PerryWinkles Kids Blog

New York and babies aren’t exactly a match made in heaven but having a baby shouldn’t stop you from going to New York City, as you’ll discover a new side of this fantastic city. 

My first concern when heading there last week with my 10-month-old was transportation.  You would be insane to rent a car in a city that is dominated by aggressive drivers and yellow cabs.  Taking the bus proved a little unwieldy, as you are expected to fold up your stroller to get on the bus, but to my surprise cabs were a lot more laid back about taking babies than I had expected.  Although we ended up walking most of the time, it was a relief to know we had a viable option if needed.

The highlight of this last trip were not the fantastic dining experiences or wandering aimlessly from shop to gallery through the Village but, rather, the playgrounds in Central Park.  I had never noticed this before but there are play grounds every few meters in Central Park.  In fact, there are 21 playgrounds in this one park!  Also, on the Sound end, right by 5th Ave. is a Children’s Zoo.  I just love wandering aimlessly through this park and seeing where I end up after each turn.  I’m still amazed that a place can be so serene and be stuck in the middle of Uptown Manhattan.  The perfect escape from the crowds and the shopping when traveling with a baby.

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

This Summer we will be back at the Muskoka Arts & Crafts Show in Bracebridge, Ontario. Now in its 46th year, Muskoka Arts & Crafts’ Summer Show is Muskoka’s oldest and largest outdoor art show. Set in a beautiful park, the Summer Show features 200 creative artists from across Canada. Shop for PerryWinkles Kids’ hand-smocked dresses there from July 18th to 20th.

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

I knew it would happen.  Every baby goes through it and I knew the day would inevitably arrive when our baby became aware of how powerful dropping a toy on the floor from the height of her high chair could be.  The first act happens innocently enough - “let’s see what happens when I place my hand in the air and open it!”  Down goes the toy to the floor and makes a noise.  And down goes the baby’s mommy to pick up the toy that fell on the floor…or so she naively thought!  Then they perfect the throwing-toy-on-the-floor technique through trial and error.  There’s the sweeping of the arm across the tray, then the picking a toy with their little fingers and dangling it in the air before releasing, and the grabbing with their whole hand and projecting in the desired direction.  And they all have the same desired effect of mommy or daddy bending down and picking it up for them only to wait two seconds before the toy finds its way back on the floor. 

I admit that I find this little game charming and amazing.  It’s cute to see a bit of personality coming through in a baby and, also, it’s incredible to witness learning and skill development happening in front of your eyes.  First there’s object permanence, which teaches them that objects still exist when they’re not in their view anymore; then there’s the dexterity developed in their fingers through all those Cheerios and little bits of fruit they pick up from their plate; there’s finally being coordinated enough to grab an object and move their arms in the direction they want them to end up.  And I’m sure there’s tons more at play!  I don’t consider this little game in itself a form of manipulation because babies (we suspect) find this fun.  So why not indulge them.

What did concern me (in a humorous way only) was when I realized that Clara, now over 8-months-old, had incorporated this little game into her feeding routine to get me to get her toys for her when she wanted.  The game goes something like this: we start happily feeding, mouth is popping open, food is going in easily.  Then Clara starts fussing a bit so I give her a spoon or bowl to distract her, and we continue happily feeding.  A few minutes later off goes the arm in the air dangling the bowl, looking back at me before releasing her little fingers, then excitedly looking over the side of her chair to see where the bowl landed.  Nice throw!  It’s what followed that shocked me when I realized I was being manipulated by my sneaky baby: Clara sits back on her chair looking at me who should obviously know to pick the toy back up.  When I try to feed her at that moment she softly closes her eyes and looks sideways.  I initially thought she was just full and done eating so didnt’ think much of it.  Except after I finally handed her the bowl she immediately popped her mouth back open, I filled it with food and she threw the bowl on the floor again! 

Upon realizing this was going on, of course I first persevered and tried to get her to eat without giving in to her game.  I don’t know how long this fascination with toys on the floor will last and my back is stiff enough as it is! Soon enough, however, I just wanted her to finish her meal and I knew the only way was to play along.  So I did and had a great laugh at my baby’s cheekiness!

