::bugaboo bee exclusive::

For those of you, like me, who are anxiously awaiting the release of the Bugaboo Bee, your wait is over. V told me Babystyle.com is NOW shipping the Bee. They are already out of the red and blue canopy colors, but the yellow is apparently back in stock.

Architectdad is not convinced by the Bee, so we will have to see it in person before we make the purchase. For those of you who are more daring, get yours now before the rush!

::move over robeez...make room for starchild::

Everyone says that bare feet are the best for babies who are learning how to walk. But what do you do in the winter, or in a playground with wood-chips? Soft-soled shoes seem to be the next best thing.

Robeez shoes are very popular. They are readily available everywhere and the designs are definitely getting better. However, I have found an alternative to Robeez. Starchild soft-soled shoes are designed and made in the U.K. out of Italian leather.

Similar to Robeez, Starchild shoes are made from the softest leather uppers and suede soles. The more mod designs gives Starchild a slight advantage over Robeez (in my opinion). Also, even with the horrendous exchange rate, Starchild shoes are still priced slightly lower than Robeez.

You can find Starchild shoes online at Pacifier and Trendy Kid. The nice folks at Starchild from across the "Pond", will also ship your online order to you here in America.

::my ass is twitching-you people make my ass twitch::

Can I just say this: people need to mind to their children at the pool. It's inevitable that kids will be kids. But it's another thing when the kids are creating havoc while the mother is sitting on her big arse doing nothing about the misbehavior. Inconsiderate parents breed inconsiderate children. Some people just make my ass twitch.

O's ass has been twitching as well lately. Due to the hot and humid weather, she has been getting hot, bright red, diaper rash regularly. It's unbelieveably painful for her. We use Kiehl's diaper rash ointment to soothe and protect her irritated bottom. While the formula contains many natural, healing ingredients, I believe it is the thick zinc cream that seals out the wetness and keeps the skin dry. It is this property that makes for quick healing. O's rash is usually gone by the second day. If needed, the ointment is also allergy tested to be used daily.

BTW, the title comes from a line in the movie "French Kiss."

::rollin', rollin', rollin'::

I guess it's a common occurrence. As soon as the baby starts to roll around and crawl, the chance of him/her falling from the parents' bed multiplies exponentially. I'm not saying that it has happened to us (ahem...), but it is definitely something to avoid.

Whether your baby is sleeping in the family bed or just there to visit, consider investing in portable guard rails. Originally designed for children 2 years+ who already sleep in regular mattress beds, the guard rails will keep your baby from rolling over the side of your bed.

Of course, the best thing is still to keep your child in his/her own crib. However, if the family bed theory is important to you, or if you are travelling to a destination where a crib is not available, then the portable bed rails are a must. Trust me. They will not add any aesthetic value to your nice stainless steel bed frame, but they will definitely prevent the occurrence of a traumatic experience (more so for the parents, I think). Not that it has ever happened to us (ahem...).

::can it get any hotter::

It was 102 degrees (90% humidity) here today at 5 PM! What kind of craziness is spawning this weather?! I think it's time people start listening to Al Gore and friends, and do something about Global Warming. Yup, this is coming from someone who drives a gas guzzling SUV.

Actually, if you compare the entire lifespan of an SUV to that of a hybrid (like the concept Hybrid X from Toyota), the results are very surprising. Due to its tech intensive production and disposal processes, the hybrid in the end turns out to be LESS GREEN than the traditional petrol SUV. Of course, by owning a petrol vehicle, I am not only polluting the air, but also fueling and perpetuating the "oil crusades" around the world.

Hydrogen car...now, that's the bomb. Figuratively speaking, of course.

::nana ki::

Sounds Hawaiian? Not quite. Nana Ki is actually a French company that offer classic, yet subdued baby clothes. What struck me the most about Nana Ki is the contrasting pairing of muted, "vintage" colors of its garments. For instance, the espresso brown smock top is paired with robin's blue bloomers. then detailed with blue contrast stitching and blue pearlescent buttons.

The soft, fine cotton is just the thing your baby needs for the hot summer months. Perfect for a Hawaiian holiday even!

::antik batik::

Through their travels in India, Africa and the American Southwest, French design team of Christophe Sauvat and Gabrielle Cortese found the inspiration for their Antik Batik brand. The childrenswear line is absolutely gorgeous.

Using beautiful prints, embroidery and beading, Sauvat and Cortese have definitely taken childrenswear to the next level. Of course, the price point also reflects the amount of labor and craftsmanship put into each garment. Again, summer sales are in full swing, so it may be a good time to stock up on AB for next year.