Baby girl inspiration

Just wanted to collect a few thoughts for the upcoming nursery. I purchased a bedding set at the Just Between Friends (JBF) consignment sale earlier this week, but now I'm a little concerned that it's a little too "rosy" & "flowery" for my tastes.

I had visions of doing a lot with fun prints (a la Amy Butler), birds, owls, etc...and now I'm feeling a little buyer's remorse for buying such a flowery patterned motif. She'll be in the "blue" room, which is actually a nice gray blue shade, but I'm not sure if the things I bought will be sticking around or not. I'll post pics later.

Here's an idea I liked for a tree w/ flowers on the wall. I could perch birds on the limbs. ;)

Going from 1 to 2

This beautiful post was made by a friend on www.babyfit.com. I do not know the author, but it expresses the feelings I'm having lately about going from 1 to 2 better than I could have done myself.

I look at my little guy sometimes and think...how am I possibly going to be able to love someone else as much as you? I know God will give me the love it takes, but it's so hard to imagine. Then, I wonder if I have given him enough of my undivided time, and suddenly I'm so anxious to share more of myself with him.


Please enjoy this beautiful thought:

Loving Two

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then she is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as youve never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, Please love only me. And I hear myself telling you in mine, I cant, knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. Im afraid to let you see me enjoying her as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two. There are new times only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how she adores you as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I havent taken something from you, Ive given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you. I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know youll never share my love. There is enough of that for both of you .you each have your own supply.

I love you-both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.

Had my "BIG" ultrasound today, and found out I was having a DRUMROLL PLEASE.........GIRL! That was a great surprise, but that's not entirely what this post is about.

Normally, the US would have been at my doc's office, and it would have been immediately followed by a doctor's appointment, analyzing the results.

The technician was very nice, but she didn't tell me much in the way of specifics. In fact, when we were trying to determine the sex, she said, "I don't see any boy parts. It looks like you're having a girl."

The shots we got of our little girl were all pretty fuzzy and she didn't work to get clearer shots for us. With my DS, the technician got us a perfect profile pic, and a pic of just his little parts, stating, "it's a boy!" Then, when she printed the pictures off, she said, "Our printer is kind of messing up, but it's better than nothing!"

She said nothing about any of the measurements. Not "this looks good" or anything. I realize it's not really her responsibility to make judgment calls, but it was kind of disappointing to not have some more certainty.

Anyone had similar experiences?

Either way, we're thrilled, and Clint was proud of himself, declaring he knew we were having a girl. (Even though he never would say that before the ultrasound). Jonas told me before the ultrasound that the thought we were having a boy. He assured me that he would be happy whether we were having a boy or a girl. That's a good thing considering he's going to have a baby sister!

It still doesn't quite feel real. We've told family & friends, and I'm still waiting for it to really sink in. ;) That shouldn't take too long. It's exciting to think about. Now on to finding a name!

Summer Reading List - 2 yrs

This is the beginning of our summer reading list. I had started a post about this before, but now I can't seem to track it down...so...here goes. ;)

Title, Author, get it again?
details

Stone Soup, Heather Forest, Yes!
Better for slightly older audience, sharing theme, stone soup recipe in back of book. Same book I enjoyed as a child - still good!

Next Stop!, Sarah Ellis, ?
Easy reader, good for toddler, graphics slightly confusing, look for the mouse.

Bark George, Jules Feiffer, Yes!
Cute story, good for toddlers, cute graphics.

Hunter & Stripe and the Soccer Showdown, Laura Malone Elliot, ?
Probably not. Too much text for a toddler. Theme about competition - among friends, and keeping a friendship despite being on a losing team. Only read again if situation warrants. Older child may enjoy more.

Count!, Denise Fleming, Yes
Good for basic counting skills. Toddler friendly - colorful, fun graphics, uncomplicated.

I Know a Rhino, ..........., Yes
Cute story about a child's imagination, and some stuffed animal friends w/ good graphics, and cute rhymes.

Don't Worry Bear, .........., Yes
Story about a bear who befriends a caterpillar - and waits for the butterfly. ;)

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?, Jane Yolen, YES!
Great for toddlers and older audiences. This series is wonderful. Full of humor & great lessons on manners. Definitely will get again.

How Do Dinosarus Get Well Soon? + audio cd, Jane Yolen, YES!
Again, great for toddlers and older children. Humor and great graphics about visiting the doctor, and recovering from being sick.

Arthur Writes a Story + audio cd, Marc Brown, Yes (older)
This would definitely have been better for a slightly older audience, but I think the story was interesting. About a child's active imagination! ;) We'll get it again when he's a little older. The audio cd is great too, because it signals children when to turn the page, but we aren't quite there yet.

Preschool Aerobic Fun (Audio CD), Georgiana Stewart, Yes
Fun active songs for young kids. Plenty of marching and moving. I wouldn't have purchased it, but it was great to borrow!