pottery barn chamois crib sheets - on sale!

www.potterybarnkids.com

you've already heard about my search for the perfect crib bedding, which fortunately ended happily. for the most part. the bedding came with this super cute polka-dotted crib sheet, which looked fabulous but felt like sandpaper.

by the time my son was six months old, we, at the urging of our sleep consultant, decided that maybe it was time for our baby boy to stop sleeping in his car seat/the co-sleeper/our bedroom. (don't judge me. i was sleep-deprived.) yet i wasn't quite ready for the transition - his crib didn't seem quite snuggly soft enough.

i embarked on an extensive snuggly sheet hunt, looking everywhere i could think of for something cuddly that wouldn't break the bank. eureka! pottery barn kids makes the most delicious chamois bedding for your baby to snooze on.

pottery barn kids' chamois bedding has a soft, velvety feel that will help caress your baby to sleep. the sheets come in a multitude of sherbet colors, have a snug fit and keep their wonderful texture even after multiple washings. better yet - they're now on sale! this is your perfect opportunity to snatch up a rainbow of luxurious bedding for your pampered prince or princess.

now if only the sheets were available for grown ups. then again, if they did, i'd never want to leave my bed!

small audience - tees for tots

www.smallaudience.com

one of my closest girlfriends had a little boy back in march. but when she was pregnant, she didn't want to find out if she was having a boy or a girl... and one of her reasons was "i don't want people to get me all sorts of dorky baby blue or pink clothing."

i feel your pain.

thank goodness there are companies out there like small audience. based out of southern california, small audience makes vintage-inspired tops and hoodies for your sassy baby. all their shirts are hand-screened with clever designs like "i know the bouncer" (pictured) and "ice ice baby" with a picture of a soft-serve ice cream cone.

all of small audience's shirts are made of super soft cotton with a vintage wash to give your tot that old-school vibe. inside out hems and raw edged sleeves add to the comfort of most of their styles while a roomy fit ensures your baby will be at comfortable as he is cute.

small audience sizes start at 3/6 months and go all the way up to 4T, so there's no reason not to keep your child looking cool as they get bigger.... and cooler.
*thanks to danielle, jake and gil for the sweet shirt!

happy birthday coley!!!

i'm going to be totally self-indulgent today and wish my son, cole, a happy first birthday instead of putting up a post about baby products.

for all you parents (and parents-to-be), it's unimaginable how fast the first year flies by, how much your life has changed, how much you learn and how much you realize you don't know.

i understand my parents like never before, to my simultaneous delight and chagrin. i worry about things like bruises and broken bones and hurt feelings and karma. (i was a tough teenager to deal with. let's hope the fates treat me kindly!)

i can't imagine what my life would be like without him and barely remember what it was like before he came along. so happy birthday to my little coley. i love you.

help! having trouble reading little dictators?

hi folks!

okay, a few of my friends and loyal readers have warned me about error messages they've been getting when trying to read our site.

if you're having trouble, please let me know! (um... assuming you can read this, of course.) feel free to email us at littledictators@gmail.com and let us know. we want to make sure to fix things!

our technical department (a.k.a. me) is working on fixing things asap.

push around buggy by step2

www.amazon.com: Push Around Buggy

the excitement of first birthdays! all your little baby friends that just a few months ago were rolling around on the floor are suddenly, amazingly, terrifyingly mobile. they want to Go Places! and Touch Everything! and Move Really Fast!

while this milestone birthday means crawling for almost all, cruising for most and walking for the elite, it most definitely means mobility in any way, shape or form. and what's the best way to accomplish this? by being pushed around in a car, of course!

the push around buggy by step2 is every one-year-old's dream. luckily for me, it's also every parent-to-a-one-year-old's dream. the smiling plastic car has a solid handle attached at parent height for you to push your little one up and down the halls of your house or even down the street. there's a steering wheel that moves, a little horn that beeps when pushed and, best of all, a seat belt to keep active curious babies securely in place.

when not in motion, the push around buggy has a generous trunk in front that baby can open and close and hide numerous toys in. that'll keep your baby busy for a guaranteed five minutes. also, for those aspiring princesses, the buggy is also available in a lovely shade of pink. perfect for stuffing my little ponies in the trunk.

