Thanks for the feedback Friday, I hear ya. SO we are going to get back to the old days with a Baby Stuff post. I cannot believe that y’all would want baby advice from the mother of a child with a broken baby leg, but I am happy you do. I haven’t done one of these since March which was 5-7 months. And I can’t really tell you what happened between then and now, in life or in baby stuff. But that’s ok, most baby stuff is just for parents to create the illusion of control, methinks. Illusion or not, feeling like you know what you are doing as a parent because you have the right sippy cup? I totally get it. So here are the things that have been working for us lately.
At 1 year we ditched the bottle. Which made me really sad at first, it seemed like such a big step away from babyhood. I had anxiety about it, and if Gracie would miss it. But she did not care at all. I tried weaning her, but she decided after a day she was just over it and it was sippy cups for life.
This is our favorite. Although sometimes it kind of gets a weird pressure issue and leaks? But it is sturdy, the weighted straw dangle thingy means it is good to the last drop.
I am not sure if I mentioned this one before, but she loved these eggs at like 6 months and still loves them.
Also this peculiar toy we were gifted around 6 months. You program it with your childs name and supposed favorite thing and he sings about them.
She loved it then, and is still obsessed with it. And it always freaks people out when Gracie’s toy calls her by her given name. Which is fun.
This one might blow your mind.
But a ball. A good, old fashioned ball. Gracie loves the dogs tennis balls which is disgusting. But any bouncy ball blows her mind.
This one is another kind of fancy and expensive “toy”.
Go to target. Or walmart. Or the dollar store. And procure yourself a large plastic pitcher with some sort of top.
Give pitcher to your child.
Watch as they put it on their head and crawl around. Hillarious.
Put all of their toys in it and shake it like a morocca. Hillarious. Turn it upside down and place pony gently atop it. Hillarious. You get the idea.
The best real presents Grace received were a few 1st Birthday gifts.
From her mommy and daddy. Classic. And she is legit obsessed. She likes to push it.
Sit and have a quiet, reflective moment in it. Put her toys in and out of it. This was one of those few gifts that I built up in my mind to be so amazing that actually delivered.
She was given a few push toys and for some reason only had time for this one.
She likes to ride in it too.
As a rule I think electronic toys are kind of garbage. With the exception of this which saved our lives from 1-8 months. And the dog above. But otherwise, once they figure out the trick, babies are kind of over the electronics. Or at least mine is. The things that have been the most long term crowd pleasers have been things like blocks, balls etc. When she was brand new she would grab them, then chew on them, then stack them, throw them, and now she likes to put them away and dump them out. BUT this toy that her best friend Mary gave her for her 1st Birthday has been unexpectedly mind blowing.
It drives when you push a button and sings Old Macdonald, and then the animals make their animal sounds when you put them in their proper spot. I don’t know why, but she has been playing with this one non stop through several battery changes for months now and her enjoyment has not dampened.
This is one of the few designy-cute toys that she actually likes.
Howdy!
Look at what a dork Gracie is playing with her TI-83. Nerd alert! 
That, and her jellycat bunny. All jellycat stuffed animals rule. Designy-cute, super soft, and babies love them. We have them at Biscuit, for sale online soon, but bunny is her favorite.
Bffs.
And finally…Never underestimate the power of Elmo.
We almost had a situation on our hands when this precious baby showed up as Elmo on Halloween in our music class.
Our iPad is stocked full of Elmo’s World, and our iPad holder has a kick stand so it can rest up on its own. This set up allows us to have family dinners out of the house on an occasion. And yes, I realize that a few paragraphs back I said I did not favor electronic toys, but I also clearly am full of grah-doo. The rules are, there ain’t no rules, Kennickie!
So that’s the “stuff” from let’s say 10-15 months? We are now contemplating Christmas. Anything I left on this list we should know about? Any Christmas ideas?
Comment, and ye shall receive. We have a few design posts this week coming up, some gift guides soon, maybe even a giveaway? Peppermint Bliss is BACK!
