Baby Items I Love, or Atleast Want to Make Out With a Little

There are so many THINGS that come with babies. No, they don't shoot out the womb additionally (wouldn't that be a neat trick? and convenient...), but many items I wouldn't have thought of that I truly love or use more than I could have imagined. Packing to go the the grandparents place for a night resembles a year-long trip to Zimbabwe, with no running water or electricity mind you.

These are items I would buy for my friends and family who are going into that parenthood place. Some were gifts, some were finds, but I want to make a list (no paritcular order) for my own future reference when I'm trying to think of a unique baby shower gift next time. Maybe it will help some one else as well... if so, BONUS. Also, feel free to add your own discoveries in the comments.

1. Bumpy Name Orbit Labels - inchbug.com
2. Bottle Warmer - Munchkin
3. Exersaucer - Evenflo
4. Monogrammed Soft Blanket - HopscotchLane.com
5. Aimee's Nursing Gowns - nursinggowns.com
6. Baby Leg Warmers - babylegs.com
7. Velour Bibs - My Blankee
8. Soft Crib Sheets from Pottery Barn Kids
9. Fancy Burp Cloths from The Modern Baby Company
10. Baby Food Cooker/Processor by Beaba Babycook
11. SwaddleMe Easy Swaddle Blanket - Kiddopotamus
12. "Baby 411" Parenting Book - Baby 411
13. Ridiculously Adorable Outfits from Janie and Jack
14. Hands-Free Pumping Bra from Easy Expressions (seriously, don't laugh, it's awesome)
15. Pacifier we brought home from the hospital and fun clip by Soothie
16. Pink Velcro Baby Sneakers by Converse
17. Announcements and Cards from tinyprints.com

30 Years, 30 Gifts

I got the idea from Mighty Girl a while back to give Andrew 30 individual gifts for his 30th birthday. They didn't have to be big gifts, and the thought of watching Andrew open them all made me a little giddy, so back in March, I started buying things as they went on sale, or I got a coupon, etc.

I have to say, there was a lot of sale-staulking online, because paramount to this was making sure that I could some how do this on my own, on my negative income, without him detecting it on the credit card bill. I was all kinds of crafty and resourceful. Insert my smile of satisfaction here.

He was surprised, and even though it took me hours to wrap them all (and several painful paper cuts), I am very happy I did it. The Final List went like so:

1. Meat marinating bucket with seasonings

2. Talisker 175th Year Limited Edition Scotch

3. Anthony's shaving gel

4. Golf bag and golf date coupon

5. 100 Grand candy bars

6. Necktie from Nordstrom's

7. itunes gift card

8. Frame with photo of us in it

9. The Avett Brothers "I and Love and You" album

10. Coupon to Sleep In for a Weekend with the house at 68 degrees (brrrr!)

11. Video of Lilly wishing him Happy Birthday

12. Barnes & Noble gift card with coupon for afternoon off to read

13. A secret gift.

14. Olive Wood Spoon

15. Olive Wood Paddle

16. Olive Wood Slotted Spoon

17. Necktie from Nordstrom's

18. Tree T-shirt

19. Angelika Gift Card and movie date coupon

20. Travel Coffee Mug with Lilly on it (Thank you Zazzle!)

21. Dark Chocolate assortment

22. Underwear

23. All-Clad Kitchen Spoons

24. Anthony face moisturizer

25. Dress shirt with french cuffs from Banana Republic

26. Gift Card for Central Market Cooking Class

27. Antique Desk Globe

28. Dress Socks

29. 10" All Clad Non-Stick Fry Pan

30. 30 Reasons I Love Him, written in a mini Moleskin

Ferragamo Ladies

My friend from school, Sharmin, asked me to take photos of her and her mother, Pinkie, when she was in town yesterday. They only see each other a couple times a year, and most of their photos from growing up were ruined in a house fire several years ago. Sharmin wanted to rebuild the collection of photos of them together, and I was excited to help! It was about 4 hours of lurking around the Galleria (these two are power shoppers) area and being silly. The two of them are very close, and let's just say the designer-apple didn't fall far from the designer-tree.

I had so much fun, and I will say it a thousand times, but if I had talent, I would be all over being a photographer. It's such a satisfying job. Top Ten Dream Jobs. Dream being the operative word. A short slideshow with some of my favorite shots: