What Should You Register For (That You'll Actually Need)

Back when I was pregnant...two years ago...I had almost no knowledge of baby gear. Some people say that, but it my case it was the truth. So, I borrowed a book (Baby Bargains, loved it), scoured the internet for reviews and, mostly, relied on friend's recommendations. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most thoroughly researched purchases, I hit an 11 on most items. I over did it a tad.

Yet, even with all that prep, I still made a couple bad picks. But, more than bad picks, I got things that I didn't end up needing. My daughter is well into toddlerhood and I still have unused baby shower gifts. I know, shameful. I should have returned or regifted or donated by now.

Between looking at those medicine dosage kits that are still in the original packaging and a recent slew of newly pregnant friends who have asked me for advice (full circle moment), I was inspired to write a sample registry. My sample registry includes the necessities, not the luxuries and not the fun stuff like clothes, books and toys (though I'll address that at some point). Because just the necessities are plentiful, this will be a two part post with today's part handling the Furniture, Sleeping, Gear and Diapering needs. Part Two will include Feeding, Bathing, Health & Safety needs.

FURNITURE

• Crib - I've previously written posts about choosing the right crib for your needs (here) and about the crib that I chose (here).
• Crib Mattress - Considerations here are the materials that it's made of and how much it weighs. By total and awesome accident, I got a lightweight mattress. Changing the sheets, whether at 3 am or 3 pm, is a piece of cake.
• Changing Table or Dresser - You don't need a piece of furniture that is specifically called or designed to be a changing table. You do need a piece of furniture that can store the babies clothes, diapers, ointments, sheets, towels, blankets, etc., and possibly be a surface for diaper changing.
• Changing Pad - You can change your baby's diaper anywhere: on your bed, on the couch, on the floor, on your dog...wherever. Nowadays, I almost exclusively change my daughter's diaper on the floor because she's too big and wiggly to do it at any elevation. But, in the beginning, we used a changing pad on a dresser. Changing a diaper at dresser height is so much easier on the back than other options. If you plan to use a dresser or changing table, you'll want a changing pad to cushion the baby on the flat surface and because changing pads are curved to help prevent the little guy from rolling off. 
• Changing Pad Cover (2+)

TIP: Bassinets and co-sleepers are not necessities in my opinion. You can set up a crib in your bedroom, you can use the bassinet that comes with your stroller (if your stroller comes with one) or you can use a portable crib (which I do think is a necessity).

The Bugaboo Donkey comes with a bassinet that's perfect for strolling and perfect for bedside sleeping.
(image source)

SLEEPING

• Mattress Pad - You don't need a fancy one, but an extra absorbent layer is a good idea. The mattress will be waterproof, which is great, but it is the multiple layers of absorbing fabrics will help prevent the baby from actually sleeping in a puddle of her pee or spit up.
• Crib Sheets (2+)
• Portable Crib Sheets (2)
• Wearable Blanket/Swaddle Blanket (2+) - Some like to swaddle, some don't. Some like to be swaddled, some don't. Whatever yours and your baby's preference, you'll probably need to give the baby layer of warmth while she's sleeping. I say probably (and not definitely) because it'll depend on the weather in your part of the world and because I have friends who just layered their little ones with more or less clothes and never used a blanket. 

TIP: White noise machines are great, for some babies. If you think you want to use one, borrow before buying to make sure that it'll be worth the money.

Cloud b makes this plush sheep sound machine as well as a giraffe, monkey, sea turtle and a bunch of others.
(image source)

