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Each month I will pick a blogger to do a guest post about a topic of their choice. In addition to the feature post, I will include your button on my blog for a month (I can do a picture of your choice if you don't have a button) with a link to your blog and the feature post.

Right now I'm looking for a December guest blogger!


To enter you have to be a loyal follower and let me know that you're interested (contact info here or simply leave a comment.
 

I think my dogs are looking for new owners

I really don't undestand why.

We feed them.

We take them for walks.

We take them to the dog park.

Oh sure, we occasionally put them in strollers,

and give them mohawks in the bath,

but honestly, I don't see the big deal.

I generally think that they enjoy a little abuse.

I love NYC

Jon and I took this week off to hang out and get some stuff done.  One of our "to-do's" for the week was to take a trip to NYC, climb (well, not really) the Empire State Building, then meet up with our friends Laura and Alex and eat some crazy good steak.

Empire State Building

Going to the 86th Floor of the Empire State Building is wicked touristy, but we figured, what the heck.

Sunset - 4:23pm

We happen to get to the top right at Sunset which was rather beautiful.  Unfortunately, someone talked me out of bringing my DSLR and said we'd be fine with our little digital camera.  That little someone needs to get his butt kicked.

Us at the top

Ah, and there he is right now.  Are you listening, my little someone? 

View from the Empire State Building

My lack of DSLR didn't stop me from taking way too many pictures.

Chopper

While we were at the top, the NYPD chopper decided to show off a bit.

NYPD Chopper

Needless to say, we all loved it.

Peanut and I

This was Peanut's first touristy trip to NYC.  Say "hello", Peanut.  Don't be so rude.

Pop Tart World

From there, we decided to walk slowly to the restaurant.  And stop at every single tourist trap.  Apparently there is a Pop Tart World.  Who knew.

Posing at Times Square

M&M Store

And finally made our way over to Rockefeller Center.

Here's a useless piece of information for you - pregnant women aren't allowed to get a nice massage in the massage chairs at Brookstone.  Who knew?  We stopped by one across the street from the restaurant and after spending hours on my feet, I couldn't be more excited to see a super duper crazy massage chair that not only massaged your back, but reclined, massaged your hands and feet and pretty much did everything minus cook you a steak.  Right as I settled my tired little butt in the chair, a nice store employee walked over and stuttered something about me being "uhh.....pregnant?"  So I had to get out.  I honestly thought I was going to cry in the store.  For the record, I didn't.  I just walked away.

Laura & Alex

Finally, we got to our destination - Del Frisco.  This is where we had the most amazing steaks (some of us also had the most amazingly delicious wine, sigh).  Jon is still talking about his steak.

The End.

Well, of this trip.  But not to worry, we did lots more this week that I'll have to fill you in about.

Peanut's first outfit

Jon and I are currently taking birth prep classes.

Although this is entirely off topic, I'd like to tell you that there is no way that we are mature enough for these classes.  During our first class we were supposed to be practicing "relaxation" where couples lay on the mats on the floor and practice breathing while the instructor turns off the lights and helps with some meditation imaging.  So here we are, laying on our mat, in silence while the instructor talks about imagining our perfect birth experience - what we see, what we hear, who is there, what we smell...that's when Jon leans in and whispers, "Woops, sorry that was me."  In case you don't get that joke, it means he farted (he didn't actually fart but it was really funny nevertheless).  That's when I start giggling.  In the dark.  While everyone else is silent and supposed to be practicing relaxation.  Then Jon starts cracking up.  I try to stop but he's still laughing so I start laughing again.  He tries to stop but there is just no stopping anymore.  The rest of the 15 minutes of "silence" Jon and I lay on the floor, laughing like we're 5 years old at a fart joke.

In any case.  Back on topic.  One of the classes includes a hospital tour where you get to learn all the stuff that will happen there as well as ask any questions.  This is where we learned that Yale will provide us with all the stuff we need for baby except for an outfit that they'll go home in.  This is the part where I get excited.

So, I've narrowed it down to 2 outfits that I think would be perfect for Peanut's first outfit.  I'll be needing your help choosing one.

Monkeys

This super cute pink monkey outfit - this one is Jon's favorite.

Cupcakes

Or this super cute blue polka dot cupcake one?  It's terrycloth and super soft.  I can't say "no."

What's your vote?

Your holiday gift guide - a Barnes & Nobles Nook

This week's awesome holiday gift is the Barnes & Nobles Nook.

I got mine for my birthday this year.  I'm sure this is going to come as a shocker to everyone, but I did spend quiet a bit of time doing my research and looking up reviews.  So here is why I chose the Nook.

First off, it's a Digital Reader which means that it's a small computer-looking thingy where you can download books, magazines, etc and read them.  The best part is that it's wicked light and small - letting you take it anywhere.  I'm the kind of gal that packs about 3-4 books with me when we go on vacations on top of about 10 magazines for the flight.  A digital reader can hold all that in a tiny lightweight little screen.  If you like to read, you should definitely invest in one.

