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.

Too exhausted to think about having your babe’s next birthday party at home? Full Moon, the perennial top rated family-friendly restaurant in Cambridge, offers birthday party hosting services; choose from one of five themes: wild animals, trucks & engines, dinosaurs, under the sea, princess tea party. Full Moon provides the decorations, balloons, drinks, cake and ice cream, set-up, service, and clean up. Basically, all you need to do is show up.

Party slots are weekdays from 3 - 4:30pm and weekends from 3:15 - 4:45pm (the restaurant is closed during your party); size limit is 10-18 kids (plus parents). Cost is $15 per child, plus 18% gratuity and 5% MA sales tax. You also can pre-order food platters (fruit, cheese and crackers or hummus, pita and olives) for grown ups. Adult cake and drinks charged separately.

Regular service hours include lunch (11:30am - 2:30pm Monday – Friday), dinner (5 - 9pm every day), and brunch (9am – 2:30pm weekends).

Too exhausted to think about having your babe’s next birthday party at home? Full Moon, the perennial top rated family-friendly restaurant in Cambridge, offers birthday party hosting services; choose from one of five themes: wild animals, trucks & engines, dinosaurs, under the sea, princess tea party. Full Moon provides the decorations, balloons, drinks, cake and ice cream, set-up, service, and clean up. Basically, all you need to do is show up.

Party slots are weekdays from 3 - 4:30pm and weekends from 3:15 - 4:45pm (the restaurant is closed during your party); size limit is 10-18 kids (plus parents). Cost is $15 per child, plus 18% gratuity and 5% MA sales tax. You also can pre-order food platters (fruit, cheese and crackers or hummus, pita and olives) for grown ups. Adult cake and drinks charged separately.

Regular service hours include lunch (11:30am - 2:30pm Monday – Friday), dinner (5 - 9pm every day), and brunch (9am – 2:30pm weekends).

A mama from Medford passed along recommendations for two local family day cares. Carol Ricker (5 Bussell Rd., Medford, 781-395-4212) takes babes from 3 months to 3 years old and comes highly recommended for infant care. Donna Swales (61 Paris Street, Medford, 781-395-5612) takes babes from 3 months to 5 years, and comes highly recommended for toddler/pre-schoolers (2.5 – 5 years).

Thanks Mama N. from Medford!

One of my mama friends is a firm believer that high chairs are a waste of money and space and I think she very well may be right. We splurged on the beautiful Svan high chair for its’ sleek, compact design but the infant table was a nuisance to clean, we have a distinct Svan-shaped wear spot on the hardwood floor, and most alarmingly, the base sometimes isn't stable enough when our toddler is in rambunctious mode at the table. I’m just not keen on being cast alongside Britney Spears in the mama’ing domain.

So what’s the alternative? The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat will only set you back $22.99 (compared to $270 for the Svan chair + cushion...ouch). Fab mama friend and I are thinking that so long as you have a low priority dining chair with a nice sturdy base, you can forego the high chair in favor of a booster seat. Plus, the booster packs up easily for travel or restaurant visits.

The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat has a removable feeding tray, 3-point harness and 3 height adjustments and is available at Amazon for $22.99 and $24.99 at Babies R Us.

One of my mama friends is a firm believer that high chairs are a waste of money and space and I think she very well may be right. We splurged on the beautiful Svan high chair for its’ sleek, compact design but the infant table was a nuisance to clean, we have a distinct Svan-shaped wear spot on the hardwood floor, and most alarmingly, the base sometimes isn't stable enough when our toddler is in rambunctious mode at the table. I’m just not keen on being cast alongside Britney Spears in the mama’ing domain.

So what’s the alternative? The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat will only set you back $22.99 (compared to $270 for the Svan chair + cushion...ouch). Fab mama friend and I are thinking that so long as you have a low priority dining chair with a nice sturdy base, you can forego the high chair in favor of a booster seat. Plus, the booster packs up easily for travel or restaurant visits.

The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat has a removable feeding tray, 3-point harness and 3 height adjustments and is available at Amazon for $22.99 and $24.99 at Babies R Us.

I suppose it’s time to get on the up and up regarding my deep enjoyment of celebrity news. It is a long standing habit, one that shall never be corrected in therapy. Juicy print media goes a long way in my book: I develop deep allegiances to medical offices with a fine selection of periodicals, and a longtime mama friend has forever solidifed her place in my heart by passing along her copies of US Weekly. By golly, it brings a tear to the eye.

But if you find yourself stranded without a print media fix, acquaint yourself with the latest celebrity dish at People Magazine online. My love for this site is renewed, now that they got rid of the nonsense of signing in to view their pages.

I suppose it’s time to get on the up and up regarding my deep enjoyment of celebrity news. It is a long standing habit, one that shall never be corrected in therapy. Juicy print media goes a long way in my book: I develop deep allegiances to medical offices with a fine selection of periodicals, and a longtime mama friend has forever solidifed her place in my heart by passing along her copies of US Weekly. By golly, it brings a tear to the eye.

But if you find yourself stranded without a print media fix, acquaint yourself with the latest celebrity dish at People Magazine online. My love for this site is renewed, now that they got rid of the nonsense of signing in to view their pages.