I consider myself a total eco-geek, but clearly you can never stop learning. I picked up tons of great green cleaning solutions chatting with homekeeping expert Leslie Reichert (aka The Cleaning Coach) this week on Life.Style. Leslie and I covered everything from the evolution of the green cleaning movement to the most effective natural grocery store and specialty cleaning products for home, gadgets, and pets. I also attempted (and failed!) to stump Leslie with green cleaning queries from Twitter and Facebook. Check out the episode for full commentary, recipes, and inspiration. And for easy reference, below are links that were shared during the interview. Enjoy!

Links shared during the Leslie Reichert interview:

Leslie's green cleaning blog
The Joy of Green Cleaning recipe book
Soap flakes (for making your own laundry detergent)
Charlie's laundry soap
Better Life products
Modern Mermaid products
Super blue cloth
Eco sponge
Skoy cloths
Miele vacuums
Flea/tick repellent
Green clean your iPad

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Eco Living; Home; Life.Style with Christine Koh; Solutions; Web (Admin)

Hooray for a gorgeous weekend on the forecast! There's no shortage of fun on tap in Boston and the surrounding communities; here are some events that caught my eye, via my lovely site partner Boston Central:

Get cultured at the Boston College Arts Festival, Harvard Arts First Festival, Brandeis Performing Arts Festival, International Children's Cultural Fair, or Harvard Square Mayfair.

Stimulate those neurons at the Spring Chess Festival, Cambridge Science Festival, or Newburyport Literary Festival.

Convene with critters at the Birds and Bards Festival or the sheep shearing festivals at Gore Place and Codman Farm.

Rejoice in spring's bounty at the Nantucket Annual Daffodil Festival or Beverly Pear Blossom Festival.

Enjoy a ride with the kiddies at the Newton Kids Fun Fest or North Andover Carnival.

Image credit: Boston College Arts Festival

Posted by Christine Koh on 29 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local

In the weeks following Violet's birth, I have been utterly touched by the kindness and generosity of many people, and Jon has encouraged me time and again to not be too proud -- to take people up on their offers to help. Even so, shortly before the April break, I was hesitant to accept a dinner drop off offer from my friends Eli and Sheri of Magic Beans, given that they have three kids, four stores, and -- judging from the time stamps on e-mails I have exchanged with Sheri in the past -- apparently never sleep. But, well, I'm really glad I did.

Sheri brought over a fantastic dinner that she and Eli assembled, the centerpiece of which was this wonderfully comforting, aromatic, and flavorful chicken with saffron, green olives, and mint. Accompanying the chicken was couscous (with sliced almonds and dried cranberries...yum!), which proved excellent for soaking up the sauce of the chicken dish, as well as asparagus, salad greens, and some locally made cookies that each were practically the size of Violet's head. Everything was spectacular on first taste and as leftovers in the days following (the chicken recipe says it serves 6 but I swear Sheri and Eli prepared about 10 servings). Even Laurel -- who in the past has been suspicious of recipes with sauces -- loved it. (Sheri and Eli's kids love the recipe too!)

I'm pretty sure this is my new comfort chicken recipe; I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we did!

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Home; Recipes

Natalie Zee Drieu and I are virtual kindred spirits around all things stylish and crafty. In addition to sharing fabulous finds at her blogs Coquette and Coquette Maman, Natalie is the editor-in-chief at the fantastic website Craft, where I have had the honor of sharing some of my crafty tutorials. Natalie and I both have crafty daughters, and since I've been thinking of ways to keep Laurel happy while I'm busy tending to her new sister, for today's four favorites guest post, I asked Natalie to share four favorite crafts to entertain older siblings.

From Natalie:

My 2-year-old daughter Chloe and I enjoy crafting together, whether it's painting or making paper bag animals. Just as crafts are a great way to bond with your kids, it's also a great way to keep them busy when you need them to be -- especially when you're sleep-deprived and tending to a newborn baby. Soon you'll find them asking for crafts to do rather than the typical "I'm bored" complaint.

Here are four of my favorite kids crafts that are perfect for an older sibling (or two) to make:

Gluten-Free Play Clay Beads

One of the best remedies for boredom is whipping up a batch of homemade play dough. This one is gluten-free and easy to make. The best part is its capacity to be shaped into an awesome assortment of beads and baubles that can be painted and decorated.

Finger Knitting

Finger knitting is a great way to keep little hands busy, while creating long cords in a flash! Kids dig it because it's faster and less cumbersome than traditional knitting. Once knitted, the cords can be made into things like googly-eyed snakes, purse handles, and gift ribbons. Instructions on how to make a Twisty Scarf are also included.

Zine-Making for Kids

Zines (short for "fanzines" or "magazines") are self-published booklets about any subject that grabs you. Zine-making is also a fantastic activity for kids. Not only are zines a fun means of creative expression, making them gives kids a little insight into how published books and magazines are made, and may help them think more critically about what goes into those mainstream publications.

Cereal Box Pencil Case (first image)

This is a great project that can teach kids the art of recycling by turning their favorite old cereal box into a handy pencil case. Get creative here and have kids reuse granola boxes or cookie boxes to make purses, containers, and more!

I'm so excited to hook Laurel up with these crafts! And for additional inspiration, check out Craftzine.com's kids crafts archives for more great projects. And if you're not yet reading Natalie, head on over and check her out at Coquette, Coquette Maman, and Craft. You can also follow Natalie and Craft Magazine on Twitter at @coquette and @craft.