the buggy is a good size - big enough for your tot to ride in, but small enough to hide in a closet when playtime is over. as baby gets bigger and more independent, the buggy's handle is removable, so you could let your little one out to explore on his own..... within eyesight, of course.

oh, by the way - can't find your car keys? try looking in the push around buggy's trunk.

justplaygrounds.com - marin playground listings

www.justplaygrounds.com

woo! it has been one busy week leading up to cole's first birthday, and it's not even here yet!

needless to say, things have been hectic and that's why we've been a little light on posts. between my mother-in-law spending 5 hours on the tarmac and then spending the night in the newark airport just to get out here and the birthday parties we'll have literally every weekend between now and september, we are one busy family.

we had our friend ella's first birthday party today in beautiful belvedere, ca at the belvedere community park. it was so much fun that we'd actually go back to hang out, despite the 45 minute drive. a shaded area with stone gazebo and picnic tables skirts a manicured lawn, while the recently renovated playground provides fun for kids of all ages. there are see saws, baby swings, climbing structures and even little plastic cars and walkers to keep your tot busy.

justplaygrounds.com is a great website to give you more information on marin's playgrounds so that you, too, can drive to beautiful marin on a gorgeous bay area day. there are listings by city with multiple pictures of each park. helpful amenities are detailed on each page so that you can be informed on everything from the parking situation to whether or not there's drinking water to if the bathrooms are available (and clean).

if only there were a justplaygrounds.com for every county! i'd be on it in a minute. hmm.... our san francisco guide will have to wait, though, until we're done with all these birthday parties!

no added sugar - sassy clothes for tiny tots

www.noaddedsugar.co.uk

my son's first birthday is right around the corner, and i knew his coolest presents would come from my girlfriends.

a fedex arrived on my doorstep the other day, and the return address said "no added sugar" - and that the package was coming from london.

"well, that's interesting," i thought. "someone's sending me sugar-free candy from the united kingdom. how..... weird."

then i opened the package. inside was a sleek white box with a bunny-and-crossbones logo. (a good omen if there ever was one.) and packaged neatly inside bunny-printed tissue paper was the most awesome baby shirt i have ever seen. printed across the front was the sweet phrase "lock up your daughters" - with the word "lock" in gold sparkle, no less. awesome.

no added sugar makes edgy and sweet clothes for babies and little ones up to age 8. their silk screened designs come on buttery soft premium jersey cotton with a thick luxurious feel. the envelope neck makes for what no added sugar appropriately and accurately calls "no tears dressing."

no added sugar was created by a london mom who felt there was a distinct lack of cool baby clothes - so she ended up designing her own. eight years later, her designs are carried around the world in stores like harrod's and fred segal. while they have a fantastic online store front, those of us in la, new york, san francisco and a few other select us cities are lucky enough to buy their products in person.

we love our new shirt. now the only problem we have is deciding if it's appropriate or not for a one-year-old's first birthday party.
* many thanks to aunt jen & uncle mike for the awesome present!

baby gap triple-roll socks

www.gap.com

oh, baby socks. you are so cute and so challenging at the same time. i must have tried a million different kinds on my son only to find them strewn all over the floor because they just. won't. stay. on!

a few factors will be constantly working against you:

1. your baby is crawling and, now that he is mobile, can leave a trail of socks behind him;


2. your baby has discovered his feet and therefore has discovered that he can pull his socks off whenever he wants; and
   


3. your baby's friend has discovered your baby's feet and therefore has discovered that he can pull your baby's socks off whenever he wants.

how can you compete when the odds are against you? personal experience + advice from other mommies = baby gap triple-roll socks. when babies are little, we love trumpette's socks for their cute styles and magical ability to stay on, but they don't come sized for toddlers.

baby gap's triple-roll socks have accomplished the elusive trifecta: they're soft and comfortable, thick enough to keep baby feet warm but thin enough to wear under robeez and they actually stay on baby's feet. baby gap's socks also have non-skid lettering on the bottom for your toddlers beginning to cruise or - gasp - actually walk.

