Gamefly

Gamefly contacted me out of the blue this evening (by telephone ???) to ask if I was having problems with my service. They suggested I add more games to my list, and that I drop my games off at the post office and have them scanned so that the games would get to me quicker. There are like four or five people working at my local post office, and one of them is the cleaner. Like they really have time. But we will be adding more games to our list.

After years of being stalked (have you noticed that my name and city aren't on my blog), I just find it creepy that they could track me down from an envelope in a picture. Customer services was very nice though.

Cool Stuff From Other Blogs

Who knew JCPenney made modern baby furniture?

I'Coo Targo

The I'coo Targo stroller is another new to the US stroller. It weighs just 22 lbs, has a reversible seat, the seat or bassinet can be lowered or raised on the chassis , and fold with the seat in the forward position. The chassis is made of light weight aluminum. And it comes with a universal car seat adaptor. I don't understand why stroller companies only believe that there are two types of car seats. And it has that little bar that teething babies love to chew on so much. $699

Concord Neo

Why does it take so long for strollers to make it to the US? I have fallen in love with another stroller not available here. The Concord Neo has four wheels, but in a Y shape axle. It's high up like the the Xplory, so that you don't have to bend over so far to coo to your little darling. Or it can be used as a high chair in a pinch. And there is a built in rain shield for sudden rain showers. There is a full range of accessories: the Proton hard sided carry cot, the Scout soft sided folding carry cot, and the Ion car seat. What I love most is the fact that the Proton can be used as a fully reclining car seat (which is the best way for tiny babies to travel). It is sinfully expensive though, around $700 for the stroller plus shipping from Europe. Available at Two Left Feet, Boohoobaby, Baby Works, Under Six and Baby World.

Fendi Aprica Stroller

Yuck! Too many logos. $1600?! Are they on the crack pipe? Just buy a plain Aprica for a quarter of the price. You will look more stylish and sophisticated.

Cool Stuff From Other Blogs

Loving the Nature's Dryer tree. We actually hang wet pool towels from the trees in the backyard. There is one problem though, our pet chickens currently are roosting in one of the trees. This thing would be like chicken heaven, poop everywhere. If only they would stay in their area, I could have a fancy tree to dry towels on. $775CDN.

Design Spotter

Gamefly

I am returning a game today, let's see how long it takes to get another game. And most important if they get a game from the top of their queue. The game at the top has high availability. Will they get game one or game fifteen? There are only 21 games on their list. Netflix has a turnaround time of about three days. Why does it take Gamefly a week to get a game from Southern California to Northern California? I can return a movie today and have a new one Saturday.

Orbit Toddler Car Seat

Information about the Orbit Toddler Car Seat is now on their website. It's growing on me. I like that it has a sunshade. The Orbit base has been upgraded, but if you own the older base it seems that they will be upgrading it for free. If you don't have the infant system but still want the toddler car seat, you can with the addition of the included snap into place braces. The car seat can be used rear(15-35 lbs) or forward(20-50 lbs) facing. So it is great if you have a tall baby who is too big for an infant car seat. Go have a look. March 2008 delivery

I can't remember which blog on saw these banks on (I think Ohdeedoh). They remind me of the Jonathan Adler banks, but just $19. I think I may like them slightly more than the Adler banks.

Not Needed So Much

My wee boy doesn't need me so much anymore. He grabs his coat, glasses, backpack, and lunch and dashes out the door every morning. Then he proceeds to walk as quickly as possible so that he doesn't have to be seen with Mommy. This is the view I see every morning.

Preorder Bugaboo Car Seat

The Bugaboo car seat by Takata is coming sometime this year. It seems a lot like most car seats. It will have an adjustable inlay in colors that match the colors of the very popular Bugaboo strollers. You can preorder the car seat at Baby Trader (international delivery available) for about $300.

Wip Metro Stroller

They seem to be working on the Wip Metro stroller. The website says that a new site is coming soon. The more I look at it, it looks just like a souped up $20 folding umbrella stroller. It does recline though, something I wish umbrella strollers did. Did they wait to long to enter the market? Bugaboo has the Bee (which looks more functional), and all those Bugaboo copies seem to fold with the seat on. Maybe the Metro would be a great travel stroller, or maybe there will be more to it than meets the eye.

