Cribs (not the show)

My dear friend recently asked me about cribs.  Which one do I have?  Did I see it before buying it?  Do I like it?  Would I recommend it?  So I figured, why not post the response I gave her since I'm so pleased with what I got for my LM to sleep in.
I got a crib from Target.  And no, I did not see it before making the purchase, I just trusted it looked as good as it did online.  Cribs are a fortune these days and I did not want to spend a thousand bucks on one.  The crib I ended up with is this guy:  DwellStudio® for Target®Silver Lake Convertible Crib 2nd Edition

I got this in the espresso wood/white color and then loved it so much got the same one for the house in the natural color as photoed and in the link above.  By the way it looks yellow in that link...but it’s not.  It’s just a natural wood color.
I love the drawers on the bottom and I love how it looks like the expensive cribs but was a fraction of the price.  It was a GREAT value and easy to put together.  I've now had this crib for 1.5 years and it's proven to remain in perfect condition (minus the teeth marks made by my animal of a son).
As for the mattress I opted for the Serta Nightstar Extra Firm Mattress which was the mattress that Target recommended go with the crib and the reviews were great.  LM has been sleeping through the nights since 3 months old...so I can’t complain with my choices!
For bedding – I LOVE Giggle’s bedding.  The sheets are SO soft and wash so well.  They also stay fitted around the mattress.  Other sheets I've bought have shrunk and end up in a ball when LM wakes up in the morning and I'm not really interested in making his bed every day!

Regarding crib skirts – I needed one when LM was born and the mattress was raised to the highest position (this is what you can do when they are babies so they are easy to reach and get in and out of the crib when feeding through the night).  Once he grew out of this and we had to put the mattress all the way down – I didn’t need the skirt anymore.  It was short lived but totally worth it because the crib looks ugly without one when the mattress is raised.  I chose a fun monkey pattern since I'm obsessed with the lil creatures...

Sweet dreams!

Break away

Remember the post I did a few entries back?  About the YSL shoes?  Well this weekend, I got to wear them.  And boy, did I ever wear them...
It was my best friend's wedding.  My husband and I, close to the last minute, decided to leave LM with his grandparents on Long Island.  They so love having him and we needed a little break.  These days, the little ones do not stop and I have to say, as much as it felt like there was a hole in my heart when I left him, it was nice to get away and have some adult time.
The wedding was taking place at the new Thompson Hotel in Toronto.  My hubby and I checked in for the entire weekend (3 nights, ya hoo!) and loved our room.  The standard room that we had was small though still spacious enough to have more then two people inside, with a modern and really nice bathroom (only bummer was there was no tub).  Best part was the location.  A really hip part of town and very close to the highway leading to the airport which made it easy to get to for our travels.

The weekend was a blast.  The wedding was beautiful and we had such an incredible time celebrating with everyone.  Here's a sneak peak at the bride herself getting ready for pictures...she was a vision...

Here's a shot of Toronto from roof top bar at the Thompson Hotel - great scene, beautiful night.

More importantly, our LM had a fantastic time with his grandparents.  It's almost impossible to leave our precious bundles but if you've got the means, do so.  It's so good for you as parents and it's so good for your little ones to have the special family interaction and get used to sleeping outside of their home.  Makes for loving and easy babies, kids and families.

To Do: A drive to toddler paradise...

Today is the day I discovered something fabulous.  Well, fabulous for my LM that is.  The Stepping Stones Museum up in Norwalk, CT.  It was a 45 minute drive down the I-95 during which LM napped the whole way, resting his little body for what was to come...
We walk into this newly renovated castle of a children's museum and were immediately greeted with welcoming staff.  We paid the dues (only kiddies under 1 are free), hung our coats and immediately smocked up to hit the water tables.  NOTE:  My dear friend who took me to this wonderland was kind enough to warn me of this and I came prepared with an extra set of clothes for the LM.  VERY important.*
Now who wore it best?  Yoda or the little man?

The tables were super clean and tons of fun.  LM did not want to leave.  NOTE:  it is slippery in here so keep a close eye on your child.  After a signifant time of play in this sensory overload, colorful and wet play space we moved on to a dry kind of fun.  The next room had tunnels, buses, a music studio, art studio, kitchen, slide, etc., etc.  It was bright and super fun for the kids.  There was also a contained baby/toddler section.  LM wanted to play with the big kids so he didn't last in there long but thought it was pretty cool when we first walked in!

Ok - hungry?!  Yes!!  There's a spot to eat with lots of tables, highchairs and a typical museum cafe type food - with a decent enough selection. Nothing fancy but perfection for a lil one who doesn't have much patience to eat!

