Babies Gotta Have It

So Tuesday afternoon I took a swing by the International Playthings Media Playdate event.  International Playthings is responsible for some of the hottest brands in toys for babies and beyond–they are behind Taggies (which you know I love-check out my video of the My Taggies Rocker), Yookidoo, GOTZ dolls, Calico Critters, Tomy, iPlay and more. These guys are some of the funnest folks in toys and I always look forward to seeing what they have to offer.  So I went, and I got so much more than I bargained for!  Keep reading to discover the super amazing thing that this generous company did for the holidays.  But first, take take a gander at some of my fave new toys they are offering (keep in mind, these toys are so brand new they’re not available yet–so have your kids save their Christmas money and gift cards and look for them in the New Year!):

The Early Years Baby Tea Party!  So cute!  A plush tea set for your baby girl complete with a crinkly croissant and a cupcake!  How cute is that? This would make such a unique and wonderful baby gift!

The Early Years Rocket Baby Play Set That little green alien is absolutely the most adorable!  I love this baby boy plush toy set so much!

The Wild Science Hyperlauncher Ball Factory Ok this is for kids ages 8 and up, but I couldn’t resist. You can make your own super balls!  And then launch them!  My nephew would LOVE this!

The Wild Science Beautiful Blob Slime Factory For girls who like gloop!  There are lots of us out there!  Make crystals! Make slimy blue glass worms and more!  For ages 10 and up!  And the grown-ups who love them!

I don’t have a photo of them but the ant and worm farms they are coming out with are so next generation it’s amazing! Just look for them in the stores.  Like habitrails for bugs!

Calico Critters Country Tree House Complete with trap doors, water slides and bridges.  This is so delicious and so fun!  Did I mention it has a hot tub and a gazebo? For ages three and up.  Sign me up!

Now here’s the awesome thing this company did! So I love these toys and International Playthings.  I was about to leave the media day and head over to the theater where I’m working, and I happened to mention that we’re doing a toy drive…oh yeah, you know where this is going.  The wonderful wardrobe union who take such good care of actors and their costumes sponsors a holiday toy drive every year.  This year all the toys are benefiting Housing Works and going to HIV positive homeless children. So I happen to mention this toy drive… and the representatives from International Playthings  just up and give me a huge box full of the most adorable Calico Critters Christmas sets called “Calico Christmas” to contribute to the toy drive.   Did I mention the box was huge?  It was!  So thank you so much International Playthings!  For making this a very merry and bright holiday for so many children!

And call me when the ant farms hit the stores!

Oh yeah…and they gave me one Calico Christmas set to GIVE AWAY! Want to enter?  Read on!

To Enter the Calico Critters Calico Christmas Giveaway

• MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Check out the Calico Critters at International Playthings.  Come back and share one Calico Critters play set or product you’d love to try besides the ones featured in this post!  Entering is that easy!
  

***Want extra chances to win? After you have made your first entry as described above, do anything listed below and leave me additional comments for each one letting me know what you did!  Maximum of seven entries per person.

• Follow me on Twitter (click the birdy button on the left to do so easily) and Tweet this giveaway (I’ve even made it easy for you, just cut and paste):  I just entered to win a Calico Critters Christmas Toy Set @BabiesGottaHavT.  Enter today! http://tinyurl.com/ybg8fkb
• Blog this giveaway (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)
• Subscribe to my blog using the button on the left
• Grab my button and put in on your blog or website! Button code is in the right sidebar. Leave the link in your entry.
• Become a Fan of Babies Gotta Have It on Facebook–just click the link on the left sidebar!
• Email your friends about the giveaway and link to the giveaway post! cc me in the message (babiesgottahaveit@gmail.com)–I promise I will not spam you or your friends. Cross my heart

Your email address will remain private and not be shared with anyone. Giveaway only open to those with U.S.  addresses. Must be 18 or older to win. Giveaway begins on Thursday December 17th and ends on Saturday December 26nd at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time. On Sunday December 27th,  Random.org will select the winner,  and I’ll email you immediately. After my daughter called Larry the Cable guy the last time she did a drawing, we have decided to take a little vacation from her choosing the winner. Random.org is in no way as cute and unpredictable as my daughter, but it is much more efficient and does not use any pieces of paper, even recycled ones. I am sure you will understand. Thanks for entering!

Disclosure: International Playthings gave me a huge box of toys for charity (just cuz they’re nice), a Calico Christmas set for my child and one  for the winner of this giveaway.  I was not compensated in any way for writing this post. All views and opinions with regard to the product or company itself are my own and were not influenced, nor reviewed, by the company prior to posting.

