day with the pack.

But they'll look good trying. I bought them hunting collars so that we can play pretend. Well, how can I resist ORANGE polyurethane-coated hunting collar?! Actually, they are very practical for everyday use as well. The polyurethane-coated nylon collar is soil and odor resistant and water repellent. Warm soapy water is all you need to keep them looking new. The ring-in-center design rolls over to prevent the hounds from entangling themselves on fences or bushes. As an option, you can even attach a brass name plate directly to the collar so there's no dangling tag to lose. In addition to orange, there are six other sunglo color choices.

If you are partial to leather collars, I also recommend the leather beagle collar. The ring-in-center style is available in leather as well. Since I am not a big fan of dangling, jingling collar tags, the flat name plates are perfect for our hounds. All of these products can be purchased from Morrco online. I have had very good experiences with my purchases, and the shipping is fast and efficient.

::are you finnish-ed::

Marimekko is a Finnish textile company that designs, manufactures and sells clothes, interior design textiles, bags and other accessories. While browsing through fabrics for O's custom Bugaboo cover, I came across some of the most beautiful designs by Marimekko. Most of the hand screened prints are quite large in scale (55" wide with 93" vertical repeat, for example), and are therefore not suitable to use for the Bugaboo cover. However, they would be great to use on interior design projects.

Another Scandinavian textile company worth mentioning is the Danish company, Kvadrat. Alongside its American partner Maharam, Kvadrat is a favored textile source for architects and interior designers alike.

O's Puo made her a couple of tailored terry cloth covers for the Bugaboo. They fit so well and are in some ways better than the Koeka cover. Puo took the original fleece cover and made a paper pattern which can be used over and over. Can't wait for her custom Marimekko Bugaboo cover!