3D Printers Build a Better Toddler. Two-Year Old Finally Hugs Her Mom Thanks to ‘Magic Arms’

This is the story of Emma, a two-year old girl who was born with the congenital disorder arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. AMC, meaning ‘curved or hooked joints’, is characterized by a shortening of joints and supporting muscles (Thank you Wikipedia! The check is in the mail!). As a result of her disorder, Emma was unable to raise her own arms. Eating, drawing, and Big Huggies we all, literally, beyond the reach of the feisty little girl.

Prosthetic assistance is available for AMC sufferers, such as the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton,  buy thus far these have been large, metal contraptions unsuitable for a two-year old. Enter the wonders of 3D scanning and printing!

Utilizing a Dimension 3D printer from Stratasys, a smaller, lighter exoskeleton custom fit for Emma’s tiny frame was created. Emma’s new ‘Magic Arms’ as she called them was printed from ABS plastic parts that snap together and supported with rubber tension bands. This new prosthetic support allowed her reach out and cause the mischief she’s always dreamed of. The custom parts used are easily replaced from existing designs. When the latest growth spurt kicks in, the creation of an upscaled version of the apparatus is… well, child’s play.

Source: Digital Trends and Stratasys.com

Light Up the Runway, Here Comes the Nom Nom Plane! Jet Bib Lights Up Baby for Feeding

I tried feeding BG using the airplane game. It worked for one spoonful. Ever. I did keep myself fairly amused trying on future attempts. You’d be surprised as to how much oatmeal you can do a barrel roll with! She was a little more interested when I started strafing the Japanese Cheerios though.

While the Illuminated JetBib Feeding System does not depict a map of Guadalcanal, it does feature a runway that could have come off of an aircraft carrier. Even better, the runway is lined with motion activated LED lights that turn on when your aircraft shaped spoon swoops in for the inevitable crash with baby’s lips. Need betterer? The airplane spoon also lights up and has three swappable spoon attachments!

HTML for Babies Proves There are Bigger Geeks Than Me

Here’s an inspiring bit of geekdom for your tiny tot to chew on. HTML for Babies is the first in a series of three(!) board books created by web designer John C. Vandel-Heuvel Sr. to teach his child the basics of HTML. Can you imagine the technological changes in coding in the next ten years? It’s like getting your child ready for high school grammar by teaching them to speak Latin!
HTML for Babies (Web Design for Babies, Volume 1)

My First Cthulhu Reminds Us That Gibbering Madness and Babies are a Natural Fit

If you’re anything like me then you know the feelings that looking upon the face of a child can bring. Feelings like madness, terror, and the knowledge that you are confronting a supernatural evil from which there is no escape. Yes, children and ancient alien gods bent on global destruction go together like milk and cookies!

That’s why ThinkGeek brings us the My First Cthulhu Plush. Why should our children be snuggling strange creatures like bunnies and kitties when they can hug something they truly understand, like an Elder God whose very name drives men to madness. From the mythos of H.P. Lovecraft to your little one’s crib, Cthulhu Fhtagn, little one!