I got to see my gorgeous little nephew over the weekend and to celebrate my sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday Caroline! It’s amazing to watch him grow and to see our family in his little face… He is a big flirt and I loved seeing him capture the attention of women in restaurants. Apparently he has the hostess of this fabulous Boulder cafe {The Kitchen} wrapped around his 13 month old finger. I’m right there with her.
Thanks to my sister, researcher extraordinaire, I got the rundown on the best strollers, car seats, diaper bags, etc. Just when I thought that’s about all you need to get, she handed me a book that details all the gear you will need to prepare for this tiny little human. How is it possible that a 7 pound person needs so much stuff?
And why is my heart starting to go pitter patter over expensive strollers?
More pitter patter:
Chances are, you have already seen this video of Matt Harding the dancing guy. But really, even if you have, watch it agan because it is so inspiring and kind of hilarious and strangely moving. I just watched it and cried through the whole thing. But then again, I am amped up on hormones.
The most adorable shoes for little ones.
I am completely inspired by my photographer friend Anna Kuperberg. Her work is flawless and creative and her eye is so unique and playful. I look forward to having her photograph Matt and I (and my lovely lady lump) later in the year.
Thanks for the link to your photographer friend, her photos are breathtaking! It is amazing how much “stuff” children require! When my family takes a trip to our cabin I end up packing twice as much for her as I do for my hubs and I!
Absolutely love Anna’s photos. I’m sending her an email today…hopefully she’ll consider flying down to mexico for Melissa and I’s wedding next april. Thanks very much for the link.
What a beautiful boy!
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the stuff and not at all uncommon to find that most of it isn’t all that necessary after all. I remember buying a gorgeous heirloom crib during the nesting period and then passing it on, still unassembled, three years later. The best baby “device” ever? A sling. No joke.
And my favorite parenting book ever: “Becoming the Parent You Want to Be” by Laura Davis and Janis Keyser. It’s all about honoring your instincts, nurturing the natural attachment, and respectfully enabling your child to develop into the person s/he is meant to be. Beautiful stuff.
Congratulations again!
oh, the pure rapture of being an expectant mother…it’s like a magical spell that brings joy to everyone in new life’s wake! enjoy this special time, and all the cute stuff that comes along with it 🙂
~mindy
Yah! baby stuff .. at almost 12 months my daughter has more shoes than I do … its an obsession with me. There is something about those tiny shoes on those tiny feet. Also, I second Amber about the sling wholeheartedly. We bought a Bugaboo and for the first four or five months we only used it a few times – Esme just would rather be near us and up at face level. It is an amazing thing for so many reasons – Matt can wear the babe, you have hands free for other things, there is a closeness and comfort that I appreciate so much. Plus, there is, I promise you, nothing sexier than looking over at your man carrying your precious bean on his chest. Also, when Esme had a fussy period at night when she was young we ate dinner every night with her strapped to me. Anyways, we love the Bugaboo too, but I’m a sling devotee for life now. One last note, there are amazing fabrics and patterns now so don’t settle for the boring Bjorn – indulge your fabulous sense of style and colour! (And Matt’s too if he wants)One of our four is from Googaw .. yummy fabrics!
Andrea, Caleb is so beautiful!
Happy Birthday to your sister Caroline!
Oh wow, I’m going to have to try to find the music of Matt harding’s video on CD somewhere!! I thought the whole thing was just wonderful
Sweet little Caleb. I can hear him giggling.
The funny thing is that often it’s not so much that children “require” all that stuff, but more that you just want them to have it. And then there really no end to your owns wants for your child. You will soon discover however that your child might be a lot more impressed by an empty tea can rather than by an expensive toy you thought he/she absolutely had to have 🙂 That message is also quite clearly expressed by Anna’s South Side project. You will also see that no matter what you buy or don’t buy for your children, what they value and need the most is your devoted and undivided love and attention 🙂
Please share your newfound knowledge on baby gear. I am going crazy trying to decide what to get, and which one of what to get. So much stuff out there. Please please share the best strollers, car seats, diaper bags, etc., if you don’t want to blog it, email me. I will be forever greatful.
ps. i love love love your jewelry.
I cried too, watching the video. The dancing children…god!! What an incredible project. Makes me look around and say “Where’s my passport?”
Wait, do you know it is a lady lump? I think I missed something. One important tip, you are going to be carrying a lot of the baby stuff around with you all the time, so think lightweight! Especially where the stroller is concerned. You will be amazed at how long it will take to get the car packed and unpacked and you 2 will be loaded down like mules. Happy Mules, but mules nonetheless! I am giggling as I write this, because it really is fun.
i wanted to tell you this is so BEAUTIFUL???
what is?
ALL OF IT.
caleb’s gunna have a couuuuusin… caleb’s gunna have a couuuusin…
Ooh, The Kitchen has the best Key Lime martinis.
Ahhh…
You get to have your portrait made by Anna.
I will own the fact that I am seriously jealous…
I hope you post the results. She is just amazing.
Sinead
Baby gear can be so incredibly overwhelming. Have you checked out the Zooper or Maclaren strollers? Love the Zoopers; they’re not very common and the colors & design are unique. But if you’re looking for a light weight stroller the Maclarens are great! I bought mine when I took my son to Hawaii and it was fabulous! I never leave home without it! While all my friends are struggling with their big heavy bulky strollers, my Maclaren can do a 380 with just one hand. Love it!
