Real Baby is featured on Denver A la Mode!

 

We are excited to be featured on the new website Denver A la Mode.  Please click on the link below to see the page and watch the great video they produced about us.  

Denver A La Mode 

All Sunscreens Are Not Created Equal

I just came back from a 10 day beach vacation with my spouse and our two children. We spent up to 4 to 6 hours everyday on the beach or by the pool in full sun. Needless to say we went through numerous bottles of sunscreen. I find it amazing and confusing how they all can be so different in both price and effectiveness. Here is a basic breakdown of important terms used on sunscreen labels.

UVA- ultraviolet A radiation. Penetrating rays that cause sunburn, wrinkles, and age spots and contribute to skin cancer.

UVB- ultraviolet
B radiation. Can cause sunburn and other skin damage and contribute to skin cancer.

SPF- sun-protection factor, a measure of UVB sunburn protection on treated skin as compared with untreated skin. Basically, if your skin normally takes 10 minutes to turn red, SPF 30 lengthens that time to about 300 minutes.

Broad Spectrum- implies that the produt blocks UVA and UVB radiation, but doesn't indicate how effective the blocking is.

PABA Free- contains no esters of para-aminobenzoic acid, an older sun blocking ingredient that caused allergic reactions. Most sunscreens do not use this ingredient anymore.

Very Water Resistant- maintains the claimed SPF after 80 minutes in water. "Waterproof" has no FDA accepted definition, but it is used by some manufacturers to mean very water resistant.

Confused? I still am. What I found that works best for my children is not so much the brand name or claims, but how you apply and re-apply the sunscreen. It is recommended that you buy a sunscreen that is labeled very water resistant or waterproof and with an SPF of at least 30.

Apply the sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure. I found this to be the key factor in protecting my children. Easier said than done of course. Reapply every two hours is another key factor. Again, good luck! we found sprays to be affective but difficult to apply outdoors. The key to sprays is to do them early, often, and indoors. Of course the sun protective rash guards are a great addition to your sunscreen arsenal. It saved my sons shoulders this year.

Here are a few of consumer Reports recommended sunscreens from the July 2009 addition.

Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50 lotion
Aveeno continuous Protection Spray SPF 45
Walgreens continuous spray sport SPF 50
Banana Boat Sport performance SPF 50 Lotion- We liked this one
Target Sport Continuous spray SPF 30

Muu Kids is in at Real Baby

Muu thinks the way you do. Want products for your family that are safe, non-toxic and useful? So do we. Furniture built with a dedication to quality and craftsmanship? That, too. Designs that fit the style of a modern home and will grow with you? Got it. Concerned about the environment and how our choices impact the next generation? Absolutely.

But since no one knows your style better than you, we’ve put the final choice in your hands: Muu furniture can be personalized with one of our unique design panels, created exclusively for Muu and custom-printed with your child’s name.

Speaking of names, Muu is inspired by the Zen term Mu, which teaches that there is no difference between us and our environment. This belief guides our designs as well as our commitment to sustain

Take a look at the Muu line on line at Real Baby.

How can you afford your rock n roll lifestyle

You can with these rockin' tee's for your little one. All of our tee's are 100% cotton with your favorite album cover on the front. Real Baby has a large selection of all your favorite bands. The Stones, Nirvana, Run DMC, Radiohead, The Clash... There all here. Stop by our Boulder or Denver store to find your favorite .

Do You have to use the Potty?

Most parents eagerly anticipate toilet training as a milestone in their child's development, if for no other reason than that it means an end to changing diapers. But few moms and dads are prepared for how long toilet training can take. Sure, some children master it within a few days, but others can take several months. In fact, it's generally true that the earlier you start, the longer it takes.

You and your child have a better chance of success if you understand the elements of training and approach the process in a clear fashion. Here are the basic steps:

Assess your child's readiness — and your own
Some children are ready to start potty training by 18 months or so, but others aren't interested in the process until they're closer to 3 years old. Many parents begin potty training when their children are about 2 and a half.

Watch for signs that your toddler is ready to start (can she follow simple instructions? can she walk and sit down?) but try not to put on the pressure. Rushing her when she's not ready will be counterproductive. And remember that what worked for your older child might not work for this one — boys tend to train a bit more slowly than girls, while second (and subsequent) children may learn more quickly than firstborns.

