::more grown-up reading::

We finally were able to let go, and move O from our room to her crib in the nursery. Architectdad was a little apprehensive, but it had to be done. She was getting too big for her bassinet and her "jumping" around in the middle of the night was keeping me up. Since most of her bedtime routine before the move happened in the nursery anyway, it was a pretty smooth transition for her. All in all, it has worked out well.

The big plus for me, of course, is that I can read a book before I go to bed again! During one of our daily trips to Starbucks, O and I picked out a book from Kramer's for mommy called "Absurdistan" by Gary Shteyngart. It is an extremely well-written socio-political satire about "the new Russian oligarchy, as well as the American lifestyle and the two countries' shared megalomania, consumerism and appetite for exploiting small countries." (Washington Post). The fictional story is absurd (as its title suggests) and funny, but it is also extremely thoughtful and tragic.

As an avid non-fiction reader (mostly science-related geeky stuff), I am glad to have found this book. A change of scenery is never bad!

::terry, terry, quite contrary::

The first time I saw Koeka products, I fell in love. Not only because it is well-designed, but because everything they make come in ORANGE! It only makes sense...because again, Koeka is a Dutch company; their national color is orange supposedly because the royal family used to own the principality of Orange. There are or course other fun, bright colors available as well. Each item is designed with a whimsical shape, which I think is a step above the usual rectangle and square.

The Koeka line has four major divisions: bathing, caring, clothing and sleeping. As part of our registry, we received burp cloths, wash mitts, hooded towels and bibs from our friends and family. Everything is made from super soft cotton terry. The burp cloths were great when O was an infant, and the wash mitts and hooded towels are perfect now for her baths.

Since summer is just around the corner, I need to change out the fleece Bugaboo tailored fabric with a cooler version. Bugaboo introduced a canvas line just for the Cameleon. You can buy it on eGiggle.com. While I think it is a great fabric for the hot weather, I am not crazy about the colors. They are very classic canvas colors, and as you can guess, there is no orange. Koeka makes a terry cloth cover that can be stretched over various strollers. It can be purchased on Bambaa.com. However, it covers the entire stroller and is not tailored, which I'm not so crazy about. So, we might have to enlist the help of O's Puo (maternal grandmother in Mandarin) and come up with an architect-designed (!) orange seat cover.

::grouchy baby::

O has been very restless this week. Of course, being a first-time mom with a type A personality, I immediately thought she was sick with a cold or something. Well, it turns out, it's a combination of several factors.

First, she was moved from our room to the nursery a week ago, so she has not gotten used to the different light quality. Her room faces northeast, so she has been waking up with the sunrise. Architectdad went to IKEA and bought some aluminum mini blinds to block the morning sun; it apparently worked, because O woke up this morning at 9:30 bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Second, the weather here in Washington has been crazy hot and humid. The city was built on a swamp basin, so there is tons of moisture but little air movement. This makes mommy and baby very cranky.

Third, we think O has been teething. It's hard to believe, but she is going to be 5 months old tomorrow! V came over with her daughter M, and husband D for a Memorial Day BBQ, so I took the opportunity to asked her what I should do. She suggested baby Orajel and silver teething ring. While I was pregnant, I heard that silver teething rings are good because they are not only easy to cool (in the refrigerator or cold water), but silver has antibacterial qualities as well. Of course, architectdad already took care of that and got O the Tiffany silver double ring teething rattle before she was born. Lucky girl!

Ahhh...it is finally raining outside. Maybe the storm will take the humidity away...

::nighty night light::

As part of O's bedtime routine, either architectdad or I will put a rechargeable night light at the head of her crib. This way, she won't be too startled if she wakes up in the dark. The Candeloo night lights we use are part of the baby shower gifts from architectdad's firm. Incidentally, architectdad's team works for the OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency)...same initials as O . Talk about service...he even named his first born after the client!

