"When my first child Patrick was born," says Grace Welch, creator of the Patemm diaper pad, "I found the small rectangular shape of diaper changing pads frustrating because aligning him in the right position was always a challenge." Rather than dwelling on the unfairness of the universe, Welch invented a diaper pad that can be all things to all parents. The Patemm's circular shape is tailored to squirmy babies, its inside pockets are large enough for spare diapers, the oilcloth surface is simple to clean, and the whole thing folds into a discreet one-handled bundle. To top it off, Welch has incredible taste in fabrics. Don't be surprised if you find yourself longing for a matching raincoat. — Gwynne Watkins

The controllers for the Playstation3 and the Xbox 360 have so many buttons sometimes it seems as if they should double as Blackberrys, cellphones, universal remotes, and lazer guns. For a chlid under the age of six, these controllers can be bulky, confusing, and overwhelmingly frustrating.

Nintendo's new, awfully named Wii (pronounced "whee") console drastically simplifies gaming with a motion-sensitive, wireless controller that looks a bit like an iPod shuffle. Wave the controller during a tennis game (one of the Wii's must-have games), and your player slaps a backhand, a forehand, or an overhead smash. Tilt the controller backwards and forward during an off-road racing game and your truck will catch more air jumping off a ramp. The graphics aren't superb (Microsoft and Sony won the polygon wars, while Nintendo opted out). Instead, Nintendo's idea is to drastically simplify the button pushing and combo-codes, to make gaming accessible again, and to get kids up off their lazy asses.

Nintendo's technology works. The sports games are ridiculous fun, not jut because the controller is sensitive, but becaue the games have been stripped down to their barest essentials to work intuitively with the controller. (The Wii moves your tennis player from side to side, for instance, so all you have to do is whack away.) I have only one caveat: The Wii is so bare-bones that it may even work too well: the new controller only complicates new editions of mature games like Metroid, despite its precision. So stick with the goofy sports and racing games, play the Wii with friends, and, please, move the coffee table before somebody hurts himself with an overeager first-serve. — Logan Hill  click to close

Once a baby can hold his head up and look around, he typically starts struggling to master the art of sitting up. Until then, it's all about the play mat, elaborate pillow prop-ups and being carried around. But the stylish, comfortable Bumbo Baby Sitter ($40) makes it possible for babies from three to fourteen months old to sit upright immediately, and with perfect posture — on the floor, on the kitchen counter, on the dining room table. It's heavenly: the baby gets to feel grown-up; you get to make dinner with both hands. — Ada Calhoun

The controllers for the Playstation3 and the Xbox 360 have so many buttons sometimes it seems as if they should double as Blackberrys, cellphones, universal remotes, and lazer guns. For a chlid under the age of six, these controllers can be bulky, confusing, and overwhelmingly frustrating.

Nintendo's new, awfully named Wii (pronounced "whee") console drastically simplifies gaming with a motion-sensitive, wireless controller that looks a bit like an iPod shuffle. Wave the controller during a tennis game (one of the Wii's must-have games), and your player slaps a backhand, a forehand, or an overhead smash. Tilt the controller backwards and forward during an off-road racing game and your truck will catch more air jumping off a ramp. The graphics aren't superb (Microsoft and Sony won the polygon wars, while Nintendo opted out). Instead, Nintendo's idea is to drastically simplify the button pushing and combo-codes, to make gaming accessible again, and to get kids up off their lazy asses.

Nintendo's technology works. The sports games are ridiculous fun, not jut because the controller is sensitive, but becaue the games have been stripped down to their barest essentials to work intuitively with the controller. (The Wii moves your tennis player from side to side, for instance, so all you have to do is whack away.) I have only one caveat: The Wii is so bare-bones that it may even work too well: the new controller only complicates new editions of mature games like Metroid, despite its precision. So stick with the goofy sports and racing games, play the Wii with friends, and, please, move the coffee table before somebody hurts himself with an overeager first-serve. — Logan Hill  click to close

The basic wooden block has been a perfect toy for centuries; it needs no bells and whistles. Yet bells and whistles are quite literally what HABA has added to its Fantasy Blocks ($35), along with "optical effects" like prisms and mirrors. What actually makes these blocks great is a detailed paint job and a variety of architectural shapes: domes, turrets, stairways. They're perfect for the child whose fingers itch to create dazzling cities, but still find Legos a little too daunting. — Gwynne Watkins

The controllers for the Playstation3 and the Xbox 360 have so many buttons sometimes it seems as if they should double as Blackberrys, cellphones, universal remotes, and lazer guns. For a chlid under the age of six, these controllers can be bulky, confusing, and overwhelmingly frustrating.

