Yes, I do think that I am obsessed. My obsession of the day is the difference between these two toys. Each has its appealing points, and I can not find a review comparing the two anywhere!Teddy Ruxpin has been re-released yet again. I haven’t seen one bad review of this toy. Although some design elements have changed since its original creation 20 years ago, it is the same Teddy that many parents remember and love. TJ BearyTales is a brand new toy featuring many similarities to the original Teddy. I cannot decide between the two. Actually, I have decided as I have purchased a Teddy Ruxpin for A (my son) this Christmas. I am tempted to buy a TJ also just to see which is the superior toy.

The newest Teddy Ruxpin is quite nice. It has moving eyes and mouth just like the older versions. Teddy’s body is hard, but has relatively plush head, arms and legs. It is quite a bit smaller and lighter than in the past, and uses digital “storybooks” instead of tapes. Each digital story comes with at least two books, one picture book, one song/story book. The picture book is just that, pictures to go along with the story Teddy tells. The song/story book is all of the words he speaks. This version runs on 4 AA batteries and does have an “auto off” feature that allows it to use very small amounts of power without it being switched off. As of right now, just 2 months after its release, there are 6 storybook packages available. Teddy Ruxpin has his own website - TeddyRuxpin.com - with information about him, games and movies to watch. Teddy’s base price is $69.99 US with an additional $19.99 per storybook.

TJ BearyTales is the Teddy alternative. This new toy has a lot of additional features. It has eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and arms that move with the stories. It has digital “storybooks” also, some that come with special toys that correspond with what is being read. Each digital book comes with one paper book, words and pictures to follow. TJ runs on 3 D batteries. TJ hasn’t been around for long but has tons of storybooks available for purchase, many that promote preschool ready-ness through teaching things about following directions and cleaning your room. TJ is hard to find information about on the web, some websites have linked to his official site but those links do not work. TJ’s base price is $49.99 US with an additional $9.99 - $14.99 per storybook.

Both sound like really great toys don’t they? There are a few things that I keep trying to decide over in my head. 1. Why does Teddy have pictures and words in separate books? I cannot imagine the reasoning behind this. If they put it all together and made 1 bigger book with both, the child wouldn’t have to decide between, or juggle two different books to follow along with. TJ got that right. 2. Teddy runs on 4 AA batteries. I have heard that these run out quickly, but rechargeable batteries are an option. TJ runs on 3 D batteries. Although these may last longer, it is very very hard to find that size in a rechargeable. 3. TJ has more moving parts. I bet the additional facial features moving looks great, but why the arms? Moving arms really take away the option of sleeping with him, and you can imagine the breaking possibilities with his appendages flailing everywhere (my imagination aside they probably do not exactly flail). 4. Although Teddy has been long recognized for his amazing stories, I’m not sure what they teach (I have not yet read them as I will wait to do that with my boy). TJ has so many options for stories that there are some great ones about a first day at school, and cleaning a messy room. The ones that come with corresponding toys sound like they would be a lot of fun. 5. TJ is cuter. 6. TJ is cheaper. 7. Teddy has a following, with additional movies and TV shows (although they may be outdated as most are from its original release). 8. Did I mention the horrible idea of swinging arms? 9. Did I also mention books with words and pictures? 10. Teddy is in definite need of a wardrobe makeover.

In the end I don’t know what to think. Both seem like great toys, both with great parent reviews at every site I have seen. I do think that whichever is given to a child they will love; really love (although that does not stop my quest for superiority). Has Teddy been around for so long because he is really that great or does the parent’s nostalgia play a big part? Will Teddy stay around for a while this time (He was hugely popular in his first edition but there have been several unsuccessful releases since then), will more stories and additions be available? Is TJ BearyTales the loved friend that so many think of when they see a Teddy Ruxpin or is he just a toy? Will he be the new Teddy replacement?

What do you think? Do you have any opinion on these toys? Are you like my husband who tells me I get obsessed when I drink coffee? Share your ideas.

Photos courtesy of Target.com, where you can find both of these amazing toys.

