We’re so grateful to Rockabye Baby for letting me, a first-time mommy, and, my partner in parenting, a daddy in training, share our journey with her. I have learned so, so, so much from documenting her different milestones here.
We’re throwing her a big birthday party tomorrow, with planning semi on par of our wedding and totally us: everything last minute, a little DIY and a little reckless spending (because there’s no one talking mama out of online shopping at 2 AM).
Little D may have no memory of the party, but as I mentioned earlier this week, honestly, it’s not just about her: It’s also commemorating our first year of parenthood—and we deserve a party. A funny hat party!
We’ve made a Rockabye Baby Birthday (After) Party Playlist for her to take the edge off after what’s sure to be a hectic weekend. If you read the titles closely, you’ll see that it also reflects what this year has meant having this little Gemini -Year of the Dragon baby, now toddler, in our lives.
Here’s to you, Little D, and everyone whose life has been transformed by little spirits like you.
My daughter, D, is turning 1 on May 24. The year’s gone by so fast! Way too quick for me to even have much time to think about throwing a birthday party to commemorate her first year of life. So I’ve had to act fast to start our birthday plan of attack—even if she won’t remember any of it. Mama likes to party.
So we’ve done what most parents in this day and age do:
Sent out an electronic invitation/notice of some form. I’ve counted 4 so far: family e-group list, Facebook event, email, text message.
That’s as far as we’ve gotten. Yeah, we have a long way to go. But I did also consult an expert, my 5-year-old niece, Natalia, for advice on how to throw the ultimate birthday party for her cousin. Here’s what was on her checklist for D’s party, which she shared via telephone, in the order she relayed them to me:
KID’s GUIDE TO THROWING A BIRTHDAY PARTY
Here’s all you need:
1. “One of those big things that, y’know, hangs from a tree and is filled with stuff!” (translation: piñata) 2. “M&Ms…lots of them.” 3. “Um, cake, cookies, cupcakes. CHEESECAKE…yeah, one of those, too!” 4. “Maybe a little pasta.” 5. “Decorations…like those things you throw into the air.” (translation: confetti) 6. “Oh, yeah, and it has to be a surprise!”
That last tip kills me: a surprise party for a 1-year-old. I asked her, “How do we surprise her?” She said, “Just have her papa roll her over!” Anyone care to translate?
No party is complete without a little music! When things need to wind down, turn up our lullaby renditions.
We know many of you across the country can’t wait to start peeling off your winter layers and really enjoy the longer days. To warm you up this new season, and to welcome new life—whether you are expecting or someone you love is—we put together this special Spring Fever Playlist just for you. Share it at a baby shower or just chill outdoors with your little ones and give it a listen.
Listen to our Spring Fever Baby Shower Playlist now!
Like what you hear? Then you’ll love these full-length lullaby renditions!
We were pretty excited when she started crawling just before her seven “monthaversary” (as my mom likes to call it). But she followed that milestone with figuring out how to stand up two days later.
Now standing is all she wants to do. Little does she know that when she gets much older, all she’ll want to do is find ways to sit down or lie down.
Little D had her little discovery not long after we finally set up her crib. She saw those rails and bars and some light bulb went on in her head and made them her standing friends. Now when she’s in her crib she thinks it’s time for a walkabout instead of treating it as a haven for sleep.
And the milestones keep coming like wildfire. I’m particularly fond of her pincer grasp in BOTH hands. Having her self-feed is nothing short of awesome. Peas, beans, little pieces of toast… It occupies her time so Mommy and Daddy can actually feed themselves. And it’s the one thing she thinks is even cooler than standing.
But combine those skilled thumbs and forefingers with happy standing legs and my little girl is clearly no longer the helpless little baby who could only see the world beyond her Moses basket if I picked her up and who could only grab things I put within her reach.
But my sweet baby still needs to hold onto something when she stands, and when it’s not the rails of her crib or some other (hopefully) stationary objects, it’s more often than not me, or something I’m wearing.
And what does D do when she’s standing using those pincers? Grabbing on to what’s around my neck. And what happens when baby falls down when standing isn’t fun anymore? She takes my treasured keepsakes down with her 18-pound frame.
Bye-bye necklaces. Thanks, milestones.
For you Little D, and to all you parents who are enjoying the “Get Up, Stand Up” phase, this song from the Lullaby Renditions of Bob Marleyis for you.
Drawing a blank on what tunes your dear friend might want to share with her little bundle of joy?
