I got a Fisher Price Doodle Pro for my son on his first birthday, and he was immediately fascinated with it. He scribbled on the screen to his heart’s content, and the best part was that there was no mess to be had! He watched as I erased the screen with the erasing bar, and was soon able to do this himself. He would play with it for hours, scribbling something on the screen, erasing it, and starting all over again. I then decided to start using the Doodle Pro as a teaching tool. I would draw pictures of things and name them, and I would do letters and numbers. It was with this that he first learned how to count to 10 and started to recognize letters of the alphabet. Now he pulls out his Doodle Pro asks me to draw stories for him on it, after which he grabs the pen from me and starts to “color” everything in. He loves his Doodle Pro so much that I ended up buying two more, one to keep at grandma’s house and a small travel size version to keep him entertained in the car.

The Fisher Price Doodle Pro is a magnetic drawing board that comes in all the colors of the rainbow, and they have even come out with some themed sets, such as Disney’s Cars and Dora the Explorer. They also come in several sizes, from the standard large Doodle Pro to the smaller travel size one. All of the Doodle Pros have a pen that is attached to the board, so it won’t get lost, and the large Doodle Pro has a additional drawer with four magnetic shapes. The Fisher Price website states that this product is for 3 years and up, however I let my son use it from 1 year old - I just took away the magnetic shapes until he was old enough to play with them properly and made sure I supervised him while he played with it.

Popularity: 5% [?]

When my son was 14 months old, we planned a two week trip to Poland to visit with my grandparents (his great-grandparents) and we brought the Sit ‘n Stroll Carseat/Stroller with us. This combo stroller/carseat turned out to be one of the best things we purchased for our trip. This is a must have for parents who travel extensively with their children!

The Sit ‘n Stroll Carseat/Stroller is a comfortable carseat with a 5 point harness that with one squeeze of a handle transforms into a stroller. We were able to take my son into and out of the car without unstrapping him from the seat, which was very convenient at the airport. Also, this seat is FAA approved and although we didn’t use it on the plane (he was still a lap kid) we saw another couple using it on the same plane as a seat. It even fits through the x-ray machines! While in Europe we used it as a car seat in all the taxis and buses that we took. It went everywhere we went, even all over the cobblestone streets, which was truly a test to its durability. The Sit n’ Stroll Carseat/Stroller also steers very well and the handle is comfortable and easy enough to use for steering with one hand. We now have it handy as a backup carseat, if we ever needed it. We are planning a trip to Florida next spring and you can be sure that the Sit n’ Stroll Carseat/Stroller will be on our list of things to take.

The Sit n’ Stroll Carseat/Stroller can be used rear or forward facing in the car. It is approved for airline use. It can also be used as a booster seat in restaurants. It accommodates 5-40 lbs, and itself weighs 17lbs. For more information and to purchase the Sit n’ Stroll, please visit: Lilly Gold Online Boutique.

Use The Wise Mommy’s EXCLUSIVE coupon code “LillyWise07″ on ANY purchase from Lilly Gold Online Boutique and get 10% off and FREE UPS shipping! Offer good until 03/31/08!

Popularity: 13% [?]

The Graco Pack ‘n Play is one item which I did not realize would get used so much. I initially thought of it as a luxury item, but decided fairly quickly that it was one of my “must haves” after seeing how I used it on a daily basis for various reasons.

At first my Graco Pack ‘n Play was in our downstairs livingroom, where I used it as a changing table and a secondary sleeping area (i.e. bassinet). It then came with us on a month long trip to Florida when my son was 8 months old, where it was used as a portable crib. After my son outgrew it for sleeping, I used it as toy storage for months in the living room. Then my second son arrived, and my older son was still in his crib at that time. So instead of buying a bassinet or second crib, we used the Pack ‘n Play in our bedroom as bassinet until my youngest turned 6 months old. Then we came full circle with it returning to the living room. It now gets used as a safe play area for my son, and provides him with a nice way to practice cruising.

The Pack ‘n Play is very easy to put together and fold down for portability. It is also easily changed from bassinet to crib. The mattress pad is a nice quilted material and the sides are mesh for good ventilation and visibility. It comes with a carrying case, basically the size of a large duffel bag. Graco makes these in so many patterns and colors, and they usually match their other items such as swings, strollers, highchairs, etc. Graco, as well as other companies such as Eddie Bauer, make sheet sets for the Pack ‘n Play, for when you need to use them as a sleeping area. The Graco Pack ‘n Play also comes with a removable parent tray for storing diapers and supplies, a mobile with cute soft toys, and it comes with a detachable electronic music/sound machine that has a night light.

For more information about the Graco Pack ‘n Play, please visit GracoBaby.com.

Popularity: 9% [?]

My son has a lovey, and it just happens to be his Froggy Munchkin Teether Baby. I got it as a gift when I was in the hospital having him over two years ago. This Teether Baby is one of the original versions that Munchkin released, and they have since released a brand new set of Teether Babies which you can put in the refrigerator. Little does my son know that I lost the original “Froggy” and had to go scavenging on eBay for another one since the older model frog was no longer being made. He also doesn’t know that I bought two so that we still have one in the box in case this “Froggy” goes missing as well.

The Munchkin Teether Babies are just too cute! The beanbag body is so soft and colorful and their hands and feet double as soft teething surfaces with different textures. They are machine washable and dryer safe.

There are several on-line stores that carry the original Munchkin Teether Babies and you can also find them occasionally on eBay. The new generation of Teether Babies are currently available for purchase on Amazon.

