droolicious : families

CES 2009: Canon Vixia HF200 HD Camcorder- Great For New Families

Chris Ford — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:00:00 GMT

At the Canon booth I asked one of the camcorder representatives to suggest a good HD camcorder for new families. The scenario I gave him was a couple is having a baby for the first time, and they want to buy a camcorder that still recorded in HD, but wasn't too expensive. The camera he suggested was the Canon VIXIA HF200.

The Vixia HF200 records in full HD (1920x1080) directly to a SD card. It has HDMI out, face detection and image stabalization. It doesn't have an on-board memory (the SD card is the only option) but at that price it's a camcorder with a ton of features that you'll be sure to have for more than a few years.

Canon Vixia HF200 will retail for around $849 and should be available in the US in March.

Let Them Be Their Own (Caped) Heroes

Whit Honea — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:02:00 GMT

Few things embody the joys of childhood like a cape trailing in the wind behind every great jump or wrapped snugly around every warm hug. A cape opens the mind to possibility and turns a child's thoughts to conquests for justice and freedom. The "I Am My Own Hero" cape (and mask) from Bodemi is made for inspiring playtime and encouraging flights of fancy.

The friendly people of Bodemi, including designer Boren Lon, were on hand at the Boom Boom Room Charity Event (supporting Los Angeles area Foster Children and the Jayneoni Moore Children’s Fund) to showcase their fun line of apparel and accessories. Everything they create is designed to "embrace the lifestyle of children" and we tend to agree with them.

The capes were a big hit. Even now they are a blur of flying color as my boys rush onward into the promises of their imagination while leaving echoes of laughter and the seeds of memories in their wake. Their capes look fantastic.

L'ovedbaby Goes Big in the Boom Boom Room

Whit Honea — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:59:00 GMT

Chris Noth of "Sex and the City" and "Law and Order" fame attended the Boom Boom Room with his wife Tara and their baby Orion.

The couple received the 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl from L'ovedbaby which was such a big hit that Tara put it to use on the spot. Here's why:

    * The L'ovedbaby™ nursing shawl offers mom a way to discreetly nurse in public, while protecting the baby from distractions.
    * The shawl travels well and always stays fresh in its matching drawstring pouch.
    * The complete 6oz. package fits neatly in any purse or diaper bag.
    * Machine washable and dryer safe...nothing could be simpler.
    * Extremely lightweight, breathable, and super-soft to the touch and on baby's skin.
    * Roomy neckline for added style and increased visibility between mother and child.
    * Full coverage of mom...both front and back; no special nursing clothing required.
    * L'ovedbaby's™ custom-made fabric complements any outfit...from casual to business to elegant. And, because it's not cotton, it's less likely to harbor bacteria.

See? Those are good reasons, right?

She also used it while waiting in the valet line at the Century Plaza Hotel. It was a long line.

I self-parked.

The Boom Boom Room is an event featuring Hollywood’s most famous families - expecting parents, moms, dads, their offspring and me, Babble's own Whit Honea. It consists of a "gifting suite wonderland built by 83 sponsors. This event draws celebrity families together to support Los Angeles area Foster Children and the Jayneoni Moore Children’s Fund."

Baby stuff and a good cause. We like it.

More Boom Boom Room:

Tim Allen and Jane Hajduk in Little Girl Frillies