Top 10 stuffed toys of the year

If your little ones got some Christmas cash to spend on something they'll love, consider one of these top 10 stuffed toys of the year.

Curly Q Cuties makes THE cutest, coolest made-to-order monsters. They can be boy monsters, girly monsters, even silly monsters. They're all cute and custom to your child's liking. Part of the fun is sitting down with your little one and picking out the design, from body type, eyes, mouth, colors and more. It's so cool. Plus it's made in the USA and really soft.

Say bye-bye to regular old teddy bears and meet the line of cool Teddes. Tedde's Tiki bear is so cool, as are their other unique bears. He's handmade in New York City too.

The Smart-e-Cat by Intellitoys is not your average stuffed toy. It plays songs, tells stories and plays games. Just connect it to the computer and pick out the programs you want the toy to play in English or Spanish and have fun. It works with both Macs and PCs. Also available the Smart-e-Bear and Smart-e-Dog. All versions upgrade as your child grows up. Recommended for kids two and up. This one just won the NAPPA Gold award and was listed as part of Dr. Toy's Best 10 Technology Toys too.

Foundlings by Peace Toys are made with USA grown pesticide free unbleached cotton inside and out. The eyes are embroidered so there’s no danger of chocking hazards either. These are very friendly looking and especially great for young babies. They come in bunnies, bears, whales, elephants, puppies and turtles. My one year old particularly enjoys snuggling with her Foundling elephant.

Bring the classic children's book Peter Rabbit to life in an earth-friendly way with the Peter Rabbit Naturally Better. This line of bunnies are all made from certified organic cotton, eco-friendly materials and are Phthalate free. They come in recyclable, reusable, PVC free packaging and are produced in socially responsible factories. Plus they're really huggable!

When you're getting ready to welcome baby number two or three or more into the world, parents often stress over making the adjustment easier for their other child(ren). One thing you want toddlers and older children to understand is why mommy needs to breastfeed the new little baby and why it is happening. An easy way to do that is with the help of a toy, like the nursing animal toys by Manhattan Toy. They make Nursing Nina the cat, Nursing Nana the dog and Nursing Nuna the pig.

Dolly's Cupcakes Tea & Me is perfect for girly girls of all ages (though recommended for kids three and up). The soft, stuffed toy tea pot, cups, saucers and foods are handmade in the USA. These are very nice quality toys and much better than the plastic and metal sets on the market.

This hand knitted cat & monkey set from Elegant Roots is sure to delight and you can feel good about buying it. They're handmade by women artisans in Kenya, employed under fair trade principles and made from sustainable earth-friendly materials. Like all of the products at Elegant Roots, you can find out very specific details about their construction on the website before you buy them. They also come very nicely wrapped. My girls split a set of these and they've been carting them around the house since I gave it to them. The long floppy arms and legs make them extra fun.

Soothing Sounds Lullaby Puppy by Russ is sound activated. When baby cries he turns on and plays soothing lullabies as it twinkles soft multi-colored lights. It comes with a Velcro strip to attach it to a crib rail too. Plus he’s really soft and friendly.

WALL-E and EVE plush toys are a must have for the little ones who love the Disney-Pixar movie WALL-E, which has been named movie of the year by Time magazine, is up for a Golden Globe and is also #1 on my top 10 movies for kids of 2008. My daughters (15 months old and almost 3 years old) got these for Christmas and they are favorites for sure. They like to hold them while they watch the movie as well as play with them throughout the day.

For more info: Check out more cool stuff for babies, toddlers, young children, moms, dads, and grandparents in my gift guide. Lots of ideas for presents for any occasion.

Poingo Reader Review

Looking for a fun way to get your kids more into books and give them some independence while you're at it? Then you'll want to check out the Poingo Story Reader. It looks kind of like a big fat highlighter. Instead of marking on the pages, it "reads" to kids.

All you do is touch the start spot with the "pen" and then touch the title. Then kids can touch photos to get extra info about the story and hear cool sound effects. Best of all as they drag it across the words, the pen reads them the story. (Watch a demo HERE.)

My almost three year old loves her Poingo. I gave it to her for Christmas and she has really enjoyed using it. The starter pack comes with a "reader pen" and two books. You can buy lots more books to add to the collection as your child gets the hang of it.

The only downside is the pages can rip if your little one's not careful, though they are thicker that regular book pages. But chances are you'll be close by to keep an eye out for gentle reading. But I wouldn't suggest this one for independent nighttime reading until your child has a track record of not ripping pages in books.

The Poingo is recommended for kids three and up. I think you can start them at 2.5 years old with a little extra parental help.

Here's a YouTube video demonstration that a mom and daughter have put together:

For more info: More about the Poingo at MyPoingo.com.