Popularity: 5% [?]

I live in a split level home, which means two sets of stairs - one going up from the main level, the other one going down. I was initially using plastic gates which had to be completely removed in order for anyone to go up and down the stairs, to the bathroom, our bedrooms, etc. This meant that we were moving these gates several times a day, and it was such a pain to do, especially since the gate had to fit just right in order to be secure and safe.

When my oldest child started becoming more mobile, I decided I needed to find a baby gate that was perfect for high traffic areas. All the trouble I was having with the plastic gates, lead me to look for a more permanent and aesthetically pleasing solution. After doing a lot of research I happened upon the Evenflo Top-of-Stairs Wooden Gate. This gate was exactly what I was looking for. It mounts to the wall and is operated with a one-handed release. Plus the whole gate can be easily taken off of the mount during those times when you don’t need a gate.

The Evenflo Top-of-Stairs Wooden Gate is easy to use. A one-handed (toddler proof) release is all that is needed to open and then close the gate securely. I can carry either of my kids and with one had make sure the gate is secured behind me. The durability of this gate is worth a mention too - my 35 pound son has practically bounced on this gate and it is still going strong two years later. Also, the neutral wood doesn’t present the eye sore that we had with other types of gates.

The Evenflo Top-of-Stairs Wooden Gate stands 27″ tall, and fits 28-43″ openings. For more information on this gate please visit Evenflo’s Website.

Popularity: 3% [?]

My son started using the Baby Bjorn Potty Chair when he turned 2 years old. The particular chair that we have has the high backrest and arm rests - they also make a smaller version without the high backrest. My son is very tall for his age, and tried several other potty chairs and simply did not fit well on them. This one is great because of its larger size and allows for more leg room, as well as a larger sitting area. Also, it only comes in two pieces for super easy clean up, basically you take the insert out and dump it and wash it. The splash guard is high and works well for him, and the bottom has a no-slip grip, which keeps the potty very steady on the ground.

The Baby Bjorn Potty Chair comes in five different colors: blue, green, yellow, red, and white. You can find out more about the Baby Bjorn Potty Chair HERE.

Popularity: 5% [?]

There comes that awkward stage in a baby’s development when they are interested in exploring the world but they still are not able to sit upright without some sort of support. I loved the Bumbo Seat during this stage because it allowed me to free up both of my hands and play with my sons, plus it kept them happy by allowing them to be in an upright position.

The Bumbo Seat is a very cool invention which allows you to have your baby in an ergonomically upright supported sitting position once the baby has good head control, freeing up both of your hands for play or feeding. There are no straps on the Bumbo Seat, but rather the shape of the seat allows for the weight of the baby to anchor the seat down on the ground without the risk of tipping. One of the best things about the Bumbo Seat is that is is lightweight and portable. I have taken my Bumbo Seat to grandparent’s homes, restaurants, and on vacation. It is even used in pediatric physical and occupational therapy centers, as well as school based therapy programs to aid with increasing trunk strength and control.

The Bumbo Seat is made from a soft foam and is easy to clean. It is available in 5 colors, and you can also get a play tray which attaches to the seat. The play tray is great for playtime with toys or when starting out with finger foods. For more information about the Bumbo Seat, visit the website HERE.

Popularity: 10% [?]

This is truly one item I could not be without - everywhere I go, it goes too. I use it several times a day for feeding my 7 month old. I also used it throughout my older sons first year for feeding, tummy time, and supported sitting.

The Boppy Pillow is initially great for feeding your baby, whether you breastfeed or bottle feed. It puts the baby in a comfortable and safe position on your lap or around your waist. Later, I have used the Boppy Pillow for supported tummy time, as well as supported sitting. (My husband even used it as a pillow for himself in the hospital while I was in labor!) The Boppy Pillow has a washable cover which can be bought in various gender specific or gender neutral patterns, styles, or colors.
For more information about the Boppy Pillow, visit the Boppy Website.

Popularity: 10% [?]

For those of us who consider cloth diapering, either for long-term money saving, baby health/allergies, environmental friendliness, or simply for personal choice, Fuzzi Bunz seem to be pretty popular in the cloth diaper industry. There are so many different types of cloth diapering products, and I have tried quite a few. For me, Fuzzi Bunz have come out on top. I have used Fuzzi Bunz with both of my sons, and I have to say they certainly have stood the test of time! My second son is now 7 months old and I am still using my original stash of Fuzzi Bunz which I used with my now 26 month old. I have a set of 12, and have not had any problems with leaks, rips, fading, stains, etc. Also, no incidence of diaper rash either! And as a bonus these diapers have paid for themselves over and over again, especially since I got the chance to use them with both of my children.

Fuzzi Bunz come in many different colors, and even some patterns, which can be gender specific or neutral. Sizes range from XS(4-12 lbs) to XL(45+ lbs). Fuzzi Bunz are considered pocket diapers, where you place an insert into the diaper for absorption. There are several different types of inserts with different absorbencies for your babies specified needs. At night you can double up on the inserts for that extra added protection. Fuzzi Bunz have snap closures (no pins or velcro, yay!) on the front which can be adjusted for leg opening and waist size. The snap closures are very durable (I have never had one fail yet!) and as an added bonus, are pretty much impossible for your little one to get undone. The microfleece that touches your baby’s skin is nice and soft and has the added benefit of wicking moisture away from your baby, keeping them happy. Fuzzi Bunz are also machine washable and dryer safe.

For more information on Fuzzi Bunz, you can visit the manufacturer’s website HERE.

Popularity: 6% [?]