Update!  We have a winner!  Random.org says “Result:  100″  Congratulations Snowflake07 (Audra) Thanks so much to everyone who entered!  Happy New Year!

As the holiday season approaches, I know I am going to be scouring the stores and the web for wonderful toys that will impact my little gal and the earth she inhabits equally well.  I am a huge fan of Sprig Toys! Their toys foster battery-free creativity in our children and the Story Builders Playsets are no exception.  These toys encourage storytelling and imaginative play, and the fact that they’re made of 100% recycled paperboard (printed with non-toxic water-based ink) and recycled sprig wood is just the pink stripe on the candy cane as far as I’m concerned.

These neat sets combine board books, puzzles, and sturdy 3-D paper dolls and buildings all in a compact, easy to take on the go package.  In addition to “Little Red Riding Hood” playset featured in the video also check out “The Three Little Pigs.”

Babies Bottom Line: Watch the video.  The Bean had a great time playing with the Little Red Riding Hood Story Builder board book and play set.  And Mama loves that it’s eco-friendly, non-toxic, and great for travel.

Disclosure: Sprig Toys sent me this product to review.  I was not compensated in any way for this post. All views and opinions with regard to the product or company itself are my own and were not influenced, nor reviewed, by the company prior to posting.

I have never considered myself a neat freak.  And if you could see what’s growing in my refrigerator’s snack pan, you’d absolutely agree.  But the amount of mess generated by a toddler learning to feed herself has shocked and very nearly grossed out this loving, dust-bunny-embracing, city Mama.  I clean the splat mat.  I pick congealed quiche that somehow ends up BENEATH the splat mat off the hardwood floors.  But still, there is a five foot radius of food splattered around the Bean’s high chair that could sustain a small dog for a week I’d say.

Learning to feed yourself is difficult.  It takes a while for those little fingers to figure out where the mouth is and then how to move food into it.  And when you start adding utensils, forget about it!  Kindertools were created by a mother of three, in conjunction with pediatricians and childcare specialists, to meet the needs of children ages 6 months to 6 years as they learn to use forks and spoons…and toothbrushes and crayons and paintbrushes and more!

Kindertools sent me and the Bean several of their products to try out.  Now, the Bean is almost 26 months old.  She is actually fairly great with her fine motor skills and has been using a fork and spoon for quite some time (bear in mind, however, that she didn’t walk until 18 months–kids all develop differently, right?). So she had actually progressed developmentally beyond some of these tools.  I would have loved to have tried them with her a year or so ago.  Though let me say, we have been using the toothbrush.  Kindertools were created both to facilitate learning to use straight handled items, and also for safety reasons!  I have often chased after the Bean as she runs around the apartment with her toothbrush in her mouth thinking she’s playing such a fun game with me.   But as they say on the Kindertools site:

Straight-handled utensils can also be a serious safety hazard for young children. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2001 nearly 2500 children under the age of 4 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for straight-handled utensil injuries. Clearly, straight-handled utensils are not designed for young children.

The unique, wide safety handles make these toothbrushes  (and all the utensils) super safe and prevents choking or other serious accidents.  I have to say, the information on the Kindertools site made me think twice about chasing her with a  toothbrush in her mouth!

Kindertools are ergonomically designed; FDA approved; made of a soft, durable plastic with no hard or sharp edges; and dishwasher safe!  And thanks to the super folks at Kindertools I have a whole set of their products to give away to one lucky Babies Gotta Have It reader!  Enter today to win both toothbrushes, the spoon, the fork, the crayon holder and the paintbrush holder. Each one is brand new and comes separately packaged in a little ziploc (not packaged as seen in the photo above, however).

To Enter the Kindertools Giveaway

• MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Check out the full line of Kindertools products on their website, come back, and let me know which one you’re most excited about trying out!  Entering is that easy!
  

***Want extra chances to win? After you have made your first entry as described above, do anything listed below and leave me additional comments for each one letting me know what you did!  Maximum of seven entries per person.

