Baby gifts, a door to magic

A good friend is expecting her first baby in a few short weeks.  This is one of those ultimate life experiences that brings an incredible array of emotions, highlighted by joy and excitement.  And of course, its a wonderful excuse for me, as a person far outside the baby stages of life myself, to have the glowing opportunity to browse and shop for an adorably cute, sometimes impractical gift.

The mom in me rarely succumbs completely to impractical gifting, although I do like to throw that in on top too because really, aren't baby shoes ADORABLE?  If I opt to get clothing, I usually try to buy something that is at least 6 months to a year out, because I remember that while I had an outpouring of newborn-to-3 month clothes with my first child, the reality is if those clothes get you to 3 months, you are very fortunate!   And odds are your kid needs to continue to be clothed after 3 months....  Just sayin'.

This particular friend had decided to not find out baby's gender, which is an extra level of fun.  This can make going with my smart/practical future sized clothing a challenge.  Because guess what?  6 months to a year?  You RARELY will find unisex clothing.  

So I'm wracking my brain for other gift ideas, even went so far as to ask my friend if the nursery had a theme, thinking maybe I'd get something to go w/nursery (blanket/stuffed animal etc).  Focused theme there was not...  Pooh... what next?

I thought back to when I was expecting with Isaac, whom we didn't find out gender for.  I thought back on the array of wonderful gifts we had received before his arrival and it hit me...   The most thoughtful and unexpected gift we received came from an aunt of Ryan's that I had never met in person.  I happened to get home one day from class to find a shipping box.  When I opened that box, there was a card that explained contents.  Inside this ordinary brown box was the extraordinary.  There were 20 children's books, which the aunt described as copies of her children's favorites when they were younger and her fervent wish to share them with my child as we started this journey of life together.  

WOW.  

It was the start of Isaac's library and it was the start of my dedication as a mother to ensure both of my children were strong readers.  I know the power of reading.   It can transport you, it can grow you, it can enlighten you.   In short, it was the perfect solution and precisely what I ended up getting my friend and her soon-to-be newborn.

Once you learn to read, you'll be forever free.  ~ Fredrick Douglas

And you know what else I've decided?  This is my NEW gift plan for all baby gifts.  Its the ideal blend of practical and magical which is precisely what a baby gift should be.