Can't beat the cube

Kids deserve color. And for $119.50 they should get it. You can pick the color of each of the cubes and the table. Don't be boring and pick one color, please! I'm seeing a storage bin in each cube. I'm going to assume that you can put all four cubes under the table for space saving....

brilliant bookcase

I thought I was being clever when I told my husband to build in a temporary shelf for little baby books. I'm stealing this idea and putting my husband to work modifying our shelves. I hate the dead space that the little books leave.

This is the Nurseryworks Storytime single and double bookcase.

high style high chair

I thought I'd found a decent looking way to have #1 join us at the table when I ordered the Prince Lionheart boosterPod until I set my eyes on this. These are nicer than my dining chairs. Alas, I can't spring for a $345 high chair. But, if you can these Tavo High Chairs are the one's. They come in brown or black leather (recycled of course). Handmade in Canada.

Truly, My Brest Friend

Love this nursing pillow. The little bit of back support makes all the difference. Plus, it's firmer than a Boppy, so you can sit at the computer and blog, while nursing (some scary imagery for you). The cover zips off so you can throw it in the wash. It's a bit of a brain puzzle at first figuring out how to stuff the foam back in, but it's easy enough. There's something about buckling yourself in for a feeding.....

I'm still not sure what I would want to put in the little pocket. Any ideas? It comes in cute prints too.

Bird Bedding by Dwell

I stocked up on the Bird Bedding Collection fitted sheets by Dwell Studio for Target. They won't last long and I thought they were sweet. I wanted to be sure I had some for Newbie when she gets old enough for a crib. I think I bought four. With all the barfing that goes on in this house I think that should be enough. Lately #1 who has always been a big barfer (her longest stretch without barfing was two months) now requests a bowl when she is feeling sick. What a difference that makes. No more stuffing dripping wet sheets and blankets into a garbage bag and putting them on the stoop until morning.

See Kai Run

See Kai Run is my go to company for kids shoes. The leather is soft, they have nice soles and on sale, the price is right. I don't usually put my babies in shoes, I like them to wear the Mary Jane socks. But I got these little shoes for Newbie so she can match her sister. #1 keeps trying the babies on. A good lesson in "too small" I guess.
You can order right from the companies website. If you don't mind naming your child after a shoe, check out their names. It's a who's who of who's at the playground.

Out of the rabbit hole

It's been so long since I've posted that I almost forgot my password to log on. The last few months
of my pregnancy were overwhelming. Besides keeping up with my 2 year old I was trying to pack
in as much work as possible so I could breath a little easier when the newbie arrived. Add the
economic downturn, crazy clients and tax time and I was run ragged.

Newbie is here. She's 7 weeks old today and I think I have my sanity back. I realize this is still
the baby honeymoon period of sleep, eat, poop so I am enjoying it. Thank my lucky stars newbie
is only waking up once a night! Very different from the every 2 hours her sister subjected us to.
I think I'll be keeping my sanity this time around. Though we are thinking of having another baby.
That may be proof in itself that I'm insane. I'll have to ponder that.

To those of you who stopped by while I was away, thank you. I'll be posting weekly now. Especially
now that I'm in dire need of keeping our abode from turning into a kiddie playland. I'm on the hunt
for nice storage solutions.

Vincent shoes

How could I have missed such a cute shoe line! I spotted these bunny shoes for baby in Wonder Time magazine while trying to entertain my 2 year old at the ob's office. Checked out their website and spotted cute sneaks for her and the babe-to-be.

Christmas cheer

My mother's cousin knit me the most wonderful Christmas stocking when I was a baby. I still use it (though I've had to stuff it myself a few years, hint.. hint... husband oh, mine). This year my daughter is two and I found the perfect heirloom for her on etsy. I bought her the elf stocking and her name is knit in along the top. We can't wait to put it up Christmas Eve. Visit jpyle's shop. She has a wonderful selection.

walk-in nook

Every month I can count on Domino magazine to give me some inspiration. The November issue did not dissapoint. Now, if only I had a walk-in closet.
Michelle Rubel I'm guessing from NYC since they titled her nursery "the uptown prepster," converted a walk-in closet into a sophisticated nursery with Martha Stewarts "Blue Agave" paint and white accents. It is hard to spot in the picture because it is painted blue to blend into the walls, but just to the left of the crib is a Murphy bed-style changing table. Great idea!
She's created a cozy space for her daughter to sleep and a cabinet for all the essentials.

Move over Viking!

This is one gorgeous play kitchen. It's too rich for my blood. Luckily we don't have room for it, so I don't have to fret that my daughter can't have it. Plus, she can't have a nicer stove than us!

These are from Pottery Barn Kids and they offer the stove ($299), island ($498) - but don't despair it's on special for $479. Yes, a whole $19 off. That has got to be the lamest special I've ever seen - it doesn't even cover shipping. Why not an even $20 bucks? and Fridge ($299).