• Follow me on twitter (click the birdy button on the left to do so easily) and Twitter this giveaway (I’ve even made it easy for you, just cut and paste):  Got a messy toddler? Try Kindertools! @BabiesGottaHavT Kindertools Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/ykz4web
• Blog this giveaway (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)
• Subscribe to my blog using the button on the left
• Grab my button and put in on your blog or website! Button code is in the right sidebar. Leave the link in your entry.
• Become a Fan of Babies Gotta Have It on Facebook–just click the link on the left sidebar!
• Email your friends about the giveaway and link to the giveaway post! cc me in the message (babiesgottahaveit@gmail.com)–I promise I will not spam you or your friends. Cross my heart

Your email address will remain private and not be shared with anyone. Giveaway only open to those with U.S.  addresses. Must be 18 or older to win. Giveaway begins on Monday November 2nd and ends on Monday November 16th at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time. On Tuesday November 17th,  Random.org will select the winner I’ll email you immediately. After my daughter called Larry the Cable guy the last time she did a drawing, we have decided to take a little vacation from her choosing the winner. Random.org is in no way as cute and unpredictable as my daughter, but it is much more efficient and does not use any pieces of paper, even recycled ones. I am sure you will understand. Thanks for entering! Disclosure: Kindertools sent me their full line of products to review and they are providing the products  for the winner of the giveaway.  I was not compensated in any way for this post. All views and opinions with regard to the product or company itself are my own and were not influenced, nor reviewed, by the company prior to posting.

UPDATE!  We have a winner! Random.org says “Result:  36″  Congratulations Mommyishome!
Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

If I learned anything from the Babies Gotta Have It Online Baby Shower, it’s that you guys are as eager as I am to surround your babies with eco-friendly products.  From bamboo onesies and all-natural baby wash to sustainably made toys and organic cotton crib sheets, today’s Mamas are going green.  And  we’re always on the hunt for a great source to find these products at a price that’s right.

Well Mama Greenies, I’ve got the site for you.  All Modern Baby will make you drool non-toxic saliva until you need to wipe it off your laptop with a bamboo nursing pad.  Their products are beyond gorgeous.  The modern furniture is contemporary but not so out-there that you can’t imagine it in your home.  The fabrics are to die for.  And the selection of unique toys is so beyond what you’d find at Target.  I saw this Eames Elephant at a super fancy store in the Meatpacking District (one of those stores that makes you think, “I totally don’t have on the awesome pair of shoes I would need to enter this establishment”) and fell in love.  I love that I can buy it at All Modern and not have to worry that my wardrobe is only outlet chic.

But don’t go thinking that  All Modern Baby only offers three hundred dollar splurges.  The collection of Eco-Friendly Toys is remarkably affordable.  Honestly, I was surprised just how affordable.  Looking for a birthday present for one of the six million parties your ultra-social toddler has been invited to?  Just visit All Modern Baby, click on the “Go Green” button in the upper right hand corner, and you’re buying eco-friendly in seconds.  75 of the green toys offered are $30 or less!

Green baby products. All natural.  All safe.  All cool.  All Modern.

And here’s the cool part…the swell folks at All Modern Baby are giving away one of their super eco-friendly toys, the 50 Piece Block Set by Wonderworld, to one lucky Babies Gotta Have It reader!  Building blocks are a definite must have.  And you know and I know that they’re going in the mouth before they go into a tower.  This beautiful blocks set is made from eco-friendly rubberwood and painted with non-toxic water-based paints.  For ages 2 and up.

To Enter the All Modern Baby Giveaway

• MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Take a swing by All Modern Baby and check out their extensive offering of Eco-Friendly Baby and Toddler products.  Come back and leave me a comment on this post sharing which product, besides the Wonderworld Wooden Block Set is your favorite.  Entering is that easy!
  

***Want extra chances to win? After you have made your first entry as described above, do anything listed below and leave me additional comments for each one letting me know what you did!  Maximum of seven entries per person.

• Follow me on twitter (click the birdy button on the left to do so easily) and Twitter this giveaway (I’ve even made it easy for you, just cut and paste): @BabiesGottaHavT is giving away an eco-friendly block set from All Modern Baby Enter today! http://tinyurl.com/qcecjs
• Blog this giveaway (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)
• Subscribe to my blog using the button on the left
• Grab my button and put in on your blog or website! Button code is in the right sidebar. Leave the link in your entry.
• Become a Fan of Babies Gotta Have It on Facebook–just click the link on the left sidebar!
• Email your friends about the giveaway! cc me in the message (babiesgottahaveit@gmail.com)–I promise I will not spam you or your friends. Cross my heart

Your email address will remain private and not be shared with anyone. Giveaway only open to those with U.S.  and Canadian addresses. Must be 18 or older to win. Giveaway begins on Wednesday  September 16th and ends on Wednesday September 30th at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time. On Thursday October 1st,  Random.org will select the winner I’ll email you immediately. After my daughter called Larry the Cable guy the last time she did a drawing, we have decided to take a little vacation from her choosing the winner. Random.org is in no way as cute and unpredictable as my daughter, but it is much more efficient and does not use any pieces of paper, even recycled ones. I am sure you will understand. Thanks for entering!

