We received some amazing baby gifts the year Clarke was born. Because I remember the time I used to spend figuring out what I'd buy for new parents, I thought I ought to post a list of some of the fabulous gifts we received so that your future shopping might go a bit more easily. [I've also created a gift page for parents of 3-5 yr olds.]

The Ultimate Blanky: Super Soft Infant Blanket from Lands' End. $25.00 There are Baby Blankets, and there are Blankies.  We received several fabulous blankets: receiving blankets, quilts, etc., but none was as well received by our son as this one. He didn't go a day without playing with it, rubbing it against his cheek, and generally loving it. It's Lands' End's all-time leading baby gift. No surprise. Woven on traditional looms in Scotland, 39"x42", little holes to breath, soft, easy to wash.  Lands' End has lots of terrific stuff for babies. Lands' End stuff can now be returned to your local Sears store which will be appreciated by every new parent. [Special thanks to the Dien family and cousin Jane for this gift.]

By the way, we also received a gorgeous monogrammed blanket with Clarke's full name, birth date, weight/height, and an embroidered picture of Noah's Ark. We loved this gift, too, but it's not used every day. [Special thanks to Paula for the monogrammed blanket]

Reversible Prince Hat and Princess Hat from Rich Frog. $12.95 I never thought I could go ga-ga over a hat, but when the incredibly soft and brightly colored hat arrived for Clarke I was smitten. This has now become my standard new baby gift because we have found it so cute and practical. Because the company makes so many varieties, I can select the perfect one for the baby and parents' personalities. [Special thanks to Heidi Sloss for this gift.]

Incredible Diaper Bags from Lands' End. $15.00 - $40.00 Lands' End used to make a wonderful diaper backpack with a big sturdy changing pad and big roomy pockets. It looks like they've discontinued it but their other diaper bags also look great and come with the most well-designed and useful features I've seen in any similar bag.

Books for curious babies $4.00 - $40.00 If you've spent any time on my site you know we adore books! We have especially liked the following gifts: Peek-a-Moo, The Feel Good Book, Goodnight Moon (Board Book), The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Board Book), Oh The Places You'll Go!, Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book), C is for Curious, Hip Cat, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and over time he's sure to love anything from E. B. White. Mom and Dad are especially appreciative of receiving the following books for themselves: Your Baby and Child, The Baby Book, Wild About Babies, Games Babies Play, Baby Bargains, Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads, The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, Baby Minds, The Scientist in the Crib, The No-Cry Sleep Solution, and The Nursing Mother's Herbal.

Something you need to see to understand: Taggies. $19.00+ A friend of ours mentioned before Clarke was born that the best gift her daughter had received was a blanket full of tags. She didn't have it with her at the time and we just couldn't grasp what she was describing. She said, however, that because babies love to play with the manufacturers tags of their blankets, a company created a blanket (and now other products, too) surrounded by these little tags. It's a tag-fest of sorts. It all made sense when we received one of these as a gift from a wise friend and loving grandmother who had found her grandchildren loved the tag, too. When Clarke reached the age when he was enthralled with tags, he took the Taggie along almost everywhere. Years later, he still refers to "Taggy" as his must trusted bedtime friend. [Special thanks to Martha Spruitenburg for this gift.]

Wear Your Baby Slings. $starting at 50.00 I received slings from SlingEzee and MayaWrap. We use both of them, but for different purposes. Teach children about baby-wearing in the book A Ride on Mother's Back and learn about this ancient tradition in Continuum Concept. [Thanks to Hedy Nuriel for the SlingEzee.]

Multi-sensory Clutch Cube by Lamaze. $14.99 My mom was giving this as her standard baby gift although she had never seen one in person. It just looked so fun in the store. Then we received one and confirmed her hunch: cool toy! Clarke spent hours playing with it, enjoying all of the different sounds it makes, the rings to pull on, the bright colors to watch. If we had only one toy, this would be it. [Special thanks to Ann Greenstein for this gift.]

No more cold car rides: Original Bundle Me from J.J. Cole. $39.00 How exactly are you suppose to keep your baby warm in a cold car when a snow-suit would be too much? The Bundle Me addition to any car-seat is the perfect solution. It's a sack sort of thing that fits within a car seat. The exterior is made out of fleece and the inside is made of a thick faux sheepskin. There are openings for three and five point harnesses so it actually becomes part of the car seat. Although we haven't tried it, this would seem to also fit strollers. [Special thanks to Jennifer Bang for this gift.]

Music Our Baby Loves. $4.00-$20.00 We listen to music almost around the clock. The music we're received specifically for babies includes Timeless Motion, The Sound of Music soundtrack, DJ's Choice Reggae for Kids, and Free To Be ... You And Me. Clarke's favorite from our family collection include: Practical Magic Soundtrack (especially the "Lime in the Coconut" song!), Miles Davis' Tutu, John Coltrane's My Favorite Things, Bonnie Raitt's Luck of the Draw, Sarah McLachlan's Mirrorball, Live, and Wayne Toups' Blast from the Bayou.

Diaper Changing on the Go! with Fold & Go Diapering Kit by First Years. $14.00 Ever see something and think, now that's a great idea?! A friend of mine only took with her this little pad when she traveled on short trips rather than a full diaper kit. It contained everything she needed for short trips. [Special thanks to Amy and Harper for this gift.]

Bath Time Fun $9.00 - $30.00 There are a number of bath and cleanup products we found indispensable. Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn-to-Toddler Tub, California Baby Non-Burning & Calming Diaper Area Wash, Weleda Baby Starter Kit, California Baby Calming Massage Oil, Shikai Borage Dry Skin Therapy Pediatric Formula, and the Deluxe Nursery Care Kit

Stuffed toys for one and all. I was one of those rare little girls who didn't have many stuffed animals. Clarke is making up for it. Our favorites include an incredibly soft baby bear in a track suit with ears from Ty and a sly fox hand puppet by Aurora (no longer available).

Food glorious food supplies. Before Clarke began eating solids, we received a few really neat meal-time gifts. Tiny Diner Portable Placemat, Baby Safe Feeder, and Bumpkin bib set.

Hang out and play with the Infant to Toddler Rocker from Fisher Price. $29.00 When Clarke wasn't in his sling or napping with dad, he enjoyed rocking or bouncing in this wonderful rocking chair. It includes a removable arch overhead with swinging toys, a calming vibrations setting, and it's light weight to moved from room to room.

La Leche League Membership. Although I didn't receive my membership as a gift, I believe any mother interested in nursing her baby will enjoy a membership in La Leche League. There are local groups in most every city around the world and each group offers non-stop resources, support, and encouragement.