Patagonia has made a name for itself as the maker of some of the best outdoorwear on the market.  This Baby Puff Rider jacket is no exception.  I was drawn to it by the bright green color, which is one of my all-time favorites, but there are lots of other things to love about this jacket, too.

It is completely weather-resistant, and guaranteed to keep your child warm even when it is cold and wet outside.  The hood is designed to fit snuggly around the child’s head, and elasticized cuffs prevent cold air from sneaking in at the sleeves.  I have bought a lot of jackets for my kids because I liked the way they looked, only to hear later that they weren’t very warm.  You won’t have to worry about that with this coat.

The Baby Puff Rider is available in sizes from 3 months to 3T.  You can purchase one for $100 at www.patagonia.com.

This sweet little printed corduroy dress from Hartstrings’s American Beauty line is absolutely stunning.  The bright green color is very striking, and bright pink flowers provide the perfect contrast.  Rows of ruffles along the bottom provide extra feminine flair.  The dress is made from 100% cotton corduroy and is sure to keep your little one toasty as the weather gets colder.  I think this is a perfect dress for chilly fall days.

You can purchase the dress for $52 from ComfyKid.com.  It is available in sizes from 12 months to 4T.

Here’s a great item for the budding artist in your family.  We all know that crayons are nontoxic these days, but these crayons from Stockmar are the ultimate in all-natural art supplies.  Made in Germany from beeswax, and certified nontoxic by the Art and Craft Materials Institute, they are exactly the kind of thing you want to give your child–creativity inspiring and safe.

Best of all, the beeswax creates a smooth and even color, so unlike some of the cheaper crayons on the market, these will produce even and vibrant colors as your child writes.  The oversized shape is ideal for young hands.  This set includes eight crayons and a scraper, beautifully packed and perfect for gift-giving.  I just ordered the set for my younger daughter and I know she will have a blast with them.

You can buy the set for $11.49 at oompa.com.

No matter how careful we are or how prepared we are as parents we just can’t forsee every circumstance or situation. Being able to “see” that our baby is safe and secure can go a long way to peace of mind. The BébéSounds LCD Flat Panel Color Video & Sound Monitor could really help.

Usually we have our newborns in the bassinet or crib right next to our own bed. But when they’re transitioning to their own space this is a good way to feel secure - for the child too. They might have some anxieties about sleeping away from parents also.

Both camera and screen may be wall-mounted. The flat color screen measures 5.5″.  It can connect to your TV or VCR. The BébéSounds LCD Flat Panel Color Video & Sound Monitor is 900 Mhz, with a 400 ft transmission range. A/C adaptors are included, and it also works on 6 “AA” batteries (sold separately). You can buy one for $189.35 at OneStepAhead.com.

“At Little Marmara, we believe in simple things. That we should treat the environment as we would treat ourselves. That nothing should go next to our children’s beautiful skin that we would not place next to our own. That clothing for little people can and should be as artful and well made as clothing for big people. And that at no point from the cotton fields to our customers should the earth or any of its inhabitants suffer in the slightest for our cause.”

I included the site’s mission statment because it speaks of the thought and caring that is apparent in their organic products. One good example is this Yastk (Pillow/Bag) which they suggest can be used as a naptime companion for daycare, extended day pre-school, and kindergarten.

Personal items from home are so important to children at naptime. Children in daycare have a little more to deal with then stay-at-home children. Whenever we can make any part of their day a little less stressful we should definitely do it. A pillow is a small thing but it fits snugly in a child’s place.

The Little Marmara Yastk (Pillow/Bag) measures 11.75″ x 10.5″. Made from 100% organic Turkish cotton and low-impact dyes, it comes in Moss, Natural, and Eggplant. You can purchase one of these unique and thoughtful pillows for $28.00 at LittleMarmara.com.

One of my biggest regrets is that I have never used a growth chart for either of my daughters. I have all the measurements from their doctor’s check-ups, but I have never kept any formal record of their growth. I guess it isn’t too late to start, but I wish I would have done so earlier.

This growth chart from Oopsy daisy might be what I need to get started. I absolutely love the design and the fact that the chart is made from canvas rather than paper or plastic. The artwork is a reprint of a work by Jenny Kostecki, and the canvas retains the look and detail of the original.

The How Does My Garden Grow? Growth Chart comes with a ribbon for hanging and decorative nails. It is available with or without personalization. It would look great in a child’s bedroom, and would make an impressive gift. More masculine styles are also available.

If you are as impressed with this chart as I am, you can purchase one for $54 at BabyOliverBoutique.com.

These Fairies in the Garden Alphabet Wall Cards are reproduced from Melissa Sweet’s watercolor illustrations onto heavy laminated stock. I can think of several ways to display these beautiful reproductions. They’d be lovely as a wall border or around the frame of a doorway or window to brighten your little girl’s bedroom. You might even frame and hang them as separate pictures or display along a shelf or molding.

Each card measures 8″x10″. A set of 26 costs $25.50  at HannaAndersson.com.