UPDATE! We have a winner!  Random.org says… Result: 49 Congratulations Kristin L.!  I hope you love your blocks set.  And thank you to everyone who entered!

It’s my baby girl’s second birthday.

And to celebrate, we are going to shower you and that sweet baby you’re dreaming about, loving from afar, or holding in your arms right now!  You’ve seen the videos. You’ve drooled over the products.  Today is the day to enter!  I’m so glad you’re here.

Talk about the best of both worlds…a baby shower with hundreds of dollars worth of wonderful products, but no silly games. I do wish I had some cake though…

I just want to say a big thank you again to all of the wonderful companies that have contributed items to the first ever Babies Gotta Have It Online Baby Shower Giveaway.

Here again, is everything that the winner of this unbelievable giveaway will receive:

Babies Gotta Bathe

• The Eco Store’s Aromatherapy Baby Moisturizer and Baby Shampoo (see my 7/6/09 post)
  
• Miessence Baby Cream Wash from Ely Organics (see my 2/9/09 post)
  
• The Entire Line of Baby Care Products from Earth Baby Organics (see my 7/6/09 post)
  
• No Slip Charlie Fingerless Baby Bathing Gloves (see my 6/10/08 post)
  
• Natural Laundry Detergent and Stain Remover from Clorox Green Works (see my 7/6/09 post)

Babies Gotta Eat

• The Portable Cutlery Set from No Plastic (see my post from 5/12/09)
  
• Minky Bib and Utensil Set from Happy Babee and Beeyond (see my post from 10/14/08)
  
• Bibs N Burps Set from Wow Baby (see  my post from 6/18/09)
  
• Baby Dipper Bowl and Spoon Set from Baby Dipper (see my post from 11/17/08 )

Beyond Your Birthday Suit

• Infant and Toddler Clothes by Hanes
• A Bamboo Onesie from Bamboo Couture (see my post from 4/18/09)
  
• A Baby Blanket of your choice from Lilitah (see my post from 7/9/09)
  
• The Handkerchief Bonnet, The Baby’s First Haircut Bag, Embroidered Burp Cloths and The Tooth Fairy Pillow from Little Journeys Baby World
• A Bamboo Fitted Crib Sheet and Bamboo Baby Washcloths from Bamboobino

Shift Into Gear

• The No Throw Baby Bottle Tether
• About Childbirth, About Breastfeeding, and About Newborn Care, the 3 DVD Set, from Laugh and Learn (see my post from 1/22/09)
  
• The Comfort Select Performance Dual Auto-Cycling Breast Pump from Evenflo (see my post from 4/28/09)
  
• The Complete Air Convertible Car Seat by Safety 1st

Playing  With My Baby

• Lubies Plush Toys
• Fruit Stained Natural Wooden Stacker by Ticki Tacki Toys (see my post from 4/18/09)
  
• That Baby CD and DVD by OyBaby (see my post from 6/30/08)

To Enter the

Giveaway

• MANDATORY ENTRY #1: First, watch all of the videos featuring the products included in the giveaway.  When you’re done, return to this post and leave a comment telling me 1. Who is this baby that you want to shower with beautiful things and why & 2. Which product you are the most excited about winning and why. This is a huge prize package, so entries that don’t provide complete answers to parts 1 and 2 will be discounted.  And it’s absolutely wonderful to want to win this for your very own baby!  One who is here or one who is on the way! Tell me a little bit about you and your babe!
  

***Want extra chances to win? After you have made your first entry as described above, do anything listed below and leave me additional comments for each one letting me know what you did!  Maximum of seven entries per person.

• Follow me on twitter (click the birdy button on the left to do so easily) and Twitter this giveaway (I’ve even made it easy for you, just cut and paste): @BabiesGottaHavT is hosting an Online Baby Shower! Enter to win today! http://tinyurl.com/mfdmwl
• Blog this giveaway (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)
• Subscribe to my blog using the button on the left
• Grab my button and put in on your blog or website! Button code is in the right sidebar. Leave the link in your entry.
• Become a Fan of Babies Gotta Have It on Facebook–just click the link on the left sidebar!
• Email your friends about the giveaway! cc me in the message (babiesgottahaveit@gmail.com)–I promise I will not spam you or your friends. Cross my heart

Your email address will remain private and not be shared with anyone. Giveaway only open to those with U.S.  addresses. Must be 18 or older to win. Giveaway begins on Sunday August 9th and ends on Sunday August 30th at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time. On Monday August 31st,  Random.org will select the winner I’ll email you immediately. After my baby called Larry the Cable guy the last time she did a drawing, we have decided to take a little vacation from her choosing the winner. Random.org is in no way as cute and unpredictable as my baby, but it is much more efficient and does not use any pieces of paper, even recycled ones. I am sure you will understand. Thanks for entering!