The Candeloo night lights, by Vessel, are safe, portable and reusable. The bunny-shaped lights give off a soft warm glow that is just the right amount of light without making it uncomfortable for the baby. As O grows older, I'm sure the Candeloos will be her favorite companions on night trips to the bathroom.

Each Candeloo set comes with two lights: pink and ORANGE, or green and blue. They are perfect for your gift registry if you haven't already started, Lauren ;-)

::happy birthday to me::

Today is my 35th birthday, even though Uncle M likes to think I'm 36. Hmmm, that would make him, what? 37 or 38??? Architectdad took a personal day today to spend time with me and O. It was wonderful. Many thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes.

I woke up this morning, walked over to the laptop, and there were three little blue boxes with white ribbon sitting on the computer. It seems architectdad did some shopping yesterday. We then had lunch with my parents. Mmm...sushi...yum! After lunch we walked over to Starbucks and shared a venti caramel frappucino. Well, he had one sip and the rest was all me!

When we came home, there was a bouquet of flowers from Ultraviolet florist sitting in front of the door. It was from architectdad. The beautiful bouquet consists of magenta calla lillies and variegated hasta leaves. Very modern and tidy. The best part is, architectdad asked them to add one mini calla in a different color, and said it was from O. How creative is that?!?!?!

He then dropped me off at the Red Door Salon for my 80-min massage with Portia. If you are in this area and need a massage, Portia at the Red Door on Wisconsin is the best. Also, if you are pregnant, Alexandra at the Red Door gives excellent pregnancy massages. When I was carrying O, we bought a series of eight massages...it was well worth the price.

After the massage, we came home to find a HUGE box of gDiaper refills at the door. I know it's not really a present, but it was exciting to open it nevertheless! Dinner was at our favorite Thai restaurant, the Regent. It is our favorite not only because of the food and excellent service, it is roomy enough for our gargantuan Bugaboo. We're now home and architectdad is putting O down for the night.

It has been a most wonderful day...thanks architectdad! XOXOX

::pumas for the whole family::

Today, during our baby playgroup, our new friend V gave Olivia a pair of infant pumas. Oh! They are adorable, but super cool at the same time. Thank you V!!!

Not only are the moms in our playgroup generous, they also help each other out tremendously. I am really impressed by the multi-tasking that takes place when we are all together. The truth is, most of the moms were career/professional women just until recently. Everyone made a choice (as I did) to stay home and raise her baby and I am so glad to be a part of the group. In fact, there is even a stay-at-home dad in the group. What a brave soul, right?!

Okay, back to the pumas. architectdad and I are both addicted to pumas. They are relatively inexpensive, yet versatile and well designed. We saw the baby pumas in the store but didn't buy them because O was still so young. But now that she is a little older, watch out! V says they are not great for walking, since they have soft soles, so we'll have to switch to another style when the time comes. But in the mean time, O'll be styling in her pink and white pumas.

::hoppity hop::

When O was a day old, the first thing her pediatrician said was: "she is very alert." I don't know if he was surprised, given that I had an epidural and c-section. Supposedly, a lot of mothers don't want an epidural because they want their baby to be alert when he/she is born. Again, it is a choice, so don't stress over it before the birth. Make your choice when the time comes; you can never be sure how you will actually feel at the time of delivery. Also, don't let other people bully you into making a choice; it's none of their business and it is YOUR experience after all.

Anyway, back to the post. O has been very alert from day one, so we thought perhaps we needed to keep her entertained with visual stimuli. Duh, she couldn't even see beyond three feet in front of her! Now, almost five months later, it is a totally different scenario. She can not only see, she likes and demands MOVEMENT. While designing the nursery before the birth, architectdad and I searched for the perfect mobile for exactly that purpose. Everything we saw was cheesy and really badly designed (aesthetically, of course!). While browsing the NOVA 68 website, I stumbled upon mobiles by Flensted.