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Smocked Clothing

We recently ventured out West to Vancouver for a long weekend with our 8-month-old.  These were some of our favourite kid-friendly destinations:

1. Walking the sea wall at Stanley Park.  Nothing like getting some fresh air and catching some rays…specially when they’re soft at 6am.  Don’t forget the sunscreen if you’ll be out and about when the sun is stronger closer to noon.

2. Vancouver Aquarium at Stanley Park.  Check out the kids zone in the lower level where they have story time, games and a pretend animal hospital for kids.  They will even arrange a sleepovers for kids who want to see the aquarium after hours.  Even at $20 a head it was worth it just to see Clara laugh hysterically at the seals swimming past the viewing window.

3. Granville Island.  The public market is always fun and delicious to walk around but if you’re with kids you’ll want to head to the kids market, two floors full of toy stores and activities for kids.

4. Tampopo Sushi on Denman St. by Davie St..  Ok, not necessarily top of the list when thinking of destinations to go with kids but this all you can eat sushi place served the best tuna sushi and it was spacious enough to fit strollers comfortably and service was efficient.  You will have to carry the stroller up the stairs as they don’t have an elevator.

5. Whistler/Blackcomb.  If you want to get some skiing in whlie you’re out West, driving to Whistler/Blackcomb only takes about two hours.  If your baby is over 6 months and is comfortable with strangers, you can use their day care services for $100/day.  Be sure to book ahead as this service is popular.  Also check with your hotel for what they offer for older kids.  Babisitting Whistler also offers babysitting services and baby gear rental.  They will deliver to your hotel rental baby gear, including carriers if you decide to go for a hike or snowshoe and didn’t bring a baby carrier along, for example.

6. Elixir Restaurant.  We found this French style bistro walking around Yaletown and the first thing that caught our attention was that they had breakfast starting at 6am!  We knew it would be our list of places to hit.  Although the food was nothing to rave about and the prices a little steep, we loved being able to sit down at a real restaurant with a full brunch menu at 6am.  We were the only ones there so our little one didn’t disturb anyone and the server was happy to provide a high chair for her and even gave her a piece of toast to munch on. 

7. Easter Brunch at The Westin Hotel in Whistler.  The Westin served a tasty buffet brunch on Easter Sunday.  The highlights for the little ones: the kids buffet table (only a few inches off the ground, kids could help themselves to chicken fingers, jello and many other kids favourites), the chocolate fountain and the Easter egg hunt in the hotel lobby.  The highlight for the adults (other than all-you-can-eat incredibly fresh smoked salmon!) was the kid-friendly environment, high-chairs included.  (The lowlight would have to be the $45 a head!) 

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Smocked Children’s Clothing

Ever since my husband and I started talking about having kids, we decided we would not let this new phase change our adventurous spirits and our urge to travel and see the world.  At 8 months, Clara has already been to South America twice (once in my tummy at 2 months pregnant, and once after 5 months of being born), roadtripped along the California, Oregon and Washington coast (babymoon at 5 months pregnant), visited Saskatchewan in the winter at 4 and a half months of age (visiting family at Christmas) and ventured West again to Vancouver this past Easter long weekend.

I have to admit, up to now I haven’t shaken my head and wondered if what I was doing was smart until this last trip to Vancouver.  Clara is a baby that is full of energy and life and all day long she wants to be exploring new things and moving, jumping if possible.  Her excitement is contagious and makes me very happy, except for when it translates into her jumping on my lap for five hours on the plane from Toronto to Vancouver!  I was lucky to be sitting next to a very patient man who I am sure by now has vowed never to have kids or at least never to travel with them!  This may have something to do with Clara accidentally spilling all her food on top of his laptop and shoes (which, shockingly, none of the flight attendants at Air Canada had any inclination to help me clean), or with the fact that Clara just wanted to babble while he was trying to sleep, or with Clara’s insistence on playing on his keyboard while the man decided to try to get some work done.  Thank goodness this man was so patient he didn’t even give me a bad look the whole time.

