Presents Are FUN!

Considering I am becoming a mom having bypassed the wedding and accompanying bridal shower, I have to say, I am LOVING receiving baby gifts! I have already received gifts from two awesome bloggers. (BTW, you two, thank you notes are coming. I have some in my desk at work and some in my purse. I really don’t have a good excuse, but I will write them and mail them.)

I had a difficult day at work today. We’re working on some things for the big bosses, and whenever we do, my boss gets VERY uptight. I’m uncomfortable and cranky, add my boss’s anxiety to that mix and I get even crankier! So, I’m dragging myself home on my poor, sore feet, and to my delight, find a big box waiting for me in front of my apartment door. Baby girl’s beautiful, fancy, shmancy swing!!! Miss Strawberry Shortcake and I are so lucky and so loved. This past Saturday I got a phone call from a very dear friend saying that she and her daughter were looking at my registry (ummm, actually one of them, I have three, ‘cause I’m just a nut (more on that later)), and wanted to know if it was okay to buy a fancier swing than the one I registered for. How sweet is that!?!? The swing that arrived today is absolutely beautiful! I will leave it in the box for now, so the cats don’t appropriate it. I’m sure there will be a steady stream of visitors coming over to meet my girl when she comes home, I figure I will put one of them to work assembling the swing.

So, here’s the part of the post where I ask the internets for advice and opinions. About all the baby stuff! Most of the big items I'm getting as hand me downs. That truly suits me just fine. I’m so thrilled about finally having the child I’ve wanted … well, FOREVER, that having all brand, spanking, new baby stuff just isn’t important. I registered for the least expensive swing because, as much as I enjoy presents, some friends and family members are struggling in this difficult economy. About my nutty three registries: I first registered at one of the big chains (went to the store with my family, my niece insisted on being in charge of the scanner), but then I was talking to a friend who said I should register with the other big baby chain, because some people prefer to go to the store rather than shopping online, and this chain has more locations. Then, because I really am not a big chain store fan, I registered on Wishpot.com after reading about it on Lori and Chicklet’s All Thumbs Reviews blog. Wishpot is awesome! You download a button to your browser, then you can be on any website (YAY, Etsy!) and just click the button to add items to your list. So tell me dear mom friends, since I’m basically covered for the big stuff, what odds and ends did you find invaluable? Any toy that your baby was particularly captivated by? For instance, my friend who got me the swing said her kids loved the Lamaze mirror. Something I wouldn’t have thought of.

Looking forward to your suggestions!