Bummis & Bamboozle diaper reviews

Bummis
The Bummis Whisper Wrap comes in several cute prints and plain white (if you'd prefer). This wrap is "a state of the art Aplix-closing cover made from a super resistant waterproof laminate sandwiched between two layers of a soft polyester knit," according to Bummis.com.The Super Whisper Wrap is very sturdy and does a great job of holding in liquid. It fits nicely with the Bamboozle or with just a prefold if you prefer. I personally like to use this one as a potty trainer with just an insert for my older daughter.
Bummis is very particular about washing instructions for their diaps and covers. You can find those HERE as well as specific recommendations on detergents to use HERE. Even if you don't use Bummis, their info on detergent residue is really helpful in understanding how to get the most out of your cloth diapers so they perform the best!


I also would recommend Bummi's regular Whisper Pant. I bought several of these on sale at my local cloth diaper retailer and I really love how easy they are to use. They're also great to use in potty training because you can just add in a liner and they can be pulled up and down. They run quite large, so order a size smaller than you might normally opt for. More info on those HERE.



The Bamboozle diaper is made from four layers of super soft 90% bamboo fiber. That and its super absorbency are big sellers for this luxurious feeling diap. It has an insert attached at one end so you can fold it for extra absorbency in the area boys or girls need the most. Poop also falls off of the Bamboozle easily and it has yet to get stained, despite several attempts by my daughters to give it their all.

Bamboozle diapers need to be washed at least twice before initial wear and up to ten times before maximum absorbency is reached. You can find out more about the special care instructions HERE. Though honestly, I follow the same washing rules for all of my diapers. This one is not any harder or easier.

More info on Bummis Whisper Wrap and Bamboozle diapers at bummis.com

*This review is from my original article in my parenting column at Examiner.com

Great cell phone for busy moms

This is a super bargain, you actually end up getting a check back for almost $50 when it's all said and done. The Blackberry Curve 8320 gets great reviews. I just ordered one tonight. What sealed the deal for me: it works on WiFi networks to boost the signal for no extra cost. Or you can use it on WiFi with an added $10 a month charge and all calls made to anyone are free.

Bath Toys

Bath time is a funny thing. It seems like kids either love it or hate it. Here are five of the best bath toys to help your little one enjoy their time in the tub.
1.Butterfly Net By Little Tikes ($7.99)
I've already mentioned this one in this blog, but good things are worth repeating! Not only is this toy fun but it’s also educational! Tots learn hand-eye coordination as they chase the fluttering butterflies across the tub with the net. Best yet, these butterflies “fly” across the water without batteries. You just pull on the last segment of their bodies and off they go. Recommended for 18 months and up, but both my girls (ages 2 years old and nine months old) love playing with these butterflies.

Dirty Dogs by Alex

2.Dirty Dogs by Alex ($8.93)
What kid doesn’t like dogs? These bath buddies are perfect playmates to make bath time fun. The precious little pups are spotted with magic ink and need your little ones give ‘em a good scrub. Add a little warm water and voila - clean guys ready to play. Kids also will love the fact that the pups squirt water too! The company also has Piggy Pigs that work the same way. They’re made for children six months and up.
3. Boon Bath Goods ($15 for the set)
Let your little artist go to town with Boon’s colorful bath toy set. Kids can get creative with the 15 foam bath stickers that stick and re-stick over and over again. Also included, three bath balls and two mini scrubbers. All of the items are mold and mildew resist and don’t absorb water. Recommended for kids at least six months old.
4.Car Wash Bath Toy by Sassy ($14.94)
Move over rubber duckies, it’s time to turn the tub into a car wash. This tub set includes three vehicles and a floating roadway complete with a squirting nozzle and car ferry. Kiddos can learn practical cause and effect skills while they wash. Each vehicle does something different: the red truck scoops and pours water, the green car squirts, and the purple car scoops and strains water. Plenty of fun for two to play at once! Cars store in the mesh pocket “garage” and the whole thing can hang to dry. It’s made of mildew-resistant foam perfect for children nine months and up.
5.Whistling Hippos by Alex ($17.99)
Forget hungry hippos, check out these cheerful guys that whistle while you wash. The set of four hippos each have their own ring to float on across the tub. Dunk them under the water and they make whistling noises. Fun for kids and maybe even best for you, they don’t squirt so there’s less mess to clean when bath time is over. These hippos are made for kids at least 18 months old.

Dad diaper gear

DadGear Diaper Vest

Something for the proud papas today... diaper gear for Dads. Pops wants to do his part taking care of the little ones, but when it comes to gear to do so, it's harder to find. But there is some pretty cool stuff targeting dads (but great for mom's too).
Many dads refuse to leave the house carrying a diaper bag that looks like a purse, and why should he? There's several much more dad-friendly options out there.