We had already prepared ourselves for early mornings but adults’ circadian rhythms surely adjust a lot quicker than those of babies because Clara’s wake up calls at 2am and 3am felt like it was the middle of the night (which it was!) instead of it feeling like we were waking up at the usual time at home.  Todd and I both groaned and moaned and looked at each other to see which one of us would jump out of bed when Clara announced it was time to get up while it was still pitch dark outside.  It did feel a little insance to be playing and singing songs in the middle of the night.  By 6am when we would leave the hotel Clara had already had her first nap of the day and only two hours later it was time for lunch!  We would walk for hours waiting for the first Starbucks to open (Vancouverites are not early risers, we found out!).  Then we would try to jam in as much site seeing as we could get done by 3pm when it was bedtime for the baby.

In spite of the travails with the time difference and flying with an active baby, we did enjoy having a weekend in true Spring weather, seeing the cherry blossoms in bloom and visiting and tasting some of what Vancouver has to offer.  I came home after our short West Coast stint feeling more relaxed and like we’d had a little adventure.  Alas, the flight back is one hour shorter and I learned my lesson and only fed Clara while on firm land on the return.  I would suggest if you go somewhere that is a few time-zones behind your home town with a baby to get to bed early, as baby’s schedules are unforgiving!  But, certainly, keep on exploring your favourite places with your new bundle of joy.

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Smocked Children’s Clothing

In the past month, my daughter Clara, now 7 months, has graduated from her original choice of baby toys. She no longer lingers on the grabbing toys but is fascinated by balls and anything that rolls, as well as stacking blocks.   Also on her favourites list are stuffed animals that make noise.

Having gained more control of her movements she can now pick up balls the size of her palm, as well as get her hands into beachballs. She is still at that fascinating stage where she can’t not reach for something if you put it in front of her, which makes distracting her from getting into dangerous things easier.  But the wonderful thing is she’s also learning cause and effect so you can almost see her brain light up when she shakes a toy and hears a noise coming from inside it.  Then she figures if she shakes the toy really quickly more noise will come from it…and if she bangs it against another toy!…soon we’ve got a concert going on!

Clara’s current collection of favourites includes:

1. A beachball that is not fully inflated so she can grab easily with a couple of fingers. ($2 at Gymboree)

2. A colourful ball that makes noise and she can grab with both hands.

3. Small, animated balls that fit easily into her hand.

4. Mandarins that she can push around and quickly grab and get her teeth into. (She needs to be supervised during this activity, lest she actually eat the citrus fruit that her stomach is not ready for yet!)

5. Stacking blocks are fun to hold with all its textures, sounds and colours but even more fun is stacking them and letting Clara hit them and watch them tumble.  We can do this activity over and over again without her tiring of it!  ($15 at Manhattan Toys)

 I can’t wait to see what the next stage will bring!

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

We are pleased to announce our Spring and Summer 2008 dress collection for little girls, just in time to cheer you up in the middle of this bitter winter.  This collection is the product of researching the finest patterns and colors in the highest quality pima cotton and silk, and designing with practicality in mind. 

This year’s spring and summer lines feature exquisite fabrics for the Special Occasions line, delicate touches in the Babies line, and playful elegance in the Little Girls line. 

The Special Occasion line includes an elegant flower girl dress in Shantung silk, and a christening gown that inspires tradition. 

The Babies line features a romper decorated with a dainty and feminine floral design for a baby’s first few months of life, and a delicate bishop in a thin 100% cotton fabric, also hand-smocked in a floral design. 

The Little Girls line includes Daniela, a sleeveless, hand-smocked dress in a feminine floral printed fabric; Evelyn, a classic, short-sleeve pique cotton dress with hand-smocked bodice and smart ribbon detail on the skirt; and Katherine, a fun, apple-green and pink dress in a soft Oxford cotton fabric.

“This collection was inspired by the colors of spring and a taste of what’s classical.” says Maria Montero, co-founder of PerryWinkles Kids. 

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

I recently was fascinated to find out that some very perceptive mothers had come up with a line of toys called Taggies that had a lot of tags around them.  The inspiration for this was their babies’ seeming fascination with chewing on labels.  Kathe Kruse, the German toy maker, also had the same idea with their new line of toys called Labelies.  They make soft toys and blankets with a lot of labels like this adorable toy dragon. This probably increases your toy’s “shelf life” (or how long your baby will be entertained by it) by a good 10 precious minutes!

