I can travel out of the country for a month with just one carry on duffle.  I am a master clothes roller, and I know to leave the blowdryer at home. I also never travel with more than 3 pair of shoes – taking two ballerina flats and wearing my stomp about boots on the plane. So you can imagine that I had no intention of looking like a gypsy when I travelled with my son for the first time – and yes – I kept us both to ONE carry on bag. (A feat of which I am most proud.)

So. Whenever I see anything compact (and green) for babies – I dance about gleefully and clap.

This is one of those times.

Belkiz has created a “highchair” as compact as two September Vogues, that you can take with you or send ahead when traveling. You can’t expect every cousin and friend to have all the things baby needs – but who would object to a cardboard highchair that you put together, and can then fold away?! Damn thing is genius. I want a dozen!

At $40 (AU) bucks a pop – you can’t go wrong.

Bon Voyage!

Next year I hope to attend the ABC Kids Expo in Vegas (though I have to admit, I never really “got” Vegas – it reminds me of a really, really big prom), which is this week.

One of the brilliant reveals from Boon, who may make your child’s BPA free bath toys, was this “grass” patch, on which to dry bottles and things.  It isn’t available yet, but it will be soon!  I think it’s sweet, but that it should come with “flowers” that you could use as bottle scrubbies.

Boon also had a prototype of it’s bowl “wraps” on show.  I am using ceramic plateware for my son (I used ceramic bowls, plates and eggcups my entire childhood, and n’er broke a one),  so I am definitely in the market for these (just not in that Clockwork Orange. Blech.)

As soon as these BPA and Pthalate free “bracelets” are available, I am buying a few.  As a Cuban, I know that you can never, ever wear enough bracelets. (My grandmother lives by this creed.)

And from the “Damn! I wish I had known about this sooner” files, there is the new super, duper improved Orbit stroller that basically does everything but get you your Chai.

I imagine that the green mama blogs will all be a’flutter with new fab thing-a-ma-bob reviews, just in time for winter babies, and Christmas. I’ll try to keep you posted!

Happy Monday.

If you have read any of my earlier posts, you’ll know that recalls and studies have left me utterly disenchanted and squinty eyed skeptical with anything that isn’t just plain old fashioned never toxic glass.  I was therefore THRILLED to find mention of these kid proof glass dishes on Cool Mom Picks. What can I say: they’re glass. Pure and simple.

I’m getting a set for my niece, which she can then give to her cousin when she is old enough for her mom’s wedding china.

PS: Note the Cheerios in the bowl? Those are bad.

Bon Appetit.

Originally, I was going to post about how I chose three different baby bottles: the Born Free glass bottles, the Adiri Natural Nurser and Green to Grow (all pictured in my bottle cabinet.)

But, after having read the following report from Canada, which recently tested supposedly non-BPA bottles – which were in fact NOT BPA FREE – I’m going to post about how happy I am with my Born Free glass bottles, and how important it is to donate unwanted baby products that you are given (or buy yourself) to charity.

Buy glass bottles. They never have had, nor ever will have, dastardly chemicals to leach into your baby’s body. And no, they are not going to break. I tested mine by dropping it from adult sitting level: it was fine. You can also buy either the Born Free slip ons or “Siliskins” to protect them.  You just simply cannot trust that anything that feels plastic is safe. Sadly.

And think of how buff your baby’s arms will be.