[koofie]

I didn't see a thread, so here it is!

We are doing fine here - getting over the yeasties, and I've lost my voice (teaching does that to you). What is everyone getting your babes for holiday presents this year? We haven't started shopping yet...

 

[MaxiMom]

subbing! happy December!

 

[doudat]

Subbing here too!!

 

[tabrizia]

I'm here too. We just got home last night. Desmond is going to bed at 11pm still, well 12:30 last night, but he napped on the plane so it was a late nap.

As for presents let me see if I can find my list. We are basically done shopping for him, except for the puzzles, which we still haven't decided on.

Bee Wheely bug We got him the large sized one in the bee pattern.


The Kid Tough Camera since he loves our digital camera and taking pictures with them, but we would rather he not use them since they tend to develop finger prints and be dropped when used by an 20 month old.

A bunch of Duplo since he likes to build and enjoys his Duplo blocks he has now.

A Bilbo since I've heard good things about them and he had fun playing with it in the store when we went to look at it.

Wedgits because they looked really neat and he likes building and knocking things down.

We're also getting him a couple of picture and board books and probably a puzzle set since he seems interested in puzzles now.

We actually got him double on a couple of the toys so we can leave them at my in-laws since the toys they have for him are from last Christmas so they need some toys for a slightly older child. So he is getting a Bilbo and Dulpos and a stacking toy over there as well.

He also got a ton of toys while we were at my parents for Thanksgiving, he got a guitar which he really likes, a cool stacking train somewhat similar to this one, and a remote controlled bug. Those are the toys we brought home with us he also got a bunch we left there because he didn't need more stuff, but a bunch of cars and other plastic toys.

 

[doudat]

Oh wow, those are a lot of toys Tabrizia! You are one crazy shopping lady!!

We're limiting gifts this year to 2. First of all, for financial reasons, and trying to stay away from overconsumption which is hard with Liam who always wants more and more

:. Romi is easy since she obviously doesn't care yet. I'm trying to buy handmade for dh and friends but for the kids, it's harder. We don't have a lot of toys here and I don't think our house is big enough to handle too much stuff

So we got an Okiedog Fropper for Romi and some spiky blocks (I forgot the name). Liam's getting a big puzzle and a magnet kit.

 

[koofie]

Thanks for the ideas! We have a number that were Ari's, but I think Abby would like one of the ride on toys. Anyone else? Abby is the only one I haven't come up with ideas for.

 

[hanno]

I really like the idea of gifting based on getting them: Something they want, something they need and something to read. I heard about it here, and it makes perfect sense to me. So...Ion got a play kitchen (want, for me too), coloured twig pencils (need, he loves to draw but still eats or breaks crayons) and 3 board books. I think maybe one more regular paper book because those are the ones he brings to us to read to him where he 'reads' the board books to himself.

 

[MaxiMom]

I like that idea hanno! The kids are getting a play kitchen, too. I'm so excited! Also, got them a mushroom tent for more pretend play. We're trying not to go too crazy, they have so much stuff already. And those two things are big, so Scarlet will get a puzzle, a tuck-in pet (animal will a little pillow bed) and a "trendy wendy" doll, that will help her learn how to button, zipper, tie, etc. (Anyone remember Dressy Bessy? - I'm dating myself!

) and some clothes and jammies. Oh yes, and aprons for each. Hoping accessories for kitchen come from family.

I'm hoping to stash some of their old toys away and eventually send them off to someone else...

:

 

[tabrizia]

We're still working on our toy stash, which is why Desmond is getting so much, we really don't have that much, though at times it seems like a ton. We have gone through his older toys and gotten rid of all the ones we didn't want to keep for baby bean.

Oh talking about baby bean I think we have our name, with 3 backups and 4 if we need to name after relative names on our list as well. We think we're going with Hazel Usha if we don't have to name after a relative. Eloise Asha or Gwendolyn Mira or Jyoti are most likely if we do have to name after a relative.

 

[koofie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabrizia Oh talking about baby bean I think we have our name, with 3 backups and 4 if we need to name after relative names on our list as well. We think we're going with Hazel Usha if we don't have to name after a relative. Eloise Asha or Gwendolyn Mira or Jyoti are most likely if we do have to name after a relative.

