Stroller/Car Seat Entertainment
New parents are worried, so they will focus endlessly on which car seat to buy and which crib to get, and how to make sure that both of those baby … Continue reading
Somewhere (Else) To Lay Their Heads
Your baby will be very popular. Trust me. Grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and friends will want to come and meet your new bundle. This can be wonderful. … Continue reading
Whistleless
Sweet story for little kids – you can do it!! Whistleless from Trunk Animation on Vimeo. (Thanks, MUG!)
Angel Dear Jacket
Soft is the name of the baby game. They’re soft. Their toys are soft. And their clothes should definitely be soft. Enter the Angel Dear chenille hoodie jacket. I love … Continue reading
Bouncers!
A bouncer is a must. You need to have one. Really. Yes, baby can lounge in a cat bed or on a posh pillow, but there’s no substitute for giving … Continue reading
First Doll
I wasn’t keen on raising our little girl to just like dolls and kitchens, so I got her a red car about the same time as I got her her … Continue reading
Bubbles!
With a two year old, bubbles are on the menu every day. They have been for a while. And babies love them too. So stocking up on bubbles, especially novel … Continue reading
Skip Hop Treetop Friends Play Mat
I’ve always liked Skip Hop‘s style and Astrid (and I) were really happy with their farmyard activity mat when she was tiny: soft fabric with some texture and crinkles for … Continue reading
Haba Toys
Full disclosure: I’m not a fan of tons of colors and noises for infants. The way I see it, if you’re new to everything, everything is interesting. Also, babies are … Continue reading
Baby Journal
Here’s the thing: I wish my parents had done a baby journal for me. Here’s the other thing: as the mother of one toddler, finding the time to create one … Continue reading
Travel Placemat
I’m kind of a tidy freak. Not like, “Clorox for everyone!” but still pretty into the orderly. Astrid is too. She asks for a napkin to clean up spills. It’s … Continue reading
Transitional Object: Gund Comfy Cozies
I wrote a while ago about “transitional objects” and how important they can be for babies. Chances are, you’ll pick out one you like before Baby arrives, or someone will … Continue reading
Ladybug Snuggle Sack
Today is Astrid’s birthday party and the theme is ladybugs because she loses it every time she sees a ladybug. Even more so when she sees a flag, but I … Continue reading
Annabel Karmel Food Prep Set
If you’ll be visiting a 6-8-month-old baby sometime soon and want to take along a small present, think about bringing something related to first foods. Most babies start eating solid … Continue reading
Food Masher and Bowl (Annabel Karmel)
I’ve mentioned before how much – as a new parent and non-cook – I liked Annabel Karmel’s recipe book, 100 Best Baby Purees. I’m not sure I realized it at … Continue reading
Hello Bugs!
As I’ve noted before, babies aren’t into books. Because they can’t see. They’re weird like that. But they can discern black and white shapes and patterns before colors, which is … Continue reading
Chronicle Books: Taro Gomi collection
I came across Taro Gomi’s beautiful board book My Friends at the Academy of Sciences playroom one day last year and immediately went home and ordered a copy for Astrid. The … Continue reading
Dwell Studio for Target
If you’re on a budget but are high-design minded and need something for a friend’s baby, gather your patience (or your willingness to pay shipping costs) and head to Target … Continue reading
Eat Your Veggies
Let’s face it: if you’re cooking dinner, your child is too. They like you, these kids of yours. So if you’re in the kitchen dicing vegetables, chances are, they’ll want … Continue reading
Pacifier Wipes
Yes, I know: these don’t sound very minimalist. They sound like yet another thing germaphobe mamas pack in their diaper bags. You know the ones: hand sanitizer dispensers installed by … Continue reading
Baby Milestone Cards from Double Bravo Designs
Some new parents will keep a baby book recording all their new child’s milestones and footprints and height and the like. Others will not – and that baby book they … Continue reading
What Your Baby Will Wear: Nighttime
If you’re already clear on this, go ahead and skip this post. I thought I was but then, after I looked at the stack of onesies, pajamas, swaddling blankets, Velcro … Continue reading
The Dream Feed
I found out about this when Astrid was about three months old and, man, did I wish I’d known sooner. So if you didn’t know about this already, here’s my … Continue reading
Baby Gifts: A Note on Bedding
Here’s the deal: baby bedding – bumpers, comforters, quilts – is not a good shower gift. I’m sorry to break this to you. I know: that bumper and tiny matching … Continue reading
Monogrammed Pottery Barn Kids Blanket
Every baby needs a blanket. Not for bedding (that’s a suffocation risk for infants and babies) but for taking along in the stroller, in the car and pretty much everywhere … Continue reading
Birthday Party: Kara’s Mini Cupcakes (San Francisco)
Last year, Astrid’s birthday party was a little bit of a circus. An awesome fun circus, yes. Also, enough people (40) and kids (12) that we couldn’t manage making the … Continue reading
Cookies For the Pregnant Mama! (San Francisco)
Actually this tip is for pretty much everyone who lives in San Francisco. But especially pregnant mamas. You need some cookies, some happy sweet cookies. You need Anthony’s cookies, to … Continue reading
Petunia Pickle Bottom Layette
In case you haven’t run across the name before, Petunia Pickle Bottom is a company that got famous making pricey diaper bag/backpacks in all kinds of nice prints. Very popular … Continue reading
Shopping: Bloomingdales
I have one word for you: pajamas. I have two more: ten dollars. At Bloomingdales. I know: I couldn’t believe it either. Like the New Yorker I am, I love … Continue reading
Lift the Flap Books
Why am I a big pop-up book fan? Because they’re awesome, that’s why. Awesome for me, that is. Not so awesome for curious small children. Correction: awesome for them too, … Continue reading
Carter’s Patterned Onesies
Carter’s cute patterned bodysuits are the perfect quickie gift for a.) a baby shower gift basket, b.) a newborn as a little extra, “Welcome to the world!”, or c.) a … Continue reading
Shopping: Macy’s
OK, so let’s be clear up front: I hate going into department stores. I appreciate that they’ve clumped everything together in one place for me, but, man alive do they … Continue reading
Self-Checkout
Note to self: the self-checkout lane at the grocery store is not for you. Not with a nearly-two-year-old, it’s not. The beeping, the stacking, the inevitable delays because you foolishly … Continue reading
Another Swaddling Option
I just had tea with our fantastic post-partum doula, Caroline, yesterday and she mentioned my swaddle round-up and a new swaddle on the market, the True Womb Sleeping Swaddle. I … Continue reading
San Francisco: Library Story Times
It’s not pretty, but the San Francisco Public Library has put together a decent page of all the story times for all kids’ ages at all of their branches all … Continue reading
First Toys: The Teddy Bear (Another One)
OK, so I know I said you don’t need to have your future child’s teddy bear all sorted out and kicking it in the nursery when the baby arrives, and … Continue reading
Skwish Mobile
I was in Giggle the other day and came across the Skwish Mobile. I love me some mobiles, so I had a look. Even though I don’t think I would’ve … Continue reading
Minimalista Mama 