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!
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?!"
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!!!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