Grand Finale:  The 3rd room - as my friend calls it - is the make believe room.  With a super market (promoting only healthy eating), ambulance, dentist, Asian jungle, Carpenter's quarters, the list goes on...kids get to pretend to be something interesting from the outside world.

Oh wait, my gosh how did I almost forget?  The outdoor play land!  It was spacious with several cool contraptions for the kids to play with.  Although today was a touch chilly, my friend and I parked ourselves at a picnic table (where you could bring your own food) and had a fabulous time watching the little ones play together and have a great time!
We spent a total of 4 hours at this place and loved every minute of it.  A truly enjoyable experience - would happily go back.
Stepping Stones
Museum for Children
303 West Avenue
Norwalk, CT  06850

*an extra tip about packing for this trip:
~ pack light because you schlep a bag around all day long.  here's what I personally found most useful ~
* change of clothes
* sippy cup for milk or water at snack time
* hand wipes, butt wipes, lots of wipes
* diapers (2)
* squeezy yoghurt
* bib

To do: on a rainy New York afternoon...

Take a walk.  Make sure to bundle up based on the weather, and bring an umbrella, but just get outside and for some fresh air.
I had some errands to run today so LM and I headed up 5th Avenue.  Downtown between 14th street and 23rd - there are beautiful buildings and tons of shops.  With staples like Zara, J.Crew, Anthropology, Intermix and Club Monaco you can't go wrong with this route.  Try to take in the fine detailing on some of the buildings you walk by but be careful when looking up...I almost fell over when taking this picture on my phone!  Haha.

In the area there are also several great spots to stop for a bite such as the following...
* City Bakery:  Cafeteria style home cooking and pastries.  Great spot for kids in off hours (during the day late afternoon).
* Boqueria:  Spanish tapas and wine. You can take your kiddie here if they are a good eater.  Otherwise, there will be nothing to feed your tot here!
* Eataly:  Italian market including 3 different restaurants that you can dine at.  The pizza restaurant is great for kids.
* Shake Shack:  Outdoor burgers, hot dogs, shakes and fries.  On a rainy or gloomy day - this is the IT spot because if the sun is out...you'll wait an hour minimum.  LM and I just walked right up to the window today which was a dream.  Great spot to bring a toddler like LM who can run wild through the park before and after lunch.  There's a fabulous playground in this park here as well.
Give the Shake Shack's shroom burger a go.  It's a portabello mushroom stuffed with cheese and fried.  Off the hook!

Feed me Seymour!

Ok so being able to feed LM real food was extremely exciting to me.  Throughout the life of this blog I will send recipes for kiddies (check out the one I just wrote on LMF) that are simple to make and taste delicious enough for the whole family to enjoy!

But when first starting out...I had to follow a pretty strict regime as per the doc's orders.  I have a friend who's LM is a few months younger then my LM and asked me the following question back when she was about to start the real time feeding...

Hi Seri,

Hope you guys had a great first fathers day.  
Anyway I wanted to pick your brain when you have free time, on what highchair you bought and if you had any reccomendations.  Also as usual our pediatrian did not give us a ton of advice about feeding solid food.  We are almost through the "stage 1" solid foods but I am only feeding him solids once a day.  I was curious what LM's feeding schedule was, when you started feeding him solids more than once and when you cut down the formula if you have.  Anyway any advice would be much appreciated.  Thanks so much.  Love to your boys.


Here's what I wrote back to my dear friend ~


Firstly – I have the nano bloom.
I went with this high chair because I think it looks cool.  Being honest!  I’m a very fashion over function type gal and poor LM will always suffer from this.  I love that it’s sleek and looks modern and goes with our furniture and honestly LM is super comfy in it. The best part is it folds flat so once you’re done with it you can store it away for #2.

I also ended up getting the Phil and Ted's METOO (now updated to the Lobster 2011).  If I had to do it all over - I just would have gotten the Phil and Ted's.  This chair is unreal.  Takes up NO space and just clamps on to any table.  Genius actually.  I use it out east and love the heck out of it.

As for food – here’s what we did as per exactly what our ped told us....

*Remember:  LM eats only 4 times a day.