next up? robeez!

boobie tuesday! medela nursing stool

www.target.com

the first few days home from the hospital are a whirlwind. you're overjoyed and amazed that this tiny new little person lives in your house. you cuddle your newborn, leaning over to whisper "i love you"s in his precious little ear. and omfg does your back hurt.

nurses, friends and lactation consultants alike told me i needed a nursing stool. "huh," i thought. "does it really make that much of a difference?"

answer: yes.

medela's nursing stool is angled just right to support nursing (and even pregnant) moms' backs. while nursing, it helps eliminate that back-breaking "lean over" factor by propping up your knees at just the right angle. and especially for people who are on the shorter side - like me! - medela's nursing stool can be a lifesaver. it's the perfect compliment to your glider and is small enough to be carried around from room to room.

the nursing stool comes in white or wood to match your decor and when you're done nursing, your child will have a blast trying to climb it. whether you like it or not.

monday mommysaver: radio flyer walker wagon

www.amazon.com: Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon

the pre-walking stage is about as exciting as it gets around here. between cruising from couch to couch and occasionally forgetting that he can't quite stand on his own yet, i'm realizing that this is the least mobile my son will be for, say, the next million years.

that being said, even though i know it'll be the end of any remaining peace i may have, i'm really excited for cole to start walking. while he's perfectly happy with the little plastic walker we have at home, my friend jen highly recommends the radio flyer walker wagon.

radio flyer's walker wagon has been a bestseller for 25 years, and it's easy to see why. it has a durable build and is made of natural solid wood. as jen says, its solid design helps keep things stable when your little one's pulling up to use it as a walker. the front bumper will help save baby, furniture and (hopefully) even your dog from being bumped into, while the sturdy molded tires have enough grip to keep baby from sliding around when on the move.

the removable wooden sides keep things interesting as your child gains more confidence walking. when the sides are on, they make a perfect space for your child's favorite toys, bouncy balls, blankies or (hopefully not) your dog.

the radio flyer walker wagon makes a great gift for that special toddler-to-be in your life. and just in case my parents are reading this, i love you. and don't forget your grandson's first birthday is coming up.

the going to bed book by sandra boynton

www.amazon.com: The Going-To-Bed Book

ah, bedtime stories. who doesn't love a good bedtime story? we read before every nap and before bedtime at night. however i've discovered something: babies have surprisingly short attention spans. who knew?

lots of books i love have been nixed off of the bedtime reading list, including anything that's not a board book. (incidentally, we asked our friends with a 2 1/2 year old when we could graduate to "real" books without getting them torn to shreds. their answer? "we'll let you know.") also off the list? anything with too many words on each page, anything too long and anything that drives me crazy. sorry, but when you read the same book 3, 4 or 5 times in a row, you'd better find it enjoyable.

beloved illustrator and author sandra boynton brings us "the going to bed book," a whimsical tale of animals that live on a boat (of course), brush their teeth (naturally) and exercise (um... okay) before going to bed. her lively illustrations of dogs putting on pajamas and elephants exercising on boat decks keep little ones riveted while her short but sweet rhymes tell a silly going to bed story perfect for right before sleep.

the going to bed book is a perfect addition to baby's library and is a tale you'll both love to read over and over again. because i can promise you, if your baby gets his way, you will be reading it over and over and over and over again.

puppy pacifier clips by north american bear co.

www.hunkydoryonline.com

ah, pacifiers. a mother's best friend and worst enemy. when cole was a colicky baby, i remember pulling his pediatrician aside and asking in a whispered panic, "how soon can we give him the pacifier?"

then, of course, after a few months of that, i started thinking, "crap - now i'm going to have a 5 year old with a pacifier." for the record, we went off it cold turkey at 6 months and never looked back. but while we had it, man, was it a lifesaver.

the worst part about the necessary evil of the "paci" was how often it would end up thrown on the floor, in the dirt, at the dog or in a mud puddle - you name it. which would leave me or my husband scrambling to find a clean one buried at the bottom of the diaper bag. better yet, i'd be driving in the car on a long journey only to have my son spit out the paci into the depths of the car seat. now how am i supposed to find it with one hand while stopped at a stop sign?

