by Heather
Find a good time between baby’s naps and enjoy a brunch out with your partner or some friends.
You want to find a place with wide enough aisles between tables that you can wheel a stroller or walk with a toddler, no fancy table cloths, and a changing table in the restroom. Ambient noise is generally a big plus!
Some of my go-to places in Berkeley:
- The West Side Cafe in West Berkeley is pretty baby friendly and makes yummy pancakes and chilaquiles.
- Bette’s Oceanview Diner on 4th Street is always crowded, so send a friend ahead of your group to put your name on the list, then enjoy a nice walk on over. It’s noisy, fun, and delicious! It’s also across the street from Cody’s Books and a toy store if you need to kill time or change a diaper.
- Bacheeso’s at Dwight and San Pablo is a favorite of all our out-of-town guests. Because of the popular buffet, there’s no need to wait for your own food or for a piece of bread to throw junior.
Where is your favorite baby-friendly brunch spot?
by Heather
I always thought it would be cool to write a children’s book. Madonna did it a few times, and she’s cool, right? Oh sure… that’s not why she’s cool, but anyway, this story is about me and my baby.
I’ve run across a few different companies that help you get your little one really into a book. Some use real photographs, simplistic avatars, or fanciful (unrelated) illustrations. I doubt your baby will care, so you might as well choose what you like.
I also found wildly different prices too. I tend to have a problem with books costing more than $5. Thankfully my mom doesn’t feel the same way, so we have a few in the house despite my legendary penny-pinching.
Here are a few of the players:
- Flattenme will incorporate a photo of your child into a clever story. I just ordered one for Holden so I can vouch for the order process (easy!) and grumble about the price (~$40!) but I don’t know about the finished product just yet.
- Shutterfly Adventure Books sticks your baby’s photograph in a book so you can really see your child carrying on with Dora or Elmo (~$40).
- ChangeIsStrange personalized books help with transitions (like new sibling on the way or giving up the binky); books have child’s name with funky illustrations and no implied realism. (~$30)
- Printakid goes a step further into making the illustrated avatar-child like your kid (~$25) — see my review on our blog.
- DIY completely with self-publishing at Lulu or Blurb — if you’ve got nothing but ideas and time and want a truly professional product; go for it! (prices range)
- Low-cost paperback or e-book Imagitales seem like a good bet if I were to buy one of these myself instead of just hinting broadly (~$10) — see reviews on PBN.
—-
Parents of preschoolers! FlattenMe is offering five free books for the best potty training tips in honor of the new Potty Dance Book. Visit the FlattenMe Blog or email them at hi@flattenme.com and enter your ideas. They will PRINT the best 5 tips in the back of the book and give away copies. Contest ends November 30th.
by Whitney
Are you ready to see some big smiles? Or looks of horror? Be prepared for either.
Our babysitter taught us the following method for putting Julian on the slide when he was too young to slide sitting up:
Put baby on tummy, feet down, mid way up the slide. Put his hands up near his face, not down at his sides. Hopefully he is holding his head up so that you are not about to smear his face against the metal as he goes down. Let him slide down to the bottom. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat until your back feels like you need a week at a spa. Then sit down and let baby play in the sand while you think about that spa you’re never going to visit.
This is pretty safe (please note I am not a doctor or a paramedic) and after you get comfortable with it, you can let go and let him slide to the bottom.
by Whitney
I never really cared much for beer (which doesn’t mean I haven’t consumed my fair share of it). I kept trying, though, because a lot of women who I think are cool have a taste for beer. Then something weird happened: I grew a baby inside me, birthed him and began to breastfeed. Next thing I know, I want me some beer. Pretty much every night. Even stranger, more than a year later, I finish up my job as a milk-maker, and once again, no taste for beer. I’ve heard similar stories from other people.
Well, we already told you to drink beer once, back when you were crying more. But now, maybe do it for fun.
My recommendations in the East Bay:
- Kensington Circus Pub - mediocre food, but very kid friendly. Eat early, drink early, go to bed early.
- Parkway Movie Theatre - pizza, movie, beer — hurry, you’re about to graduate! No babies past 12 months old allowed.
- Albatross on San Pablo - better when the kid’s not there I think, because you can play board games without worrying about choking hazards.
- Your neighbor’s house - make friends with someone who lives within walking distance and bring a six-pack in your stroller’s under-carriage when you go for a visit. Place baby next to toys and enjoy.
- Jupiter - lovely outdoor space on Shattuck.