Nintendo's new, awfully named Wii (pronounced "whee") console drastically simplifies gaming with a motion-sensitive, wireless controller that looks a bit like an iPod shuffle. Wave the controller during a tennis game (one of the Wii's must-have games), and your player slaps a backhand, a forehand, or an overhead smash. Tilt the controller backwards and forward during an off-road racing game and your truck will catch more air jumping off a ramp. The graphics aren't superb (Microsoft and Sony won the polygon wars, while Nintendo opted out). Instead, Nintendo's idea is to drastically simplify the button pushing and combo-codes, to make gaming accessible again, and to get kids up off their lazy asses.

Nintendo's technology works. The sports games are ridiculous fun, not jut because the controller is sensitive, but becaue the games have been stripped down to their barest essentials to work intuitively with the controller. (The Wii moves your tennis player from side to side, for instance, so all you have to do is whack away.) I have only one caveat: The Wii is so bare-bones that it may even work too well: the new controller only complicates new editions of mature games like Metroid, despite its precision. So stick with the goofy sports and racing games, play the Wii with friends, and, please, move the coffee table before somebody hurts himself with an overeager first-serve. — Logan Hill  click to close

It can be hard to maintain one's dignity with a breast pump. It's great to be able to keep breastfeeding your baby and still have a life, but they really need to come up with a euphemism so one can say something more professional than "I can do that meeting in fifteen minutes. I just need to pump." Pump. It's so The Miracle Worker. But the Limited Edition of the Medela Pump In Style ($350, but you can often get a new one for $100 less on eBay), one of the best you-know-whats out there for working mothers, is classy: blue with brown ticking. It looks less like a mechanism you attach to your body to drain it of milk, more like a stylish overnight bag. So when you head into that supply closet, your co-workers will just think you're jetting off to the Catskills. Two or three times a day. For fifteen minutes at a time. — Ada Calhoun

The controllers for the Playstation3 and the Xbox 360 have so many buttons sometimes it seems as if they should double as Blackberrys, cellphones, universal remotes, and lazer guns. For a chlid under the age of six, these controllers can be bulky, confusing, and overwhelmingly frustrating.

Nintendo's new, awfully named Wii (pronounced "whee") console drastically simplifies gaming with a motion-sensitive, wireless controller that looks a bit like an iPod shuffle. Wave the controller during a tennis game (one of the Wii's must-have games), and your player slaps a backhand, a forehand, or an overhead smash. Tilt the controller backwards and forward during an off-road racing game and your truck will catch more air jumping off a ramp. The graphics aren't superb (Microsoft and Sony won the polygon wars, while Nintendo opted out). Instead, Nintendo's idea is to drastically simplify the button pushing and combo-codes, to make gaming accessible again, and to get kids up off their lazy asses.

Nintendo's technology works. The sports games are ridiculous fun, not jut because the controller is sensitive, but becaue the games have been stripped down to their barest essentials to work intuitively with the controller. (The Wii moves your tennis player from side to side, for instance, so all you have to do is whack away.) I have only one caveat: The Wii is so bare-bones that it may even work too well: the new controller only complicates new editions of mature games like Metroid, despite its precision. So stick with the goofy sports and racing games, play the Wii with friends, and, please, move the coffee table before somebody hurts himself with an overeager first-serve. — Logan Hill  click to close

There's nothing quite like the moment when a baby gets his or her first little blue box from Tiffany's. This sterling silver Tiffany 1837 teething rattle ($95) is one of those ridiculously lavish, impossibly pretty little presents that instantly confer Most Glamorous aunt or uncle status on the giver. And when you shake it, it makes the most delicate, melodious little rattle-tinkle. "What is that sound?" I asked someone, shaking it next to his ear. The reply: "Money." — Ada Calhoun

The controllers for the Playstation3 and the Xbox 360 have so many buttons sometimes it seems as if they should double as Blackberrys, cellphones, universal remotes, and lazer guns. For a chlid under the age of six, these controllers can be bulky, confusing, and overwhelmingly frustrating.

