DC Metro Mommy Blog

This is too fun! Watson Adventures has been hosting scavenger hunts in the DC Metro area for nearly a decade. If you have out-of-town guests, check out the "The Secrets of Georgetown Tour". See the best of Georgetown while uncovering amazing tales and nooks. One of the best things about the G-town hunt is its variety, covering parts of the neighborhood with three distinct personalities. Highlights include a 19th-century canal, chic shops in historic buildings on M Street, JFK's first Washington home and the neighbor honored by reporters for providing coffee in the cold, the birthplace of the computer, a former prison that Lincoln visited, the Old Stone House and its tranquil garden,

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As the cool breezes blow in and the leaves start to turn, the outdoors becomes a beautiful natural backdrop for family portraits. Custom portrait photographers offer a welcome alternative to the busy retail studios with their outdoor, in-home and boutique studio sessions. If you have thought about working with a photographer who will dedicate the time to get to know your family and be able to capture your child's true spirit in portraits, then it's the perfect time to start your search.

The biggest thing to consider when selecting a portrait photographer is whether or not you like his or her style. Good photographers are also artists, and will portray a certain consistent "feel" to their

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Okay...I will admit I was a major wimp about breastfeeding.  After seeing one too many of my girlfriends in toe curling pain from the process I decided it wasn't for me.  Multiple friends have harassed me.  Even the ones that were in pain!! 

Obviously my moment has passed. My daughter is turning 3 and I don't plan on starting the process now.  Still I can't help but be overrun with talk of breastfeeding.  Every one of my friends that have had kids in the last six months (and there are many) have opted to breastfeed.  So what is the consensus of opinion on the world's best product... "My Breast Friend".  

For years it has been a staple item for new mothers.   It easily attaches around your

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I lost my Grandmother today.  She passed away this afternoon from...well..."old age".   She was one of the toughest women I had the pleasure of knowing.  She only had 2 grandchildren, my sister, and I, sometimes I felt like her daughter.   I miss her voice, but will never forget her spirit - it feels stronger than ever in my heart now. 

The greatest thing about Grandma's in your life is that you know that no matter what happened in your day there is always someone that is thrilled to hear from you.  Sometimes waiting by the phone for you.  There is always someone that will bake you cookies...and send you packages...even when you're over 30.  Always someone to listen to every word you say. 

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Who can resist the touch of a Little Giraffe blanket?  After polling some new moms, this was listed as an overwhelming favorite.  You and your little one will fall in love with the faux-fur Luxe and silky satin borders that is the signature of the Little Giraffe Collection.  You can choose from a cozy list of goodies that include: blankets, blankys, pillows, a burpy, throws and hooded towels.  Nothing chases the cold away after a bath like a Little Giraffe Hooded Towel.  In addition to the core products, Little Giraffe also makes adult cover-ups, bedding, throws, travel sets and pet gear.  In our area Nordstrom carries a line of Little Giraffe products.  You can also find Little Giraffe
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We visited the Smithsonian's Butterfly exhibit this week. Tuesday is free admission day, so we headed in town and waited for the time-controlled admission tickets. We arrived around 11:30 am and got a 2pm slot, so we explored the related insect exhibit (we're talking live millipedes the size of a large snake!) and took a little lunch break at the National Portrait Gallery before heading back to see the butterflies. It was a wonderful indoor exhibit, packed full of butterflies. I had one riding on me for a while (here's a pic of him on my shorts). And another example of how friendly these guys were.

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So after our first week of teaching the kids how to eat like people (where every single night was a screaming, hysterical, sobbing mess), the kids got a break because we went on vacation. I wasn't going to make them actually order stuff they won't eat from a menu.

But tonight we were back at it. Actually last night, but that was just pasta, bread, and applesauce - and they eat that all the time. Tonight was steak sandwiches, hash browns, and broccoli. And -- AMAZINGLY -- there was no crying. There was even a bit of enthusiasm. What a miracle!!! They didn't happily eat it - but they did eat it - most of it. It was awesome. And like I said, NO FUSSING. I'm sure it is a temporary bloop, but I

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We were so lucky to get Leapfrog's TAG Touch Learning System to try out! Chatterbox is just starting to get into electronic toys so the timing was perfect. The TAG is actually a "pen" that a child can run over the words of a book with and have the story read to them. It's a great idea that encourages kids to learn to read. The TAG System comes with a storybook and there is a whole library of additional stories that you can purchase that work with the system. In addition to that, the system connects to the Leapfrog Learning Path that connects the TAG reader to your computer and allows you to track your child's learning progress.

