by Heather
You already know that the library is a fun place to take baby, but did you realize how it can be a money saver and a sanity saver too?
You can stop by the local library and bring home board books, big kid books, learning-to-sign dvd’s, and video rentals for grown-ups (often free for a week or so!) all at the same place. With so many unavoidable parenting expenses, it’s nice to go some place where it’s all free! And air conditioned. 
In case Alec is being closely watched by the government, they now know he has a penchant for baby board books.
by Whitney
Let’s face it: Before this kid was born, you had no idea that babies were so clueless about how to relax. Well, now you know. Your new roommate would like nothing more than to get back in the confines of the womb and forget this whole “birth” thing ever happened.
If there is one piece of advice I would give new mothers in their baby’s first month of life, it is to watch The Happiest Baby On The Block. Due to the convincing presentation on DVD of Dr. Harvey Karp, we are both big believers in the 5 S’s of the Happiest Baby on the Block – if you don’t have time for a book (and who does?), take the time for the DVD!
If you watched it before baby was born, watch it again now. According to Dr. Karp, the tools you need are:
- Swaddle
- Sideways/ stomach
- Shush/ white noise
- Swing/ jiggle
- Suck
Both Julian and Holden were swaddled for sleep, per Dr. Karp’s specific instructions, beyond their 3-month birthdays. Julian was held on his side and jiggled by every visitor who we trained on this technique. Update: at 17 and 11 months old, they both still sleep with white noise on for every snooze they take. It works!
Click on the DVD or the book to the left.
Try it. You’ll like it.
by Whitney
Today we went to Piedmont for a birthday brunch and found ourselves with 20 minutes to kill and a dirty diaper to deal with. Magically, I looked up to find that we were standing in front of Lucciola, a children’s bookstore. It was the type of place that Meg Ryan would have had in You’ve Got Mail, if only she lived in Oakland instead of New York City. The bathroom is open to customers and has a changing table. There is a story time room behind the main bookshelf shopping area that has a mural on the wall. Julian immediately walked in there and pointed animatedly to the rugs. Apparently he liked the interior design.
The owner of Lucciola was behind the counter and was very enthusiastic about the activities she was hosting this week. She proudly told me that Meng, the author of “Now, Louie”, had been there yesterday, drawing personalized pictures for the kids.
Action item: Look for an independent book store near you. Although the retail giants B&N and Borders have their own appeals, some of the little guys offer even more charm. And cleaner bathrooms.
Update: Lucciola has closed. All the more reason to frequent these independent stores. Let’s keep them in business!
by Whitney
Becky is a rookie mom in Boston who has lots of ideas for keeping herself and baby Nick busy. She is a city mama who does not have room in her condo for a full-on nursery, but confesses that she is addicted to the site Javis Davis.
This company allows you to select from something like 500 fabrics to design your kiddie’s crib bedding. Since Becky is a future twin-aunt, she has been satisfying her latent nesting instincts by planning bedding for her sister’s new babies.
If you are of the school of thought that a newborn can sleep in a drawer, I still think you’re cool, but know that browsing this fancy stuff is fun for fantasy nevertheless.
Even if you end up at Target, perhaps you will be inspired to pick some more wild color and pattern combinations.