If you are looking for play food my favorite online source is moolka where they offer a great array of wooden and felt food. You can also create a wishlist for relatives. Tis the season.

I agree

Check out the blog My Notting Hill for the "Round Rugs - When?" post, a lovely roundup of round rugs (say that 10 times fast) including this Anthropologie Dream Menagerie rug ($78-298) My notting hill writes "Wouldn't this be adorable in a baby's room in front of the crib." I agree!

This rug would make an amazing starting point for a palette of greens & blues, pinks & reds, or yellow & greens. Perfect for boys, girls and for when you don't know yet...

country club chic nook

Thanks again Domino. This nook is part of interior designer Ruthie Sommers daughters room featured in the October issue. I think it's a lovely inspiration for a closet conversion, a nook in mom & dad's room if you're sharing or wherever you can carve out the space. While this hand-painted mural requires some skill try a "paired down to your talents" version in white on pink.

Target has a good selection of reasonably priced white crib options for recreating this look including the Bassettbaby Mission Crib ($219.99)





The addition of some wallpaper on the back wall really makes her closet special. A pleasant to open closet is always a good thing.

Maxi-Cosi at Target

This is the car seat we have and I'm happy with it. It started being sold in America just when we were ready for it. I was dreading putting the Britax seat in my car. It's ridiculous I know, but I think it's hideous. The Maxi-Cosi is easy to install, and easy to put in your child (though can be tougher w/a full diaper).

The first time we took it off to wash it we had a hard time pulling the buckle through but after some serious wiggling it came out. Now it comes out no problem. They say hand wash. But, hand washing didn't get rid of the vomit spell so we put it in the washer. It washed well - though there is a slight degrading of the stitching in one spot. Of course we have a low end washer which didn't help.

We recently brought in on a cross country flight. When buckled it fit on the handle of our pull luggage and was easy to get around the airport. It took no time at all to install in my parents car at the airport which was a lifesaver, since it was midnight and after 6 hours with a toddler who didn't nap we had no patience left.

Now they are carrying it at Target.

homemade sandbox with wheels

I clipped this from the July Domino magazine. I'm dreaming of something a lot smaller with grass in it for our little patio. On the way to work I pass a store front for a business called Pet a Potty that sells what I'm imagining. For a far different purpose of course. A sandbox would get a lot more use, but I love the idea of my babe barefoot on the grass. Truth be told there is no room for it at our abode. Still, it's a great idea if you have the space.

Families Squeeze In

My father clipped this New York Times article for me as I'm sure in instantly struck a cord with our situation. There are some clever sleeping solutions featured for some seriously tiny nooks. As with the subjects of this article, I really enjoy the urban atmosphere of our neighborhood. People walking on the sidewalks at all hours, playgrounds loaded with kids... it's hard to feel lonely.

My husband and I recently visited my parents on Cape Cod. They live in a lovely area near the beach (I live in a Pacific beach town but their is something special about an Atlantic beach town that you don't get here) where houses with yards are within reach. But each time we went to the local toddler playground it was empty. It felt lonely. Staying sane while staying at home with kids requires adult contact. I can't imagine not being able to just walk to the park for some "playtime" conversation with other moms. Although I still dream about a yard, I can be happy making due with less space here.
Here's the article.

trick or treat

Halloween is just around the corner and I am feeling crafty. These treat boxes from Martha Stewart are too cute not to make.

Now my daughter is old enough to have fun with Halloween but not old enough for trick or treating and candy. I'm thinking of having a few tots over for some treats and "play". I'm going to rope a few neighbors into an introduction to trick or treating with me supplying the treats. I think three toddlers and two doors should do the trick. I'd like to make some non-candy "healthy" Halloween inspired treats. I'd love some ideas...

Tracy Garcia's Whimsical Kids'Rooms/Martha Stewart

I was perusing Martha Stewart's website looking for some ideas for snack time when I stumbled upon these two lovely ideas.

I didn't realize they made four poster cribs. Having that curtain all the way around would be great for blocking out light at bedtime/morning. We could use them here! Then we could watch TV when our babe goes to sleep. Right now the TV casts too much light on her crib.


Now I'm daydreaming. When the kids get their own room I want to (my husband) to build a 3D version of this scene with a Parisian bakery with a play kitchen in it and a Parisian fix it shop with a tool bench.

dinnerware

My babes plates are looking a little ragged and I wanted to swap them out for something cute. The melamine plates and bowls from French Bull are the winner. I like the superheroes and robots best.

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The monsters all have sad faces. I don't want her to finish her food and see a frown.

 I'm ordering from bebebabble because you can buy the pieces individually.

attention brownie end lovers

I love a nice edge on a fudgy brownie.  This bakers-edge brownie pan gets you more!