This afternoon Naomi from naomilynn’s Etsy shop emailed me to let me know that she included one of my items in her Etsy Treasury list.  If you’re wondering what an Etsy Treasury is, see my last post about it here.

I love this Treasury (and not because one of my items is displayed in it).  I love the serene colors that were chosen (the silvers and golds).  They look so amazing together (and so modern).  I’m very impressed with her selections and so glad that my shop had something to fit in perfectly with her other selections.

I’m very excited to have the extra exposure!  Just wanted to share my excitement with you all.

This morning Jason woke me up at 8am and turned on the TV to a show I’ve been wanting to watch, but never remember that it’s on.  The show is called, “Bringing Home Baby” and talks about the first 36 hours of people’s lives when they bring home their baby (although I’m guessing you figured that out based on the title of the show).

He climbed in bed and watched the two episodes with me (until 9am) and then we both got up, had breakfast together, he went to work, and I’m working away in my office at home.

It was the perfect way to start my morning.  Thanks honey!

So, which diaper bag did I go with?  I’m sure you’re all dying to know.

Let’s just say I’m not one to follow the crowd…yet I don’t purposefully go against the flow either.  The majority of you that voted, nominated for option “B” as your choice and most reasons were due to the extra space.  Well…I went for option “A”.  Here are my reasons:

• It looks more like a purse (whereas the more I looked at option “B”, it reminded me of a carry-on piece of luggage).
• I like the single flat strap on option “A” (option “B” has two rounded straps that I think might start to bug me…one slipping off my shoulder).
• The extra space in option “B” made me think that most things would fall to the bottom, making it hard for me to find (since it’s a deeper bag).
• As Susan mentioned in her comment, option “A” looks more like the purse I currently carry, although larger, which is true.  I like that it would look like an easy transition between my regular every day purse to this new purse/diaper bag (I’m refusing to carry both).
• The bonus is that I found the black option “A” on eBay and did not see a black option “B” listed on eBay.  By purchasing it on eBay, I saved over $40 from the original price and it looks brand new.

Both diaper bags offered the same exact features, which are:

BABY SECTION

• Washable changing pad (24″ x 14″)
• Internal and external bottle pockets (4 in all)
• Quick release pacifier holder
• Compartments for diapers, wipes, and bottles
• Attaches to baby stroller

MOM SECTION

• Credit card slots and zippered pocket
• Roomy pocket for day planner, cell phone, and other essentials
• Easy to find key ring holder

So, there you have it.  Diaper bag decision has been made.  Now…what the heck do I put in it?

If you know me well, you know I start scouting out Christmas gifts around late October in hopes to have all of my shopping done by the end of November and ready to ship out to family in IL in early December.  Yes, I know, I’m a bit strange, but I’m ok with that.

With the baby coming at the end of October or the beginning of November, I’m afraid I’m going to either let a birthday or Christmas gift slip by me or just not have time to tend to it.  So, last night, I made sure that both nieces and both nephews were taken care of.  I purchased birthday and Christmas gifts for them all and hope to have them in within two weeks, wrapped, and ready to ship out when that time comes.

The birthdays are in October, November, December, and January (yes, they spaced themselves out perfectly and our child will go smack in the middle).

Have you caught on yet that I haven’t taken time to worry about gifts for the siblings and parents?  I figure if I let them slide this year, they’ll understand and can be adults about it, but the kids…that’s a whole other story.  You can’t let them down.

So, I pretty much have my Christmas and birthday shopping done, except creating some handmade items for my niece.  She’s requested all handmade things for gifts from now on (my kind of girl).  I’ve ordered some supplies and have the ideas in mind already, so I just need to make them when the supplies arrive.  Trying mostly new things I’ve never created before.  I’d list them, but my niece reads my blog.  I will try to post pictures when they’re created (as long as I can get my niece to not peek).

I had Jason take a quick picture of me before running out the door to meet with my friend Susan who had set up the most amazing day for me.

Almost 4 years ago I had shoulder surgery and she and another lady (Mary Margaret) in our Bible study brought over food for Jason and I.  Mary Margaret made me a chicken pot pie.  It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever had and I’ve requested this recipe since, but did not get it until yesterday.  And to clarify (in case you’re wondering), I also loved what Susan brought me and requested that recipe, but got it within the same week.  LOL!

So, my amazing day yesterday started with heading to Susan’s house and going together to Mary Margaret’s house for the three of us to each make a chicken pot pie.  We all had so much fun together!  We spent time getting each thing ready and Susan also took time to write down the recipe as we went along.  After seeing Mary Margaret’s recipe (the original and the four sections of notes with addendums to the recipe), I realize now why I have never gotten the recipe from her (it was all over the place in tiny notes that she couldn’t even read herself).  She is a complete natural at cooking and just throws a bit of this and a bit of that in, to come up with her creation.  This is why Susan was making sure to write down the recipe.  Smart girl!

I now have my recipe, enjoyed some great time with both Susan and Mary Margaret and was able to eat lunch with them yesterday (tasting the fruits of our labor that morning preparing the chicken pot pie).  Last night I baked mine and Jason and I enjoyed it (and um, finished it up today).  YUM!

Thank you Susan for arranging such an incredible day for me yesterday.  What an amazing gift you gave me!

And, in case you’re wanting this amazing recipe, you can print it out here.