north american bear company, maker of many snuggly soft toys for wee ones, brings us these great puppy pacifier clips. they have brought their popular ollie dachshund (obviously a favorite in our home) and turned him into baby's best friend. in four adorable styles - golden lab, grey schnauzer, brown & white terrier and, of course, ollie dachshund - north american bear company will make sure that your pacifier's not going anywhere.

each baby-safe plush pooch has a sturdy clip on the side to attach securely to baby's clothes while the other end of the gingham check ribbon loops around the pacifier with a strong velcro closure. the puppy is soft and lightweight enough to not bother baby and even gives him a friend to hang out with... or munch on. besides, why settle for an ugly plastic pacifier clip when you can have a loyal and trusted friend guard it for you?

the blanket lady

www.blanketlady.com

more baby showers = more baby shower presents. but what to get for that someone special? when it's your good friend having a baby, buying them a diaper genie just won't do.

from my friend talia comes "the blanket lady"! don't let her - ahem - "rudimentary" website fool you. the blanket lady makes beautiful personalized gifts for your little one or someone else's lucky baby. the blanket lady will create a luxurious customized blanket using your baby's name as a pattern. want more? you can choose from over 50 colors to mix n' match for your own personal touch.

customized blankets from the blanket lady are double sided, super soft and generously sized at approximately 25” x 46”. not only is the pattern made up of baby's name, but you can put baby's full name and birth date on the bottom. as an added bonus, blankets are machine washable and dryer safe – no shrinking or fading. perfect for those new moms who don't have time to hand wash or drip dry!

believe me when i say the picture does not do these blankets justice - i've seen one of them in person and can attest that they're a really nice quality - soft, but still with a good heft to them. perfect for carrying around in the car, to the park and especially on playdates - you'll always know which one is yours!

the petit appetit cookbook - organic recipes for little ones

www.petitappetit.com
www.amazon.com: The Petit Appetit Cookbook: Easy, Organic Recipes to Nurture Your Baby and Toddler

when i was younger and visiting family in savannah for the summer, my parents would send my cousin and me to the local day camp to keep us busy. we'd flop around in the pool and beat the crap out of each other in dodgeball and then, come afternoon, it was snack time.

i remember clearly that first day - we were presented red, ripe, juicy slices of watermelon at snack time. "sweet!" i remember thinking. "watermelon is AWESOME! this camp rules."

day two: snack time again. and what did we get? watermelon... again! could i be any luckier?

day three: snack time once more. "guess what we're getting?" smiled my counselors with the utmost sincerity, "watermelon! hooray!"

wait a minute. this was not what i signed up for.

and neither did my son. however, like my poor misguided camp counselors, i find myself feeding him the same things every single day. bananas are easy! you love bananas! waffle? yes, please! how about for every meal? it's time to change up my repertoire.

from my trusted mommy friend nicole comes the petit appetit cookbook. mother of 3 1/2 year old brayden, she has had her experience with picky eaters and knows of what she speaks. so i'll let her tell you:

"the petit appetit cookbook is by far the best organic cookbook for kids that i have ever found, intended for children four months and up. i didn't discover it until brayden was about a year old, and it was just about the time we were both getting bored with the same old purees and finger foods.

we have tried most of the recipes in the last couple of years and have found them simple, flavorful, wholesome and interesting enough for parents, too. the book lists all nutritional information on the sidebar of each page, along with reference icons for no-sugar added, vegan, wheat-free, gluten-free and vegetarian recipes. some of brayden's favorites include "heart-y yogurt pancakes," "mom's meatloaf with red pepper puree," "baby ginger carrots," and "baked chicken bites." (all healthier versions of foods we normally eat - although actually this is one of the few meatloaf recipes i will tolerate! the author also calls refers to the meatloaf recipe as "beef cakes" since meatloaf has such an old-fashioned and slightly gross connotation).

we made the "celebration cupcakes" for brayden's first birthday (a recipe adapted from the children wtih diabetes website that uses half the sugar of most other cupcake recipes), and we still make the "mini apple banana bran muffins" regularly. the recipes are divided up by age-appropriateness and the book also includes multiple appendixes in the back for handy notes, like a food introduction record and toddler food diary.

there are no pictures or frills in this book, but in my opinion its attractive cover and clean layout make it a nice gift for new parents. "

so there you have it! go pick up your copy of the petit appetit cookbook today.

