As I mentioned previously my good friend Meghan is having a baby girl next month. Last weekend I attended her baby shower and I have to say I agonized over what to get her. I knew she would receive oodles of pretty pastel clothes, blankets, and toys so my goal was to find gifts for her that were unique, functional, and hopefully memorable. In the end I decided on the following items:

I fell in love with these adorable MooMe bibs, packaged to resemble baby food jars, and had such a hard time deciding between the fruit and veggie versions that I ended up just buying both. In addition to being so darn cute the bibs also made of 100% organic cotton.

Future foodie babies need to start young so I couldn’t resist stocking baby Emily’s bookshelf with two timeless food filled storybooks: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Pickles to Pittsburgh.

Feeding Meghan’s baby is obviously my ultimate goal, and until she’s old enough to enjoy ice cream sandwiches and Pistachio Rocket Pops, her mom will be able to whip up healthy and wholesome meals for her with the assistance of the So Easy Baby Food kit and the First Meals cookbook. All of this undoubtedly delicious food can than be served on a whimsical La Mer ocean themed dinnerware set. Finally, just for fun, I included this ingenious Baby Owner’s Starter Kit, which comes with: The Baby Owner’s Manual, a growth chart with stickers for marking baby’s progress, a diaper changing Instructional poster (I could use this since I’ve honestly never changed a diaper in my life), a babysitter’s memo pad, and a decorative magnet.

Now we just have to wait for Baby Emily to make her grand debut so we can all begin her foodie education.

I admit it, one of the first things I said to my good friend Meghan when she told me she was going to have a baby (after CONGRATULATIONS, of course) was something along the lines of, “Oh my God! You can’t have a glass of wine with dinner for 9 months!” Obviously my biological clock has not begun any kind of count down yet if what I’m worried about is wine, and not 2 AM feedings, onesies, or college funds so for now I’m quite content to be honorary auntie Erin. But for those of you who are expecting and find yourself feeling a little twinge of longing for a dirty martini from time-to-time than you definitely should add Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-To-Be to your baby shower registry.

Alyssa Gusenoff has compiled a funky cookbook full of non-alcoholic versions of your favorite party time cocktails including sangria, mojitos, and watermelon margaritas. There are even new mocktails with oh-so-cute names like the “Momsicle” (a mixture of pineapple, pear, blueberry, and lime juices served chilled over a glass of sparkling water), “The Perfect Pear of Jeans” (a frothy concoction of blended pear, lemon-lime soda, and lime juice), and the “Nursery Nightcap” (a warm cup of decaffeinated herbal tea with a shot of vanilla syrup).

In addition to all of the great drinks, Margarita Mama is also sprinkled with helpful hints and pregnancy factoids. For instance did you know that basil may help with morning sickness? Me either?! So whip up a Caprese Salad for your girlfriend, rent Baby Boom, and don’t forget to make a mental note to add this title to your “to be gifted” lists. The upcoming mommies in your life will definitely thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Ladies and Gentleman The Little Pumpkin Book has been dethroned. I think we read that particular book two million times to my sister when she was a baby. I can still recite it to this day. Unfortunately, all reigns must come to an end and Foodie Babies Wear Bibs is by far the most adorable children’s board book I’ve ever seen. The illustrations are whimsical, and engaging while the text is straightforward — as it should be. Flipping through the pages I’m absolutely enamored with Nathalie Dion’s depictions of roly poly babies playing with their food in all manner of locations. My favorite page is simply captioned “Foodie babies say cheese” and is accompanied by happy kiddies hamming it up for the camera while sampling platters of gouda, cheddar, and brie. Those are definitely my kind of babies!

Foodie Babies Wear Bibs is part of the Urban Babies series of Children’s Books which was created by Michelle Sinclair Colman and is published by Tricycle Press (an imprint of Ten Speed). Other titles available include: Urban Babies Wear Black, Beach Babies Wear Shades, and Eco Babies Wear Green. Obviously any of these selections would be the perfect gift for the mommies-to-be in your life. Hopefully they aren’t due for a few more months though. Foodie Babies Wear Bibs has a “delivery date” of October 2008. Fortunately, unlike actual babies, this is available for pre-order.

Friends with babies and babies on the way, look out! I’ll make Foodies of your little lads and lasses yet. Or at least just brand them as such. The Fig Leaf Baby Connoisseur Collection features an array of simple onesies embroidered with cute monikers like “Foodie,” “Ripe,” and “Fresh Squeezed.” Is there anything that you can put on a baby that doesn’t inevitably look completely adorable?

For Christmas CK bought me a Whirley Pop. If that’s not the ultimate in kitsch gifts I don’t know what is. Strangely enough though, the ridiculous looking thing makes really excellent popcorn. This good opinion is seconded by Robin at Big Red Kitchen. In fact, Robin even gave me some tips about how to get the elusive Whirly Pop Kettle Corn not to burn. I’m really not kidding about this pot. You’ll never buy microwave popcorn again.

Laura had a very expensive snack at a Wolfgang Puck restaurant after work and handles the reality that she’s been charged $16 for a single glass of wine quite well.

Heat, Eat, and Review tackles the new Smucker’s Peanut Butter and Honey Uncrustables. I know I’m not supposed to like things like this, but I have fond memories of the Grape Jelly and Peanut Butter Uncrustable that I sampled in a grocery store once. Although, this could also just be my new constant craving for white bread talking.

My friend Erin is in the initial planning stages of plotting out a spot in her community garden. I’m hoping to grow something a little more challenging myself this year. Really. I mean it.

Top 5 Recipes I’m Dying to Try this Week

S’more Cupcakes from Jen at Beantown Baker
Sarah’s Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies at FoodCite
Rachelle’s Calico Bell Pepper Muffins at RachelleB.com
Tropical Coconut Cheesecake from Tarah at Genesis of a Cook
Nicole’s Hearty Potato Leek Soup at Pinch My Salt