We are Family

Every summer beckons a family beach vacation...and a time to unplug! This week we went to The Bungalow Hotel in Long Branch, NJ (as seen on "9 By Design for all your Bravo addicts).


The weather was hot and it was perfect week for beach and pool time. And our rule for the week -- no blackberries or cell phones during the day! How liberating. It was nice to be playing with Olivia and not have my mind elsewhere, or have one hand reading emails while pretending to be playing with her. It was 100 percent family time, guilt free and FUN. It made me realize now important it is to unplug and focus on our family. You never get those moments back, so when you can, unplug and enjoy them.

The New Ice Breaker...KIDS!

We drove down to Haddonfield, New Jersey yesterday for my friend Melanie's engagement party. Congrats to Mel and Chris! Of course we didn't know anyone there except for the couple and Melanie's parents. But one thing I have learned about being a mom, is kids are the best ice breakers at a party! Let's be honest, without kids, you show up at the party and you don't know a soul and it is always a little awkward to start conversations. It would usually sound something like, "so how do you know Melanie and Chris?" and you get the facts out of the way and decide if this person is worth talking to or not. I feel awkward and dorky just writing it!

But I highly recommend bringing a child with you to your next shindig. I promise they are the best ice-breakers. Even when people don't have kids, they want to come and talk to the child, play with the child and naturally you end up engaging with them in conversation. It is just so more natural and less forced! Then there are other moms with kids at parties. A magnet for conversation. Usually the kids find one another and then the parents connect. Yesterday there happened to be a few kids there, so us moms hit it off and before we knew it, we were sharing pregnancy stories (because everyone has one), discussing kid allergies and work/life balance. It turned out to be a fun party. Olivia had fun playing with the kids, eating guacamole and pasta, and I enjoyed talking to other moms and learning from them. As we all know, every mom has good tips to share!

So the moral of the blog is, when in doubt bring your child or someone else's child to the next party. I promise they wont disappoint.

To Cling, or Not to Cling?

Who stole my child and turned her into a monkey? The day Olivia turned one (literally) she went from being the easiest, go-to-anyone child, to a fussy little monkey who ONLY wants to cling onto mom, as if she is hanging on for dear life. Don't get me wrong, there is part of me that loves feeling so needed, but on the flip-side it would also be nice to go to the bathroom without having to stick my head out the door to reassure her that I am coming right back, as she screams hysterically while crawling over to me. As working moms don't we put enough guilt on ourselves? Extra guilt, bring it on!

But things got progressively worse. I started noticing that my left arm was getting more defined than my right, and I was standing with a slight tilt to the right at all times. I realized it was time to reach out for some help! I needed to get my little monkey out of my arms, but how? and who do you call? Well, who other than the Super Nanny. Luckily for me, my brother is friendly with Jo Frost so she was more than obliging to talk to me and share some of her expert advice, of which I was SO appreciative.

- First of all she reassured me that this is normal for this age. Probably the biggest and most important tip for any mom!
- Second she said it is a phase and it won't last forever. Yes the second most important tip, or maybe even the first!
- Third, she explained that this phase is a big achievement for infants as they are learning "Object Permanence," the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.

So how to overcome this phase:

- Be a confident parent and speak in a firm confident tone and reassure your child that it is fine for them to be with dad (or whomever).
- Talk to your child, explain what you are doing and reassure them it is fine and you will be right back (ex. Olivia I am going to the kitchen to get a glass of water and I will be right back)
- Play peek-a-boo games that will make her laugh while learning object permanence
- Don't give in. Our instinct as a parent is to pick them up when they cry, but this is counter-productive. Let others hold her and reassure them that they are fine and let them know you are near by, or coming back soon.

My brother was over yesterday and we put it to the test. Simon picked up Olivia and of course she cried for me to take her. I resisted and spoke with confidence and reassured Olivia that she was fine with Simon uncle (his nickname) and after a few minutes she calmed down in his arms.

Thanks Super Nanny!

Our Wednesday Ritual

One of the biggest regrets I had as a full time working mom was not experiencing a music class with Olivia. I know it sounds silly, but as a New York City mom, it is all about the classes, and boy are there classes! From Music Together, Songs for Seeds, Music for Aardvarks, Baby Yoga, Mommy & Me, and MANY, MANY more. Honestly, I was jealous when my nanny would tell me how much Olivia loves her classes. I was missing out. Once I decided to take off Wednesdays as my "mom day," I looked into classes in the Chelsea area that were held on Wednesdays and found Songs for Seeds at Appleseeds. It was named "Best Music Class for Kids 2010" by New York Magazine, so I figured it had to be good!

And as we all know "good" doesn't come cheap in New York. For a whopping $660, you too can go to Song for Seeds. It is crazy, but I have to say, totally worth it! (plus if you sign up early you can get $50 off, which I did) Go Me!

I love Songs for Seeds. It is our Wednesday ritual. The class is upbeat with a live 3-piece band, and fun, interactive activities which make the 45 min class fly by. It is like being in a live television program. Dan runs the class, and he sings and plays the guitar, makes magnet pictures on the wall, spins the animal wheel and hosts magic show. The class moves around the room, the kids get to enjoy instruments, scarves, bubbles, songs, clapping, while moms and nannies sing along to the Songs for Seeds songs as well as modern music that they play each week. Today they played a little Greatful Dead, Oasis and Men at Work (it was Australia Day)!

I just signed up for the fall session (got my $50 off) for another Wednesday class with Livie. I can't wait.

Those Shoes Were Made For Walking...

Olivia is standing really well, which means only one thing is going to happen soon -- walking. Which also means good-bye to couch time for mom and dad, and more importantly time to buy new shoes! As a shoe lover myself, it is only fair that I get my daughter started young. So I went on an online hunt for some great first walking shoes.

My first (and last) stop Zappos. I figured they would have a wide selection, and I was right. I first wanted a good solid shoe and liked a pair from Pediped that are cork design -- oh so fashionable and adorable. I also choose these adorable sandals from Primigi which are silver, need a say more! Then lastly I decided Olivia needed a pair of water shoes to wear to the beach, when we go on our week vacation to the Jersey Shore later this summer. So I bought these fun shoes from Nike that will be perfect to protect her feet from the hot sand.