Welcoming our little man

A quick quick post as I know there are at least a handful of you still visiting this space and awaiting news!

I gave birth to our three-pound, one-ounce sweetheart between 11 and 12 weeks early, last Wednesday (Oct 21). He is currently doing very well in NICU, and will stay there for between 7-10 more weeks.

He is beautiful, he is a fighter (and he even looks like one!) - and we are more in love with him than we knew was possible.

I am so thankful, even though he's there and it tests my strength, intestinal fortitude, will, resolve and every molecule of my being to not bring him home with me! It's simply too soon. He's under the 24/7 watchful eye of an incredible complement of nurses, doctors and support staff, and he is coming along as they expect him to.

It's opened our eyes to a whole new world - yes, one with a baby but also one with terms like CPAP (the breathing assistance he is on, that is one people with apnea use) - he is not intubated, he is not on a ventilator so this is very good. And words like bilirubin, jaundice and gavage - things we are dealing with.

Justine, his nurse last night said he is an eater and a grower.

He's being tube fed but it's breast milk (yay me!) and it is regularly upped, so soon they will be able to remove the tube. He also had a little taste of breast milk last night when Justine put a few drops in his mouth to soothe him.

He lost some weight after birth (normal) and isn't up to his birth weight yet but we hope soon. I am pumping like a madwoman (quite a visual) so he's got a LOT of milk in the freezer when he needs it, with 16 or so small 2 oz. bottles added every day. I am one motivated mama!

So, I won't keep you waiting any longer -- I'd like to introduce you to our little man, Finn Jacob. We love him so much.


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ModernGear Gift Guide: Something for everyone!

Okay, so I'm cutting it a little close to be posting my Gift Guide this late in the season, but I have good reason! I'm nursing some injuries sustained in a spectacular wipe-out down wet stairs on the weekend (I'm fine!! Just on some muscle relaxants is all, until things heal up nicely)... zzzzzz...where was I?

Oh yeah! The Gift Guide. Well listen, many of these e-shops deliver up until the very last minute. And if your gifts get sent late just think- you're extending the fun of Christmas!!

CLICK ON ALL IMAGES TO MAKE LARGER!

FOR THE HOME
1. For the mod home with everything, and perfect to match to your Eames lounger, AM/FM Clock Radio & iPod Speaker - $199.50, Delight.com.
2. Since I am loving walnut and birds, Birds of a Feather Mobile - $65, Wishingfish.com
3. Because pottery is perfect, Pitcher in dark blue - $28, Ant's Pottery on Etsy.com.
4. Better than Grandma's silver that you have to polish, Wonky Handmade Ceramic Candlestick - $20, LucindaChips on Etsy.com.
5. For the person who'd like to wake up to a view of Paris, IZOLA Paris Photograph Shower Curtain- $25.99 at Amazon.
6. For the mid-century modern lover, a Lotus Table Lamp that will complement the Nelson Bubble series. $325 at Modernica.

FOR THE GUY
1. For the guy who has everything (on his shirt), Dress for Dinner napkins - $5.95 for 20, Wishingfish.com.
2. For the drinking biker, Bike Chain Bottle Opener - $13.95 at Ecoist.com.
3. For the guy who likes his fellas to hang out comfortably, Bamboo Boxer Briefs - $15 from egreent.com.
4. For the handyman without a tool belt, the Kelvin.23 - $24.95 at KelvinTools.com.
5. For the man who likes to know the time, NIXON Esquire Cs Watch - $220 from Beckersurf.com

6. For the techie with a space issue, The Sanctuary universal charger and hold-all - $129.50 at Delight.com.

FOR THE SMALL PEOPLE
1. For the kid who likes things a bit different, UglyDoll Bop N' Beep Blue/Green 12-Inch - $19.95, Amazon.com.
2. For the little guy who really loves that UglyDoll, Robeez Tredz Funky Monsters shoes - $42 from PinkyScout.com
3. For the outdoorsy baby, BLANKET 212 Evolution by 7 A.M. ENFANT - $179, at Babesta.com
4. Crouching Baby, Hidden Tiger, Tea Collection Dragon Pant - $27.50, at CuteLittleClothes.com
5. For the Tiny Dancer, Customizable Tutu Halter Dress - $52.99 at Mom4Life.com.
6. For the kid who won't eat all her veggies, the Silicone Monster Placemat (I seem to have a thing for monsters, don't I?! They're all the rage now, don't ya know?) - $17, at UncommonGoods.
7. For the kid who likes to splash around but never wash! Winter Wonderland Soapsicle $8 at Soapylove (and at some shops in the US and Canada too).