Look beyond your toddler's developmental readiness, too. If she's experiencing any turmoil or major change in her life, like a new school, caregiver, or sibling, the potty-training process is likely to hit some snags and should probably be put off until things have settled down.

There's also no sense in beginning potty training when you — or your child's primary caregivers — won't be able to devote time, patience, and a dash of humor to the process. If you're in the middle of remodeling your house, have just taken a challenging new job, or are suffering from morning sickness with your next pregnancy, it's probably not a good time to try to potty-train your toddler. Wait a couple of weeks — or months — for other pressures to ease.

Buy the right equipment
First and foremost, invest in a child-sized potty chair or a special adapter seat that attaches to your regular toilet. This eases the anxiety some children feel about the grown-up toilet — some fear falling into it, others dislike the loud noise of the flush. Figure out what equipment is best for your toddler before you go shopping.

If you have a boy and are buying a potty chair, look for one without a urine guard or with a removable one. You may have to wipe up a little more stray pee, but the guards tend to bump into and scrape a boy's penis when he sits on the potty, which can discourage him from training.

If you're using an adapter seat, make sure it's comfy and secure, and buy a stool to go with it. Your toddler will need the stool in order to get up and down from the toilet quickly and easily, as well as to brace her feet while sitting, which helps her push when she's having a bowel movement.

Create a routine
Set your toddler on the potty seat, fully clothed, once a day — after breakfast, before her bath, or whenever else she's likely to have a bowel movement. This will help her get used to the potty and accept it as part of her routine. If there's not an easily accessible bathroom around, bring your child's portable potty outside, to the playroom, or wherever your toddler may be.

Once she's fine with this routine, have her sit on the potty bare-bottomed. Again, let her get used to how this feels. At this point, let her know that this is what Mommy and Daddy (and any older siblings) do every day. That is, taking off your pants before you use the bathroom is a grown-up thing to do.

If sitting on the potty with or without clothes is upsetting to your toddler, don't push it. Never restrain her or physically force her to sit there, especially if she seems scared. It's better to put the potty aside for a few weeks before trying again. Then, if she's willing to sit there, you know she's comfortable enough to proceed.

Demonstrate for your child
Children learn by imitation, and watching you use the bathroom is a natural way to understand what using the toilet is all about. If you have a son, it's simpler to teach him to pee sitting down at this young age. Later, when he's mastered that, he can watch his dad, older brother, or friend pee standing up — he's bound to pick it up quickly with just a little encouragement.

When you demonstrate for your toddler, it's helpful to explain what's going on as you're using the bathroom and let her see afterward what you "made." Then show her how you wipe with toilet paper, pull up your underwear, flush the toilet, and wash your hands.

Even though you'll be helping your toddler with these activities for some time, especially wiping after a bowel movement, seeing you do it and hearing you talk through it will help her get used to the whole process. (When you wipe your toddler, make sure to go from front to back, especially after a bowel movement, to minimize the risk of urinary tract infections.)

If your toddler has older siblings or friends who are potty-trained, consider having them demonstrate, too. It can be helpful for your child to see others close to her age exhibiting the skills she's trying to learn.

Explain the process
Show your toddler the connection between pooping and the toilet. The next time she poops in her diaper, take her to the potty, sit her down, and empty the diaper beneath her into the bowl. Afterward, let her flush if she wants to (but don't force her if she's scared) so she can watch her diaper contents disappear.

You also may want to pick up a few potty-training picture books or videos for your toddler, which can assist her in taking in all this new information. Everyone Poops, by Taro Gomi, is a perennial favorite, as well as Uh Oh! Gotta Go! and Once Upon a Potty, which even comes in a version with a doll and miniature potty.

Keeping a book like this in the bathroom, or a poster or flipbook that illustrates the steps in using the potty, can help your toddler get familiar with the process and relate it to what she does in the bathroom.

Foster the habit
Encourage your toddler to sit on the potty whenever she feels the urge to go. If she needs help getting there and taking off her diaper, make sure she knows it's okay to ask you for help any time.

If you can, let her run around bare-bottomed sometimes with the potty nearby. The more time she spends out of diapers, the faster she's likely to learn, although you'll have to steel yourself to clean up a few more puddles. Tell her she can use the potty whenever she wants to, and remind her occasionally that it's there if she needs it.

Sometimes toddlers won't sit on the potty long enough to relax and let anything come out. Calmly encourage your toddler to sit there for at least a minute or so. You'll have the best luck getting her to stay put if you keep her company and talk to her or read her a book.

