Wish List: Kids Room

Loft Collection Bed with Rolling Trundle
$1099

















Harvey Nightstand
$99.95

















Hopscotch Rug
$199



















Parsons Mini-desk
$249











Acrylic Side Chair
$268 (for 2)















Expedit Bookcase
$159

Triple Bunk?

It's been such a nightmare trying to find a solid wood, nice looking, not-too-big bed for Bella. She's been sleeping in a toddler bed since she was 18 months old and it's definitely time for an upgrade.

And I think we've found a company that has just what we're looking for: Flexa. Their motto is "Because Children Grow" and they seem to realize that kids grow so it's a good idea to invest in a bed that will grow with them. I think this is the one we are going to get. It's slim, simple, and modern (and not too expensive).

Bella keeps asking for a bunk bed (to which we reply: no way!). If she has a sibling (ever? eventually?) we'll revisit it, since our house is teeeny, but for now we're standing firm. We'll get a trundle for the bed instead.

But while I was looking though the site, I came upon this:

A triple bunk bed! Can you imagine? There's no way I'd ever be in that middle bunk - I get freaked out enough by the bottom bunk (what if there's an earthquake and the bunk collapses??).

I think we'll stay low to the ground for now.

What bed did you get for your child when they were ready to upgrade to a twin?

It's Hard to Believe...That I Couldn't See.

That you were always right beside me.

WTF, you ask?

Bella asked if she could watch High School Musical Last week. Have you seen it?

We watched about 20 minutes with her and then ended up recording the rest of it on our DVR. And once Bella was asleep Mark and I watched the rest of it. In silence. Waiting to see what happened. Turns out it just one of those 'aw shucks' kind of movies where the guy gets the girl and everyone realizes that we're all the same deep down inside. But it was riveting. So clean cut and catchy. I almost wanted to tape HSM2, but Mark laid down the law.

So, in a nutshell, it's safe for a 3 year old. Heck, there wasn't even smooching (you can't say that for Hannah Montana people).

The downside? Now I have HSM (see how I'm down with the lingo now?) songs on a constant loop in my head. Mark's head on the other hand, is about to explode due to my sudden outbursts throughout the day while I'm doing dishes, surfing the web, giving Bella a bath....

I guess since I'm talking about HSM this blog has officially jumped the shark. Hopefully 2008 will bring more interesting (and frequent) posts.

yum-o?

i've never been a dog person. just a cat person.

that is, until i started working with an incredible woman who loves her dog pico THIS MUCH. this dog is her child and she treats him as such - including being just as picky as a mom is (or in this day and age should be) with her baby. put it this way, pico gets tri tip, fresh sausage, free range chicken, and jenni is a vegetarian. you've got to love your dog if you are vegetarian AND willing to handle meat. i digress. back to the treats.

bella and i wanted to do something for little (actually quite large) pico. lo and behold, in the latest rachael ray magazine, was a recipe for doggie treats. it looked kid friendly. and easy. we had to jump into action!

Oh, and before you turn the other way with your nose in the air because you're too cool to like or even try RR's recipes, the recipe was developed by someone else.


Jessica Gorman's Olive Oil and Bacon Truffles

you can find the recipe here, as well as an archive of other recipes here.

basically, these are little scones with nuggets of crispy bacon inside. the ingredients are simple: whole wheat flour, bacon, cornmeal, beef broth, olive oil, and water. mix the dry ingredients and bacon, then add the wet and knead into a smooth dough. roll into balls and place on a foil lined sheet (i used parchment - it was fine). oh, and you bake them after drizzling them with the leftover bacon fat. 35 minutes exactly in a 350 degree oven and they're done.

the ease of this recipe was superb - it came together just as the recipe stated and the cooking time was spot on. considering the scare that pet owners received of late with tainted meat, making your dog's (or cat's) food seems less high maintenance with recipes like this.

as for the pico taste test, you'll have to wait until next week for the verdict...but by the looks of these, i would eat one - who can resist all that bacony goodness? oh wait, I'm starting to sound like the queen of yum-o herself.

