Ball Pit at Well Baby Center in Mar Vista

Today Lexi and I spent the afternoon playing in a ball pit, climbing a jungle gym, sliding down slides, cruising on push cars, hanging with other kids and having some snacks.  Sounds like your typical dream if your almost 11 months old, doesn’t it?  Well it is and it is dream for Mama too.  Well Baby Center in Mar Vista offers Drop in Infant or Toddler Play Groups throughout the week.  On this somewhat void stretch of Venice Blvd – though there is a great coffee shop just a few doors down and a new Creperie Down the street, you will find a baby haven.  In their quiet (if you can believe it given the location), shaded and safe play area, you can sit and chat with other moms or spend your time chasing and playing with your own wee one.  I did a bit of both.  One of the many great things about it is that they open their play area for moms over the course of 4 hours – so you can drop in when it suits you and your babies schedule.  Which for me and Lexi works out great.  She’s not an ‘nap exactly at’ kinda gal, so the swing for naptime can vary greatly for us.  But this way, we don’t have to miss out on the fun. read more »

TSNY Los Angeles

In the spirit of continuing with our special gifts for YOU week.  How about a TRAPEZE CLASS?  Yes, you read that right – imagine flying through the air with the greatest of ease (and a safety net underneath you of course).  TSNY Los Angeles can provide you with just the inspiration, challenge and unusual break you were hoping for. read more »

I’m passing this on to all you LA Mamas.  Hala Khouri, who is hands down my favorite yoga teacher, along with Jessica Wiliams is holding a workshop on December 11th at Exhale in Venice on The Yoga of Parenting.  I don’t know about you, but some days, I find it hard to get my yoga going.  I think this sounds like a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  I get some ‘me’ time focusing on something important to me and the wee one gets some one on one time with her Dada.  Good stuff!  I hope to see you there!

This Sunday, my husband and I, ventured out with the babe to UCLA’s Botanical Gardens.  We had visions of introducing Lexi to a wide variety of floral and possibly some fauna along the way.  Much to our dismay, the gardens are closed on Sunday.  (If we’d just checked the website, we would have known this beforehand – but who’d think they’d be closed on a Sunday of all days – isn’t that one of the more popular days for visitors?) Needless to say, yet another Rakowsky Boondoggle.  read more »

'Peace, Love. Lollipops' - Chicklet by 2 Chix

I had a few minutes before my hair appointment (suddenly, my gray hair seems to make an appearance a lot quicker) so I stopped by one of my favorite Maternity/Baby stores – 2 Chix in Santa Monica.  This was one of my fav spots for jeans when I was pregnant, but you are also sure to find something cute for your babe.  I spied such a fabulous onesie that I am contemplating buying one for every baby I know.  I love their private label baby onesie ‘PEACE, LOVE AND LOLLIPOPS’ – honestly, what more do you need? I just wish they had it in mama size!

Walking with Sweet Lexi

Lexi and I have a groove when we walk.  We fall into a nice rhythm.  It calms us both, we breathe in fresh air, we feel the warmth of the sun on our bodies and the cool breeze on our skin.  Since I carry her in either our Ergo Carrier or Bjorn, we are quite literally walking heart to heart. I’m convinced that the beating of our hearts gets in sync as we stroll.  Sometimes Lexi is looking from side to side, checking everything out, completely enthused by what she is discovering. Other times, she rests her head on my chest and closes her eyes, falling asleep with each passing step. Either way, we are together and in sync. read more »

Enjoying a little Bossa Nova in the MoMA Sculpture Garden

We were recently in New York as part of our family tour.  As many of you know, New York is my favorite US city – to me it invigorates, energizes and challenges the senses in the most wonderful way.  I was excited to have a day and a half (albeit too short) in the city with just me and the babe.  But as we neared, I realized that many of the things I used to do while living there or visiting just weren’t as appealing with a 4 month old.  Let’s face it, Tom and Jerry’s Bar was suddenly unlikely to welcome me with a sweet baby strapped to my chest. And yet, read more »

Arshile Gorky, 'Organization' 1933-1936

As you likely know, a child’s vision develops over the first 6-8 months of their lives.  At that point, it is almost as sophisticated as an adults, able to see colors, tones and depth.  But until then it is much simpler.  We are told to expose our newborns to black and white images with high contrast and to start introducing bold colors by 2-3 months.  I have the Stim-Mobile to stimulate my 3 1/2 month old baby’s early visual activity and pre-reaching movement. I’ve been rigorous in changing the ‘cards’ on it to maximize her developing sight.  I have all kinds of baby Art Cards to focus her developing sense of shape and color.  As far as I am concerned, I am on it!  But how would she react to real art? Would she even see it and if so, how might she react? read more »

Be honest. Have you been dying to see the new Sex & the City movie, but – as a new mom – haven’t been able to make it work?

I feel your pain. Or, I should say, I felt your pain – until I discovered that there are a number of theaters that sponsor showings where you can bring your little one in tow. That’s right! You can cruise in with the stroller and sit with other mom’s and babies in a theater where the lights are up a bit,  crying is permitted (dare I say encouraged!) and watch a new release.

So, earlier this week, my little girl met Carrie Bradshaw for the first time and – even though she is only 11 weeks old – began her journey towards understanding the importance of a good pair of Manolos. read more »