The Danish company designs and sells classic modern and contemporary mobiles...they even have super cool mobiles for babies and kids. We bought O the circular bunnies because 1) bunnies are beagle-related (!) and 2) the tones of grey and white are supposedly good stimulation for baby's developing vision. The mobile is flat-packed and ready for hanging. The bunnies have become O's bedtime friends. She is so excited to see them that she'll actually tremble and purse her lips when she sees them hopping around! There are a lot of other designs geared toward babies and kids...look around NOVA 68...I'm certain you will find something you like for your baby.

::look ma, i'm sitting::

Since O is now awake most of the day, I do everything I can to keep her entertained. I take her out with me to Starbucks everyday and if she is good, she'll let me drink my caramel frappucino and post to the blog. If she is antsy, we end up walking all over the neighborhood. I'd say I walk at least 2 miles a day on average.

When we are at home together, O makes it hard for me to do any type of housework. No, seriously, it's not because I hate vacuuming. I have to constantly move her around from station to station so she doesn't become bored: the crib, to the playmat, to the stroller, to the bouncer, and back to the crib...

Architectdad and I went to the baby super store today for some infant formula. On the way to the register, we saw this "thing" and both of us lit up. It is called the Bumbo Baby Sitter. It is a baby seat that is molded from one piece of environmentally friendly, non-toxic polyurethane. Apparently, one can place the baby in the seat when the she is strong enough to hold her head up (as early as 8 weeks, they claim). It not only holds her upright safely in place, it is also designed to strengthen her upper torso and prepare her for sitting by herself. It is endorsed by pediatricians and orthopedists. In fact, the way the seat supports O's body is exactly what her doctor instructed us to do with our hands. Of course, tummy time will still be an important and necessary activity.

As soon as I got home, I ripped open the box and plopped O in the seat. I turned on Blue's Clues and off she went. She not only seemed incredibly comfortable, she is delighted to be able to sit upright by herself. Squeals and smiles for about 30 minutes, then it was off to another station. Sigh...

::baby memories::

When I was pregnant with O, I told myself I am going to capture and record every little detail of her life in some form. Well, the reality is, once your baby is born, you'll have to really make an effort to take photos or videos, and collect momentos; otherwise, you'll never get around to it.

The first thing I would suggest is to take chronological photos of your baby from month one through twelve. Between architectdad's trigger-happy finger and Grandpa R's new camera, we've managed to capture every month of O's life so far in digital form. Many baby stores sell "first year" photo frames, which makes displaying those first year memories a breeze. Oh yeah...and Dads (or coaches): if you still have your wits about you after your baby is born, try to take a picture of the clock in the delivery room during the first minute of his/her life.

The second thing I would suggest is to buy a digital camcorder. Video captures so much more of your baby's personality than a still photo--if you are an amature like me. You could either string a series of clips together and produce a streaming video, or you could burn the series onto a DVD and send it to your family and friends.

The third thing I would suggest is to buy an archival quality "memories book." I bought the Binth Baby Book for recording O's first years of life. Each hardcover book is handcrafted and silkscreened on recycled white paper. The modern woodland motifs gives this book an edge over the conventional cutesie baby books. You can paste photos and write down milestones in the book; there is even pages for the family tree. The book comes with its own cotton cloth covered keepsake box, which allows you to keep momentos--such as hospital ID bracelets--with the photos and written words. It is a little expensive, at $110.00 each. However, I feel it is a great way to keep track of the important events in your baby's life.

::fox and hounds::

No, I'm not talking about a cheesy, local corner pub (there's really a cheesy, local corner pub in Dupont Circle with that name). The image you should be picturing is rolling hills, gentile folks decked out in impeccable riding dress and velvet riding hats, and a pack of hounds running alongside them. Oh yeah, don't forget the horses!

Next Saturday (June 2nd), the Radnor Hunt Club in Malvern, PA (near Bryn Mawr) will again be hosting the annual Bryn Mawr Hound Show. It is a tradition that was started 93 years ago. It is the only complete outdoor hound show in the country, meaning it showcases almost every type of working pack hound you can imagine. English, American, Cross-Bred and Penn-Marydel Foxhounds, BEAGLES, bassets and harriers. Almost every hound entered in the show is an entered hound (in official stud books) and belongs in a recognized hound pack.

