LilSugar

The Gifted Baby: Two-Year-Old

LilSugar — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:00:00 PST

Two isn't terrible! The key to entertaining a rambunctious two-year-old is patience and a steady stream of back-up ideas to prevent meltdowns. Look for toys that keep children active as well as items that let them explore their creative sides.

Among our choices for lil two-year-olds are:

Kitchen play items like grocery carts, play food, and cash registers allow toddlers to imitate adult behavior, while increasing vocabulary and introducing numbers.
Easels, like the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel promote independent play, while allowing children to draw, paint and play with chalk.
Radio Flyer's Little Miss Scooter, which also comes in red, will be a hit on the playground while teaching lil ones about balance and stability. Just don't forget to purchase a helmet to go with this gift!
The PlasmaCar is one of the coolest products on the market. Unlike other toddler ride-ons, it does not have pedals. It uses natural forces of centrifugal force and gravity to zoom around the playground.
Unlike an easel, Aquadoodle's Draw N' Doodle Mat will not make a mess of your home. Using nothing but a water-filled marker, tots can draw on this mat as often as they like, without ever having to replace their canvas.
If green markets are more your thing than grocery stores, check out the Market Stand complete with bins and baskets ready for imaginary play.

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The Gifted Baby: 18-Month-Old

LilSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:00:06 PST

Ready. Set. Go! Just try to stop a curious 18-month-old. Finding toys that capture their attention is quite a task so look for items that help develop their fine motor skills.

The Fropper is sure to bring out the giggles as tots hop and bounce their way around the room.
One of the hottest toys of the holiday season, Elmo Live is as close to the real thing as you can get. This version tells jokes, sings songs and perfectly imitates one of our favorite Muppets.
Get your lil one cooking with a tabletop kitchen. This Countertop Stove is part of Pottery Barn Kids' line of Eco-friendly wooden products.
Introduce toddlers to the world of arts and crafts with Crayola's TaDoodles Crayon Buddies, which are designed to fit right into the palms of their hands.
Encourage building and fine motor skill development with the Clipo Creativity Table that offers countless ways to create new things.
Take a page from your childhood and introduce your tot to the current version of the sit-n-spin with the Spin Around.

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The Gifted Baby: One-Year-Old

LilSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:00:29 PST

One-year-olds are on the move! Whether they are already walking or on the verge, their increased confidence makes them inquisitive of the world around them. When shopping for gifts for tots seek out toys that help them explore their surroundings. Here our some of our favorite picks!

A wooden pull along toy like the Quack Pack Pull Along Toy from Apple Pie that wiggles as the toddler pulls it on its way.
A five-in-one activity cube like the Busy Body Cube from BabyStyle, which features mazes, beads, magnets, clocks and puzzles to keep lil ones entertained for at least a few minutes!
The LeapFrog Fridge DJ introduces numbers, letters and popular children's songs while displaying the characters on its screen. Best of all, it attaches to any magnetic surface, so it can entertain babes while their parents complete kitchen tasks.
Melissa and Doug's line of large knobbed puzzles are a great introduction to puzzles and can help lil ones stay put for a few minutes at a time.
Bring out the athlete in your toddler with the Little Tikes Little Champs Sports Center. The perfectly sized basketball hoop is a great way to introduce a variety of sports.
Push toys encourage tikes of all walking abilities to get up and go, which is why I love this BabyStyle Wooden Jeep. Made of natural rubber wood and featuring rugged tires, the car can be used inside and out.

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The Gifted Baby: Six Month Old

LilSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:00:26 PST

Babies may like the wrapping paper better than the present, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't put thought into their gifts. Six-month-olds are really beginning to explore their surroundings so it is a great time to introduce them to toys that stimulate their senses.

Whether the tot needs a distraction in his high chair or if he just likes moving things around, the Double Bubble Suction Cup Maze will keep him entertained while developing his hand and eye coordination.
Leapfrog's Baby Tad helps introduce the alphabet to lil ones and is easy for them to use. It attaches directly to strollers and car seats, preventing baby from throwing it on the ground.
Babies love music, so the lights and sounds that come out of the Fisher Price Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage should keep a babe's attention for a while. The toy is designed to grow with the tot, from just listening to singing along and performing in front of the mirror.
The Playskool: Busy Basics - Busy Ball Popper is a bit noisy, but loads of fun. The sound of the balls popping out of the machine and the chaos they create will keep your little one mesmerized for hours.
The six-month-old in your life is teething, the Winkel Toy is the ideal gift to keep him happy. With tons of soft tubes and a rattle to make noise, your tot will have plenty to gnaw on.
Like stacking toys of yore, the Safari Animal Stacker teaches size and sequencing with the added fun of six plush jungle animals.