i'm still not a dog person necessarily, but if a little pooch should cross my path, i have just the thing to soothe the savage beast.

ok, back to human food...

getting back to who we are.

while reading stef's post today, i was reminded of a desk i've been wanting for a LONG time. (stef, i think you may have convinced me to make the leap.)

the jay desk from west elm

this desk represents a change we've been going through at casa peterson of late. we've been craving organization lately. it's amazing how peaceful i feel once i get a few things in order - even if it's just the cutlery lined up like little soldiers in a new cutlery tray. isn't it strange what small things calm you?

our house is rather small (less than 1200 sq.ft.) and in a place this small, you must be as efficient as possible with your belongings. but the fact of the matter is....

we're not. at all.

everything is crammed into every available space. recently i had an 'aha' moment where i realized that every space in your home doesn't need to be filled. a little empty space is vital for flow. and most of all, i'ts OK. and that's what got the ball rolling.

but we're slowly making changes. we're ordering closet organizers (at this stage we're looking at elfa from the container store - any feedback?) . we're looking to ditch the furniture in our living room in favor of a smaller couch like this:

and a small slipper chair like this:


for bella we'll be trading in her changing station and dresser in favor of a dresser like one of these

with a shelf above it. and trading out her rocking chair with one of these:


it isn't as much of a makeover as a chance to express our lives a little more accurately, to distance ourselves from what we thought we should look like from the outside. to remove ourselves from the curse of the 'i'm getting rid of this - you want it?' style of furnishing, and break free of the items we have taken from family members and kept out of some strange obligation (i mean, if it was that special, why didn't they keep it in the first place?).

we're rethinking our artwork, and most of all trying to represent our true selves. no more will i spend each night eating dinner next to artwork that looks like it should be in a dentist's office!

and our motto now is 'one thing in, one thing out'. it's MUCH tougher than it sounds. but it does make you really think about what you are buying.

the book apartment therapy has been a tremendous help. if you are thinking of 'cleaning house' i can think of no better place to start. they even have a blog.

i hope you welcome your true selves back as well.

gDiapers?

This isn't meant to be a baby gear site, but I saw these at Elephant Pharmacy too.

gDiapers


A flushable diaper. Hmmm. I'm a tad skeptical, but something in me wants to give it a try. It could be the sassy covers they make in all different colors and patterns.

Have any of you out there with babies tried these? I am really tempted. It doesn't look like it's any more costly than regular diapers and seems MUCH better for the environment.

They even have a blog.

Leave a comment or email me at gabpetersonatgmailDOTcom.

G

Pure Genius #2

Bella used to refuse to brush her teeth - to the point of me practically sitting on her to get the job done. I mistakenly thought that fruity paste would be preferred over the minty stuff. Boy was I wrong.

I was in Elephant Pharmacy and found this:

Weleda Children's Tooth Gel

Bella brushes with no protests now. In fact, she asks for seconds and thirds - and she's actually brushing, not just sucking down the yummy paste (although she has once in a while). Thankfully, it can be swallowed without repercussions.

And no, she doesn't get thirds. Usually.

It had to happen sooner or later...

Bella has never been into the Wiggles. For this I have thanked my lucky stars for the past two+ years.

Well, this morning, while dad was getting showered before taking her to school, it happened.

And all I can say is - this is IT? I don't get it.

And that Jeff guy - he's the highest paid, lowest working guy in show business. All he does is sleep! Hmph. Wiggles indeed.

It's no Charlie and Lola, that's for sure.

Ho Ho Ho

We're sticking close to home this year. Christmas Eve at our place (for 12! What I am doing blogging at a time like this?!?) and tomorrow with relatives as well.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - I'll be posting again in 2007.

G

Aw Nuts

Bella's got an allergy, no make that allergies. From now on, we're a peanut (and tree nut) free family.

So don't go giving my girl a pbj (or I'll have to kick your ass).