Showers Showers Showers

Going from not thinking I was going to have a baby shower at all to having 3 (including the surprise shower in a box from last night), I feel incredibly fortunate.  Jason and I are blessed to have such great family and friends and will do our best to make sure Landon knows how lucky he is to have all of you as well!

Also with 2 more showers coming up in the next few weeks, we have been recieving a lot of questions about what we still need and want for our little guy.  We do have an online registry at Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/registry/baby/RWFLEMC9CPW with some of our items registered and searchable at Target stores as well.
In order to help those who feel "stuck" about a gift for us I decided to create a gift idea list with items from the registry. As always, please don't feel obligated to buy us anything. We'll be happy if you just show up to the shower/party with yourself to spend some time with us, but I created this list mostly to help out those who keep saying "I'm really bad at this whole gift thing but really want to give Landon something, so just tell me what you want or need."  So, to those people, here you go...

The "Wants" List:
These are items that you might not realize we would really like to have and why we want them... their also the things that if no one buys for us, we might not get for ourselves.

Boon Odd Duck ($5-7) This odd little rubber ducky name "bob" is uber cute and for some reason I can't stop picturing Landon during bathtime with it.

Boon Snack Ball and Modware ($5-7) Boon also makes these great mod snack balls, utensils, and a plate that I like.  I know Landon won't be using these for a couple months, but they'd be a great gift nonetheless!  The link here will take you just to the snackball but the utensils and plate can also be found on the registry.

Baby Legs ($8-14/set) I am in love with these.  The designs I added to the registry are currently out of stock online but if anyone sees the giraffe or blue argyle prints anywhere, I would LOVE to have them. Solid blue or stripes would be great too

Zutano ($5-25) This link will take you to one particular onesie from this company that I like but they have lots that we would be more than happy to get.  I really like the Lion prints but there are also some great elephants and owl options too!

Cloud B Twilight Turtle Light ($20-30) This half plush/half night light projects constellations onto the wall! While it comes in a sea turtle and a ladybug version, I still prefer the original green/tan turtle one. It was one of the first things I put on the registry and I am still in love with it

Trend Lab Hood Towel Set ($20-30) There's something about a hooded bath towel that I think is super cute! I really like the retro block design on this one but also saw an argyle print and a blue and brown polka dot that I liked for other options.

Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets ($30) This is one of those lines that I can't even begin to explain how much or why I like it.  I just do!  My sister sent me the burpy bib that I had registered for and it was silly how happy it made me.  The swaddle blankets are something that I would love to have and would use all the time!  I'm also eyeing the Zooaroo Sleep Bag from them ($20).

Dr. Sears Baby Sling ($60) I've used this particular sling in the past in my nanny gigs and really liked it! Since I may be taking Landon back to work with me at 2 1/2 months, I think it would be great to have this handy to help keep my hands free

Built NY Diaper Bag ($70) Love this brand!  Love this bag! The neoprene material is machine washable and durable and stylish all at the same time.  This isn't your typical boxy diaper bag nor does it look like a purse.  It's something that Jason probably wouldn't mind toting around either.  This is the sort of item would make me happy every time I get to use it!  They also have a great "cushy tushy changing pad" for diaper changes on the go ($20)

The "Needs" List:
These are items that might seem boring but we actually need and of course will definitely appreciate receiving even if they don't get the "ooooh how cute" response.

White Onesies- ($10) I don't have these registered becaue amazon keeps saying they are out of stock and changing their vendor but we are going to need some just basic white onesies (gerber makes most of them).  I think 0-3 months would be best in short sleeves and 3-9 months would be best in long sleeve

Primo Infant Bath Seat ($10) Great design! Bath seat that fits in the sink or the tub and is incredibly affordable.  Looks cooler than your average baby bath/seat too

Crib Sheets ($5-$35) This link will take you to the flannel crib sheets on the registry but really we'd be happy with any crib sheets (flannel or not).  We only need about 2 more and would prefer solid yellow, green, or blue or a fun retro inspired (beaded stripes, funky dots, geometric patterns).

Bottles ($5-20) We're going to need some bottles of course.  While I like the brand on the registry, they don't have to be from First Years as long as they are BPA free and some are 5oz size.

Changing Pad ($20-25) We have the cover for this already but still need the actual changing pad.  It doesn't have to be the same brand as the one on our registry.  Any regular changing pad will do

Munchkin Diaper Disposal ($25-40) So I actually have lots of experience with diaper disposal systems and would really like to try this specific brand.

Infant Car Seat ($90-110) I've also been researching car seats pretty heavily and think this one from Safety 1st is going to be our best option as far as afordability, style, safety, and customer reviews. Hopefully I'm not wrong.  It's one of the more pricey items so I don't actually expect to receive this as a gift but everyone keeps telling me, "Just put it on there, you never know who will buy it for you"

Can't wait to see some of you over the next couple of weeks!!

The big white box?

I arrived home from work today to find a big white box sitting in the middle of my living room.  The outside read "open this end up" with big arrows all the way around...
I probably would have been really confused if I didn't recognize the handwriting as that of my sister! Then I was just wondering what the heck she was possibly sending me in this box and WHY was she sending me anything right now at all?  I'm not due for 12 more weeks... I don't have any shower for 2 more weeks...
After finding Jason and asking him what was going on, he grabbed the camera and let me open it.

 After a little confusion on what I was actually looking at and eventually finding the card with an explanation, I discovered that what I had recieved was not just a package from my sister, but was an entire "baby shower in a box!" Mindy had gotten together with my family and friends from back east and gathered up letters, pictures and presents to surprise me!

It was an awesome surprise and I'm still exstatic about it all 5 hours later!! Thank you to everyone that took time to participate in this.  It means SO much to me and is something that I will not forget.  Maybe it's just hyper-preggo senses but every package I opened had a smell from everyone house.  It was a weird trigger of memories and as corny as it sounds, made me think of hugging each of you.

So after pulling everything out of the box I was left with a massive pile of presents to open.

Among lots of other goodies...

Landon got cute clothes!

great books!

and shoes (booties)!

And as promised, Mindy did send us a PeePee cover (I'm SOOO excited about this):

 

Nursery Pics

The nursery is coming together bit by bit.  We still need to get a dresser/changing table but I'm thinking we will check out the garage sales as the weather gets warmer and hopefully find a cool 3-drawer dresser to refurbish for this. Otherwise, it's just odds and ends: crib mattress, sheets, bumper...

I also made a lamp shade recently with some material that Landon's Grandma Gouin bought for us from Ikea.  She is also working on an adorable quilt with coordinating material for his room.

I've decided not to get any nursery sets but instead am piecing together what I like as I find it. The main colors have turned out to be greens and blues and I'm adding yellows and oranges and even some purple here and there. Since we aren't going to be painting that room I decided to bring more color and pattern in with the fabrics. It's hard to see in the pictures but so far for the crib we have a green beaded stripe sheet, a blue dust ruffle with a geometric white x pattern, and a halequin green and blue blanket.  I'm hoping to add a white bumper with tufted circles (that I saw from Carters) and a few more fun sheets in green, blue, or yellow.  The changing pad cover we already recieved as a gift is sage green with tufted circles (will coordinate with the bumper). We also have a day bed in the room that has green bedding and I'm planning on placing the quilt on the end of that.  The curtains are white balloon curtains with yellow sheers on either side.