Andrea-these pictures are precious! Have you given any more thought to perhaps doing a photography intensive??
I want to be able to take pictues of this quality-so inspiring.
Namaste,
MB
ohhhh…his eyes are captivating!
he has ME wrapped around his 13 month old finger and i don’t even know him.
cute pic of you two. i just love being an auntie, don’t you?
ps. girlfriend…now YOU can be my resource for baby stuff when i get preggers. we have similar taste so you can direct me to the cool thingies you are discovering. so fun!
This is wonderful, Andrea.
I’d love to, and I get that many of your readers might also love to, contribute to the blessed Superhero Event by giving you and Matt something really needed like the stroller you’d most love to have.
Any chance of giving us a PayPal place on the site sidebar (or maybe you know of a better way) for us to pool our bucks for something really useful?!
LOVE, Shelley
Thanks for sharing that video, Andrea! I didn’t know he stopped by Guam, too. That was a nice surprise. 🙂
heheheh — actually children require very little beyond unconditional love, care and a safe, happy and healthy home…and louise bates ames was one of my favorite writers about child development…course i was a hip mama back in the 80’s trying to buck the consumerist/capitalist yuppie trend surrounding me…but i learned, it’s all about balance…in all fairness tho, some of that stuff is CUTE! and seductive…have fun and enjoy the many different opinions you’re gonna get and remember where YOUR child is concerned YOURS is the only one that counts…man, i hate writing in absolutes, but hopefully you get my drift…
MaryBeth,
I love that you keep asking me about this!
🙂
It sounds fun… but I don’t know if it’s something
I can commit to this year.
What I can imagine doing though is an article on the topic::
Would that help? Some hot superhero tips for taking great photos?
what do you think?
A
Those shoes are adorable!
My daughter learned to walk in these ones http://www.seekairun.com/abbie.php
We just love them.
Hi Andrea! i just found your blog through Boho and i wonder why i haven’t visited you before…
anyway, you just look beautiful and happy with your nephew, wish you the best making everything ready to welcome your baby.
bdw: your jewelry is so colorful and fun!!
i’ll definitely come back
Romina { art.station }
Hey Andrea!
Caleb rocks! But really, thanks for posting that link (actually 6 links!) to my blog. My traffic went way up.
Caleb has eyes like a movie star from the 1940s. Yummy.
Jason, I will totally shoot your wedding in Mexico. E-mail me soon because I am booking up fast. And in fact, I am actually leaving tomorrow (Friday) for a wedding in Mexico. It’s a Jewish/Japanese wedding and it’s in San Miguel de Allende– I am so excited.
xoxo
Anna Kuperberg
From my experience nannying – that bugaboo stroller is really great.
I also recommend the sling.
The Moby Wrap is great and super convertable (perfect for breast feeding).
I recommend the site thegoodmomma.com –
she carries Moby wraps (with free shipping), Baby Legs, and she also makes custom wetbags, cloth diapers, etc…
Oh my gosh, I loved the dancing guy! I must not be in the know, cuz that was the first time seeing him for me.
The shoes? So cute! Have you seen the socks that look like Mary Janes? I have to have those when we have a wee one.
And those photographs? Awesome.
Gorgeous photos as always!
If you plan to breastfeed, don’t forget breastfeeding supplies. A pump and accessories, Lansinoh (for nips!), nursing bra pads and a nursing bra are all stuff that really comes in handy when your milk comes in. 🙂
Yah, remember to write these things on the list:
Raspberry Leaf Tea (for when you are that big you can hardly move and the baby is ten days overdue and you will try anything to bring on labor)
Nipple cream for cracked nipples
Cabbage leaves for when your milk comes in (trust me it works)
A pram (stroller) that your husband likes so that as soon as he comes home from work he takes the baby for a walk and gives you some mummy-by-herself time.
Comfortable tracksuit pants – a few pairs for baby vomit.
Good moisturiser to prevent stretch marks (ha ha, if you were meant to have them there is nothing that’s going to stop them, not worth buying the expensive brand) and ummmm…
If I think of more I will let you know. OK.
Take care of the two of you.
Mia
ohhh… that little guy is just delicious. how sweet. 🙂
thanks for sharing the link to matt’s dancing adventures. that was actually the first time I’ve seen it… and I loved it! I just watched it over and over.
xo.
ohhhh. Anna Kuperberg’s photos make me laugh. They are wonderfulwonderfulwonderful. I’ve never seen wedding photos that make me giggle before!
And you should TOTALLY do an artical on photo taking. I’m not much of a photographer, but I must say, your blog and all the wonderful links to other photo sites have been insipiring me to dig a little deeper with the camera.
YOU INSPIRE ME!
fantastic you are
i’m so tickled for you
and yes … wee ones take oh so much gear
and really they don’t
you can carry a target bag with a diaper
and breast feed everywhere
kids need stuff
and they need nothing but love
all at the same time
you are in for SUCH magic
such beautiful awesome
awe-inspiring magic like you have never known
IM SMILING SO BIG FOR YOU!
congratulations on everything
XO
oooo
and you get biggg boobs
🙂
B E A U T I F U L, beautiful baby!!!!
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