Okay, enough hemming and hawing over here! It has been a very busy week sorting through all of the fabulous materials that we brought home from the ABC Kids Expo. But alas, I think we have picked out some very special products to show you. We have too many for one post so here is the first batch.

In no particular order…

1. I have NOT been able to stop talking about the silicone bottles, nipples, and sippy cups soon to launch from Innobaby. These stretchy, gummy bottles feel as much like a breast as can be possible with a free standing bottle, and they completely get around the whole plastic/glass decision.

2. We are gaga for Jill Cartwright’s GoGaga diaper bags! Our favorite is The Slide, but they all are elegant, gender-neutral, and sooo chic. She just thought of everything with these.

3. Two nursing covers caught our eye. Hotslings has a new asymmetrical cover in their typically fabulous patterns, and PeekyBooBaby came out with a really innovative one that weights down one corner over mom’s shoulder to keep the cover in place. PeekyBoo had luscious fabrics and can be used for stroller covers, blankets, etc. Adorable!

4. Everyone talks about the BabyBjorn carriers…well, we loved the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the BabyBjorn Baby Sitter 1-2-3 bouncer seat.

5. For lotions and skincare, we couldn’t stop visiting the Little Twig booth to rub some of their delicious bodymilk into our hands. Debby and her Oopsy Daisy rinse free shampoo for kids was another stand out.

Whew, okay, that’s enough for today. If you have any questions about these products, feel free to let us know. We are so in love with them that they may even get their own blog entry one of these days

Perfecting Expecting was recently contacted by the wonderful people at the Children’s Trust Fund to ask us if we would join in their efforts for their “Voices for Children” Annual Auction and Gala. We are so completely honored that they reached out to us and of course we are thrilled to participate. One of the most important things that we have learned in this business is how lucky we are to be surrounded by warm, exuberant families in their time of joy. Visiting the Children’s Trust Fund’s website serves as a reminder to us of how fortunate we are.

Child abuse is an issue that we don’t hear about in our daily lives, yet, for some families, is an issue that cannot be silenced. The proceeds from Voices for Children will help the Children’s Trust Fund continue to fund programs to prevent child abuse throughout the state of Massachusetts. Each year they try to coordinate auction items to reflect their mission of supporting families, and Perfecting Expecting is proud to be able to donate a gift certificate for our services to their "Welcome Baby" package.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets for the October 4th, Voices for Children Auction and Gala, you can visit the Children’s Trust Fund website.

This week, Sandee packed up and headed to the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. We are talking over 1 million square feet of all things baby. New products, old products, organic products, and more. For four days she walked, walked, and walked some more to sift through the fabulous finds. She saw old friends (Halo), made new ones (Go Gaga), and kept our standards high. We talked and walked with the best buyers and products in Boston and we can’t wait to share our thoughts with you as the days go on!

We are in the process of making a list of our top PE picks, but in the meantime, because we can’t stand suspense either, here is one unique product that I loved:

 
This Cariboo crib feels like the most luxurious wood imaginable. The colors are wonderful as well. If you need to save space on furniture, you slip the bassinet and the changing table right over the rails. Voila, three pieces in one! If you have better uses for wall space than a changing table, this could be just the set for you.

Now, here is the coolest part. This crib will grow with your baby. It converts easily into a toddler bed and then into…a couch! Can you say future playroom?

Cariboo is dedicated to using eco-friendly materials in their furniture which helps us feel like we are taking a step toward a better earth AND a better nursery.

True story: When Kristen and Sandee had their very first business meeting to discuss the Perfecting Expecting plan, they made sure to celebrate the close of Meeting #1 with margaritas. On the rocks, no salt.

There is just something about relaxation (to us) that conjures up visions of fun, cold, (sometimes colorful) drinks in the summer, followed by hot toddies or a rich glass of red wine in the fall. There are drinks to suit every occasion perfectly.

So, what is a girl to do when she is pregnant and can’t indulge in the festivities? We had the pleasure of meeting Alyssa Gusenoff, author of "Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-to-Be" and let me tell you ~ she has discovered the perfect solution! Alyssa has created over 70 simply delectable drinks for you preggers to enjoy with your sippin’ sisters. We sampled some of her drinks, and here is our favorite:

Preemie Punch
3 oz pineapple juice
2 oz cranberry juice
2 oz lemon lime soda
1/2 tsp grenadine
fresh pineapple for garnish
Mix all ingredients in a tall glass over ice. Garnish with fresh pineapple slice and enjoy!

I swear I was transported onto a deck in Nantucket with just one sip of this pink paradise. Some of her other drinks are entitled: Perfect Pair of Jeans, Momsicle, Chocolate Crave, Swollen Feet Fizz, and Materni-tea. The book goes beyond daytime splendors, too - try the Nursery Nightcap - warm decaf tea with a shot of vanilla syrup.

For anyone who delights in the perfect drink…Cheers!