Update! We have a winner! Random.org selected number 249! Congratulations Danielle Donohue! Hope you and your baby love being showered! Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

Welcome to the 5th and final installation in the Babies Gotta Have It Online Baby Shower Video Series, “Playing With My Baby.” It’s time to have some fun with your little one!

Featuring…

• Lubies Plush Toys
• Fruit Stained Natural Wooden Stacker by Ticki Tacki Toys (see my post from 4/18/09)
• That Baby CD and DVD by OyBaby (see my post from 6/30/08)
  

I am aware that this blog is called Babies Gotta Have It.  I am also aware that in one month, my baby girl will turn two.  She recently fell headfirst off a seemingly harmless foam kiddie chair, and there’s no denying it.  This baby is now a toddler.

We are having a garage sale at my parents’ next weekend. So sad to see so many of the baby toys go. Yeah, I’m saving some for friends…making a point to pass along things that were passed along to me (cuz it’s wrong to make money on stuff your friends handed down to you…right?).  But pretty exciting to see the toddler toys take their place.

It’s easy to find baby toys. It’s easy to find preschooler toys.  But toddler toys that are safe and age appropriate?  Kinda tough to find. Seems these days like everything I pull off of a Target shelf says “For Ages Three and Up.” So I was absolutely delighted to discover Play and Bounce–an online toy store that specializes in toys for toddlers!

The site categorizes the toddler toys by type, and I have to say, one of the things I’m most excited about is watching my little girl’s imagination start to develop. The fine folks at Play and Bounce sent the Little Bean the Dinner Time Set and Casserole Set from their Play Pretend Toys and you can see in the video just how much fun they are.  Plus they are colorful, durable, not made in China, and dishwasher safe.

Toys for pretend play.  Yeah, that’s something toddlers just gotta have.

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” - Galadriel of the Elves

I have this quote on my Facebook page.  I believe it. And so does the Nature Conservancy.  They have created Idbids, a very sweet collection of plush toys for kids, with the belief that if we teach our children about conservation as early as we teach them their colors and shapes, we can change the world.

Not to get all oogly boogly on you here, but I love that.  And these toys are sweet sweet sweet and green green green.  Lola the Flower, Waverly the Water Drop, and Scout the Cloud are made of 100% organic cotton (even the tag is printed on recyled paper with eco-friendly inks). And these toys are definitely Not Made In China — they’re made in Egypt from Egyptian cotton!

You know I love stuffed dolls, baby or flower or otherwise.  So what message is this Idbid flower doll sending to girls?  According to the tag, “Lola’s  pretty, a fact it is best not to forget.  Happily she also believes that ‘pretty is as pretty does.’ She is wise, sees both sides of an issue, is a natural mediator and offers well-reasoned advice.”  Ok, so I love that too.

My baby girl calls her Idbid “fwower.”  When she gets older, she can go to the Idbids website, click on The Nature Conservancy, enter her personal code, interact with Lola and her friends, and help protect Lola’s habitat. The name Idbid comes from “Iddy Biddy” –  as in even those who are iddy biddy can make a difference.   Oh, and fifty cents from each purchase will be contributed to the Nature Conservancy through February of 2010 with a minumum contribution of $10,000.

Cute, conscientious and consevationist cuddly toys for toddlers and preschoolers?  Yeah, that’s something baby’s just gotta have.

Baby dolls for girls and boys are baby must-haves as far as I’m concerned!  It’s so 1955 but my Little Bean loves hers.  I got her a Melissa Mae doll from the wonderful Etsy seller Bit of Whimsy Dolls as a Christmas gift and I’m so glad I did!  These dolls are designed and handmade here in the U.S. by a mompreneur and I think they’re gorgeous. The Bean, quite obviously, loves her “dolly.”

She also loves her doll stroller. I can’t find the exact one she has online but this one by Castle Toys is pretty sweet and nicely priced!

Baby doll love…yeah that’s something baby’s totally gotta have.

An urban cowgirl. Riding the range. On her giraffe.  Singing them old urban cowgirl songs.

Honestly, I have no idea what she’s singing. But it cracks me up.

Thank you My Taggies Rocker. You rock. Literally.