GEAR

• Car Seat - Assuming you have a car, you'll need a car seat. It's the law. Most kids will be in a car seat until 4 years old and then in a booster seat until 8 years old.
• Car Seat Stroller Adaptor - This is a bar that allows you to attach your car seat to your stroller. Technically this isn't a necessity because you can just remove your baby from the car seat and put him/her into the stroller. But, 9 times out of 10 your baby will fall asleep in the car seat and 9 times out of 10 when you make this transition you will wake up your sleeping baby (*statistics are based on personal experience and not scientific research). The adaptor lets the baby stay put, and sleeping, in the car seat while you get on your way with the stroller.
• Stroller - Whether you live in the city or the country, the north or the south, the mountains or the ocean, you probably want a stroller. For some, it'll be your primary means of traveling with the baby. For others, you'll stroll for leisure or weekend trips. Either way, it's a great parenting tool. If you are one of the parents who will be using it day in and out for everything from grocery shopping to daycare drop offs, you will probably want to spring for a pricier model that has some bells and whistles. If you will use it once or twice a week or mostly in the summer, then a modest model will be fine.
• Rain Canopy for Stroller - This is only a necessity for those city dwellers and individuals who plan to stroll on a daily basis. But, even if you think you'll use the canopy sparingly, it's a pretty cheap buy (as low as $9). If you end up using it just once, it'll be the best $9 you ever spent. Check before registering because many strollers come with this accessory.
• Carrier - I think it is a necessity, but I might lose a debate on the topic. Whether to hike or shop in stroller-unfriendly places or be hands free around the house while enjoying some snuggle time, carriers are great. There are many different kinds of carriers with many different prices points, so think about your needs before automatically registering for the Baby Bjorn. 
• Portable Crib - If you plan to travel with your baby overnight, you'll need one of these. Again, you can use the bassinet that comes with your stroller (if you stroller comes with one), but that'll only be good for a few months. 

TIP: Certain strollers are more (and less) compatible with certain car seats. For example, the Graco Snugride and the Baby Jogger City Mini don't work well together. Do your research for these items in tandem.

This is the Graco Snugride in Pasadena (Pasadena refers to the the fabric pattern). If you're shopping on Amazon always check the cost of each fabric pattern, some are inevitably less expensive than others.
(image source)

DIAPERING

• Diapers - People are shy to register for diapers. Why? Whether you're going the reusable route, the semi-resuable route (i.e. gDiapers) or the disposable route, you will need diapers. Actually, I take that back. I recently heard of a potty training method that begins at birth, it's called Infant Potting Training or Elimination Communication. 
• Wipes - These might be wash clothes or pre-moistened packaged wipes. Either way, you'll need a bunch.
• Ointments - This include Aquaphor, A+D, Balmex, Desitin, Butt Paste and a host of others. You don't need all of them because you don't know which will work best for your baby. Start with one or two options.
• Diaper Pail - Any old trash can will do, but a diaper pail is designed to be odor blocking and, sometimes, it actually is. If you go with a diaper pail (i.e. Diaper Genie or Diaper Dekor), make sure to stock up on the special bags/liners that fit in them.

TIP: Not all disposable diapers are the same. I was very surprised to learn that disposable diapers "work" very differently brand to brand. Talk to friends about their preferred brands before buying any economy sized box.

These are gDiapers. If you're thinking of reusables, but a little intimidated, check these out. They are a hybrid.
(image source)

That's all for today. I'll finish this up later in the week. Happy registering!

What other products do you consider 100%, absolutely necessary? Your credibility is shot if you say Sophie the Giraffe...even though I kinda agree. 

What Happens at a Baby Shower

What happened on your sophomore year spring break in Cancun stayed in Cancun. This is, of course, assuming that your sophomore year spring break happened pre-Facebook. For your sake, I hope it did. While (fingers crossed) the happenings in Cancun remain a mystery, baby showers aren't so mysterious. They're pretty simple - the mom-to-be opens a ton of gifts and guests cheer her on. I've been to many and they all follow the same sequence of events. There's some fun DIY decor, an embarrassing game (or ten) and lots of sweets. But just in case you haven't been to one lately (or ever), I'll break it down for you.

Pre-Event Considerations:

What should you wear? Whether you go to church or not, you probably have a sense of church appropriate attire. Your "church outfits" can double as baby shower outfits. If this description isn't working for you, think "business casual" but more fun. Jeans are not a great call. Neither is a taffeta cocktail dress. Here are a couple images courtesy Pinterest that hopefully help (quick plug: you can follow NSB on Pinterest by clicking here and then clicking follow).

My fashion sense leans conservative, as you can tell, so you should funk it up and trend it out as much as your heart desires. The basic guideline is not too casual and not too dressy. Image sources: outfit on left (here), outfit on right (here)

What should you bring? You and your gift. I have previously written about how much money to spend on a gift (here) and whether to buy off the registry or not (here).