Update: Wip says the Metro will be available in the Summer, which in stroller time means the Fall.

Word of Advice

If you are a rapper and your hit song involves a complicated dance... skip the rims and bling. Buy stock, a rental building, or a fast food restaurant. There is nothing that screams one hit wonder more than a single that has a silly dance. You probably will not be the next Ludacris.

Farmers Market Basket

This mini shopping basket is so adorable, a tiny exact copy of the real thing. It would be so great for pretend play, and for bringing home their picks from the farmers market. About $37 and it can be shipped to the US.

Selena Gomez

Has anyone noticed that the Disney Channel has slightly shifted their focus from Miley Cyrus, and toward Selena Gomez. Every 15 minutes or so you see a show, a commercial, or video that stars Selena. And you rarely see any of the High School Musical stars. Are they trying to convince our children that Selena is the next mega huge thing.

Maxi-Cosi Mura Stroller

The Maxi Cosi Mura is available as a three wheel or a four wheel version. But what really stands out about the Mura is the seat, it resembles a car seat.It does recline. The hood looks awful small though, so you may want to purchase the parasol. Which would look strange here in the US. There is also a hard or soft carrycot so that you can use the stroller from birth. Or you could just use the Maxi-Cosi car seat. The stroller does look a little on the heavy side, but a toddler won't be scrunched in it. It has two fold setups, one quick fold and a more compact fold. The buttons for folding are right there on the handles. The base stroller costs 320 GBP. Babycare, Babyworld, and Two Left Feet all ship internationally.

Things My Son Lost This Week

Wednesday- His math book. We had to use Google to find out how to work a problem. I'm going to have to go back to take some math classes sooner or later. A few credits at the JC would be cheaper than a tutor.

Thursday- His earth science assignment.

All in all, it was a good week.

Funky Little Darlings Wallpaper Murals

Are you tired of wall stickers, but still want something special for your kid's wall. Why not try old-fashioned wallpaper, except that this wallpaper is far from old-fashioned. The designs can be ordered as paper or on canvas. Funky Little Darlings will print one of their brightly colored designs for about $662 for an 8x10 wall. They also offer a bespoke service.

Welcome Back Rain

The sun has gone away, and all the babies have retreated to warmth and safety of inside their homes. I don't have to look at the chubby cheeked little devils. I think the I really hate other people's babies. They make me feel like a failure.

Sirch Babybett Crib

I love the Sirch Babybett Suiko. It can be used as a rocking cradle, a crib on wheels, and a toddler bed. It is made of birch and artificial leather. I just wish it came in dark wood. 779 Euro and Design 3000 ships internationally.

Mini

I am worried that my wee boy won't even be four feet tall when he enters middle school. The poor little thing is almost in the fourth grade and isn't even 45 inches tall. One of his doctors is suggesting growth hormones. That's all he needs roid rage. He's already like a cranky old man. Maybe I should save the money from the growth hormones, and invest it so he can buy a sports car someday. Don't fast cars always make small men feel really big.

Cool Stuff From Other Blogs

I saw this on Ohdeedoh. It's Netflix for baby toys. BabyPlays Toy Rentals. Hopefully it works better than Gamefly.

Sophie & Lili At Bargain Basement Prices

Sophie & Lili has an outlet website. Prices from $3 for a diaper cover to $40 for a cashmere set.

Adiri Natural Nurser Back In Stock

Adiri has it's Natural Nurser bottles back in stock for $12.50. Get them before they are gone.

Mia Moda Cielo Stroller

Are you looking for an affordable high style stroller. The MiaModa Cielo is just that at just around $150. It folds compactly, the seat reclines, it is light weight, and it comes with a carrying bag. Available at Target, Tiny Ride, and for $120 over at SmartMomma with free shipping.

Transformers (Steampunk Style)

The Transformers Evolution series is two years old, but it still rocks. In my ongoing effort to get my youngest to read I have turned to comic books. He loves Transformers, and these were the coolest I have ever seen. The Transformers are steam trains and air ships.

More Mid-Century Mattel Doll Furniture

The Mattel company made modernist furniture in the sixties. A living room set, and a bedroom set are listed on eBay now. The bidding starts at $9.95 for each set and ends on the 24th. Barbie would so proud to have this furniture in her dream house.

