::hoppity hop::

When O was a day old, the first thing her pediatrician said was: "she is very alert." I don't know if he was surprised, given that I had an epidural and c-section. Supposedly, a lot of mothers don't want an epidural because they want their baby to be alert when he/she is born. Again, it is a choice, so don't stress over it before the birth. Make your choice when the time comes; you can never be sure how you will actually feel at the time of delivery. Also, don't let other people bully you into making a choice; it's none of their business and it is YOUR experience after all.

Anyway, back to the post. O has been very alert from day one, so we thought perhaps we needed to keep her entertained with visual stimuli. Duh, she couldn't even see beyond three feet in front of her! Now, almost five months later, it is a totally different scenario. She can not only see, she likes and demands MOVEMENT. While designing the nursery before the birth, architectdad and I searched for the perfect mobile for exactly that purpose. Everything we saw was cheesy and really badly designed (aesthetically, of course!). While browsing the NOVA 68 website, I stumbled upon mobiles by Flensted.

The Danish company designs and sells classic modern and contemporary mobiles...they even have super cool mobiles for babies and kids. We bought O the circular bunnies because 1) bunnies are beagle-related (!) and 2) the tones of grey and white are supposedly good stimulation for baby's developing vision. The mobile is flat-packed and ready for hanging. The bunnies have become O's bedtime friends. She is so excited to see them that she'll actually tremble and purse her lips when she sees them hopping around! There are a lot of other designs geared toward babies and kids...look around NOVA 68...I'm certain you will find something you like for your baby.

::look ma, i'm sitting::

Since O is now awake most of the day, I do everything I can to keep her entertained. I take her out with me to Starbucks everyday and if she is good, she'll let me drink my caramel frappucino and post to the blog. If she is antsy, we end up walking all over the neighborhood. I'd say I walk at least 2 miles a day on average.

When we are at home together, O makes it hard for me to do any type of housework. No, seriously, it's not because I hate vacuuming. I have to constantly move her around from station to station so she doesn't become bored: the crib, to the playmat, to the stroller, to the bouncer, and back to the crib...

Architectdad and I went to the baby super store today for some infant formula. On the way to the register, we saw this "thing" and both of us lit up. It is called the Bumbo Baby Sitter. It is a baby seat that is molded from one piece of environmentally friendly, non-toxic polyurethane. Apparently, one can place the baby in the seat when the she is strong enough to hold her head up (as early as 8 weeks, they claim). It not only holds her upright safely in place, it is also designed to strengthen her upper torso and prepare her for sitting by herself. It is endorsed by pediatricians and orthopedists. In fact, the way the seat supports O's body is exactly what her doctor instructed us to do with our hands. Of course, tummy time will still be an important and necessary activity.

As soon as I got home, I ripped open the box and plopped O in the seat. I turned on Blue's Clues and off she went. She not only seemed incredibly comfortable, she is delighted to be able to sit upright by herself. Squeals and smiles for about 30 minutes, then it was off to another station. Sigh...

::baby memories::

When I was pregnant with O, I told myself I am going to capture and record every little detail of her life in some form. Well, the reality is, once your baby is born, you'll have to really make an effort to take photos or videos, and collect momentos; otherwise, you'll never get around to it.

The first thing I would suggest is to take chronological photos of your baby from month one through twelve. Between architectdad's trigger-happy finger and Grandpa R's new camera, we've managed to capture every month of O's life so far in digital form. Many baby stores sell "first year" photo frames, which makes displaying those first year memories a breeze. Oh yeah...and Dads (or coaches): if you still have your wits about you after your baby is born, try to take a picture of the clock in the delivery room during the first minute of his/her life.

The second thing I would suggest is to buy a digital camcorder. Video captures so much more of your baby's personality than a still photo--if you are an amature like me. You could either string a series of clips together and produce a streaming video, or you could burn the series onto a DVD and send it to your family and friends.

The third thing I would suggest is to buy an archival quality "memories book." I bought the Binth Baby Book for recording O's first years of life. Each hardcover book is handcrafted and silkscreened on recycled white paper. The modern woodland motifs gives this book an edge over the conventional cutesie baby books. You can paste photos and write down milestones in the book; there is even pages for the family tree. The book comes with its own cotton cloth covered keepsake box, which allows you to keep momentos--such as hospital ID bracelets--with the photos and written words. It is a little expensive, at $110.00 each. However, I feel it is a great way to keep track of the important events in your baby's life.