*thanks to niki for the suggestion and write up!

boobie tuesday! bella materna bras and mommy gear

http://www.bellamaterna.com/shop/

there must be some rule that i'm unaware of that says nursing bras and maternity gear have to be both ugly and uncomfortable.

bella materna is here to break that rule. they offer luxurious intimates for expectant and new moms that will replace your super-foxy current ensemble of target's nursing tanks and your husband's pajama bottoms. (speaking from experience, of course.)

bella materna carries everything from comfy maternity/nursing lounge pants to a sexy french lace nursing bra with matching tanga panties that are low enough for even pregnant mommies to wear.

we particularly love bella materna's wide range of nursing bras. offering both underwire and wire-free styles, bella materna has something for just about everyone. our favorite? the ruched clip nursing bra (shown) with sassy ruching fashion detail in front that disappears under a t-shirt, and has great separation for a bra with no underwire. no uni-boob for you! bella materna bras have an easy, one-handed clasp, and a 4-stage hook-and-eye back closure to take you from pregnant mommy to brand new nursing mom to breastfeeding pro. the italian nylon/lycra material not only feels soft and silky to the touch, but dries fast.... just in case. best of all, if your bella materna bra needs a little shrinking for your changes over time, just toss it in the dryer once in a while and problem solved!as for your husband's pajama bottoms, you can keep them. we won't tell as long as you promise to mix it up every once in a while with something cute from bella materna.

monday mommysaver: peek-a-boo pop up tunnel

www.rightstart.com

blah, mondays. if you're a stay-at-home mom like me, then you also have 5 whole days before you've got both hands free at the same time. what to do with your cranky baby when it's yucky outside, you're tired and all your friends are busy? tunnel time!

the pop up co. makes your child's (and dachshund's) new favorite toy: a tunnel that goes right in your house! come on, you've given up the pretense of "not having giant toys in the house" a long time ago, so you might as well have some fun with it.

available through right start (one of our favorite companies) as well as other toy stores, the peek-a-boo pop up tunnel is really cool. it's 6 feet long - big enough for adventures, not so big that your kidlet will get tired halfway through. the brightly colored fabric is easy to clean (we unintentionally tested out that aspect over the weekend) and best of all has a long mesh panel that runs the length of the tunnel, allowing you to see what baby's up to and also letting them know you're right there to keep them company.

after you're done playing with the peek-a-boo tunnel, it folds up quickly into a flat circle with easy-close velcro tabs, so you don't have to live with it taking over your entire living room when not in use.

my son cole crawled through the tunnel all weekend long, back and forth, as did my weiner dog. so did my husband, who took an ill-advised trip halfway through the tunnel (before getting stuck). it has been baby, puppy and husband approved, although i'd only recommend letting the first two travel through it.

bay area discovery museum

www.baykidsmuseum.org

almost everyone i know with a child has been to the discovery museum. and everyone who has gone tells me that i absolutely have to go. with that kind of unanimous endorsement, who am i to say no?

so yesterday we packed up and headed over the golden gate bridge to the beautiful bayside town of sausalito and the bay area discovery museum. and now i am joining the legions of fans by telling you that you also absolutely have to go!

not only is the museum nestled against breathtaking views of the bay (really - what other children's museum do you know of that offers spectacular views of the golden gate bridge?), but the museum itself is a treat.

since its inception in 1987, the bay area discovery museum has been recognized as one of the best children's museums in the country. they serve over 260,000 visitors each year who come to enjoy their fantastic facilities and beautiful outdoor space. for little guys like my son, their indoor tot spot is a real treat.