The manufacturer's recommended age for the TAG System is 4 - 8

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I have this theory that for each child you have, your body (and that of your mate) will age about ten years in the span of just one. Since I suck at equations (leave it to the person that majored in their own native language), I will assume that with my oldest being nearly three and youngest about one and a half, let's see.......umm......two kids times so many years........I am roughly twenty-two thousand and four years old right now. Translated into square footage, my ass might be about the same size around too, if I ever worked up the courage to let thine eye wander in a dressing room. Or that horrendous funhouse mirror from hell on What Not To Wear.

Ahem. Back to this awesome theory of

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Behold the beauty of a living butterfly exhibit. People of all ages continue to be entranced by the live butterfly exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. This is a perfect destination if you are looking for something to fill up the summer days or if you just want some quality family time. Lush plants are the backdrop for this intoxicating space that also hosts birds, fish and turtles. The Museum also has a number of other noteworthy exhibitions.

Now for the facts, tickets are required for the Butterfly Pavilion. Try to purchase tickets online to avoid sold out time-slots. Tickets are also available at the Museum on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices per ticket

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Last weekend was Chatterbox's birthday party and we did it at Build-a-Bear Workshop this year. I was bitten with the "Don't Do It Yourself" bug last year when we had her party at Pump It Up. It was so fabulous - minimal prep, someone else to entertain the kids and no cleanup! After researching the limited party options for her age, I decided to try a BAB party even though we had never even ventured inside the store before. I was a tad nervous after reading various mom blogs about parties that were held there. Apparently it can end going terribly wrong if the staff isn't especially great. Luckily, we had a great store (large and virtually empty) and a great party leader (who pre-selected

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I typically don't fall for the too cute products in most kids catalogs.  I always assume that I can find a similar product for a better price in our local mall.  Well I gave in.... 

With preschool fast approaching, I decided to order the Safari backpack from  http://www.thecompanystore.com. They have a great selection of quilted backpacks for boys and girls.  I will warn you...the adorable butterfly and ladybug bags are on back order.  Still it is worth the wait. These are so fun!

Bonus - Use the 15% OFF Coupon Code "T8RFTH" until 8/24/08 @
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K is a horrible eater. Has been since she was a toddler. Now, at 6, she eats NO vegetables, and NO fruits. Seriously. She eats baby food banana/mixed berries and she eats applesauce, but that is it. She also eats no meats. Chicken nuggets only. No hamburger, no hot dogs, no grilled chicken or chicken in any form other than nugget, no red meat, no pork, no turkey or other poultry. She is pretty much surviving on dairy (yogurt, cheese) and grains (bread, bagels, cereal, pasta). She will eat peanuts and cashews to help with protein and she likes quiche (with cheese only, of course).

B, at 4, is a much better eater. She loves all fruits, many veggies, but is also bad on proteins. She will eat

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The Babe is now 6 weeks old! Crazy how time flies. In that time he has truly become his own little person with a little personality and everything. Oh and then there's the colic. Not as bad as Giggles had it, but colic nonetheless. In our furious state of denial we tried solutions for a dairy allergy and acid reflux, but alas it turned out to be the "c" word. Even having been through this before, it isn't easier this time. The worst part is the "10-minute treatment" that pediatricians recommend where you put the baby in a quiet, dark room by themselves for 10 minutes at a time so that they can calm themselves down. It still breaks my heart! The good news is that the worst of it should be

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Saw this tonight while surfing around for some baby gear at BabiesRUs.com.  I was looking for a backpack/sling to carry enough stuff for 2 kids instead of just one, and I stumbled upon this new product.  The Daddy Diaper Vest!  Here's what the website said about it: 

"DadGear introduces the Diaper Vest. This wearable diaper bag is the hottest innovation in parenting gear since the diaper bag itself. Our revolutionary twist on the traditional diaper bag sets the standard for our "hands free" line. Combining comfort and style, you can change, feed, and entertain your child with ease and no one will be able to tell you are wearing your diaper bag. We have strategically placed pockets for all of

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