This post is from from my other blog here

Whitney and I had a great time the other week lugging our boys out to Marin County to visit the professional photographer for our free 8×10. Luckily, we turned the afternoon into a huge adventure and didn’t get too upset that the photos were not worth paying for. We learned what we already [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

If you are inviting others to celebrate the big ONE with you, make some plans for it. Make it easy on yourself by delegating food and decorations to anyone who volunteers to help. Since your baby won’t understand the event, traditional birthday party activities are completely optional. We let our guests know that the birthday [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

If you are inviting others to celebrate the big ONE with you, make some plans for it. Make it easy on yourself by delegating food and decorations to anyone who volunteers to help. Since your baby won???t understand the event, traditional birthday party activities are completely optional. We let our guests know that the birthday [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

I’m gonna file this under preschooler, because Julian and I had a good time making this adorable paper flag banner for his room, but I’ll also tag it with prenatal, because I made a similar flag banner for Scarlett’s room before she was born. I made the one for Scarlett out of fabric, though. The picture [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

I’m gonna file this under preschooler, because Julian and I had a good time making this adorable paper flag banner for his room, but I’ll also tag it with prenatal, because I made a similar flag banner for Scarlett’s room before she was born. I made the one for Scarlett out of fabric, though. The picture [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

Last month, we were very lucky to get Courtney from Babyccino to write up a week in London. Now, I’m excited to tell you that we have another fun European city to explore: Amsterdam! Esther has two little ones almost the exact ages as my two… now if we could just schedule a playdate. She’s [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

Last month, we were very lucky to get Courtney from Babyccino to write up a week in London. Now, I’m excited to tell you that we have another fun European city to explore: Amsterdam! Esther has two little ones almost the exact ages as my two… now if we could just schedule a playdate. She’s [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

Take longer stroller walks to change the scenery and get a little exercise. Explore shady paths, cute shopping districts, hilly neighborhoods, wherever! Even light industrial areas have noises and sights that might appeal to babies (but beware toxic smells and enormous trucks!) Try to get a photo op in front of somewhere decidedly “mature”. [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

When Heather and I were editing our book, I thought we were including one too many ways to decorate a baby’s chest. I hope we don’t sound like broken records, suggesting embellished onesies for every day of the week. But now, my friend Nila has delighted me with a style we haven’t posted yet, so [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

I just read this idea on Flexible Parenting and my stepmom (aka Gramma Leslie) did this awesome toddler activity with Julian at her house, way before it would have occurred to me. Bring a stool to your empty kitchen sink and let your toddler climb up. Fill the sink with warm soapy water, plastic cups, [...]

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Debbie Dubrow is a mom with a 15 month old and a 2 1/2 year old in Seattle. She travels frequently with her kids and founded the website DeliciousBaby dedicated to giving parents the inspiration, advice, and information to travel with their babies and young children. She shares excellent ideas for a week in [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

Whitney called me yesterday for advice about Scarlett’s nap and potential childcare arrangement and what to do about disrupting her sleeping mojo. I made up an answer and recalled how Milo got a funky nap schedule when he started “school” at 7 months old. If she liked what I said, she probably felt good about [...]

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First, I’ll give credit where it’s due: The author of redcurrent.com gave a clear tutorial for how to make these pants, and the author of tinyhappy displayed inspiring before and after pictures of her tshirts made into pants. Now, let’s celebrate my success, people. I took this long-sleeved t-shirt belonging to Ryan, and while Julian was [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

First, I’ll give credit where it’s due: The author of redcurrent.com gave a clear tutorial for how to make these pants, and the author of tinyhappy displayed inspiring before and after pictures of her tshirts made into pants. Now, let’s celebrate my success, people. I took this long-sleeved t-shirt belonging to Ryan, and while Julian was [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

There are a couple things about milkshakes that Julian really likes. Drinking with a straw is one of them. Watching me make it is the other part. What I like about shakes is that he’s getting milk and the magic superfood blueberries at the same time. Bonus that none of it goes on [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

There are a couple things about milkshakes that Julian really likes. Drinking with a straw is one of them. Watching me make it is the other part. What I like about shakes is that he’s getting milk and the magic superfood blueberries at the same time. Bonus that none of it goes on [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

What could be better than molten chocolate, some close friends, and very little cleanup? Precious few things, I tell you. I stumbled upon this idea on the Student Cook website and decided it would be a fun time for at-home, once-baby-is-down-for-the-night socializing. We hosted the other Rookie Family for chocolate fondue and games not too long ago [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

I gave Asha this post for ParentHacks, but realized we should have it here as well. My husband says they are hideous, but we already have window decorations up for Valentine’s day, and my three- year old BOY says, “I love them. They are beautiful.” I got out all my fabric and told him that Valentine’s [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

I gave Asha this post for ParentHacks, but realized we should have it here as well. My husband says they are hideous, but we already have window decorations up for Valentine’s day, and my three- year old BOY says, “I love them. They are beautiful.” I got out all my fabric and told him that Valentine’s [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

Keep your Pottery Barn Kids table and chairs pristine by visiting MOCHA for your artistic messes and creative exploration. The Oakland Museum of Children’s Art, MOCHA, is free for gallery visits and has an awesome Drop-In Art Studio for kids between ages 18 months and 5 years for only $5. See the website for [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

Keep your Pottery Barn Kids table and chairs pristine by visiting MOCHA for your artistic messes and creative exploration. The Oakland Museum of Children’s Art, MOCHA, is free for gallery visits and has an awesome Drop-In Art Studio for kids between ages 18 months and 5 years for only $5. See the website for [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

Make your partner feel loved by using your baby’s chest as advertising space. Put an “I love” message on a onesie or bib and take a picture of the baby wearing it. This baby is rocking the straightforward message to daddy. I myself prefer a more subtle tribute to my husband with a [...]

This post is from from my other blog here

‘member those candy hearts that say “Me Too” or “Love Ya”? They’re called conversation hearts. Rookie Moms reader, Veronica, suggests that we use our babies to make cards with this Valentine’s Day theme for our family members this year: Pay homage to the throwback days when you made Valentine’s for every kid in the class! [...]