We're on our way

Well, we've make our first two purchases for the nursery.  We purchased the sheet and crib bumper that you see in the photo.  I decided a while back that I wanted to have a Peter Rabbit theme for the baby's room.  Don't worry - it won't all be bunnies.  I just wanted a  neutral theme that was cute for a baby but not cheesy or cheap looking.  I'm sure this is just preparing me for future purchases but to be honest, if I didn't go neutral I don't know what I would have chosen.  The boy themed nurseries are so blah (in my opinion).  I know boys like trains, boats, and trucks.  But do the nurseries featuring these items have to look so dull and cheap?  I'm all for a bargain but can't they make it look any better?

So because I couldn't find anything more boyish we are going with Peter Rabbit.  I think it's great for several reasons:

1.  Peter Rabbit is a male and it's not like I'm surrounding our son with a story about a princess (not that there's anything wrong with that).
2.  There are several colors I can pull from in this print.  Blue, Green, Red, Yellow.  To be honest I'll probably pull more green for a rug, dust ruffle, and possibly chair.  I think it's safer to pull green because I'm sure the bulk of the blankets and other nursery items we receive as gifts will be blue.  So trying to think ahead, I don't want every color in the room to be blue (not that there's anything wrong with that).
3.  I love and can remember the story from my childhood.  My sweet Colorado parents are bringing out all of my childhood books for the baby.  I'm so excited to be able to use them.  I'm even more excited that the books will mean something and that my parents will be bringing something from Colorado which was a big part of my childhood.  I think it will make our nursery extra special to have these books.  I mean who has a nursery without books (not that there's anything wrong with that)?

4.  It's a print that is not a fad and this is important when you think about pictures.  We are a picture family.  You can't tell from the blog but trust me.  We go a little crazy with the camera and I'm certain that we'll have a ton of pictures with the baby in the nursery.  I'm sure we'll have a ton of pictures of just the nursery.  That being said, I do not want to look back at the pictures in 20 years and say, "What was I thinking?  Who decorates like that?"  I realize it sounds silly but just because lime green and yellow are "in" colors doesn't mean that I have to use them for the baby's room (not that there's anything wrong with that).

I'm sure my husband is going to read this and roll his eyes.  I know he thinks it's silly to put so much thought into the theme of the baby's room.  He will remind me that the baby doesn't care what the room looks like.  But he will also smile because that's just how my brain works and he knows that won't change.  So it's off to the next purchase.  Maybe we'll try to tackle the crib and dresser.... 

It's Growing

So I'm 16 weeks and this is the belly shot.  I'm not sure I'll always show my skin but for now it's okay.  I bought some maternity clothes last week.  Mostly pants and a few tops.  They were on sale so I thought why not? We'll see how cute they look in a couple of weeks...

It's a boy

Music to a father's ears.  We bit the bullet, went to some private ultrasound place and decided to find out for sure.  Of course, I'm still not totally sold; even though what I saw could have easily been mistaken for a leg.  The technician said the baby was trying to suck his thumb in the top picture.  I seem to think it's more of a "Dr. Evil" impersonation - "one million dollars!" We are both very happy and would be equally happy if it was a girl.  I think Amanda's family wanted a girl for few reasons, but mainly because all the grandchildren are boys.  As opinionated as my family is, they held back with coming right out and saying what they were hoping for.  I think my dad wanted a boy just so that we have the opportunity to carry on the Starr name for another generation.  Four months gone with five to go.  Now the name debate begins.  Any ideas?

Damn, it was a good day

It's Sunday and the weekend is almost over, but it was a good one.  Amanda probably won't like me blogging about this, but it really had nothing to do with her being out of town.  Really.  There is no one I would rather spend time with.  So what did I do all weekend?  Nothing.  No commitments, except tennis on Saturday morning which I would like to forget about.  I sat outside the rest of the day on Saturday with my dog, smoking some ribs and brisket, listening to music and drinking cold beer in the shade.  It doesn't get any better than that.  I realize this may be the last weekend I ever have to do this before we have the baby.  I have to enjoy the free time while I can.  It's a small sacrifice in the long run, or so I've been told.  But for one weekend and to quote my boy Ice Cube, "Damn it was a good day."

What will it look like?

Jay and I have been doing a lot of talking about what this baby may look like.  We agree on a few things and disagree on others.  One thing we both agree on is that this baby will not have hair.  At least for a while.  Anyone who has seen Jay or who has seen my baby pictures knows that hair is not something we have an abundance of.  We think the baby will have very fair skin and probably won't be too big.  Jay hopes the baby has my eyes and I hope that the baby has his eyes. 

In the end, I think I know what it will look like.  It will look like a wrinkly little man (regardless of if it's a boy or girl) - who most closely resembles Jay.  All newborn babies seem to look like their dad and to be perfectly honest, most of them aren't very cute (no offense to the dads).  You know the saying, only a face a mother could love?  I'm pretty sure that is a result of seeing newborn babies.  I'm sure anyone reading this is thinking that I'm going to be a brutal mother.  And who knows, I very well may be.  But I will love my baby - even if it looks like a hairless, wrinkly, old man.

-AS

Fripp Island 2010

This was our first trip to Fripp Island and we had a great time. Not only did we get to see a bunch of Starr family, but the island was beautiful and our house was awesome - right on the beach. Thanks, Joe!