I Can't Stand the Rain...

Dear Junebug,

You make rainy days look so darned cute it causes me to forget how much I hate it when it rains...

XO

Mommy

First trip to the ZOO!

Dear Junebug,

There were tigers, elephants, giraffes, monkeys and more but I can't say that any of those animals impressed you more than the water features at the LA Zoo. You were screaming "Agua!" non-stop. Any pool of water, fountain or waterfall drove you into a screaming fit of excitement. You've since learned a lot more about animals so maybe next time you'll actually notice we're at the ZOO!

XO

Mommy

P.S. you did look ridiculously cute in your little giraffe dress and bejeweled Circo sandals.

I love you Gaga!

Dear Junebug,

You might have a lot of toys, tons of clothes and a lot of everything. But there's one thing you have that I hope someday you will understand is more valuable than anything Mommy and Daddy could every buy. You have SIX great-grandparents who were still alive to see you born. Both your Great Grandma Ricci (Gaga Gigi) and Great Abuelita Alba (Gaga Aba) have come to see you this year and are completely obsessed with you.

We love our Gagas!

XO

Mommy

Mommy Tips: Operation Organization!

My husband calls it insanity. I call it essential. When we moved into the new house, getting these closets organized was my first order of business. Having a baby can send your brain in a million directions and if your environment is chaotic, there's just no space for peace. So... I let my neurotic need for organization take over the nursery AND the playroom! Best resources? The Container Store of course! and Target...

Mommy Tips: Best Baby Shoes

There's nothing more fun than baby shoes. BUT you must be careful because it's easy to get sucked in and waste a lot of money on shoes the baby will never really wear. After June passed her 1st birthday and was walking full time it was much easier to identify which shoes have been the most beneficial and have gotten the most use. Sure, you can drop a few bills on Gucci or Prada shoes for your baby BUT the picks below might be a better bet!

1. Always look for Circo baby shoes at Target. Good prices and good quality.

2. Me in Mind shoes are great especially if you like vegan choices; no leather here.

3. Baby Converse. A good pair of chucks or one stars. You will use them daily.

4. Trumpette car shoes. Junebug is obsessed with her pattened leather pairs.

5. Robeez. Another solid choice.

Inspiration!

Dear Junebug,

Today's inspiration comes by way of incredible interior designer, Kelly Wearstler. I just think her taste is flawless! Do you think you may be able to draw on our walls like this? It kinda looks like you could pull it off. How cool are these walls?! Seriously!

XO

Mommy

Car-Toons!

Dear Junebug,

You've become quite the pop music fan. Your ipod is loaded with a lot of fun stuff but when you're in the car there are only two records you want to hear... Katy Perry's Teenage Dream and Gorillaz' Plastic Beach. You especially go crazy for "Superfast Jellyfish". Good choice! It certainly beats The Wiggles or Barney! Thanks for keeping Mommy and Daddy sane.

XO

Mommy

Mommy Tips: Washable Crayons!

Junebug is starting to draw on EVERYTHING with crayons! I'd like to scream at the top of my lungs everytime it happens but I realize she's just a baby and I don't want to stifle her inner Picasso if there is one... ya never know. Thank God my friend Myla clued me into the fact that Crayola manufactures washable crayons. Who knew?! I'm still going to try and get Junebug to stay on the paper BUT if she messes up atleast I don't have to suffer.

Mommy Tips: FIRST YEAR MUST-HAVES!

When Junebug turned a year old I started taking stock of all the "things" she had and realized that there were a handful of items that she has used EVERY SINGLE DAY since she left the hospital. I thought I'd share this list in case new Mommies are wondering what are the "must-haves". There are many more things that are needed to get a baby from birth to one BUT i couldn't have lived a single day without the following:

1. Dresser

Invest in a great dresser that serves as a changing table so that when the baby is out of diapers it's still a great piece of furniture. I also prefer this to the rinky, shaky changing tables that are out there.

2. Luna Lullaby breast feeding pillow

Even after I was done nursing, this pillow has been so handy. We now use it every night when Junebug drinks her nighttime bottle and when I was nursing it was invaluable. It's so soft and so comfy.

3. Prince Lionheart wipes warmer

Don't let anyone tell you that a wipes warmer is unnecessary. It's the best! Fill it up with little cotton pads and water and it's a great chemical free way to clean your baby's bottom. Junebug has never suffered from diaper rash and I think this is why. You can also fill it with regular baby wipes from the store or be eco-friendly and use small pieces of cloth.

4. Glider

I love the glider from Serena and Lily but I've also tried the one from Crate & Barrel which is great.

5. Aden and Anais muslin blankets

These are the best swaddle blankets on the market and they are very useful even after swaddling doesn't apply. I don't go anywhere without grabbing one of these blankets. I've used them as a picnic blanket, to shelter from sun, etc.

6. CD player

Music is so important for a baby's brain development. Invest in a nice little CD player and share the joy of music with your baby from the day they are born. Make sure the one you buy has a repeat function. In Junebug's case she sleeps with music on all night which she loves.

7. Orbit Stroller

With so many strollers on the market, I can vouch for the orbit, hands down. We LOVE it.

8. Classical Music

Junebug has not gone one day without listening to classical music. Classical Lullabies is a great disc. She sleeps to it and naps to it.

9. Baby sheep pillow

Junebug has a little pillow shaped like a sheep that sits on her changing pad. I think she has grown very fond of him as she's felt his soft little body under her head everytime we change her diaper.

10. Burp cloths from the Pump Station

I LOVE these burp cloths from the Pump Station. They remind me of the diapers I remember from when I was a kid. These cloths are all purpose and are so yummy.

Mommy's Crazy!

Dear Junebug,

After hosting over 100 people at the house for your first birthday I vowed that next year we're either going to order some Domino's and invite people to the park at the end of the block or invite the Grandparents over for some cake I picked up at Ralphs. But this painting by Will Cotton has me totally having second thoughts. Upscale Candy world... ahhh, yes. I can see it now.

What is wrong with me????

XO

Mommy

P.S. you can blame Uncle Bob for everyone's current obsession with Will Cotton.