Nintendo's new, awfully named Wii (pronounced "whee") console drastically simplifies gaming with a motion-sensitive, wireless controller that looks a bit like an iPod shuffle. Wave the controller during a tennis game (one of the Wii's must-have games), and your player slaps a backhand, a forehand, or an overhead smash. Tilt the controller backwards and forward during an off-road racing game and your truck will catch more air jumping off a ramp. The graphics aren't superb (Microsoft and Sony won the polygon wars, while Nintendo opted out). Instead, Nintendo's idea is to drastically simplify the button pushing and combo-codes, to make gaming accessible again, and to get kids up off their lazy asses.

Nintendo's technology works. The sports games are ridiculous fun, not jut because the controller is sensitive, but becaue the games have been stripped down to their barest essentials to work intuitively with the controller. (The Wii moves your tennis player from side to side, for instance, so all you have to do is whack away.) I have only one caveat: The Wii is so bare-bones that it may even work too well: the new controller only complicates new editions of mature games like Metroid, despite its precision. So stick with the goofy sports and racing games, play the Wii with friends, and, please, move the coffee table before somebody hurts himself with an overeager first-serve. — Logan Hill  click to close

The Peepee Teepee ($15) is one of those products, like the Diaper Genie, that fascinates the non-parent with its simplicity and effectiveness. I can't tell you how many times single people at cocktail parties have said, as if such gadgets could solve every possible parenting crisis, "I just heard about this wonderful little invention . . ." The Teepee is just little cup you place strategically when changing a boy that keeps you from getting sprayed. And they come in various patterns — the most ironic one being the fire truck. — Ada Calhoun

The controllers for the Playstation3 and the Xbox 360 have so many buttons sometimes it seems as if they should double as Blackberrys, cellphones, universal remotes, and lazer guns. For a chlid under the age of six, these controllers can be bulky, confusing, and overwhelmingly frustrating.

Nintendo's new, awfully named Wii (pronounced "whee") console drastically simplifies gaming with a motion-sensitive, wireless controller that looks a bit like an iPod shuffle. Wave the controller during a tennis game (one of the Wii's must-have games), and your player slaps a backhand, a forehand, or an overhead smash. Tilt the controller backwards and forward during an off-road racing game and your truck will catch more air jumping off a ramp. The graphics aren't superb (Microsoft and Sony won the polygon wars, while Nintendo opted out). Instead, Nintendo's idea is to drastically simplify the button pushing and combo-codes, to make gaming accessible again, and to get kids up off their lazy asses.

Nintendo's technology works. The sports games are ridiculous fun, not jut because the controller is sensitive, but becaue the games have been stripped down to their barest essentials to work intuitively with the controller. (The Wii moves your tennis player from side to side, for instance, so all you have to do is whack away.) I have only one caveat: The Wii is so bare-bones that it may even work too well: the new controller only complicates new editions of mature games like Metroid, despite its precision. So stick with the goofy sports and racing games, play the Wii with friends, and, please, move the coffee table before somebody hurts himself with an overeager first-serve. — Logan Hill  click to close

The controllers for the Playstation3 and the Xbox 360 have so many buttons sometimes it seems as if they should double as Blackberrys, cellphones, universal remotes, and lazer guns. For a chlid under the age of six, these controllers can be bulky, confusing, and overwhelmingly frustrating.

Nintendo's new, awfully named Wii (pronounced "whee") console drastically simplifies gaming with a motion-sensitive, wireless controller that looks a bit like an iPod shuffle. Wave the controller during a tennis game (one of the Wii's must-have games), and your player slaps a backhand, a forehand, or an overhead smash. Tilt the controller backwards and forward during an off-road racing game and your truck will catch more air jumping off a ramp. The graphics aren't superb (Microsoft and Sony won the polygon wars, while Nintendo opted out). Instead, Nintendo's idea is to drastically simplify the button pushing and combo-codes, to make gaming accessible again, and to get kids up off their lazy asses.