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Arts & Crafts; Home

Whether it's craft projects or food, I have always loved making things from scratch. And one thing I suspect the voracious Violet will appreciate in the coming year is homemade baby food. I was a pureeing fiend when Laurel was a baby, but this go around I'm even more excited about experimenting with baby food because I'll be able to draw inspiration from both the locally grown bounty of our CSA, and the remarkably good looking recipes in The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet.

When I pureed for Laurel, my tendency was to present her with single flavors, probably because I simply followed the order of presentation charts from one of my baby books (and maybe also because I was too tired to think creatively). Best Homemade Baby Food provides such a chart, but then proceeds to dish up over 200 easy recipes (for babies and toddlers 6-24 months) spanning simple introductory purees to a variety of fruit/veggie combos and big kid recipes that I'm actually interested in tasting myself and might try to entice Laurel to try (I'm always on the lookout for interesting ways to present veggies).

Recipes include cheerful titles (e.g., "Nummy Nut Butter Kisses"), simple to follow instructions, serving size recommendations, and nutritional information, and annotations about produce (e.g., which apples make for a particularly awesome apple puree) are helpful throughout. Recipes that freeze well are marked with a snowflake, and I especially like that recipes cross reference one another. For example, if you puree and freeze (using ice cube trays to create one tablespoon servings) a batch of Wee-licious Potato, it will serve well on its own, and also later when you're ready to try presenting the Green Pea and Potato Garden Puree, among other recipes.

Best Homemade Baby Food also includes helpful tips (e.g., how to introduce purees), nutritional reference information (e.g., what protein does for the body, which foods provide it, and how much kids need). And as a data collector by nature and training, I especially like the book's concluding feedback chart, which orders all the recipes in the book so you can keep track of recipes tried, any edits to presentation, and whether your baby/toddler did or did not like it (yay for rating scales!).

I know that making baby food can seem intimidating, but with a few key tools (e.g., a steamer and food processor), it's actually super easy and saves on cost and packaging waste. And if you gradually load up your freezer with ice cube sized serving nuggets, you'll have a wealth of options to encourage your little one on to having a happy relationship with both fruits and vegetables. The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet is a great guide for inspiration from the puree stage and beyond.

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Feeding & Nursing; For Grownups

I met Joslyn Taylor of Simple Lovely last year in New York City at an event to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and was thrilled to reconnect with her awesomeness at Altitude Design Summit this year. Joslyn is so elegant and has wonderful (seemingly effortless!) style, so for today's four favorites guest post, I asked Joslyn to share four pretty and lovely things to help moms forget the giant mess that home has turned into (when I asked Joslyn to guest post I envisioned being surrounded by soiled burp cloths, breast pump supplies, and take out containers...).

From Joslyn:

When I brought our second daughter, Millie, home from the hospital a little over four years ago, the scene was decidedly different than what had played out a few years earlier when we toted home her older sister Audrey. Let's just say the second time around was far more, well...mellow. There was no abject fear; we pretty much knew the ropes, making it easier to succumb to the inevitable chaos and mess and sleeplessness and just go with the moment.

However, there were a few things that made that time feel a bit more "refined" (and this despite the fact that "new baby" and "refined" are two words diametrically opposed in almost every possible way). It was all about honing in on the little things that made me feel like more than just a round-the-clock milk machine.

First and foremost I loaded up the iPod with good tunes, as rocking your new babe to the stylings of Phoenix is far more uplifting that the chatter of the television, but beyond that, I relied heavily on the following four little luxuries to keep me feeling somewhat sane during those early first weeks:

1. Some lovely art. Michelle Armas' paintings (shown above) are pretty much instant shots of happy, as she has an amazing way with color. One of her small paintings perched on the wall could inject some fabulousness into even the most neglected room.

2. Something to read (sort of). The massive case of "baby brain" I experienced after both of my girlies had me setting aside the heavy reading in favor of flipping through magazines, but why, I reasoned, can't the magazine you're flipping through be a beautiful little work of art? I love the entire Lines & Shapes collection...pure visual perfection.

3. An at-home spa (sort of). When you have a newborn, a long shower can feel as luxurious as a day at a swanky spa. That uninterrupted ten minutes under a stream of hot water is pure bliss. Throw in some good face wash and a mask and you could throw in a full facial too.

4. A little bauble. To pretty up the third consecutive day of yoga pants/wrap top, I had a stash of fun necklaces on hand (at least until the baby was old enough to start pulling them off my neck). I'm awfully partial to these colorful French enameled lockets.

How lovely is Joslyn? If you're not yet reading Simple Lovely, you'll find a lot of happiness and beauty in her writing and photography. You can also follow Joslyn on Twitter at @joslyntaylor.

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Gifts & Paper; Home

Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you know I'm going to be a bit quiet this week. It's my first school vacation with Laurel and Violet and I'm excited to spend some time relaxing with the girls. We're planning on seeing friends, climbing trees (I'm actually thinking about trying it), finding crazy ways to wrap presents, making the best lemon cake ever for my mother-in-law's birthday, and probably snuggling a lot while reading piles of books (Violet's proven an impressively captive audience so far). And if there's any time leftover, I hope to get a handle on some client work and do a little household decluttering. Meanwhile, I thought I'd share 10 bits of web awesomeness to enjoy this week in my absence.

