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!
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!
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!
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?!
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!
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!
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.
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.
