Upcoming Birthday and Baby Needs

Wow, did I really not post anything in July? It was a super crazy month, full of tons of fun family activities and more. I'll have to post about that soon.

But first...my birthday is coming up. And not just any birthday. My 30th birthday. It's less than 2 weeks away (15th)...and I have no idea what I'm doing. I think I know what I want for it gift-wise, but that's about it.

I'm pretty sure I want this necklace. But I also really like this one, this one, and this one.

Honestly, I'd love to have all of them...but that's not very realistic. At least not for my budget! But which one do I want most? Which one would you get?

I also want this book.

Another good gift option would be the only Sims 2 stuff pack I don't have yet, Kitchen and Bath stuff.

So, if you're interested in getting me a gift, any of those options are good ;) Or there's always cold hard cash. That's always useful. Feel free to check out my Amazon wishlist for ideas ;) Just keep in mind that a good chunk of what's listed there is for the kids. I don't want the dress up, Legos, or cars and trains stuff for myself ;) Well, maybe the Legos... Books or movies are always good.

Now, how to celebrate my birthday? Cake, obviously. I'm going to order a yummy cake from my favorite grocery store bakery. I'm thinking white cake with raspberry filling and whipped frosting. But what to do for the party itself? My birthday lands on a Monday. John will be working all day now that he started his internship. He'll get home around 5:30 or so. During the day, it'll be just me and the kids.

Originally, I wanted to go to Olive Garden for dinner that night. I still do. But...we can't afford it :( Maybe we could go to the new water park? They have some specials on Monday evenings. Maybe get pizza? Or make my own special birthday dinner (which is what I usually do because no one else knows how to make my favorite meals the way I like them)? Or go somewhere cheaper for dinner?

Oh I don't know. I want my birthday to be something special this year. After all, you only turn 30 once. There are so many family birthdays in the 2 months preceding mine that my birthday tends to get glossed over. Seriously, there are 16 family birthdays in the 2 months before mine. 16!! So by the time my birthday comes around, everyone is all birthday-ed out. That, and most of the family lives 800 miles away...

Last year, my birthday was a total bust. It was a Sunday, we all had colds, and I still had to direct the choir number at church. Lame. So I want this year to be FUN. I did at least get to have a yummy dinner (homemade lasagna)...but I made it myself. The cake, an ice cream cake from the grocery bakery, was a disappointment last year, too. So, this year needs to be NOT lame. It's bad enough that I'll be huge and uncomfortable on my birthday (34 weeks 6 days). I really want a good birthday this year. But I don't know what I want to do for it yet! Gah! And of course I have to figure that out before I can make it awesome.

John keeps asking me what I want to do, and I hate having to tell him I don't know. Everything I can think of costs money we don't have. This time of year is the hardest financially for us - especially this year with John's unpaid internship. Financial aid and such will come in soon ish, but not until 2 weeks or so after my birthday.

Switching gears a bit here...

We're getting closer to having 3 kids. Crazy! I'm now 33 weeks along. Can you believe that in just 7 weeks (or less) we'll have another baby? It'd be awesome if he decided to be a due date baby like his older siblings. I'd laugh hysterically if that happens. But I certainly wouldn't complain if he decided to be a week or 2 early...;)

We have most of what we need for him. The biggest thing we needed was a van and we got that back in March. We got the dresser for free and got it all fixed up and stained. I washed all the newborn and 0-3 month clothes immediately after we put the dresser in the kids' room. We just got a replacement swing for the one Emma broke. It's a travel swing, similar to the one we used to have. I got it used for a great price. All it needs is batteries.

There are a few more things I'd like to have but don't necessarily need. They'd be very useful, but I could live without them. I still want them, though ;)

First, I would really like a new diaper bag. I didn't buy one at all last time around. I mostly used the free one from the hospital. It worked ok, but I'd really like something that zips closed and has more pockets. Trenna gave me a Mary Kay bag and it's nice, but it's too big for everyday use. We use it as our church bag. I'm thinking about this bag. I originally picked out the black and avocado, but now I'm thinking about the black and turquoise as well. I think I'm currently leaning more towards the turquoise. What do you think?

I'd also like to get a few new outfits. I have found a few "new" secondhand items, but I'd like him to have at least a few brand new things. I'd particularly like to get him some of those cute appliqued tie onesies. I'm not good at sewing type projects, so I'd have to commission/buy those.

I'd also like a new pouch sling. I had one for Emma, but it was pink and black. Very girly. And I was bigger than I thought I'd be postpartum so it was kind of too snug. I lent it out to a family member, but I'm not sure if she realized it was an on-loan kind of thing...oh well. I'm too fat for it and having a boy anyway.

Other than that, all I need is to stock up on diapers and wipes. Oh, and maybe a few more hooded bath towels. Maybe a couple more cute blankets? I have a lot of stuff already. The benefit of already having one of each ;)

So if anyone is in the mood to get birthday or baby gifts for me...that's what I'd like!