1. Why yes, I do want to bake these strawberry cupcakes right this minute.

2. Whether you're starting a blog or sprucing up an existing one, here are some tips for airbrushing your blog.

3. This roundup of homemade garden plant markers makes me want to get my hands dirty.

4. I love this natural, food-based egg dye tutorial.

5. This plantable flower paper project looks messy but awesome.

6. Marie is a craft master and I love that she also shares 9 awesome kids craft websites to check out.

7. Check out these quick and easy ways to volunteer with your kids.

8. I'm going to try these 10 quick tips for a better photo this week.

9. In case it rains during April vacation week, here are 10 ideas for indoor activities for kids.

10. I adore this inspiration for repurposing grownup clothing into baby pants, blankets, and caps.

Image credit: Phenomenal looking strawberry cupcakes via A Southern Fairytale

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Home; Recipes; Solutions

I had a fantastic time chatting with Paige Lewin of Mudroom Boston this week on Life.Style about decluttering strategies and solutions. Paige shared fantastic ideas for conquering clutter in the kitchen, playroom, mudroom (or entryway), and on bookshelves. I finished the interview inspired to -- at the very least -- attack our two kitchen drawers full of random odds and ends this weekend. Check out the episode for full commentary, inspiration, and photos. And for easy reference, below are links that were shared during the interview. Enjoy!

Links shared during Paige Lewin interview

Kitchen
sistema KLIP IT storage

Playroom
Toy taming strategy
Vertical open shelves
Low closed cabinets
Storage ottoman
Collapsible cubes

Bookshelves
Bookshelf strategy

Mudroom/Entryway
Landing strip #1
Landing strip #2
Shaker pegboard
Decorative baskets
Storage bench
Paper storage - standing
Paper storage - hanging
Pretty bowl for keys
Skirted table

Image credit: Pottery Barn beachcomber baskets

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Home; Life.Style with Christine Koh; Solutions; Web (Admin)

I met Gretchen Rubin last year at Mom 2.0; I loved hearing her speak, reading The Happiness Project (which I highly recommend everyone read), and becoming friends with Gretchen over the course of the year. Gretchen is a gifted writer, deep thinker, and lovely friend, and given that I reflect on gratitude in life's big and small moments regularly, I particularly love that Gretchen's mission involves finding happiness in all corners and in tangible ways. For today's four favorites guest post, I asked Gretchen to share four ways to find happiness while in the trenches of parenting a newborn.

From Gretchen:

Here are four things to do each day to find happiness when you've just had a baby:

1. Get enough sleep. Do everything within your power to get as much sleep as you can. It will make a huge difference to your mood, your health, and your patience.

2. Ask for help. Ask your mother-in-law to load the dishwasher. Ask your brother to run to the drugstore. Ask your friend to take over the job of sending out the book-group reminder emails. Basically, don't be shy or too proud -- ask for help!

3. Sing. Babies love lullabies, and singing makes you feel calm, loving, and cheerful. Also, I discovered that my younger daughter magically stopped crying whenever I sang "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins. Crazy, but true!

4. Get professional photographs taken of your gorgeous newborn. This tip you only do once but the newborn phase passes so quickly. Before long, babies lose that newborn look -- and a professional photograph is so much better than even the best snapshot. My professional photos of my two-week-old daughters are among my most prized possessions now.

If you haven't yet read The Happiness Project, you should (and it's now available in paperback -- perfect for commuting or the diaper bag!). You can also follow The Happiness Project Blog and keep up with Gretchen on Twitter at @gretchenrubin.

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Family Issues; For Grownups; Sleep

One of my favorite things about living in Boston is the access to cultural offerings, and how cool is it that we can now lay claim to having an international kids film festival? Running April 15-22, the first annual Boston International Kids Film Festival debuts at the Arlington Capitol Theatre, featuring a variety of independent full length films + shorts that offer families a window into cultures around the world. Age recommendations per film are indicated at the BIKFF website and you can purchase tickets to individual shows, or festival-wide passes also are available for film aficionados large and small. And how cool is this? The kind folks at the BIKFF are offering one of you awesome readers a family 4-pack of festival-wide passes good for any shows all week! Here's how to enter to win:

As I mentioned Sunday, I love Cooper and Emily of TheMotherhood.com, and they've just launched a cool eco inspired digital campaign with the National Wildlife Federation (of which I'm a founding mom) and Nickelodeon. The initiative is simple: "Like" the B Kind 2 Earth Day Facebook page to indicate your promise to do something kind for the earth on Earth Day, then make good on that promise, whether it's going on a hike, planting seeds, walking instead of driving, etc. My promise is to regularly engage in neighborhood cleanup. Strangely enough, without knowing about my intention, this past weekend Jon and Laurel headed out with a trash bag and work gloves to pick up at our local park. Awesomely, the act inspired conversations with neighbors that we hope will translate to a community effort to pick up litter, and I plan on continuing the effort on Earth Day and beyond. So go "like" the B Kind 2 Earth page, and let's show how awesome Massachusetts is by adding to the state participation count!

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Good Deeds

Simply put, I love having Sharon Couto of Mom Generations in my corner; she's smart, funny, inspiring, and deeply supportive of her family and friends. In the past I've joked about wanting to become an honorary member of her family (I also adore Sharon's daughters, Audrey and Jane). Sharon is a former English teacher and has undertaken the impressive project 365 Days of Literacy for Kids, so for today's four favorites guest post, I asked Sharon to recommend her four favorite books about siblings/family.

From Sharon:

It's been 30 years and a few months since I had my last baby, my baby Jane Hillary.

