Toddler Stocking Stuffers

Goodies that will make your toddlers WANT to get ready for bed: Firefly Blinking Toothbrush and Disney Cars Slippers.

More Santa Reject Pics from BBA Readers

"Here's a priceless Santa picture of my 16 month twin girls. I love it that Santa is still smiling!"

-Amy, Faithful reader in Indiana!

Picture 1 below - "Jack did not like Santa!! He was trying his hardest to get out of his lap."
Picture 2 below - "This is our Christmas Card picture this year."

- Maggie

Santa Reject Picture from the McNulty Quads

One of our favorite quad moms, Gen McNulty, sent in their Santa reject picture. She said, "I just couldn't help myself. This years photo is worse than last years!!" Click over to the McNulty blog for Gen's story about their experience.

In case you haven't seen last year's photo, here's a flashback.

Holiday Reject Photos: "ENOUGH" and Not Impressed with Santa

"I still laugh at this one…Sarah had ENOUGH of taking pictures!" - Cherie

"Here are a few of our rejects (Baby Henry 2 mos.)" - Paige

"SO NOT IMPRESSED with Santa last year. This year is still a mystery. We will know tomorrow." - Nicki Glenn

Holiday Photos: Good Ones and Rejects

Here are a few pictures we've already received from BBA readers. These are great - both funny and adorable! Send us your Santa pictures and holiday photo cards, including "rejects," too. We'll post as many as we can over the next few weeks.

"Here are our Christmas Card pictures. Rejects will come when we go visit Santa!"
-Jen Jordan (Jordan Triplets)


"Since we moved to Colorado I have wanted a snow picture Christmas card. Kayden does nothing but cry in the snow. The day after Thansgiving we had beautiful white snow and I got them dressed and brought them outside to try a quick picture. As soon as I put him down he sticks his hands in the snow to put it in his mouth and then did nothing but cry because his hands were cold. Kind of funny!" - Shannon


"We stood in line, he waved to Santa, told us Santa said "HO, HO, HO" and we thought maybe just maybe he would smile for a pic. No chance!!!!"
-From the Mommy who really did not want to be in the picture either!!! Robin Villarreal

How to Make a Cookie House Village

If you read my post a few days ago, "Who Knew: Gingerbread House Challenges," you probably sensed my frustration at how time consuming building and decorating a gingerbread house can be. You may want to try this easier graham-cracker version from Diane Gilleland, guest contributor to craftstylish.com.

You may also want to look for an already constructed gingerbread house that just needs decorating.

After I told a friend about our experience constructing and decorating our gingerbread house, she found one that just needed decorating at our local Publix. Since she's strapped for time during the holidays and her three year old is impatient...what three year old isn't, right?... she's going to buy the already constructed one and just decorate it with her son. Sounds like a good plan to me!

Top Toys of 2008

Good Housekeeping has revealed the winners of its first Best Toy Awards. The editors looked at hundreds of playthings for ages 3 to 14, evaluated 51 favorites, and then let dozens of kids loose to play and choose their top picks. The result: 14 safe, creative, and fun finds.

Gifts for the Tech-Loving Toddler

For starters, there’s iTeddy, a teddy bear with a built-in video player. It can also be used to view pictures and is, of course, huggable. Creepily, you have to pull up iTeddy’s shirt to see the video screen, which will teach kids that taking off their friends’ shirts can only result in fun times. The price? $79.99 at Target.

Read on for more gift ideas for the techie toddler.

Website Spotlight: Peek-A-Boo Paperie

We'd like to introduce the newest BBA advertiser, Peek-a-boo Paperie. The idea was born when the owner, Jill, set out to design a birth announcement for her niece that really reflected her little personality. Her niece was introduced to family and friends as being "Born to Rock." In the process of creating her announcement, Jill discovered a passion for designing cards that are fun, whimsical and really speak to the animated nature of babies.

Peek-a-boo Paperie is also the first birth announcement site where parents can literally drag photos of their babies onto the announcement and resize/rotate the photos online. This way parents can see how their photos will appear in the announcement as well as pick and choose which photos they want to use.

Website Spotlight: Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox

Another new BBA advertiser is Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox. Check out their ad in the right sidebar.

Not only is today's Dad willing to help with late night feedings and diaper changes, he is willing to be a part of the celebration to welcome the arrival of your bundle of joy!

Chris Hartsfield went to his first couples baby shower in October of 2007. At the shower, he was blown away by all the gifts given for the baby and mom, but nothing for dad other than his favorite beer in the fridge.
Although Chris was happy to be a part of the shower, he wished that there had been something more to acknowledge and celebrate fatherhood. This inspired Chris to design the Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox, the box that changed it all. Chris wanted to provide Dads with a chuckle as well as arm them with everything they would need for their very first diaper change, and he did this with practicality in mind. All of the comic extras in the toolbox are actually useable. For example: a functional toolbox and tongs for the grill. Chris put his ideas into action and collaborated with Julie Etzkorn to start Fun Stuff 4 Babies.

Mark your calendars! On November 12th, we'll start a contest to give away a Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox.

Popsqually + Co. ~ 15% OFF For BBA Readers

It's October, so most of us are in the Halloween mindset. However, it's not too early to start thinking about Christmas and holiday gifts, especially with Popsqually + Co.'s early bird discount.

They have given an exclusive offer to BabyBlogAddict readers for 15% off Popsqually + Co. purchase for any orders (except Christmas cards, but those are still too cute to pass up) placed before November 1, 2008! Just include coupon code BBA15 when placing your order!

Don't miss their adorable holiday tags! It's all part of their holiday collection.