I often get asked what baby things we have found useful for Grayson, especially at this age. He's so very into everything and isn't a super picky kid, but he definitely has his favorites.
I thought it'd be fun to list some of the things he (and we) like right now and find useful, helpful, or fun!
1. The Tiny Diner. I picked this up on sale at Babies R Us before Grayson was even born just to try and am so thankful I did. We take it everywhere we go to help catch the drops of food he misses and to cut down on the "table germs" situation at restaurants. It cleans up SO well and I love how it rolls up into the "trough" for easy storage.
2. FAO Schwarz Elephant Walker. Nate's mom purchased this for Grayson when he was starting to show signs of wanting to move more, right around 6.5 months. He would try to push it, but it's heavy and quality made so it wasn't until about a couple of months ago he could REALLY stand to it and now that he's walking, he really loves it! He loves storing his Scout dog in it! ;) I really feel like it helped him to walk a bit sooner than he would have otherwise. He was never intimidated by and never gave up even when he tumbled.
3. Playskool Busy Gears. This was another gift for him and he loooves it! Something about the sounds and movement really fascinate him. He loves that he can take each gear off and put it back on in a different spot. He also likes finding the "red button" to turn it on.
4. Playtex Sippy Cups. He loves these with the straw. Though the price at Amazon is rather high compared to what we paid at Target for the same cups. We like them because they don't leak and are super easy to clean. He likes them because they fit his little hands perfect and he thinks he's cool stuff holding it! ;)
5. Board Books. Any and all kinds. He has a shelf in our dining room just for books like this that he can "read" and enjoy, but not tear or bend. He pulls them out several times a day and we always enjoy sitting down and reading one or two to him each day. He gets the biggest kick out the one I linked and this one from his cousin Michael!
6. Wooden Blocks. My mom and Phil bought a shape sorter box with all kinds of colorful blocks at a garage sale last summer and it is literally Grayson's favorite toy right now! He really likes taking them and putting them back into the box one by one. We also say the colors or count as he puts them in. Or we stack them. He spends countless time playing with them.
I have to say, this is my favorite age so far with him. He is learning and doing so much every, single day-it's awesome!
Nate and I are really trying to make a conscious effort in providing little educational bits along his days and while he's playing. Things like colors, counting, words, etc. (it's so the wanna-be teacher in me! haha) And it's a lot of fun.
We've also enrolled him in a half-our, once a week music class with other babies his age and he is LOVING it! So are Nate and I! I am so grateful that Nate gets to come along. He really enjoys that time with Grayson and Grayson feels the same. Such a daddy's boy! :)
I've been scooping up ideas on Pinterest lately that I cannot wait to make/try with him in the next few months. This age is one where toys are fun and such, but he's needing more I can tell. I plan on doing some sensory things for him soon and can't wait!
