Though they are based in New Zealand, Cariboo has become quite popular Stateside thanks to their simple, sleek and modern stylings. Their bassinet is a must-have according to many moms -- and it's easy to see why! It's perfectly unobtrusive, and fits with almost any decor -- and allows you to keep your newborn close at hand in those early weeks.

This year at the ABC Kids Expo Cariboo introduced a few new things, but my favorite among them was this infant gym. It's unlike any other gym on the market -- no bright colors, no blinking lights or flexible mirrors, and no endless chiming tunes (am I the only one bothered by those sounds?). It's like the bassinet -- simple, sleek, almost spartan. And babies love it. It's meant to work with a line of organic wool plush animals, also distributed by Scandinavian Child (I'll have to ask them what the name was -- it's completely unintelligible in my notes! ) You can see how the plushies dangle from the gym -- I did test them to make sure they were secure, and they are indeed. Your little one won't be able to tug them off, though he will be able to bat them about and even slide them along the bars of the gym.

One of the coolest features of this gym is that it's also made to sit perfectly on top of the bassinet -- creating an instant set. We all know how important visual stimulation is, especially during those early months of development. From my perspective, it's nice to see a gym that isn't *quite* so stimulating, if you know what I mean!

And, ohmygosh! I almost forgot to tell you! I had my first almost-brush with celebrity while I was visiting my friends at the Scandinavian Child booth. I say "almost-brush" because I was never closer than 100 feet to her and she certainly did not notice me in the slightest -- but Felicity Huffman was there! She's working on a partnership of some sort with them. I have to tell you, she was SO beautiful in person. On screen, she seems to almost have some hard edges, you know? But she's super tiny and just gorgeous -- with a completely luscious voice. She unfortunately did not have her husband, William H Macy with her (I think I would have completely lost it at that point), but it was still pretty cool to see her there. And she came by herself -- no entourage, nothing. I take that back, I think her business partner was with her. But that's it. She was totally casual, in jeans, cute flats and a knit top -- and she just seemed very grounded and real. And of course, I say this with the utmost authority, having stood a whole 100 feet away from her.