I really like Hazel or Gwendolyn

 

[ShyDaisi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabrizia We're still working on our toy stash, which is why Desmond is getting so much, we really don't have that much, though at times it seems like a ton. We have gone through his older toys and gotten rid of all the ones we didn't want to keep for baby bean. Oh talking about baby bean I think we have our name, with 3 backups and 4 if we need to name after relative names on our list as well. We think we're going with Hazel Usha if we don't have to name after a relative. Eloise Asha or Gwendolyn Mira or Jyoti are most likely if we do have to name after a relative.

I like Gwendolyn Mira

And, I am still working on Micah's toy stash, too! I haven't bought him a single toy since April and he is starting to outgrow some of those (though growing in to some of them too). Since his birthday and Christmas are almost at half year intervals, I foresee most of my toy purchases being for one "holiday" or the other. There are so many things I want to get for him that I think would be beneficial in various aspects of his development, it is hard to whittle down too much. We don't have any puzzles, or crayons/craft supplies, or shape/color sorters. Heck, I don't even have any cars for the boy! (though he does have a baby doll

much to my mom's dismay

). I know that none of these things are "needed", but I think they can help skills along. I am babbling....did any of that make sense?

I seriously need some sleep. I haven't had a solid night's sleep since my sleepy stage during my pregnancy. And, it has been getting worse, thus my memory and ability to carry on a conversation is getting worse. Micah is STILL not STTN and my worries are interrupting the part of the night where I normally get my unpunctured sleep. Anyone else's kiddo still not STTN?

ETA: And speaking of baby dolls...a few days ago, Micah brought his baby and the baby's hat because he was having trouble getting it on. I helped him out, and handed back the baby. As Micah was walking away, he cradled the baby in his arm and then pulled him close to give him a kiss!

It was so sweet!

 

[sharon.gmc]

I haven't started shopping yet but I plan to give my 6-year-old girl an mp3 player and my 3-year-old boy a battery operated airplane.

 

[doudat]

Yeah, first kids as opposed to second (third, fourth, etc) is not the same. Romi plays with Liam's toys, so she has twice the stuff as someone alone. And on top of it, the kids are so possessive with the freaking toys that I get sick and tired of hearing them fight over toys... So I'm leary of getting more stuff in the house.

Oh Romi is not STTN either. We nightweaned her and it got 80% better, but now that cold season is back, I caved and started nursing her once a night. She goes to bed in her room (she shares a room with Liam now) and wakes up between 11pm-2am. I bring her in our bed and nurse her there and she sleeps till morning. Very early morning

On a side note, it's 15 degrees here today

:

 

[tabrizia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShyDaisi I like Gwendolyn Mira And, I am still working on Micah's toy stash, too! I haven't bought him a single toy since April and he is starting to outgrow some of those (though growing in to some of them too). Since his birthday and Christmas are almost at half year intervals, I foresee most of my toy purchases being for one "holiday" or the other. There are so many things I want to get for him that I think would be beneficial in various aspects of his development, it is hard to whittle down too much. We don't have any puzzles, or crayons/craft supplies, or shape/color sorters. Heck, I don't even have any cars for the boy! (though he does have a baby doll much to my mom's dismay ). I know that none of these things are "needed", but I think they can help skills along. I am babbling....did any of that make sense?

Makes sense to me, it is what we are doing though Desmond does have both a doll and cars. That being said we're pretty sure his birthday presents are going to be less then his holiday presents, since we're getting him a toy kitchen for his birthday, and then asking all the relatives for wooden/wool/felt food and utensils/pots and pans. He's outgrown a lot of his toys from his birthday and last holiday as well though, which is why our list is fairly long this holiday.

