Sorry Nan, but this is what the child shall wear . . .

When Karen and Kris and I went to Babies R Us Krissy kept pointing out all these cutsie baby outfits and I kept gagging all over them. I don't understand the point of pastels and bunnies - just dress the kid like a person. Now I'm not saying I want my child in a business suit, but can't he or she wear cool clothes?

I found a site that obviously agrees! http://www.rocknsprouts.com/

This place rocks!

If it's a girl I love

And for a boy

And boy or girl

Yes, I know they look boyish, but you're talking to the woman whose favorite t-shirt has a naked woman on it and says Westside - it really doesn't matter either way.

Merry Christmas!

Yes, I said Merry Christmas! It was Christmas in July at TADS. You know that fine line between decorative and tacky . . . we got really close this year.
You can see the rest of the pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsmine/sets/72157601083757710/

This was my contribution. I sculpt. Rice Krispies are my medium.
Aren't we cute? Jim ran his butt off to help. I tried, but my feet let me down. All in all though, it was once again a great success and everyone had fun.

Themes for next year? I suggest "Under the Big Top" or "Gone to the Dogs".

The Tools it takes to raise a vet

I get the FAO Schwarz catalog, I like this catalog. They think like me . . .

My First AKC Vet Kit
Price: $45
Everything your junior vet needs to keep their puppies happy and growing strong! The AKC Puppy Vet Kit comes with a Golden Retriever puppy and all the soft-stuffed felt vet accessories needed to keep him healthy: a thermometer, bandages, stethoscope, medicine bottle, syringe, and headband. Packed neatly in an AKC logo’ed vet bag.

Family Fun also thinks like me, listing the following in their "Our Favorite Things" section . . .

Diagnose and treat 35 exciting new cases in Legacy Interactive’s “latest and greatest” vet game. Featuring all your favorite animals – dogs, cats, birds, horses, rodents, fish, reptiles - this realistic simulation includes 40+ different medical instruments and helpful hints at every step of the way. Pet Pals: Animal Doctor will tug on your heartstrings, make you laugh and challenge your mind as you take care of all the sick animals at your neighborhood veterinarian's office.

What is Your Favorite Children's Book?

What is/was your favorite book as a child? I have a ton, but I love Richard Scarry and Bernstein Bears. Jim says Paddington was his favorite. What about you?

I'm pulling together the images I want on my book quilt. I don't want them all to be baby books, I want this to be able to grow with Hudey into toddler-hood.

So far I have: Clifford, Paddington, Corduroy, Lowly Worm, Bernstein Bears, Little Creature, Curious George, the rabbits from Guess How Much I Love You, Cat in the Hat, Where the Wild Things Are . . . what else? I'm thinking I need 12, I have 10 now. Velveteen Rabbit is too close to the Guess How Much I Love You Rabbit. Isn't there other dog ones? Pokey Little Puppy! Are there any kid books that have a cat and a dog in them?

Hmm, that's 7 bears, 2 dogs, 2 monsters, 1 cat, 2 rabbits, 1 worm, and 1 monkey . . . yep, trying to raise a vet.

The end of a legacy

First off, the title of this entry is in no way a reflection of what actually happens in the last Harry Potter book. It simply refers to the fact that it was the last book and I no longer have to wait two years in between books to figure out what happens. This makes me sad.

Last night I went to Waldenbooks at 11:30 to get in line for my reserved copy of Harry Potter Deathly Hallows. I got home around 1:30, read till 4:00, got back up at 7:00 and read till 5:00 this evening when I finally finished it. Wow . . .

I am fan of Harry Potter, mainly because the books are so well written and they suck you in until you forget you have to go to the bathroom until it's almost too late. I'm also a fan because of what it's done to reading. Last night wasn't the first time I've been there at midnight to get my copy, but it was the first time I went by myself. It gave me a chance to look back and people watch and it was cool.

There were probably 300+ people there last night, half in costume, others with props. All waiting, late into the night for a book. How cool is that? It wasn't a video game or a toy - it was a book!

