The clever people at Boon Inc. have created an adorable book shelf that doubles as a piece of art. Kids and adults will love displaying their favorite books in the Turf, Front-facing Bookshelf. Great for all sizes of books. Books face forward for easy selection. Easy wall-mounting, hardware included. Dimensions: 4.75" x 15.75" x 10.25". BpA-free. Phthalate-free. PVC-Free.
Image above by me, Chris Olson. Photos: Boon, Inc.
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Soft and cozy, these adorable handmade Mary Jane baby booties by Pitter Patter Shop on Etsy are perfect for spring.
Details:
Find these handmade booties on Pinterest, right here.
(Images by me, Chris Olson. Photo by PitterPatterShop on Etsy)
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Looking for decorating ideas for a nursery or a child's bedroom? Susanna Salk's visually exciting book Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play is a stunning treasure trove of decorating ideas and a fun read. Kelly Wearstler, renowned interior designer and author of several books, writes the foreword.
Is it possible to design a room that pleases both the parents and their children? Salk has found a way. Page after page of lovely photography by some of the industry's top photographers–Pieter Estersohn, Paul Costello, William Abranowicz, Melanie Aveced, and others–makes me want redecorate a few rooms at my house. No matter your style–modern, formal to whimsical–you will find a room that fits your mood. The book showcases a variety of decorating styles for bedrooms, play spaces, and study areas created by a talented group of designers including Kelly Wearstler, Charlotte Moss, Alessandra Branca, Amanda Nisbet, and Thomas Jayne, among many others.
Salk is a leading design maven with many publishing success stories. Here are just a few: author of Weekend Retreats, a contributing editor for Bon Appetit Magazine, 1STDIBS.COM, and iVillage.com, as well as a former special projects editor at House & Garden. In the book she features an assortment of rooms that will appeal to a variety of ages. Her book has a sophisticated take on decor for children according to the LAtimes.com:
The book suggests that just because a room is designed for a kid, that's no reason the design can't be all grown up. There is nothing DIY about "Room for Children," and no sense of trying to do more with less. Two-dozen-plus rooms in the book differ in style, but few could be described as "cute."
Anne at her blog The City Sage says:
In the world of interiors books, the subject of decorating for children has been sorely neglected. Until now! Renowned author and editor Susanna Salk has released Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play, and I'm rolling on a serious sugar high from all the sweet, sweet eye candy!
Julie at her blog Remodelista calls the book required reading:
Salk rounds up spaces by designers such as Kelly Wearstler (who wrote the book’s foreward), Amanda Nisbet, Amy Lau, Sixx Design, as well as J. Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons’ edgy charcoal-walled nursery.
Note to my readers: I did not receive compensation from the author or publisher for writing this book review
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If you live in an area with mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus, using some simple precautions can prevent getting bitten by an infected insect. The good news is not all mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus. To see if West Nile Virus is in your area now, call your local County Health Department or consult the CDC West Nile Virus Activity by State by State map. West Nile Virus cases increase as the weather gets warmer, so if the virus is not present in a state now, the virus may develop later in the summer.
Prevention Is Key
According to MedlinePlus, "There are no specific vaccines or treatments for human WNV disease. The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites."
Practice the four D's to avoid misquito bites:
The CDC has a list of EPA-registered active ingredients in mosquito repellents here and that list includes:
More information is available from the EPA on insect repellents and the active ingredients found in insect repellent at this link.
Applying an effective insect repellent is key. And not all insect repellents are created equal. The percentage of DEET in an insect repellent determines the duration of effectiveness–in other words the effectiveness of a 30% DEET lasts longer than a 10% DEET. According to HealthyChildren.org:
DEET Warning
Insect repellents should be used with caution. Read the label carefully. Consult your doctor or pediatrician if you have questions. Adults should supervise the use of insect repellents on children. When kids come indoors, they should wash the insect repellent off their skin. According to Kidshealth.org:
For more information on the safety of DEET and other repellents with children, check out the Kidshealth.org article, Are Insect Repellents With DEET Safe for Kids?
Prevention Around Your House
Something as simple as maintaining screens in windows and doors will help prevent insects from entering the house. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. If you have a kiddie pool in your yard or flower pots with saucers collecting water, drain them daily. Remember to clean your pet water dishes and refill them with fresh water each day. Drilling a few small holes in the bottom of a tire swing will prevent mosquitoes from finding water in them. For more information, a helpful West Nile Virus video is available at this CDC link.
West Nile Virus Symptoms
According to the CDC 1,021 total West Nile Virus cases in humans were reported in the US in 2010. West Nile Virus infected mosquitoes can transmit a disease that creates a variety of symptoms including stiff neck, high fever, severe headache, memory problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, body aches, rash, and nausea. For a detailed list of symptoms read the CDC West Nile Virus Fact Sheet.
Photo: Dr_Relling.
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The editors of the Personal Journal Section of the WSJ today have three articles you don't want to miss:
New Rules for Food Allergies: "New guidelines for diagnosing and treating food allergies say that blood or skin tests alone aren't sufficient when making a diagnosis." Plus this WSJ article includes an audio version.
Youth Team Sports Don't Provide Recommended 60 Minutes of Exercise: "The majority of children participating in organized team-sports don't meet the federal recommendation of 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous exercise, according to a study released Monday."
The Baby May Be Giving You Mommy Thumb: "Mommy thumb--an inflammation of tendons below the thumb--is affecting more women because of heavier children, older new mothers, and frequent scrolling on smartphones."
(Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography)
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Gabrielle over at DesignMom.com brought to my attention the very cool baby cap knitting project organized by Save the Children. According to the organization:
In many developing countries, something as simple as a knit or crocheted cap can help the baby keep warm, which is key to helping newborns survive.
Save the Children is looking for volunteer knitters. Directions for knitting the caps at this link. Caps you knit will be sent to Save the Children’s newborn health programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
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Similac powders formula in plastic tubs vs. cans
Plastic tubs: All powders in a plastic tub are being recalled according to a Abbot spokesperson speaking on CNN about the recall. This is not the same information given in their initial press release about the recall in which they told consumers to use their Similac powder infant formula lookup to check if the lot number is in the recall list. Evidently, all the plastic tub lot numbers are on the recall list. Unfortunately the Similac recall lookup website has been overloaded by consumer traffic and it loads very slowly.
Similac has also provided a 59-page hPDF with a complete list of recalled Similac formulas. The FDA has a searchable Similac Infant Formula List.
Cans: If you have a Similac powder in a can, use the website to look up to see if that specific can lot number is on the recall list. The specific contaminated products are offered in 8-oz, 12.4 oz., and 12.9 oz cans.
(Liquid Similac formulas are not part of the voluntary recall. )
Was the formula sold in the U.S.?
The Abbott plant involved is in Sturgis, Michigan, and the recall involves up to 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries.
The specific contaminated products are offered in plastic containers and in 8-oz, 12.4 oz., and 12.9 oz cans.
According to the FDA: "At least 12 of the recalled products were provided to families through the federal government’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) health and nutrition program."
Is the contaminated formula a health danger?
The FDA released this safety warning:
"Possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product. The FDA has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract."
Health warnings and safety alerts by the FDA for Similac recall:
"If symptoms are noted and persist for more than a few days, a physician should be consulted. Products with affected lot numbers should be returned to Abbott at no cost to the consumer."
How to check if your formula is on the recall list:
How to find Similac lot numbers on cans and plastic tubs according to the FDA.
For more information:
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(Sketch above created using ArtStudio app on my iPad. Post created using BlogPress from my iPad.)
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Looking for the perfect baby shower gift? Check out the handmade hats and bows and more at the Etsy.com store TinyTotsBows.
A mother of two in Wisconsin designs these adorable hats and bows. One of my personal faves is the Hot Pink Sunhat with Interchangeable Zebra Gerbera, $22.95. This hat set is available in a variety of sizes: infant (0-6+months) and toddler (6-18+months).
According to her Etsy store:
"This sunhat is made of special water resistant UV fabric (50+ UPF) with an extra wide brim to provide excellent sun protection! It is adjustable to achieve the perfect fit and has a chin strap, so it can't be pulled off. Attached to the hat is an interchangeable strip, so all bows and flowers can be attached to create a custom look to match any outfit!"
(Photo above from the TinyTotsBows online store; photography by www.siribenrudphotography.com)
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Four new babies.
Four places on earth.
One year in their lives.
Babies: The Movie features one year in the life of four new babies, from birth to first steps, in four very different places on earth--the U.S., Japan, Mongolia, and Namibia.
The documentary film by Thomas Balmes produced by Focus Features Movies will be coming to the big screen Mother's Day weekend, 2010. Keep up with the babies, join them on Facebook.
Gotta love those chubby cheeks. Can't wait to see the movie!
All together now... Sooooo Cuuuuuute!
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In the rush to get everything done in a day, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with healthy meals and exercise often seems impossible. If you are like me, then getting take-out or fast food is a big temptation when you feel like you have no time to cook dinner. Unfortunately, when eating out becomes the norm, eating healthy is not always an option.
Childhood obesity is a growing trend that threatens about one in three kids in the U.S. Increasing rates of obesity in America means that for the first time in our history, kids may face a shorter lifespan than their parents.
That's why First Lady Michelle Obama is encouraging doctors, nurses, parents, and community leaders to join Let’s Move, a nationwide campaign to change the trend and solve the epidemic of childhood obesity.
The First Lady's nationwide initiative's goal is to raise a healthier generation of kids. Let’s Move aims to give families the support needed to live healthier lives by eating healthy and getting more exercise.
4 key components of Let’s Move
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Baby photographers get your cameras ready! This olive green beanie hat with teddy bear ears and ear flaps is hand knit by KnittedByNanny on Etsy. Knit with Australian wool with mohair trim. $25.00
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Ever wonder what your baby's cries mean? The iPhone Cry Translator app identifies five distinct cries made by infants
The iPhone Cry Translator app is supposed to identify the type of cry within 10 seconds. Amazing or too good to be true? I think Mom can be just as quick and maybe more reliable, but the app is worth a try.
According to the developers, once you know the type of cry, you have a starting point for understanding how to comfort your child.
Note to readers: I have not tried this device. My kids are older, but I wish I it had been available back then.
Does this app work for deciphering the whines of older kids and even spouses? I'll get back to you later with my take on that topic.
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Four new babies.
Four places on earth.
One year in their lives.
Babies: The Movie
Babies: The Movie features one year in the life of four new babies, from birth to first steps, in four very different places on earth--the U.S., Japan, Mongolia, and Namibia. The 2010 documentary is produced by Focus Features.
Gotta love those chubby cheeks. Can't wait to see the movie! It's coming to the big screen in April 2010.
All together now... Sooooo Cuuuuuute!
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