Back then, it was rare to have learned the gender of a baby before the moment of birth, so while we waited with great anticipation for this new addition to our family of 5 soon-to-be 6, there was lots of speculation about this baby. Boy or girl? was the primary curiosity, of course. Older brothers Keith and Adam (at the time, 9 and 6, respectively) were pretty much okay with either because each of them already had a brother and a sister. That was easy.

Older sister Audrey, on the other hand, wanted a sister. Audrey was 2 and 1/2 at the time and very happy with her doting brothers, but a baby sister would be nice. Audrey was thinking pink and only wanted pink things for the new baby. She picked out tea sets with lovely pink flowers adorning the little cups and saucers and tea pot. She picked out dolls with pink blankets and pink bibs and pink everything. And further, Audrey was not only convinced that the new baby was a girl, but that this new baby sister would be playing with dolls and serving tea from day one. Okay. This wasn't going to be so easy after all.

I searched for a little picture book to help me explain to Audrey all about the new baby, hoping, especially, to find something about the brother/sister thing. What I found was a delightful Berenstain Bears' book entitled New Baby. The illustrations were a colorful, expressive Stan and Jan Berenstain standard. The story itself was a delightful, expressive story of Mama, Papa, and Small Bear living in their fine tree house, gathering honey and vegetables, loving the out-of-doors, and Small Bear snuggling in his own little room in his own little bed...a bed that soon was too small for Small Bear. Ah ha!

The book beautifully detailed Papa making a new bed, a much bigger bed, and the arrival of a new baby sister who needed the old, smaller bed. I thought New Baby would be perfect; Audrey would learn that the new baby would not be quite ready to play, and that the new baby may be a brother (in the book, Small Bear ended up with a sister).

Audrey loved the book. We read it each night for weeks and weeks and weeks. New Baby gave us lots to explore in the world of new babies, including the brother/sister surprise. In fact, that book became one of my favorite books of all time. The lovely simplicity of its message and the sweet illustrations drew me in, time after time.

When Jane Hillary arrived, Keith, Adam, and Audrey were all delighted beyond words...especially Audrey. We continued to read New Baby well after Jane came home to all of her pinkness and tea sets and dolls. And one day I found myself tucking that little picture book away...just in case I ever needed it again.

I wouldn't need it. Jane would always be our baby. But I still have that book -- that's how much I loved it and still love it. It is tattered and wrinkled. It has been read to many, many dolls in its journey with my children. It has check marks on its pages, where I'm sure Audrey and Jane found it necessary to emphasize something to one or two of those dolls. And Jane even wrote her name in her first attempts at cursive penmanship on the inside cover. And down on the right bottom corner, where it says "Thank you..." Jane added "Your welcome."

New Baby is a symbol of my motherhood. It found a way for me to explain something so big, so miraculous, and so life-changing to my little girl and her big brothers. I still hold onto those delightful memories. Isn't it a marvel how a little picture book can do this?

In keeping with Christine's Four Favorites idea, in addition to Stan and Jan Berenstain New Baby (#1), here are three additional titles I recommend for opening dialogue and conversation with older siblings about bringing home a new baby:

2. The New Baby. Mercer Mayer's picture book gives older siblings an idea of what to expect when the new baby arrives home (i.e., babies don't do much!). The New Baby is recommended for children 4-8, but much younger children will enjoy the illustrations, the message, and the fun. My daughter Audrey (now a mom of four little boys) read The New Baby with much success to her enthusiastic brood of boys as each new one came along.

3. I'm A Big Sister & I'm A Big Brother. Author Joanna Cole's cheerfully illustrated I'm a Big Sister and I'm A Big Brother stress the importance of an older child's role in the family, along with the addition of a new baby. The message of new and different responsibilities is important for the older sibling, and Cole's books explain this in a perspective that allows the older sibling the special grown-up excitement of being the BIG sibling. These books are recommended for children 4-8, but a very good friend of mine gave one to her 10-year granddaughter (who was "expecting" a baby brother), and her granddaughter now loves reading the book to the new baby. Love it.

Also, Joanna Cole's book for older siblings The New Baby at Your House is a highly recommended book of full-color photographs, offering both possible feelings and emotions of the older sibling and a photographic balance of ethnic backgrounds. The New Baby at Your House brings important focus to the older sibling in an honest, open way as the content narrows, and even closes, the sibling gap between loving the new baby and resenting the new baby. I recommended this book for children 6-10, but many families find children as young as 3 respond to the photographs and text. Well done.

4. Just Like A Baby Rebecca Bond's Just Like a Baby is a must-have book for any family expecting a new baby. First, the author studied locally (for us New Englanders!) at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Second, Just Like a Baby is a delightful generational journey that captures the extended-family essence of bringing a new baby home. The lovely story revolves around the building of a cradle in which each member of the family participates...mother, father, brother, grandfather, grandmother. The illustrations are as rich and endearing as the story itself. I've read this book dozens of times, and each time I do, I feel like dancing. I feel like singing. I feel like welcoming a new baby into our lives...!

Just as a new baby brings new joys, a new baby may also bring lots of questions. Look to these four authors for all the answers you need!

Perhaps it's not an accident but the week Sharon sent me this post, Laurel brought home New Baby from her school library and we have read it many, many times since. I can't wait to check out these other wonderful titles! If you're not yet reading Mom Generations, you'll find all sorts of goodness related to being a mom, grandmother, and "dog mom." You can also follow Mom Generations and Sharon Couto on Twitter at @momgenerations and @sharoncouto.

