My Non-Obsession With Baby Toys… Except a Few
I refuse to buy baby toys… Ok not really. I’m already guilty of buying a few that Spawnie won’t be able to use for MONTHS. I think my shopping fascination will go in phases. From pregnancy to umm… Ok, maybe forever, I’ll be in the clothing phase. Then once she’s born I think I’ll be way into books. I love books and I love reading to her already, and I think she’s going to like my voice. She seems to already (I talk a lot).
Then, when she starts to smile and giggle and actually appear to have a real interest in me or things, I’ll get toy obsessed. We did get a goodie box of toys from the family of the boy we babysit which I was so excited about, cause what am I to do with her adorable toybox I made (yes, I refinished this toybox 8 months preggo… This is a picture of it before I added her name!) when there’s no toys inside? That’s pretty lame! 
The one toy I’ve bought for her so far is one of those ring stackers. I would show you but I ordered it, and it hasn’t arrived so I don’t have a photo yet.
Spawnie’s second toy I get her I think will be a rattle. But not just any rattle, a cute giraffe rattle from Bundled.
I’ve been eyeballing these things since before I was pregnant! There’s two things Ladybug already has too much of 1. Personalized things (did you noticed I slipped a showed a picture of her name in my last virtual baby shower post? A reader pointed it out to me and is sworn to secrecy) and 2. Pink things. So I’m trying to decide on a different colored rattle to get for her. I’m liking this bluish-green one. 
They’re only $12, and I think if I get it now, it’ll make a great decoration on her bookshelf until she arrives.
The woman who makes them, Heather, has twins boys and he decided to take her “I can make that myself” attitude and put it to use in making modern, stylish boy things.
Although her experience is different because she has TWINS she still gave me some new mama advice for my virtual baby shower (which by the way I’m loving all of your tips, and I’m hoping to print them all out and put them in a little book so thank you for offering!)
{New Mama Advice}“I think, that being sure to have plenty of help the first few weeks is vital no matter how many babies you may be bringing home.”
Heather grew up in a small town in Alabama in an active family with a super fun, crafty momma who taught her how to enjoy the crafting process and not take it too seriously. She met her husband in college and they’ve been together for 14 years, married for 8. “We have two wild and crazy 5 yr old boys who keep us laughing and busy at all times and one super adorable yet slightly grumpy french bulldog who loves when the boys are at preschool and he can rest peacefully in the warm Florida sun.”
To learn more about Heather and her shop be sure to check out her Bundled Shop, and Twitter page @Bundled.
She’s also offered to giveaway this adorable Chocolate Chip Giraffe Rattle to one of my mini virtual baby shower participants! I’ll make it easy for you… Just comment with your favorite item in her shop. You get an extra entry if you tell me another baby toy you love (I need to start getting bookmarks) and/or leaving a piece of new mom advice.
Bangle Giraffe rattle. ADORABLE!
I have children’s books that I see and purchase for the potential future baby (taboo, I know). Books were a major part of my upbringing. I figure books are timeless and can be given away if we never have one of our own. I loved your shower invites that requested books in lieu of cards. Very creative (hope I have the right blog, but I’m sure it was you).
I love the Roll up in Water Lily; wish it came in Modern Lace.
I love all her stuff! Those giraffes are so cute, and my sweet baby girl could use a rattle! My favorite toy in her shop is the soft blue bunny with the tree ears. I could see that being the kind of lovie that a baby would keep for life!
You MUST get Sophie. MUST MUST MUST! 🙂
i love her pink owl chenille wipes!!!
http://marfmom.com
my friend got my son a robot dog from nintendo and he LOVES it, as does my friend’s daughter. it’s a blast. i have no idea how much they cost, but definitely fun. though, i guess since spawnie has a REAL dog she won’t care, lol.
but my son’s favorite toy? the bookshelf. we built him a small one, it’s bolted to the wall, and we’ve just filled it with board books. he spends so much time paging through them, taking them off the shelves, and putting them back on. plus, it’s educational!
http://marfmom.com
I love the teething carrot! So cute!
And I’ve heard great things about Sofie as well! And I can’t wait to get one for M he needs it!
So, are you going to share her name with us, or will it always be a mystery. I understand either way. 🙂
I LOVE THOSE GIRAFFES! They are the cutest things. I think my son would be all over that. He loves stuff like that. I find myself taking the soft rattles off his other toys to he can play with them. I also love those bunnies. They would be great for my daughter.
I like the Giraffe Rattle – Pink Swirl. Of course, I’m having a boy, so that’s just for my own sake. :0)
My best new mom advice is not to get too territorial with the baby! You may not have this trouble, but a lot of new moms do. They don’t (I didn’t) want grandmas, especially MIL’s helping out too much. I felt it was intrusive and insulting and even creepy, how much attention she paid to MY baby.
