Baby Boos (Baby Halloween Fashions)

1. Monster Romper 2. Cat Set 3. Ghost Socks 4. Orange Elf Suit 5. Gap PJ's 6. Booties 

 

Last week I had a post on Halloween fashions. I realized after I selected the items that there wasn't much on there for bitty babies.  

 

It's funny how quickly I've forgotten about my daughter's early days.  Less than a year ago she was in that cuddly, pj's are appropriate all day phase. She seemed so tiny at the time that I wondered if we should even go through the hassle of dressing her up for Halloween.  

 

Here are some picks for you parents want to be festive but might not want to deal with selecting a costume.  They also make great gifts for any Fall baby. 

 

P.S. I really wish I had known about these elf suits last year.  

Airplane Diaper Bag

1. Changing Pad/ 2. Ziploc Bag/ 3. Dirty Diaper Bag/ 4. Snack Cup/ 5. Sippy Cup/ 6. Snacks/ 7. Board Book/ 8. Small Toy/ 9. Teddy Bear/ 10. Outfit/ 11. Blanket/ 12. Muslin Blankets and Skip Hop Bag.

We just got back from vacation and it was the first time I flew solo with my daughter.  In the past, I had my husband to help me out.  So on this trip I needed to make sure that I had as little as possible so that I could easily get on and off the plane with my very active new walker.

These were our must-have items.   

Shoe Loves (Saltwater Sandals)

I know it's August and you probably aren't thinking about summer clothes anymore, but I have to tell you about these wonderful sandals my daughter received from her great aunt for her first birthday. 

Return from the Green World

A grey morning in Menemsha on Martha's Vineyard. Photo by Handle with Karo

We are back from our first vacation as a family of three.

In college, I learned about a literary concept called the Green World.  In this world, a story's principal characters converge in a loosely structured, natural environment where their issues become resolved (think a Midsummer Night's Dream).

How to Hire and Pay your Child's Caregiver

If you live in the Washington Metro area, I don't need to tell you how difficult it is to find child care for children under 3. I also don't need to tell you how expensive it is.

In our case, I called three different day care centers the morning I found out I was pregnant. The waitlist for each location would extend far beyond my maternity leave.  This mean that I knew that I would have to seek out alternatives to a group child care setting (nanny share, home day care, in-home nanny).  After taking into account our different needs, my husband and I decided to hire a nanny. 

We soon learned that finding and securing in-home childcare is a bit more difficult than going the day care route.  You are responsible for making sure your child is in the care of a trustworthy and dependable person.  You also have to take on the responsibilities that other employers have which means that you need to set up your own systems so that you can properly manage this employee. 

Here is a guide that I put together based on my experiences of hiring and employing our nanny.   

The Pumping Project (My Pumping Story)

Pumping in front of the Eiffel Tower with a hospital grade pump (NBD).  Photo via Rookie Moms

Rookie Mom's is trying to make pumping an accepted daily activity through its Mom's Pumping Project. They also want the world to see the craziness many Moms endure by encouraging us to upload our pumping photos with the hashtags #rookiemoms #pumpingproject.

The Pumping Project came about two months too late for me to post my own photos. And, I would've had some awesome photos to share with you all. 

Rachel Riley Clothing (The Prince's Choice)

Rachel Riley has been well known for her children's clothing for years.  But, Prince George has brought the designer to a whole knew level of name recognition.

Morning Entertainment (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Music Box Theater)

Photo via Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Saturday mornings post-baby sure are a lot different.  If you are lucky, the morning starts at about 6:30.  You could spend the morning in your home biding time until the nap, but let's face it, staying inside can be torture for everyone.  Life's a little trickier now, but that doesn't mean there aren't things for you to do with your little one before noon.    

This weekend baby girl and I had a morning date to see Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's (BMO) Moo Baa Neigh at the Strathmore. The performance was part of BMO's Music Box Series for children between 6 months and 3 years of age. It featured a clarinet quintet and story teller Maria Broom. 

You might remember Maria Broom as Marla from HBO's the Wire. But this Saturday she was Miss Maria, the expressive and sweet storyteller, who led kiddos through 30 minutes of dancing and singing to Mozart as well as some classic barnyard tunes like Old MacDonald.