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Development & Behavior; Family Issues; For Babies & Kids

It's been fun to see the family and food dialogue that has transpired as part of Momversation and Ragú®'s Mom's the Word on Dinner Program. Today, my second video with the project just launched -- in it, Whitney Moss, Kim Tracy Prince, and I discuss what dinner means for families. I've embedded the video below (it's just over three minutes long) for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to hop over to the Ragú® Sauce Facebook page if you want to share your thoughts on mealtimes and family.

Note: This video was produced in partnership with Ragú® and Momversation's Mom's the Word on Dinner Program. You can find out more about the program and join in on the conversation at the Ragú® Sauce Facebook page.

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Family Issues; Feeding & Nursing; Momversation; Web (Admin)

One of the most positive mojo business pairings I know is Cooper Munroe and Emily McKhann of TheMotherhood.com. Personally, I adore spending face time with both of these lovely ladies, and Emily and Cooper's work is all about fostering community and conversation around parenthood. It seemed only natural for today's four favorites guest post to ask them about four ways to include older siblings in the arrival of a new sibling. They actually go beyond the four tips and offer a plethora of community ideas drawn from some of their live web chats.

From Cooper & Emily:

We're so thrilled to be a part of this very special moment in Christine's life by sharing some of what we've learned over the years. There are so many details to think through when bringing a new baby home, and one of the most important is how to include older siblings in the big event. We've got six kids between us, so when it comes to getting the older kids ready for their new brother or sister, we've been there!

TheMotherhood.com community has been there too, and so we looked back at conversations we've had on TheMotherhood.com over the last few months to see what pearls of wisdom we could find on older siblings and a new baby. There were, of course, some wonderful pieces of insight and advice and below we share some of our favorites.

Heading Home with Your Newborn

"My boys have always been eager to be helpers, so I just made sure my oldest knew how important his help was to me during those first few months ... I don't know if I just got lucky, but I never had any real jealousy issues between my oldest and my second one." (AmberLynn)

"Well...there's want and need, right? You have a good balance for your first two, right. They have to share, but they get their moments. Babies just need more, and they need a lot. My husband pitched in with the older and really bonded. And by the time that need dissipated, I was able to better ease in to getting them the attention they want. And honestly...no long-term damage! :) It feels intense in the moment, but from down the road I see I did a better job than I credited myself with and things were fine. Also, take care of yourself, too!!!! And let others help...take each older kid out solo, even if it can only be once a month for an hour. That counts!" (juliepippert)

"Before I had two, I heard advice from a friend who told me to always attend to the older child first because they'll remember being upset. Unless it's an emergency of course." (MommyBKnowsBest)

"I say rely on others. Let dad, grandma, etc come in and help you out. They can hold baby while you bond with one of the other two. They can take the other two out while you bond with baby, etc, etc. Also, let things slide and give yourself a break. You absolutely will not be able to be all things they need you to be at all times. Accept it now and do the best you can. Let laundry slide. Buy more convenience meals, etc. And let the older kids help -- I think it does make a difference. They will feel proud and special that mom needs their help. Even if they don't do it perfectly, let them be your special helpers. And sometimes I would throw out lines like 'your baby brother took a nap so you and I could get some cuddle time.' Well, yeah it was a little white lie, but I figure it's one of those ones that was okay to use." (Brandie)

The Gift of Motherly Advice for Expecting and New Moms

"I have three boys -- one of them has autism. We have found that every week we find time to be one on one. Be it taking just one to the grocery store or errand running. I'll try and take one out to lunch or dinner every few weeks. Also, now that the oldest is in school all day and the youngest still naps I'll use that naptime to snuggle and have bonding time with the middle child. It seems like a lot but you WILL find time and you will find a routine that works for YOU." (Alaina Frederick)

"Plan plan plan, for example if I know I'm getting ready to nurse baby I'll take my pre-schooler to the potty beforehand, that way at least one thing will be out of the way." (MommyBKnowsBest)

Comments from this thread:

"I took my son to the store and let him pick out anything he wanted for the new baby (he chose a pink elephant). And she, in turn, gave him a 'peace offering' present!" (Jenny Rapson)

"A friend told me she got a cake when the new baby was born, like a birthday party, her older kids were stoked because they got cake and the baby didn't. She also did the peace offering presents as well." (Casey Mullins)

"I made sure the nurse and everyone knew that the first hour of visitation was to be with us and our children only. I didn't want my daughter to have the "pressure" of every family member there when she met her brother for the first time. It really helped! We also got puff paint and made a Big Sister shirt and a Baby onesie she loved it, and a tote for her to bring some thing to the hospital." (Tonya Crain)

"This time around I took both girls with me to pick out an outfit for the new baby from each of them and anything else they wanted to contribute. They "helped" organize the nursery too. We read some books about siblings as well. When we brought the baby home we also gave them each a new present. It went very smoothly." (Victoria Mason)

"Make sure to spend extra time on the others when a new baby is born. Even the big kids get a little jealous (mine are tweens and felt some sting with the little one getting all of mommy's attention at first). Let them help and participate in decisions. I let my oldest give the baby his middle name. My 11 yo daughter is like a second mama to the baby." (Sprittibee)

"We brought a cupcake to the hospital for my older one to celebrate her sisters birthday! She loved it." (Kim- Sleep Lady)

"I also had a special gift from the baby to big sister. I also made her a special shirt and encouraged friends and family to bring something small- a sticker, crayons, etc. when visiting. I now always bring a little something for big sister/big brother when visiting a friend's new baby." (Aracely Worley)