FOR THE LADY
1. For the woman who has everything (including cramps), Lambswool Hot Water Bottle - $19-48, GarnetHill.com.
2. For the environmentally-friendly fashionista, Recycled Candy Wrapper Handbag -$90 at Ecoist.com.
3. For the woman who would like to be comfy while she works out her lower half, Fitflops for Winter - $80 and good news - Fitflops: get a workout while you walk! Plus, get free shipping and a free tote when you spend $75.
4. For the adventurous beauty product lover, Seanik Solid Shampoo - $8.95 and
Shampoo Bar Tin -$5.25, from LUSH Cosmetics.
5. For the comfy chick, fleece done right!
JAMES PERSE WOMEN Heather Grey REVERSE TWISTED LONG SKIRT -$125 at
JamesPerse.com.
6. For a woman you love, to remind her, Forget Me Knot Ring - starting at $48.75, Delight.com.
7. The BEAUTIFUL Sedum necklace - $75, from Prismera.

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ModernGear Baby: Products for kids you'll either love...or not

Let's celebrate entrepreneurial spirit and the inventive mind. Hail to the people who look at life and see opportunities to help make it a little bit easier, more convenient, and even more fun, with ideas for products that are new.


The Snack Ball by Boon - Snack Ball (Orange) 3, available at The Land of Nod, is great for carrying a yummy snack for a little one. I love it because it serves two functions - one, it carries a snack and is re-usable but two, it's also a fun thing for a little guy or girl to play with. Throw one in your bag or purse and pull out in case of boredom or hunger.

A real boon, if you will, is that it's made of non-toxic, BPA-free plastic, its design is easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, and the lid snaps on tight so there's no leakage of precious cargo. It comes in orange and pink, and is an affordable $6.49. The Snack Ball is recommended for ages 9 months and up.

The Kids TykeLight Nightlight - Tyke Light, for $23.95 also from The Land of Nod, is designed for little hands to grab and is made of impact-resistant, durable plastic for when those little hands drop it. The batteries last for about ten hours when fully charged, and they look really cool illuminated.

Does your baby's baldness bother you, or are you looking to have a little fun? Baby Toupee wigs for babies would be perfect for Halloween, but also as a funny way to dress up your baby's head (and, I suppose, keep it warm?!) There's no doubt that they're hilarious, I'll give them that!

At $21.99, they're lined with soft fleece to be non-irritating to baby.

Choose from The Donald
The Bob
and two more styles, available at BabyToupee.com.

Baby Leg Warmers are a great tool to keep baby's legs nice and toasty. Can you imagine how nice those must feel nice on baby's cold legs? And, they're quite fashionable. It's not as Flashdance as it would be for Mom, say!
BabyLegs Anenome Leg Warmers, $11.19 on Amazon.

Who can resist polka dots?!
BabyLegs Dark Rye Leg Warmers, $10.39

And these little skull ones are just too wicked for words. BabyLegs Jolly Jill Leg Warmers, $11.76.

And then there is the new media darling, baby's first heels by Heelarious. Rest assured, these little slippers are not intended to be walked in, but they are definitely still being debated over at sites like Celebrity Babies.

Love 'em or hate 'em, you can get them the cheapest at Amazon, $34.99 each. They come in a few different finishes: patent, satin, pink, zebra.

She's a Little Lady
Sophie

Kayla
Sometimes new products absolutely hit the mark. Other times...well...the effectiveness of their efforts is perhaps questionable. The beauty of it is, you can decide for yourself which are useful and have purpose, or are so cute you just have to have them, and which ones...notsomuch.

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ModernGear Baby and Kids: Fancy Fall Footwear for the Fellas

The little dude. Tiny fella. Sweet boy. The wee guy in your life, whatever pet name he goes by, is just as fun to dress as girls these days, with more attention being given to clothing and footwear for boys.

I am so all over loafers right now for girls and boys of all ages, as well as shoes with a Euro influence.

Pediped
Andy in chocolate brown, $45











Tiny Andy for babies, $32
Charlie, $32

Ashton wingtips $32

Will in navy, $49 for boys










Will for babies, $32








And yet again, please...stop me! I could spend a whole post on shoes from Pediped!

Duck Duck Goose has some sweet Robeez for boys, like these Mini Shoez Classic Boot in Dark Brown, for $36:
and the Robeez Suede Penny Loafer in Sand, $28:
as well as the See Kai Run "Kian" Boot, $46.

Kitsel carries the awesome Sweet Shoes line - a very fitting name for these great slip-ons for boys and girls ($30):

www.endless.com, my new favourite shoe site has these for your little hipster:

Camper Little Kid/Big Kid Peu 80003 Sneaker, $84.95.

Hush Puppies Little Kid/Big Kid Bridgeport Chukka Boot, $49.95

And zappos.com has some really stylish shoes for boys, too (plus free shipping, hello!).

Richter - 81.0810 (Toddler) (Chocolate Brown) - Footwear, $108

Hush Puppies Kids - Urban Trail (Infant/Toddler) (Dark Taupe Suede) - Footwear, $50

Just remember, it's never too early to start him off being sauve and sophisticated!

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