Shopping Fever

I thought being pregnant had cured me (temporarily) of shopping fever, which has been quite convenient since we're in a recession and need to save money anyway. I was wrong. Although I could care less about buying clothes for myself, I have discovered a whole new danger. Deliciously cute baby stuff. Look at these shoes ...


You can buy them here and Kelly is giving away a pair on her blog (don't enter, I want them) and I think they are the cutest little things ever!

I also heard that Three Marthas makes the best thick hooded towels for bathtime. And they are so preppy! I like this one and this one. They are pricey but seriously cute.

The shopping continues on to the exciting division of nursing covers. There are so many choices! Is black a bad idea for something like this (I love how simple and pretty this one is)? If black is impractical, this one is a good alternative.

In case you didn't already know, Baby Gap is full of tiny tempting things. The dresses in the store are beautiful! Some are impractical but who cares when they are so gorgeous?

And pettiskirts ... oh how I love these!!! I want one (or four). Maybe it could be a photography expense and I could buy it as a "prop"? Any excuse will do :)

I love it when commercials do this ...

This commercial made me get all teared up. Maybe it's hormones but I think it's because it has a beautiful message that makes me want to run out and do something fabulous, just because I'm alive today. (You'll have to read the subtitles but it's worth it)



This was not an original idea, I saw it on Tara's blog. Just had to share!

I'm not dead ... just pretending to be

I promised a follow-up post on Tuesday but it's Friday and here I am. I could tell you how busy I've been but who really cares? So, I'll continue with answers to your wonderful questions.

Gropius asked: I know you're not a critter person. Spiders or roaches?
Which would I prefer? Spiders. Roaches scare the living daylights out of me. Seriously. More than things that can actually cause me bodily harm. I would rather swim with sharks than look at live roaches. Did I mention I hate roaches?

Babychick asked: What is your favorite band/musician?
That's a hard question because I honestly don't have a favorite. It all depends on my mood and what's going on. I love John Mayor and Diana Krall when I'm looking for something mellow and relaxing, I listen to Christian music in my car and love many of the bands that are popular right now, I also love U2 and sill stuff like Justin Timberlake ... I'm all over the place. The only thing I loathe is country music. Put me in a room with roaches and country music and you might as well shoot me ;)

Mrs. Sofa asked: Once baby arrives, do you plan to return to work or stay home?
I will be a working mom (that sounds so weird to me). I plan to take some time off and then have already lined up a wonderful daycare for the little one. The daycare is less than 2 miles from both home and work, has a great reputation (several friend's babies go there), and is run by the church where my grandmother has been a member for years. We got lucky and bypassed the waiting list because my grandmother also happens to be Board President of the Day Care program. I am also blessed to have a job that will allow me lots of flexibility and I'll be able to work from home some as well.

Aelon asked: Did you and your hubby plan this pregnancy or was it a sweet surprise?
It was definitely not a surprise but it did happen a lot faster than I expected it to. I always said when we got married that we'd probably have kids after we'd been married about 5 years and it looks like God and I were on the same page on that one! (technically, we'll have been married 6 years when she's born - our anniversary is on Sunday) I found out on my birthday which was crazy and exciting, and she's due two days before my husband's 30th birthday!

Singerchick asked: Do you love being pregnant or hate it?
This question made me laugh. To be honest, for the first few months I hated it. I was feeling sick and freaked out by all of the crazy side-effects of pregnancy. Today I am feeling quite good about it though. I have lots of energy, still no dramatic or scary weight gain, food is my friend again, and I'm enjoying working out. I'll be glad to feel "normal" (or a new kind of normal) after she's born but for today I feel great. I reserve the right to go back to hating it at any moment though :)

Lisa asked: Are you having cravings? Where do you love to eat out?
Yes and no. I wouldn't say any strong cravings but I eat fruit like it's going out of style and turkey sandwiches taste heavenly. When I watch TV lots of things look delicious - milkshakes, pizza, donuts, yumm! But I have pretty strong self-discipline and try to eat healthy and only have junk on Saturdays if I really want it. I hardly eat any fast food, it's a habit I broke long before I got pregnant and although it looks good, it makes me feel so awful after I eat it that all temptation is gone. But, each week a different restaurant sounds good to me. One week I might wants chips and queso (ok, I want that every week) and another week, nothing sounds more appealing than salad and bread sticks at Olive Garden.

Answers!

Thanks to everyone who left comments with questions, it's been fun reading and answering them! I'll start today and post the rest of my answers tomorrow.

Praise Junky asked these questions:

If you had to go on a reality TV show, which one would you pick?
I love reality shows! I would be on Big Brother. Here's my reasoning: I could never be on Survivor because you get way to dirty and have to eat gross things. I love the Amazing Race because I love traveling and adventure, but the pace would stress me out and the physical challenges are more fun to watch than to try. Big Brother allows you to bring your own wardrobe, eat normal food (unless you're on slop) and socialize - fun!

Would you rather be beautiful or rich?
That's a hard question ... can I be average and wealthy? LOL. I would pick rich because I would be able to make more of a difference in other people's lives if I were super rich. You can always be beautiful on the inside and dress up the exterior with some diamonds ;)

And finally, how are you decorating the nursery?
Until this weekend this question was a frustrating one for me because I could not find anything I was in love with. I knew I wanted to use pink and green but I like more simple things and didn't want lots of flowers and butterflies (I don't dislike those, it's just not what I had in mind). However, Friday afternoon we went to start our registry and not only did I find the bedding set that I thought was discontinued, I got a major deal (like blow your mind good!) and bought it and the accessories! I am feeling so much more encouraged and excited to have it picked out and will be working on plans over the next month to bring it all together. I'll post pictures as we go!

Pine Lakes Redhead asked: Since the decorating question has already been asked, I'll go with... Have you picked out a baby name yet?
We haven't made it final yet (it's a big decision!) but we're pretty sure it's going to be Addison Rose. Addison is a name we both like a lot and Rose is my sister's middle name.

JESSICA asked: What's your tv line up?
I love TV, it's what the hubby and I do together to relax and unwind (when I'm not working late or at Junior League meetings). We could not live without our TiVo (we could but we don't want to). Most nights you can find me with my laptop watching some show and vegging out. Right now we watch Big Love, The Amazing Race, The Biggest Loser, The Office, and Survivor. I also love The Bachelor/Bachelorette and Big Brother when those are on. I record other shows to watch on Saturdays while I'm cleaning or relaxing like Jon & Kate plus 8, The Real Housewives (junk tv), Toddlers and Tiaras (train wreck that I can't help but watch), and The Hills (more junk). Judge me if you want to, but I read lots of books and work hard - sometimes my brain needs a break :)

Uncommon Sister asked: What was your favorite part of college?
My favorite part of college was being in a sorority. It's not for everyone but it was a wonderful experience for me. Those girls are still some of my best friends. I loved living in the house, the socials and events, and the way it really immerses you in college life.

Will there be more children?
I imagine there will be another baby in our future but it's hard to look ahead to that when we are right in the middle of waiting for #1 to arrive. I'd like to have one of each (doesn't everyone say that?)

I'll post answers to the rest tomorrow!

Quotes that rock

I saw this quote today and thought it was fabulous. Just had to share ...

Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.
Margaret Thatcher

I'll be back this weekend with answers to all of the fun questions!

Soliciting Advice

I am working on a post with answers to all of your questions. Thanks for commenting/asking - this is fun! In the meantime, I am also working on my list for the baby registry. We are going to start the process this weekend and I have been doing lots of research between the Baby Bargains book, consumer reports and other recommendations, to put together my list (Type A much?). I had no idea doing a baby registry was going to be so much work. When you get married you don't have to think about safety recalls, developmental toys, etc. - you just go in and scan. But I digress, let's get back to the point of this post. For those of you with children (or know children), do you have any recommendations for "must-have" items? What did you never use? Use the most? I want your input! Right now I am debating between the jumperoo and an exersaucer ...

What do you want to know?

Today I've decided to play a little game, it's called "What do you want to know?"

Hopefully at least a few of you will have questions, otherwise I'll feel like a big, unloved, loser and no one should make a pregnant girl feel that way. (Pregnant girl sounds more attractive to me than pregnant lady - don't you agree?) Anyway, since my life is so riviting and filled with fabulous details, is there anything you want to know about me? Feel free to ask any questions in the comments and I'll answer them in the next couple of posts. Unless they are rude or about something extremely personal, I'll probably answer them all, seeing as how I don't have hundreds of comments like fancy pants bloggers like Dooce or Pioneer Woman. So, fire away about all things - work related, baby plans, personal feelings, my favorite things, etc. I am an open book ... which reserves the right to slam shut if necessary :)

I'll leave you with a question to ponder yourself - If you had to choose one, would you rather have permanently pink hair or purple lips? I'll tell you my choice later ;)

Nesting? More like building a tree house

I need to dust off this blog and get back to writing but I've been a little bit distracted. There's this thing they call nesting that in my case has become more like building a multi-level tree house. Everywhere I look there is a project lying in wait. Yesterday I started off doing some basic cleaning and ended up re-organizing the linen closet, cleaning out bathroom cabinets, and vacuuming places I never even noticed before (like the back of the door on the linen closet, lol). I was like a woman obsessed. I also now want to repaint all of my baseboards, buy new door knobs and hinges for all interior doors, have our (new) carpets cleaned, and the list goes on. In a perfect world I would buy new appliances for my kitchen, however, given that the existing appliances work fine and we are in a recession I should probably calm down on the unnecessary projects. My husband is a little afraid ... and he should be. The more I cross off my list, the more I want to do (which means he also gets to do)! I would have taken pictures of all of my accomplishments except I was exhausted yesterday by the time I got done with it all.

I promise this blog is not going to just become a baby/pregnancy blog but for today that's all I've got!

Things I love ... and hate

Today I love ...

Turkey Sandwiches (seriously, I had one for lunch and it tasted like the best meal I've ever had - if anyone leaves a comment that I should not have eaten deli meat I might hurt you)

Online Shopping - did you know that Old Navy has launched a new site that lists weekly discount codes that can save you $$? This week, a few people got codes to save $50 or $75 off a $100 purchase! The site is OldNavyWeekly.com and they post new codes on Fridays at 9 am. I might be be reaching the point where I need to start wearing maternity clothes in the next couple of weeks and now that Ann Taylor Loft does not sell maternity clothes anymore, Gap and Old Navy are quickly becoming my only choices (and of course Target but so far I haven't been impressed with the selection). In the last 24 hours I have also found way to many baby things online that I want to order. I need to get off of the computer, it's dangerous!

Giveaways - In case you did not know it already, I love free stuff. I am always ordering free samples and coupons online. Last week alone I got Emergen-C and shampoo in the mail (it's the little things I tell you). Anyway, Savvy Housewife is giving away three Honey Kix prize packs on her blog and you should go enter (even though I am going to win, haha).

Today I hate ...

Daylight Savings Time - whoever invented it deserves to be punched in the face (strong feelings, who me?)

Snowbirds with car keys - the city in which I live has become over-run with old people from up North and apparently they don't take Driver's Ed up there. I might start up a driving school for the elderly and get rich (the first session involves throwing everyone's car keys into the Gulf).

Just a few random thoughts from my Monday morning :)

It's The Little Things

A few weeks ago I read on someone else's blog about the Creamslush at Sonic (she's pregnant too and has been craving them). Ever since then I have wanted one. Badly. There really isn't a Sonic near work or home so I had to wait, but today was the day and it was all I had hoped for. If you are in the mood for something that tastes like a Strawberry milkshake and a popsicle then look no further. I am glad we don't live near Sonic because there are a lot of calories in that little cup but it sure did make me happy today. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Mental Problems

I am having some issues with something I've heard called "pregnancy brain." The other day I went to work with only half of my makeup on. I realized it at lunchtime when I looked in the mirror and thought "hmmm, I look different today." I completely forgot to put on any eye makeup! This is significant because I always put on eyeliner, even to go to the grocery store at 8 am on a Saturday. That was strange enough but today I went to put on my eyeliner and it was gone. Seriously, poof! it's gone. I have no idea what is going on. My makeup is always in my makeup bag on the counter and it makes no sense that just the eyeliner would be gone. Am I going crazy?

Clean Slate

I am back to blogging this week with a clean slate. Last week was a combination of writer's block and exhaustion so I am wiping the slate clean and starting fresh. I am still tired but I got SO much done this past weekend that it really helps me feel more in control of everything (P.S. I am a recovering control freak, I tend to fall off the wagon daily). So, in the interest of mindless chatter - did anyone watch The Bachelor last night? Holy moses, I was not expecting that twist at the end! I was so happy when he picked Melissa and very sad when he said it wasn't going to work. As much as I think it was mean to dump her on national television, I really do think that he's a nice guy with good intentions. What do you think? (you probably don't care but it really is an entertaining show)

As far as my pledge last week to see the grace in every day and try and do something unexpected and kind for others for the next few weeks ... today I am so thankful to have a job and to have all that I need. I read this blog post yesterday about being content and it was a great way to start the week. With so much turmoil swirling around me and touching people I know and love, I am thankful to have enough for today.