Bumpers and Quilts and Pillows, oh my!

So, who knew there were so many potentially hazardous materials literally laying (lieing?) in wait to SUFFOCATE THE BABY!

Apparently, that adorable bumper is a just a vicious, breath-stealing monster in disguise. I don't know how much I buy into it all, but I guess better safe than sorry. The Patchwork Pooh set I was considering from Babies 'R Us is nearly $200, and that seems like an awful lot to spend on a crib sheet and dust ruffle, since we won't be using the bumper and quilt for more than decoration. I've found the set on ebay, so we may be going used - and I can always strip the bumper and use that fabric as a valance...

This, again apparently, is the 'safer, healthier' option for a bumper: http://www.breathablebaby.com/

It's available at BRU, too, so even though I don't think the crib will be nearly as cute, function over form may win out this time.

129 days to go.

So far, So good

Remember when you're a teenager, and 30 seemed so old? Well, even when I was turning 26, 30 still seemed impossibly old, and it felt nearly impossible that it was so quickly approaching. In fact, I spent a portion of my 26th birthday in tears - so upset that I was closer to 30 than 20, and why why why did I have to get old?

For my 30th, I skipped town. I've always been a 'let's celebrate' kind of person, but I didn't see any cause for celebration. At least I was married, and had an amazing husband who allowed my eccentricities and took me on a wine tour in Texas hill country for the weekend. It was wonderful, and will be a hard birthday to top. I didn't suddenly sprout crow's feet and liver spots (though I was awarded a stretch mark - even though I was LOSING weight - literally the week after I turned 30), and my joints didn't start creaking. All my friends in their 40s promised me my 30s would be great, even better than my 20s. Yeah, right.

Well, 2008 is wrapping up, and I'm officially 31. Reflecting on the past year. Wow. It's been pretty amazing. I'm coming in to my own at my job. My management values my contributions, and has awarded me handsomely, with a promotion, a raise, and a sizable spot bonus for my role in an enterprise project. I love my husband more every day, and we celebrated our one year anniversary on the Riveria Maya at a beautiful resort - a vacation we paid for upfront, something I never could have done in my 20s. And, despite my pessimism that it would take us months and months to get pregnant, we were blessed quickly, and now we're just slightly more than four months away from cause for another celebration.

I'll admit, my 20s were a lot of fun. I loved being able to get up and go practically where ever I wanted, whenever I wanted. But all those people that made those experiences so great - well, they're still around. We're still celebrating together, we're just celebrating new and different, and in my opinion, a lot more profound things. The question 'Where can I take my baby to nurse?' may replace 'Where can I put these jello shots?' occasionally, but I'm starting to accept that that's OK. And besides, how great is it (at least temporarily) not to have to suck my stomach in for pictures?! :)

Best. Ornament. EVAR.

Got these q's off Brandy's blog and figured I might as well play along...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. The kittens eat the tissue out of bagged gifts...

2. Real tree or Artificial? I much prefer real, but again, the cats rule our lives. It was a constant fight to keep Okie from drinking out of the stand when we had a real tree, and now we just have to yell at him for licking the artificial one. Seriously.

3. When do you put up the tree? Typically the week after Thanksgiving, but since it came so late this year, I actually had it up mid-November.

4. When do you take the tree down? Early January.

5. Do you like eggnog? Usually, yes - but right now, sounds really gross...

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Gosh... I dunno. Cabbage Patch Kids, maybe?

7. Hardest person to buy for? Garett's Dad. or maybe Garett himself.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Any of the nephews or niece.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yep - had the same one for longer than I can remember.

10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards. Neither - never been in to it...

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Again, not real sure. I apparently have fuzzy memory of gifts received.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Love Actually. Soooooooo sweet!

13. When do you start shopping? First week of November.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can think of...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Carmel crunchies, which actually contain no carmel, but are quite crunchy - cornflakes in some sort of butterscotch chip melted goodness. Dad makes them. :)

16 color lights on tree? I prefer white, but the pre-lit multi-color tree was cheaper, so we went with it. All white lights in the front yard, though.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy - LOVE Faith Hill's new a cappella version.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel - got to see the fam! Though, one year, I swear, we're going to skip town and go see Rockefeller Plaza at Christmas.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? No way.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have a star, but I do linke an angel...

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The cold. Hate. it. But I do love snow, so I guess I'll deal.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Purple and silver. Go, Frogs!:)

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey - basically a repeat of Thanksgiving.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Can I have my Christmas in May and wish for a healthy, happy baby?

Feeling Loved

31 years and 2 days old. It was a great weekend. We started Thanksgiving on Thursday with G's family and spent the afternoon at his Aunt's house. Friday we drove up to Stillwater and had Thanksgiving 2.0 with my family. Then, Saturday, Thanksgiving III at the Clausings. Even though the Pokes lost, we had a fantastic time.

I got lots of goodies for my b-day, including a really neat wine carrier, a cute purse, a recipe book, a restaurant gift card, my favorite perfume, and some baby things.

Garett is taking me to the Nutcracker at Bass Hall on Saturday, and also bought me a nightgown (yes, I'm apparently a 60 yr old in a 31 yr old body, but they're soooooooooo comfortable!) and surprised me on monday with flowers and a teddy bear. :)

We also went out to eat hibachi, and despite my steak aversion, the filet sounded so good, I decided to try a bit. Didn't work out so well... I couldn't swallow it and had to excuse myself from the table. So. Yeah. I guess that aversion is still going.

Other than that, not much baby to report. I think I felt it moving last night, but it may have just been wishful thinking. Next ultrasound is in two weeks. 156 days to go!