Matryoshka

Just love these matryoshka (Russian nesting dolls) cards from mmmg and letterspacepaper.

Culla Belly co-sleeper

This innocative co-sleeper design called Culla Belly ("Belly Crib"), by Italian designers Manuela Busetti and Andrea Garuti, won first prize at Playing Design's International Design Competition for children's design. Hope that it gets to be manufactured!

[via SwissMiss and Coochicoos]

They're all our children

Via Mom4life's blog, I got to know about "They're all our children". Nicki started this blog to blog about issues that affect children worldwide and how we can all help. Do check it out!

Britain's Got Talent - Connie Talbot (Finals)

double click image above to view Connie at the finals...

Britain's Got Talent - Connie Talbot (auditions)

This is 6 years old Connie Talbot who took part in Britain's Got Talent. Connie discovered she could sing while cheering up her terminally ill grandmother with a selection of songs from The Wizard of Oz. Her mother bought her a karaoke machine because the family could not afford singing lessons.

Double click on image above to listen to the voice of a brave little angel...

Presenting the Chariot Cougar 2!

WawaWeewa!!

Check out the Chariot's Cougar 2! Featuring lightweight aluminum wheels, a large storage pocket, reflective accents and a removable, hand-washable seat bottom! The Cougar comes with comfy padded seating system for 2 kids and easily folds down for storage and transportation too!

Happy Father's Day!

It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.

~ Anne Sexton

Father's Day - June 17

With Father's Day round this weekend, thought I would do a post for Daddies since it is always so difficult to get them a gift. I recently found out about The GoodFather gift CD-ROM for new and expecting dads and thought it was so clever and humourous. The GoodFather is a CD in a custom gift box that teaches new dads hundreds of baby skills through a fun parody of the mobster epic The GodFather. The topics were created for men by experienced dads and grandfathers, and edited by licensed nurses to ensure the material is medically sound. (yes, this is extremely important). Sold for $29.95 at Drmoz

Plant Growth Chart

A fun way to track your child's height! Available at Greenergrassdesign.

Standing up

The knees are a little wobbly but we are learning to stand!

First passport stamp!

Footprints

I came across this beautiful photography website called Footprints today. Their photographic style is honest, natural and elegant, celebrating life, love and family. Ph0tographer Erin Drallos started professional photography in 1997. She calls her business FOOTPRINTS to remind herself that when she went through the most difficult time in her life, with the lost of her best friend and mother, she now looks back and sees only one set of footprints... "And I knew HE carried me."


{all images from footprints}

Baby panda

Double click image below to view video

Peapod travel bed

When it comes to comfort, most baby travel beds fall short! The peapod travel bed promises to be different — it has a thick, inflatable mattress that cradles baby luxuriously, lifting her up off cold floors and hard ground. There is even an ultra-secure safety enclosure, which blocks wind, sun (with 50%UV protection), and insects. Folds flat. For birth to 1 year.

One of my favourite pics

Quote of the week

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.

Rachel Carson

Please demolish my school

This is a HILARIOUS bona-fide call from an 8 year old in Dublin to the demolition department. Double click image below to hear it!

Baby stroller

There are so many baby strollers out there but I have not come across one that combines safety, convenience, style and usability. We are currently using a Quinny Zapp which can be fitted to a maxi-cosi car seat bucket . While the design is quite nice and compact-looking (lots of people on the streets ask us where we got it from), I actually find the car seat a little too heavy to transfer between the car and the stroller each time we go out. It also takes quite a bit of practice to fit and remove the car seat bucket onto the stroller.Just came across this new stroller design on the web recently. Apparently, it incorporates research mined from a group of first-time parents and has a special stretcher system that eliminates the need for cumbersome foam padding. Check out their website. There is even a video with Worrell's designer Dan Clements taking you through the design process behind this stroller. While the contraption looks way too bulky for me, I really like the concept and the way it looks! A modern take on the classic stroller.

If you are using a stroller and are happy with it, do leave a recommendation!

Diaper Review

When identifying the best disposable diapers, many factors come into play: Absorbency, fastener quality, fit, affordability and most importantly, resistance to leaks. While many parents swear by the more established brands such as Pampers, there are actually more affordable brands out there that are just as good, if not better, for your babies.

Here is a review of the diapers we have tried on Vera, by self-professed diaper expert Dr. Z. Daddy. We welcome feedback and reviews on other brands you have tried.



Brand: Nepia (6-12kg)
Price: 35 cents per piece
Rating: 5 out of 5 (highly recommended)
Review: Cloth-like material. Velcro-like fastener (good). Resistant to poo and pee leaks. High absorbency. Good value for money

Brand: EQ (6-12kg)

Price: 25 cents per piece
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Recommended)
Review: Cheaper version of Nepia. Plastic sticky-tape fastener (not as good). Cloth-like material not as soft as Nepia. Resistant to poo and pee leaks. High absorbency. Great value for money

Brand: Pampers New Born (<5kg)>Price: 50 cents per piece
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review: Soft cotton-like material. Good resistance to pee leaks but not poo leaks. Velcro fastener. Equipped with pee meter. Expensive since you have to change 7-8 times a day for newborns.