Our good friends, Mandy and Billy Bobbitt, have been participants for a long time. Both Bobbitts are heavily involved in the beagle community--Billy is the current National Beagle Club president, and Mandy is the assistant secretary. They each own a beagle pack--Mandy has mostly 13" hounds (Bedlam), while Billy has mostly 15" hounds (Glenbarr). Mandy's hounds not only hunt, but some of them are also AKC show champions. It is quite an achievement to be able to breed and train dual-purpose hounds. In fact, she is the owner of Renzo's litter brother, Talkback (Ch. Whiskey Creek's Talkback), and the breeder of his get, Bedlam's Mt. Dew and Bedlam's Madhatter.

O has already been to her first official beagle event, the Triple Challenge, held every year at the National Beagle Club grounds in Aldie, Virginia. However, this will be even more exciting because it will be her first long day trip and she will get to see hundreds of hounds in one place. The setting is beautiful and the hounds are lovely...my favorite hound event of the year!

Wait, no, not this year. The beagle national specialty is coming back to Aldie after 5 years...that will be my favorite this year. The last time the show was held in Aldie, I was fortunate enough to work with Mandy and Billy on designing the logo for the show. Till this day, many beagle folks I meet from around the country are still wearing shirts and hats with my logo on them! This year, I am donating kennel leashes from my Noseprint line as trophies. How exciting!

::i saw sumthin' nasty in the woodshed::

That was a line from the 1995 English film "Cold Comfort Farm." It was originally a 1932 comic novel by Stella Gibbons. The book "parodies the romanticised, doom-laden accounts of rural life in some novels" of its time. Uncle M and I have been saying that line to each other for over 10 years now...and it's still funny ;-)

Now onto the "nasty" business. There was never a debate for me, choosing between disposable and cloth diapers. I knew disposable diapers are essentially non-biodegradable, but I thought it was the most convenient and efficient solution. Not so. I have been converted. No, I'm still not sold on the whole cloth diaper business--not ready to let O's tushie marinate in urine-soaked fabric.

I am a new convert of gDiapers. It is a disposable diaper that is flushable, compostable and biodegradable. It is even safe for septic tanks. The system consists of three components: the flushable core, the waterproof liner and the cloth pants. The core is essentially the same absorbent component found in the premium disposable diapers. Believe me, I dissected both diapers and they are exactly the same. The waterproof nylon liner prevents accidental leaks, but is permeable to water vapor so diaper rash is not an issue. The fashionable cloth pants feature velcro tabs that close in the back, away from little hands. The whole thing sounds bulky, but it really isn't. In fact, I would say it is approx the same bulk as Huggies Supreme diapers. If you are a hardcore cloth diaper kind of parent, you can also use the liner and pants with them.

I just started using gDiapers yesterday. After a few days of research, I went to the local organic food store and bought the starter pack. The starter pack consists of two cloth pants, four liners, 10 flushable refills and a swish stick for stirring the contents in the toilet bowl. The gDiapers handled wet ones beautifully. However I waited to post my opinion, because I wanted to see how it handles the dirty ones. Well, it didn't do too badly. The manufacturer's website warns you that the nylon liner will most likely become soiled with a dirty one. But everything was contained and after flushing the yucky stuff down the toilet, I just rinsed off the liner with some mild soap and water and it was ready to be reused within minutes.

Of course, you'd never see me digging a hole in the backyard and burying the diapers for composting. Besides, the beagles will most likely find them a tasty treat and dig them back out. I know, it's disgusting, but I can totally see it happen. But flushing the refills down the toilet is probably not saving you money. In fact, I'd venture to guess that it'll probably add a small sum to your water bill. But when compared to washing cloth diapers or subscribing to a diaper service, it is probably still pretty economical. The unit price for the refills are on par with the Huggies Supreme disposables. A small price to pay for a more environmentally friendly solution. Did you know that if Christopher Columbus wore disposable diapers, they'd still be around today??? It takes them 500+ years to decompose. Wow. The other disposing solution is to throw the refills out with your trash. Just remember to use biodegradable bags, though. This is a much more realistic solution for most parents, I think.