Miss Maria gets the crowd going on Saturday.

I would recommend this event to other parents for a few key reasons.

Giraffe Gifts (Thinking Outside the Sophie)

1. Aiden and Anais Dream Blanket 2. Jonathan Adler Pillow 3. Foxy Vida Wet Bag 4. Jellycat Giraffe 
5. Honest Diapers 6.  Mud Pie Paci Clip 7. Giraffe Push Toy

I'm not sure what it is about giraffes that make them so lovable and therefore the perfect animal to go on just about any baby item. Perhaps it's the spots, or maybe it's the long neck. . . who knows. And while Sophie is a cute gift, there are so many other giraffe options out there. Just take a look.

Happy (belated) Earth Day (Renew and Reuse)

Happy (belated) Earth Day People! 

I planned on doing this post yesterday for Earth Day, but I've been tending to a sick child and husband. But, Earth Day is everyday.

One of the best ways to help the environment is by consuming less.  Children's stuff becomes obsolete to your little one in no time, so buying second-hand items for your kids is really a no-brainer. 

When I was preparing for the arrival of my little one I acquired a lot of her items second-hand.  For Earth Day I wanted to post a list of places where I had luck finding second hand baby items.

Where have you found second-hand items for your little one?  

Baby Girls Part II (Jessa and Shoshona)



I had this blog entry ready to go a few weeks ago before my Facebook account was abrubptly disabled. Since then, I had been focused on getting my account (and photos) back and then my regular life and work picked up. So let's return to part II of our Baby Girls series. I had so much fun putting Shoshanna and Jessa's baby outfits together.  Take a look  how how these stylish cousins dressed as babies after the jump.

Bunny Gifts (Variations on a Theme)

1. Tiffany Bunny Bank 2. Bunny Walker 3. Dwell Studio Pillow 4. CozyChic Blanket Buddy 5. Dwell Studio Cotton Cannister 6. That's not my Bunny Book 7. Bunny Baby Shoes 8. Gap Pajamas
 

Do you know of any Eastertime babies? Maybe you know some of parents or babies that are particularly into bunnies? Or perhaps you are visiting a young niece or nephew this weekend?  If so, we have some gift suggestions for you.

How to Organize an EASY Easter Egg Hunt

Ombre Eggs Photo from Country Living

This weekend the parents in my building got together to host an Easter egg hunt for our smaller residents. I had no idea how easy it is to put an Easter egg hunt together. Everything you need can be purchased at your local drug store, and if you are on the craftier side, you might have some things lying around your house.

 

You could spend all night looking at all the beautiful Easter egg hunts on Pinterests, but really, kids don't care about beautiful yard signs and dessert bars.  They just want to run around and search for treats.   

The Prince and His Shortalls

How adorable was Prince George at his first televised play date.  Stealing toys from babies, getting excited about receiving a huge teddy bear, snuggling with his Duchess mother, and those smocked shortalls. . .

The Prince's shortalls were designed by British designer Rachel Riley.  If you snag a pair, please do let me know, because I imagine they are beyond sold out by now. 

I scoured the internet for outfits similar to the Prince's.  It was pretty near impossible to find similar items in navy, but I did find some cute alternatives.

Baby Girls (Hanna and Marnie)

I've been suffering from a little bit of insomnia lately.  Sleepless nights for Karo typically involve binge-watching television; and so, last week I binge-watched most of season 3 of Girls. My late night escapades got me thinking about what our favorite self-centered Brooklyn ladies would have worn as babies. 

Tonight I will focus on Marnie and Hanna.

Oye Como Va (Spring Break Picks)

That wonderful warm weather lasted about a second.  Good thing you didn't cancel your spring break plans right?  Below are some vacation picks so your little one can join you for shopping or a cafe con leche in style.  Oh and, don't forget the driving cap and supergas.  Your little dude will need them so he can tag along with Abuelo for a game of dominos at the park.



