Sterling Silver Teething Jewelery
Sterling silver teething jewelry by Momma’s Jewels. Babies like to chew on something firm and cool as they are teething. Sterling silver is inherently cool to the touch and naturally soothing to baby’s gums while they’re teething. From Once Upon a Time in Homewood and Crestline

Pixie Lily Cotton Knit Pajamas
Now baby isn’t the only one with irresistably soft cotton pajamas. Once Upon a Time in Homewood and Crestline

Hotslings
Hotslings are an easy, hands free way to carry baby. Available in many great prints, with adjustable sizing.  Works with babies, up to 30 pound toddler. Adjusts as your baby grows. From the Swanky Stork in Homewood.

Ghirardelli Gift Basket
A variety of gift basket options available at Ghirardelli at the Shops of Grand River Outlet Mall in Leeds.

Keurig Coffee Maker
A perfect solution to allow mom to have a little me time before the hustle and bustle of the day. Available from the Kitchen Collection at the Shops of Grand River Outlet Mall in Leeds.

Book Gift Basket
Mom can put the kids to bed and snuggle in with some of today’s hottest bestsellers from Book Warehouse at the Shops of Grand River Outlet Mall in Leeds

Mud pie Baby Crocheted Headband or Hat
The Babytalk Store

Ty Inc
Monstaz Collection
Featured is Trixie, an awesome plush toy from the new Monstaz Collection from Ty. Trixie “talks” when you push her heart.
Learning Express Toys

Ty Inc
The Beanie Boo Collection
You had me at Beanie. This little puppy is irresistable.
Learning Express Toys

Melissa & Doug
Decorate Your Own Heart Mirror
Ages 4+
Learning Express Toys

Peaceable Kingdom Press
Boy Themed Valentine’s Card Kit
20 Valentines in 4 styles (box can be used as carrying case to take them to school)
Homewood Toy and Hobby

Creativity for Kids
Opti Art Gemstone Jewelry
Make 15+ accessories
Ages 7+
Homewood Toy and Hobby

If you are hosting a baby shower for a little boy, check out this Nautical Boy party package by nothing{2}something on Etsy. This classically inspired party set includes an invitation featuring an adorable sailboat, nautical party circles which can be used for cupcake toppers or favor tags, a coordinating thank you card and calling cards.  This party package is customizable and is a great way for you to make the expecting mother’s day extra special.

• Smaller, Softer & Easier to Chew
• All Natural
• Reduced Sugar
• Made with Real Fruit Juice
• Good Source of Vitamin C
• Gluten Free
• Do not contain artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners or preservatives

Pick some up at your grocery store and let your child enjoy a delicious treat!

The Cooking Mom

Just in time for the holidays, KitchenAid is introducing their revolutionary exact slice system food processors.  With its’ uniquely designed blade, this food processor slices food into exact sizes making food preparation simple and easy. Choose from the 9-cup or 13-cup and enjoy preparing your food like never before.  Perfect gift for holiday parties!

The Crafty Mom

The Silhouette Cameo is a must-have for any craftonista.  The Silhouette is an electronic cutting tool that allows the user to cut fonts or images onto cardstock, vinyl, or heat transfer systems.  It’s a great way to add a unique touch to your scrapbooking, apparel, home decor and so much more.

The Styled Mom

Hollywood is continuing to sport the loose curls look and now the styled mom in your life can too!  Get her the Nano-Ceramic Curly-Q iron made by Hot Tools.  For large curls, try the 1 ¼ tapered iron.  What makes this iron perfect is it is clamp free so curls will stay soft instead of kinky.  Find it at Ulta or other beauty supply stores.

Joyfolie Boots

Joyfolie, a company that began in a home studio, creates unique, sometimes one-of-a-kind boots for children and adults.  Their whimsically-designed boots are perfect for colder weather.  Check out the Callista boots for girls and the Hansel boot for boys:

Melissa & Doug Toys

Melissa & Doug is a company that offers educational toys with a classical approach.  Their toys are affordable and well-designed for small minds to imagine and play.  Melissa & Doug can be purchased at Learning Express and Homewood Toy & Hobby in Birmingham.  These toys make perfect stocking stuffers!

Dan Zanes & Friends

Grammy award winner for Best Musical Album for Children, Dan Zanes, is back with a brand new album.  Little Nut Tree is the first album for Zanes in five years and it does not fall short in being a musical masterpiece.  His music is funky and has a great rhythm for little ones and adults to keep the beat to while driving in the car or cooking in the kitchen.  A great gift for the whole family!