We’re here to help! Check out the first installment of our Baby Shower below with the perfect collection of tunes for every mama to be. Just choose which mama you’re shopping for!
The Rocker
Who it’s for: She’s the soon-to-be “rock-mama” who’s outspoken, free-spirited and even a little rebellious at times (yep, she’s hopped a fence or two in her day and was the first in your circle to get a tattoo).
Music has always been a huge part of her life and will continue to be in her new life as “mommy.” The tunes she loves aren’t for the faint of heart but we think she’ll be willing to turn them down a little bit for her mini rocker with these lullaby renditions:
Who it’s for: She’s girl next door, the darling with the big heart who hasn’t sworn since middle school (on a dare). In her spare time, she finds homes for homeless pups and will bring over soup at the drop of a pin when you’re sick. She’s basically like the best grandma ever but . . . closer to your age.
Give her and her little cutie this collection of lullabies that are just as sweet as she is:
Who it’s for: The close acquaintance, friend of a friend. . . of a friend of a friend. You’ve met on more than a dozen occasions, but only by way of mutual pals. Since friends of friends can loosely be considered your own friends, you’ve been invited (perhaps by obligation) to her baby shower!
Since she’s not one of your closest gal pals, you don’t know her well enough to pick out her favorites. So what you need is a little bit of everything :
One of my favorite pastimes, especially when I am traveling, is visiting museums. Now with a baby in tow, I assumed this would no longer be the easiest or most pleasurable activity. How long can she go without crying? How long could she go without eating? Would I have to take a stroller?
There are several baby- and kid-friendly museums in most big cities. Here are links to introduce you to some great ones in the States and abroad:
Do you have some great kid-friendly museums you recommend?
Granted most of the museums on these lists weren’t on my destination wish list pre-Little D. And when I was in San Francisco recently and saw that the “Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” exhibit, was at the de Young — definitely not a kid’s museum — I told D, “Whether you like it or not, you’re going.”
Interestingly enough, my husband and I found the museum experience even more exciting with the little one compared to our visit to the de Young last year. (BTW, do check out Gaultier exhibit. It’s awesome for all ages.)
May 29, 2011 July 3, 2012
de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA
Bringing a baby added a real dose of adventure to the visit. Apart from the fact that it was incredibly fun being stealth about snapping pictures of D in front of various art to record her first museum visit, there was always a risk she was going to break out crying or make inappropriate noises (you know what I’m talking about) at any moment. Oh, the small thrills of parenthood. Really living on the wild side, right?
Just leave the stroller at home to avoid pissing people off at the more grown-up museums. Or, better yet, bring it.
Think first Fridays of the month are just for cool art and music happenings? Well, sure they are, but here at Rockabye Baby, we’re also using them to spotlight what’s happening with your little ones.
When you have a child, witnessing their “first” anything is a precious moment… and even better when you can record them. We know how proud you are of your kids’ firsts, so we’re taking each first Friday of the month to celebrate just that!
We’re kicking things off with this video from Janet of Dunblane, Scotland, of her son, Magnus.
“Magnus’s First Word,” April 2012
Magnus began saying the “m” sound at around one year, and then he started using it when we he wanted something — pointing and saying “ma” really clearly. (This replaced the previous shrill squawking that he did when he wanted things, so we were pleased!) Then he started making it sound like “ma-nu,” and we realised he was saying his own name. So the video clip shows us encouraging him to say it. He now has different sounds for Maisie, his sister, Mummy and we think also Bounce, Bang and Book (a small insight into our lives!!!). He’s now 14 months.
—Janet
(If you’re in the UK, like Janet and family, don’t forget to check out our UK site!)
Share your kids’ firsts with us by emailing us at moc.cisumybabeybakcornull@golb your photos, videos and stories. Your child can be our next First Friday spotlight!
Do you keep losing sleep because of a restless baby? Is the moon stealing your baby’s slumber? Spin these bedtime-ready renditions of Silverchair’s most-loved songs. Your little tadpole will be dreaming sweetly, asleep in a golden ocean.
Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of The White Stripes
Just don’t know what to do with yourself when baby won’t sleep? Don’t fret, Mom and Dad; slip on these blissful versions of The White Stripes’ rock hits. There’ll be no screeching guitar and no crying infants. Tonight, your baby and bedtime are going to be friends.
We’re so grateful to Rockabye Baby for letting me, a first-time mommy, and, my partner in parenting, a daddy in training, share our journey with her. I have learned so, so, so much from documenting her different milestones here.
My baby has a new obsession: standing.