Old Navy Roll-up Cargo Pants/ Old Baby White and Blue Guayabera Shirts/ Linen Pants/ Old Navy Panama Hat and Driving Cap/ Superga Sneakers



Hats by Gap and Old Navy/ Jacadi Blue Smocked Dress/ Gap Flutter Dress/ Gladiator Sandals available at Giggle/ Gap Espadrilles

Bold Baby Florals (The War Against Winter Continues)

Mabo Bloomers/ Gap floral jeans sold out but similar here/ Marimekko Raincoat and Bib/Mabo on Model/ Gap Flower Pring One-Piece/ Bobux Red Hibuscus Shoes

Over here at Handle with Karo we have declared War against Winter.  This means all our free time is devoted to dreaming about the spring and summer with the hope that warm thoughts will ward off the cold weather.  (If you build it they will come.)

So today we are dressing up our babies in floral.  After all, how could mean old winter compete with a sweet child dressed up in spring flowers?  Don't worry just because I say flower doesn't mean your baby girl has to dress up all fru fru in a tutu.  There are lots of hip floral patterned clothing for your baby out there.  Think bold prints like Marimekko. 

How are you getting through this winter? 

Bookends (Decor for the Generations)

 

The End Bookend CB2/ Whale Bookend Jonathan Adler/ James the Bookend available at the Moma Store/ Menagerie Bookends by Serena and Lily/ Imm Living's Bookend

Just because you have children doesn't mean everything you buy for your home has to be baby-fied.  There are so many playful objects d'art out there that are fun and appeal to the aesthetics of both grownups and little ones alike. Take these bookends.  Some of them are designed with children in mind and others are not, but they are all playful.  Did you incorporate decor in your home that both you and your kids could enjoy?

Diaper Beach Bags (Baby's on a Boat)

Baggu Canvas Backpack/Sea Bags for JCrew

Good weather is on the approach.  Where I come from this means one of two things: you are at the beach or you are on a boat.  I'm not a proponent of having too many diaper bags but isn't it a fun idea to have one specifically for aquatic activities?  And how cute are these two nautical bags? 

Nursery Gris (Pinning)



Hemnes Dresser by Ikea/ Elephant Lamp by Alex Marshall/ Ubbi Diaper Pail/ Origami Paper Pendants by Serena and Lili/Meadow linens by Dwell Studio/ Mason Crib by Franklin and Ben/  Serpent Painting by Happy Menocal/ Pink Bin by H&M/ Baskets from Target/ Nesting Tables by Serena and Lily/ Star Egg nightlight from Giggle/ Glider by Serena and Lily/Parsons Day Bed by West Elm/Ivy Letter Pillow by Serena and Lily/ Bunny Pillow by Dwell Studio/ Bunny Rabbit by Jellycat/

Hemnes Dresser by Ikea/ Elephant Lamp by Alex Marshall/ Ubbi Diaper Pail/ Origami Paper Pendants by Serena and Lili/Meadow linens by Dwell Studio/ Mason Crib by Franklin and Ben/  Serpent Painting by Happy Menocal/ Pink Bin by H&M/ Baskets from Target/ Nesting Tables by Serena and Lily/ Star Egg nightlight from Giggle/ Glider by Serena and Lily/Parsons Day Bed by West Elm/Ivy Letter Pillow by Serena and Lily/ Bunny Pillow by Dwell Studio/ Bunny Rabbit by Jellycat/

When I was expecting Baby Cricket someone asked me if I decided on the nursery's "theme." I demurred. At that point, I was focused on making room for my baby in a space that was a study/closet/storage room. And since the room would continue to be a multipurpose space, I didn't want the decor to be too babyish.

So I searched for a crib, because it seemed like the logical place to start even if she wasn't going to be sleeping in there for a while. After extensive pinning and researching, I found a safe, American-made, grey crib and cute sheets (see above). And voila, there was my theme: grey with pink and white. No animals or fairy tales just colors that looked nice together.

Grey is trendy especially for a nursery, and I can see why. It mixes well with almost any color so it can be girlish or boyish or androgynous. It's also very calming.

P.S. Don't you just love the snake picture? I love the idea of having skulls and snakes around so baby girl won't fear them as she gets older.  (Wishful thinking, I know.) 

P.P.S. I didn't purchase most of the things above. In fact, I outfitted most of our nursery from Craigslist and hand-me-downs. More on that later. But looking around sure is fun!