Then I had another baby, and was soooo grateful for the help. What accounted for the change? I learned that my babies love me even if other people change their diapers or comfort them sometimes. Yeah. I was jealous.
Wish I’d been able to overcome that insecurity with the first baby, since all I was really doing was making myself unhappy. Nobody else even knew I felt that way!
Those are so cute. My husband actually gave me a giraff when I had my daughter. lol. My baby already has one baseball rattle that you pull down and it vibrates up (my daughter loved it0 and a chew book. I took am a book lover.
Good luck mama!!!
I am also in love with the giraffe you have picked-water lily giraffe rattle. Although I do love the black and white ones you have pictured above. She has alot of cool stuff on her site!
Oh I love these giraffe rattles! I also love her carrot rattle teether. It is adorable!
I also LOVE her Roll-Up in Chocolate Chip!
And my mommy advice is simple, and you have probably gotten several that say the same thing. But GO WITH YOUR GUT. Research is good and helpful. Other peoples advice is good and helpful. But nothing is better than listening to your instincts. Even if they contradict with your MIL or all your blog readers say. As a mommy YOU are going to know your baby better than anyone else, so listen to yourself and your gut. 🙂
The Playskool Busy Ball Popper is such a fun toy! My son started loving it at about 6 months (I’m convinced you don’t really need much toys before then) and still loves it at age 2.
I love the different wipes and burp clothes. Colorful, Soft, and Reusable….Perfect!
I think big, colorful blocks (wood or plastic) are great toys! Little ones can bang them around to make cool noises, and when they get older they can use their imaginations to build something.
i love the water lily giraffe at Bundled.
advice i was given my a fellow new mommy: breastfeed, no matter what it takes. my son wouldn’t nurse, so i’ve pumped exclusively. so glad i took her advice.
other toys baby liked: soft stuff under 3 months, rattles and stuff he could grasp after that. he also loves colorful books to look thru.
Bundled is one of my etsy faves!! Love the giraffe rattle and want it in Creamsicle and Lemon Drop!
mariahm22 at gmail dot com
The giraffe rattle/teeter is so cute. I think I like the red one with white polka dots best.
The baby toy that my nieces loved is those activity matts.
i love the carrot rattles and the bunny lovies! everything is supercute.
my niece loves her pacifier/mini lovey combo. it has a little pig cover and a little blanket. she wants it all the time. her other favorite toy is her baby einstein play mat. she is obsessed with that thing.
I think my favorite is the giraffes, but I can’t decide on my favorite color!
I like the brown polka-dot one. 🙂 She’s so talented. I want to learn to make those things!
Ohhhhh I love her shop! My favorite is the GIRAFFE RATTLE / TEETHER in Pink Kleo.
Those are just too cute!!
I really like the Quick Trip – Lemon Grass.
naturemanipulated AT hotmail DOT com
One of my favorite handmade toys/decoration
http://www.etsy.com/listing/40991692/giant-building-block-pillows-set-of-3
naturemanipulated AT hotmail DOT com
I LOVE the pink pot a dot giraffe!
i love the quick trip organziers!
would love to win the giraffe rattle for my sister in law
sarah
smatti78@yahoo.com
i’m with ya on the baby toys, so I’ll leave a piece of advice instead…bake up a storm on those days you feel rested, and freeze a bunch for the days you can barely keep your eyes open 🙂
Oh that is too cute. Spawnie is going to love it. You can use the rattle from birth on up. The rattle will help with hearing skills and eye coordination because she’ll be watching as you shake it. Once she gets her motor skills down, she’ll be rattling it herself.
I love the giraffe rattle in Pink Kleo. Giraffes were my grandpa’s favorite animal..so it totally reminds me of him.
The other toy that I plan on getting is the Sophie Giraffe Teether. Do you see a pattern?
Those rattles are super cute!
I love the Giraffes and the Quick Trip Organizers.
One toy that I plan to get for my Gummy is an abacus. I had one when I was a kid and I loved that thing!
BTW, I have been getting books too, and I mostly buy them from a used book store. They are practically new, and most of the time less than half the price.
The giraffe is cute and the quick trip organizer as well.
cdziuba@aol.com Adorable!
i like the Soft Pink Bunny Love – Pink Kleo
I love Bunny Lovie – Daisy!!!
i love the paisley giraffe!
sophie giraffe is great!
I like the quick trip organizer.
I like the Baby Toddler Rattle Teether Carrot toy!
So cute!
The giraffe rattles are my favorite, although the bunnies she makes are pretty cute too!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the yellow modern lace one!! WAY CUTE!
My mama advice: Labor and delivery is my favorite part of the whole pregnancy. I know, crazy, but it is! SO take it ALL in. It’s awesome and definetly a miracle.
