The mamaRoo by 4moms

It's been a while since I last post anything on the blog. I am so thrilled to announce the arrival of our son Ryland Cash!  He was born on Sunday June 23rd and has been such a light in our lives.  Parenthood is no joke but we can save that for another post. I want my first write up as a new mommy to be about a swing we received as a present. It's called the mamaRoo by 4moms and looks like a Kubrick 2001: Space Odyssey invention. Your baby can swing back and forth in synch the following rhythms - car ride, kangaroo, tree swing, rock a bye and ocean. Ryland loves it. The mamaRoo motions were designed in synch with the motions that moms and dads made when they were rocking their babies. Yup, they put sensors on parents to figure out how to soothe the baby properly. There is also a plug in for your iPod so that your baby can be rocked while rocking out. The swing is perfect for newborns up to 25 pounds. Again, we love the mamaRoo and I think you will too. 

The Little Prince by Matej Peljihan

The Little Prince is a set of photographs by Slovenian psychologist and photographer Matej Peljhan of 12-year-old Luka who suffers from muscular dystrophy.  Matej wanted to capture the boy participating in adventures that he is not able to do so because of his disease.  "The only thing he is physically capable of are tiny, yet extremely weak movements with his fingers," Matej said in an interview with Huffington Post.  You can check out more photos of Luka here.

The Waiting Game: Past Your Due Date

Peter C. Vey Cartoon Courtesy of Conde Nast

One of the biggest misconceptions I had before I was pregnant is that I would deliver by my due date. Well, I waved hello to my due date anticipating to give birth that day and then waved goodbye to it as it passed me by. In order to keep sane about the whole matter, I’ve written down a list of things I’m doing to keep me occupied until I go into labor. Enjoy!

1. Make a hospital mix. Music is such a big part of my life and I can’t imagine going through the whole labor process without it. I’ve created and refined my labor mix over and over again. I chose songs that will help me get through the pain and help soothe me at the same time. I’ll try to figure out how to post my mix on the blog for you to listen to.

2. Clean your house or apartment. They say that nesting is the first sign that you will go into labor but the way I see it is that I will be so boggled down once the baby arrives that I don’t know when I will get around to cleaning and organizing it again so I treat everyday like it’s the last one I have to clean.

3. Have a dance party! OK it will not be a major dance party like the wild ones you had in your early years but while you are making your mix, play some songs that make you want to grab your belly, shake your hips and move around the room! Remember, studies show that the little one can hear what goes on in your world so play him some tunes and bust a move!

4. Go for long walks. I’ve felt a sudden burst of energy in the past two weeks of my pregnancy and have used it to take my two dogs for walks around the neighborhood. It’s been a great way to reflect on how far I’ve come since I first found out I was pregnant, keeps me fit, improves circulation and it helps little one move down to the birth canal.

5. Organize email addresses to notify friends and family once the baby is born. I have friends all over the world that are anxious to hear news of the arrival of our little son! I’ve made an email list so I can send out a mass email to everyone with photos once our son arrives.

Pregnant Style Muse - Gisele Bundchen

Pregnancy Style Muse - Gisele Bundchen by baybaymama featuring sparkle jewelry

Mama.licious mama licious, $72 / J.Crew strap sandals / Givenchy studded bag / House of Harlow 1960 sparkle jewelry / Floppy beach hat

Maurice Sendak on Being a Kid

June 10th would have marked the legendary children's writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak's 85th birthday. He passed away more than a year ago. Maurice is most popular for the book Where The Wild Things Are, which was created in 1963 and has sold over 19 million copies.  Fun fact - the book was originally about a spoiled child who is sent to his room and escapes to a land of wild horses.  Since Maurice was unable to draw horses, he changed the horses to the "wild things."  

To mark his birthday, Blank on Blank has released an animated video to coordinate with an interview he did in 2009 where he discussed the difficulties of being a child.  It's really beautiful.  To caveat that interview is a segment from his last interview with Fresh Air's Terry Gross.  Enjoy.  

Easy Peasy Eco-Friendly Baby Shoes

Easy Peasy baby footwear defines OMG cute.  Founded by two young French designers, each slippers are made out of vegetable-tanned leather with organic cotton packaging making it eco-friendly as well as adorable.  Highlights from the collection include the bicycle slippers, the lion slippers and puppy slippers.  

Official Band Merchandise For Babies!

Matt & Kim Brooklyn Onesie $20

Metallica Scary Guy Baby Romper $19.99

A Tribe Called Quest Logo Onesie $18

Phish Lotus Onesie $18

Le Tigre Romper $16

AC/DC Back In Black Bib $12.95

One of the best additions to merch tables at concerts in the last five years or so is baby gear! I am such a huge fan of live music and what better way to remember your favorite concerts than buying something for your little one. I scoured band sites so you don't have to and picked out some fun rockin' onesies and even an amazing AC/DC bib.