Baby Michael's Wishlist

Ok, maybe this is tacky, but I'm going to give a few "suggestions" for Baby Michael's birthday. I would feel worse about doing this, were it not for the fact that my suggestions are not really things to buy for him, but more along the lines of "please don't feel the need to buy him anything...no...really."

In discussing this important matter with my eldest son and asking him what he wants for his birthday, he promptly responded, "more space to crawl, Mommy!" which would definitely not be accomplished by a truck load of toys.

Secondly, it is his first birthday, which means he will have no recollection of it save what we have in pictures which will largely consist of 1) him eating cake 2) people smiling at him 3) him tearing and probably eating wrapping paper (which, if planned strategically, can be still accomplished by wrapping empty boxes and he would never know the difference!

Thirdly, and I think most moms would echo this sentiment, the amount of time Baby Michael plays with toys vs. the amount of time he plays with things which are not toys is quite striking, meaning, he can be entertained for 5 minutes with a toy, but for 50 minutes with things that are not toys at all!

Case in point: yesterday, Michael crawled into our bedroom and was entertained for nearly a full hour by 1) a water bottle 2) a receipt 3) the button to make the fan oscillate 4) the handle on our dresser drawer.

Now, if you want to wrap up any one of these items for his birthday, go right ahead, I'm sure it will be a very well-used gift. :)

Did I mention I think Michael can read? I think he can at least read the words "Fisher Price" "Leap Frog" and other such toy company names, and when he reads them he knows that this item is intended for him and therefore, not as interesting as items that are not intended for him.

Ok, I can't be so much of a stick in the mud that I put a ban on presents for baby Michael. But seriously, have you seen our apartment lately? It can't take many more gift-giving occasions!

I am very serious in saying that first birthdays do not require gifts. Period.

I am also very serious in saying that our apartment is small and we don't have room for very much, especially with a new tenant on the way.

I am also very serious in saying that the most elaborate baby toys mysteriously pale in comparison to the most simple non-toy for the sole reason that one looks like he should have it and the other doesn't.

But if anyone feels compelled to "do" something, I would like to share a few suggestions that he might enjoy.

1) Keep things new: buy a toy, but bring it down with you when you visit and take it when you go, so when you visit, that toy is always new. Which a) solves the space problem and b) makes the gift keep on giving. How many times has Michael been so occupied with Jack, Thomas, and Peter's toys simply because they were not his and they were new to him? Lots! Sounds crazy, but it's the birthday gift that keeps its newness!

2) He loves pictures of people! Give him a photo of yourself, or make a little album of pictures of you, and your family so he can flip the pages himself and get to know you. He loves the pictures on the wall and we introduce people by name to him when we look at your pictures!

3) We love Mass intentions! Talk about a gift that keeps on giving! Offer it for his holiness, vocation, etc.

4) A little weird, but practical: a baby toilet seat that fits on top of a regular toilet (not unlike this one). We have baby book that suggests getting them aware of the toilet at a very young age (9 months is her suggestion...he's already a little behind, which is why we need the adapter..ha! I kill me with double-entendres!).

5) Cars are good toys, and in moderation, easy to pack away.

6) Big sized blocks/legos are good too (safe from being swallowed by him or baby brother!)

7) Not quite sure what I'm thinking of specifically, but religious-y type items that would be good "entertainment" for Mass but because they are religious in nature are spiritually edifying. Laminated holy cards that he could handle/bend/ (chew, even? Is that sacriligious?); medium sized crucifix (plastic may be best for now, and given his father's history of throwing them, maybe with a string?); Do they make Bibles for babies which may have some interactive component?

8) Push-car toy for when he can walk, especially for use at the park (this may require some coordination so we don't get multiples!)

9) I am a fan of books for babies.

10) And, in my opinion, one of the best gifts that doesn't cost much and is meaningful to him is he LOVES visitors! So don't buy a gift, but come for a visit. It's funny to say since we have family visiting most weekends of the month, so I'm certainly not saying this because he's not getting visitors, but really, playing with people is the thing that makes him the happiest, so it's the perfect gift! Don't feel like you have to do anything more!

11) Write a story about things that happened during his first year of life, either things about him, things in your life, or things in the world. How neat would that be for him to look at years later!

12) A little loaf of bread (banana, cinnamon, etc), or a roll, scone, etc for his breakfast snack following his birthday. He LOVES bread!

So, I'm trying not to be curmudgeonly at all, and I don't want to be all "bah humbug" about his birthday, and I don't want to take the fun out of buying a gift for his birthday, but in knowing him, knowing our space situation, knowing that the value of a person's gift has nothing to do with money, and that he will have no memory of his first birthday presents at all, I'm just making a few suggestions to help if anyone is wondering "what to do" for his birthday, but also again stressing the point no one has to do anything!! Trust me, Michael knows he is abundantly loved :)


Ok, I hope this helps. I feel better.