Tiny Iron Fists

"Milk in my Sippy Cup!"

"The Patter of Tiny Brains" Curated by Doug Harvey (04.06.12 - 05.27.12)

Lulu and I participated in Doug Harvey's "The Patter of Tiny Brains". Our contribution is the recording of Lulu's in utero heartbeats.

LA - Etel Leit Event (03.24.12)

Let's Read, Sing, & Sign with Etel Leit

Saturday, March 24
10:30 a.m
Ages 3 to 7 
 
This special program is filled with signing, singing, story-telling, rhymes, movement, games, puppet shows, bubbles and more! Not only will the kids have fun, but also adults will learn how to incorporate sign language into child's favorite books and songs.

Children's Book World | 10580 1/2 W. Pico Blvd | Los Angeles | CA | 90064

LA - Little Warrior Opening (12.10.12)

"Lulu's Art-Filled Dogtown Digs" on Apartment Therapy

One of my greatest pleasures is to get lost in other people's homes on Apartment Therapy. So it was very exciting and an honor to have Gregory interview me and showcase our home office/bedroom for Unplggd back in May of last year.

Fast forward a few seasons and Lulu's art and beach-inspired nursery is live on AT today. It's been a long work-in-progress and I'm happy it's done. I hope you enjoy noseying around her room as much as I've enjoyed doing the same for so many other homes!

Looking for items in Lulu's room? Check out Lulu's bedroom board or the following links (a million thanks again to our generous friends who've gifted Lulu art over the years):

Lighting

Buddha Buddha Love Light

Pigeon Light by Ed Carpenter for Thorsten van Elten

Sticky Lamp by Chris Kabel for Droog

Sun Jar by Tobias Wong for Suck UK

The Panto Beam by Verner Panton

 

Decorative Items

Flensted Mobile Cheese Mice

Flensted Mobile Shoal of Fish

Flor Metadoodle (Sassy Silver) Carpet Tiles

George Nelson Omar the Owl Clock for Vitra

Hysteric Glamour Pillow

“Jeff Koons” inflatable toys

KleinReid vase

Les Dames (Gift from France)

Lourdes Sanchez Coral Pillow

Lourdes Sanchez Whales Pillow

Momeni Lil Mo Hipster in Surf

Mongolian Dream Catcher (Gift from Mongolia)

Native American Dream Catcher (Gift from Arizona)

Tokion x Bathing Ape Pillow

Upper Playground Joystick Pillow

 

Art

Adam Wallacavage “Alyona”

Adrian Tomine “Shortcomings”

Albert Reyes “She’s Gone”

Alexander Girard “Love Heart” panel

Amanda Vissell “We Are All Kings”

Christy Thomas Untitled “Kittens”

Dave Kinsey “Headspace”

Deanne Cheuk "Mushroom Girls Virus"

Edwin Ushiro Untitled “Lizard Man”

Enjoi Jerry Hsu Cat Collage

Gary Baseman “Giggle and Pop!” Serigraph

Gary Baseman “Hint Mint”

Gary Baseman “La Noche De La Fusion” Letter Press Poster 

Gary Baseman “Lulu”

Gary Baseman “Pink HotChaChaCha”

Geoff McFetridge “Fang Frame Pack”

Hanna-Barbera Studio “Wilma Flinstone” Cel

James Mattison “A B Sea”

Jane Mount “Ideal Bookshelf 1, JMM”

Jim Houser “Stormfront”

Kozyndan “Atari Godzuki”

Kozyndan “Fishy Greetings”

Little Ballerinas (Gift from Souris’ Childhood)

LostArt Untitled “Boy” Photograph

Mike + Doug Starn “alleverythingthatisyou sno7.1_003”

Nikki McClure “Surrender”

Obey Giant “Tony Alva”

Os Gemeos Nike Brazil Invitation

Paper Culture “Counting Sea Creatures 1 - 9”

Penny People 13 x 19 Alphabet Print

Punta Cometa Print (Gift from Mexico)

Rostarr “Mothers Milk (5,4,3,2,1)”

Ryan McGinness “Growing Handplants” Skateboard

Ryan McGinness “Pathetic Lucky Ryan Charms of the Hipster Doofus”

Sharon Rubin Untitled “Sand Wave”

Super Rural “For Like Ever”

Tiffany Bozic “Key”

Todd St. John “Wave Fade”

Tony Hawk’s Birdhouse Skateboard

Uglydolls (Handsewn by Sun-Min)

Uglydolls x Giant Robot – Uglycon II Skate Deck

 

Furniture

DwellStudio Storage Bins

Eames Elephant

Eames Molded Plywood Children’s Chair

Ecotot Book Shelf

Educo Gourmet Chef Kitchen

Ikea Expedit Shelving Unit

Itso Full Size Fabric Bin

Kalon Studios Hut-Hut Resin Rocker

Kalon Studios Stump

Oeuf Sparrow Crib

 

Room in progress: LMPP's Dogtown Digs

Two Year Old Khaliyl Iloyi Rapping With Alim Kamara

Everything about this video makes me smile from ear to ear. The family unit. The music. The pure joy. The beats. The hand gestures. The encouragement. Love. Love. Love. I hope Khaliyl explores his passion for music. He's already got the support (and genes) for it.