"My husband takes our toddler son to breakfast every Saturday morning and the baby and I aren't allowed. It is their special thing. I think it has really helped." (onceamonthmom)

"The days before the baby came, we talked about how important it was that they were the 'bestest big brothers' and they were SO excited to be able to help even if it was just handing me wipes or anything. I NEVER refused their help at any moment even if they were more in the way as it was their confirmation that they were big brothers and a huge help. When I did have a spare moment I made sure to spend it without the baby in my arms and just with us." (Alaina Frederick)

We leave you with love from our own families and will share a thought of our own, too. With Finn, the youngest of her four kids, Cooper had the older ones in the hospital room with her "helping" soon after he was born. It is a memory they all still talk about and remember. One of their family's cherished photographs is here, below -- Cooper's oldest giving Finn, her youngest, his first bath.

Emily's girls still talk about their first meeting too. Ellie was born in the middle of the night and Emily and her husband Andy decided to make the introduction at home since Emily planned to leave the hospital just as soon as she possibly could. The two girls met on Emily's bed with the dog looking on, and Erin was especially pleased to be the one to introduce Ellie to both the dog and her favorite stuffed animals.

Aren't Emily and Cooper just lovely? If you're not tuned into the community on TheMotherhood.com, definitely check it out! You can also follow Emily, Cooper, and TheMotherhood on Twitter at @EmilyMcKhann, @coopermunroe, and @theMotherhood.

First image credit: Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Family Issues

It was so fun to return to Life.Style this week, and especially cool that technology allowed me to host via Skype so I could remain close to baby Violet. I had a fantastic time chatting with Melissa Massello and Amy Chase of The Swapaholics about budget and eco-friendly swapping. We covered everything from sustainable style, to local and national swaps, to celebrities and the vintage revolution, to favorite local and online sources for secondhand, to ideas for hosting your own swap. Check out the episode for full commentary and inspiration. And for easy reference, below are links that were shared during the interview. Enjoy!

Links shared during Melissa Massello/Amy Chase interview

Shoestring Magazine (Melissa's other site)
Punky Style (Amy's other site)
Swap.com
Swap4Schools initiative
Swap.com app
Texas clothing swap
Boston clothing swap
Beauty swap
Swapaholics video clip
Celebrities wearing vintage, part 1
Celebrities wearing vintage, part 2
The Closet, Newbury Street
Mr. Goodwill Hunting on the Nate Berkus Show
Etsy
Market Publique
Shop Goodwill
Boston Tree Party
Secondhand baby shower

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Life.Style with Christine Koh; Web (Admin)

This weekend is shaping up to be downright spring-like, perfect for this cool and unusual event I heard about from my friend Melissa. The Boston Tree Party is on a mission to plant 100 pairs of heirloom apple trees in public spaces across Greater Boston and the inauguration party kicks off this Sunday at 1pm at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. (Apparently, once the trees bear fruit, anyone is welcome to pluck a healthy snack -- awesome!) Featuring the ceremonial planting of the first pair of heirloom apple trees, music, refreshments, and other civic-minded activities, this event offers a cool way to teach kids about community, urban agriculture, and the all important lesson of sharing. And of course before or after the inauguration, there's no shortage of family fun to be had in the area, whether you hit, say, the Aquarium, Christopher Columbus Park, or walk a little further for gelato in the North End.

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local

My friend Lindsay Ferrier not only is a fantastic, funny writer (her personal blog Suburban Turmoil makes me laugh and cry, and her style blog She's Still Got It has inspired more than a few shopping sprees), but she always looks fantastically put together while being totally approachable. I have adored Lindsay ever since meeting her at Blissdom, and for today's four favorites guest post, I asked Lindsay to recommend her four favorite postpartum fashion picks. She's such an overachiever that she gave me six.

From Lindsay:

Many of us seclude ourselves for several weeks after having a baby. We say it's to protect the fragile health of our newborn child. But let's be honest...

It's to hide our fat asses.

Frankly, I've never felt more, well, non camera-ready than in the first few months after having kids. However, don't despair! I've got a few secret tricks on how to navigate the postpartum clothing waters a little more smoothly. In honor of Ms. Koh (whose ass, I'm pretty sure, is NOT fat, even now) and her new arrival, here are my top six picks for clothing and shoes, post-baby:

1. Gap GBalance Yoga Pants & Hanna Andersson Capri Leggings. You're hoping to lose some serious baby weight in the coming months, so you want to buy pants that will work both now and 20 pounds later. I found my Gap yoga pants to be invaluable. They're loose-fitting, flow-y, and oh-so-comfortable. Hanna Andersson also makes an absolute genius legging that doesn't cling to your ass, and yet tapers down to a snug fit by the time it reaches your non-baby-weight-affected calves. Wear them with tunic tops, under dresses, or to the gym. You'll love both these pairs of pants after baby and I'm betting that, like me, you'll still be wearing them after you've lost the weight.

2. Cheap t-shirts.Oh girl. Say goodbye to your cute tops for a while because baby spit-up and milk stains take a MAJOR toll on clothing. Cheap t-shirts were a staple for me during the first year of both my kids' lives. And as an added bonus, the ones that survive will make great gym wear down the road.

I'm partial to Old Navy for the basic cheap fitted-but-not-too-fitted tee. Gap has great tees that are mercifully long and cover your bum. Wait for a Gap sale and you'll find some great t-shirt prices. The same holds true for LOFT, and smaller girls can benefit from Forever 21's super-duper cheap t-shirts -- be sure and order a size up there, and the shirts will still be fitted, FYI.

