CoolBabyGear

There is no cooler, nor more beautiful way to teach spelling than ABC’s by Charlie Harper. ($10.17) Mr. Harper goes through the alphabet with his wonderful art, and your kids will hang on and learn with every page. Exquisitely illustrated and educational: what more could you ask for from a children’s book?

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Seat belt styling for moms on the run! The Seat Belt Backpack from Harveys ($178) delivers. Dana and Melanie Harvey were installing seat belts in a 1950 Buick when the idea hit to make a matching purse. Hence the line was born, and the backpack gives you plenty of room for all your baby necessities, and yours as well. This one isn’t really all that “baby-centric”, but moms will love it anyway.

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Sheese. Just home from the hospital and they’re already getting spa treatment. But your baby deserves it! The Organic Blessings™ Baby Massage Oil Gift Set ($32.99) continues the ancient tradition of bestowing the gift of herb-infused oils for newborns. Set includes four massage oils (Newborn, Daily, Calm & Comfort and Gentle Vapor) in a wood barrel with rope handle and cute embroidered pillow. It’s all you need for baby luxe.

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The Eco-Me Baby Gift Kit ($35.95) is the first step on a green path for life. All items are 100% natural and non-toxic, and you get a lot: baby wipes, diaper pail deodorizer, room spray, essential oil mix, mixing jars, cotton wipes, stirring stick and cotton hoodie, all in a burlap sack. All clean, all natural, all you need to go green from the beginning.

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Put a little spring in your step with Bounce a Bye Baby. ($52.95) It’s an essential health tool before and after giving birth. During pregnancy, using the ball will stimulate postural reflexes. During labor, it aligns the pelvis and eases pressure. After birth, it’s a great exercise ball, and a soothing tool for colicky, fussy babies. And it’s got a stability base, so you won’t suddenly roll away with baby. It’s a ball for all seasons.

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You’ve heard many times that you’re a tool. Well, now you can have the (diaper) tool belt to prove it! Diaper Bag for Daddy’s ($50.95) is perfect for all diaper repair projects. There’s plenty of room for diapers, wipes, powder, bottles and everything else you’ll need for a nasty blow-out. And the manly tool belt design will only help your sense of masculinity. Hey, you could be called worse than a tool, right?

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You’ve never seen a rocking chair like this. The Mamma Rocking Chair ($6,000) is the Mack Daddy of modern furniture. Industrial designer Patrick Messier designed it for his pregnant wife, so it’s a singular design. But you can co-opt it for your wifey. (We won’t tell.) This chair is one solid hunk of fiberglass, melded into a ribbon of pregnancy reclining perfection. Looks like a museum piece, rocks like a dream.

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Retro hipness meets modern convenience in the Capri Carry All Diaper Bag. ($96) This huge (16.3 x 11 x 7.3) PVC bag will hold as many diapers as you can cram in, and everyone will just think “Hey, great bag.” Think swingin’ London 1965…by way of new mom 2008.

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The world will know which twin is sleeping well and which twin is driving you nuts with the Twins Early Bird and Night Owl Gift Set. ($38, or $22 each) These 100% combed cotton onesies tell it like it is, with sweet bird and owl graphics. Not to stigmatize them, of course. It’s all in the name of love…and insomnia.

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Dinner is served with the Playful Chef Kids Cooking Set. ($42.95) Dads, this set is better than what you had during your bachelor days. It’s loaded for bear! Actually it’s loaded for dinner. Comes with apron, measuring spoons and cups, tools like a spatula and whisk, baking pans, recipe cards and an overview on cooking technique. Put ‘em to work now, and they’ll discover the joys of cooking. And soon enough you’ll even eat better than your bachelor days.

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