What time should you arrive? On time. This isn't a fashionably late type event. But don't stress if you're fifteen minutes behind schedule. Typically, the guest of honor is going to arrive about 15 - 30 minutes after the invitation asked you to arrive. This is because the host wants the guest of honor to enter a room full of people and love. So, just make sure to arrive before the guest of honor.

Will there be alcohol? Yes, boozy, there will. Probably. If the guest of honor is someone who drinks alcohol in a non-pregnant state then alcohol will most likely be served. It will usually be some champagne or wine, maybe a signature cocktail. I've even been to baby showers with open bars. In case you're hoping wondering, I've never seen anyone throw down a shot.

Will there be men? Unlikely. I've never been to a co-ed baby shower. It's relatively common for the father-to-be to show up near the end to say hello, thank everyone and carry the gifts away. But, I can't say that I've been to (or even heard about) a co-ed baby shower. Co-ed wedding showers are on trend, so perhaps co-ed baby showers are next.

Arrive and Mingle

Nothing major happens out of the gate. You'll show up to the country club or the grandmother-to-be's house or a cute local brunch spot in the late morning or early afternoon on a Sunday. I have gone to Saturday baby showers and I have gone to evening baby showers, but these are the exception. The first hour of the shower will be spent mingling and munching. Even if the shower includes a formal sit-down meal, appetizers will usually be served right away. You'll catch up with friends and family of the guest of honor, or you'll meet them for the first time. There might be a clothes line of onesies to check out or a jar of Hershey Kisses to count (person who guesses closest to the number of kisses in the jar gets a prize). You'll also have time to check out the table full of gifts that include at least one diaper cake and several baskets full of bath supplies or first aid necessities.

If you're not keen on making one of these yourself but you think they're awesome, check out Etsy for some lovely crafters that will make it for you. Oli-G's Designs makes owl-themed diaper cake above.

Sit-down Meal

About fifty percent of the baby showers I've been to had a formal sit-down meal. It will probably indicate this on the invitation and it will definitely lengthen the party.

Game Time

During the meal or while the guest of honor opens presents, games will be played. I haven't been to a baby shower without games. Even at baby showers honoring a mother-to-be who isn't a game playing type, there will be games. So, buckle up. Here is the list of games that I've played:

• Baby Food Tasting - Taste jarred baby food and guess the flavor (on one occasion the jarred baby food had been smeared into a diaper, I'm not joking)
• Toilet Paper Predictor - Tear off however many squares of toilet paper you would need if you were going to the bathroom in the woods. The punchline is that the number of squares you take is the number of children you will have. Hope I didn't ruin it for you.
• Word Games - Think of a baby-related word that begins with each letter of the alphabet, think of ten songs that have the word "baby" in them, cross-word puzzles full of words like diaper and ointment and breastfeeding, etc.
• Make-a-onesie - Use puff paint, glue, fabric scraps, stencils, markers, scissors, etc.) to personalize a white onesie for the baby
• Baby Photo Guessing Game - Sometimes there's a big poster with a bunch of baby photos. Sometimes everyone gets a piece of paper with a collage of baby photos. The idea is to guess who the baby is, which is usually a guest at the shower or a celebrity (depending on how it's played).
• Sage Advice Journal/Cards - Write a note to the mother-to-be and father-to-be with your best parenting advice
• Message to the Baby Journal/Cards - Write a message to the baby
• Gambling - Some baby showers will host a "buy a square" (think Super Bowl) or just a friendly wager as to the birthday, gender (if it's unknown), weight and height of the baby.

Example of a classic baby shower word game
from Pulp Paper Goods 

Present Opening

Look around the room and guestimate 2-4 minutes per guest. That's how long this portion of the day will take. Could be a very long time if there are fifty (or more) guests. The good news is that there will be group gifts, which knock out a bunch of guests at once, and a few guests bring gift cards, which take about thirty seconds to open and show off. Many gifts will be from the registry. But, it's also common for baby shower guests to buy non-registry items for at least a portion of their gift. So, there will be some interesting and awesome surprises.

Grab Your Favor and Go

The favors are typically a food item (i.e. chocolate covered something) or baby related (i.e. travel size Purell). There's not much after party action, for obvious reasons. So that's it. Hope it's a good one.

What games have you played at baby showers? Any go-to outfits that always seem to work? Any disastrous gift opening stories - something broke, a turn-of-the-century dangerous hand-me-down?