JJ Cole Logic Bag

We have the JJ Cole Logic Bag. It comes in a couple colors. I love to use it because it's so streamlined. My husband likes it because he says it's easy to carry around, doesn't hurt his back to carry, plus looks much more manly than other diaper bags without being too bulky. He also likes the insulated water bottle holder. The logic bag also has multiple zippered pouches to store the essentials, from ointments and rattles to keys, credit cards, and phone. I use this bag frequently as well.
Another cool option... the DadGear Diaper Vest. Perfect for fall and winter especially, but practical throughout the year. This bad boy will hold the same amount of goodies as a traditional diaper bag. But you'd never know it to look at it. It costs in the $80 range but you'll probably get your money's worth in the first month. And who says mommy can't wear it too!

DadGear Messenger Bag

DadGear also makes this cool messenger style bag. The DadGear Graphics Messenger comes in several styles, but I think this one with flames is the hippest of them all. Old pops will look anything but with this slung over his shoulder.

Organic Cotton Baby Toy by Under the Nile

Get baby to love her fruits and veggies with the fun organic toys from Under the Nile. I recently came across this product line while browsing thru green toys online. So glad I did. They're pretty reasonably priced, good for the enviro, and safe for baby!
My fav, the cute little grape teether toy (about $6). You can dip the bottom few grapes in water and freeze them for added soothing for teething tots.

Bumbo Baby Seats

No, that's not a typo, I didn't mean to write Dumbo. I'm talking about the colorful, soft, and ever so useful
Bumbo Baby Seat. I bought mine about two years ago and it still looks brand new, despite using it with both of my girls. They come in a variety of colors and cost about $40.
These chairs are great for feeding babies (at least three months old). I also like to use mine as a seat for baby in the bathroom as I get ready or what have you. They help babies build their back muscles so they can sit unaided sooner. Both my girls started sitting up a month earlier than the milestones say they should. I attribute that to using the Bumbo.
The Bumbo is one of the must-have items every new mom should put on her registry or wish list. You can reuse them for every child and because they are super durable you can resell them on eBay or at a local resale shop when you kids outgrown them (though my two year old thinks it's fun to sit in the Bumbo and watch a DVD every once and a while).
Warning: Never leave baby unattended in the Bumbo and don't put the Bumbo on a table or other elevated surface. Babies (especially with skinny legs) can fall out or tip the Bumbo over. These were actually recalled several months ago to add warning stickers that say just that. But there was never a defect in the product, which clearly stated this in its instructions all along.

Baby Galileo DVD

From the stars to planets to clouds, the Baby Galileo: Discovering the Sky DVD by Baby Einstein teaches little ones about everything in the sky. This is by far the favorite DVD of my 10 month old. From the first moment it started playing she started laughing and giggling with delight. That is not her norm. She usually watches DVDs with interest and an occasional laugh but nothing like this. I thought it was a fluke. But every time since, it's the same thing. That makes Baby Galileo one of my favorites too.
But make no mistake, it's not just for babies. My toddler enjoys this one as well, much more than any of the other DVDs in the Baby Einstein series. But then, she loves the moon. It's her favorite word I think. She enjoys singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and repeating the words. I was surprised when she said Jupiter today. Sun, moon, stars, sure. But the name of a planet? Now that's impressive! I'm going to be playing this one a lot more. Maybe I'll end up with two little astronomers? We're definitely going to check out the local observatory now.
Baby Galileo has all of the great features Baby Einstein videos have come to be known for: soothing yet stimulating classical music, puppet shows, real world images mixed with art, and more. Plus it has a repeat play function if 28 minutes of learning about the sky isn't enough for your future star gazers. It also has a DVD-ROM bonus feature that allows you to print out a coloring book with corresponding images and ideas from the program.
You can find it at Buy.com for $16.88.

Teething Toys

Teethers are practical toys to help baby get thru teething. Who knew this must-have for babies had so many cool variations!

HABA Bear Teether

1. Teething Rings By Haba ($9.99-$17.09) German-made wooden teething rings made with 100% non-toxic water based stains. Available in a variety of designs from bears to flowers. These are super cool looking, safe, and innovative! I've previously mentioned how much I like HABA's products. Can't say it enough!

2. Organic Cotton Grapes by Under the Nile ($5.90)
Get baby to eat her fruits, or at least munch on them. Can be dipped in water and frozen for ultimate teething relief. And they’re organic. Other fruit and veggie teether designs available too. (I featured this one in a separate post a few days ago.)
3. Raz-berry Teether by Razbaby ($5.99)
Made of non-toxic 100% medical grade silicone. This is a teether and a pacifier with little textured bumps to soothe gums. Available in red or blue.
4. Luv N Care Cool-Sicles by Nuby $7.99
These are best frozen for added comfort for sore gums. Made of nontoxic purICE Gel which stays cold longer than other types of teethers. Come in four cute designs - elephant, alligator, clown, chicken.
5. Combi Training Teethers($4.95-$5.99)
Combi has a different model teether for each stage of baby’s teething needs. All models are made to stimulate gums, teeth, tongue, lips and help baby transition between stages.

4 months: Combi Training Teether - Stage 1
6 months: Combi Training Teether - Stage 2
8 Months: Combi Training Teether - Stage 3