When your toddler uses the potty successfully, shower her with praise. Chances are that she'll continue to have accidents, but she'll start to grasp that getting something in the potty is an accomplishment. Still, try not to make a big deal out of every trip to the potty, or your toddler may start to feel nervous and self-conscious under the glare of all that attention.

Grab some training pants
Once training is under way, consider adding training pants — extra-thick cloth or disposables that pull on like underwear — to your routine. They'll allow your toddler to undress for the potty on her own, which is a critical step toward becoming completely potty-trained.

While cloth training pants are less convenient than disposable pull-ups, many parents say they work better because your toddler can really feel when she pees or poops in them. Whichever option you choose, introduce them gradually — probably for a few hours at a time — and stick with diapers at night for the time being.

When your child consistently seeks out the potty whenever she has to go, it's time to move on to "big-kid" underwear. Many moms and dads have found that undies with a favorite character on them give kids a dandy incentive to stay dry.

Handle setbacks gracefully
Virtually every child will have several accidents before being able to stay dry all day long. When this happens, don't get angry or punish your child. After all, it's only recently that her muscle development has allowed her to hold her bladder and rectum closed at all, and she's still learning why it's important to use the potty. Mastering the process will take time.

What can you do? Reduce the chance of accidents by dressing your toddler in clothes that are easy to remove quickly. When she has an accident anyway, calmly clean it up and suggest (sweetly) that next time she try using her potty instead.
I. Introduce night training

Don't give away that stash of diapers just yet. Even when your child is consistently clean and dry all day, it may take several more months, or even years, for her to stay dry all night. At this age, her body is still too immature to wake her up in the middle of the night reliably just to go to the bathroom.

When you're ready to embark on night training, your toddler should continue to wear a diaper or pull-up to bed, but encourage her to use the potty if she has to pee or poop during the night. Tell her that if she wakes up in the middle of the night needing to go, she can call you for help. You can also try putting her potty near her bed so she can use it right there.

If she manages to stay dry for five nights in a row, it's a good time to start nighttime training in earnest. Put a plastic sheet under the cloth one to protect the mattress, and put your toddler to bed in underwear (or nothing) and see how it goes.

There's not much you can do to help things along, short of limiting liquids before bedtime, so if your toddler doesn't seem to get the hang of it, put her back in nighttime diapers and try again in a few months.

Jump for joy — you're done!
Believe it or not, when your child is mentally and physically ready to learn this new skill, she will. And if you wait until she's really ready to start, the process shouldn't be too painful for either of you.

When it's over, reinforce her pride in her achievement by letting her give away leftover diapers to a family with younger kids, or by packing up the cloth diapers and sending them away with the diaper delivery service one last time.

And don't forget to pat yourself on the back. Now you won't have to think about diapers ever again — at least, not until the next baby.

Skip Hop Mate makes eating fun!

Now your baby can have their very own table setting! Bright and fun, The Skip Hop Mate just might make your tot excited to eat their veggies. The happy-face place mat keeps them entertained while the plate pops in and out of the microwave, dishwasher, or refrigerator

Join us for Story Time!

Real Baby Boulder will be hosting a story time for you and your child every Thursday at 11am. Join our good friend Danielle as she reads from all of our favorite books, that are sure to make your child smile, laugh, and think.

Starting this Thursday February 26th at 11AM at our new Boulder location (1505 Pearl St).

Stop by Real Baby this Thursday for the most fun on the block. Receive 10% off your purchase from our selection of books after story time.

Real Baby Loves Robeez

Medical experts worldwide agree that barefoot is best, and soft, flexible-soled shoes are the next best choice, for both infants and children. The best shoe mimics bare feet, by supporting - not constricting tiny growing feet.

Robeez footwear flex and bend with every step. They promote good balance and unrestricted growth, while protecting little feet from the world. They stay on too, with elasticized ankles to ensure a perfectly snug fit.

When you're choosing shoes for their developing feet:
1. Make it soft. A softer sole that cushions, allows toes a better grip, helping balance and muscle growth.
2. Get fit. A shoe with elastic hugs the ankle with every step, staying snug and secure for a great fit.
3. Measure up. Little feet grow quickly, so measure regularly.
4. Be flexible. Shoes should not restrict proper bending of the joints. A soft flexible soled shoe allows the foot to flex with ease.
5. Go light. Help the new walker go light and stay upright by choosing a lightweight shoe without bulky padding and heavy soles.
6. Get wiggling. Promote movement and flexing of their growing feet with games like "This Little Piggy".