::fox and hounds::

No, I'm not talking about a cheesy, local corner pub (there's really a cheesy, local corner pub in Dupont Circle with that name). The image you should be picturing is rolling hills, gentile folks decked out in impeccable riding dress and velvet riding hats, and a pack of hounds running alongside them. Oh yeah, don't forget the horses!

Next Saturday (June 2nd), the Radnor Hunt Club in Malvern, PA (near Bryn Mawr) will again be hosting the annual Bryn Mawr Hound Show. It is a tradition that was started 93 years ago. It is the only complete outdoor hound show in the country, meaning it showcases almost every type of working pack hound you can imagine. English, American, Cross-Bred and Penn-Marydel Foxhounds, BEAGLES, bassets and harriers. Almost every hound entered in the show is an entered hound (in official stud books) and belongs in a recognized hound pack.

Our good friends, Mandy and Billy Bobbitt, have been participants for a long time. Both Bobbitts are heavily involved in the beagle community--Billy is the current National Beagle Club president, and Mandy is the assistant secretary. They each own a beagle pack--Mandy has mostly 13" hounds (Bedlam), while Billy has mostly 15" hounds (Glenbarr). Mandy's hounds not only hunt, but some of them are also AKC show champions. It is quite an achievement to be able to breed and train dual-purpose hounds. In fact, she is the owner of Renzo's litter brother, Talkback (Ch. Whiskey Creek's Talkback), and the breeder of his get, Bedlam's Mt. Dew and Bedlam's Madhatter.

O has already been to her first official beagle event, the Triple Challenge, held every year at the National Beagle Club grounds in Aldie, Virginia. However, this will be even more exciting because it will be her first long day trip and she will get to see hundreds of hounds in one place. The setting is beautiful and the hounds are lovely...my favorite hound event of the year!

Wait, no, not this year. The beagle national specialty is coming back to Aldie after 5 years...that will be my favorite this year. The last time the show was held in Aldie, I was fortunate enough to work with Mandy and Billy on designing the logo for the show. Till this day, many beagle folks I meet from around the country are still wearing shirts and hats with my logo on them! This year, I am donating kennel leashes from my Noseprint line as trophies. How exciting!

::i saw sumthin' nasty in the woodshed::

That was a line from the 1995 English film "Cold Comfort Farm." It was originally a 1932 comic novel by Stella Gibbons. The book "parodies the romanticised, doom-laden accounts of rural life in some novels" of its time. Uncle M and I have been saying that line to each other for over 10 years now...and it's still funny ;-)

Now onto the "nasty" business. There was never a debate for me, choosing between disposable and cloth diapers. I knew disposable diapers are essentially non-biodegradable, but I thought it was the most convenient and efficient solution. Not so. I have been converted. No, I'm still not sold on the whole cloth diaper business--not ready to let O's tushie marinate in urine-soaked fabric.

I am a new convert of gDiapers. It is a disposable diaper that is flushable, compostable and biodegradable. It is even safe for septic tanks. The system consists of three components: the flushable core, the waterproof liner and the cloth pants. The core is essentially the same absorbent component found in the premium disposable diapers. Believe me, I dissected both diapers and they are exactly the same. The waterproof nylon liner prevents accidental leaks, but is permeable to water vapor so diaper rash is not an issue. The fashionable cloth pants feature velcro tabs that close in the back, away from little hands. The whole thing sounds bulky, but it really isn't. In fact, I would say it is approx the same bulk as Huggies Supreme diapers. If you are a hardcore cloth diaper kind of parent, you can also use the liner and pants with them.

I just started using gDiapers yesterday. After a few days of research, I went to the local organic food store and bought the starter pack. The starter pack consists of two cloth pants, four liners, 10 flushable refills and a swish stick for stirring the contents in the toilet bowl. The gDiapers handled wet ones beautifully. However I waited to post my opinion, because I wanted to see how it handles the dirty ones. Well, it didn't do too badly. The manufacturer's website warns you that the nylon liner will most likely become soiled with a dirty one. But everything was contained and after flushing the yucky stuff down the toilet, I just rinsed off the liner with some mild soap and water and it was ready to be reused within minutes.

