I was so elated and honored to be invited to attend the Chicago Baby Show, a couple of weeks ago, and to explore a host of new and exciting baby products.  You might be wondering what a mom of seven needs with more baby supplies.

 

Ok – I admit it … I get giddy around this stuff.  I mean, what mom wouldn’t love to explore aisle after aisle of baby gear?  It’s like going to a mall specifically designed for me and my family.

 

 

 

Quickly, before I get started, let me do a quick shout-out to Mom Trends for their awesome Blogger Lounge.  They had toys and fun stuff for the kiddos – and comfy chairs for the grown-ups.  I think Baby Pip adored the toys he got to play with, too.

 

Let me also just start off by saying that I was overwhelmed and in awe of the ingenuity I witnessed at this show.  So many of these companies were created by moms (and dads) like you and me.  Seriously.  I was blown away by the fact that these are all ordinary, every day people, who followed a creative spark to make all of our lives as parents easier.

 

 

If you haven’t been to the Chicago Baby Show I’ll give you a quick run down.  There were vendors from all over the world featured at the show.

 

There were large and small companies.  Many were equipment companies (think baby gear like strollers and car seats).  Many more were smaller products that were new or newer.

 

There were things that solved small problems that are irritating to us moms — and there were others that solved larger problems.

 

There were things there that I didn’t know existed and others I had heard of but hadn’t seen in person.

 

So, I’m here to bring you my top 3 picks from the baby show.  Let’s start off by saying – this isn’t easy.  So, please, please, please stop back soon for posts about other products that I want to talk about… because I seriously liked (loved) a few more items but I simply must keep this one to my top 3.

 

Mouse and Magpie

Mouse and Magpie is a brand new company which specializes in unique nursery decor.  Here is why I fell in love with this company:

 

They feature high quality nursery items.  I’ve decorated nurseries for many of my kids and I have always found that it is hard to find really nice, well made, lasting items.

This company makes blankets, clocks, decorative pillows, lamp shades, and framed artwork – all of high quality – lasting materials.  My very favorite was this Woodlands Collection that I know my 2 year old daughter would absolutely go crazy for.  She loves foxes and bears, flowers, and bunnies.

They employ professional artists for each collection.  These are artists from around the globe.  They are hand selected and chosen by invite only.  Something about this pulled at my heart.  They allow the artists to get creative and to develop themes in whatever style is unique to them.

 

Some might be digitally mixed and others hand drawn.  I absolutely love that this company supports the art community and I love that the visions of the artists are supported by this brand.  It is hard to put my finger on it – but in this world of cookie cutter everything, this is a breath of fresh air.  To find out more about the artists click here: Artists.

 

And finally, I love their goal: to inspire the imagination of children.  With each whimsical print and every cleverly presented creature, flower, or truck, our children will be drawn into the world of imagination.

 

I love this quote from the Mouse and Magpie website: “Instead of seeing walls to cover or beds to make, we see every surface and space as a story waiting to be told through the eyes of a child who plays, dreams, and wonders in vivid details.”

 

I truly adore the fact that there is thought put into every little detail.  What’s even better is that these pieces can become treasured heirlooms.  In our throw away culture, this is something worth saving.

 

 

Keekaroo Height Right HighChair

 

It wasn’t just the fact that the Height Right High Chair can be used from infant to adulthood, there was something else that grabbed my attention while I strolled past the Keekaroo booth at the Chicago Baby Show.

 

When my husband and I overheard that this particular high chair, when paired with their infant insert, helps babies to use their core muscles to sit up and not flop from side to side (like they do in so many other styles of high chair), I was drawn to learn more.  I especially love that a physical therapist was on the design team for the Height Right High Chair, as well.

 

My oldest son has developmental delays, CP, and autism, and has struggled with low muscle tone in his upper body.  I’m very aware of how the gear we buy for our babies and children can either help them or hurt them.  This became an even bigger deal to me once my now 5 year old was diagnosed with plagiocephaly at her 24 month appointment.  As moms, we need all the facts on the products our babies are using for so much time during the day.  That is what prompted me to interview, Matt, from Keekaroo.  Watch this quick video as he explains how the Height Right High Chair works.

 

 

To read more about the good posture that this chair promotes, please click here.

 

 

 

 

Baby K’tan Baby Carrier

 

 

I thought I had heard of every type of baby carrier.  I mean, I have worn all of my kids in one way or the other.  I’ve used mostly slings and some other form of front carriers.  I even got into wrapping with my fourth, fifth, and sixth … but for some reason I had no idea what a Baby K’tan was.  So, I’m sharing this with you today not because it is brand new … but because it was brand new to me (7 kids in).

 

The Baby K’tan is very similar to a stretchy wrap but with one catch … you don’t have to learn to wrap!  It consists of two loops which are hooked together with a piece of fabric – plus a stretchy belt like type of flat fabric.  For a larger baby the size of Pip, you can wear him facing inward (great for nursing and naps) or facing outward so he can see the world.

 

Simply slip the loops over your head like an infinity scarf and slide the baby into one side, then the other.  After you have him secured, take the long piece of fabric and tie it around your mid section.  There are other styles of carries you could do for a smaller baby, which I didn’t try because he was too large.

 

 

It felt very comfortable – stretchy yet supportive (and this is while using it with a 25 pound 8 month old baby).  He fit in it perfectly and didn’t feel squished at all (I was worried about that).  I love that it supported his weight and evenly distributed it.

 

 

It’s different from many baby carriers in that it is sized – and it goes by your pre-pregnancy shirt size.  If you click through to their website, there is a sizing guide available to help you choose the correct size.  I love how soft and breathable the material felt for both me and for baby.  To read more about how to use the Baby K’tan click here for thorough instructions.

 

 

What I especially admire about the Baby K’tan is that it is an easy solution for wearing baby around the house when you are homeschooling your bigger kids, or reading to your littles, this is such an easy, non-complicated solution!  In fact, the Baby K’tan would also be super easy to stuff into a diaper bag and carry with you to the park, the Mall, or to church.  I love the accessibility of this little invention!

 

So, there you have it.  My top 3 picks from The Chicago Baby Show.  Did you go to the show?  I would love to hear what products were your favorites, too! Please leave a comment below. 🙂