4 foolproof ways to make your baby laugh

What are your tried-and-true ways to make a baby laugh? What always works? Toby and I made a video about four things that crack him up. We hope you like it!

"When a new baby laughs for the first time a new fairy is born, and since there are always new babies, there are always new fairies." -- Peter Pan

Prat falls (aka pretending to trip) always seem to make babies laugh. The parenting book The Happiest Toddler on the Block explained that apparently babies love it because someone else finally looks like the idiot. Babies are always the shortest, slowest and clumsiest people in the room, so they love to feel like the smart one, for once. How cute is that?!
The video was kindly sponsored by mOmma, a brand of beautifully modern children's mealtime products, designed in Switzerland and made in Italy. Toby has used their sippy cup for the past six months (ever since he transitioned from his bottle), and it's the best sippy cup we've tried, hands down. It doesn't leak, is easy to use, is aesthetically pleasing, and can double as a ball to roll around while he's waiting for dinner. I've recommended it over and over to friends. So, I was thrilled when mOmma wanted to work together.

Plus, a giveaway: mOmma is also giving FIVE lucky winners FULL sets of all their products, including a diaper bag. For a chance to win, please visit the mOmma website and leave a comment below. (Also consider visiting them on Facebook or Twitter, and you can buy them here and find deals here). Five winners will be selected at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Our winners are Melisa R., Jenna K., Seana, Catherine A., Samantha S. Thanks for playing. xo
(Video sponsored by mOmma; video directed by my friend Steve Pappin "Son of Shark Pig," thanks to Elizabeth for letting us use her house (and for doing prat falls!); song by Elizabeth Mitchell; my beloved pink jeans are from J.Crew)

Toby says Night Night.

Alex and I usually put Toby to bed, but when we went out at dinner last week, our babysitter took this video of Toby saying goodnight. My heart swells whenever I hear his little voice--it's so magical to witness your child start to communicate! I can't wait to talk to him more as he grows, and hear what's going on in that little head. xoxo

Sleep well tonight, everyone!

P.S. Five more Toby videos, since I can't help it:)

Motherhood Mondays: One woman asks: "I'm not sure if I want kids or not. How do you decide?"

My good friend Corrie Pikul, a 36-year-old magazine writer and blogger living in Brooklyn, has never been sure if she should have a child. She doesn't for sure want one, but she also doesn't not want one. She's completely 50/50. So, as she gets older, how will she make the decision? Here, Corrie shares her fascinating story...
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How to make travel WAY easier

Can you imagine boarding a flight with just a wallet and your favorite book? Before you leave for vacation, LugLess will pick up your suitcases from your house and deliver them right to your destination.

A small suitcase costs $39 and a large suitcase costs $59, which are amazing prices considering that most airlines charge twenty-five bones to check a bag. Traveling without luggage would make a trip so much easier, especially when you have a wriggly baby in tow.

Having bags sent ahead is something I always assumed was reserved for the Rich & Famous, but this seems totally doable! Thumbs up, LugLess.

Accidental twins

Yesterday afternoon was sunny and gorgeous, so Toby and I met friends at Washington Square Park. Everything was going swimmingly...until I realized that I was dressed exactly--exactly--like my friend's four-year-old son. I sometimes tease myself for dressing like a ten-year-old boy, but I guess I was six years off. :)

P.S. I need to wear these wedges.

(Photo by my friend Ashley)

Motherhood Mondays: Cutest bunny

Sir Hopsalot is too flipping adorable.

(Via EastSideBride)

Motherhood Mondays: Would you ever take a vacation by yourself?

My friend Sharon and I were hanging out this weekend--with four noisy little dudes in tow--and she told me that every year she takes a vacation by herself...
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Motherhood Mondays: Letter from Roald Dahl

Back in 1989, on a rainy afternoon, seven-year-old Amy wrote a letter to Roald Dahl. Using oil, coloured water and glitter, Amy sent the author a personal gift: one of her dreams, contained in a bottle.

Here's Roald Dahl's wonderful response:
P.S. Roald Dahl stamps.

(Photo by Palayo Lacazette; letter from Amy herself, who is on twitter; via LettersofNote)

Toby's almost two

Toby is just a few months away from turning two, and he's gearing up like a champ. He's been nailing the whining, fussing and general malaise that comes with being two years old. The word "no" is his motto, and, through his eyes, everything is either the worst or the absolute worst. Here, Toby gets carried to the playground (since naturally he didn't want to ride in his stroller), but was distraught because he wanted Mommy to carry him, not Daddy!!!!!!