Nobody Likes Gender Neutral Baby Clothes. Nobody.

I've spent a lot of time blogging about gender neutral baby stuff, whether it be gender neutral clothes (here) or baby shower themes (here) or nursery decorating ideas (here, here and here).  The reason for my focus on all things unisex baby has been twofold.  First, I have a bunch of friends who have decided to keep the baby's gender a mystery and so I've been inspired on a personal level.  Second, it's harder to find cute unisex baby stuff than gender specific baby stuff, so I feel that my internet searching/window shopping skills are better put to use.

I've recently become aware of a backlash to my efforts.  Well, not specifically to my efforts, but to the efforts of everyone designing, making and selling gender neutral baby stuff.  Well, not specifically to all gender neutral baby stuff, but to gender neutral baby clothes.  People are seriously boycotting unisex baby clothing.  Have you noticed this?  Is this a new trend or am I just newly aware of it?

These cutie sleepers are by Hanna Anderson 

Lately, when I attend a baby shower for a gender unknown baby, I notice guests gifting the mom-to-be with gender specific outfits.  These clothing gifts include one outfit if the baby turns out to be a boy and one outfit if the baby turns out to be a girl.  Something blue and something pink.  Yellow is out of the mix entirely.

On one hand, the gift giver is getting the mom-to-be baby clothes, which is great because most people avoid gifting clothing for gender unknown babies.  It's also a positive if you think, like most, that gender specific baby clothes are way more adorable than the unisex comparables.  On the other hand, the mom-to-be will eventually have to return one of the outfits. Returning any gift is not ideal, both because you're disposing of a carefully considered item and because it's a pain (receipts, getting to the store, picking out something new, etc.).  The latter must be especially annoying when one is caring for an infant...for the first time.

Target is notoriously bad with baby shower exchanges (FYI)

What are your thoughts on this trend?  Have you participated in it?  Are you a mom who received gifts in line with this trend?

 

     

Where to Register for Your Baby Shower (Revisited)

A relatively long time ago (February 17, 2011), I wrote a post about the most popular places for an expectant mother to register for her baby shower.  That post included the following stores:

Pottery Barn Kids
Buy Buy Baby
Target
Kohl's
Babies 'R' Us
Giggle
The Land of Nod
Baby & Child (by Restoration Hardware)
Serena & Lily

I broke out the pros and cons of each store, quite succinctly I might add...so check out the post (here).  But, after 1.5 years of baby shower attending, I have some important real life experience to share.

First, that list is really two separate lists: the regular stuff stores (sell regular baby stuff) and the fancy stuff stores (sell fancy baby stuff).  Although, some of the regular stuff stores carry fancy stuff.

Regular Stuff Stores:

Buy Buy Baby

Target

Kohl's

Babies 'R' Us

Fancy Stuff Stores:

Pottery Barn Kids

Giggle

The Land of Nod

Baby & Child

Serena & Lily

The average lady should choose one of the regular stuff stores for her registry.  She can also choose one (or more) of the fancy stuff stores, but not only a fancy stuff store.  The fancy stuff stores are good for bedding, specialty toys, nursery furniture, etc., but not the basics.  Not the essentials.  They don't carry the diaper pails, breast pumps and bottles. 

Second, the regular stuff stores, in addition to being less expensive than the fancy stuff stores, also accept coupons.  And, not just that, they give out tons of coupons.  So they actively assist in bringing down the cost of their items.  This is fabulous for the shower guests, who get more bang for their buck, and fabulous for the mother-to-be who is likely to get more swag because money goes farther.

Here are some great resources and strategies for getting coupons for the regular stuff stores:

Buy Buy Baby - First and foremost, Buy Buy Baby is an affiliate of Bed Bath and Beyond and it accepts Bed Bath and Beyond coupons.  So, get on the Bed Bath and Beyond mailing list to start collecting those 20% off coupons that are accepted at both stores.  Next, Buy Buy Baby advertises (with coupons) in most pregnancy and parenting magazines.  You can peruse some of these type magazines in Barnes and Noble and when you come across one of these awesome coupons, spend $3 on the magazine and save yourself 20% (probably more than $3) on the baby shower gift.  Buy Buy Baby also price matches. 