I only hope I can instill the same kind of reading excitement in Hudey (name of the week - 14 oz. Jim says Hudey makes a 14 oz. beer, I know it's wrong - but hey we've got 19 weeks to go, we're going to run out of names).

He he he

So appropriate . . . thanks Ms. Makin!

Let the shopping begin!

Thank you so much to Karen and Kris for taking me by the scanner and leading me through the frightening world that is BabiesRUs. Jim and I wondered around for several hours zapping stuff here and there, but tonight we had purpose and I think we got things accomplished.

http://www.toysrus.com/ControllerServlet?lastName=schmidt&firstName=carrie&state=OH&target=search&userType=giftGiver&searchForPerson=primReg&whereTo=viewRegistry&x=0&y=0

They pointed, I zapped. I guess this is what is feels like to be a groom registering for wedding gifts? Whatever, it's done. Between what's at BabiesRUs and what's on this blog and what I'm borrowing from Karen and Kris we should be good to go. Now we just have to order a crib, paint, carpet, organize, and decorate the room . . . can I just go back and register more instead?

The room is children's books, so it's not a traditional theme you can buy at a store. We're doing denim and red - I don't care what the baby is, denim and red works. There are a few things in yellow and a few in sky blue, but they are smaller compared to the denim, red, white, some cream. The curtains are denim with overall clips, the quilt will be custom made (hopefully something like this).

We're using a bookshelf as a changing table and a dresser we already have. We have a rocker and a toy chest. I have an old bookshelf that we want to decoupage with book images. I'm hoping to frame some of my original/vintage kid books and to have a high shelf to display my first edition Little Golden Books. One wall we may do in cork tiles so we can hang the quilt, or reading posters, or other items. We bought this red lantern thing in St. Thomas to hang and I have a few other pictures to hang as well. That's the general plan, we'll see how it all comes together.

The only other thing I think I want is http://www.sleepsheepandfriends.com/turtle.html. It projects stars onto the ceiling, which I think I want in my room!

The fishes called . . . they miss us

Some of the pics from St. Thomas . . . this is where Corona commercials are filmed

http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsmine/sets/72157600860503297/

What happens when you get lost in St. Thomas . . .


No clue where we are . . . but who cares!

And you want to watch our non-fur child?

Yogi before the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Thomas . . .

And Yogi after - notice the busted lip and scrapped muzzle . . .

And you expect to watch our non-fur child?

I'm baaaaccckkk . . .

I'm currently sitting in the Charlotte airport listening to the attendant beg for 7 people to give up their seats. Another day, maybe - today I am tired and cranky and want to go home. We've had a wonderful vacation and while I would love to extend it - I don't want to extend it in Charlotte (nothing against Charlotte, I'm sure it's a wonderful townd). I feel like this child (Zucchini breath last week - nameless as of right now) is trying to bust through my stomach and I am not comfortable. Plus my back is killing me.

The day started off simply enough, Jim woke up at 7 and said let's go snorkeling. He then proceeded to fall asleep for another 2 hours. We hit Secret Harbor around 9, then our beach, then the pool. Came back at 10:45 to find out we had to be out by 11 or we were charged for another day. It all went downhill from there.

We got to the airport 4 hours early - turns out we needed it. We stood in line for US Air and then for customs and then for security and it's a miracle that I didn't kill someone in the process.

Overall though the vacation kicked butt - we snorkled everyday and it was absolutely beautiful. I'll get a photo album online soon, but for now here's a sneak peak.

Yeah, it was that beautiful.

It's a . . .

Baby! (ha ha)


And for those of you who are ultrasound deficient . . .
The heart beat was 148 and everything is measuring on-track. The tech had to push kind of hard to get the pictures and Cina-Spud (sweet potato) was none too happy. That baby was moving around on the ultrasound screen and kept moving for several hours!

Now on to vacation!

That's it - you're going in the blog

You know, I didn't really have anything to write about today. Nothing huge over the weekend, a little camping, a great bridal shower - but nothing huge. Then I get an email from my mother this morning. She was correcting my spelling and comparing me to my father.

Note to you mom - Dad doesn't know how to spell the word UNDERWEAR because he doesn't wear any!

If this is indicative of her grand-parenting skills we're leaving the country.