Gifts

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.

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.

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.

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.

The San Francisco company SuperNaturalBaby was founded by a trio with a background in fine art and design. Their line of children’s lifestyle products is designed with an emphasis on nature and popular culture. Their goal is to produce fun yet functional things that will last.

This is a Tee & Onesies set made from 100% ribbed cotton and hand screen-printed. Each piece is an individual work of art, just like children.The tee & onesies set comes in sizes 2 and 4 for the Tees , and  3-6 months and  12-18 months for the Onesies. The set is available in many different colors and styles, including the one pictured, Alphabet.

You can buy the Tee & Onesies Set at 2modern.com.

I always think it is fun to have a cute piece of luggage for each of my kids.  I also think it helps them be more responsible for their things when we travel.  This adorable rolling suitcase from Room Seven is sure to be a favorite for any little girl.

The outside of the case is made from a shiny red vinyl with polka dots.  That in itself is awfully cute, but the added touch of the silly little kitty makes it irresistible.  It is cute enough that it can be disguised as a gift, even though it also benefits the parent.  The vinyl material is easy to clean with a damp cloth.

Right now this suitcase is available only for pre-orders.  It is expected to ship sometime in August or September.  If you want one, however, the time to buy one is now.  This brands tends to sell out quickly, and this is a very cute item.  You can order one for $198.95 at thesillywagon.com.

If your baby is teething, you know how important it is to have a safe teether around when you need it.  That is the idea behind these great necklaces from Smart Moms.  Already embraced by celebrity parents such as Denise Richards and Tori Spelling, these necklaces look great–you would never guess that the “stones” are actually cleverly-disguised teethers.

I really like the look of this gold metallic version, which will be released soon (its estimated release date is 9/22/08).  You can purchase one for a very reasonable $19.10 at smartmomjewelry.com.  Best of all the mom-founded company gives a portion of its profits to charity.

Rumored to be among the baby gifts Nicole Kidman received for her new daughter, moccasins from Nowali are as practical as they are sweet.  Made from a cotton blend knit upper with a suede sole, these shoes are toasty for little feet and skid resistant to help keep new walkers safe.  They are also machine washable, so you don’t need to worry about keeping them spotless.

These cute little shoes are available in pink, blue, and ivory, and and sizes from 6-18 months.  The company also makes a wide range of other fun moccasins for little feet.  You can purchase a pair for $28 from MilkShop.com.

Celebrity moms such as Tori Spelling are big fans of D & G’s line of clothing for baby girls.  As the Dolce and Gabbana name suggests, these outfits are clearly upscale and luxurious.  This cute little sun dress from the designer’s summer line looks perfect for a hot day.  It is made of a lightweight eyelet fabric in a  beautiful shade of pale blue.  It ties at the shoulders and features smocking around the bodice and cute little ties on the diaper cover.

The D & G Baby Lace Dress With Undies Set comes in one color: sky blue. If you are looking to splurge on a gift for a friend, or spoil your own daughter a bit, you can purchase this sun dress for $155.00 at LavishKids.com.

Moncalin’s line of super-soft toys and blankets has earned them a celebrity following that includes fans such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Christian Bale, and Brooke Shields.  One look at this cute little pig explains what all of the fuss is about.  I love the bright green and orange colors that make this toy stand out.

He is handcrafted in the USA, and completely machine washable.  He comes packaged in a gift box and would make a gift that will be cherished for a long time to come.  You can purchase one for $65 at moncalin.com.

So, this isn’t really my aesthetic, but I know a lot of people who would get a big kick out of this baby outfit.  Made by Six Bunnies, this one piece body suit features faux tattoos all over both the front and the back.  It will definitely turn your little one into a conversation piece.

It could also double as a simple Halloween oufit.  Availability and sizes are limited, but you can purchase one for $32 at store.urbanbabyrunway.com.  It would make a cute shower gift, especially for tattoo fans.

As the weather starts to cool, you will want to find some warm and toasty accessories to keep your little one snug and happy.  I love this little cable knit set from Egg by Susan Lazar.  Made from 100% natural cotton, each piece is both practical and luxurious.  The hat features adorable pom pom ears and braided laces to secure the hat under the baby’s chin.  The booties have an ultrasuede bottom and a cugged top to keep them in place even on the squirmiest little feet.

The set is machine washable, and would make a very thoughtful shower gift for a fall or winter baby.  You can purchase the set for $59.50 at chittypulga.com.

This sweet little doll by Corolle is suddenly the doll among celebrity babies with Shiloh Jolie-Pitt and Suri Cruise carrying them around.  It is easy to see the attraction.  The doll is quite life-like, and is the size of a real newborn (20 in), which allows him/her to wear real baby clothes.

I think most children, both boys and girls would have a lot of fun with this sweet little doll.  You can purchase one for $79.95 at shopatron.com.  It would make a very nice gift as well.

I had to smile when I saw this furry red coat from Catmini.  My older daughter had a coat very similar to this one when she was a toddler.  I loved the way it looked and she loved the way it felt.  It was so eye-catching that people used to stop me all the time to ask where I had purchased it.  One woman even gave me her business card and asked me to call her when we were done with it!  I tried to interest my younger daughter in a furry coat last winter, but I didn’t find one quite this cool, and she wasn’t very interested.

Although the coat is a bit on the expensive side at $120, you can always count on Catimini to be as well-made as it fashion-forward.  We have one Catimini coat that survived my older daughter for two winters and will be handed down to my younger daughter this winter.  You will not be disappointed in your investment.  The coat comes in sizes from 24 months to 4 years.  This design of this coat is so fun that you could actually give it as a gift.  You can buy one at AChildsCloset.com.  The coat is still on pre-order at this time, but is scheduled to ship soon.

My first daughter spit up a lot, and I never had enough burp cloths.  I stocked up for number two, who never spit up much.  I’ve subsequently passed along most of those unused cloths to either friends or daycare, so now I am back to square one.  This time, I plan to buy a few nice ones ahead of time, and go from there.

I am very impressed by the quality and construction of the Pony Burp Cloth set by Patricia Ann Designs.  The cloths are made from fast-drying cloth, and feature an absorbent pad to wick away moisture.  These are so much fancier than anything I had for my first baby.  I especially love the design of this pony-themed set.  The prints are very fun.

The set of three comes neatly packaged and tied with a ribbon, so it also makes a perfect gift.  You can buy a set for $29 at FlyingPeas.com.