Target - Did you know that Target has a whole section of its website dedicated to printable coupons?  Now you do.  That section (here) has a separate section of baby product related coupons.  Bing!  Target also has in-store circulars (those flimsy magazines with all the current steals and deals of the day) and Sunday newspaper circulars.  Both types of circulars often include Target coupons.

Kohl's - I'm not as aware of Kohl's having any paper coupons, but the Kohl's website is constantly running promotions for 15% off everything...sometimes 30%, so check.  Especially on weekends and holiday weekends, Kohl's prices can't be beat.  Kohl's also does price matching.

Babies 'R' Us - Get on the Babies 'R' Us email list asap (via the website) and find yourself the recipient of all the up-to-the-moment deals and printable coupons.  Also search the internet.  Websites like retailmenot.com and savings.com often carry Babies 'R' Us printable coupons.  Google the phrase "Babies R Us coupons" and look at the image results (versus the web results).

Last, there is one major regular stuff store that I didn't put on my original list: Amazon.com.  It's not a regular stuff store in the sense that there are no brick and mortar locations.  But, it is a regular stuff store in the sense that it has all the baby essentials...and some.  Amazon.com also hosts a universal registry, so you can add items to your baby registry from ANY website and include those items in the single Amazon.com registry so shower guests go to one website and see it all.

Any experience registering at any of the stores that you'd like to share?  Good, bad or ugly?

Receiving versus Swaddling

A non-mother, non-pregnant lady looks at a baby shower registry with a spending limit in mind and finds something cute and that stays within the limit.  It's pretty simple.  She doesn't necessarily prioritize practicality because she doesn't know what's practical.  There's probably a lot of stuff on the registry that's totally unknown to her.  Before a woman is pregnant herself or has her own baby, she typically doesn't know jack about baby stuff.

A woman starts to become familiar with baby gear by attending other women's baby showers.  The more showers she attends the more familiar she becomes, especially when showering a close friend or family member.  Her baby brand vocabulary gradually expands from Huggies and BabyBjorn (which she learned from watching Knocked Up) to Dr. Browns and Graco.  She starts to become familiar with certain products like the boppy and the pack n' play.  But, for the most part, the nitty gritty of what a baby needs and what a mommy wants remain unknown until she goes through the process herself.

"Think we'll ever be as happy as the BabyBjorn couple?"

For example, does a non-mother know the difference between a receiving blanket and a swaddling blanket?  Ummm, no, she doesn't.  I'd be willing to bet that some first time pregnant ladies can't easily answer that one.   But I can...because I googled it.

Swaddling blankets and receiving blankets are both baby blankets.  Everyone probably figured out that much.  One is for swaddling the baby (the swaddling blanket...in case you hadn't guessed) and one is for keeping the baby warm (the receiving blanket).  A swaddling blanket is specifically shaped to create the perfect swaddle.  Basic swaddle blankets are squares and more complex swaddle blankets have pockets and folds and velcro.  A receiving blanket has no specific function other than to keep the baby warm.  Its rectangle shape is perfect for snuggling the baby in a stroller, car seat or wherever.  In sum, there is very little difference between a basic swaddling blanket and a receiving blanket.  Some argue (some = commenters on thenest.com, yahoo.com, etc.) that swaddling blankets are better because they're made to swaddle, but can also be used as a regular blanket.  Others argue that receiving blankets are better because they're simple, old school and easily double as a swaddling blanket.  I imagine that it would take a bit of a pro to "easily" swaddle without some design assistance, but that's me.

Aden + anais makes the very popular swaddling blankets (above).
Prices range from $35-$50 on Amazon.com for a 4-pack.

Carter's makes the receiving blankets above.
Pricing is much lower than the swaddling blankets above ($15-$25 for a 4-pack).

      
What questions did you/do you have about baby gear as a non-pregnant, non-mother?  What baby shower registry item completed stumped you?  Did you know the difference between a receiving blanket and a swaddling blanket?

Top 10 List - Baby Chair/Swing/Bouncer

A while back...a long while back...I began collecting advice about the most essential baby accoutrement.  I wrote a post specifically soliciting such advice (here).  When a lady like me has a baby, she is limited to the bare essentials because there simply isn't enough room in her NY apartment to get greedy.  So, I wanted to figure out what was essential (versus helpful). 