Alex says he wants to write a biography of Toby's year called "A Portrait of Courage." It's so hard to be a baby! Keeps making me laugh out loud.

Motherhood Mondays: Baby Names & Faces Book

Pinhole Press has a brilliant new baby photo product: Big Book of Names & Faces. You make one with photos of your child's favorite people. My mom made us one as a gift, and it has become Toby's favorite bedtime story. Since our relatives live around the country, this book helps Toby remember them between visits (and happily recognize them when he sees them again), and I love that the book helps him learn words and names, and show him that he's part of a family that cares about him. Bravo, Pinhole Press!

(Thanks to my friend Laura Ratliff for taking these photos. You might recognize Sharon Beesley's kids in a photo. Pinhole Press is my friends' company and one of my beloved sponsors. )

Motherhood Mondays: The hardest two months of my life

In an effort to be authentic, I'd like to talk about something difficult I went through as a new mother. A year ago, I went though the worst two months I've ever experienced. I never mentioned it on the blog. I couldn't; I was too overwhelmed. But now that a whole year has passed, I want to share my experience with you...
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On authenticity: Tell us something true.

When I was a new mother, I went through something difficult. For a while, I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about it on the blog, but my mom, who has always been a huge champion of "authenticity," emailed me recently to say this...

"It seems to me that being authentic is being brave enough or just candid enough to be honest about what you are experiencing or who you are, whether it is popular are not. A person gives a gift to other people when they say, 'This is what happened to me or this is how I truly feel, no matter what the popular belief is about what I should feel.' Whenever you are honest, you are speaking for a thousand silent people who don't have the voice to say what they really feel or are really experiencing. So, if you ever talk about [the thing you went through], you will touch a million hearts. Because you are speaking for more than just yourself. You are never alone in what you are feeling. I love you."

So, I will share my little story on Monday, even though it gives me butterflies. I thought my mom's words were so beautiful, and I want to always remember them. xoxo

Would you want to share something true about yourself? Something little, something big? Something that makes you happy, something that worries you? Whatever you want, as long as it is true. :)

Here are a few of mine, in the meantime:
* I have old-lady undereye wrinkles.
* I'm scared of elevators.
* I don't know how to accessorize with belts.
* I'm sensitive to criticism.
* I always think I'm going to choke when I eat pears.
* I get super cranky when people talk too loudly.

Until Monday... xoxoxoxo

(Painting by Jessie Willcox Smith)

How to raise kids like a French woman

Have you heard these rules of French parenting? I'm dying to discuss...
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Roald Dahl stamps

British author Roald Dahl wrote the nuttiest, wackiest, most magical children's stories, and The Royal Mail just released this rad set of stamps to celebrate him. What's your favorite Roald Dahl book? (Mine's The BFG.)

Motherhood Mondays: Toby's lovey

When Toby was teeny...
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Motherhood Mondays: Family travel

Since 2005, English photographer Tom Robinson has photographed his and his girlfriend's feet as they've traveled the world. (Remember this post?) Well, in 2011, they added a third set of feet: their daughter Matilda. How adorable and adventurous are these photos?

P.S. Tom's other genius project, I'm Going to Be a Dad.

(Via Double Takes)

Motherhood Mondays: My parents' two tricks

My third story about parenting moments actually features my parents. They did two little things I always liked...
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Motherhood Mondays: 5-minute game to make your child feel loved

Last night, I was reading the book Playful Parenting, when I came across an anecdote about a mother, who had just had a third child. Her older kids had gotten clingy because they felt that the new baby was taking away from their time with her. So, she made up a genius game...
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Motherhood Mondays: Naming identical twins

Parenting brings lots of big life decisions (babysitters, sleep schedules), but most of parenthood really seems to be made up of smaller everyday moments (breakfasts, baths, haircuts, lullabies). So, it's inspiring to hear about times when parents come up with an awesome everyday idea and just nail it. Today I'll be sharing three of these!

First up: The way my friend Sharon named her identical twin boys...
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Motherhood Mondays: Hidden mothers

Years ago, for formal baby photos, the mother would hide under a blanket or rug and hold her baby still for the photographer. How bizarre are these photos?

P.S. More baby photos...

(I linked to this phenomenon a couple weekends ago, but can't help posting it, too. Via Retronaut and Flickr)