We Love the UppaBaby Vista Stroller!

This is our new favorite at Real Baby. This well built stroller has a welded aircraft aluminum alloy frame and wheels that allow the VISTA to weigh less and give more responsive control . This stroller is easy to fold with one motion with the seat attached. The Toddler seat is reversible and can recline in three different positions.

The Eco-inspired organic bassinet; carrier is fully lined with a blend of organic soybean & cotton so every inch of material that touches your baby’s skin is a wholesome, hygienic alternative to synthetic fabrics. So many great features and colors!

Our New Online Registry

Our already great registry has loads of new features and is now easier than ever to use. You can set up multiple lists: have one for your shower and one for little Suzie's 2nd birthday.
It's easy to use and manage.
New features include:

• Add the date of your shower or party
  
• let people know if you're having a boy or girl
• ability to name your wish lists
  
• set up multiple registries or wish lists
• ability to add more then one of a product
• ability to see if a product is out of stock when looking at a registry
• easily edit or even delete a wish list

The Best Gifts are in the Highlands!
Avoid the Malls and shop close to home for fabulous, inventive, gorgeous gifts you won't find anywhere else.

Don't Miss our Annual 11th Hour Shop Nite on Monday December 22!
Shops along 32nd Avenue
will be open until 11 PM
with specials and treats to help speed along your last minute shopping.
Map it!

Holiday in the Highlands
Sunday December 14 from 1-3

Visit Santa Claus
Horse and Wagon Rides
Strolling Holiday Music
Hot Chocolate

Great new art products for your children from Clementine

These art kits are all natural, artist-quality kits manufactured one at a time in Boulder, Colorado. Their mission is for children to value art education programs that develop their ability to think 'outside the box' and encourage children to create unique artwork with the highest quality art materials. They want their art kits to promote problem solving, creativity, self expression and cultural understanding in all ages! All Clementine Art Kits are packaged in reusable tins. These are absolutely the best quality art and craft kits, designed especially for children, ages 2-12. All the paint, dough, and other liquid or materials in the kits are made from natural, certified non-toxic, and environmentally friendly products. The papers are mostly recycled, and the brushes are wooden and made from natural materials. If someone is looking for a very special gift for a child interested in art, these are so perfect!

Real Baby to Rock with Michael Franti And Spearhead at the Fillmore

Real Baby is proud to announce it's partnership with one of our favorite Musicians, Michael Franti and his band Spearhead. Real Baby will be providing an area for parents to nurse, change, and chill out with their babies. Changing tables, cozy gliders, and a padded crawling area will help parents relax and enjoy this kid friendly event! Check out this link for more information. We hope to see you there Saturday November 29th for the show!

Eco Friendly Doll House

You can teach your children how to save the planet by introducing them to this cool Eco friendly doll house. A realistic Real Life House on 2 Floors,aiming an enviromental concerns. By living in an environmentally-concerned way of life we can preserve our world. Riding bicycles, using clean energy, and recycling are activities that are friendly to our environment. Parents can play together with their children to create a fun house with loads of accessories, plus teach children about each ECO activity that they can try at home and in daily activities to save the environment.
Wonderworld is a strong advocate of protecting the environment, insists on using only rubber-wood that is of replenishable source and is widely accepted throughout the world as environmental-friendly material. This House even comes with a family of hippies!

Finally a Safe Sippy Cup

Meet The Safe Sippy™ stainless steel drinking cup – one small step in creating a less toxic world for our children. The Safe Sippy™ cup breaks away from the all-plastic sippy cup designs of the past. From the clean, non-leaching stainless steel cup to the unique safety features to the plastics free of Bisphenol A and other harmful chemicals, The Safe Sippy™ cup was created to accomplish one simple goal: Clean In, Clean Out.

Great news!  Now I don't have to get my kids the Hamster they wanted

By Lindsey Tanner
The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 10/06/2008 07:05:16 AM MDT

CHICAGO — Warning: Young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards or turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease.
That's according to the nation's leading pediatricians group in a new report about dangers from "exotic" animals.
Besides evidence that they can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw — putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, the report says.
Young children are vulnerable because of developing immune systems — plus they often put their hands in their mouths.
That means families with children younger than 5 should avoid owning "nontraditional" pets. Also, kids that young should avoid contact with these animals in petting zoos or other public places, according to the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The report appears in the October edition of the group's medical journal, Pediatrics.
"Many parents clearly don't understand the risks from various infections" these animals often carry, said Dr. Larry Pickering, the report's lead author and an infectious-disease specialist at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For example, about 11 percent of salmonella illnesses in children are thought to stem from contact with lizards, turtles and other reptiles, Pickering said. Hamsters also can carry this germ, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
Salmonella also has been found in baby chicks, and young children can get it by kissing or touching the animals and then putting their hands in their mouths, he said.
Hedgehogs can be dangerous because their quills can penetrate skin and have been known to spread a bacterium that can cause fever, stomach pain and a rash, the report said.
With supervision and precautions such as hand-washing, contact between children and animals "is a good thing," study co-author Dr. Joseph Bocchini said.
But families should wait until children are older before bringing home an exotic pet, he said. Those who already have these pets should contact their veterinarians about specific risks and possible new homes for the animals, he said.
But a spokesman for the International Hedgehog Association said there's no reason to single out hedgehogs or other exotic pets.
"Our recommendation is that no animal should be a pet for kids 5 and under," said Z.G. Standing Bear. He runs a rescue operation near Pikes Peak for abandoned hedgehogs.

California sues crib makers

Were are glad to say that Real Baby has never done business with any of the companies sited in this article. Please read this important article.

Sept 24 2008: California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. has sued five baby furniture manufacturers for failing to warn consumers about the dangerous levels of formaldehyde gas emitted by their products, including cribs and changing tables.

“We’re suing these companies because parents deserve to know if there’s a dangerous chemical in products for children,” Brown said. “Over the past two years, we’ve brought other actions to ensure the safety of children’s products, such as lead in toys and phthalates in baby bibs.

"Increasingly, the wood and other materials in consumer products are produced globally, and the lack of tough safeguards and strict enforcement can lead to dangerous levels of exposure,” Brown added.

Passed by voters in 1986, Proposition 65 requires manufacturers to provide “clear and reasonable warnings” of chemicals in their products that are known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

The state’s lawsuit alleges that Child Craft, Delta Enterprise Corp., Stork Craft, South Shore Industries and Jardine Enterprises manufactured baby furniture, such as cribs and changing tables, that emit formaldehyde — a chemical known to cause cancer — and failed to provide any warning about this risk.

In addition to being a carcinogen, formaldehyde has been shown to contribute to respiratory problems like asthma. The levels of formaldehyde gas emitted from the baby furniture, when combined with other potential sources of formaldehyde in the home, are high enough to cause respiratory irritation to children sleeping in the cribs.

Real Baby Boulder is Open!

We are proud to announce the opening of our new store in Boulder. It has been a labor of love and we think the new space looks and feels great. We are carrying all of the products we love from our Denver store, as well as some great new items. Please stop in and say hello! Real Baby Boulder is located at 1505 Pearl St. in Boulder Colorado. Map here.

This Reminded Me That The World Is Beautiful

This video came to me via a friend in Alaska who in turn received it from my sister in Baltimore Maryland.  My thanks to them for making me remember that there is a big beautiful world out there.

 Real Baby is excited to add a truly green toy line! 

Watch the video and check out this great new and simple line of toys from Green Toys. They will be arriving at real Baby soon!

I just came across this book while searching the vast world of child products. I love it! I know its not meant for children, but we parents need as many laughs as we can get. I have read the original Goodnight Moon at least 470 times, so I can't wait to get my hands on this one. A sample page from the books website reads," a grand old party to war in a rush, and a quiet Dick Chaney whispering hush." Funny, sad, and true.

Offi & Company 

Eva Foam Table

This cool table from Offi & Company is expertly cut from soft and sturdy EVA foam.  This is the same material you would find inside your athletic shoe.  The foam makes the table and chairs super comfortable, safe, lightweight, durable, strong and easy to clean.  Each piece can support up to 300 pounds!  When your children get that big it's time to get them out of the house.  This table and chair set is great for indoor and outdoor use.

The Leander Crib- No, You can't have it!

This beautiful and functional crib/toddler bed is designed by Stig Leander Nielsen.  This Danish designer says that he is inspired by nature and by his travels around the world. Unfortunately this Cot will not be travelling to the United States anytime soon.  All we can do is hope that we see it offered at our next trade show and bring  it on home.  Until then, all we can do is look at the pretty pictures.

Real Baby has The CLEK Booster Seat!

Real Baby is proud to carry the new CLEK booster seat.  This comfortable booster is designed and manufactured by a world class automotive seat manufacturer.  They utilize many of the same materials and safety features  found in luxury vehicle seating.   The CLEK features a rigid LATCH system that securely locks the seat into place easily.  Quick release allows for easy removal.  The CLEK meets all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and is suitable for children 40-57" tall and 40-100lbs.  Stylish, safe, and comfortable, is all you can ask for in a booster seat!

I Love Candy

I find this very funny and true.  I have tried all of these candies and could not agree more.  Can you still buy paper dots?

It's Time To Pimp Your Stroller

Real Baby Boulder

Real Baby Boulder is just around the corner. Located on the corner of 15th and Pearl St. right in the heart of downtown Boulder Colorado. We our very excited to grow our business and we hope to have the new store up and running around August 1st. The building is getting closer to being finished, so we will keep you posted! Click on the image above to see more photos of our new location.

Cereal just got Interesting

Here is some information that is sure to spark a huge sales boost for breakfast cereal.  A recent study done at Oxford and Exeter Universities in Britain, states that pregnant mothers who skip breakfast and eat less, are more likely to give birth to girls, while mothers who consume more calories and a wider range of nutrients- including, specifically breakfast cereal- are more likely to have boys.  

I can see all the macho breakfast tables of America, husbands with their coaches shorts on forcing their wives to eat that third bowl of cereal.  "Are you still hungry honey?, have some more puffed Kashi!"  

The Universities asked 740 first time mothers in the UK to keep food diaries before and during early pregnancy.  The women didn't know the sex of their babies, but when researchers reviewed their food plans, they found that moms who consumed more calories of higher quality before conceiving were about 24 percent more likely to give birth to boys than the moms who ate less.  higher nutrient intake prior to conception, most notably the consumption of breakfast cereal are strongly associated with having a male infant.  

I can hear the wheels turning at Quaker Oats and Kellogg's.  Now who wants some Honey Bunches of O's?

Catch The Vibe!

The Vibe stroller from Phil&Teds has arrived at Real Baby.  This cool new stroller works just like the Phil&Teds Sport Buggy but with a much sleeker look.  What I like about the Vibe is that you can fold it all the way down with the doubles kit attached.  The new elliptical shape aluminum frame features a smart handle with a one touch brake, smart fold,  and a 5 point safety harness.  Phil&Teds inline strollers actually grow with your family.  the unique doubles kit attaches to both front and back allowing two children to ride inline in a stroller that is barely larger than a single.

My Daughter's April Fools 

Yesterday was April Fools day.  I have never really been a big practitioner of April fools pranks, however, I do appreciate them.  I have my Grandmother to thank for that.  My Grandmother was the family prankster, and each year she would  achieve terrific results with her April foolery.   Aging in her soft recliner, tissues and coffee at the ready, my Grandmother would reel each one of us in with a subtle question or statement.  She would then  twist it in a way that would either concern, terrify, or confuse us.  Finally, she would hit us with the punch line, and laugh that beautiful little laugh of hers.  Damn, she was funny.  Fake ketchup as blood,  Staples punched into her tenting skin,  or twisted stories,  she knew how to get us.  

My 9 year old daughter would have made her Great Grandmother proud yesterday. She asked me if she could ride her bike around the block.  This is the sweet new mountain bike that we purchased her for Christmas.  I agreed, made sure she was helmeted, and sent her on her way.  

A few minutes later she ran back in the house saying that she had to use the bathroom.  I continued to work at the computer when a moment later she came back in from outside with the look on her face.  It's a look she only gives me when there's trouble.  Like when she and her brother have broken something.  She said very quietly, "Daddy come here,"  and walked out the front door.  I quickly followed her to the top of our stairs that lead to the sidewalk.  She pointed to the bottom of the stairs and said, " I left my bike right here, and now it's gone."  

We live in the city, and I have had several items ripped off over the years.  I could feel my blood temperature rising and in classic Irish catholic fashion began yelling various versions of the Lords name followed by words that rhyme with brother ducking and alike.  My daughter looked up at me with a face full of pride and said, "Daddy, April Fools!."  She had hidden her bike in the bushes and had successfully duped her old man.  I apologized for my curse laced tirade and gave her a huge hug.  Grandma was smiling yesterday.

Modern Glider

Finally, a beautifully designed glider with simple lines and exceptional comfort.  The Monte Design Luca glider,  is built with an  ergonomic arm height for feeding your baby, high back for proper head rest, and removable lumbar pillow for extra support.  The Luca glider's soft durable upholstery,  deep brown stained maple wood base, and smooth gliding mechanism make the the ultimate nursery chair.  The luca glider will fit the decor of any room in your house.

 

Organic Clothing for Your Children

When I was a child my mother would make me wear polyester for Easter.   It was ritual.  Wake up  Easter morning, receive a fantastic basket filled with great chocolate and treats,  hunt for Easter eggs, put on new polyester Easter outfit and go to church to sweat and fidget.

I think clothing has come a long way since I was a child.  We are trying harder to fill Real Baby with quality organic clothing that is produced in a humane manor.  It's not as easy as it sounds.  After reading the following article I thought that my old Easter polyester might not be that bad.  

Cotton crops alone account for $2.6 billion in pesticides used each year and is the definition of a chemically dependent agriculture. Even though cotton only uses 2.4% of all cultivated land, 25% of the world’s pesticides and 10% of the world’s insecticides are used on it yearly. In other words, for every one pair of jeans and t-shirt produced, 1 pound of pesticides and chemical fertilizers are used.

 The problems with clothing production do not stop in the field. During the conversion of conventional cotton into clothing, numerous toxic chemicals are added at each stage - harsh petroleum scours, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia and formaldehyde - to name just a few.

Just something to think about.

Mom I want to be a TSA Agent!

Yes it's real. Every loving and caring parent needs to offer this toy to their little future Homeland Security Expert. Cause delays getting into your elementary school, spread fear, and interrogate your friends! Drug sniffing dog and travel size water boarding kit not included. I wish I would have thought of this. $29.95 will get you this cardboard box that beeps.

Below is the actual wording from the manufacturer of why this toy was created. Be afraid.






"In an effort to help children understand and be comfortable and confident in the need and process of higher security protocols we've developed a new play and learning toy and resource web site to promote and educate security procedures.

OperationCheckpoint.com and the makers of the Scan-It toy are attempting to bring security technology companies, governments and security providers together to help educate children on the need and importance of airport and public spaces security."

Life in the City with Children

I walked outside yesterday to find my entire house surrounded by police cars.  All traffic was being deverted  onto our street from the neighboring Federal Blvd. Helicopters buzzed overhead as I ran to the corner, passing a group of children playing outside.  My son was in that group.  He said " hi daddy!,  why are you running?"  I gathered all the children and herded them inside our neighbors house without answering my son's question.  If I were to answer it I would have to say something like, " I'm running because I was scared shitless that something happened to you", or " I was running because the police are searching for a shooter."  Both answers seemed inappropriate at the time, so in classic parent fashion, I said nothing.  I remember a few times when my mother would answer my questions with silence.  It was never good.  Now here I was doing the same thing.  Life in the city with children can make you a silent parent sometimes.

Skip Hop PLAYSPOT

PLAYSPOT is a beautiful and innovative soft floor surface that keeps your child comfortable and happy, while complementing your home's decor. With a variety of neutral and designer tile colors, it's the perfect addition to the modern or contemporary nursery.

Large in size and large on style, these floor tiles have been designed, tested and manufactured for children of all ages. It's easy to put together with its unique connector system so you can configure it to fit your style.

Modern is in at Real Baby

modern means something that is "up to date", or "new", and that is exactly what is going on at Real Baby.  Our store and website are filled with modern  items for your nursery, your child, and you!  

Here are some modern things that we love: Avalisa, Nurseryworks, Plasma Car, Skip Hop, Fleurville, Bloom Baby, Dwell, Oeuf, Automoblox, Monte Design, and Argington.

Automoblox are Here!
These beautifully designed vehicles will set your childs imagination racing. With interchangable parts, the sky is the limit for what your little designer can create. Automoblox are designed as an heirloom toy with safety and durability being most important. I would buy a Mini Van if they looked like this! To see Automoblox in action click here.

Real Baby is Voted Best Baby Store in Denver!

For the third year in a row City Search members have voted Real Baby the best baby store in Denver. We are very humbled and proud, and we want to thank everyone who voted for us. We promise to keep bringing you the best products we can find for you and your little ones.

Here is a little insider tip for you our favorite readers of the blogosphere.... look for Real Baby to open it's second store in Boulder!! That's right, We have signed on the dotted lines and we will be moving into our second home on the North East corner of 15th and Pearl in downtown Boulder Colorado. We should open doors sometime in the summer and we will keep you posted about the grand opening festivities. We can't wait!

Do they make this Chair in Adult Size?

The Fresco High Chair by Bloom Baby features multiple grow-with-baby modes. From newborn to 6 months it acts like a resting cradle. At 6 months and up it becomes a feeding chair with optional up to the table, or tray modes. The Fresco can also be a play seat from 2 years and up holding a child up to 79 lbs.

The Fresco also features; super sized adjustable feeding tray & second play tray that are dishwasher safe, 360 degree swivel with resistor, pneumatic assist easy lift height adjustment for an infinite range of positions, mulitple position reclining seat, 5 point harness with heigh adjustable straps, microsuede seat upholstry available in vibrant colors, multiple position foot rest, and enclosed castor wheels in the base for easy lift and glide.

I Want This Stroller!

I'm not sure why, but I want this stroller. I would love to put on a black cape and mask and pull up next to some moms in the park pushing their weak jog strollers and challenge them to a race. I would fire up my Ipod in the custom Ipod dock. Then I would press play on the DVD player and roll the intro to Top Gun and shout Go! They Don't stand a chance.

This is a real stroller. It is The Limited Edition Harmony. A joint project of Pinstripe Prep, makers of fine baby and kid gear ["country club couture without the snobbery"], custom car guru Joe Iacono and the mastermind Jason Albert, whose expert hands bring each custom Harmony into the world.

The price tag you ask? It can be yours for around $3000. It all depends on wether you want the Ipod and DVD, the retractable cup-holders, the self-regenerating power-assisted drivetrain and brakes, the custom paint and custom wheels and custom luggage.

I say I want it all. College fund be damned. I'm making my cape while I wait the estimated 2 months for it to be produced.

Bilibo
My son and daughter came into the store and were instantly attracted to this cool new imaginative toy. I can't wait to try sled riding with it! This is definitely a new kind of toy.

The elementary shells leave room for the child's imagination. Instead of imposing a specific play pattern, Bilibo is open for a wide range of interpretations and encourages the children to invent their own games, to play and have fun in an active and creative way. Indoors and outdoors, in the sand-pit, in the water or even in the snow... Bilibo is full of surprises.

Both boys and girls can find virtually unlimited ways to play with Bilibos - from rocking, spinning, and sitting to hiding under, carrying with, and peeking through... Bilibo provides hours of open-ended play.

Summer Travel with the Kids

It has been a very busy summer of travel for our family. With the kids hitting ages 6 and 8, we have reached our travel tipping point. Our children are now self sufficient little units, with the power to feed, dress, wash, brush, ask nicely, not throw a fit, and enjoy life as a child should. Our hard work has payed off, and it's nice to see the results.

Road trips are now a lot of fun. Music cranking windows down kinda fun, with only the occasional threat from me to pull the car over on the highway.

We have less equipment restraints with our children now. Car seats, which gave way to booster seats are now not needed. No more switching seats from car to car, or checking them at the airport with the embarrassingly large plastic bag.

The dreaded pack-n-play is long gone. Diaper bags have become travel and computer bags. Strollers, as my son told me 3 years ago, " are for babies." Front carriers, slings, backpacks, travel cot, infant sun tent, sippy cups...not needed.

I wonder how my mother raised the four of us without the convenience of all the safety and child products we have today. I remember fondly, long summer drives to a lake somewhere far away with the four of us jumping around the back of our giant Ford wagon unrestrained. My mother smoking a cigarette and driving 85mph (the speed limit was 75mph) telling us all to settle down or she would pull the car over. I knew she wouldn't. Did I also hear the tinkling of ice in a tumbler?

No car seats, no DVD, Game Boy, PSP, or other mind numbing device. Just us the open road and a lot of fun. I spy, the alphabet game, 3 thirds of a ghost, and harassing my sisters were games we played as we whizzed by farms and cornfields.

My children are very fond of the alphabet game, except my son wants me slow down so he can read the signs better. I can't wait for our next road trip. And for the parents of smaller children and allot of gear, it is still absolutely worth it. Now let's drive.