Based on NSB comments and some general surveying of friends, I started writing posts about the "Top 10" most essential baby products for someone living in a small space.  First, I covered places to sleep.  Next, I covered baby carriers.  After many moons, I'm revisiting the Top 10 list with a post about things that hold the baby while mom is cooking dinner, taking a shower or doing random stuff around the home.  Just because baby's awake, doesn't mean mom can reasonably and logistically hold baby.  In comes vibrating chairs, swings and bouncers.  Each is slightly different in concept, but all three provide the baby with some stimulation while mom is zipping around. 

Today's products, as always, work well in small spaces.  They are light weight, compact and mobile.  In the world of baby chairs, swings and bouncers, those words are rarely used.  In fact, I found the opposite is true.  These type products are more often heavy and bulky with limited mobility.  Despite this, I managed to hunt down a few good men options.  Note that all prices listed below were found on Amazon.com shortly before I posted.

Graco Swing By Me 2-in-1 Portable Swing ($69.98).  This swing got mixed reviews on Amazon.  The overall consensus was that it is in fact small and portable, but it eats batteries.  Several people also complained that the swinging motion is pretty noisy.

Bright Starts Ingenuity Portable Swing ($58.99).  I was simultaneously impressed by the low cost and depressed by the use of "Ingenuity" in the product title.  Baby swinging isn't all that serious (or ingenious).  Amazon reviewers had great things to say with rare exceptions.

BABYBJORN Babysitter Balance ($149).  Yes, this is the high roller choice.  But this is also the most compact choice, it literally folds flat.  And, it's not battery operated, so no burning through costly AAAs.  The vibration comes from the baby's natural movement and the unique design of the chair.   

Fisher Price Playtime Bouncer ($38.69).  This is the least expensive product that I found and it is truly compact.  That's the good news.  The bad news is that more than one reviewer used the word dangerous (or some synonym) in the review...

 

Infantino Fold and Go Bouncer ($65.99).  The reviews were overall good.  But, the consensus was that it wasn't great for newborns because there is only one reclining position that is fairly upright.  It was also noted that this product is more of a chair than a bouncer despite it's title.

 Have you used any of these products?  Anything to add about their functionality in a small space?  Any other recommendations for compact baby bouncers/swings/chairs?

A Name Before a Baby

I seem to know more and more parents-to-be who choose and publicize a baby name before the baby is born.  Do you know any of these folks?  Are you one of these folks?  Is it a recent trend or am I just noticing it now that I'm baby crazed?   

Forty years ago (maybe even thirty), sonograms simply weren't standard parts of prenatal care.  Without a sonogram or two, the gender of the baby can't be discovered.  And, in most cases, without knowing the gender of the baby, a single name can't be settled upon.  So, relatively speaking, it is a trend for parents to decide on a single name before the baby is born thanks to modern technology.  But, if I'm considering only the last five years (the years when my peers started to become pregnant), it's really the last two years that I've noticed this naming habit.

While I won't choose this route, I don't think it's wrong or bad.  At all.  Quite the opposite, I understand the fun in it.  I imagine that it's fantastic to call him or her a real name rather than a nickname or...a pronoun.  Using a name (the name) might make it feel all the more real?  Choosing a name as early as possible hopefully prevents pregnant friends, acquaintances and coworkers from scooping up your jewel before the due date.  But I don't think any of these reasons are why people do it.  My theory on this seemingly newish trend is that people have been taken by all the amazing baby swag that requires a name or initials.  Below are a few examples of these desirables.

Pottery Barn has a bunch of personalized books, like the one below.  In fact, Pottery Barn has an entire section of their website dedicated to personalized baby stuff (here) with everything from blankets to toys to furniture.

The wall decal below by Stephen Edward Graphic ($35) is one of many that you can find on Etsy.com.  Personalizing a nursery can be nearly instant.

Two blue peas has a slew of awesome, inexpensive (!) baby gifts that can be personalized with a name or initials, like the giraffe and raccoon blanket below.  Check them all out here.

While I just realized this name picking trend, I have known of the general love for personalized gifts since the start of NSB and written about it twice (here and here).  So, was it the chicken or the egg?  Did personalized gifts become popular because people were choosing names before babies arrived or were people choosing names before babies arrived leading savvy retailers to capitalize?