Now here is the reason that I chose the Nook over any other digital reader:

• Barnes & Nobles digital books are super cheap.  I've yet to pay more than $10 for any one of them.  Obviously, the books that are in higher demand are probably more expensive, but you can definitely find some amazing deals.  B&N also has free books every week that you can download.
• My local library supports the B&N Nook.  This means that I can go online any time and download free books from my library to my Nook.  If you take advantage of your local library (and you should!) check to see which e-readers it will support.  Most of them will support the Sony e-reader as well as the Nook.
• B&N has e-lend.  This means that if you have friends who also have the Nook and the digital book you purchased is available for e-lending, you can share them with your friends at no cost!
• B&N Nook has Wi-fi, games, internet browser, and so much more.  You can play some music with the built-in MP3 player while reading, play Sudoku, look up words that you don't understand, hi-light (especially if you are using it to read textbooks).  All in one little itty bitty cutie e-reader. 

These are some draw backs to the e-readers in general, as well as the Nook:

• You have to get used to "turning the pages".  There is a weird delay.  Apparently it's there on purpose but I don't buy it.  In any case, after reading for about 2 minutes, you don't notice it.
• There is no back light.  This is definitely on purpose because I guess it's bad for your eyes.  But sometimes I wish it would just light up.
• There is a limit on the number of books you can hold at a time.  I haven't reached it yet.  But I know there is one.

So those are some of the things that led me to the Nook.  And I haven't looked back.  I just love it.

If you like to use your iPhone or other data phones to read books, there is a Nook app for your phone!  ps- I just figured this out today.

So if you're looking for a gift for someone who loves to read, travel, or has it all (except for an e-reader), this could be the gift for you!

I'd also recommend some of these accessories:

Wicked awesome cover for the Nook that's totally classy looking.













Totally cute cover for those who are looking for a little more flare.














For the night owls.  Like me.  I don't have one yet.
 *Hint hint*











For the traveler.













Don't forget to check out this and other gift ideas on my Holiday Gift Guide.

The Nursery completed

The Nursery is totally finished and now that it's been unveiled at our shower, I'm ready to share the rest of it with you!

The door

Welcome to Addi's room.  We got this picture at an Art show in Maine - it's a cut out on paper.  So cute.

View from the door

Here is one half of the room completed - finished with the light-blocking energy-efficient pink curtains and the Ikea toy hangy-thingy (that's the official term. Look it up).  In the corner is also our Diaper Genie.  We got it at the shower - Jon already tried to use it.  It's kind of super cool.

In the crib

Here are some of the toys Addi got - I love them.  And I love monkeys.

In the crib

Did I mention that I love monkeys?  It started pretty much the day I got pregnant.  I have no idea what brought it on but it's spread.

The changing table

I love her little changing table too - along with all the fun stuff we got for it like the wipe warmer.

Addi's toys

And these guys.  How cute are these guys?

Addi's toys

This is the first one with her name on it!  Thanks Kerry! We love it!

View from the crib

This is the other side.

Reading corner

We bought the bookshelves at Target and got this rocking chair as a gift from Jon's grandparents from Babies R Us.  It's even more comfortable than it looks.

Shadow boxes

We added shadow boxes to settle my need to put up about 5 million picture frames.  These are empty for now since we don't have any pictures of Addi just yet (aside from some ulrasounds).  But don't be worried - we'll have pictures in them pretty much the moment she's born.

THE chair

And the super comfy chair.  Jon and I go in and sit in it once or twice every day.  Did I ever tell you that when I imagined having kids as a kid and grown up, I always imagined myself rocking our baby to sleep in a white rocking chair?  It's one of those weird things.  On top is a blanket that a coworker of ours made for Addi.  Made.  Herself.  I find this to be amazing.

Collage board

Above the shelves is a collage board to put up some more pictures and other memorabilia.  Because I'm a scrapbooker and that's what I do.  I found this at Target as well.

First picture

This is Addi's first picture in the collage.  Our friends, the ones that just got married, went to Aruba for their honeymoon.  They decided to stay at a hotel that was just a couple of buildings away from Divi All Inclusive - the hotel that Jon and I stayed at for our honeymoon 3+ years ago.  One of the gifts they bought Addi is a super cute Aruba onesie - and here they are, posing in front of Divi with it.  How freakin' sweet and thoughtful is that?  So cute.

Closet

This was empty just days ago.  Well, not totally empty but pretty close.  Now, it's full.  With super duper cute clothes.  I love them all.

Baby shower - gifts galore

Did I mention that we have the greatest family and friends in the whole wide world?  Well, we do.

Some of the gifts included Nursery Rhyme books and CD's since most of our family and friends know that I have absolutely no idea how to sing any of them.  I'm going to have to study up!  And no - there is no excuse.  I don't know the Russian ones either.  And yes - we got some of those CD's as well.

Can I mention the adorable little stuffed animals and toys Addi got?  Can't wait to see her playing with them.

And that's me and my pouty face that I make every time I open a gift that has monkeys on them.  Did I mention that I love monkeys?

And apparently the word got out.

Seriously - Addi's loaded now.  I can't imagine needing anything else after this shower.

And this was our basement after the shower.

Insane-o!

Did I mention that we got the BOB stroller?  We were super excited.

So excited, in fact, that we decided to try it out.

And since we don't have a baby yet, Travis got to be the tester baby.

And then we wonder why he runs away from us when we get that look in our eyes.