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ust today, in the blink of an eye, the spirit of Christmas hit me. I don’t know what did it, maybe it was the super foggy morning that reminded me of the snow of a Minesota winter, or maybe it was the Christmakah episode of The OC I had just watched, but it hit me like a brick. So, in the spirit of my great mood and wonderful day (A has been a remarkable boy this morning, it’s like he grew up since his nap) I give you a little conversation my husband J and I had just the other day (completely un-Christmas related).

So here we are sitting on the sofa watchig tv, probably a re-run of CSI, when J says:

“I’ve deceided that I want to read and write more dirty limericks”

“… ”

“You just never know when you might need to use one”

There are several questionable things about this conversation, the first is the subject matter in whole - DIRTY LIMERICKS! Why in the world he was thinking of this I will never know. The second thing is use of the word “more” - Like he really doesn’t take full advantage of how many dirty limericks he could be writing. Lastly, When do you really need a dirty limerick? In any case, one of the greatest things about my husband is that I can never begin to guess what will come out of his mouth, he always can make me laugh.

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o those of you who aren’t big fans of this day, I think I will recommend skipping over this post. It’s mushy, cheesy, and I can imagine hard to stomach if you aren’t in the mood for some Valentine’s Day romance.

101 Things I Love about You
(Things I loves about J)

1. I love that every minute I am thinking about you, I know that you are thinking about me too.
2. I love the way you laugh when you play with our son.
3. I love that you know the importance of nice makeup,
4. and that you know what kinds I use and can buy it for me when I’m not there.
5. I love that you aren’t perfect,
6. can’t sit still,
7. or be quiet;
8. but that you try so hard, just for me.
9. I love the way you look in your new pants,
10. and out of them.
11. I love that you can put up with all my little things,
12. that you say aren’t annoying, but I know that they are.
13. I love that you sleep so deeply,
14. I can make all kinds of noise and not wake you,
15. or at least you don’t complain.
16. I love how every time I think of you my phone rings,
17. or I get a little message or picture from you.
18. I love that you lie with me until I fall asleep,
19. just so I can sleep well,
20. and that you try to be so quiet.
21. I love that you rub me when I’m sleeping,
22. and you aren’t mad when I don’t remember it in the morning.
23. I love that you don’t get mad if I don’t have time to iron your shirts,
24. or pants,
25. or sometimes even wash them.
26. I love your artistic eyes,
27. everything you see is beauty.
28. I love what you can create,
29. from just a blank piece of paper.
30. I love that you are such an amazing dad,
31. even though you don’t always remember where the diapers are,
32. or at what time he will be hungry.
33. I love that you actually listen when I talk to you,
34. and that you remember what I say.
35. I love your little surprises,
36. that you come home with every day.
37. There is no one else that could make me happy;
38. but you can make me happy with something as small as a gumball.
39. I love that when you are angry at me you can’t stay mad,
40. because you can’t help wanting to make me laugh,
41. and you can make me laugh, not matter how upset I am.
42. I love that you try to say “I Love you” to me at least 12 times a day,
43. because anything less is just not enough love.
44. I love how you sing to Shakira, and the Dixie Chicks,
45. and that you are just a little embarrassed when I notice.
46. I love the way you take so long to get ready,
47. and try on clothes,
48. because I know that you are trying to be perfect for me.
49. I love that you think about what would be the best type of soap for me to use,
50. I love that you care about my soap!
51. I can’t believe it when you come home with food from 3 different restaurants,
52. just so I can have all my favorite things.
53. I love how we spend every minute together,
54. and still want more time.
55. I love that you appreciate everything that I do for you,
56. and you work just as hard to do things for me.
57. I love that you remember carnations are ugly flowers,
58. and ‘bird of paradise’ are my favorites.
59. I love that when you are hungry you don’t even know where to look for food;
60. and that when I cook, you love everything I make.
61. I love that when A was born you were there,
62. with me every minute,
63. even when you felt sick.
64. I love that everything I was thinking that day, you were too.
65. I love that you don’t read baby books,
66. that way you know I will just let you know the important things.
67. I love how you get scared when I feed him something he has never had before,
68. and when he tries to put so much in his mouth at once.
69. I love how you knew how important his 1st birthday was to me,
70. and that you did everything you could to make the day perfect,
71. and it was.
72. I love that you are so caring,
73. and giving,
74. and passionate,
75. and silly.
76. and emotional,
77. and stubborn,
78. and lazy,
79. and hardworking,
80. and sleepy.
81. I love ‘Josh Bad N Ugly’!
82. I love that I cannot imagine my life without you,
83. and that you couldn’t imagine yours without me either.
84. I love when you buy me things,
85. that I tell you not to,
86. because I am just being stubborn.
87. I love that you hide money from me,
88. so that you can buy me things.
89. I love that you love watches,
90. because I love to buy them for you.
91. I love how you get embarrassed to tell me things,
92. even when they are usually things I already know.
93. I love how you change your mind about everything,
94. like getting a motorcycle,
95. or a new car,
96. or a truck.
97. I love how when you read all of this you will probably cry,
98. and how embarrassed you will be when I tell you I put it online.
99. I love that you are trying your best not to bite your nails,
100. and that you are sucking up your manly-ness to get a manicure for my Valentines Day present.
101. I love how even after listing 100 things about you that I love; it doesn’t even scratch the surface of what is amazing about you. I could go on for a Million more.

Happy Valentines Day!

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great way to think of the past year.

What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
- With moving across the country and having a baby we did way too many new things!

Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions? Will you make more for 2006?
- I don’t think I made a resolution - or if I did I didn’t keep it. I don’t think I have one for this year either - maybe to stop being lazy but I doubt that will happen.

What places did you visit?
- Started the year in Colorado, then moved to Georgia, visited Minnesota and Tennesse

What events marked 2005?
- Birth of baby A 1/25/05. Moving to GA 3/5/05. 2 year wedding anniversary 3/28/05.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
- Me, lol. A friend in Colorado. A cousin in Colorado.

Did anyone close to you die?
- yep.

What do you wish you’d done more of?
- Save more money, go to more movies, take more vacations.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
- Could have spent less money (although I am sure that if I had it to do over again I would spend the same or much more). Could have eaten less, that would have been great.

What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
- Would love to buy a house, I think we will because we have a better idea of where we want to be now.

What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory?
- Nov 30th

What “things” did you want and get?
- We had a big spending year, bought ourselves and baby A alot of stuff. Nothing too huge but we did get a lot.

What “thing” did you want and not get?
- Haven’t gotten a 2nd car yet, hopefully soon.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
- I turned 23. I will have to think about what I did - I think we did dinner and a movie.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
- More sleep! More time with husband J!

What was the best thing you bought?
- I love my Ipod Nano, we got a headrest dvd player in the car for A that he loves, we upgraded some stuff in J’s computer, lots of great stuff.

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
- Husband J. We are always calling eachother and sending eachother messages.

Compared to this time last year, are you……Happier or sadder?
- Happier, A has changed me.

Thinner or fatter?
- Well, considering in the beginning of ‘05 I was 8 months pregnant I am deffinately thinner! I like this question.

Richer or poorer?
- Richer I suppose; although we spent most of it.

What were your favorite films of this year?
- I love movies. I could not begin to list them all - I will say “A Million Little Pieces” was a book that changed me.

What was your favorite TV program?
- Arrested Developement, Seinfeld, Project Runway, The OC, House

What was your greatest musical discovery?
- Hmmm, I don’t know that I really listened to new people much - maybe Kanye West

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
- I love to wear casual scrubby cloths with super nice jewlery - it’s comfy but you don’t look so much like a bum.

Who were the best new people you met?
- Sadly I think the only new person I met was my hair stylest. She is great. Only see her every 3-4 months though. Very sad.

How many different people did you kiss in 2005?
- Only the 1 in the romantic way - I am kissin’ A all the time also.

How many people did you have sex with in 2005?
- Kinda personel but again only the 1.

Did you fall in love in 2005?
- I did I did, even though it sounds so sappy I fell in love with my baby boy. When he was born he was like this little alien who I didn’t know at all and I fell in love. He is wonderful.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
- I didn’t meet anyone new to start hating yet - lol - Truthfully there are few people I hate.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
- Becoming a mother. I really didn’t plan on this whole questionaire being about baby stuff.

What was your biggest failure?
- If I could think of one I don’t think I would admit it.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
- Don’t know really.

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