I'm Sorry

Please accept my apology.  I didn't post at all last week, as I'm sure you noticed, and I'm sorry.  I went on vacation and I decided to take a week off from blogging.  I'm usually proactive with setting up some posts that automatically go live while I'm away, but I failed on that front last week.  Poor planning on my part.  So, again, sorry!!!

Where I was for a week (aka Heaven)

While I'm apologizing for last week's failure, I figure there are a few other apologies that I owe you.

First, I'm sorry for screwing up the post title on The Blue Ivy Conspiracy.  The post was originally and accidentally entitled The Blue Ivry Conspiracy.  Ooops.  It stayed that way for about 3 hours until a friend gave me a quick text message to the effect of, "you screwed up Beyonce's baby's name".  I don't know why I wrote Ivry instead of Ivy.  It was a mistake...but kind of a big one.  What's more is that because I originally used "Ivry", even after changing the title to Ivy, the URL of the post remains with Ivry (http://nextstop-baby.blogspot.com/2012/01/blue-ivry-conspiracy.html).  I apologize to you, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Blue Ivry...errrr, Blue Ivy.

Blue Ivy Carter

I'm sorry for not following through on the Holiday Gift Countdown.  Last November I came up with a plan to blog a gift idea for each day of December leading up to Christmas.  I knew it would be labor intensive going in, but I already had accumulated a bunch gifts that I adored, so I figured it would be manageable.  I had a head start.  I skipped December 6.  I skipped December 10-13, and made one, big post on December 14.  By December 20, I called it quits.  So, I'm sorry about that.  If I do a holiday gift countdown again this year, I'll come up with a plan that works better for all of us.

The first day of the 2011
Holiday Gift Countdown,
still one of my favorites.

I'm sorry for posting about baby hats so much (here, here, here and here).  I know there's more.  I love baby hats and I can't help it.

This hat (here) remains my favorite.
I just love it.

I probably owe you a couple several more apologies for poorly conceived posts and lingering grammatical errors, but I'm going to stop before I feel like a terrible, horrible, really bad blogger.  I hope you can forgive last week's missing posts and continue to follow and read NSB.  I appreciate your readership, encouragement and support.  And I'll try to lessen the number of times per month that I write about baby hats.

Fortune Cookie Baby

And now, for a random post of fortune cookie themed baby products.  There's no deep (or not deep) explanation.  Enjoy.

Fortune cookie slippers by Sushi Booties ($28)

Onesie by OVELO Design ($15.99)

Fortune cookie cupcakes by Pink Cake Box

Holiday Gift Countdown...over

Back in November I had this genius idea of posting 25 holiday gift ideas for the special baby in your life.  In my excitement of showing you these gifts, I forgot that you have to purchase and wrap the gift in advance.  And, that many of you (including myself) exchange gifts before December 25th.  I exchanged some gifts as early at December 10th this year.  Realizing this just the other day, I decided to bring my genius idea to a halt a bit early...today.

So, here is one last gift idea - not because I think you'll have time to purchase it in time for Christmas (if I'm being honest), but because it's the cutest thing and my bestie WW laughs every time she looks at the photo below.  It's a bearded hat and it's fantastic.  The Esty crafter who makes it (By Laura) also has adult sizes.  Get crazy.

Bearded Hat By Laura ($39)

Holiday Gift Countdown - Days 10-14....

Okay, it's probably no secret that I've been a little delinquent on the holiday gift countdown...and posts in general.  Tis the season for some after work drinking, chocolate chip cookie making and holiday movie watching.  I've fully indulged in all three and fully slacked on the post front.  Tis also the season of forgiveness?

Let's jump back into the holiday gift countdown with a brief look back at the gifts so far:

1. Handprint canvas kit by Red Envelope
2. Money pots by Uncommon Goods
3. Finger puppets by Restoration Hardware
4. Personalized pillow by Comfy Heaven
5. Red bow knit hat by Nita Mae's Garden
6. and 7. Origami crane mobile by Spare Bedroom Studio
8. Wool slippers from Garnett Hill
9. Chan Pie Gnon (friends of Sophie the Giraffe)

Today, for gifts 10 through 14, here are five amazing ornaments to celebrate a/your/some baby's first Christmas.

by Aphrodite's Canvas ($22)

by This Fine Day
($14 without custom engraving, $19 with)

by Rustic Blend ($6)

by Susabella ($28)

by Your Keepsake Co. ($20)

Holiday Gift Countdown - Day 9

Christmas is 16 days away and Hanukkah is a mere 11 days away.  Where has the year gone?  There's still plenty of some time to order gifts online and even more time to shop in store.  So get on it.  Here's another idea for the baby (or babies) in your life: Chan Pie Gnon.  You've met Sophie...now meet her friends, chan pie gnon (in blue, pink and yellow).  They're made of the same natural rubber as Sophie, but shaped like mushrooms.  They retail for as little as $12.89 on Amazon.com.  

