standing on my own

double click to view video

Have you seen a baby panda?

Reading Car Manual

Double click to view video.

Flip-flop socks

As Vera hasn't started walking yet, we usually let her go barefooted when we go out and put on socks for her when it gets cold. Less restrictive for the tiny feet in this hot weather. Just found these flip-flop socks and thought they were ultra cool! Available at redenvelope.com.

More pics of Vera (by popular demand)

The Balmoral Pram

I was wondering just the other day whether they still made these kinds of prams. Oh yes, they do at Silver Cross! Once the most sought after carriages for Europe's royals and aristocrats, this British company has been building its reputation as the premiere carriage / pram company for over a hundred years. With its steel bodied frame, polished chrome chassis and hand-spoked wheels, this vintage pram (called the Balmarol pram) is designed to transport your baby in luxury It is a celebrity favorite with Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Tori Spelling. (via)

Smurfs - Baby Smurf Is Missing

Smurfs used to be the reason why I woke up on Sunday mornings. I like that they all have different personalities, although I realise now that there are a lot of generic smurfs who just run a round and do what they are told. My heart goes out to the smurf that always got kicked out of the community for expressing himself too much.

Janine Stow Photography

Classic and timeless photography by Janine Stow. Janine likes to work with families in the comfort of their surroundings, rather than a studio, as children tend to be more relaxed in a familiar environment. She also feels that the photographs will be more personal if they have a familiar background such as a home which would serve as a reminder of your children at that place and time in their lives. Do check out Janine's website for more wonderful pictures. A beautiful way to capture the memories of your child.

Little Jules

I had blogged about the wonderful keepsakes from Little Jules in a previous post. Little Jules is now giving US$10 off your order when you enter the coupon code PUPSIK. Thanks Tania!

{above: Handcrafted sterling silver "Little Jules Birth Necklace" at US$59}

Swimming

Vera goes swimming for the first time in Mommy's waterproof pouch!

Pixie Playtime

I don't know why but kids just love drawing on walls. Weren't you like that as a kid? Make your child's dream come true with this colouring wallpaper. This is today's hottest wall product as featured on HGTV's "I Want That". Just grab some crayons and let the numbers be your guide! Roll dimensions: 6 inches x 15 feet . Available at 2jane.

Vera and Daddy

Above: Daddy Vitali.
Picture taken November 1974, Winter in the former USSR
Age: 8 months
Above: Baby Vera
Picture taken June 2007, err...Summer in Singapore
Age: 8 months

ps: The round doll (called "nieveleshka" in Russian or "bu dao ong" in Mandarin) at the left corner of both pictures are from Vitali's parents.

somebody eeelppp me!!

Double click image to watch video. Must watch!!

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!