4 months: 7am – bottle
11am – rice cereal + bottle
*at this stage they are not eating the rice for nutrition – they are just learning how to eat.
3pm – bottle
7pm – bottle

5 months: 7am – bottle
11am – rice cereal + bottle
3pm – bottle
7pm – rice cereal + bottle

6 months:  STAGE 1 food (if you use jars I use ELLA’S (they are in pouches – totally pure, no chemicals – unreal) AND Earth’s best.
7am – bottle
11am – rice cereal + fruit + bottle
*NOTE:  solids need to be introduced one at a time so that you can test for a broad range of allergies.  It's recommended to give each for 3 days min before moving on.  What I did was made a list of all fruit and veggies that I love (i.e.. Carrots, potatoes, sweet potato, zucchini, squash, peas, etc, etc, etc) and just crossed off as I fed him.
3pm – bottle
7pm – rice cereal + bottle

7 months: Stage 2 food
7am – bottle
11am – rice cereal + fruit + waffle/pancakes + bottle
3pm – bottle
7pm – protein (chicken, tofu, turkey, meat, fish, etc etc) + vegetable + bottle
8 months: 7am – rice cereal + yoghurt + fruit + waffle/pancakes + bottle
11am – protein + fruit + bottle
3pm – bottle
7pm – protein + vegetable + bottle

9-12 months:  Stage 3 food TABLE FOOD - weeeeee - don't be shy with flavors!! Use spices that are mild and enhance the taste buds a little.  Best cook book to show you how to do this is from William Sonoma:  Cooking for Baby.  My friend got it for me and I used it all the time for ideas and ways to experiment!

7am – rice cereal + yoghurt + fruit + waffle/pancakes + bottle
11am – protein + fruit + bottle
3pm – snack (i.e. fruit)
7pm – protein + vegetable + bottle

Needless to say – this is just a guideline.  I’ve been making all of LM's food and whatever we eat in this house, he eats.  I was always very adventurous - using extra virgin olive oil instead of water to mix/blend, spices, herbs.  LM loves it all.  Became quite the food snob actually...tasty or bust!  Some of the dishes were funny to him at first b/c of the texture (i.e.. Turkey, fish...).  But I stuck with them and would still try now and then to give him the chance to get used to different styles of food.

His favorite dish back in this developmental eating EARLY phase was pulled pork with sweet potatoes and blue corn pancakes.  YUM

Home away from Home

Just need a moment to reflect here…on a very special time in my childhood.

Camp Timberlane

 

My best friend in the whole wide world is getting married a week from Sunday.  I’m beyond excited.  And as I've been writing my speech I can't help but feel nostalgic and emotional.

I met my her back at Camp Timberlane over 16 years ago.  We formed the strongest friendship of my life time next to my husband.  I formed special friendships with many kids at this camp who over time I grew older with and have kept in touch with several of them.  

Camp is an experience every child who can, should experience.  It’s a place where you connect with the beautiful outdoors, partake in several activities a day, learn lessons for life such as CPR and life gaurding (great for future job use when a kid has to start earning their keep!) and friendships that will last forever.

My husband and I plan to send my LM to Camp Timberlane to experience for himself.  Though for us it will be a trek to fly him to Toronto and then drive the three hours outside the city to the gorgeous property that Camp Timberlane is located on (including a private lake) but I know it will be absolutely worth it.  

I’m not sure LM will cry each summer when he gets home and has to go back to school (like I did EVERY summer for 10 years) but I do know, he’ll have the time of his life and create memories that will never be forgotten.

Oh, to be young again...

Spa Mama

I love the spa.  I always have and now more so then ever since I had LM and have been lugging him around like a Koala bear…

I’ve lived in the downtown area for the past 6 years and hands down my favorite spa in the neighborhood is Great Jones Spa.  It’s a serene, extremely relaxing and absolutely beautiful spot to go for a massage, facial, body treatment, etc.  

It was my wedding anniversary yesterday and my husband told me to treat myself and go for a massage.  I didn't waste any time here.  I arranged for my babysitting student (BS), called and made an appointment and went that afternoon without a moment of delay.  I always (and I mean it) get a great masseuse when I am there.  I have tried requesting the same person when going back but they are usually not available and I’m not willing to wait.  So I always just take who ever they offer me.

Well this time I was placed with Mark.  Mark was a big guy.  His hands were about 3 times the size of mine.  And my oh my.  I say this each time I get a massage there…but this time, he really was the best!  Perfect pressure applied and hit all of the right, sore and tense spots.

So whether you’re working your butt off or lugging a lil one around, do try to find the time to treat yourself to a massage or some type of treatment now and then.  It’s a necessary mental escape and come on, you deserve it! 

Great Jones Spa

29 Great Jones Street

New York, NY 10012

212-505-3185

Here are a couple other spas that I also highly recommend:

Bliss World

Lather

Oasis Day Spa