Aesthetically, the cloth pants are simple and modern. The starter kit comes in two color combinations: red and orange, or green and blue. You can also purchase individual pants on the website in other colors. My suggestion is to buy the specially-priced starter kit first to see if gDiapers is the solution for you--be aware that the pants come in three sizes (S, M, L according to weight) and the refills come in two sizes (S and M/L). Then, if you are sold on the idea, go back on the website and order additional pants. They suggest keeping at least 4 pants on hand. You can also purchase extra liners on the website. If you have a Wholefoods food market near you, you should be able to buy the refills during your weekly trips to the grocery store. Otherwise, you can set up an "auto shipment" on the gDiapers website to have the refills delivered to your home directly in 2,4 or 6 week intervals.

Give it a try. Let me know what you think.

::happy mother's day::

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and mothers-to-be! Oh, and grandmas too, of course!

How has my experience been as a new mother? It has been even better than I ever expected. O brings so much joy and laughter to my life that the benefits far outweigh the poopy diapers (even the REALLY BIG ones!). No doubt, it has been a real adjustment for me. I've gone from designing and building a world-class rehabilitation center to reading "I Kissed the Baby!" and singing "Where is Thumbkin." I wouldn't trade it for the world. Once you've seen the unconditional love in your baby's eyes, it is all over.

Although, I have noticed babies are a lot like contractors. To get them to do something for you, you have to cajole them into thinking it is a good idea for both parties. And if nice talk doesn't get you the results you want, then a good smack upside the head always works. JUST KIDDING...DON'T CALL SOCIAL SERVICES. One major difference is that cursing like a sailor is an everyday occurrence during construction...can't really do that in front of a baby, I'm afraid.

Granted, it has been hard to stay fabulously glamorous. For a couple of months postpartum, I looked nothing like I used to. Actually, I take that back, I looked A LOT like how I looked in architectural school, plus a few pounds. Baggy eyes, stained t-shirts, stringy hair...wow, it was rough. But now that O is sleeping better and we are able to get around more, I am attempting to retrieve some semblance of decorum. I find that by keeping myself presentable at all times, it not only makes me feel good, it makes my presence less scary to strangers. It might even keep architectdad around a little longer!

Anywho, it has been great this first time around, can't wait for the second!

::bubblicious::

I read once, that if you set up a bedtime routine for your baby early on, she is more likely to adapt to the cues and fall asleep by herself every night. That is why when O was 6 weeks old, architectdad and I developed a bedtime routine that we've been using since.

First, architectdad or I would bathe O while the milk is warming up. Then, to set the mood, the one who is not bathing her would turn on her iPod (with her own playlists!) and the "bubble machine." What is a "bubble machine", you ask? It is actually a space projector by Mathmos. The heat from the projector lamp heats up the bi-color oil wheel, which results in constantly moving bubbles that resemble amoeba.

O's Uncle M gave us the projector years ago with a blue and yellow oil wheel. Since the color theme for the nursery is ORANGE, architectdad ordered the red and yellow (makes orange!) oil wheel directly from Mathmos. On the website, you can also order graphic wheels designed by well-known graphic artists (such as Francois Chalet). Unfortunately, most of them are actually out of stock. If you know of another site where I can buy them, please let me know (ahem, Uncle M).

After O's bath, we'd dress and feed her--all the while she is mesmerized by the ever changing bubbles on the ceiling. As she becomes sleepy, we swaddle her and place her in her crib while she is still awake. She is then able to fall asleep by herself.

I like the projector better than the usual rotating night light. The image from the oil wheel is not only ever changing and dynamic, but the organic shapes of the bubbles seem very comforting and soothing. As O grows up, we hope she may even start to interpret the bubbles into other objects. What a way to foster imagination!

