Christmas Shopping

I have to preface this post with my Christmas shopping background ... I would be one of those people you'd see shopping on Christmas Eve to get all my last gifts because I never got around to it earlier. I don't listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, and I usually don't start my shopping until then. After Thanksgiving I start to enjoy the feeling of Christmas.

This year, however, I set a goal for myself to finish all my shopping before Thanksgiving ... that's unheard of for me! I am proud to say that I only have a few more stops to make for my Christmas shopping to be finished, so I think I'm actually going to reach that goal! I knew I was crazy when I decided on my Christmas shopping goal, but I have this fear of Baby coming early (that's not the fear ... that's the hope!) and me not wanting or being able to leave the house to do any shopping, so Preston and the rest of my family miss out on any gifts from me. That just didn't seem fair.

How could a person possibly get all their shopping done by Thanksgiving you may ask? (or at least I hope the thought is crazy to more people than just myself!). Well, I started this gift list last year that worked like a charm. Any time Preston mentions something he thinks is neat and would enjoy, I add it to the gift list. Then all I've had to do is go through the list, look up prices and see which things I could get that fit in the budget. The rest of the stuff stays on the list and is passed on to our parents. Simple. Genius. Works like a charm.

Of course, the one problem I haven't quite figured out is the most effective way to write down the ideas that I get without Preston saying anything. The gift list is on our computer and we are both able to add to it, so I don't want to spoil all his surprises by having them on the list. I started writing the other ideas on a paper that I keep in my wallet. So far it's worked. I'm just worried about losing the paper and forgetting all my great ideas :) Oh well, at least Christmas shopping's almost over and then I can just throw it away.

Well, yay for me and getting into the Christmas spirit early this year! I really have been genuinely more excited for Christmas this year and I don't think I'll have any stress. Well, other than a crying baby soon :) I'm really excited for the holidays (Thanksgiving included) and am so proud of myself for sticking to my goal and getting my shopping done! I even all the gifts wrapped and hidden!

The Nursery

We set up our nursery Wednesday night! It took us about 3 1/2 hours, but now we have a nice crib, changing table and chest of drawers that we practically built :) We are loving them! Pictures to come ... it's still a work in progress getting everything arranged and stuff :)

Side note: I had no idea that crib mattresses were SO expensive! Once again, I resorted to craigslist and found a great deal on one :) yay for people who sell their old stuff!