When our granddaughter was born I started to buy a few toys, books, some stuffed animals and the perfect baby doll. I soon realized that the little one needed none of these things. She is happiest playing with her people, petting the dogs or just walking around the yard. Still, being a new grandmother is pretty heady and I was going to enjoy every opportunity to do all the grandmotherly stuff.
Baby doll and stroller
Six months ago I was delightfully telling by best friend about the new baby doll and stroller I had purchased. She laughed and said, “You did not buy the doll and stroller for your granddaughter, you bought it for you.” I was taken aback, just for a moment though. She was so right.
After ordering the doll and stroller I couldn’t wait for them to arrive. When they did I set the boxes aside and waited until I could properly open them and have time to enjoy my granddaughter’s new treasures. I placed the doll in her stroller and spent a good part of the evening just smiling every time I looked at the doll. I loved her already. My sisters stopped by for show and tell, my husband feigned delight (he calls her vanilla head) and our very foibled English Pointer barked every time we brought the doll and stroller into the living room. Yes, I was definitely enjoying grandmother-hood.
Does our granddaughter like her doll and stroller? Oh yes. I left both in a bedroom for her to discover on her own. And she did. A stroller is great for helping a toddler learn to walk. Even the process of taking a doll out of the stroller and putting her back in is a balancing act. And with the warmer weather granddaughter, baby doll and stroller spend more time outside tooling around the driveway. The removable knit cap, sleeping eyes (open and close) and the cuddly bean bag body are other great features.
This is the doll and stroller I chose: Corolle Mon Premier Calin Laughing Raspberry 12″ Doll with Corolle Nursery Red/Fuchsia Umbrella Stroller. Check out Corolle for more dolls and doll fashions and where to buy.
What else did I buy for me?
Pure Kaloo Chubby Rabbit named “Leaf”
This rabbit is velour soft, fat and huggable. She is sable and cream, brown-eyed and smiling. I love the detail: the Peter Pan collar, the straps on her shoes, the shiny embroidered leaves on her chubby belly, the top stitching on her ears and the bow on her head. The finishing touch? A round box for “Leaf” to sit on.
This is a lovely stuffed animal for an infant. Do remember that children grow oh so quickly and they probably do not need but one or two stuffed animals. So I will gladly keep this rabbit here and give it to my granddaughter whenever she wants to take it home. Check out Kaloo for more very well made toys.
Child’s green watering can
My sister Kate and I spotted this at The Garden Store at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens. It took but a moment to choose the color. I know the green enamel finish will get nicked and dented but the balance while holding the can was perfect. We will raid the kitchen drawers for gardening tools and play in the garden this summer.
Do I go crazy buying all kinds of toys and whatnots for my granddaughter? Not at all. But the occasional purchase is so delightfully fun!
