Toys "R" Us Holiday Fair

This week Hannah and I (and my cousin Jessica) had the opportunity to attend the Toys "R" Us Toy Vendor Fair.

Basically we got to have a sneak peek of the hottest toys and gadgets coming out for this holiday season, and I mentally started a list of all the things I want to put under the tree for Hannah for her first Christmas. I also mentally started a list of toys I can't wait to purchase when she's older so that Chris and I Hannah can play with them.

Some highlights from the fair (at least for me) included:

Information on Monsters University - the prequel to Disney/Pixar's Monsters, Inc. As a huge Sulley fan, I'm happy to report the movie will be in theatres on June 21, 2013. AND they are re-releasing the original in 3D on December 19, 2012 so you can re-watch (or watch for the first time) the movie that started it all on the big screen. There are a bunch of cool toys coming out along with the film - a talking Boo doll and action figures are a few.

Infantino's new Pop & Swap Gym would be a great gift for a newborn. The activity pods, graphic cards and activity plush toys are all interchangeable - so you can use them together, attach them to the stroller or mix things up for baby. The Gym also plays 10 minutes of lights and music, and grows along with baby as she strengthens her visual and motor skills. HappiTaps are also a gift that I'm considering for Hannah - they use your iPhone or iPod, you download an app - and it becomes an interactive toy that plays peekaboo and plays with your child.

I was so excited to stop by the Crayola booth. Their earliest products are 12 months plus, and I can't wait to buy Hannah the My First Crayola Washable Markers Palm Grip with My First Crayola Mess-Free Marker and Paper. In many years, I could also see the Crayola Catwalk Creations under the tree as a gift from Hannah's Aunt who is a fashion designer.

Mega Bloks also had fun assortment kits of Hello Kitty and the Smurfs.

On my first Christmas I got a Cabbage Patch Doll from my Godmother. I still have her today. This Christmas I will definitely be getting Hannah the Newborn Cabbage Patch Doll - and with its soft face, I won't have to worry about her whacking it into her own face.

So many amazing toys, so little time.

Have you started your holiday list for your little one? If so, what's on the list?

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Hannah's Pick of the Month - Infantino Peek-a-Boo Rattle

Since I've wrote about some of my favourite items, I think it's only fair I dedicate one post a month to something Hannah really loves.

This month it's her Bug.  It's commercial name is Infantino Peek-a-Boo Rattle. We never leave home without it.

She loves to just stare at it. She also likes to grab it and hold it. And it's even the first toy she put in her mouth! It entertains her for minutes on end. It also has a neat ring/clip-on thing so I can hang it off her stroller or car seat and it keeps her entertained - the different patterns make it interesting to look at, she smiles at it so much. It's been great to have when we are out and about, and it passed the ultimate test - while in the car she started to cry, I reached around to give her the Bug and she instantly calmed down! Nothing else I've come across yet has been able to do that. It's pretty amazing that when she cries just showing her the Bug or shaking it (as it is a rattle) soothes her.

At first I thought it was a pretty ugly toy when she got it as one of her Easter gifts from my Mom (I also found it slightly creepy that the head moves up to show a mirror, hence the "Peek-a-Boo" name). But now I'm so happy and very thankful to have it. For a toy that's so small and doesn't require batteries, it truly is amazing.

The Infantino Peek-A-Boo Rattle retails for $6.99 at Babies R Us.