one of a kind finds

Yesterday at the One of Kind Show I tried to buy something for myself.... really. I tried. But it seems that even when I try to shop for myself these days, I end up buying things for Sara instead!

I picked up this cat puppet from Diabolo Puppets - it's so much fun and Muppet-like, I think she'll love it. It will be a gift for her first Christmas!
And it didn't exactly fit the budget, but I couldn't resist this adorable "Gorgeous Garden" caterpillar dress from Red Thread Designs. It's actually an investment (Ian would cringe to hear me say that...) because it will fit from now until Sara's about 4 years old - first as a dress, then as a tunic top. The colours and fabrics are amazing!

And for me? All the free food samples, and one jar of red pepper jelly to pour over goat cheese for a Christmas dinner appetizer.

in the bag

I've been having a love/hate relationship with my diaper bag. It's one of the essential items of toting around a baby/toddler and all her stuff (not to mention your own stuff), and few moms I've talked to really love theirs. Function and style hold equal weight with me. I love the look of my bag, and it's messenger style is great for slinging on, but... now that I'm carrying Sara in and out instead of using an infant car seat, a shorter stiffer handle set would be much easier to pick up (especially off the floor). And, the magnetic flap that once seemed so ingenious when everything I put in there was, well, smaller, now means I can't close the bag at all. Why? Because, I after I cram it full of diapers, wipes, toys, play blanket, bibs, jacket, hat, shoes, meals, etc.... it just doesn't close most of the time. I think I need something a bit bigger.

Anyway, along came Etsy... sigh. A girl can spend hours on Etsy, can't she? And I found some beautifully made ones with great fabric, like these... 2 from Pockets of Sage


from Bliss By Heather
And then I found these by Midnight Creations. Large totes for a good price that have a life after being a diaper bag, and they come in my favourite Chocolate Lollipop fabrics by Anna Maria Horner! Happiness! I've contacted her to see if she has some of the other CL fabrics for a large tote with a zipper top.

The changing pad that came with my bag is too small for Sara now, so I took a quick peek for one of those too, just for fun.... honestly, do change pad manufacturers think babies are toilet trained at 3 months when they're still short? I like this blue/green one, this polka dot/paisley one, and this pink squares pad. And, this one is a bit short at 20", but it's so lovely...
Some other cute Etsy finds are these felted nesting bowls, and this hat from the Portland Beanie Company. There are several colour combinations, and matching Mary Jane slippers. I know, this DOES have Sara's name written all over it, doesn't it?

boobs and baby gear

I really felt like something was starting to 'happen' yesterday, but today, nothing so far. Yesterday I was happily distracted by starting to plan my best friend's bridal shower for June with some of the girls. But today, going a little stir crazy, I decided to venture out, cell phone in hand, to a local baby boutique that I keep hearing about called Baby-ola. This place is fantastic! I went in search of a good nursing bra after doing a little research first (surprise, surprise) and they carry the Bravado line I was interested in. The staff is fantastic and helped me determine what my size will likely be (me, a DD?? If I go back to my pre-pregnancy weight, look out!) The first two styles I tried on were really comfortable and supportive, but are a pullover sports bra style. Being pretty inexperienced in nursing bra shopping, I just wasn't totally sure about that style for under summer clothes. I may still pick one up for under t-shirts, but ended up ordering this one instead to start -- and no, not because I want to be cool like Jennifer Garner. It only takes a couple of days to come in, so either I'll go back to pick it up myself on Thursday, or I'll need someone to get it for me!

They also have amazing baby gear, like the baby wrapper towel that we have, feeding and sleeping accessories, and these BabyLegs. I instantly fell in love with these little leg warmers, which are also very practical, and don't know why I didn't buy any today. I'm definitely picking up a pair... or two... when I go back.

p.s. Happy birthday Jessica!