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Parenthood: Getting Social
I had a baby ten months ago, and parenthood has been one long, strange, unexpected journey. Of course, I expected things like sleepless nights, diaper blowouts, crying (the baby and myself), and the hopefully temporary loss of my waistline. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d enjoy it, and how much motherhood would connect me to the world around me, a world I’d stringently tried to avoid.
See, I live in Los Angeles, where on the surface, it’s all about what’s on the outside…. Do you have the latest designer clothes and expensive car, or know celebrities? No? Then you’re just a part of the background, which never meshed well with jeans-and-tee-shirt me. That is, until you’ve got an adorable kiddo with you, and then you see a side of LA many others don’t: Humans going genuinely ga-ga over goo-goos.
My daughter is a tiny social ambassador for us, grinning and giggling her way through grocery store runs, cooing and drooling during trips to the park. I’m not saying she doesn’t have temper tantrums (hoo, boy, don’t get me started), but she has forced me to show her and myself that there are so many good things to see and amazing people to meet here in LA. In short, she made me let down my guard and see things here for what they really are.
Through her, I’ve made more friends in ten months than I had in the previous six years of SoCal living. We walk up to fellow moms at the store and introduce ourselves, hoping we’ll get a play date out of it. We attend play group and baby music classes. We enjoy all the parks and museums and aquariums and farmer’s markets and street festivals – and people think my husband I are awesome parents because of it. In reality, though, Little Miss M is the one who’s making us better people. And that’s been one of the most unexpected, amazing benefits of pregnancy and parenthood.
This content series is in partnership with smartwater. Unexpected is delicious: smartwater. click here to learn more.
$0 at smartwater | Buy
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Amigo Monkey Organic Onesie
An easy, grab-and-go baby shower gift is always a must-have, and lucky for you, the Zoo Babies collection has got you covered. Load up on a variety of Vanja Kragulj’s organic cotton onesies, all packaged up for gift-giving, and rest assured your gift will be a parent-to-be pleaser. And who can resist the sweetness of a monkey named Amigo?
$20 at ZOO BABIES by Vanja Kragulj | Buy
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Pink Flower Hat
She’ll be pretty in pink this Valentine’s Day with this cozy (and hand knit!) flower hat.
$20 at Darly Bird | Buy
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Gussy Girl Hearts Purse
A purse for all of her girly essential items. You know…lip smackers, paper valentines and stick-on earrings.
$21 at Gussy Sews | Buy
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Valentine Mailbox
A personalized mailbox perfect for storing all of their favorite valentines.
$15 at The Popcorn Factory | Buy
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Elmer the Elephant Music Box
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Girls Button Cardigan
A breath of Springtime green-ness with whimsical button embroidery.
$20 at The Company Store | Buy
(On sale)
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Monkey Hooded Towel
Organic cotton and a sweet monkey hood make this bath-time staple all the more enviable.
$36 at All Modern Baby | Buy
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3 Tales Retold and Illustrated
Bold illustrations update these classic fairy tales for new little imaginations.
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Little Twig Organic Baby Bath Set
All organic and natural ingredients leave the little one smelling delicious.
$35 at Drugstore.com | Buy
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Dr. Doctor Medical Kit
The birthday kid is on-call for any party related traumas with this all-in-one pretend doctor’s kit.
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Let’s Draw and Doodle Together
The perfect way to doodle away an afternoon.
$13 at Chronicle Books | Buy
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Denim Overalls
A tried and true baby wardrobe staple, perfect for boys or girls. Denim overalls are a must hand-me-down for future siblings as well.
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Boy’s Anchor Sweater
Anchors away! This nautical novelty will have any boy prepared for the open sea. Or perhaps just an evening out with his parents.
$44 at Janie and Jack | Buy
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Sleep Sheep
The cuddliest sound machine out there, this soft sheep will sooth baby to sleep.
$25 at Magic Beans | Buy
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Shutterfly Gift Certificate
This gift is the best push for new parents to finally order those birth announcements, invitations, prints, photo books, or any of the million other options.
$50 at Shutterfly | Buy
, and the hopefully temporary loss of my waistline. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d enjoy it, and how much motherhood would connect me to the world around me, a world I’d stringently tried to avoid.
<p>
See, I live in Los Angeles, where on the surface, it’s all about what’s on the outside…. Do you have the latest designer clothes and expensive car, or know celebrities? No? Then you’re just a part of the background, which never meshed well with jeans-and-tee-shirt me. That is, until you’ve got an adorable kiddo with you, and then you see a side of LA many others don’t: Humans going genuinely ga-ga over goo-goos.
<p>
My daughter is a tiny social ambassador for us, grinning and giggling her way through grocery store runs, cooing and drooling during trips to the park. I’m not saying she doesn’t have temper tantrums (hoo, boy, don’t get me started), but she has forced me to show her and myself that there are so many good things to see and amazing people to meet here in LA. In short, she made me let down my guard and see things here for what they really are.
<p>
Through her, I’ve made more friends in ten months than I had in the previous six years of SoCal living. We walk up to fellow moms at the store and introduce ourselves, hoping we’ll get a play date out of it. We attend play group and baby music classes. We enjoy all the parks and museums and aquariums and farmer’s markets and street festivals – and people think my husband I are awesome parents because of it. In reality, though, Little Miss M is the one who’s making us better people. And that’s been one of the most unexpected, amazing benefits of pregnancy and parenthood.
<p>
This content series is in partnership with smartwater. Unexpected is delicious: smartwater. <a href='http://www.facebook.com/smartwater'>click here</a> to learn more.
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 flower hat. "Pin It")
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