We do have some art supplies, though he still isn't hugely interested in them yet. We are going to put puzzles on his list for his grandparents and if they don't get them for him we figure we'll get them for him after the holidays, since we're sort of stumped on what to put on the list for them, since they like getting him a bunch of little things, when at this point he just needs one or two bigger things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShyDaisi I seriously need some sleep. I haven't had a solid night's sleep since my sleepy stage during my pregnancy. And, it has been getting worse, thus my memory and ability to carry on a conversation is getting worse. Micah is STILL not STTN and my worries are interrupting the part of the night where I normally get my unpunctured sleep. Anyone else's kiddo still not STTN? ETA: And speaking of baby dolls...a few days ago, Micah brought his baby and the baby's hat because he was having trouble getting it on. I helped him out, and handed back the baby. As Micah was walking away, he cradled the baby in his arm and then pulled him close to give him a kiss! It was so sweet!

Desmond is mainly sleeping through the night. He is however not going to bed till late, and by late I mean midnight or later. He did go down at 10:30 last night which was nice, but even that is later then we would prefer. DH is the one that gets him in the middle of the night though, since we did night wean him, so I do get uninterrupted sleep, well except to pee (thanks baby girl for thinking my bladder is a good pillow). He normally just lies down with him and he goes back down though. Which is really nice. Our biggest problem is getting him to bed earlier, he is fairly good about sleeping once he's down now.

And aww on the baby doll!

 

[koofie]

Rebekah,

Did you ever get a balance bike? We're looking at one for Abby.

Abby nurses at least twice per night. I'm not trying to nightwean since I WOH and nighttime is when she gets the most milk.

 

[LilMomma83]

So far I just have an M&D numbers puzzle (Johnny LOVES counting) and a webkinz (came with the puzzle lol) and a surfer rash guard shirt in his next size up (he swims year round). I'm hoping to find a store in NYC that has American/European made toys because my paycheck in 2wks is a little bigger and that should allow for some more gifts. I want o get some play food for his kitchen, a doll and stroller and sling (yes he is a boy but he loves playing with that stuff lol), a book that has to do with getting a new sibling...I'd like to add to his train set some---I wanted to get a train table but they are a bit expensive. Maybe some art supplies too...he loves to color, and use stickers...so I'm thinking maybe some glue and colorful things to make crafts with.

I really don't want too much stuff though..I don't expect I will get all of the above...but will see what I find on good deals lol.

Johnny would still be nursing every 3hrs or so at night but I can't do it (I don't want to it hurts too much and makes it negative) so I'm nursing 1-2 times and he's getting a bottle of cow milk the other times...going ok so far...and I am getting a lot more sleep as well! Actually I think he is waking less as a whole...a bottle just isn't as worth it lol.

 

[ShyDaisi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by koofie Rebekah, Did you ever get a balance bike? We're looking at one for Abby.

No, I haven't. I was leaning towards the Strider, but I have heard negative things about quality of the materials, so I was hedging a little bit. On the thread I started, someone posted a comparison of the different bikes which kind of reaffirmed that. The other one have considered is the Kinderbike, however, Micah is a shorty-pants -- his is only 31" with a 10.5" to 11" inseam (depending on the diaper he's wearing) -- and the Kinderbike is around 13.5" minimum. The Strider was the only chance with a minimum of 11" seat height. Soooo, I think I might wait till his birthday -- with the potential move, it might be better to have less stuff anyway.

 

[koofie]

The person that posted the comparison doesn't post here regularly, so I think they may be promoting something. I'm leaning towards the pv glider. It's minimum inseam is 13 inches - I think Abby's might be 12? She's about 32 inches tall.

 

[ShyDaisi]

After I posted, I saw that one too. I like it, but it just won't work for us right now. Eventhough I do see the possibility of her promoting her own agenda, there were people previously in the thread and in a couple of others that talked about the cheapness of the parts on the Strider. If I get one for Christmas it would have to be the Strider (due to smaller minimum seat height), but if I wait until April I may go with another brand like the Kinderbike or the PV Glider.

 

[koofie]

Waiting is probably a good idea! I think we'll get one, because we're more likely to have $ now, and also then Ari will "get it out of her system" to ride it - she LOVES playing with Abby's stuff, even though it is "baby" stuff, so by April Abby should get it all to herself!

I'm thinking of a trampoline for Abby too. she has so many toys, but few gross motor skills-oriented toys because Ari was not interested when she was a kid. Abby love to climb and jump, so that is where we are focusing!