kids – Page 5 – calivintage

summer snapshots

September 14, 2015 3 Comments

i’ve been a little scarce around these parts lately. sort of a forced “vacation” thanks to a pretty nasty bug that found me spending most of last week stuck in bed! but of course, life has still been moving along as usual. adam has been keeping me thoroughly entertained. he may be hard to keep up with (especially when i’m sick), but it’s fun to watch him grow and learn and play. just about every day he says a new word that i’ve never heard him say, and we have little conversations about trucks or trains or owls or the moon. we picked up a pumpkin at the grocery store and a book about pumpkins at the library and he now incessantly talks about pumpkins. i have a feeling that halloween is going to be especially fun this year.

and now i’m off for a mini 10-year-anniversary celebration with brendan. we basically just took the day off to spend together while adam hangs out at his grandma’s house. it’s a pretty modest celebration for such a big milestone, but we have plans to make up for it soon!

he occasionally lays himself down on the ground like this. it’s also become a really great strategy for passive resistance when he doesn’t want to do something!

here adam decided to draw on me with sidewalk chalk, thanks dude!

contemplating his it’s it ice cream sandwich. they have a new online shop, so they sent this toddler tee to adam as a gift.

lifestyle, kids

new shop to watch: bitte

August 26, 2015 1 Comment

you may remember a couple of months back, i wrote about the fundable campaign behind a new online children’s boutique, bitte. well, since then, the venture has been backed and shop owner maia mcdonald smith has been a busy bee getting everything in order! the shop just launched last week, and i am currently scrolling through the inventory trying to resist temptation to buy all of the things!

every item in the shop was chosen with a focus on sustainable practices and modern design. if that’s not enough for you, they’ll also be featuring some of their top makers so you can get to know the people behind the brands. and they’ll also be teaming up with top bloggers to share helpful gift guides and top picks. first up, they’ve profiled the talented founder of petit collage, one of my favorite oakland-based children’s brands. and they’re sharing top picks from ashley muir bruhn of hither and thither and erin heimstra of apartment 34.

images courtesy of bitte.

kids

the wild one

August 6, 2015 1 Comment

the other day, i opened the door and adam took off running down the sidewalk. i did the trick that most parents do and told him, “ok, bye bye, adam!” and turned my back. he usually comes running right back after me, but not this time! he’s only very recently mustered up the courage to step more than a few feet away from me, so it’s pretty fun for me to watch him go off “on his own.” i know a lot of parents say it’s hard to let their babies go, both figuratively and literally. but i really do enjoy seeing his independent spirit beginning to crop up. it makes me proud to see him learn and explore and grow. and i really don’t mind having a little space to myself now and then. although as you can see, now i spend a lot more time running after him!

and omg his curly little ducktail! he still doesn’t have much hair, but what he does have is super curly! it came as a surprise to me because my hair is so stick straight, and brendan only has a little wave. the jury is still out on whether or not he’ll be a brunette. only time will tell!

his top is from american apparel, the cycling cap was handmade by niko’s naptime, and the romper was handmade by skadoodlee.

my style, lifestyle, kids

run free with bugaboo

July 28, 2015 4 Comments

hard to believe it, but my little adam is already 18-months-old! no longer a baby, he’s now a rather rambunctious toddler, and these days i have to get pretty creative to complete even the simplest of tasks. i put on my makeup in the bathroom while adam takes a quick bath in the morning. i answer emails with one free hand while i nurse him in the afternoon. i even practice my lunges while dancing him to sleep in my arms. because let’s face it, i’m not about to get a break. which is why i was especially excited when bugaboo asked me if i’d be interested in teaming up with them to try out their new bugaboo runner. before this shiny new beacon of light arrived at my doorstep, i was struggling to find time for even a quick jog a couple of times a week!

so when the package arrived, it was basically like christmas day. adam was squealing in delight over the big cardboard box, and i was already pulling on my jogging shorts while i ripped apart the wrapping and snapped everything into place. we’ve never tried a bugaboo before, so the first thing i noticed was the seat. adam is a particularly picky customer when it comes to strollers, so if the seat is too deep, or the harness is too clunky, he kinda freaks out because he’s basically feels ‘stuck.’ so it was pretty cool when i sat him down without the slightest protest, and he was able to sit comfortably upright with a really nice vantage point while we rolled around town. not only that, but you actually have the ability to position the seat facing you or facing the world, a unique feature among running strollers. but of course, if you already have a different bugaboo seat (like the bee3, chameleon, buffalo, or donkey), you can easily snap it into the runner chassis.

but the real test is once you get moving. the three-wheeled suspension is so smooth that it practically begs you to run. in fact, it almost feels like it glides along more smoothly the faster you go. and if you’re lucky like me, your child will also act as an exceptionally motivating personal trainer. adam particularly likes it when i run very fast for short spurts and then abruptly slow down for a bit before picking up the pace again. yep, apparently he is already versed in interval training. and if he were to have a preference for speed, it would definitely be very fast. hey, i’m not gonna argue with the kid. he clearly knows what’s good for me!

