Ben's new bed

Last weekend, we went to IKEA and Blake’s parents bought us the baby crib we wanted. It converts to a toddler bed so we’ll get a lot of use out of it. And IKEA doesn’t use the nasty chemicals in their furniture. We wanted white because we have a small apartment with white walls so the bed will blend into the walls and not seem like it’s taking up a lot of room (by my logic anyway). We still need a mattress and all the pads associated with it, but I want an organic one that I have picked out a Target. Finicky, I know, but as long as we’re capable, I want to make sustainable decisions that are good for Ben’s health and the environment.

We also have two bedding sets.

1. I bought this one this week at Goodwill – they buy Target clearance and re-sell it, so what was normally $70 I got for $30.
2. This other one Blake’s mom got on clearance at Babies R Us for half off.

I know it seems like there’s a jungle theme. There is no theme because Ben won’t have his own room. We like animals and bright colors. No theme. Picking out the bedding and all definitely makes it more real though!

The set from Babies R Us

The set from Target/Goodwill

Since I first discovered I was growing a baby, it seems like radio stations can’t stop playing “With Arms Wide Open” by Creed, even though the song was popular a bajillion years ago. (Just like there seem to be pregnant women everywhere!)

After we were told baby is a boy, the song hit home all that much more.

I woke up this morning, after Blake telling me last night that he’s getting excited and all, and had to hear it. It’s a beautiful “getting ready to be a dad song.”

This live version is good too.

I think this will have to be on my iPod during labor… any other songs?

I signed up recently for the Publix Baby Club, from the grocery store we frequent, because it offered lots of coupons on baby stuff. Last week, I got a package in the mail that included the book Caring for Your Baby and Yound Child: Birth to Age 5, which is very exciting since Blake and I willingly admit that we know nothing about kids. The book is literally 752 pages and includes anything and everything.

I also did get a bunch of coupons for free stuff like cocoa butter, rubbing alcohol, baby food, formula, etc. I’ll be getting a newsletter two up until Ben’s 2nd birthday. Much coolness.