February 2008

When Heather and I were editing our book, I thought we were including one too many ways to decorate a baby’s chest. I hope we don’t sound like broken records, suggesting embellished onesies for every day of the week. But now, my friend Nila has delighted me with a style we haven’t posted yet, so I must show it off. She just made this felt applique t-shirt for Scarlett and I think it’s pretty cute.

Materials:

Baby t-shirt, hoodie or onesie. Don’t limit yourself to a solid color. Stripes could be really cute with an applique on top.

Embroidery floss. It comes in one zillion colors at fabric or craft stores. It comes in a fair amount of colors at Target.

Needle.

A button or two.

Felt. This is sold in rectangles at craft stores and comes in lots of colors. To preserve your masterpiece, turn the garment inside out when you wash it. This will reduce pilling of the felt.

I don’t think you really need further instructions. Cut some shapes, sew them on. You can do it! For further inspiration, take a look at these adorable similarly styled tiny clothes from Jasper Hearts Wren. Please do photograph your project and post your links here!

Related:
Activity #138: Decorate baby clothes with fabric paint
Activity #88: Design your own baby clothes

I just read this idea on Flexible Parenting and my stepmom (aka Gramma Leslie) did this awesome toddler activity with Julian at her house, way before it would have occurred to me.

Bring a stool to your empty kitchen sink and let your toddler climb up. Fill the sink with warm soapy water, plastic cups, utensils, etc. Let your toddler pretend to make something or wash dishes. For some reason my little man likes to say he’s washing dishes. Far be it from me to inform him that washing dishes ain’t fun.

Try it. You’ll be surprised at how long this can occupy a person who is between two and three feet tall.

Alex, who introduced me via her blog to the term “potching” says, “I can pretty much guarantee that it will make a gigantic mess. The good news is that mess is just soapy water and wet utensils so it will eventually dry on it’s own.”

My unprofessional opinion is that if your child is walking, she is old enough to try this one.

Debbie Dubrow is a mom with a 15 month old and a 2 1/2 year old in Seattle.

She travels frequently with her kids and founded the website DeliciousBaby dedicated to giving parents the inspiration, advice, and information to travel with their babies and young children.

She shares excellent ideas for a week in San Diego (for both locals and visitors).

Other than how lazy she makes me feel, I am 100% a fan of her site and her efforts!

Monday: Zoo time
The San Diego Zoo is a must-see destination. As soon as your baby is old enough to engage with the world, he or she will enjoy watching the animals. Unlike many Zoos, this one is spread across 100 acres and animals live in lush “natural” habitats instead of tiny cages. If you arrive early in the day, a good way to beat the crowds is to take the gondola one way to the far end of the park (great fun for kids beginning at around 9 months) and work your way back on foot. Discount tickets can often be found on Ebay and Craigslist. Membership is almost always a good idea for local families.

For lunch, eat a sandwich at Bread & Cie the best bakery in the city. Try the roasted eggplant and feta cheese sandwich for you and some yogurt or fresh fruit for your little one. Consider picking up your food before heading to the zoo and having a picnic while you’re there!

Bread & Cie: 350 University Ave, San Diego (619) 683-9322

Tuesday: Cafe and Mission Bay
Have an omelet at the Broken Yolk. The rooftop dining room is pleasant in warm weather (but not suited for strollers). If omelets aren’t your style, there is also a large selection of other breakfast standards like pancakes, waffles, and French Toast

Take a walk and let baby play in the sand at Mission Bay. This enormous public park has 27 miles of shoreline and 15 miles of bay front beach (if that isn’t enough to get baby to fall asleep in the sling, I don’t know what is). With basketball courts, volleyball, playgrounds, and lots of birds, there’s plenty for baby to do when he’s awake too. You might even want to bring along some food to cook up on one of the many barbecues!

Broken Yolk: 1851 Garnet Ave, San Diego (858) 270-9655
Open 6am-3pm
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