Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

With the holidays just around the corner and the shopping season already beginning, I thought I'd go through my two favorite catalogs and share some ideas with you for babies and toddlers.  If you have any new parents or new arrivals on your shopping list, these might give you some ideas.  No batteries, lead paint, or electronics required.  ;-)  Let's start with Rosie Hippos first:

1. Cherry Peg Rattle: Made in the USA from sanded cherry wood - and under $15!
2. Hedgehog Rollie Car: For ages 1+, this little guy is just adorable.  Under $20 too.  Niiice.
3. Barnyard Friends: Organic cotton, stuffed with pure wool.  Personally I like the Lamby the most, but at $19.95, you may want to pick up two (or all three?) for a really special someone.  Perfect if baby's nursery theme is a barnyard.
4. Organic Cotton Towel Doll: Made by Kathe Kruse, the one Rosie Hippos carries is a lamb.  My son received a rabbit version from my former exchange student in Germany and he LOVES it.  "Bunny" goes everywhere with us and always brings a smile to his face.
5. Baby Play Bar: At $69.95 this isn't a cheapie, but it's a delightful alternative to the somewhat garish play mat/bar combos on the market at your local Babies R Us. 
6. Garden Friends Mobile: This fun mobile is a perfect fit for the garden or bugs-themed nursery.  The insects are attached with Velcro so older babies can play with them.  Under $30 - not bad!
7. Pushing Car: Okay, this one would be a good-sized splurge at $150, but wow - how fun is this?  It has a SEAT for your little's toys and a cloth pocket for more goodies in the back.  Coolness, people!
8. Veggie Dolls:  Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "organic produce".  Four stuffed veggies in a crate for under $30, or you can buy individual ones for $5.95 each.  My pick is the eggplant, though the grapes are stinkin' cute too.
9. Threading Rings: This set is for ages 1+.  Made in the USA by a family business, these beads and rings are great for motor skill development as well as teaching math and art (sorting by color, shape, and more). 
10. Play Ball: A patchwork ball made from 100% cotton and stuffed with kapok for the 3 and up set.  Another neat-o find under thirty bucks.
11. Busy Farmer Set: For $32.95 you get a tractor and trailer, a farmer, and a pony.  The pony even has wheels to double the fun as a push toy of its own.  I think I want one of these for myself....
12. Myra doll: This glorious Waldorf-style dolly comes with two outfits and a purse to carry her spare clothes in.  Organically grown cotton, a face with a super basic expression so kiddos can imagine every emotion on the planet, and she's only $39.95.  (Having tackled making a Waldorf-style doll, I can tell you it's worth it to just BUY one!)
13. Stockmar Beeswax Crayons: Personally I think these are just scrumptious - and no, I don't mean I ate my daughter's crayons.  *chuckle*  A tin of Stockmars is just lovely to behold - and hold.  Younger kids may prefer the block crayons, but we like the chunky stick crayons.  It may be a splurge to spend $20 on a box of crayons, but they are truly worth it.

Next week I'll share some gift ideas for older kids from my other favorite catalog, Nova Natural.  Be sure to leave me a comment with a link or suggestions of your own - I'm always on the lookout for educational, fun items to get for my kiddos or as gifts for friends and family!

(For more interesting lists or to link to your own list, go visit ThursdayThirteen.com.)