(COME BACK AT 12 NOON FOR TODAY'S EDITION OF STUFF PEOPLE GOOGLE!)

Holiday Gift Countdown - Day 8

Garnet Hill makes these adorable boiled wool slippers.  They each retail for $44, but are on sale now for $33.  And, there's a free shipping promotion for the holidays.  And, I'm pretty sure if you search around the internet you could find yourself a coupon code for an even deeper discount (if you do share the wealth in a comment).  Sizes start at toddler (4-8) and go up to kids (1-3).  My favorites are the monster and the shark.

Holiday Gift Countdown - Day 7 (and 6 too)

I skipped Day 6 of the holiday gift countdown.  Did you notice?  I'm making it up with THREE gifts today.  All are made by Spare Bedroom Studio.  I've shared many a nursery mobile in the past (here, here, here).  But this mobile might just be my favorite.  The origami cranes are made of vintage music sheets, vintage maps and novels.

Holiday Gift Countdown - Day 5

It's a girly gift day with this adorable crocheted "red sparkle bow holiday hat" (actual product name) by Nita Mae's Garden ($24.95).  There is a one to two week turn around time between your order and receiving your gift, so no time to waste if you want to make this a Christmas gift.

Holiday Gift Countdown - Day 4

This personalized pillow is not the first personalized pillow I've featured on Next Stop Baby (other feature here).  I think they're nice gifts because they will be appreciated and cherished long beyond the nursery years.  If it's a holiday gift for an unborn baby and there is no chosen name, Comfy Heaven (maker of this pillow) will personalize the pillow with any word you'd like - Loved, Baby, Happy, etc.

by Comfy Heaven ($24.99)

Holiday Gift Countdown - Day 3

Puppets hold a dear place in my heart.  Seriously.  I have a good friend who is a puppetry guru, she's incredibly talented, and being her roommate for a number of years left me with lasting memories of...puppets.  Plus, A Muppet Family Christmas is one of my favorite holiday movies.  I always thought the Swedish Chef was highly underrated, so seeing him shine in this movie was a real treat.

These six tiny finger puppets ($18) are sold by Restoration Hardware and would be a fantastic stocking stuffer for the toddler in your life (intended for ages 3+).

Holiday Gift Countdown - Day 2

Another day of December, another gift idea.  These are money pots from Uncommon Goods.  They would be a great gift for an expecting couple or a baby that has already arrived.  Each money pot is handmade in Italy.  Once a coin goes in it can't come out.   When the entire pot is filled it is then broken open and the money is used for the growing child.  Each pot comes with a "fortune coin" that is already inside.  The fortune coin is a memento to keep after the pot is broken and no longer in use.  

Check back at noon for this week's edition of Stuff People Google

Holiday Gift Countdown - Day 1

Everyday (or nearly everyday) from today through Christmas Eve I will post holiday gift ideas for the babies in your life.  A gift per day.  The gift post will go live at the regular time (8 AM) and on some days a second, more substantive post will go live at 12 PM.  Double the Next Stop Baby, double the fun.

The internet in general and Etsy as it's own magical website make gift shopping a pleasure.  There are so many lovely choices.   Yet, with all the lovely choices it can feel overwhelming.  So, hopefully my gift ideas will help the process.  Please share your great gift ideas in comments or email me (nextstopbabyblog@gmail.com) and just maybe I'll include your suggestion!

The first holiday gift suggestion is this handprint canvas kit by Red Envelope ($39.95).  It's intended use is for one baby.  The four similar hand prints with all the varying colors make for a very Andy Warhol feel.  I think it could also be perfect for a family of four (mom, dad and siblings), a family with four children, or to save over the course of four years and make a new print each year...a work of art in progress.