::"green" paint::

Now that everyone is more aware of global warming (thanks Al Gore!), "green", earth-friendly products are more popular than ever. In my last few architectural projects, heavy emphasis has been placed on using sustainable building materials and methods.

Initially, I wanted to use Wolf Gordon Scuffmaster pink pearlescent paint for the walls of the nursery. This particular paint is not only beautiful, it is extra durable and usually used in high traffic, commercial spaces. A similar finish was applied on the walls of Prada in SoHo when the store first opened. In addition, Scuffmaster products meet or exceed the U.S. Green Council 's LEED standards for environmentally sustainable building products. Unfortunately, due to the two-part specialized application process, we decided against using it.

Instead, we used Benjamin Moore's Eco Spec paint and primer. These products' features are:

• Low odor


• Low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)


• 100% Acrylic


• Dries quickly to a beautiful, washable, and uniform flat finish


• Spatter-resistant

In the end, the Eco Spec was a good choice because it is environmentally friendly and dried within hours without any noticeable odor. That is a plus especially for babies...and pregnant mothers who are sensitive to smells.

::cinema paradiso::

And you thought you'd never get to watch movies anymore! Right after O was born, I was bored (believe it or not!), but also too tired to concentrate on a good book. So I signed up for Netflix. For a nominal monthly fee, you can request just about any movie-including indies and foreign films--to be delivered to your home. It certainly beats trekking to Blockbuster and find out the movie you want is OUT!!! Although, Blockbuster has caught on and is now offering a similar deal as Netflix.

Architectdad also loves Netflix, because he gets to watch old Miami Vice episodes, all FOUR seasons...ahem, we're only on disc 6 of season two. The acting is sooo bad and the stories are awful. But you do get to see a lot of 80's pop stars in guest starring roles though!

The last movie we watched is "Night at the Museum." It takes place in the natural history museum in NYC, and it stars Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson. Not a big fan of Ben. but Owen is hilarious. I used to work in the National Nat Hist Museum here in Wash, DC when I was in college, so it brought back fond memories. Although my research was in the common Norway Rat...not as glam as paleontology, I'm afraid!

"Blood Diamond" is pretty good also. Leo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou are excellent. We're hoping to watch "the Last King of Scotland" tonight.

::more from the niederlanders::

Beside the Bugaboo, the Dutch have brought us many other innovative and well-designed objects. Whether it's architecture (Rem Koolhaas + OMA!) or baby products, you can clearly see the amount of thought and energy put into each design.

My latest Dutch crush is Esthex toys. The creator, Esther Schuivens, is a trained textile artist. Her designs are simple, yet every shape and proportion is deliberate and elegant. My favorite is the lanky Sofie Doll. With the exception of her big brown eyes, every part is made from super soft materials. A word of caution: Sofie comes with her own hat which is not attached to her head, so it might be wise to sew it onto the doll with a couple of stitches.

The music box is also brilliant. The pull string is a little flimsy, but the song is a refreshing departure from the usual "twinkle twinkle little star." The rest of the collection includes hand puppets, book, mobiles, pram cords, accessories and decoration.

Look for them on nonchalantmom.com and piccolini.com.

::the buzz about the bee::

Wait...let me sit down for a moment. Just when I thought we have every Bugaboo accessory imaginable...here comes the Bugaboo Bee!!!

The buzz is, the Bee (a more compact model than its cousins) will be the Dutch company's first foldable stroller. It collapses with the press of a button. It won't be released in the U.S. until September 2007, but you can be sure until then a lot of parents will be waiting with bated breath.

Let's just hope it comes with an ORANGE CANOPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

::water babies::

It's about that time again...for the three H's--hazy, hot and humid. O's first trip to the beach is already in the works. After our monthly stop at the bank, we visited a baby store in Georgetown called Piccolo Piggies. They sell adorable baby and kids clothes and toys, including swimsuits by Archimede and Lilly Pulitzer.