Gamefly

Am I the only person unhappy with Gamefly? My sons have had a subscription for Gamefly the last two years. They never get the games from the top of their list. It takes about a week for a new game to be delivered. You would think that if a kid only changes games about once a month you could send them a game other than number 17 on their list. Gamefly sucks.

Bad Mommy

I was loving the spring like weather here...until it brought out the babies that were born while I was busy having miscarriages. Every time one of my neighbors has a baby I have a miscarriage. And it looks like my new next door neighbor is pregnant. That will be five new babies on my street in the last year. I hate other people's babies. Around here babies are like the plague and I seem to have plague antibodies.

Quinny Zapp Doll Stroller

I love this. It's a Quinny Zapp doll stroller. This looks better than the actual Buzz. 38 Euro or about $56.

Why doesn't Chuckie Cheese Serve Alcohol

Is Dave and Busters like Chuckie Cheese for adults?

Things My Son Lost This Week

My oldest son has high functioning autism. And sometimes it is like he is in his own world. I've had to replace his lock for his locker four times this year because he has lost the key. Here is a list of things he forgot or lost for school last week.

Monday- He forgot his binder at home. The school called because he had to have it for an English project. At least it wasn't lost. A couple of weeks ago he lost his binder.

Tuesday- He lost his lunch money. His aide loaned him lunch money.

Thursday- He lost his PE clothes. Why he was bringing his PE clothes home in the middle of the week is a great mystery, he never brings them home on weekends to be washed. We had to go before school and buy new ones. It took almost a half hour. His little brother was almost late to school. I made him pay for the replacements. And later he got caught on a door handle and ripped his coat.

Luckily it was only a four day week.

Wall Stickers

This wall sticker reminds me of how magical childhood can be. Available in 3 sizes and a whole range of colors. And I just love the very simple bedroom. Harmonie Interieure

What Characters Are Popular With the Boys

These are the cards that my son's classmates gave him. What's popular? Transformers. Actually not so much. The Hot Wheels were the third set of cards I purchased. I bought first one set of Transformer cards, then a different set of Transformer cards. I asked his teacher if any of the kids in his class didn't have cards to give out. So two of the Transformer cards I picked out. What actually was popular was the Homie cards. I was suprised, but not shocked. The guys on the cards look like a lot of the guys in the neighborhood. And there are so few cards because there are only twelve students in his class.

Mirrored Console Table

I fell in love with this mirrored console table the moment I saw it at Target. It's part of their Global Bazaar collection, and was priced at $279.99. I don't know why I didn't buy it. I went into Target today to buy my mother a box of chocolates, and the whole collection was on sale for 50% off or more. I bought it for $139.99. I am going to use it as a computer desk for now. If I ever manage to stay pregnant for more than a few months, I'll use it as a changing table. I just have to haul it into my house now.

Hot Wheels Valentine's Day Cars

Here is some lovin' for the Hot Wheels collectors out there. Hot Wheels created Valentine's Day cards that are red and silver cars with headers that have the to and from information on them. Six cards per package at $6.99. My son's class only has twelve students, all boys. So they were perfect since he loves toy cars. They should be on sale at Target tomorrow. So collectors head out and pick up a pack.

Election 2008

My grandmother is almost ninety. I asked her yesterday if she ever thought that two of the front runners for the White House would be a woman and a black man. She told me no, but she's loving every minute of it. I have never seen her follow an election so closely. Something that seems so normal to us, seems almost magical to her. It puts everything in the proper historical context.

Mini Eames Rocking Chair

So what it is only a knock off, it still looks good. And it only cost $299, so you won't be afraid for you kid to use it.

Zoom Twin Stroller

Bugaboo may have taken too long to make a twin stroller. The Zoom stroller has seats that are very similar to the Bug (but don't most strollers these days), can be used with 2 car seats, 2 seats, or even 2 carrycots. But here is the lovely thing, it folds to the size of a single stroller. So you can actually fit it in the trunk of your car if you don't have an SUV. You do have to remove the seats first, but you have to do that with most Bugaboos. It ranges in price from around $750 US for the basic stroller to about $1700 for a stroller with two of all the bells and whistles. You can also purchase Maxi-Cosi adaptors and a toddler ride on board. But you do have to have it shipped from the UK. It is available here and here sometime in May. Which in baby company time means June or July.