tot spot, designed specifically for crawlers to preschoolers under 42", offers exhibits and play areas designed on animal habitats - so feel free to bounce away in a lily pond, crawl through cave-like tunnels and explore faux wilderness. want to try on bee wings? play with a skunk hand puppet? press a panel that makes frog noises over and over and over again? consider it done!

the outdoor tot spot space has a man-made "stream" with plastic fish to squeeze and touch in addition to hills to climb and instruments to play. but that's not all! for older kids, lookout cove offers 2.5-acres of outdoor, interactive exploration areas featuring natural, cultural and built icons of the bay area. all this plus art studios, an "underwater" tunnel, a 300-gallon sea star tank and rotating exhibitions? sign me up!

bebe au lait, a.k.a. hooter hiders

www.bebeaulait.com

bebe au lait nursing covers, née "hooter hiders" are a breastfeeding mom's best friend. apparently the sassy original name was met with less-than-enthusiastic customer response, so now it's same product, new marketing. (i'll admit, my mom thought the term "hooter hiders" was gross, but my mom is a genteel southern lady. most of the time.)

this is a great present for your new mom friend who's convinced (like i was) that she's never, ever going to breastfeed in public. i carried this thing around in my diaper bag for weeks without using it, pretending that i'm also a genteel southern lady who would never do such a thing. then i remembered two things: 1) i was raised in northern california and 2) i have no shame.

even if you may secretly love your gigantic new-mom boobs, you probably don't want to share them with the public at large. bebe au lait nursing covers are generously sized aprons that are not only big enough to cover up baby, but will ensure that you won't be flashing your neighbors during brunch at the world's smallest topless revue.

the neck straps are secure and adjustable, there's a small discreet terrycloth pocket for clean-ups and the rigid neckline allows you and only you to see what baby's up to. having the top bow out for eye contact with baby in addition to being machine washable are two of bebe au lait's greatest qualities. they even have a new "simple" line made of organic linen and cotton. no wonder they've won so many awards!

bebe au lait's nursing apron is the easiest way to discreetly breastfeed while you're out and about, and for some reason, dads really push the public breastfeeding. so if your husband won't shut up about how it's "not a big deal," use one of these and discover it really isn't. just don't tell him i told you so.

the girlfriends' guide to pregnancy by vicki iovine

www.amazon.com: The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy

now that i have not 1, not 2, but 4!! friends who are expecting (congrats, ladies! welcome to the club!), i think it's time we showed them a little love around here.

as i've mentioned, my pregnancy was, shall we say, "challenging." i feel bad complaining when i had friends who were on bed rest for weeks (ugh - you are champions!), but barfing well into my sixth month of pregnancy was really not my idea of a good time.

fortunately for me, i a) had girlfriends who were going through the same thing and b) was reading vicki iovine's "the girlfriends' guide to pregnancy." my friend lisa loaned me this book and after reading the first chapter, i went out and bought my own copy so i could loan it to my friends.

now i have to warn you, this book may not be for everyone. if you don't appreciate sarcasm, then you're probably not only going to hate "the girlfriends' guide," but you most likely think i'm a smart-ass to boot. if you think pregnancy is something sacred and joyous and not to be made fun of, again, this isn't the book for you. however, if you think pregnancy is great but also laugh at chapter titles like "pregnancy insanity," "labor begins (finally)" and also excerpts including "attention husbands of pregnant women! do not take it personally if your pregnant wife would rather sleep than sleep with you!" then you're my target audience.

think the phrase "morning sickness" should really be "all day and all night and possibly for months sickness"? excited to be a mom but secretly terrified you're going to leave your baby on the car roof when you drive somewhere? wonder why your pregnancy brain means you can't remember anything, ever, anymore? and most importantly, want to read a book about pregnancy by a mom who not only had 4 kids in 6 years (no twins!) but was a phi beta kappa and a playboy centerfold? yes! you are really going to enjoy "the girlfriends' guide to pregnancy."

mustela high sun protection lotion spf 50

www.mustelausa.com

it's hot. so hot, in fact, that it's actually cooler outside than it is in my house. time to pack up my son and head to the park!