Looking for a few tops that are a little dressier but still super-cheap? During my postpartum days, I found some fantastic knit tops at Victoria's Secret that were inexpensive and suitable for meeting up with friend or going out on a date night. VS has a HUGE selection of tops, so don't be deterred by the sluttier choices; keep scrolling through and you're sure to find something suitable.

3. V-neck dresses. I lived in inexpensive dresses like this one when I went out and about. Wear leggings and a tank with shorter ones to make the look more casual, or wear them alone for date night. Your boobs are going to look FANTASTIC for the next few months, so draw the eye there with a v-neck and away from your midsection. I also love dresses that have a slightly high waist and camouflage that postpartum midsection bulge.

4. Cute, comfortable shoes. Lucky you, Karl Lagerfeld has just declared flats to be the new "it" shoe! Find a comfortable pair of flats and you'll be in the height of fashion. Other mom-friendly alternatives this spring/summer that are totally on trend: docksiders, men's-style lace up shoes, canvas sneakers, and loafers.

5. At least one pair of f#@! me heels. Your weight may be fluctuating during this "special" time, but your shoe size will stay the same. If it got larger during your pregnancy, sorry toots, it's going to stay that way. Treat yourself to at least one pair of f#@! me heels for those special nights out (or in!) with your husband. You'll feel sexy and grateful that at least one part of your body doesn't need to be whipped back into shape. Jessica Simpson is master of the affordable f#@! me heel (I have the pair above in red -- don't hate!) and Steve Madden does a great job as well.

6. Spanx. It's not in the Bible, but I'm pretty sure that God created Spanx on the eighth day. They are comfortable, they don't roll down, and they really will reduce you one dress size around the middle. LOVE. And I only WISH I had discovered them during my own postpartum months.

Got any stylish/comfortable ideas on what to wear during those troublesome postpartum months? Add them in the comments!

Fantastic picks, no? If you're not already reading Lindsay, definitely check out Suburban Turmoil and She's Still Got It. You can also follow Lindsay on Twitter at @suburbanturmoil.

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be

Carole Arsenault of Boston Baby Nurses has been sharing her wisdom as a regular contributing here at Boston Mamas for over two years, so when she told me she was writing a book, I was thrilled. And Carole's book -- The Baby Nurse Bible -- does not disappoint. In fact, given the sea of information parents typically are overwhelmed by, this book is particularly refreshing in the tangibility of scope (it's just over 300 pages) while covering an impressive amount of information.

The Baby Nurse Bible is divided into four broad sections covering: 1) prepping for baby's arrival; 2) labor, delivery, and postpartum; 3) breastfeeding; and 4) the fourth trimester. Chapters include nuts and bolts information (e.g., pros and cons of different stroller types, how to choose a pediatrician, baby safety, developmental milestones) as well as Q & A sections that set a personable tone to the book. Also included are handy diagrams (e.g., how to swaddle baby), charts (e.g., sample routines for breast or bottle feeding parents), and tips for how dads/partners can support moms.

Not surprisingly, I especially appreciated the chapter on making healthy and green choices, which includes helpful nutritional information for mom as well as tips for greening one's home and a primer on cloth diapers. And I admittedly felt a little nostalgic (already!) reading the labor, delivery, and postpartum chapters. More generally though, what struck me about this book was how effectively it manages to cover the key issues around preparing for and welcoming a little one into the home in such a reasonably sized editorial footprint. If you're expecting or have a newborn at home and have found yourself bored, overwhelmed, or frustrated by existing baby care tomes on the market, definitely pick up a copy of The Baby Nurse Bible. It will deliver the information you need to know efficiently and effectively so you can get on with the good stuff -- enjoying the anticipation and then arrival of your little one.

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Development & Behavior; Diapers & Potty; Eco Living; Feeding & Nursing; For Grownups; Pregnancy & Postpartum

I adore Heather and Whitney of Rookie Moms. They're wonderful, funny friends, and through their website (and book The Rookie Mom's Handbook), Heather and Whitney offer countless practical ideas for breaking out of maternal hibernation. In February I was featured on Rookie Moms as a born again rookie (since it's been a long time since we've been in the diaper trenches) and it subsequently seemed fitting that for today's four favorites guest post I ask the Rookie Moms to share four fun outings that moms can enjoy with a new baby.

From Heather:

A second baby is so very lucky. Not only is baby born into a family that is already filled with love, but s/he gets to go so many fun places right off the bat. I took my less-than-one-month old to the movies, the zoo, and the steam trains. Lucky little guy.

Once everyone is at school and work and you two are home alone, things might seem a little dull (especially if you don't feel like doing the laundry, the dishes, or meal planning). So once you've watched your nap time (guilty-pleasure) arsenal of Sex and the City reruns, it's time to make a plan to leave the house.

Here are four fun outings to consider:

1. Enjoy modern art. Meet a pal and wander the halls of your favorite art gallery with your baby so that you have more to discuss than sleep cycles. Boston's Museum of Fine Arts has a nursing lounge off the hemicycle gallery. Strollers are welcome most places and all restrooms have changing tables. My friend Becky also tells me you can find comfy leather couches for nursing and resting.

2. Go to a theater where crying is allowed. Movies, I love them. In fact, I can brag that I saw all ten Best Picture nominees this year. Then again, I don't have a newborn right now. My tip is to seek out "mommy matinee" showings in your area or invent your own by visiting a non-crowded theater during the daytime.