One of my favorite products for my younger daughter was a gorgeous cable knit bunting from Ralph Lauren.  Ours is very similar to this one, although we didn’t opt for the added luxury of cashmere.  The great thing about a bunting is that it is cozy and snug in cool weather.  The downsides are that they cannot be used in a car seat or most strollers/baby carriers.  I enjoyed using our with either the bassinet attachment for our stroller or a sling.

The Ralph Lauren Cashmere Cable Bunting is absolutely top of the line.  Made from fine cashmere, it is as soft as it is adorable.  The look is simple and classic, but your baby will be absolutely pampered.  The hood adds and extra layer of comfort and warmth for little heads.  The bunting is available in blue, pink, or cream.  You can purchase one on sale for $187.50 at RalphLauren.com.

Caring for baby’s gums and teeth is very important. Teething babies will benefit also from the gentle massaging of their gums.

The Gerber Tooth & Gum Cleanser helps to make the discipline of caring for baby’s gums and teeth a fun time for you and baby. It’s a little space of time when you can talk to your baby while you gently clean.

It’s never too early to teach our children dental hygiene. The benefits are priceless. You can purchase one of these for just $5.99 online at CookiesKids.com.

If organic is worth doing once, it’s worth doing all the way. The Naturepedic Organic Changing Pad Set includes a Changing Pad, Bassinet Pad, Bassinet Pad (Oval), and Portacrib Pad.

There are many advantages to using these organic pads. The organic cotton cover has a clear 100% polyethlene food-grade waterproof coating. It’s non-allergernic and easy to clean. Keep a set at home or give a set as a baby shower gift.

Pick up a set for $79.00 at PiccoliniOnline.com.

At the Shop the Frontier web site, it states, “All of our profit supports business training and micro-lending programs for women and small business and, as we grow, we’ll fund local youth technology and area business start-ups.  In these ways, we serve rural women and their communities by being a catalyst for entrepreneurial success.”

Featured at Shop the Frontier, these funny and adorable Rag Doll Kittens are handmade by artist Linda Harvey at her home-based enterprise, Harvey’s Humbles,  located on the banks of the beautiful Methow River in the Washington North Cascades.

All Harvey’s Humbles critters are original designs, created not just to satisfy their designer’s sense of whimsy, but also using material and production methods defined with safety in mind. They are made from synthetic acrylic yarns and polyester fiberfill to minimize any possiblity of allergic reaction. Acrylic eyes and noses are on shanks inserted through the fabric and secured with lock washers. No glue is used.

Choose from Pale Grey, Seal-Point Siamese, Black Puss-in-Boots, or Watercolor characters. You can purchase one of these adorable cats for $15.50 at ShopTheFrontier.com.

This is a good item to have handy when your baby drops or throws his pacifier. I never know what to do with it right away. With these quilted Pacifier Holders by Petunia Petunia, you can store the pacifier until you have a chance to rinse it.

These pockets can also be used for cell phones. One for pocket for mommy’s phone and one pocket for baby’s pacifier — how much more organized could you be?

Petunia Petunia Pacifier Pockets come in your choice of Crimson, Navy or Tangerine and cost $16.00 at PiccoliniOnline.com.

Perfect to wear to the opera, or to your child’s favorite stage show this fall, this soft velour Anastacia Russian Toggle Pink Jacket from Luna Luna fall 2008 is available for pre-order. It’s lined in soft sherpa and has a toggle front. It is also available with matching skeggings (sold separately).

I think it’s a perfectly romantic look for a special night and with a style that is completely kid-wearable (no stiff fabrics or tight cuffs). This jacket is available in sizes  2T, 3T, 4,T, 4/5(+$2), 8(+$6), 10(+$6), & 12 (+$6) and is $76.00 at LittleLunaBlue.com.

Whenever I had to leave my children at daycare I wanted to be sure they’d be dressed in comfortable fitting clothes - clothes in which they could run, play, and sleep. This Organic Tank Dress by Kate Quinn is made from 100% certified organic cotton which means it’s safe for child’s sensitive skin (and the environment) and has plenty of breatheability.

Make this item part of your child’s school wardrobe. It is available in sizes 0-3m, 3-6m, and 6-12m, and comes in Blackberry/Violet, Starlight/Vanilla, and Dragonflye Sky.

You can purchase one for $27.50 at PiccoliniOnline.com.

I can think of a couple of ways off the top of my head for sharing your little “heartthrob” via the Summer Infant Deluxe Prenatal Heart Listening System. Not only can you listen to your baby’s wonderful heartbeat, you can also record it.  Once the heartbeat is recorded you can download it to your home computer and attach it to an email announcing your due date. When the baby is born and you start downloading all those digital pics to your computer, you’ll have a very unique soundtrack for baby’s first slide show.

But best of all, you have a personal way of connecting with baby in the womb. Just think, you could hear his/her little heartbeat each night before you go to sleep. How comforting that would be. It’s priced at $24.99 (sale) at Amazon.com.