Rookie Moms

Whether you’re a total zen mama or a skeptic, I highly recommend learning a few techniques of infant massage. You can enjoy some quiet time and get to know your baby’s tiny developing body AND often get the kid to chill out and go to sleep. Win win.

I took a short workshop in baby massage with my mom’s group and picked up a few other pointers in a kick-ass mommy yoga class. Only one baby had to leave early for having a melt-down. The Baby Whisperer book has a ten-step plan to great infant massage (that I’ve used for reference).

Ease into it and stop if either of you are too bothered to continue. It can be fun for both of you even if you are making it up as you go. Then you can build up to a longer massage when you’re both ready.

Some quick tips and ideas:

• Keep the room warm and cozy - maybe throw some hand towels in the dryer beforehand (one for underneath and one to cover the baby while you’re working on other bits).
• Talk through what you’re doing (i.e., “I’m making swirly motions on your teeny tiny foot with my thumbs”).
• Use a little bit of olive oil on your hands.

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Dude, is it hella hot today. (I’m in California, and this is how we talk.) I let baby Scarlett engage in about three different types of water play within a four-hour span of time. She was out in the backyard, sitting in a highchair with bowls of water and spoons to splash with, and finally the bathtub.

Julian (three and three-quarters and a half years old, he’ll tell you) also loves him some water play. We had a spontaneous invention a couple of weeks ago of a car wash in our backyard. It really kept him busy, and our ride-on toys have never been cleaner.

The key to making it an official car wash seemed to be placing the car in a special place. In our case, it was on two outdoor Ikea chairs. Probably making a fort for this specific purpose would be the most satisfying. Make it extra fun with a spray bottle, sponge, and a bucket to dunk sponge in.

While Julian washed the “cars”, I paged through catalog after catalog that had come in the mail. A mutually beneficial water play session, I’d say.

Another week of fun activities for moms and babies courtesy of Kristi at Ciao Bambino. If you’re a local mum, why not be a tourist in your own town for a week?!

Just visiting? Stay at the posh Hotel Manoir Victoria, which has a special entrance for strollers and an indoor pool.

What’s not to love about a city that makes you feel like a femme français? Your bébé and you can live like Europeans (visiting Americans will enjoy that their dollar will actually have value!) in this charming little city in Eastern Canada.

Monday: Sip & Shop
Get your caffeine buzz while your petit chou (this means “little cabbage” but never mind that—it’s an adorable term of endearment nonetheless) listens to French conversation. It’s tough to choose from the city’s 100 cafés, restaurants and bistros, by my fave is L’Omelette (66 rue Saint-Louis). Not so much for the ambiance (although there’s nothing better than an open-air window seat overlooking the street) but for The. Greatest. Café au Lait. In. The. Universe. Whittle away an hour or two then pop in and out of local shops on rue St. Louis.

Bring your sturdiest stroller—these cobblestone streets can be killers. Need a bathroom break or diaper change? Every bistro and hotel along the way has clean, accessible bathrooms, with the exception of the Chateau Frontenac, where you need a room key to open up the door to its swanky washrooms.

Tuesday: Gourmet Eats & Fresh Air
Head to J.A. Moisan Epicerie Fine, North America’s oldest grocery store. Stock up on two or three varieties of cheese, strawberry jam and a loaf on fresh bread. Uneasy because your French is weak at best? Worry not. Even in local stores where English is but an afterthought, employees are friendly and gracious and will find a way to help you figure out what you’re trying to say. Stroll your spoils along the city’s fortification walls and find a lay down a blanket on the massive grassy knolls of Artillery Park.

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Years ago, I went to a silly “roll your own” sushi and head-shaving party hosted by some people I barely knew. I dragged my sister, Meggan, along to keep me company and we enjoyed the general mayhem of the theme.

Rolling your own sushi is quite easy if you have all the ingredients. So, that’s the big trick, assemble the right stuff before you drag your preschooler along to play with you.

1. nori (seaweed) wrapping “paper” (available at grocery stores with an ethnic foods aisle)
2. room temp white sticky rice (less than a cup) — plain is good because the nori is salty
3. filling like strips of cucumber or avocado, and cream cheese if your kid likes that

I am blessed to have leftover rice in the fridge most of the time. If you have a rice cooker — I do not — set it and forget it and then go shave each other’s heads (I’m kidding!) while you wait. Or make it the old fashioned way. In any case, make sure it has time to cool well.

Once you’ve assembled the ingredients, let your kiddo scoop out one or two spoonfuls of rice onto the nori sheets and lay out any desired filling before rolling a genuine hand roll.

For more detailed instructions and inspiration on kid sushi, check out Being Savvy: Honolulu. Thanks Julie!