Bunnies By The Bay Snugs Booties

Creamy white fur that will warmly hug baby from knees to toes. The inside lining is pink stripe knit with handy drawstring. Features include “Snugs a go-go” embroidery on the soles and bunny faces complete with pink floppy ears! Pom poms tie in the back to keep the booties secure throughout the day. $28 at Once Upon a Time

Egg Baby Pea Coat

Classic Pea coat double breasted closure, button-down epaulets, single back vent and faux front pockets. The coat is fully lined with 100% cotton shirting. Coat body: 85% polyester, 15% wool. The sophisticated, tailored egg baby Boy Pea coat is an heirloom in the making. $90 plus 40% off at Swaddle in Homewood.

John Deere Johnny Popper Series Infant Boots

Johnny Popper Boots feature a soft leather Pink Ostrich Print foot, White Leather Top and shaft with a stitched-down cushion insole for comfort. $66 at Sikes Shoes.

The Infant UGG® Erin

Made from genuine Twinface sheepskin with the craftsmanship you expect from UGG®.. A simple Hook and Loop closure, offers on and off easily and comfortably. $62 at Sikes Shoes

Night Night Birmingham

Night Night Birmingham is an educational adventure of a young girl who reflects on her visit to different landmarks. The book provides both children and parents with information on the attractions within the Birmingham area. $15 at Once Upon a Time

Skip Hop Hug and Hide Lamb Toy

Features over 10 developmental activities that will keep baby entertained for hours of playtime and learning fun. Squeaks, rattles, crinkles; includes a tuggable teether and a baby-safe mirror. For ages 3 months and up. $21 at Swaddle in Homewood.

Puppettos Finger Puppet Theater Stage by Manhattan Toy

This soft and colorful finger puppet theater includes stage curtains that can be opened and closed and two large pockets for puppet storage. Theater also features a handle for travel ease. Perfect for ages 3 and up. $36 at Swaddle in Homewood.

Alabama and Auburn baby and toddler clothes edition.

	Vive-La-Fete Smocked Bishop Dress. Available in Auburn and Alabama.
	Houndstooth skirt with crimson ribbon. Exclusivly at The Babytalk Store.
	ORANGE AU LONG SLEEVE ONESIE / by Creative Knitwear; AUBURN BIBS / by Creative Knitwear
	Alabama Sports Shoe Footed Romper in Crimson and White with White A
	Alabama toddler size sweatshirt.
Babytalk Store   933 McFarland Blvd Northport, AL 35476 205-333-1594 Jack N Jill Shop 2918 18th Street South Homewood, AL 35209 205-879-7681 The Lili Pad 3132 Heights Village Cahaba Heights, AL 35243 205-298-1811 Once Upon A Time 229 Country Club Park Birmingham, AL 35213 205-870-7772 Once Upon A Time 2900 18th Street South Homewood, AL 35209 205-870-7776 Sikes Children’s Shoes 2920 18th Street South Birmingham, AL 35209 205-879-3433

It took me a minute but I finally jumped on the tablet bandwagon. It happened when my 70 year old mother informed me that she wanted an iPad. Which meant that it was my job to research, purchase, load, and deliver it to her. That mission was accomplished and in the process I found that tablets are great whole family computer solution.

For my mother it was perfect because apps are much more user friendly than websites. With an app she simply clicks the icon and goes directly to where she wants vs. a website where she would have to remember how to navigate to the site and her password. And even with bookmarks and tabs my mother would still forget where she was “supposed to go” to get to that website. Having an app based computer also protects against nasty computer viruses and spyware. Unlike websites the programs are closed so hackers cannot download software unbeknown to you while you are using an app. Now that my mom has an iPad gone are my days of having to pick up her computer to erase, re-format, and re-load the hard drive because of some virus she’d gotten while playing online poker. Her favorite apps are Netflix, kindle, the app to download library books, and a couple of knitting apps I found for her.

On the other side of the spectrum for many of the same reasons mentioned above I think tablets are great for children – from toddler to teen. It can be a great learning tool because using the touch and swipe interface on smart phones and tablets seems to be as instinctive to children as knowing how to stack blocks or roll cars. The ease of use encourages curiosity. Children love things they can touch and things with sound and color and interaction. The other bonus is that there are plethora of educational apps for the tablets and many of them in franchises that children are familiar with like PBS or Disney.

If I were shopping for a new family computer today I would choose a tablet over a laptop hands down.