Brand: Pampers Baby Dry (4-8kg)

Price: 35 cents per piece
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review: Not as soft as Pampers new-born. Good Absorbency. Better resistance to poo leaks. Velcro fastener. Good value for money.


Brand: Drypers Baby Diapers (3-7kg)
Price: 20 cents per piece

Rating: 1 out of 5

Review: Poor resistance to pee and poo leaks. We stopped using after a few tries

Brand: Fitti Baby Diapers (5-11kg)

Price: 29 cents per piece
Rating: 1 out of 5
Review: Poor resistance to pee and poo leaks. We stopped using after one try.

Little Jules

What a great way to commemorate and celebrate the birth of your little one! More lovely handcrafted pieces can be found at Little Jules online store.

How to develop healthy eating habits in your baby

1. Don't overfeed your baby. Watch for cues that he's full.

2. Don't try to make your child eat food he doesn't like. Respect his preferences and avoid power struggles over food.

3. Try to provide a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. Use sweets, salts, and fats in moderation.

4. Avoid fast food for as long as possible.

5. Don't bribe or reward your child with food. Instead, offer plenty of hugs, kisses, and attention.

6. Feed your baby in his highchair whenever possible, rather than in front of the television or on the go.

{advice from Babycentre}

Bananarama

double click on image to view video


Bananas are a great first food for your baby. Research indicates that bananas and their mucosal properties actually help coat the tummy and help aid in digestion. Bananas are sweet, which may help baby more readily accept the first food experience.

Learn more about bananas and if it's true that sweet fruits and veggies should not be introduced first at Wholesomebabyfood.

From the Hips

This book just came out this week. I have not read it but apparently lots of people, including Gwyneth Palthrow, are already raving about it and given it their stamp of approval. It was written by recent moms and longtime friends Rebecca Odes and Ceridwen Morris when they couldn't find the kind of book they were looking for when they were pregnant and just had their children. Apparently, it offers tips on everything during pregnancy to integrating the baby into your home. There's also a helpful resource guide to all things baby related. You can go to Amazon for more information.

Fresh Baby Food Trays

I usually prepare Vera's food at the beginning of the week and store them up in my Fresh Baby container in the freezer. This container is pretty much like an ice cube tray, except that it has a cover to prevent the pureed food from spilling out and food odours from getting in. When it is time for her meal, I would de-frost the cube. 1 cube = 1 ounce serving. Very simple and convenient!

PBS Parents

I just found this amazing website called PBS Parents. I love PBS documentaries as I find them very responsible in educating the public and are interesting to watch as well.

There are many wonderful resources on PBS parents. They have useful advice on various topics, such as how to instill creativity in your child and insights to understanding how your child thinks, feels and learns from infancy.

For instance, they say that while very young babies cannot paint or make up a poem, they actively engage in playful exploration of their environments. They explore with their senses as they look, listen, feel, and test their influence.

"To promote the openness to experience that underlies and expands playful exploration, try holding or "wearing" your infant in a soft carrier (such as a sling, a front carrier, or a traditional baby wrap worn on the back). The pre-mobile infant will have a new and dynamic point of view. He will not only have more experiences than in a seat or swing, but will also feel the caregiver's own emotional responses to these experiences through the adult's heartbeat, breathing patterns, skin temperature, and muscle tension. Assuming a confident, competent adult is holding him, he learns openness to a variety of experiences."

I knew I was doing something right with carrying Vera in the pouch!

First Leap Forward

double-click image to view video

Craft ideas for kids

Looking for some fun craft ideas to do with your kids. I did a post on Lorena Siminovich's work in my laissezfaire design blog that may inspire you to pick up the scissors and glue stick. Do check it out!

Wild Rocket

Mommy and I went to Wild Rocket this afternoon with Auntie Yueh Bing. We had a wonderful time there. The place was beautifully done up and the food was excellent. One of the waiters, Uncle Sam, even carried me around the restaurant and played with me while mommy had her lunch. Thanks Uncle Sam!

And to Chef Uncle Willin, we are so happy that you have pursued your dreams and are so passionate in what you do. Mommy still remembers you cooking for her and your friends at Sentosa chalet for free. Now she must pay. hahaha...Keep up the good food!

{picture from left: Mommy, me and Aunty Yueh Bing at Wild Rocket}

Potty Bench

I was doing my daily web surfing/shopping today when I came across this company, Boon inc. Boon specialises in producing innovative products for children, like this training toilet with site storage called the "Potty Bench". This training toilet comes with 2 enclosed side storage spaces for organising potty training supplies, and has a pull out drawer for easy sanitory clean-up. Sure makes toilet training look fun!

{image from Boon}

Sitting up

Last night, I left Vera lying on the floor with her toys while I tended to some things. The next thing I knew, she was in this position doing a split and grinning at me! This is the first time I have seen her sitting up all by herself. Imagine my excitment when I saw it!