More abour the clip:

Khaliyl Iloyi rapping like his mother Roucheon Iloyi. Like mother like son. His father Femi Iloyi aka smooflow is in a group with Roucheon and together they are called Royal Priesthood. www.feromedia.co.uk

Noteworthy Birth Announcement: Yuri!

When our friends Ig and Louise's son Yuri was born, he got the royal write up. His name was painted across São Paulo by fellow superstar artists Os Gêmeos and Ise. What a colorful introduction to the world.

Welcome Yuri, you are so loved! Your family in California can't wait to meet you!

LMPP'S Dogtown Digs

Here's a sneak peek at Lulu's Dogtown digs (it was totally inspired by our surf/skate neighborhood and all the outsider artists we know). I'm not exactly sure what constitutes a nursery, but I guess it's that too. Lulu's room has been a work in progress for over a year and we finally finished it this week. While there are still a few things to tweak, it's pretty much done now. I've never seen another room like it and I'm stoked with how it's turned out.

If you follow the kick ass kid's shelter blog, ohdeedoh, they'll be profiling it soon. I'm also trying to catalog everything in her room for a future post, but since some of you have been following the room's progress, I thought you'd enjoy a look now.

Thank you to all our artist pals for the art on her wall and to all our friends for picking up such unique gifts for Lulu. It goes without saying that our kid is loved and one lucky little gal!

Go The Fuck To Sleep!

If you are an adult who is sensitive to cuss words, you might want to skip this book review.

Everybody else, there's finally a book all parents can relate to! My mom-pal, Wendy sent me a copy of Go the Fuck to Sleep yesterday (her friend Ricardo is the illustrator) and flipping through the slides, I couldn't stop laughing. I know I've got the humor of a ten year old -- fart jokes get me every time -- but it's just saying it like it is. Everybody with a kid's been there. Sometimes you just wish your kid would go to sleep and stay in Dreamland for a long time (for the record, Lulu has my sleeping habits and falls asleep like a narcoleptic and stays asleep until half a day has passed).

The title, Go the Fuck to Sleep says it all. And if that's not enough to make you want to cover your ears, following are a few sample pages:

I agree with these reviews:

"Total genius."
--Jonathan Lethem, author of Motherless Brooklyn, father of two

"A children's book for grown-ups! I really did laugh out loud--hilarious!"
--David Byrne, musician, father of one

"I wish this book had been around during my daughter's overly protracted sleep rituals! Finally, someone tells it like it really is. This is no-guilt funny and a godsend!"
--Cristina Garcia, author of The Lady Matador's Hotel, mother of one

For belly laughs or a great baby shower gift, pre-order your copy of Go the Fuck to Sleep on Amazon today (the book release is scheduled for October 2011).

SM - Celebrate Pregnancy Awareness Month (05.01.11)

The Great Cloth Diaper Change (04.23.11)

Cloth diapers have come a long way in past 10 years, and it’s time to stand up and be noticed. Celebrate Earth Day, by joining the North American and International cloth diaper community on April 23rd, 2011 at 9AM PDT to set the world record for the most cloth diapers changed simultaneously.

There are many ways to participate so please take a few minutes to explore the site to find a location near you or offer to host a location of your own. The more babies participating the better, so every cloth diapered bum counts. Can’t attend an event near you? Consider getting involved in your local cloth diaper community by learning more about organizations like the RDIA and RDA.

We can’t wait to put cloth diapers into the record books!

Brooklyn - Spring Fling (04.23.11)

Nobody Tells You: Only Strangers Will Tell You the Truth About Your Baby's Looks

Let's face it. We've all done it. We've looked at our friends' babies and we have lied. We said their baby was cute. And it wasn't. That wrinkled little Winston Churchill is going to have to grow into his nose. Or like, what the hell's up with them claws? And you know what I'm talking about. I know you know. Because sometimes you will ask me if I've met so-and-so and if I haven't, you make that face. You know, the side-to-side eye dodge. And without saying a word, because really, who talks about ugly babies openly (we all like to keep it inside) I know what you're saying.