Check out the full collection at Baby Naturopathics, a fantastic resource for toys made of natural materials, clothing made of 100% organic cotton and skin care products made of natural products.  Be warned that they have a wonderful selection of European toys that can be a bit addictive if you’re in a toy buying mood!

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

Do you ever get the feeling that someone has thought of something for everything? There are gadgets and toys to meet every mothering need, it feels like. You have diaper bags designed to make you look fashionable and be comfortable and hold everything you need to get through the day; as well as little bags in attractive fabrics to hold the wipes that go inside the diaper bag, and special holders for the soother so it doesn’t get dirty, insulated holders for the bottle so it doesn’t get warm, and plastic food containers that are divided so you can conveniently carry along your baby’s food and of course the container has a dent that perfectly fits the feeding spoon so you never lose it or leave your house without it. And the list goes on and on. Some inventions are just what you needed and really fill a gap while others are just more gadgets to accumulate.

I was noticing the other day that my six-month-old was really fascinated by the tags in her soft toys. She didn’t seem to care that we had carefully chosen toys that were beautiful or seemingly educational. She would dive right into the tags and entertain herself for a while mowing down on it. I wondered if someone had picked up on this and marketed it already. Sure enough, two days later I was talking to a friend and she showed me her baby’s new Taggies book - a cloth book that has tags sticking out from all their pages.  It’s so much fun watching a baby have a field trip on one of these toys! They also make blankets, bedding and even clothes all filled with tags sticking out of everywhere.  Like I said, they’ve thought of everything!

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing 

Life with a six month old is challenging.  Spending time with my daughter is the most rewarding way I can think of spending my time but at six months it feels like every minute of the day she is discovering something new, her world is expanding and she wants to explore and be stimulated every single moment.  She doesn’t crawl yet so I am her means to her ends and she obviously doesn’t talk yet so I need to constantly be interpreting her moods and signs to know what she needs next. 

Entertaining a six month old is even more difficult when you have to do it in the middle of winter in Canada.  Not only do you have no time to shovel your sidewalk and dig out your car in the morning but parking anywhere else than at a shopping mall is nearly impossible when you have to first maneuver the snow so you don’t hit the cars around you, try not to get stuck in the snow (I’ve already had to shovel my way out of one parking attempt), and avoid parking next to any snow banks that will make it difficult for you to get in to remove your baby from the car.  Going for walks with your stroller is out of the question, as not everyone is diligent about cleaning their sidewalks so you end up having to carry your stroller every few meters.

So I was not impressed today when I had been looking forward to finally getting out of the house to take Clara to music class and it had started snowing.  Again!  There is literally no place to shovel snow out of my driveway anymore, the snow banks around my house are so tall.  Apparently, they’re calling for another 20 cms. of snow in Toronto today.

I was determined not to get stuck inside today but Clara decided today was not a good day for napping.  So I shovel the snow and clean the car while she’s screaming inside.  I quickly bundle my baby up, get her in the car and maneuver my way out of the driveway managing not to hit the snow banks.  “Beep!”  No antifreeze left for the windows.

We glide our way to music class through the snowy, slippery streets and Clara has a wonderful time.  The effort pays off.  Clean the snow off the car.  On the way back I decide to make chili for dinner.  Stop at the grocery store, get the ingredients, clean snow off the car again and get home.

Finally, baby is asleep, I’m into my cooking and not thinking about the stinky weather anymore.  Then, “Slit!”, I cut my finger chopping an onion.  I never cut my finger when chopping vegetables!  Two seconds later, “Snap!”, the mousetrap.  Wonderful.  It’s so cold outside that mice have decided it’s cozier inside.  “Knock, Knock.” Someone’s at the door.  Must be important, if someone’s out on a miserable day like today.  You can imagine my disappointment when I am faced with a pushy kid trying to convince me that I must switch hydro plans.  Honestly, I’ve gone through this before and I’m not interested. 

Chili is done and I pour myself a glass of wine.  Ah!  There is no moral to this story other than to say, Can this day be over already?!  Let’s hope for sunny skies and warmer weather tomorrow!