my 11-month-old son has been blessed with my husband's good looks and my casper-the-ghost white skin. as a consequence, he will now be subjected to me slathering him in sunscreen every time we leave the house.

but not any sun lotion will do! mustela, the brand known for their excellent baby and mommy skin products, has a wonderful sun protection lotion that comes in a casper-friendly spf 50.

formulated specifically for babies over 6 months, mustela's high sun protection lotion comes in both a hand-lotion sized package and a convenient lip gloss sized tube, which can be easily slipped into your pocket as you head out the door. their water- and sweat-resistant formula glides on easily without leaving a sticky feeling behind.

mustela's sun protection lotion contains both titanium and zinc oxide for maximum protection against those harmful summer rays but is still fragrance-free and delicate enough to use on baby's sweet face. just make sure you smooth the lotion in, or it's whiteness will really leave your child looking like a friendly ghost.

you can even use it on your own sensitive skin! just make sure you leave a little for baby.

boobie tuesday! medela pump in style advanced

www.medelabreastfeedingus.com

if i concentrate really hard, i can remember what life was like before i had children. and if i concentrate even harder, i can vaguely recollect what it was like to be single.

in those days, i used to ask my friends' opinions on all sorts of important things, like, "is this shirt too slutty for a first date?" "i called him and he didn't call me back.... should i call him again?" or "which bar should i meet you at at 2am?"

my life these days is decidedly different. before my son was born, i'd heard ugly rumors of needing something called a "breast pump" which, contrary to its name was not sexy at all. worse than that, i had no idea which one to buy. "can't we just rent one?" asked my husband. um, no. no, we can't.

so i polled all my trusted mommy friends to get their opinions and to a one they all said "medela pump in style advanced." what makes this so different from the rest? the medela pump in style advanced was originally developed for hospitals and, in my experience, is the one most recommended by lactation consultants. the pump in style advanced has easy to use controls and uses a two-phase expression for maximum milk flow and, theoretically, less time "at the pump." it's as comfortable as one of these things can be and mimics a baby's natural nursing rhythm.

medela's pump in style advanced comes in a number of different styles, from backpack to shoulder bag to messenger bag, but unless you plan on traveling with your pump often, i'd save your money and pick the least expensive option. and take that saved cash to buy yourself a little something nice that has nothing to do with boobs.

new dictator alert!

congrats to my cousin evan & her husband mike on their beautiful baby boy!

eli ryan was born on july 6 in atlanta, ga.

congrats to evan, mike and "big brother" jonah on their wonderful new addition!

wheely bug

www.rightstart.com
www.wheelybug.com

uh-oh..... your child wants to walk. badly. and while we have plastic ride-on toys littering our living room, my friend jen went the sophisticated route and picked up this great wheely bug. show off. it's a wonder i'm still friends with her.

ahem. getting back to the wheely bug, it's a great little ride-on toy for your little one that you won't be too embarrassed to leave out when company comes over. more importantly, of course, kids love it.

the wheely bug is covered in soft leather over a foam padding with four sturdy rotating wheels that move in all directions, helping prevent your tiny tot from getting stuck in place. the aluminum handle is sturdy and the whole "bug" is pvc-free. not only is wheely bug cute, but he'll help your child develop his gross motor skills. recommended age is 1.5 years+, but 11 month old cole was having a grand old (supervised) time, let me tell you.

wheely bug has won all sorts of awards, including best australian toy for 5 out of 6 years in a row, which is no surprise to those who've seen it. and did i mention that they exceed toy safety standards and use renewable timber lumber? fun and eco-friendly, too!

the wheely bug comes in traditional ladybug (shown) and bumblebee and now is available in new mouse, cow and tiger designs. grrowr! i guess i'll have to stay friends with jen so that cole can go to her house and borrow wheely bug for a little while longer. just don't blow my cover.

crocodile creek lunch boxes

www.crocodilecreek.com

as the long weekend continues, you're probably taking your little one to all sorts of exciting places. or at least maybe out to eat once. (come on..... your spouse is home. live dangerously! leave the house!)

