It seems that no matter how many toys you buy, babies gravitate toward non-toys above all. The up side to this? You already have a toy box treasure trove right in your kitchen cupboards. Here are some great toys I’m sure you already have that your little one will love!
1. Lids
Banging things together to make fun new sounds is a favorite past time for babies and lids are perfect for this activity.
2. Whisks
Another fun toy for banging against things and chewing on. Find one that has a rubber handle for added texture and sensory exploration.
3. Muffin Tins
Muffin tins are great for babies to sort objects into. Even if they aren’t at the point of intentionally sorting items, they’ll enjoy dropping things into the tins nonetheless.
4. Spatulas
Spatulas make great teething toys for babes. The rubber tip and the wooden handle are both great for teething on.
5. Storage Containers
Fill small storage containers with various dry goods like noodles and beans and you have instant shakers that babies will love.
6. Measuring Cups and Spoons
These are just as great as musical instruments in the eyes of a baby. Your baby will enjoy jingle jangling these together endlessly.

Have your bags (one for you, one for baby) packed and in your car by 35 weeks. (Taxi-taking mums — stash your bags in the front hall closet.)

A tip for the thrifty: Ask your hospital what they provide for babies and mothers, and take those items off your list.

Must-Haves:

[ ] Insurance info, hospital forms and birth plan (if you have one)

[ ] 2-3 pairs of warm, nonskid socks that can get ruined (for walking the halls before and after labor)

[ ] A warm robe or sweater you don’t mind sacrificing to the cause

[ ] 2 maternity bras — no underwire — and nursing pads (whether or not you plan to nurse, you’ll appreciate the support and leak-protection)

[ ] Lip balm (hospitals are very dry)

[ ] Toiletries and personal items — hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, makeup (as if), shampoo, conditioner, lotion, contact lens case and solution (remember, travel-sized products are your friends)

[ ] Sugar-free hard candy or lozenges to keep your mouth moist during labor (candy with sugar will make you thirsty)

[ ] Pen and paper

[ ] Lots of change for the vending machines and non-perishable snacks (you’ll probably be hungry after labor, and the hospital cafeteria could be closed)

[ ] Mobile phone and charger, phone numbers of people to call after birth, prepaid calling card (if your hospital doesn’t allow phones)

[ ] Camera, film or extra memory card, battery or charger

[ ] A gym bag packed with a change of clothes and basic hygiene products for your partner

Take it or leave it:

[ ] Extra pillow (with a case that can get ruined, in a pattern distinguishable from hospital white)

[ ] Comfortable going-home clothes in six-month maternity size and flat shoes (or, just wear the clothes you came in… sorry, but they’ll probably still fit)

[ ] Bath towel (the hospital will likely supply a small, very thin one)

[ ] Hairdryer

[ ] Your favorite brand of soap, shampoo and heavy flow sanitary pads (the hospital supplies these things, but bring your own if you’re picky)

[ ] A few pairs of maternity underwear that can get ruined (the hospital will have disposable pairs, which some women find handy and others find gross)

[ ] A ruin-able nightgown (you can use those lovely hospital gowns, but your own might help you feel more human)

[ ] Breast pump, if you plan to use one

[ ] Slippers that can get dirty

[ ] Very light reading (think mags and newspapers, not War and Peace)

[ ] Your MP3 (loaded with your favorite tunes, of course)

[ ] Massage oil and tools like rolling pins or tennis balls, and lucky or inspirational objects (honestly, we doubt you’ll use ’em…but feel free to prove us wrong!)

Leave Home:

[ ] Any clothes or nighties you really like (they will get ruined)

[ ] Stopwatch (your nurse or a monitor will take care of timing contractions)

What to Bring For Baby:

[ ] Approved car seat

[ ] A coming-home outfit

[ ] Warm blankets (for the ride home)

[ ] Outdoor gear like a snowsuit and hat, as seasonally appropriate (remember, babies are extra sensitive to cold)

Best baby Celebrity names at the moment –

Louis Bardo (Sandra Bullock)
Louis Bardo’s name combines the best of both of his little worlds. Louis shares a name with Louis Armstrong, and they even share a birthplace — New Orleans! Louis’s German middle name goes with adoptive mom Sandra’s roots (her mom was German). Bardo was the name of an obscure German saint and means “water.” Jennifer Moss, founder and CEO of BabyNames.com, says names like Louis that are no-fuss are perfect. “Make your child’s name easy to pronounce and easy to spell,” she says. “Definitely shy away from unique spellings of popular names. Your child is going to have to spell it out for people his whole life.”

Gideon Scott and Harper Grace (Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka)
Okay, we’re obsessed with the fact that Neil Patrick Harris and partner David Burtka’s nine-month-old twins’ names are steeped in literary history. Gideon’s name comes from the Bible. “Biblical names have been really hot for boys,” says Moss. “Plus, it’s easy to spell, but it’s not so common, so there won’t be five boys in his class with the same name.” The name Harper (for girls!) is definitely hot right now, with a huge celeb following that includes David and Victoria Beckham (Harper Seven), Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters (Harper Willow) and Tiffani Thiessen (Harper Renn). It may be inspired by Harper Lee, the author of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Flynn Christopher (Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom)
How’s this for sweet? Supermodel Miranda Kerr named her baby boy after her late ex — and hubby Orlando Bloom was all for it! Yup, Flynn’s middle name is a tribute to Miranda’s high school sweetheart, who died in a car accident as a teen. Naming your kid after your ex may be pretty unusual, but Moss says, “As long as both parents agree, then it doesn’t hurt. I think it’s a great way to honor somebody.” Flynn is also such a fun old Hollywood name (think of classic movie star Errol Flynn). It’s fitting for the baby of two superstar parents!

Willow Sage (Pink and Carey Hart)
We’re all for singer Pink and her motorcycle and off-road racer hubby choosing a calm name for their baby girl. With their adventurous lifestyles, Willow will definitely mellow them out! The willow is Pink’s favorite tree and is the most flexible in nature, while sage is cleansing. So when you put all the elements together, Pink’s two-month-old’s name has the meaning of flexible cleansing “heart.” Moss is a big fan of nature names as long as they’re not outlandish: “People know how to spell it and it’s easy to pronounce. You also have to think of the rhythm of the name and how it fits with the surname.”

Aviana Olea (Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo)
We think actress Amy Adams and her fiancé Darren Le Gallo, struck gold with Aviana. The inspiration? Amy’s birthplace of Aviano, Italy. And honestly, we love that the name is unique and exotic without trying too hard (e.g., Bronx Mowgli Wentz, Kal-El Coppola). We’re thankful for celebs that know their limits.

Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt)
The names Maddox, Pax, Zahara and Shiloh are tough acts to follow. And when you’re Brad and Angelina, there’s even more pressure when it comes to naming — it’s front-page news! The couple chose to go back to their family roots for this twosome. Knox is the middle name of Brad’s grandfather, and Leon is the name of Angelina’s great-great-grandfather. Vivienne is the French form of Vivian — a nod to the twins’ birthplace of France. Vivienne’s middle name, Marcheline, is a tribute to Angelina’s beloved late mother. Iconic names for iconic babies — kudos to Brangelina!

Krishna Thea (Padma Lakshmi and Adam Dell)
Naming your child after a deity isn’t such a bad way to welcome her to the world. Padma gave her baby daughter the name Krishna, a central figure in Hinduism and a reference to mom’s Indian heritage. It’s the perfect moniker for Padma’s little princess.

Levi Alves (Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey)
We don’t know about you, but sometimes when people name kids after parents and grandparents it gets confusing with all the “juniors” and “the thirds.” That’s why we love that Matthew and Camila didn’t go with Matthew Jr. Instead they went with Levi, another name for Matthew in the Bible. Also, it works out perfectly that Levi was born at 6:22 p.m. and the actor’s favorite Bible verse in the book of Matthew is 6:22.

Harlow Winter Kate (Nicole Richie and Joel Madden)
She’s no baby anymore, but Harlow still makes us go “aww.” The cute (and super stylish) tot got her classic name from both parents — Joel is a fan of 1920s actress Jean Harlow, while Nicole likes the model Shalom Harlow. “Harlow evokes old Hollywood but it’s not teasable,” says Moss. “Also, Winter is unique, and because it’s a noun it doesn’t have a bad connotation.” Nicole and Joel were on fire with this name selection (their other kid, Sparrow — we’re still on the fence about that one).

Sadie Grace (Christina Applegate and Martyn LeNoble)
Sadie Grace is such a sweet name for a little girl. Christina and fiancé Martyn chose to go girly for their first born – and we’re all for it! With all these unisex names like Taylor, Jordan and Casey, it’s refreshing to see a feminine name take over. No doubt, Sadie’s a sweetheart to both mom and dad — Christina, who battled breast cancer in 2008, has said in past interviews that her new baby girl has “healed” her.