I am absolutely in love with this Maternity Ponte Jacket from Olian.  Available in either black or red, it features a rounded collar and a five-button closure.  I love the shape of this jacket, which is what immediately caught my eye. It has an empire waist, which is about as flattering a cut as you will find during pregnancy. Darts above the waist provide a more tailored, professional look.  The flared sleeves are also quite attractive.  This would be great for the office and would look great with either slacks or a long skirt.

The jacket is made in the USA from a blend of polyester, spandex, and rayon.  It is available in sizes from XS to L.  You can purchase one for $104 at anntaylorloft.com.

These Western Trail Booties are handmade by Posh Tots. Cowboys are a natural theme for children, even little ones who are just starting to join the round-up. These booties look soft and comfortable and are a collage of fleece, corduroy and ribbons. They are available in size 0-3 months and the manufacturer recommends hand washing only.

Because these booties are custom made by hand, you may notice that the booties vary slightly, which just adds to their originality and charm. Make these Western Trail Booties part of a “cowboy” themed baby shower gift. You could fill a child’s cowboy hat or cowboy boots with a saddle blanket or two. Visit  poshtots.com where you can order this item for $50.

Packaging is almost just as important and appreciated as the gift. Yes, this is another Teddy Bear, but it’s the little extras that make this an exceptional baby shower gift. The Beary Special Delivery Plush Bear and Bodysuit Gift Set comes boxed in a 7″x7″ x7″ special delivery gift box. The cuddly bear inside comes dressed in baby’s washable white body suit with a “Beary Special Delivery” decal on the front and  “This Side Down, Handle with Care” decal on the bottom.

You can also personalize the bodysuit with baby’s name and birthdate. Visit the Web site at TheCornerStork.com where you can order your special delivery for $24.99 (personalization included). Now that’s a good deal.

When I first encountered a different brand of “bring your own hospital gown” a few months ago, I was surprised.  Suddenly, this seems to be a booming industry, with multiple brands and styles to choose from.  I even saw a long thread about them on a pregnancy board recently, and it seems that many women are investing in them.  I personally have resigned myself to taking less than stellar post-birth pictures, and tend to jump into my own pajamas as soon as hospital staff will let me out of bed, so this isn’t a trend that’s for me. When I look at some of the available options, though, I can understand why they appeal to many women.

I do very much like the print on this hospital gown from Girlie Gowns, a company whose products have received a lot of very positive press.  It is definitely much more attractive than what hospitals provide.  I also like the fact that different sizes are available, so it will actually fit properly.  That alone may make it worth the $55.

You can check out the available prints, purchase your own gown, and read the company’s very straightforward FAQ (you may not be able to wear this for a c-section, for example.) on their Web site at GirlieGowns.com.

When you start shopping for cooler weather choose fabrics that have what they call “breatheability”. Little bodies can easily become overheated from all of their activity. This Orangic Jeepers Creepers by Hanna Andersson is made from organically grown combed cotton that should keep your child comfortable. It also has smooth flatlock seams to avoide skin irritation. The creeper features shoulder snaps and two rows of leg snaps for extra room to grow.

I like that they put long sleeves on these onesies. It makes them easy to wear  under a jumper or with a soft pair of jeans or sweats. This creeper is available in infant sizes to toddler and comes in a variety of colors. Visit HannaAndersson.com to view the color choices, where the creeper is priced at $24.50.

There are a lot of neat items inside this Suitcase Gift Set by Wooden Toys, but I would purchase it just for the case. It has a vintage look that is reminiscent of the days my parents took me and my siblings to the “Greatest Show on Earth” - the circus.

This four-piece set includes a yellow snap-suit onesie with a vintage elephant design, a yellow cap with a wooden block design, a matching thermal cotton blanket (30″ x 38″), and a white baby tee with a wooden horse design. The set comes in sizes Newborn 0-3 months, Small 3-6 months, and Medium/Large 6-12months.

The travel stickers that come on the suitcase can be personalized with baby’s name. How cute. I want one and I can buy one (and so can you) for $60 at poshtots.com.