Nintendo's technology works. The sports games are ridiculous fun, not jut because the controller is sensitive, but becaue the games have been stripped down to their barest essentials to work intuitively with the controller. (The Wii moves your tennis player from side to side, for instance, so all you have to do is whack away.) I have only one caveat: The Wii is so bare-bones that it may even work too well: the new controller only complicates new editions of mature games like Metroid, despite its precision. So stick with the goofy sports and racing games, play the Wii with friends, and, please, move the coffee table before somebody hurts himself with an overeager first-serve. — Logan Hill

For a certain kind of child, little is more satisfying (or winter-friendly) than a craft well made, and there are countless art kits and craft sets on the market to oblige them. But few manage to be creative enough to be interesting, simple enough for a child to execute with a minimum of parental assistance, and most importantly, useful and/or large enough to not be eaten by the dog. While the colors are a bit overtly girly, the Knot-A-Quilt activity set from ALEX ($20) is a good bet. Made by knotting together fleece squares (an activity repetitious and hypnotizing enough to calm even the most hyperactive child), the quilt is surprisingly attractive and pleasingly substantial, just the right size for a small child. Intended for ages six and up, the kit is simple enough for a kid to navigate on her own, and the more satisfying for it.

For more outdoorsy types (which in big cities means kids with a yard — or a window), there's the ALEX Home Sweet Home birdhouse kit ($18), a sturdy little wooden house with a cheerful thatched roof and a set of weatherproof paints, waiting to be decorated by budding ornithologists and house painters alike.

But perhaps best of all are the Creations By You sets. Using special paper and markers, your kids makes a drawing, you send it off in the mail to the specified address, and a few weeks later it's a plate, a bowl or a mug! Or you can get a museum-style print, complete with artist's name, date and gallery name. (Full disclosure: my mother still uses a plate I made in this manner, many hundreds of years ago.) With these sets, your young artist can not only conquer the business of making art, but achieve the true measure of artistic success: a gift-shop quality reproduction. — Rachel Shukert

This $70 FP3 player (FP stands for Fisher Price, natch) is a product that makes perfect sense. Take every adult's favorite toy, package it as "educational" and "tech-savvy," reinterpret the sleek, efficient iPod to look like a scale model of a Discman, slap on a pair of miniaturized headphones, fashion the whole thing in indestructible plastic in gender-specific colors and you've got yourself a sure-fire winner, right?

Almost.

The software itself is easy enough to load — and by easy I mean that it only took me four tries and two phone calls to my husband, so it shouldn't pose much of a problem for the average six year old — and with large, easy-to-read buttons designed expressly for little fingers, easy to use. It comes pre-loaded with a variety of songs Fisher Price deems appropriate for the average pre-schooler, and more are available for downloading and purchase from the somewhat insipid catalogue available on the website (Berenstain Bears read aloud by a somnambulant voice, the Wiggles, assorted lullabies.)

One of MP3 players' chief selling points is the ease of personalization. I can only imagine the number of music-savvy parents dying to introduce their toddlers to the kid-friendly musical stylings of Jonathan Richman. Unfortunately, due to copyright laws, downloading non-Fisher Price approved music to the player is almost impossible. Which kind of defeats the purpose, right?

Oh, and I did I mention that it isn't Mac compatible?

The Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera (also $70) fares better (although installing the batteries requires two different sizes of screwdriver). It's easy to use and takes pictures of satisfying quality.

But the 3+ age recommendations on both of these products should be considered seriously. Buy either product for a child much older than six, and you are likely to be met with a blank stare and this question: "Why didn't you buy me the real one?" — Rachel Shukert  

It's a Boy! It's a Girl! It's a bore! Baby's first impression is way too big a deal for you to settle on storks and ducks smoking cigars.

Lisa Hoffman, designer and owner of Ceci New York, custom designs each announcement according to your personal taste and vision. Lisa makes it her mission to bring your vision to life, giving you the unique opportunity to act as creative director for your new baby's introduction. Do you want to follow baby's nursery theme? Include a quote or an original message? Lisa is happy to collaborate with you on anything from typeset to envelope décor.

Ceci New York is also the place for your stationary needs, because let's face it, you're going to be sending out quite a few "thank you" notes after that extravagant shower-brunch your BFF just threw in your honor. — Rebecca Woolf