I almost had a retail-induced heart attack when the mysterious block-length Wild Women in Arlington – an enormous space specializing in adventure retail for women – closed and evolved into Wild Women/Wild Child Outfitters. If that wasn’t enough to send the pocketbook aflutter, shortly thereafter Isis Maternity moved into the Broadway side of the Wild Women/Wild Child building (separate post on Isis to follow).

Wild Women/Wild Child is packed with tons of cute clothes, shoes, and accessories for babe and mom, gear, bedding, diaper bags, and toys. It’s a great spot to check out high-end strollers and luxurious baby bedding (from the delicious Dwell) before taking the financial plunge. There also is a little play area for kids; although it seems that the babes have the most fun running up and down the ramp between Wild Child and Isis.

Isis requires a posting of its own, but briefly, the Arlington Isis location is peacefully designed with spaces for classes and groups; their compact retail area has a terrific selection of nursing and maternity wear, breastfeeding and solid food products, books, and toys. And of course they have plenty of diaper changing space and areas to nurse.

I almost had a retail-induced heart attack when the mysterious block-length Wild Women in Arlington – an enormous space specializing in adventure retail for women – closed and evolved into Wild Women/Wild Child Outfitters. If that wasn’t enough to send the pocketbook aflutter, shortly thereafter Isis Maternity moved into the Broadway side of the Wild Women/Wild Child building (separate post on Isis to follow).

Wild Women/Wild Child is packed with tons of cute clothes, shoes, and accessories for babe and mom, gear, bedding, diaper bags, and toys. It’s a great spot to check out high-end strollers and luxurious baby bedding (from the delicious Dwell) before taking the financial plunge. There also is a little play area for kids; although it seems that the babes have the most fun running up and down the ramp between Wild Child and Isis.

Isis requires a posting of its own, but briefly, the Arlington Isis location is peacefully designed with spaces for classes and groups; their compact retail area has a terrific selection of nursing and maternity wear, breastfeeding and solid food products, books, and toys. And of course they have plenty of diaper changing space and areas to nurse.

No one wants to be the parent with the hitting toddler. So I was particularly downtrodden when the babe started hitting recently (sometimes pretend, sometimes not) and today even said “Toby hit!” as in, “Today I’ll hit my friend Toby!”

I found an article on Parenting iVillage that helped give me perspective. Basically, toddlers are like astute little experimental psychologists: they collect data by repeating an action over and over (and over again) because: 1) they are fascinated by what they can make happen repeatedly; and 2) they want to see how people react in different situations. Hitting satisfies both of those empirical quests. In addition, toddlers still see the world from their own point of view and thus assume that if the hitting behavior is fun for them, it will be fun for you too.

So now I know that the babe isn’t trying to get us kicked out of play dates on purpose. See the iVillage original post for suggestions on how to handle hitting, and related topics.

No one wants to be the parent with the hitting toddler. So I was particularly downtrodden when the babe started hitting recently (sometimes pretend, sometimes not) and today even said “Toby hit!” as in, “Today I’ll hit my friend Toby!”

I found an article on Parenting iVillage that helped give me perspective. Basically, toddlers are like astute little experimental psychologists: they collect data by repeating an action over and over (and over again) because: 1) they are fascinated by what they can make happen repeatedly; and 2) they want to see how people react in different situations. Hitting satisfies both of those empirical quests. In addition, toddlers still see the world from their own point of view and thus assume that if the hitting behavior is fun for them, it will be fun for you too.

So now I know that the babe isn’t trying to get us kicked out of play dates on purpose. See the iVillage original post for suggestions on how to handle hitting, and related topics.

This week I'm being featured on Mommybloggers, which is a huge honor for me.  I met Jenny of Three Kid Circus in the first full year of blogging, and after realizing she has three children and about 60 miles per gallon more energy than I do, I tried to stop complaining so much.  Obviously, it didn't really work.  I'm also a huge fan of Jenn and Meghan, who co-founded the site.

If you're bored here, please check out my blogroll, including my KC pals Cagey, Jane, Goofy Girl and Me.  I've begged Fussy and Finslippy and Dooce for advice about sleeping, and they have obliged me with their secrets, which include ignoring the fact your child has his own bed and window tinfoil.  My new friends Izzy, Mary, Sweetney and Mir make me laugh really hard, sometimes so hard it's sort of embarrassing at work.  And Amalah inspired me to Ebay a Coach purse.  I admit it.  Normally I hate brands.  Probably because she had drinks with Cagey in DC.  You gotta love Mommy Match.com.

And Lisa, you've given me so many new dreams to hope for - can't wait to meet you. 

Okay, I'm done with the lovin'.

You know you'd rather surf than work.  So just go for it.  Do it. Do it.

I just realized that this post is up on the Internet.  Such lovely things said.  I think I might go and cry, which is sort of embarrassing, because I'm at work. 

I'll try to come up with something more interesting tomorrow when the shock wears off.

Although the Brattle Theatre’s Rattle on the Brattle is on hiatus until further notice, you can still see movies with the babe in tow just a few miles up Mass. Ave. at Arlington’s Capitol Theatre.

On Monday afternoons, the Capitol offers a baby friendly matinee for parents and caregivers, during which nursing, bottle feeding, fussing, crying, and changing diapers is never frowned upon. There is an area in the lobby to park strollers.

The cost of admission is $4.75 per adult (holidays excluded). Subscribe to the listserv to receive e-mails that allow you to vote for the movie you’d most like to see. Democracy clearly exists in the entertainment industry.

Although the Brattle Theatre’s Rattle on the Brattle is on hiatus until further notice, you can still see movies with the babe in tow just a few miles up Mass. Ave. at Arlington’s Capitol Theatre.

On Monday afternoons, the Capitol offers a baby friendly matinee for parents and caregivers, during which nursing, bottle feeding, fussing, crying, and changing diapers is never frowned upon. There is an area in the lobby to park strollers.

The cost of admission is $4.75 per adult (holidays excluded). Subscribe to the listserv to receive e-mails that allow you to vote for the movie you’d most like to see. Democracy clearly exists in the entertainment industry.

As a new parent sometimes it’s hard to realize that the sun is in your babe’s eyes because you are walking around with your eyes half shut due to sleep deprivation. Solve this problem by defaulting to a pair of groovy JazO shades. The shatterproof polycarbonate lenses block out 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, and the soft, adjustable neoprene strap keeps the sunglasses in place and has a built in safety release. Infant sunglasses (0-3 year olds) include 2 bands (13 and 14 inches). Children sunglasses (4-8 years olds) include one 14-inch band with larger glasses.

Available for $8.99 at Amazon in infants' blue, purple, pink, and red and children's blue, purple, pink, red and flag pattern.