3. Fondle the veggies at a farmers' market. As the weather warms up, take a stroller with a basket underneath and check out the pretty produce at the farmers' market. Find a food you can share and eat outdoors together.

4. Meow, bark, and tweet at the pet store. A giant pet store is like a tiny zoo for babies. Some pet stores have fish tanks, reptiles, rodents, and birds with tanks close enough to get eye-to-eye. And I'm not even talking about puppies and kitties. Too cute.

Looking for more ideas for fun outings? Our Rookie Moms 52-week challenge offers a year's worth. Start at the beginning or pick and choose.

Fun ideas, no? If you're not yet reading the Rookie Moms, check them out for lots more great ideas. You can also follow Heather and Whitney on Twitter at @rookiemoms, @rookieheather, and @rookiewhitney.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Family Issues; Fun Indoors; Local

Today, Kate shares a recommendation to help cope with picky eating:

Like many parents, I periodically wind up locked in conflict with my 5-year-old about whether or not she will eat the food I put in front of her. I know this is a poor parenting strategy, but also know that there were few things I hated more as a child than being made to sit at the table until I swallowed down whatever despised leafy green my parents insisted upon. To this day I have a limited vegetable repertoire, and wonder how much of this dates to my early, agonized relationship with said leafy greens. Dealing with picky eating is particularly frustrating given my sense of responsibility to help my daughter learn how to eat well, and the irksome knowledge that if I cave, she will contentedly eat potato chips until there's nothing left but the greasy, salty bag. What's a parent to do?

Beth Bader and Ali Benjamin have waded, with great success, into this difficult and all-too-common dynamic with the recent publication of The Cleaner Plate Club: Raising Healthy Eaters One Meal at a Time. The book is a cookbook, with many easy-to-handle recipes that claim to help kids develop their palates without frightening them away from new flavors, but also a good how-to manual for the parent stressed by how to deal with the picky-eater/non-eater/junk food-eater. The book also contains lots of helpful information -- generally presented in a non-preachy way -- about nutrition and the food industry and the value of farmers' markets and the difference between whole foods and processed foods. And while I've just begun to explore the recipes, my early efforts with the fish curry (page 221) suggest that I will have a long and happy relationship with The Cleaner Plate Club. Whether your kid eats everything or nothing, this book will have something for you.

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Feeding & Nursing; For Grownups

Truly, one of the best postpartum gifts imaginable is the gift of food. And on Thursday, when it was cold and rainy out, my friend Jen kindly brought over a Harrows chicken pie (+ rolls) that totally hit the spot. Impressively loaded with white meat, carrots, and potatoes (no mystery fillers of the frozen pot pies of my youth here...), all I needed to do was pop the pie in the oven (I recommend placing the pie on a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips) and within an hour the house smelled fantastic and Jon, Laurel, and I were happily indulging in a wonderfully warm and comforting dinner.

As a tech geek, I think it's pretty awesome that Harrows secured chickenpie.com as their domain name. Jon and I wondered about the viability of working the narrow market of chicken pies, but Harrows clearly knows what they're doing. They've been making these pies for over 75 years and we're eager to go get another one. Also of note: the evening we enjoyed our pie, Jon was feeling under the weather, and the next day he felt completely recovered. He was pretty convinced the chicken pie helped him beat back the cold. (It's one data point, but still...)

Harrows has take out locations (where you can get fresh chicken pies, rolls, sides, and desserts) in Reading, Saugus, and Medford. Otherwise, you can pick up their frozen pies at a variety of grocery stores.

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Food & Drink; Local

I first met Alicia Ybarbo at Blissdom last year and she is such a lovely, smart, and dynamic woman -- every time I've seen Alicia since Blissdom, I just feel happy. Alicia is a producer at NBC's TODAY Show and is co-author of Today's Moms: Essentials for Surviving Baby's First Year. So for today's four favorites guest post, I asked Alicia to share her top four myth-busters about baby's first year. (I figured I could use the reminders, given that it's been six years since I've done the newborn thing!)

From Alicia:

When my co-worker, Mary Ann Zoellner, and I first started writing Today's Moms: Essentials for Surviving Baby's First Year, we had no idea the amount of information we were going to uncover and learn about parenting. Along with facts and figures, there are so many misconceptions about what parenting is supposed to entail. As my good friend, Christine Koh, has become a parent for the second time, I thought I'd highlight some parenting myths we covered in Today's Moms that have haunted moms for years. But keep in mind, they're only misconceptions. Parenting is what you make of it.

Congratulations Christine, on bambino #2!

MYTH #1: All the moms I see leisurely strolling their babies are so much happier and better rested than I am.

BUSTER: They just fake it better than you do.

MYTH #2: You'll never have time for yourself again.

BUSTER: Not as easily or as cheaply as before, but you can. Hiring a babysitter for even a few hours a week can be a lifesaver.

MYTH #3: Sex? Yuck. Who would ever want that again?

BUSTER: You will...sooner or later.

MYTH #4: You always said you'd be cooler than your own mom.

BUSTER: She might not have been so uncool after all.

I'm thrilled that I've already hired a babysitter so I can bust myth #2! For more wise words from Alicia and Mary Ann, pick up a copy of Today's Moms and check out the Today's Moms website. You can also follow Today's Moms and Alicia Ybarbo on Twitter at @todaysmoms and @aliciaybarbo.

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 Apr 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups