Saying "Hi"

Photo via WeHeartIt

This past month, 34,575 of you have visited Marvelous Kiddo.

Who are you? How old are you? Where do you live? What do you do?

Take a moment to introduce yourself or say "hello".

Thanks for visiting.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

XOXO, Leigh

How To Really Love a Child

I love this quote/image so much. Discovered on Everything Fabulous, which is just fabulous!

Gisele: Home Birth Mama

People Magazine is reporting that when Supermodel Gisele Bündchen gave birth to her son on December 8, it was at home in a bathtub! Via Celebrity Baby Blog.

I'm Back + Thank You

Photo via Flickr

I'm so sorry it's been two days since my last post, and I left on such a dark note! It's been a wild week for my family. My sister is on the mend, although she is still in the hospital. Thank you ever so much for the positive thoughts and wishes and healing prayers and love you have sent in her direction. I know they are helping! I think she will be going home soon, and will keep you updated on her progress, for sure.

Meanwhile, I've been feeling the wind removed from my blogging sails -- coupled with a desire to get out of the apartment and be active and breathe fresh air with my baby boys. Yesterday we went to the playground for the first time in about two months, and it was lovely. Afterwards, we walked to one of my favorite lunch spots on the Upper West Side, Peacefood Cafe, where I indulged in some yummy vegan morsels (the boys had fallen asleep by the time we got there in the stroller and ring sling, respectively, so I had the treat of what felt like a peaceful meal to myself. And it was so delicious...I totally splurged and warmed up from the cold with a decaf latte made with homemade nutmilk, sweetened with agave nectar -- heaven!)

Photo via Peacefood Cafe

When I finished eating, the guys were still snoozing, so I went around the corner to Barnes and Noble. With two Christmas gift cards burning holes in my pocket, I made some exciting selections. Soon the boys were awake and J got into the act, picking up three books that he just had to have. It was so much fun to buy a stack of books! I can't remember the last time I did that. This is what we got (can you guess who picked out what?):

Hmmm...I wonder ;P

Today, it's snowing outside and we have lots of new reading materials, so I can't wait to dive in.

What are you reading these days?

Today

This is my only post for today. I'm taking time to send lots of love, prayers, and good healing vibes to my little sister who, as of yesterday, is under the weather and in the hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. Thanks for joining me in meditating on her speedy and full recovery.

Image.

Monday Funny

I just ran across this bit of news on the New York Times Artsbeat blog: on Friday, a woman visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art fell into a Picasso Painting, causing a six-inch gash in the canvas. The story itself is interesting, but the comment thread had me rolling. My favorite line, "Someone should send this woman a bottle of wine and tickets to the next Damien Hirst exhibition." Read the whole thing, here.

Image, Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Weekend Wonderful

I've always loved this vintage clip of Stevie, and just thought it would be fun to share :)

J and T and I have been taking turns being under the weather for the last couple of weeks and we're finally all feeling better at the same time -- just in time for the weekend (Taro is off from work on Sundays and Mondays because he works with the Our Time kids every Saturday). Anyway, were looking forward to hanging out together and relaxing -- maybe catching a movie.

What are you doing this weekend? Whatever your plans, I hope you have a lovely time. XOXO.

Handsome

the bean and the bear

I'm always bookmarking images that I run across online and only a tiny fraction of them end up on Marvelous Kiddo, so as a way to catalogue and share my visual finds I decided to start a new Tumblr blog! Do visit...

Image via MadeByGirl

Baby Bean Vintage

I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of Baby Bean Vintage Studio's Spring 2010 collection...

The Dropped-Food Diagram

So awesome I had to post! Via Minor Details.

Photo(s) of the Day

Me, circa 1980, and J, circa 2010. Thanks to my mom for pointing out the resemblance.

Fawn and Forest

Today I decided to cash in the Fawn and Forest gift certificate I won during the Sakura Bloom Triathlon! I picked these two lovely items; the Miss Natalie Heirloom Growth Chart and Kina Lamb Booties. I also chose a set of Clementine Art Paints and a Natursutten Teether. I can't wait to get them!

One Year in Two Minutes

When the skies are grey and the air is cold and the low-grade sniffles are hard to shake, it's easy to forget that spring will one day arrive. If you're feeling stuck in a winter rut, check out this video. It is a really elegant and spellbinding illustration of Nature's cycle. Via Little Brown Pen.

Precious and Breastfeeding

Over the weekend, Taro I had the opportunity to see Precious. I was floored by this movie. Having heard so much about the tough subject matter beforehand, I was actually kind of dreading it but I steeled myself and went ahead.

Well, I'm so glad I did. This is not a film for the faint of heart, as the sixteen-year-old protagonist is subjected to horrific abuse at the hands of her family. However, the film is ultimately an uplifting story about the triumph of the human spirit, and beauty and hope and love far outshine the ugliness.

I cannot remember the last time I saw a film that dealt so candidly and touchingly with the subject of breastfeeding. Indeed, one of the most moving and pivotal points of the film is when 16-year-old Precious, having just given birth to her second child, tenderly breastfeeds the baby for the first time while we hear hear a voiceover in which she expresses her deep love for the baby and her powerful desire to keep the child instead of giving it up for adoption. I'm not sure what the exact lines are, but as the baby latches on, Precious says something like, "I have what this baby needs. I am what this baby needs."

It was just so lovely to see breastfeeding portrayed in this deep and beautiful way. The scene is even more powerful in the context of the rest of the story -- knowing what kind of awful abuse Precious herself has endured at the hands of her parents, seeing the way that she bonds so sweetly with her own child is all the more moving and indicative of the character's ability to rise above her circumstances and change her own life and the life of her children for the better. A girl who had been devalued and treated like dirt for her entire life finds power and love through this natural act of mothering. I was profoundly moved.

Have you seen Precious? What are your thoughts? When was the last time you saw breastfeeding in a movie and how was it portrayed?

Honoring Carly

I have been bursting to share some exciting news with you: on April 19, Our Time will host its 8th Annual Benefit Gala in NYC, and this year's honoree is the music icon Carly Simon!

As many of you are aware, my marvelous hubby, Taro, is the Founder and Artistic Director of an amazing non-profit organization, Our Time, which is dedicated to helping young people who stutter (click here to see Our Time featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams). Every Spring we hold a big fancy gala to celebrate the company's wonderful work, raise funds for the upcoming year, and pay tribute to an inspirational individual. It is always a fun and moving night with enough glitz and glam to sparkle us right through to the next one. (Click here to see my post about the 2008 gala with lots of entertaining photos). I'm sure this year will be no exception, and I plan on keeping you posted on all the exciting news as we prepare for the gala.

If you're planning on being in NYC on April 19, this event is not to be missed! We hope you can join us. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

Image: Carly Simon's breakthrough album from 1972, No Secrets.

A Walk To 40 Weeks

Ryan from Pacing the Panic Room recently started documenting a friend's pregnancy in a series of terrific photos and I love the concept: each week, mama-to-be, Tricia, is being photographed as she strolls around the neighborhood. One week at a time, the photos are threaded together on Ryan's blog and viewers can navigate them with the help of a horizontal scroll bar. The effect is that we see gorgeous Tricia moving through space and time, complete with an ever-expanding bump. Genius! Check it out, here.

And if you haven't already seen it, be sure to go back and enjoy the wonderful series of photos Ryan took of his wife, Cole, during her recent pregnancy.

a great way to help Haiti TODAY if you are in NYC

There’s a plane leaving NYC for Haiti on Tuesday, 1/19, and charity: water needs your help filling it with cargo. As you may know, charity: water is a non-profit organization that brings clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

Members of the charity: water staff have been in close contact with their field partners; they are turning the charity: water office in Manhattan into a drop-off point for the following items (those most urgently needed in Haiti this week):

Blankets*
Tents*
Sleeping bags*

Soap
Feminine hygiene products
Medical gloves
Bandages/gauze
Cases of bottled water

* these items can be gently used

If you can make a donation, please stop by the charity: water office at 200 VARICK STREET on Monday, 1/18, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. DO NOT MAIL THESE ITEMS TO THEIR OFFICE.

IF YOU CAN CARRY THE DONATIONS BY HAND IN ONE LOAD: Please enter through the front door at 200 Varick St. You will need a photo ID to enter the building. charity: water is located on the 2nd floor, Suite 201.

IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS OR ARE DONATING IN BULK: Please email Lane Wood to schedule a drop-off time. Lane's e address: lane.wood[at]charitywater[dot]org

All supplies will be transported this week by Partners in Health and distributed where they are needed most. charity: water's other partners in Haiti, Concern Worldwide US, are sending supplies from Ireland and still have a pressing need for donations.

Thank you to Diana for getting this information to me!

Baby Cuddles: Back By Popular Demand!

Oh, you wonderful readers! Ever since my last baby cuddles post my inbox has runneth over with more amazing images, leaving me with no choice but to do a follow-up! I think this has the makings of a regular feature, so keep those photos comin'.

Today's first photo, above, was sent in by Paige from the awesome blog, I Heart You. Here's what paige said: "Here is my most recent favorite picture of my husband and 4 month old son taken on Christmas morning at our neighborhood park." Paige, both of those boys are too cute for words, and that hat is off-the-charts adorable.

This week of entries was very strong on daddy-baby cuddles, like this one, from my good friend Corie, which shows an achingly sweet cuddle between her husband and son...

...and this one, sent in by Coralissa, that captures the fun of a Hawaiian beach snuggle shared by her husband and son...

...AND this one, send in by Tanya, which shows a heart-melting daddy-daughter moment...

Not to be outdone in the cuddly-cuteness department, those same three moms also sent gorgeous photos of themselves with their babies, and I have to say, they give those adorable dads a run for their money! Here are Corie, Coralissa, and Tanya, in that order:

I even got a couple of submissions showing sweet baby-grandparent cuddles, too! The first one is from my blog-friend Rebecca:

Rebecca wrote, "I have to send along this photo of my dad, "Papa" to his grandkids, loving on his newest grandbaby Noah. You can just barely see the sling in this shot. I love seeing my folks wearing Noah in the sling--I think it's adorable. Papa is a baby man. He'll pick up babies and walk and sway for hours so mommies get a break. It's not just his own grandchildren either--he'll borrow any baby at church if it's mama will let go for a minute. LOL. He's the best grandpa ever. I like the contrast of my dad's grizzled 61 year old cheek against the Noah's precious baby skin."

And this next one is from Coralissa. It shows baby Nainoa having a tender snuggle with his grandmother in Hawaii on the last morning of their recent visit, before heading home to Las Vegas:

Moving back to mama-baby beauty, I was loving these two pics from Amber, who shared these words: "Here are 2 of my favorite cuddling photos of me and my little Axel River. The first is the day after he was born. He was so fresh and new. I had him at home, which was so special, so we had our snuggle time on our own sofa. Photo #2: Axel was born in the cull (his amniotic sack did not break). So, we gave him a water middle name. We also love the Yuba River near our home which is what he is named for. This is a photo of me and Axel at 'his' river when he was 4 months old."

Marvelous Kiddo reader, Katie, sent in the following three photos:

"My son, Ben, has Down syndrome and was recently diagnosed with Autism as well. He is eight now, and these pictures of him are very close to my heart...I would love to tell you his birth story someday, but for now I will just say that he was very close to death when he was born, was not expected to recover, let alone breastfeed. He was my first and I was green, naive, and VERY stubborn. Even in the NICU I insisted on trying, even though the nurses were sadly shaking their heads at me and his poor muscle tone. He was released after 21 days, and after 2 months of pumping for him, he and I finally had a successful latch with the help of a LLL leader. He nursed happily for 17 months, and I can honestly say it was one of the most triumphant periods of my life. He is now a sweet, cuddly boy with a strong healthy body and a great spirit. He has many challenges, but we can't imagine life without our little man. He's taught us so much."

I love that last photo of Ben with one of his siblings, and it provides a great segue to two more of my favorites from this week, both showing sibling love as expressed through cuddles:

Thank you to Marcela and Ariella for sharing those precious sibling snuggles with us.

I can't wait to check my inbox for more sweetness this week! XOXO, Leigh

Exciting Press Today!

Two things...

1. An article on today's Huffington Post about Jeanine's amazing Bloggers Day(s) of Action for Haiti Project. Read the story here. You can also now join the Bloggers Day of Action on Facebook!

2. A story about Baby Mamas (Put a Sling on 'Em) is featured on People Magazine's Celebrity Baby Blog, here.

Bloggers Day of Action: Spotlight on Haitian Artist Marithou Dupoux

My research for this post led me to the powerful work of Marithou Dupoux and I knew I would have to feature it here. I was immediately captivated by the energy and originality of these ceramic sculptures that were shown in a recent exhibit in Haiti. Read more about this celebrated artist, here.

These images are via Frederic Dupoux's (Marithou Dupoux's son) captivating blog. Follow Frederic on Twitter for updates from the disaster area. His observations are riveting and heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to him, his mother, and their community.

I hope you will join the blogging community in raising attention and aid for those who have been affected by the earthquake. Check out all of the posts from the Blogger's Day of Action, and don't forget to bid on the auction items. Here are the participating blogs:

1. It's Oh So Grand

2. Hammocks & High Tea

3. A Life More Fabulous

4. Bay Area Style File

5. Single Bubble Pop

6. Lindsey Lou Blogs

7. Styleture

8. Simply Grove

9. Make Under My Life

10. Design For Mankind

11. Urban Casita

12. Nuvany Nice

13. Jodine's Corner

14. The Cubicle Chick

15. Aphrochic

16. Marvelous Kiddo

17. Tam-Sam

...and more to come...

For more ways to help, go here.

Bloggers Day of Action

The more that I read and see and hear about the tragedy that is unfolding in Haiti, the more I ache with a sense of horror and helplessness. The event is so overwhelming that it is easy to feel lost and unsure of how to assist the people that are so desperately in need. Yesterday I made a donation to the International Response Fund of the Red Cross, but I wanted to do more.

That's why I was so glad to run across this effort, spearheaded by Jeanine of Aphrochic:

Bloggers from around the country are committing to a Bloggers Day of Action for Haiti. Today we use our blogs not just to discuss design and fashion, but to identify ways to help with the relief effort in a country that has been devastated by disaster. The participating blogs are taking this day to post about the amazing culture and diversity of this island country and ways that you can help make a difference. Later today AphroChic will be hosting a charity auction to help raise funds for efforts on the ground, auctioning works from some of your very favorite designers including Laidback Home, Hammocks & High Tea, Verre New York, and Name Your Design, just to name a few.

Today we are committed to taking action, and I ask you to join us. If you are a blogger or designer who would like to participate in the Bloggers Day of Action for Haiti, please e-mail Jeanine at jeanine@aphrochicshop.com

Together, we can raise thousands for all those in need.

Charitable donations can be sent to:
- Red Cross
- UNICEF
- Yele Haiti

Bump Beauty

I've been enjoying the baby-bump development over on the terrific blog, Rummey Bears. Isn't Anna Rummey just the glowiest mama you've ever seen? And here in frigid New York, I am waay jealous of the amazing-looking Sydney summertime. Check out more of the belly-beauty here, and stay tuned! Anna only has ten weeks to go, and is planning a home birth.