if, like me, you've been using the medela bottle storage bag to cart your child's lunch around, then, like me, you're also finding it woefully inadequate. it was all well and good before my son was eating "real" food and i just needed to throw a bottle or two in there, but now i definitely need something bigger. and cuter.

crocodile creek, maker of many cute things for your children, includes these great little lunch boxes among their fabulous products. the lunch boxes are the perfect size for fitting a sippy cup, a bib, a few spoons, a package of wet wipes, some cheerios and/or puffs and two small jars of baby food, at least in my experience. there's an outside pocket to stash either dirty spoons, a packet of crackers or other mystery items in and a sturdy handle to carry everything around.

crocodile creek lunch boxes come in tons of great patterns, from dinosaurs for your little dinosaur to beautiful butterflies for your little princess. the lunch boxes are phthalate and PVC free and have lead-free linings in addition to conforming to FDA and us/european safety standards. what more could you ask for? you got it! the whole thing can be hand washed with mild soap and a soft cloth. (sorry, they are amazing, but they don't wash themselves.

skip hop pronto mini changer

www.amazon.com - skip hop pronto mini changer

4th of july weekend! time to travel with your tot! also time to figure out how to change your baby on the go without bringing your entire changing table on the road.

skip hop, one of my favorite modern baby companies, is here to rescue you. skip hop's pronto is a mini changing table wrapped up into an easy and attractive package. when open, you've got a good size changing pad that not only wipes clean, but has a removable head pillow to make your little dictator as comfortable as possible. not only that, there's an included wipes case and a generous-sized mesh pocket for your delicate baby's many creams and ointments.

when closed, skip hop's pronto is small enough to tote around easily with a strap to carry on your wrist or clip to your stroller. there's also a front zipper pocket to throw your car keys or other personal items in while you're running around.

i wish i'd had one of these when we took cole on a plane - it would have been much easier and more attractive than my homemade intricate ziploc bag system.

babyhawk baby carriers

www.babyhawk.com

when cole was first born, we carried him everywhere in his carseat. then we realized that maybe, just maybe, he actually wanted to look around. so we inherited a baby bjorn from a friend and i have to say, it worked surprisingly well despite looking like a frat guy's bedspread in all its navy and red plaid glory. seriously, this thing was ugly as sin. (um... thanks, joe, for the loan!)

then my friend katrina e-mailed me the other day asking if i'd heard of babyhawk carriers. i clicked through to their sassy website and discovered what are hands-down the best looking baby carriers i've ever seen. their wide variety of colors and cool fabrics (retro bird prints? yes! punk rock baby skulls in bright aqua? yes again!)were much cooler than what i own.

babyhawk mei tai's (designed after traditional asian baby carriers) were designed by a mom looking for a carrier that was not only stylish, but comfortable and safe. the straps are wide and durable and the mei tai provides lots of support for your little one (and you!) as you traipse all over town. you can carry baby on the front, back or even on your hip if you want to mix things up.

the coolest part about babyhawk is that you can actually design your own carrier. you can choose from over 300 fabrics and 15 strap colors to create a babyhawk that's all your own. no ugly bedspread babies for you! go babyhawk instead.

boobie tuesday! BornFree bottles

www.newbornfree.com

if you've heard about the dangers of certain plastics for your baby but the thought of using glass bottles makes you feel like a 1950s housewife, then let me introduce you to BornFree.

BornFree makes bottles, cups and accessories for your little one that are free of Bisphenol-A (BPA), Phthalates and PVC - all the things that the news tells you to be worried about. they were one of the first companies to do so.

not only are BornFree's products BPA-free, they also have a new innovative air vent that helps prevent ear infections and (supposedly) eliminate colic symptoms - although i have to be honest with you, having had a colicky baby, i don't think a bottle is going to be your cure. (try some valium instead. i kid! i kid! please don't write me angry letters.)

BornFree makes bottles, training cups and drinking cups so that your little one can be safe and BPA-free well past their first birthday. still not good enough for you? how about this: BornFree is giving away a year's supply of BornFree bottles to babies born on father's day - june 15, 2008! the offer is limited to the first 1000 entrants, so hurry up and get your free bottles, you lucky babies!