but joking aside, it’s really is huge relief to have found such an amazing stroller. it’s enabled me to get out into the world and to get more exercise while still being able to bond with my little guy. and it’s just as useful while walking around town or through the park. sure, it’s a running stroller, but it’s just as practical even when i’m not trying to fit in a workout. we’ve been taking it out for walks around town or through the park, and people even stop to complement me and ask where i got it. it’s not big or clunky or garish, just a really good tool that fits right in with our lifestyle.

lifestyle, home, kids

building blocks

July 24, 2015 5 Comments

i’ve been a little scarce around these parts lately. the past two weeks have been… challenging, to say the least. adam has begun to transition from two daily naps to only one, but the transition has not been so smooth. needless to say, there have been many cranky, overtired days between the two of us while we try to figure out our new normal. thankfully, it seems like we’ve started to hit our stride again over the past couple of days. i’ve been trying to keep up with answering emails on my phone and posting a few instagram photos here and there, but most of my life has been operating offline. so i thought i’d share a few tidbits:

1. the weather is hot, so i’ve been building adam’s summer wardrobe around plain t-shirts and an assortment of different lightweight rompers, like these amazing linen overalls by jasmin lucero. they are my favorite thing ever and they basically make him look like a little vintage doll. we frequently get stopped on the street by older ladies exclaiming how he reminds them of spanky from our gang. life goals? achieved.

2. we’ve been spending a lot of time indoors, partly due to the weather, and partly due to the aforementioned sleep challenges. last week, i started taking a good look around adam’s room and realized that it was time for a few upgrades. play is super important around our house, and while i try to keep his toys age-appropriate, i also want to mix in a few things that will be challenging for him without being too frustrating. it’s a hard balance, but mega bloks are a pretty big hit around here lately. he especially loves this set because it comes with a little car base that you can build up and push around. and it’s really fun to watch his little gears going while he builds and rebuilds little structures. he’s also currently obsessed with crayons. i have a massive roll of drawing paper that i lay out on the dining room floor. i cannot believe how much time he spends drawing, making sound effects, and even telling me what he’s drawn (mostly owls, dogs, and the moon).

3. while little adam is getting lots of new things, i’m in the middle of yet another purge. since moving into our new house, i’m actually quite impressed with the number of boxes i haven’t unpacked. it’s really showed me just how much stuff i’ve been holding onto without ever actually using it. this week, i’ve been selling off a good portion of my personal wardrobe over in my instagram shop. and i still have a million more boxes of other stuff to go through. it really feels good to let go of all that literal baggage, especially because i’m currently in the process of clearing out said garage and converting it into my very own studio space. which means more room for fun stuff like the re-opening of a more permanent online shop with lots of vintage and handmade goods….

4. speaking of fun stuff, i’m about to start working on a bunch of crafty projects in the upcoming weeks! i have a couple of really awesome vintage patterns that i can’t wait to try out, and i’ve got all of my supplies lined up for a really big indigo-dying session. i’ve been doing my homework on new shibori techniques that i’m especially excited to try on some white cotton bandanas.

5. and if you’re curious about adam’s room, the shelf and baskets are all from ikea! the artwork is by fine little day, the camera is by fisher price classics, we got the badger toy pram from target, the desk is vintage, and the little toy kitchen is by hape. feel free to ask if you’re curious about anything else!

lifestyle, kids

quiet time with latch

July 14, 2015 6 Comments

with adam hitting the 18-month mark just the other day, quiet time around the house has become more precious than ever. developmentally, this little guy has a lot going on, so it’s only natural that we’ve started to see the very first of his terrible tantrums. like pretty much every kid his age, he’s super adorable and awfully cheerful most of the time, but we’ve definitely reached the point where we’ve gotta have an arsenal of tools to help keep him calm when he gets worked up. this, my friends, is no easy task. it actually makes the entire previous 18 months of his life look like a walk in the park. in fact, some days it takes all of my effort to simply convince him to go on a walk in the park with me! so today i’ve teamed up with munkchin to share a few of my tips and tricks for helping toddlers (and babies!) get the quiet time they need. because a happy baby means a happy mama.

create a calm and peaceful environment. there are certain areas of the house that we use as “chill out zones.” they’re places we go to be calm and quiet, rather than play. adam’s doesn’t have a playroom, so we simply used a large shelf to divide his bedroom into two spaces: a play area and a sleep area. we have a rocking chair set up with comfy pillows and a white noise machine, cues that help him understand that it’s time to wind down. we don’t play with toys in that area of the room, and if he wanders over when it isn’t nap time, we lay our heads on the bed and pretend to sleep (fake snoring and all!), so that adam knows what the space is for. this is really helpful for those moments when baby is wound up and overtired and just needs a break. in fact, now that he’s a little older, he even sometimes takes me by the hand and guides me to the chill out zone to let me know he’s feeling tired.

the munchkin latch pacifier. munkchin developed their latest pacifier with the help of pediatric dentists and the experience of real moms. it’s a one-piece, lightweight silicone made in a variety of different shapes to help your baby comfortable latch on no matter what their stage of development, from 0 to 3 to 6 months and up. i actually wish these were around when adam was younger, because he had a terrible time trying to keep a latch on his pacifiers! and even if he could, sometimes they had such an odd shape that it didn’t fit well on his tiny face. the latch has a nice, ergonomic heart shape that fits perfectly beneath baby’s little nose. and having something soothing to suck on is really helpful when your little one needs to calm down and chill out, especially because there are times when mom can’t always breastfeed on demand.

p.s. i made the pacifier clip above using cotton string and wooden beads! it was super easy to make, i really should share a how-to!

aromatherapy. it’s true! back during my pregnancy with adam, i had a seriously rough case of morning sickness that lasted well after the first 12 weeks. my mom is super into holistic medicine, so she gave me a tiny bottle of grapefruit essential oil to help. the first time i took a little whiff of that stuff, i was sold. aromatherapy really works and i’ve totally turned into one of those crunchy granola moms with an arsenal of different essential oils and herbs to cure what ails you. this includes infusing a bit of lavender or chamomile in an evening bath (assuming baby doesn’t have allergies!), and placing fragrant herbs around the house to help calm the senses.

you can find the munchkin latch pacifier in-store or online at target.

lifestyle, kids

down time

July 2, 2015 No Comments

i don’t think there is anything more precious in the world than a sleeping babe. especially as adam has gotten bigger, he’s constantly on the go. running around from room to room, crashing little toy cars, pulling out crayons to fill pages and pages of artwork, digging holes in the backyard. so it really does feel like a special treat each time i get to see him so still and calm and relaxed. i could not resist snapping a few photos of him during an especially long nap time last week. he was all wrapped up in this beautiful elephant zoo blanket that we received from sture & folke. it was handmade in switzerland by designer and mother of two, karin stenmarck. and as soon as we received it in the mail, adam was so excited to examine each tiny animal and to learn their names. you can’t see it in these photos, but the opposite side is made with velvet and linen with a little row of ribbons for tiny fingers to play with. i remember when adam was smaller than he is now, he was obsessed with ribbons and tags, so of course i really appreciate such a thoughtful little design element on an already excellent blanket. it’s a little pricier than some of our nursery items, but i would put this high on the list of gifts to give if you happen to know anyone who is expecting!

lifestyle, kids

enter to win $100 to egg baby!

June 9, 2015 No Comments

calivintagexegg1

today i am pleased to announce my latest giveaway courtesy of egg baby! this new york city brand was launched in 2003 by designer susan lazar with the goal of creating an affordable luxury brand for babies and children. my little guy doesn’t always walk around in fancy designer clothes, but we definitely like to splurge when it’s time for portraits or family events. adam wore a few of their pieces for easter, and i love that they’re soft and comfy enough that we’ve been able to get extra mileage out of them even after all of our photos were snapped.

another thing i really love about the brand is that in addition to making adorable designs, they also focus on using environmentally friendly materials. so of course, i am very happy to be able to offer you a chance to win $100 to shop for yourself (or for gifts)!

enter to win $100 to egg baby!

calivintagexegg2
a few of our favorites: chambray hat, shortsleeve striped crewneck tee, neru tab shirt, and twill trouser shorts.
calivintagexegg3

kids

summertime

May 25, 2015 2 Comments

they say that memorial day marks the first unofficial day of summer. we’ve had a couple weeks of unseasonably gloomy weather so far, but the sun has finally decided to come out and play. so of course, we’re celebrating with a tiny kiddie pool in the backyard. i haven’t had a backyard since i was a kid living at home, so it’s been a fun realization that i can just step out into my own little area when the weather is nice. adam is obsessed with his pool and usually makes a beeline for the hose every time we go out, requesting, “awa awa awa.” (we taught him agua instead of water.) i foresee a lot of this in our future.

lifestyle, kids

what’s in adam’s bag?

April 14, 2015 6 Comments

this is a really simple post that i’ve been meaning to write for months! fashion bloggers always seem to be dumping out the contents of their bags to show off what sorts of goodies they have inside, so why not share what a baby carries in his bag?

back when adam was probably around six months, he became obsessed with my purse. he would sit there and pull everything out, then put it all back in again. and on and on for longer than he would concentrate on most things. since i wasn’t particularly keen on him playing with actual keys, or unwrapping bits of gum, i decided to give him his own purse to play with. i picked up this adorable kid’s survey backpack by hershel supply co. and filled it with the baby-friendly versions of th things you might find in my bag: toy keys, velcro wallet, lots of plastic cards, an altoids tin filled with cheerios, baby sunglasses, etc. it’s still a “toy,” but i’ve found that the things that least resemble actual toys are the things that are most interesting for babies. so there you have it, a glimpse at what’s inside adam’s bag!

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