Her stuff is so adorable. I love the Giraffe Rattle – Bangle. amypugmire@live.com
My daughter loved the buckle toy. she was obsessed for along time with buckles and it was a perfect toy for her. amypugmire@live.com
I like the Giraffe Rattle – Bangle.
Besides giraffes, I love bunnies, so I am in love with the Bright Blue Bunny Lovie – Birdie in her shop. thorandellie[at]gmail[dot]com
My new mommy advice is always accept any help that’s offered from friends & family. Even if you don’t get out of the house, it will help give you a chance to get chores or other personal things done. thorandellie[at]gmail[dot]com
I like the Roll Up, in the Water Lily print. Thanks!
sphinxcw at aol dot com
I like the blueberry burp cloth…cute
melanieinaz2003 at yahoo
my daughter’s favorite toys as an infant were anything that lit up or made sounds. she was fascinated. She had lots of Fisher Price toys in her age range and loved them
melanieinaz2003 at yahoo
I’m in love with the polka dot giraffes 🙂
jennifer_atchison(at)hotmail(dot)com
One of my son’s favorite little baby toys was a little pink pig that hung from his carseat. Now that he’s 16 months he loves any type of ball he can throw!
jennifer_atchison(at)hotmail(dot)com
New Momma Advice: Trust your gut. Even when what you feel is right goes against what other moms have shared with you, it’s ok! The mommy always knows best 🙂
jennifer_atchison(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love these wipes
http://www.etsy.com/listing/27902918/chenille-wipes-circus
stephanie_dunbar07 AT hotmail DOT com
My favorite item is the Soft Blue Bunny Love – Modern Lace.
urchiken at gmail dot com
I like the water lily giraffe.
I also like the Baby Toddler Chenille Burp Cloth – in Blueberry
Also like the Soft Blue Bunny Love – Modern Lace
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com
My advice would be rest when baby is resting!! I didn’t take that advice and was always so worn out.
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com
That paisley giraffe is awesome! Kids nowadays have the coolest toys…
I LOVE,LOVE LOVE the Sophie!!! And that just happens to be my daughter’s name!
girlforgotten81@aol.com
Soft Blue Bunny Love in Blueberry is darling.
I love the Giraffe Rattle – Pink Swirl ~ 🙂 Thanks
sounders72@aol.com
well other than the giraffe I love the Baby Toddler Rattle Teether – Carrot
I like toys that make them use their imaginations – like blocks. I also like sophie the teething giraffe to – I wouldn’t say it was a must for us but it has been helpful.
My favorite is the Giraffe Rattle – Aqua Swirl!
hsuperparents[at]gmail[dot]com
Another baby toy I love is the Teething Bling Necklace by Smart Mom.
hsuperparents[at]gmail[dot]com
New mama advice- Not that you will do this but don’t forget to take pictures – sometimes I would get caught up in the schedule or even the moment and forget to take pictures
I like the Baby Toddler Chenille Burp Cloth-Blueberry the most.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com
I bought the baby sleeping bag from Aden & Anais for my niece and she just loves it.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com
The Rattles are adorable!!
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
The giraffe rattle in chocolate chip is by far my fave! So adorable!
vschilke at gmail dot com
I like the Bright Blue Bunny Lovie – Birdie
brn2lisn at gmail dot com
Those are SO cute! 🙂 I also love her baby/toddler changing mats. Thanks for the amazingly cute giveaway!
My new mom advice… sleep when the baby sleeps. 🙂 And don’t forget to feed yourself! lol
Oh I love the Pink Cleo giraffe rattle/teether! So cute!
worldofdennifer(at)gmail(dot)com
I like the cotton candy burp cloth.
I love the Soft Pink Bunny Love – Pink Kleo
one thing that we used alot of, are the interlocking rings. Great on their own & to clip to other toys.
The Bright Blue Bunny Lovie – Birdie in her shop is adorable.
my favorite item is the Mix Up Washcloth / XL Wipes Set – Modern Lace
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
i love the Bright Blue Bunny Lovie – Birdie
I adore the Bright Blue Bunny Lovie – Birdie.
oldsockfarm {{at}} gmail {{d0t}} com
I like the mix up wash cloths in modern lace
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
Roll Up – Water Lily
I LOOOVVVE the Mix Up Washcloth / XL Wipes Set – Modern Lace. I could really use this right now as a soft burpcloth.
I like the quick trip organizer in water lily
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
another thing I like is Carrot Rattle / Teether
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
I really like the Chenille Burp – Chocolate Chip thanks for the one thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com
I want to get a Carter’s Starters Soothing Sounds Puppy for my little boy due in sept
you can find it at amazon
Bangle Giraffe rattle.
rajee@momsfocusonline.com