License and Registration

Brandon and I went on a trip this weekend to Nebraska to pick up some baby items from Julie's former neighbor, Phyllis.  Phyllis has three children, the youngest of which is Whitten, who has out grown most of his baby items.  It was nice (and convenient) to get a lot of baby stuff all at once, and I think Phyllis was happy also to be able to off-load so much, too.  Our empty nursery now has a swing, bouncer, car seat, exersaucer, walker, take-along swing, outlet covers/latches, baby carrier, tummy time mat, bath tub, and bags and bags of little boy clothing.  It looks a little more like there will be a baby there in three months!

On the ride home Brandon's aunt called to ask if we had registered for baby gifts yet.  We had been waiting until after our trip to register, so we stopped by Target after we got home.  I didn't think that we would have much to register (considering how full the back of the car was), but we managed to fill out an entire registry.  I could be relatively decisive when it came to crib bedding, and diaper pails, and strollers.  But, what is it about the bottle aisle I find so intimidating?  We are standing looking at all the bottles, the bottle warmers, the nipples - my head was spinning.  Ten different brands each with ten different versions.  I was lucky that a new mom in the aisle started to point at things and said "I have a bottle warmer, but I never use it because it takes 15 minutes...I would recommend the bottle dryer rack.  With all the bottles drying on the counter, you knock over one, and they all fall like dominoes...I would recommend Dr. Brown's bottles.  I registered for the Playtex VentAirs, but Dr. Browns causes a lot less spitting up."  I was so thankful for her help!

There are a few things that I couldn't find at Target, so if anyone with an affinity for garage sales comes across a high chair or a rocking chair/glider, let me know! 

And, thanks again to Brandon's aunts for arranging the baby shower!  I know they will make it a really fun time for everyone! 

Family Sedan

Anyone that knows me, knows that I traditionally have only owned coupes.  From the Mercury Cougar, to the Chevy Beretta, to the Pontiac Sunfire, and most recently the Chevy Monte Carlo, I have only owned 2-door vehicles.  Unfortunately, 2-door cars aren't necessarily the most family-friendly vehicles on the market.  So, Brandon and I have been crusing through some car lots recently, looking to see what was available.   We went to test drive a few SUV's Monday night - a Jeep Patriot and a Dodge Nitro.  Not bad cars, just didn't seem like they were worth the money.  On the way back home, Brandon said, "Let's stop by Toyota of Des Moines."  We walked through the lot for awhile and finally a salesperson stopped to help us.  We test drove a Toyota Highlander, and I thought it was a nice vehicle.  After a little "good cop-bad cop" we arrived at a deal.  So, I now I have a new car.  I have to be honest, I was sad to see the Monte Carlo go.  I think I would have drove it until the wheels fell off.  Hopefully someone else will enjoy it as much as I did!  But, I love my new car, and hopefully it will be another nice addition to the family.

Re-test

I had my three-hour gestational diabetes test yesterday morning.  I arrived at Lutheran Hospital at 7 AM.  After getting checked in, I was called in to have some blood withdrawn, and I drank a bottle of glucola.  I had three more vials of blood withdrawn every hour for the next 3 hours.  I was happy to be done with the needle sticks, but by the time I got home I felt awful!  I think it was the combination of fasting and losing blood, but I really thought I could have passed out.  After lunch, I just lied down on the couch instead of going back to work.  When I finally got up, I called the doctor to see if they had my test results.  The nurse said, "You passed.  You can go ahead and have a candy bar!"  I was glad to hear it.