Mom Talk with Hilary from Mikki Rae Little Ones

In a few sentences (we know you don’t have much time!) tell us about yourself and your little one…

Hi! I'm Hilary, I live in Toronto with my husband Jon, our dog Oakland and our sweet little girl Mikki, who is about to turn one. I am an elementary school teacher at a private school (on maternity leave) and I recently launched my own brand called Mikki Rae Little Ones.

Fill us in on everything we should know about your new shop Mikki Rae Little Ones: 

Mikki Rae Little Ones was inspired by my Mikki. She is the sweetest little one with a calm and sensitive nature.

MRLO offers comfortable and easy to wear outfits. Guided by calm colours, and a minimalistic approach, dressing your little one can be a simple pleasure.

MRLO also carries wooden alphabet blocks which make for the perfect gift paired with a waffle set or for your little one's nursery shelf.

faves

What is one thing you couldn’t live without as a mom?
(your ultimate must-have!)

Do sweatsuits and wine count? Hmm...a good everyday bag with packers inside to keep my things organized. Water wipes are also amazing.

What are your child’s current faves? 
(if it suddenly disappeared tomorrow - there would for sure be tears!)

I always imagined Mikki loving stuffed animals and attaching herself to a favourite stuffy by now, but this is not the case! Mikki loves any small item that she can hold onto and eat like mini Sophie the Giraffe attached to her The Bear Co. teething clip.

What are three things that you take everywhere with you … 
(diaper bag essentials - besides diapers!)

As of right now... formula, stacking cups (an open-ended toy) and a small item for her to chew (mini Sophie, teething banana). If I go back to newborn days...definitely bibs and burp cloths. Mikki spit up all.the.time.

Book Club

What is your favourite children’s book?
(a childhood fave or a post children discovery)

I think I'll go with a favourite book that I love reading for my students and for my own little one. 'In My Heart' by Jo Witek is a book about feelings. I feel strongly about openly talking about our feelings to Mikki and making sure that we always validate Mikki's feelings too.

What is your child’s favourite books?
 (bet you can recite from memory!) 

Mikki absolutely loves story time and it melts my heart. Her favourite book read by her Dad is 'Big Red Barn' and her favourite book read by me is 'The Going to Bed Book'.

Mini Style

What are your favourite places to shop for your babe?
(mostly online these days I’m sure!)

Mikki is always wearing something from Zara and usually a Mini Mioche t-shirt to layer.
We love Kina booties and Uggs too!

Mom Talk

What advice would you tell your pregnant self?
(if only you knew then..)

I liked being pregnant and I was way more chill than I ever would have thought I would be because, to be honest, my pregnancy journey wasn't so simple. While pregnant, we frequented the OBs office and high-risk clinic often as my placenta wasn't giving little Mikki everything she needed. Mikki came into the world 5 weeks early, as a premie, and was she was in the NICU for 10 days.

I wish my mom self now was as chill as my pregnant self - postpartum anxiety is a real thing.

As a working mom, how do you find balance between work and motherhood?
(really is there such a thing?)

I do MRLO stuff when Mikki is napping or when Jon is with her. I also do some social media things for MRLO when Mikki is playing. When I go back to teaching...there will be a new learning curve to balance it all.

What has been your pandemic saviour?
(we need all the sanity tips!) 

I think our family cottage has been our saviour. Being able to escape the city and spend time with our family made our summer feel a lot more normal. We are SO grateful for that.

Follow Hilary on Instagram: @mikkiraelittleones and visit her shop website: www.mikkierae.com

#TMLmomtalk