It's the Thought that Counts, Isn't It?

Presents...we go all over creation to pick the best present for a wedding or new baby (or just run to CVS for a gift card).  I am known for creating themed presents.  I never can tell if the receiver really likes them or not.  Well, no one has complained yet... 

So what were the best presents I've received?  For my wedding, it was anything off the registry (for the most part).  We were trying to establish a cohesive look to our home.  The towels, bedding, kitchen stuff, etc. that we picked out matched.  That's why we picked it.  Yes, that vase was beautiful, but the one on the registry was the same pattern as the china; that's why we put it there!  I am a fan of combining one or two registry items with some unique other items that I find helpful or whimiscal (depending on the couple) for wedding gifts.  I will also ask the bride or groom what they haven't received yet.  That gives me a great idea of what things they really want. 

Now, you'll notice I said "for the most part."  Those people who knew me...really knew me...got me things that I adored and were not on the registry--Longenberger baskets for example.  My grandmother gave me a basket full of cleaning supplies (she wanted the shower to be a cleaning shower, but my aunts had already planned a recipe shower--long story).  But, it was the most practical gift I got.  I never thought to register for a broom--but you need one.  And the other off-the-registry gift I loved was from one of my mom's best friends.  It's a family tree book to record our memories and histories.  It's been six years and we've only filled out a few pages, but it definitely was a treasured gift. 

Of course, money and gift cards were great too.  My mom actually gave an older bride and groom a gift card to a bed and breakfast of their choice.  I would have loved that as a younger bride too.  But the gift cards should be somewhere you know the couple will frequent or would be a dream splurge for them.  And, of course, cash is always welcome.  But be wary of people like me who forget to cash checks. 

Babies, too, receive gift cards.  And for them, any place that sells clothes or diapers is good.  But to be honest, what everyone loves to buy babies is clothes.  There is something about miniature size pants and shirts that no one can resist.  Even my husband goes into the baby clothes section willingly. While girls will definitely receive more clothes than baby boys (who can resist pink ruffles on the bum), each child will have a semi-finished waredrobe for his/her first year of life.  I thought I would avoid the plethora of sleepers and outfits but not knowing the baby's sex, but even we received a ton of gender neutral clothes.  And within a month of her being born, we went from yellows, greens, whites, and browns, to mostly pink.  (Think twice about announcing you are having a girl, unless you love the color pink...)

Of course, the next question is "what size to buy."  Now, experienced moms will tell you to buy big.  But if you go larger than 0-3 months, make sure to take the season in account.  Fleece PJs in the middle of July are not going to be very helpful unless you live in Alaska.  Actually, very few people bought us newborn size clothes.  So few, in fact, that we actually had to go shopping for clothes when the baby I thought would be 8 lbs. turned out to be 6.8.  She's 7 weeks old this week and we are still in the newborn clothes!  (Just this weekend, we've started introducing the 0-3s.)

Also, for either weddings or baby showers, don't discount going as a group for a larger present.  I know many couples that would appreciate a vacuum cleaner or stoller much more than the a set of handtowels or bibs.

But as any gift receiver will tell you, no matter what you buy, please give a gift receipt!  It's rather depressing when you go to exchange or return something only to find out (as I did recently) that what the giver paid $9 for, will only be able to be returned for $1.84.  So I forked over the money, just to get the larger size...don't do that to your loved ones. 

So...what were the best gifts that you received or have given?

Seasons of Love...and Babies

There's an old saying that you see everyone at three times in your life: when you are born, when you get married, and when you die.  Well, for Ken and me, we are seeing our friends and family regularly (and luckily, not because of any deaths).

In 2008, I attended six weddings. It began to be a bit humorous: two in May, two in August, and two in November. In 2009, we only went to one wedding and we have three on our calendar for 2010. (Of course, that could change if my cousin's boyfriend finally decides to propose to her--hint, hint, Chris.)


So for some reason, I thought life was quieting down for a bit. Instead we've hit a baby boom. Three of us gave birth in 2009 and scheduled for 2010 (so far) babies in February, April, May, and June (3 of them)...and these are just my dear friends. You can add another six to "before June" list if you count my extended friends. It seems that everyone is having a baby. Now I know you notice things more when they happen to you, but really, how many of you have or will go to six baby showers in four months?  But keep reading, in case you are...

I am going to dedicate the next few entries to weddings and babies--from things I've learned to things I wish I'd done as a guest, hostess, bride, and mommy-to-be. 
 
To begin with...showers!  Every woman has her own opinion of showers. 
 
First thing--surprises are fun, but knowing about them is so much better!  I've had both surprise (two bridal, one baby) and planned (one bridal, three baby) showers.  For my best friend's wedding, she had four showers and all but one were supposed to be a surprise.  Well, she really didn't figure out the first one until the last minute, but she figured out the rest.  And so she had to play along and we all had to play along and it might have just been easier to come clean.  I would highly recommend that baby showers, especially, be planned.  All this playing is easier when you are not pregnant.  Once you start growing a person, there are days you just feel ugly and have no clothes to wear; that is not the mommy-to-be that you want to show up.  All the details can be a surprise.
 
Why didn't or did I get invited?  The latter, of course, is easy to deal with--just RSVP "no."  But who knows why you were included or left off the list.  For some people showers are ways to beg for gifts; for others, it's more about celebrating at a special point in your life.  I just liked getting together the people who mean the most to me.  Almost all of my coworkers stopped by the work shower; and while the presents were nice, being able to talk about non-work was much better. 
 
Should guys be invited?  I would love to say that it's 2010 and that men should be eager to go to a shower.  But in reality, it really depends on the guy.  My best friend's husband wanted a Jack-and-Jill wedding shower.  Husband could have cared less.  And our friend M would probably die if he had to show up to a shower before his duty of loading up the cars.  All I can say is be ready for anything if you do a co-ed shower.  Make sure that there is food to keep the guys happy (tea sandwiches generally don't cut it).  And be ready for both guys who can't wait to play cheesy games (my husband) and guys who would rather watch tv (my brother).
 
That's enough info for now, I think.  Let me know your opinions about showers.  The next post will be on presents...and there's so much to say there...

Finally...

So I finally have some time to write. The baby and the dog are both napping, and my husband is out learning about the National Cathedral so he can give official tours. I have even turned off the television, and if I get some more time, I may even finally read a novel rather than a parenting book or instruction manual.

Everyone always says that motherhood changes you. I don't know if I really believe it yet. Baby girl is six weeks old and while my life is different, I don't know that I am any different. I mean, sure, I can no longer just jump out the door in two minutes to run to Target, but I am still frequently going out (with and without her). I've noticed that Husband drives differently with Baby in the car (which is absolutely wonderful), but even with the newborn, he is constantly on Twitter and Facebook. We've spent almost every evening playing board games, something we've always done. Only now a 45-minute game has become an hour and 15 minutes as we are interrupted by feeding and diaper changes. And when I received a party invitation for 10:30 p.m. I knew we wouldn't be able to make it; however, I think the last time I started an evening at 10:30, I was in college.

Speaking of college, I must say that I really enjoy not having to work. I don't think I could ever be a stay-at-home mom; I just don't have the patience to be around children (even my own) for that long. I have no idea how my mom managed my brother and me on the weekends and evenings and a classroom full of elementary school kids during the day. Still, when Baby isn't crying, she is adorable. Everyone keeps telling us that she's a beautiful baby, and I have to agree. Although, she looks just like her father, so maybe that's why she is so gorgeous to me.