Archimede is a Belgian company that offers children clothes in amazingly fun graphic prints. They developed the original "buoyancy swimsuit", which features removable floaties in pouches around the body of the suit. The floaties keep your child afloat while she learns how to swim. As she gains confidence, you can remove the floaties one by one. I bought O the two-piece "comfort swimsuit", which features a "double protection" bottom piece that is waterproof and leak proof. It essentially eliminates the need for diapers in the water. Don't worry, I am as skeptical as you are, so I will test it out around the house first before we venture out to the pool.

To complement the new swimwear, I bought O her first pair of sunglasses. They are by Teeny Tiny Optics. We gave O's friend S a pair of green ones for her trip back to the Turkish Riviera. We can't wait to see some pictures!!! The shades are 100% UVA and UVB proof, which will protect your baby's developing eyes from retinal damage.

Obviously, all this swim gear isn't going to magically give O the ability to swim...but she damn well will look good trying!!!

::warm and cozy::

Now that my hormo-nies are back to normal, let's continue with our talk about the nursery. Architectdad and I were very concerned about keeping the nursery warm and cozy for O. So we turned upside down the libraries of our respective firms, trying to find the perfect materials.

We were mainly looking for window treatment and floor covering. After extensive search and a lot of help from my interior design guru and style maven , C.B., I found the perfect floor covering. Since we are not big fans of wall-to-wall carpets (yech!), we decided to use carpet tiles instead.

You are probably thinking, ewww...carpet tiles? Like the ones they use in office spaces??? NOOO!!! These are the new generation of tiles that are specifically designed for the home. We could've used our many Turkish rugs for the nursery--courtesy of our friend Aydin from Blacksheep Carpets; but the advantage of using carpet tiles is, if one tile is soiled, you can replace it with a new one. Perfect for babies and kids

Through our professional contacts at Interface FLOR, we bought about 30 modular tiles for the entire room. Each tile is about 19.7" x 19.7". I designed a custom pattern using three different colors of the same style. Architectdad cut the pieces into halves and quarters strips, and laid them out according to the pattern. The final product is seamless and gorgeous, if I may say so myself! With over 50 styles, you could even mix and match the styles to create your own look.

For the window treatment, I wanted to use classic modern patterns from Maharam's 'Textiles of the 20th Century' collection. In particular, I wanted to layer the Eames 'dot pattern sheer positive' over the 'dot pattern sheer negative' to filter the light. Unfortunately, I couldn't order the fabrics in time. Instead we layered a thick velvet curtain over a sheer white panel for the winter. Now that the weather is warm, the Eames panels would be perfect.

::just MHO::

In longhand, it means 'just my humble opinion.' Whenever I see those letters pop up in emails, lists or blogs, I cringe. Those letters are usually preceded by some really opinionated, sometimes offensive, comment resembling a 'granola' manifesto. If your lifestyle or ideals do not match theirs, then you are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. I say, pack away your stinky crocs and give other people some room to breath.

For instance, a lot of first-time moms are convinced into thinking a natural birth is the only way to go, myself included. However, after taking a few birthing classes with a supposed doula, I decided that whatever happens, happens. If you are able to take the pain and push the babe out by yourself...brava. If you cannot manage the pain without some meds, that's okay too. If you have to have an unplanned c-section (like I did), don't freak out. It will be fine. It doesn't make you less of a mother. It is just a different experience. The MOST important thing is that your baby is healthy and strong for the rest of her life.

The other touchy subject with granola moms is breastfeeding. I breastfed for 2 months before O decided that the bottle is easier. I enjoyed doing it while it lasted; but O is thriving on formula, and we have a very strong bond. If you are able to breastfeed for a while, that is wonderful. But if you are unable to breastfeed for as long as you'd like, or at all, don't sweat it. Formula is equally nutritious, and it'll most likely help your baby sleep through the night earlier.

AND...granola moms and dads might think the premise of this blog is frivolous...oh well! Different strokes for different folks! I could talk about baby-wearing and homemade organic baby food recipes all day...but would I want to??? Tssss...

Just MHO.