Of course, you'd never see me digging a hole in the backyard and burying the diapers for composting. Besides, the beagles will most likely find them a tasty treat and dig them back out. I know, it's disgusting, but I can totally see it happen. But flushing the refills down the toilet is probably not saving you money. In fact, I'd venture to guess that it'll probably add a small sum to your water bill. But when compared to washing cloth diapers or subscribing to a diaper service, it is probably still pretty economical. The unit price for the refills are on par with the Huggies Supreme disposables. A small price to pay for a more environmentally friendly solution. Did you know that if Christopher Columbus wore disposable diapers, they'd still be around today??? It takes them 500+ years to decompose. Wow. The other disposing solution is to throw the refills out with your trash. Just remember to use biodegradable bags, though. This is a much more realistic solution for most parents, I think.

Aesthetically, the cloth pants are simple and modern. The starter kit comes in two color combinations: red and orange, or green and blue. You can also purchase individual pants on the website in other colors. My suggestion is to buy the specially-priced starter kit first to see if gDiapers is the solution for you--be aware that the pants come in three sizes (S, M, L according to weight) and the refills come in two sizes (S and M/L). Then, if you are sold on the idea, go back on the website and order additional pants. They suggest keeping at least 4 pants on hand. You can also purchase extra liners on the website. If you have a Wholefoods food market near you, you should be able to buy the refills during your weekly trips to the grocery store. Otherwise, you can set up an "auto shipment" on the gDiapers website to have the refills delivered to your home directly in 2,4 or 6 week intervals.

Give it a try. Let me know what you think.

::happy mother's day::

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and mothers-to-be! Oh, and grandmas too, of course!

How has my experience been as a new mother? It has been even better than I ever expected. O brings so much joy and laughter to my life that the benefits far outweigh the poopy diapers (even the REALLY BIG ones!). No doubt, it has been a real adjustment for me. I've gone from designing and building a world-class rehabilitation center to reading "I Kissed the Baby!" and singing "Where is Thumbkin." I wouldn't trade it for the world. Once you've seen the unconditional love in your baby's eyes, it is all over.

Although, I have noticed babies are a lot like contractors. To get them to do something for you, you have to cajole them into thinking it is a good idea for both parties. And if nice talk doesn't get you the results you want, then a good smack upside the head always works. JUST KIDDING...DON'T CALL SOCIAL SERVICES. One major difference is that cursing like a sailor is an everyday occurrence during construction...can't really do that in front of a baby, I'm afraid.

Granted, it has been hard to stay fabulously glamorous. For a couple of months postpartum, I looked nothing like I used to. Actually, I take that back, I looked A LOT like how I looked in architectural school, plus a few pounds. Baggy eyes, stained t-shirts, stringy hair...wow, it was rough. But now that O is sleeping better and we are able to get around more, I am attempting to retrieve some semblance of decorum. I find that by keeping myself presentable at all times, it not only makes me feel good, it makes my presence less scary to strangers. It might even keep architectdad around a little longer!

Anywho, it has been great this first time around, can't wait for the second!

::bubblicious::

I read once, that if you set up a bedtime routine for your baby early on, she is more likely to adapt to the cues and fall asleep by herself every night. That is why when O was 6 weeks old, architectdad and I developed a bedtime routine that we've been using since.

First, architectdad or I would bathe O while the milk is warming up. Then, to set the mood, the one who is not bathing her would turn on her iPod (with her own playlists!) and the "bubble machine." What is a "bubble machine", you ask? It is actually a space projector by Mathmos. The heat from the projector lamp heats up the bi-color oil wheel, which results in constantly moving bubbles that resemble amoeba.

O's Uncle M gave us the projector years ago with a blue and yellow oil wheel. Since the color theme for the nursery is ORANGE, architectdad ordered the red and yellow (makes orange!) oil wheel directly from Mathmos. On the website, you can also order graphic wheels designed by well-known graphic artists (such as Francois Chalet). Unfortunately, most of them are actually out of stock. If you know of another site where I can buy them, please let me know (ahem, Uncle M).

After O's bath, we'd dress and feed her--all the while she is mesmerized by the ever changing bubbles on the ceiling. As she becomes sleepy, we swaddle her and place her in her crib while she is still awake. She is then able to fall asleep by herself.

I like the projector better than the usual rotating night light. The image from the oil wheel is not only ever changing and dynamic, but the organic shapes of the bubbles seem very comforting and soothing. As O grows up, we hope she may even start to interpret the bubbles into other objects. What a way to foster imagination!