coochicoos: For Parents

For Parents

Inspirations: A Parenting Essential

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.

August 19, 2008 in For Parents | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: quotes

Ali's Picks: Flip Mino Camcorder

Flip Mino Camcorder

You never know when your baby's going to start doing something adorable. During those first few of years, it could happen anytime, anywhere. Be prepared for the spontaneous documentation of cuteness with the Flip Mino Digital Video Camera. It's small enough to fit in your purse or even a shirt pocket, so you can take it with you wherever you go, and there's nothing to set up—not even a lens cap to remove!

It's also really easy to use and extremely well designed, with high-quality digital technology that doesn't take a college course to figure out. The simple record button and bright screen make it easy to record all your baby's precious moments that you want to preserve. And when you're done recording, the camera connects to any computer with a user-friendly interface that makes it simple to share or even edit your videos. (Hint: upload them to YouTube and everyone can see!)

We just love this ultra-compact camcorder that's as easy to use as your everyday camera! And just think: you'll never again have to say, "If only I had a camera with me…"

-by Ali Wing, CEO of giggle

August 19, 2008 in For Parents | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: aliwing, giggle, photos

Remember Your Baby's First Kiss?

At the Getty Malibu

Our daughter just turned one, and both my wife and I are still waiting for her first kiss. I'm not sure why it's a big deal since we both enjoy each day unfolding new discoveries for her, and we know that when she's ready, she'll plant her first kiss on us. Two things, however, recently have heightened the anticipation - first I came across "A First Kiss for Mom" about one mother's touching account of her daughter's first kiss, and second, that our daughter has freely kissed her stuffed animals but not mom or dad yet. What's going on here?

In any case, the waiting will just make that first kiss more memorable. Do you remember your baby's first kiss?

Thanks to our sponsor - Zutano for keeping our daughter well dressed!

August 18, 2008 in For Parents | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Inspirations: The Child in Picasso

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

August 11, 2008 in For Parents | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: picasso, quotes

Inspirations: The Importance of Design and Art

Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one.

July 29, 2008 in For Parents | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: quotes

All-in-One Beaba Babycook Here, But Not BPA-Safe?

Beaba Babycook

Over the weekend, friends of ours with a six-month old daughter excitedly told us that the Beaba Babycook was now available from France at Williams Sonoma. We've known about Beaba since last year, but haven't written about it because you couldn't buy it yet in the US, so we were glad to hear that it was now available.

At first glance. Babycook is pretty cool - it steams, blends, warms, and defrosts homemade baby food all in one unit. Then, I found Wholesome Baby Food is reporting that the Babycook container and interior cooking bowl is made of polycarbonate, which means it is not BPA-safe. One reader goes on to call Beaba and reports that Beaba is aware of this and has no plans to change to a BPA-free plastic. Wow, that doesn't seem like the way to capture US family households wanting to be BPA-free - especially when it comes to our babies.

So, now our anticipation of reporting about Beaba Babycook finally arriving in the US is not so exciting. As for our household and 10-month baby, we're just happy steaming food on our stovetop and using our Braun Handblender.

June 9, 2008 in Baby Gear, For Parents | Permalink | Comments (6)
Tags: babyfood, BPA, cooking

Is Your House Messy in the Dark?

I came across this blog post - Clutter War: Attack of the Giant Baby - and it brings to mind a lot of our own household struggles to fight the battle of clutter. Before our baby, my wife and I had our own clutter, now we have baby clutter. Look around your house and assess your own situation.

Sometimes to really get a sense of the landscape, change your perspective and stand up on a chair and look around the room (like Robin Williams did in Seize the Day). Better yet, walk around the house at night in the dark - I recently discovered if you can tell your house is a mess in the dark, then you really have issues with clutter and too much stuff.

Face it - is this familiar in your household?

Oh my, the stuff. The baby stuff. Everywhere. Means of conveyance, swingy seat, Bumbo, squeaky toys, fuzzy toys, toys for biting and bending, jammies, jackets, socks that do and don’t look like shoes, amusing hats, blankets, books, rattles, pacifiers, cleaning supplies, extra diapers — plus of course, there’s the raw tonnage of stuff belonging to the caretaking adults that has been displaced or disused as a result of the occupying baby’s needs. It is a scene, man, I can assure you.

For me, I'm inspired to purge a lot of our stuff, and begin really asking "do we need that" before actually buying it. That's why I avoid going to BabiesRUs because I'm convinced that I don't need half the stuff in that place. But that's a whole other story.

Start your own clutter war today with Attack of the Giant Baby and It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff. It's good to know that I'm not alone in this battle.

May 2, 2008 in For Parents | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: clutter

Custom Laser Engraved Moleskins

Custom Laser Engraved Moleskin

Who else thinks this is the coolest? Send any artwork or photo to Engrave Your Book, pick a Moleskin notebook, and you'll get back a custom laser-engraved Moleskin journal. Pre-designed Artist Series journals (selection shown below) are also available, along with volume discounts for five or more Moleskins.

Laser Engraved Moleskins - Artist Series

My Moleskin is filled with those easily forgotten baby milestones like my daughter's first time feeding herself a Cheerio, or learning to click her tongue, or her first time sitting up.

link: Engrave Your Book

April 23, 2008 in Baby Shower Gifts, For Parents | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: custom, moleskin

A T-shirt for Nerds or Parents?

Control vs Escape T-shirt

If you're a computer nerd, this t-shirt design called Fugitive makes perfect sense, however, for a parent, this might have a deeper philosophical meaning.

Fugitive T-shirt | $18 at Unatee

March 28, 2008 in For Parents | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: parenting, tshirts

Y Water - Drink, Design & Toy

Y Water is a new vitamin-infused organic drink targeted at kids with a unique bottle designed by designer Yves Behar. The bottle also has a second life as a toy using connectors that come with each bottle to join with other bottles. Y Water comes in four flavors with unique blends called Brain, Immune, Muscle, and Bone. Available in mid-March at Whole Foods Markets and other outlets. {via LA Times]