My Favorite Books - 18m - 2yrs

Continuing the previous posts, here are some of my favorite books for kids 18m - 2yrs. Early toddlers all of the sudden catch a sense of humor. They "get" that something is funny, or sounds funny, or rhymes (or doesn't). Some of the early Seuss board books (not the regular Seuss yet), Doreen Crownan, and Laura Numeroff are all good authors for this age group. For "stories" keep them short (a few words per page) and feel free to condense the story to keep up with your toddler's attention span. Toddlers are increasingly able to learn by example at this age, so keep an eye on what behavior the books are modeling (and whether you are ok with that as a parent). At our house we love some Mo Willems books, but NOT "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" because we felt like it didn't show a behavior that we wanted Tot #1 or #2 to mimic. This is purely a personal choice and we may very well be reading too much into what they can pick up from a book, but it is something to think about as you choose books for this age group and beyond.

Some are still board books, but we're starting to dabble in "real" books. The decision of board book vs. hardcover vs. paperback it totally up to you, but be aware, the board book versions of regular books (such as the Dr. Suess books) are condensed versions of the full stories.

Here are some of my favorites:

My Favorite Books - 12 - 18m

A continuation from the last post, here are some of my favorite books for kids 12 - 18m.

For the 12-18m set, my favorites are all books that encourage curiosity, language and parent/child interaction. Board books with basic vocabulary and big, clear pictures are always a big hit. These are all books that they may still be reading when they're two or three - they will just be getting something different out of it at that age. As with any tool, you are going to get as much out of it as you put into it. The more repetition and interaction the faster their little brains can build the association of the sound of the words you're saying and the pictures. As much as you can, stick to board books for this age group, since the lack of fine motor control can lead to a lot of ripped pages otherwise. All of my favorites (except the last one) are still board books.

Here are my favorites:

My Favorite Books - 0-12m

As the holidays roll around and I start planning gifts for friends and family, I've been thinking about my favorite books for different age groups.

For the 0-12m set, my favorites are all board books or cloth books. Minimal words, lots of touchy-feely things. If you've ever tried to read to a very young baby, it's not all that exciting. If your lucky they'll sit there while you turn the pages. If you're unlucky, they'll just cry the whole time. Giving them something to do while in between turning the pages (like touchy feely bits, textures, etc.) makes everything go a lot more smoothly.

Here are my favorites:

Brr! It's getting cold outside!

Ok, so up until today (which is 63 degrees) it has been getting progressively colder in NYC. It was cold enough that last week I broke out the winter gear - hats, mittens, boots, coats and "bundlers." This week is devoted to some of my favorite winter gear.

As a bit of background, I'm originally from Minnesota so a New York winter is a little bit like a really cruel joke. It gets good and cold, snows a little and then it rains and rains and rains. So not only are you cold, but you (and everyone you're toting around) are good and wet. Because cold, wet moms, babies and toddlers are so much fun. Really.

So let's be realistic. A snowsuit in New York City is overkill. It rarely gets cold enough to warrant having one take up that much storage space in your front hall closet (that is if you're lucky enough to even HAVE a front hall closet). Also, if you're going outside you're probably not going to be out long enough to need it - a quick walk here or there and then back home. But you do need something - because they'll kick off that stroller blanket lickety split as soon as you step out the door and they figure out that you're going to put the rain cover on. That's were the beauty of the Urban Bundle Me comes in.

Urban Bundle Me

This is one of my all-time favorite baby gear items. The simple elastic and velcro closures on the back enables it to works (with a little creativity) with almost every car seat and stroller out there.

There is plenty of room for an extra blanket (or snow pants) inside if you need it. Also, the top "blanket" of the BundleMe easily zips off for warmer days. But that zipper also ensures that on cold days you can zip it right up to their chin and (until they figure out how to do zippers) they're bundled in all snug and all warm.

Oh yeah, and it goes in the washer AND the dryer.

You can usually find it for less than $40 - $70 on JJ Cole Urban Toddler Bundle Me">Amazon.com - especially if you're flexible about color.

A great tip - skip the infant size and go for the toddler size. At most, you'll only use the infant size for a year, but you can tuck the extra fabric from the toddler size in and get 2-4 years worth of wear out of it.

Quick Favs - Travel Changer

The Pronto Travel Changer is the very best changer I've come across. Compact enough for a diaper bag/backpack/stroller, just enough pockets for the essentials (wipes, diapers, etc.). Perfect for changing in the park, in the airport, or - God forbid - an airplane bathroom. At $30 it's a little expensive, but totally worth it.

Alert! $10 Pajamas at Gymboree!

OK - I'll admit it. Occasionally... once in a while... indeed very, very rarely, I am a sucker for a sale. Usually the same sale.

About 3-4 times a year Gymboree has their big baby sale. Everything over $20 is marked down to $20. Everything $10 - $19.75 is marked down to $10. Plus you get Gymbucks which are always fun.

I LOVE the Gymboree pajamas. They are 100% cotton, super soft and they wear well (wash after wash after wash). At $10 a set ($8 if you remember to bring that 20% off Gymboree coupon you got in the mail) you can't beat the price. In fact, stock up for winter because you won't find a better price (until the next time they run the Baby Sale).

They also have some other really cute things for fall. Like this great little fleece-lined faux fur bunny jacket ($20 or $16 with the coupon).

They also just launched a monkey collection for little girls (3m - 5T). The colors are classic adult fall colors (burnt orange, yellow)...that is to say they are ugly, but they'll hide a lot of fall playground grime. The monkeys are pretty cute and Tot #1 pretty much refuses to wear anything else.

Good tip - if your local Gymboree store is out of stock on the size or style you want, ask them to order it for you from the warehouse. After about 5 minutes on the phone, they will arrange for it to be sent directly to you and you won't have to pay shipping (if you mention that you got the direct mail piece they'll give you the 20% off as well).

Quick Favs - High Chair to Go

Hands down my favorite travel/spare highchair. It actually folds even more compactly and one of the straps becomes a handle. Great for playdates, keeping in the trunk for restaurants, or for Grandma's house - especially if she lives in an apartment or just doesn't want the enormous highchair kickin' around her kitchen when you're not there. We often take this out to restaurants for our 9m old Tot #2 to use since it gives the back support (and security) that the restaurant high chairs seem to lack. Tot #1 also loves to sit in it to eat, draw, play playdoh or watch Grandma bake. Oh yeah - it's also $19.99!

My Favorite Books - Slide and Peek! by Amazing Baby

The tots both love this book. It is fun to read and easy for big chunky fingers to move since the sliders go in a circular pattern instead or up/down or side/side. Unlike most of the other touchy-feely baby books, it is almost indestructible. Now I just have to keep Tot #1 from stealing it out of Tot #2's book basket...

Quick Favs - Oh my achin' knees!

If these bath kneelers EVER come back in stock on Amazon (I've been waiting for my 2nd set for the in-laws house for 2 months) order them!  They are the best ones I've tried.  They are extra cushy and even have a removable insert in the upper part so you can use on a tub with sliding doors.  They come in 5 colors (the four shown plus graphite).  They are totally worth $35.

Quick Favs - Travel Bouncer

I LOVE this travel bouncer from One Step Ahead.  It has all the features of a regular boucner (vibration, music, etc.), easily folds/unfolds, stows in a handy carrying bag and is light enough to schlepp to a playdate a 1/4 mile away (or throw in the back seat of your car).  This was key for Tot #2 at Tot #1's playdates.  Also, at $39.95 you can't beat the price!