[klriggins]

So, my inlaws who have been traditionally unsupportive seem to be coming around, and are having a shower for me for Landen (19 months old ). I guess I am to register for things, and since I have never even done this for a new baby, I was wondering what all you suggest I put on there! I'm very excited, always kinda felt left out of that fun event, yanno?

[arbuckle17]

Grats it is nice having fam support. I have to applaud mine, they have been really supportive. Though I suspect my mother and I will have words if she keeps asking what we are trying next in order to have our own :/

A pack and play is HUGE. That thing is a life savor.

Baby gates on a hinge (they don't tear up your walls like the old fassioned ones do).

[Crystal-Joy]

Oh how fun!!! Congrats!

Toys are always a good thing! Maybe stuff like blankets/bed sets, kids movies, activity books, clothes, shoes...that's all I can think of at the moment.

Have fun!

[OakShannon]

Well, since he's already 19 months, I'm guessing that you already have the necessities and that your house is pretty well toddler-proofed. So maybe you can go for the fun stuff? Clothes are always good, of course. You could ask for clothes his size and bigger. I LOVED getting clothes at our shower that went up to 24 months. (My son was 3 months old when he was placed with us.) I've been able to pull stacks of clothes off of the shelves for D as he's grown.

My son is 21 months, and another thing I've really liked for him is family passes to toddler friendly places for outings. We have a zoo pass and a pass to a toddler play "museum" that is great for rainy days. Maybe you can put things like that on your list? And - this is a smaller thing - but D has also recently stopped using his highchair and sippy cups. So a booster seat and "big boy" cups, plates and utensils might be another idea if you don't already have them. Or you could go for the bigger toys he'll be into soon. Like riding toys. Or maybe a few people could get together for a train set or something like that. (D is mad about trains, which is probably why this occurs to me!)

[parenting-over-40]

Awe! That is so sweet!

My daughter is 21 months. So, not too far apart in age. I agree with above pps. So, I will try not to repeat what they have said.

I would suggest thinking about things you will need over the next year. For example: Toddler Furniture - Table & Chair set, step stool, toddler bed (if you don't have the crib to toddler bed combo), sheets, pillows, etc.

Also, potty training is in his future. Thus, add that to your list. Although, I would still put diapers on the list for now.

He will be doing art in the near future. My parents are getting my daughter an Art Easel for Christmas. Paints, crayons, markers, are all good.

Enjoy your shower. Let us know how it goes.

[QueenEsther]

How sweet of your inlaws to do that! I hope this means they are coming around.

My FS is almost 3 ( ) but he came at 25 months. I'm trying to think of what he's used a lot since he arrived. It's mostly stuff you probably already have: books, trucks, blocks, playdoh, sandbox.

We are still definitely in diapers, so I wouldn't hesitate to ask for them. Maybe a bedding set for when he moves up to his big boy bed? Since you have an older son, it might be nice to pick out some things the whole family can enjoy, like the family passes a previous poster mentioned. Also consider...

Books. Board books and hardback books with paper pages. Maybe people can write in them?

Maybe a train set? He will be able to use that for a long time, and it makes a nice keepsake-ish gift. With girls people can give nice dolls, but there aren't a lot of things that boys can play with & hang on to. My husband just brought his train set home from his mom's house, so this is on my mind!

Also, I'd ask for a gift certificate to either a photo place, like Target's portrait studio for a family portrait, and/or to one of the online photo places. I'm putting together a hardbound book of pictures for my FS, and I was thinking that it might be a nice tradition to do one each year.

I'm trying to think of stuff that's less practical and a little more sentimental, since previous posters have done a great job on the practical.

[kirbystarcat]

My DD came home at 19 mo and my family and friends threw a shower the week before we left to bring her home. I registered for things like a little table and chairs, a toy box, bookcase, sippy cups, Babies R Us lets you register for photo packages if they have a photo studio in the store, toys, tricycle. It was a lot of fun! Everyone commented on how much fun they had shopping for stuff other than the regular baby shower stuff. We also got lots of toddler art supplies and clothing in sizes 18 mo through 3T as gifts. My MIL put a little sticker label in each invite card that had a pic of DD with her current sizes.

[parenting-over-40]

Originally Posted by QueenEsther

I'm putting together a hardbound book of pictures for my FS, and I was thinking that it might be a nice tradition to do one each year.

QueenEsther, you just reminded me of the greatest gift I received when my daughter became my "forever daughter". A friend had all of the pictures I had taken of her over the course of her placement time with me and had someone put them all to music. I got to pick out the songs. My friend even had a few extra copies made for the grandparents. I loved it. My parents loved it. I plan on having this done once a year now. We played it at the adoption party but I would think you could play it at a shower.

PM me if you would like to know the company my friend used. I will be happy to look it up for you.

P.S. - I cry every time I watch this video but they are all happy tears.

[dachshunds4you]

How fun! Our friends had a shower for us when our AD was about this age. We received tons of clothes, in bigger sizes too, toys, books, shoes. We didn't ask for or receive anything big since we had so much already, and we were moving out of state.
It was just a nice time for us to celebrate her staying forever!

And parenting - that video sounds really neat!

[Mummy_Big_Bird]

Our toddler shower is tomorrow! My AD is almost 22 months. I was originally going to do it myself, but my sister insisted in throwing it. I guess since I did her bridal shower, and I never got married, she owes me.

I put the option out to bring an unwraped gift for a foster child between 0-18, instead of a gift for M. We will be donating these gifts to the office I am in, as well as the office M's case was in.

As for our registry, we don't have many outside toys (since I've only fostered babies) so there is a variety of that. I put on a trike and a red wagon. Also art supplies and toddler plates, ect.

[chloroxsis]

Books! Nothing more bonding than reading together.