Celebaby Roundup!

Katie Henry — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:55 PST

Celebrities had another exciting weekend enjoying time outside and with their families! Jessica Alba visited a park in LA with her daughters while Marion Cotillard strolled through chilly NYC with baby Marcel. Katherine Heigl grabbed lunch with her loves, and Rebecca Gayheart spent the day with Billie Dane - click through to see what they were all up to!

David and Victoria Celebrate Her Runway Success With Harper

Allie Merriam — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:55:45 PST

David and Victoria Beckham treated their baby girl Harper to a chic lunch at Balthazar in NYC yesterday. It was a celebratory meal following Victoria's latest Fashion Week show. The Fall 2012 Victoria Beckham collection has so far been a hit with critics, and David, who was in the front row, also seemed to be a fan. He snapped pictures throughout the presentation, and later brought Harper to visit with her designing mom backstage. Victoria has just a few days to relax, though, since she has another event to organize for Wednesday. Her lower-priced line, Victoria by Victoria Beckham, will be sent down the runway in two days.

Kate Hudson and Ryder Take Their Bikes For a Spin on the Beach

Lauren Turner — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:34:40 PST

Kate Hudson and her son Ryder hopped on their bikes near the beach in Santa Monica yesterday. Ryder sported sunglasses and a helmet while Kate covered up in a hat as they rode around side by side. It was just the latest sunny outing for Kate following a getaway to Mexico earlier this month. Kate's bikini body was on display as she lounged poolside with fiancé Matthew Bellamy, who soaked up the rays while wearing a bathrobe. 2012 hasn't been just about downtime for Kate, though, since she participated in a live reading of her mom Goldie Hawn's movie Shampoo with Bradley Cooper last month and is gearing up to start shooting a new film, Everly, this Spring.

8 Surprising Things That Can Swell During Pregnancy

Kate Stahl — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:41:54 PST

We've all heard of swollen feet during pregnancy - a not-so-surprising side effect considering they're supporting all that extra weight - but your feet are not the only body parts that can retain fluid while you're expecting. We've all seen a pregnant woman who looked so fluid-filled you kind of wanted to stick a pin in her to see if she'd pop (or maybe you were one of those women?), but water retention can hit less obvious places as well.

Jessica Simpson recently went to Twitter to talk about her swollen lips, saying it might be the first stage of "pregnancy face," a side effect that Bethenny Frankel dealt with by massage and putting bags of frozen veggies on her face. "I’m a swollen beast. My face exploded . . . I look like a chipmunk,” she tweeted while expecting daughter Bryn. Keep reading for 10 less talked-about body parts that can make for an often uncomfortable, and sometimes unsightly, pregnancy and postpartum experience.

Ben and Jen Spend a Packed Weekend With Seraphina and Violet

Katie Henry — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:27:39 PST

Pregnant Jennifer Garner kept her girls busy over the weekend, starting with a Saturday trip to the nail salon and a visit to a friend's birthday party yesterday. Jen's kept up a packed schedule in recent weeks and doesn't seem to be slowing down. She's been spotted all over town running errands with Seraphina and dropping Violet off at her various activities. When it came to picking up a gift for yesterday's bash, though, Jen left the shopping duties to Ben and Seraphina. Ben and Sera stopped by the Brentwood Country Mart prior to the celebration, and she even left with a heart shaped lollipop of her own. The Garner-Affleck family doesn't hide their affection, which is one of the reasons Jen and Ben are among our favorite celebrity couples on Valentine's Day.

Miranda and Orlando Have a Family Lunch With Flynn

Katie Henry — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:59:18 PST

Miranda Kerr dined with her mom, Therese, and her two guys, Flynn and Orlando Bloom, at Potts Point in Sydney earlier today. The foursome smiled as they left the restaurant, and Flynn even got a lift from grandma. Flynn celebrated his first birthday last month, and at the time Miranda said he was just on the cusp of walking. Now, Flynn is starting to strut his stuff like his supermodel mom.

Miranda won't hit the catwalk at New York's Fashion Week, but she will meet with fans in Australia tomorrow to share skincare secrets and suggest Valentine's Day gift ideas. Miranda and Orlando got a jump on the holiday when they lounged poolside with Flynn, sipping champagne and sharing sweet kisses, last week. If you're still searching for the right gift for your loved ones, check out our Valentine's Day coverage!