Recommend: V-tech Move and Crawl Ball

Price: $14.99

This was one of those items I purchased when i got really excited that Jude was expressing interest in toys. After buying it and realizing that they box was right - it's not meant for a 3 month old, it went into his toy basket and sat there for awhile. The box indicates it's intended for 6+ months. Jude is almost 6 months now and has been using it for a couple of weeks.

The purpose of the ball is to encourage crawling. There are electronic weights on the bottom of the ball that move on their own. The lights and sounds get baby's attention and encourage him to reach for the ball. After tapping on it/hitting buttons, etc, the ball begins to move just a little and encourages baby to follow it. Jude is not crawling yet, but he rolls after it a little and just seems to enjoy pushing buttons, etc. Also there is a little lady bug on top that he likes to flick at.

Pros:
- develops motor skills and is educational.
- comes with batteries
- reasonably priced/reputable brand
- two different auditory levels
- each button has two or three different "sayings". So, you're not always hearing the same thing. I will also add that when we first started playing with this toy, I would put it in front of Jude and push the buttons for him and he'd watch it. I'd get tired of it after a few minutes and let it go. It seemed at first that it just kept repeating it's self. However, as Jude begins to play with it more, it starts to "unlock" new songs/sounds, etc. So, the more he plays with it, the more it encourages him to keep playing.
- turns off on it's own after a few minutes of being in active to save batteries.


Cons:
- the automatic turn off could happen a little later. Some times I wish it would keep going to keep Jude interested for a few more seconds. Sometimes when it just shuts off, he stops paying attention... it's a catch 22.



Would I Recommend: Yes. If you're looking for one of those toys to get baby moving around this is one that I'd recommend. As I said, he's not crawling, but I'll put Jude on his belly in front of this and as it moves he goes from belly, to back, to side spinning it around. I know there are a few out there, but for the price, you almost can't beat it.

Recommend: Baby Einstein Stationary Entertainer

Price: $79.99

I/Jude LOVE this product! This is one of the few things I can currently put Jude in and he'll occupy himself for awhile! there are lots of fun things for him to play with chew on and learn with. There are lots of textures, colors, etc that just continue to catch his eye and inspire the senses!



Pros:
- gender neutral
- reasonably priced in comparison to other similar items.
- reputable brand
- 3 height adjustment and locks to keep the saucer from wobbling
- chair spins fairly easy
- 360 degrees of fun!
- Taller toys bend back and forth so he can bring them to his mouth and chew on them, other toys stay put and spin to encourage motor skills.
- Not like a traditional walker - it stays put for safety (we have a walker as well which we haven't really used much of yet).


Cons:
- the white 'tray' portion that goes around the outside of the seat (and that the toys are attached to) is very narrow. when Jude spits up while he's in this, it's hard to really get in the space to clean it out well.
- I might sound really lazy, but it requires batteries and we have yet to put them in there. The screw is super tiny and we don't have a screw driver that will fit in the hole. As a result there is a color wheel with buttons he can push that doesn't work.



Would I Recommend: Yes! We love this. Ryan uses it regularly, I use it and Jude loves it! The fact that Ryan and I both use it really says something as we typically disagree on which items we prefer. It's fun to see how every time he goes in it he seems to figure out how to use something else.

Do Not Recommend: Baby Einstein Take Along Caterpillar

Price: $16.99

When I first saw this item I fell in love with it! It looked so cute and interactive that I just had to have it! Unfortunately after a little time, my opinion changed.

Pros:

- Adorable design

- multiple interactive options - educational

- brand name product with a good reputation

Cons:

- there are two pieces that hang down for the baby to grab on to. Whenever you push the handle back to get the baby out of the car seat, the dangling parts smack him in the head

- music box feature no longer works properly. We have only used this a handful of times and it's already not working after 3 months

- velcro straps that hold it to the handle are not adjustable 

- most of the interactive features are too high for the baby to reach (could change as he gets older)

- Sometimes when carrying my infant seat I try to grab it by putting my arm through the handle and holding it close to my body (as opposed to just holding it with my hand away from my body). This item gets in the way. 

- even though Jude looks at and 'plays' with other toys, this hasn't really caught his eye (could change with age).

Would I Recommend: No. While it's fairly priced, I just don't think it's worth it. I've seen plenty of other car seat toys that seem to be just as adorable in the same price range that could be much more practical. 

Recommend: Tiny Love Symphony in Motion Musical Mobile

Price: $31.99

When deciding on a nursery theme Ryan and I originally thought we'd be doing a Batman Theme. It was virtually impossible for me to find a Batman Mobil to hang over the crib, so instead I browsed through BRU for a non-theme related mobile. I came across the Symphony in Motion mobile and fell in love.

It had the bright colors that all the "educational" toys had along with the black and white contrast that is good for newborns who can't see color, so it really seemed like a great option.

At one point or another we changed the theme to airplanes, but I still held onto the mobile. Jude seems to love it. It really does catch his eye and it can entertain him for 10-15 minutes at a time playing the baby-classical music and spinning over his head. Being that he isn't awake in his crib for long periods of time, it's perfect. It's just enough time to put away clothes, sweep the floor, hop in the shower, etc.

Pros:
- Reasonably Priced
- Entertains Jude
- Educational
- three different music options
-bar swivels to make it easy to change the sheets

Cons:
- slightly difficult to get it positioned correctly on the crib
- The hanging bar that swivels can move so easily, that it's easy to get off center and therefore not over top of Jude's head, so i have to keep adjusting it.
- Has pinks and purples, so can almost look a little girly. BUT - they sell it in a variety of colors, I should have just looked harder.