You will lie to your family. You will lie to your friends you've known your whole life. You will even lie to strangers who comment on their own kid's "cuteness" hoping that you'll chime in (you'll say their kid is cute because you're civil). And before some of you out there are saying things like, "Nuh, uh. If a baby's ugly, I don't say anything," believe me, you are saying something by saying nothing (it's like noticing a friend's bad haircut and not saying anything -- your friend knows what's up)!

So how do you know if your baby's cute? First of all, who gives a shit? It's your baby. And your kid is going to rock this world no matter what. Your baby is going to love you and look how ugly you are! So please, I hope you don't go through life making looks a priority.

I think the true test of baby cuteness is when random strangers comment. And not just a comment here or there. Because we all get sporadic compliments. What I'm talking about is when strangers consistently comment on your cute baby. You see, strangers owe you nothing. So they don't have to say anything to you. So if they do, your baby probably is pretty darn cute.

Sure, this post is facetious. That's why you laughed or agreed at some point earlier in my writing. And if we're friends, of course I'm not talking about your beautiful baby!

Inside-Outside Birthday!

I've never heard of the concept "inside-outside birthday" before reading moreterriers, a sweet Vancouver-based blog about family life, recipes, and everyday-conversations (all the things I love).

Kate (moreterriers' author) writes about celebrating her adorable daughter, Hannah's inside-outside birthday and describes it as, "Nine months in, nine months out!" The milestone celebration was foreign to her (and to me) and was shared with her by Hannah's paternal grandmother. Not that we need another reason to celebrate our children, but this is a darling milestone.

Following are a few pictures of Lulu at nine months old, enjoy!

 

RELATED: Baby's First (Month) Birthday!

Mommy's Nose Is Scary!

Meet, Mr. Personality! Do you think Emerson's laughing because he's nervous and his defense mechanisms are kicking in?! Whatever the reason, this is one cute bug-eyed kid! 

I Love the "I Lovely Love My Family" Print!

I adore the I Lovely, Love My Family giclée print by fine artist and illustrator Merrilee of Tuesday Mourning. And for $20 it's a steal for the home and for friends. Best of all, the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Schultz family (co-creators of the loveable childrens' show Yo Gabba Gabba) to help offset their daughter's medical bills.

If you're curious about the phrase, "I Lovely Love My Family", check out the Yo Gabba Gabba song (of the same name) written by Amos Watene and performed by the Roots below:

[Big ups to Ohdeedoh for the link]

Cousin Liza's Cute Cupcakes!

I am always in awe by parents who are this talented. (No pressure, hah)! Bem's cousin Liza whipped up these incredibly cute cupcakes for her baby shower/housewarming party in less than half a day. How sweet! No seriously. They were so moist, tasty and sweet.

Johannes Nyholm's "Las Palmas" Trailer

I love how new toddlers walk around all drunken master style (this stage passes so quickly). The reality is, this babe's acting normal, but in this context, her actions make her look like a drunken fool! I can't decide if the martini/wine glass sequence is my favorite or if her eating off the stranger's plate is funnier (corn spitting included)! 

The trailer above is from Johannes Nyholm's short film, "Las Palmas". The movie will be shown in its entirety (running time: 14 minutes) at the Market Art fair starting tomorrow in Stockholm for a couple of days. Catch it while you can; otherwise the film will be released sometime later this year.

[Big ups to Team Subvert for the find!]

Eye Spy 2010

Even with the loss of Silvio's grandfather Marco Rea, my father Lieutenant Colonel Chuong G. Hong and our beloved cat-dog Godzuki, 2010 was the year of love. So many people surrounded us. And so many people openly loved Lulu.

THANK YOU to our extended family (born-into and adopted) for your friendship. 2011's going to be the best yet!

Burbank - The Mini Social Holiday Warehouse Sale (12.11.10)

What's In A (Trendy) Name?

I'm ahead of the curve on baby name trends according to this MomLogic article, "Baby Names, 2011: The 14 Hottest Trends".

I did exactly what the top two predictions were for 'Biggest Big-Picture Trend: Two-for-one names' and 'Newest Trend: Focusing on nicknames' when we chose Lucia/Lulu for our daughter's first name. Funnily enough, the example used in the article cites the nickname "Lulu".

