I was in Babies R Us on Monday to pick out some gifts for a niece who is expecting her first baby in September. What should have taken a few minutes, took much longer  -- probably because the walk through the aisles was more of a trip down memory lane. And a very good one at that! Almost instantly, I was transported back to the day I picked out items for my baby's registry more than a decade ago. Loved it! It was better than shopping for myself!

It got me to thinking about my daughter's first treasures, both practical and extravagant. And the ones that were a big help, even if I didn't know they'd be at the time I tore open the wrapping paper. The cute, cute clothes, of course, and the blue cotton blanket that is now white and torn from dozens of washings -- but still claims a corner in my daughter's chest of drawers.

There was the plastic key chain that brought my daughter endless delight when she was in the car, or her stroller. The children's CDs (Sesame Street, Raffi -- I'd never even heard of him when I opened that gift) that entertained her on long trips. Loved the talking Piglet -- (even though he scared the heck out of me when my daughter, as a toddler, would roll over on him during nap time and trigger his voice and my fear that there was a stranger in her room.) The umbrella stroller -- used it all the time! The Eddie Bauer diaper bag -- still use it as an overnight bag. The bathtub toys, the monitor, the lullaby-playing pillow. And the little board books my daughter paged through endlessly. The diapers and disposable wipes. And, from the bottom of my heart, I have to say it, the Diaper Genie! What a godsend!