Thread: Suggestions for a toddler shower / help finding things for a 2 year old

My brother and sister-in-law are adopting an adorable 2 year boy after a decade of trying to conceive a child. Nathaniel has cerebral palsy but doctors are hopeful that he will be able to catch up to other children by kindergarten.

Since this is such an exciting moment for them after the heartache of a miscarriage and endless doctor visits over the past 10 years, my sister-in-law's best friend and I want to throw her a 'toddler shower' to celebrate. Now, I've never thrown a baby shower before but Nathaniel is going to be 2, so do you guys have any suggestions of what we can do at this kind of party? I know many of the games I've seen at baby showers may not work in this situation. I'm really open to ideas for games or decorations!

Also, I was thinking brunch, so a shower like 11-1 or something like that... what would be good foods to serve at this time? I'm definitely bringing M&M's and cake (gotta have that at any shower) but I'm not a good cook, so I do need suggestions of simple to prepare foods.

Since they are having to provide so many items at once, in a short time (they got the 90% confirmation mark last week and they expect to have him in about 2 months) that I was wondering if you knew of any inexpensive place to find just about everything for a 2 year boy, from clothes/games/housewares stuff/larger items like a toddler bed/car seat, etc. Nathaniel is defintely a boy's 'boy'... he loves to make messes, be outside in the yard/dirt and "tries" to fix cars and loves Bob the Builder.

This will be the first grand child in our family, as well as my first nephew, so I honestly have no idea what is appropriate for a 2 year old. I never babysat anyone that young and none of my friends have children that age and I can count the times I've been alone with a 2 year old on ONE hand (I know.. I've got quite an education in front of me). Let me know what your kids loved at the age of 2!

If anyone has used, but in good condition, clothes they are willing to sell/part with, let me know as well. Nathaniel is in 2T right now, but they think he'll be growing into 3T very soon. I just bought him the most adorable Nike outfit at Kohl's last week for like $5 (down from $42) so he's going to look just like my brother who also loves Nike, but I'm sure a 2 year old is going to needs lots of clothes. My mom said that when I was two, I loved making messes so much that I went through 3-4 changes of clothes daily. She sound exasperated. Is that normal?

Thanks for any advice!! If you want, please email too Ruatha80 @ yahoo.com

http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=Rua...&IID=232939329
This is my brother, SIL and Nathaniel at his 2-year birthday party last month.

Congratulations on the new addition to your family, it's so nice to hear how excited you are. They make a beautiful family

2 year olds need lots of stuff -- a toddler bed would probably be great, ride on toys, blocks, books, Freecycle is great if you(they) don't mind gently used stuff, if you have one so is once upon a baby ...messes and 2 year olds go hand in hand.

For a game I was thinking maybe "Big Boy Bingo" and make up bingo boards with boy stuff on them -- trucks, bugs, dinosaurs etc

Good luck, have fun and hope you enjoy your nephew!

He's such a cutie! Congratulations!

He'll need things like a car seat, a stroller, a bed, pillow, toys, sheets, clothes, a dresser, a toy box, books, some DVDs, ride on toys, diapers, wipes, sippy cups, I'd recommend some plastic plates and glasses if they only have breakable ones, outside toys such as a sled, sandbox, or a kiddie pool, etc.

Thanks for the suggestions! I talked with my mom and they said they would purchase one of those convertible cribs/day beds/toddler bed/twin bed things for him so that will defintely help.

I wasn't sure what age still needed sippy cups and such like that so thanks for the reminder. The Disney Store near us is going out of business, so I bet they have some fun stuff too.

I love the idea of a toy box... and I can get those big legos and some early books. I'll see what the parents-in-law want to get as well so we don't accidental get the same stuff.

I never thought of Quice... I assume I can get something like that at Costco or GFS, right? That would be easy to pick up and cook. Bingo sounds fun too.. I can make boards and personalize them with pictures too. Ohhh.. this is going to be fun.

Thanks!!!

Is the 2 year old going to be at the party?
Food would be pretty easy, you could do your basic nachos, little smokies, cake/ice cream, chips and dip, deviled eggs.... you could go to the deli and get a bunch of lunch meat and make up a tray of that and some cheese for sandwiches or something. My son is 2 1/2 and he loves trains (thomas the tank engine )
A potty chair would be good.
Safety latches for cabinets in the kitchen, bathroom etc...

congradulations, how exciting!

Originally Posted by Ruatha24

I never thought of Quice... I assume I can get something like that at Costco or GFS, right? That would be easy to pick up and cook. Bingo sounds fun too.. I can make boards and personalize them with pictures too. Ohhh.. this is going to be fun.

Thanks!!!

Yes you can get the mini quiche at Costco - that is where I always get them and they are pretty good. They also have premade/precooked meatballs (just add bbq sauce or gravy and throw in the crockpot).

Boys that age love Tonka trucks - check out Wal-mart or even a second hand shop. Lots of people also sell their toddler stuff at garage sales and you can pick up a lot of stuff really inexpensive there or on freecycle.