More about the predictions here:

BIGGEST BIG-PICTURE TREND: Two-for-one names
Nameberry predicts the merging of two major recent trends: very proper proper names -- think Louise and Arthur; Beatrix and Abraham -- mixed with lighter-than-air, even silly nicknames (Lulu, Bee, Bunny and Bram). From the parents' perspective, they're getting two very different names for the price of one, which can be an advantage to children as they grow up. (They can be Lulu at the club; Louise on the Harvard app.) Nameberry sees parents reaching further to come up with two names that are linked in highly creative and not-always-obvious ways. A few examples: Cub from Caleb, Ace from Alistair, Fanny from Stephanie and Plum from Victoria (which is a type of English plum).

NEWEST TREND: Focusing on nicknames
Parents are showing a taste for choosing a nickname first, then finding a formal name for the birth certificate. They're starting with Josie or Zee -- the name the child will be known as among friends and family -- and searching from there for the formal name, be it Josephine, Zachary or Zebedee. 

I have always loved the name Lulu and earmarked it for future use a long, long time ago. When I found out we were having a girl, I immediately started looking for formal first names with a shortlist that included: Luella (as much as I love this name, it sounds too much like Cruella and kids are cruel), Tallulah (I've loved this name ever since I was introduced to Jodie Foster's character from Bugsy Malone), and Lucia (which is the fem form of Lucius, which natch, I loved from Gladiator. I also knew that we would always call Lulu, "Lulu" opting for her proper name to be more of a formality and maybe a name she would choose for herself when she got older.

Having grown up with a very unusual name (Souris means mouse in French so it's not even really a name), I wanted to make sure Lulu had a distinct but not too common moniker. When people meet Lulu, moms often tell me how much they love the name but then also want to know her full name. Lucia means "light". And her middle name, May-Phuong, is Vietnamese for cloud-phoenix. We gave our kid a super hero middle name (I believe we all deserve a superhero middle name)! In the poetic Vietnamese language, when cloud and phoenix are combined, it means "all directions". So we named Lulu, "light all directions". Which is something she represents to our family.

 

Watermelon + Baby = Super Sweet!

O.M.G. This baby boy sitting in a watermelon eating a watermelon is too damn cute. Makes me want to eat him up! This video's easily the cutest kid clip of the week. I am seriously considering putting Lulu in a watermelon for Halloween. What do you think?! [Hat tip to Xeni/Boing Boing]

Nobody Tells You: The Teethless Eat At 6:30 P.M.

Pre-Lulu, Silvio and I dined at restaurants more often than not. And although we were creatures of the night, every once in awhile, we'd eat dinner very early. I never thought anything of it. Nor did I ever notice anything different about the patrons unless it was a restaurant that offered "early bird specials."

Fast forward to life post-Lulu. Lulu's bedtime is 8:00 pm. so we've enjoyed lots of meals with her at 6:30 p.m. And you know who eats dinner at this time?! Families with young children or very old people! Look around you. It's like a dinner party for the loud and (permanently) teethless. If you find yourself nom'ing at this time, watch out for the traffic jam of strollers and walkers!

Why I Can't Make Mom Friends!

I am a split between the two moms! Does that make me perfect?! I am/believe:

1. It is imperative to be organized. Preempting your kid's needs helps pacify potential meltdowns. Lulu loves routine and will allow us to disrupt it so long as she's cared for. 

2. Lulu sleeps in her own crib. She started sleeping 11 hours straight at night at three months, one week old. Her pediatrician believes this "easy sleeping" is genetic (Lulu can thank me, later)!

3. I nursed Lulu for a little over a year. Breast milk's best but I also subsidized with formula when needed.

4. Lulu started to crawl and walk a little earlier than her projected milestone.

5. We speak five languages (Vietnamese, French, English, Spanish, and some Italian) and sign to Lulu and she has said words in each language and signs back. Her vocabulary is sizable for someone her age debunking the myth that multi-language speaking children are slow to speak.

6. Lulu doesn't watch any television. And I won't allow it until she turns two years old. She rarely gets any screen time, which is kind of "crazy" considering both of us work in media. That said, Lulu has unlimited access to lots and lots of books.

7. Lulu is not fully potty trained but we've been practicing elimination communication since seven months.

8. I have plenty of hobbies and often go out with friends. We leave Lulu with lots of different people.

9. Lulu eats whatever we eat whether it's organic fare from the farmers market or a carnitas taco from a truck.

10. Lulu is vaccinated. However she will get the chicken pox the old fashioned way and some vaccines I will probably skip for her like that STD one they give to 12 year old girls nowadays.

11. Even though it hasn't happened yet, Lulu's going to get a spanking for bad behavior!

[Thanks, Wendy for this hilarious clip!]

LA - Dr. Jenn Berman's Book Event (09.15.10)