It's a BOY!!! | Rating, Laughing, Crying

We had our first high-risk ultra sound this past week and found out we are expecting a baby BOY! WOOHOO! Hubby and I are STILL were shocked! Just about everyone we spoke to predicted that this baby would be a girl, but low and behold.... he is DEFINITELY a boy!! 

So hubby and I were tasked with choosing a name for this new addition to our family party. Choosing names is tough for us, as our taste in most things are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. You can imagine the list of names H wanted in the running. For instance... He REALLY liked Ryker.... as in the Star Trek guy? UMMMMM I DON'T THINK SO! Scottson.... please please please can we live this one down already?? And of course, Nevaeh had to get in on the action too, picking Raleigh (which I actually like but hubby doesn't). 


We were in a good spot with 3 names in the running: Raleigh, Rylan, and Ryker. I was CONVINCED I would be taking a son home from the hospital sporting Star Trek gear, because honestly, that is just how my life is 99.9% of the time. But then, to my utter shock and surprise, Hubby calls me from work the next day and goes, "So, I'm really liking Enzo!" SAY WHAT? HOLD THE PHONE..... Did you just admit to liking a name that I picked? Lord, write this day down in history and PS can we make it official already so there is no going back?


So, despite Nevaeh screaming and crying reluctantly giving up her FAVORITE name Raleigh, we have finally decided on:


Enzo Anthony Maynard


I'm thrilled that our little man is gonna' have such a killer name and that he will have his brother Leo's middle name as well. These are bittersweet times in our world remembering our little one in heaven and being excited for baby Enzo to arrive in October. 


Enzo is way cool right? I mean, considering my family dates back to mafia on both sicilian sides, I certainly couldn't have gone with something less "cannoli friendly." For those of you who know my father, you understand what I mean. I am sure we will be hearing some rude, disappointed, angry interesting commentary about our choice of Enzo, but I think I am at the point where I will tell them to SUCK IT  thanks for your input. It is now one of my life goals to piss off as many people as I can with baby names, and frankly, I'm getting rather awesome at it! 


I just hope Enzo likes his name as much as I do! Thank goodness I got my way and let my italian/sicilian heritage run rampant yet again. :-) 

It's how much????? | Ranting, Laughing, Crying

Ahhhh, the joys of expecting a new baby. Pondering nursery design, picking out tiny layette, and folding precious little socks and hats are just the tip of the ice-burg when it comes to fun baby preparation. Who doesn't love "ooooooo-ing" and "aahhh-ing" over some of the cutest stuff you'll ever see? Am I right or what? 


As my next ultra sound quickly approaches... 2 weeks from this morning; not that I'm counting or anything... I am pondering nursery designs in my head. Needless to say, I am a pathological dedicated designer. I planned about 8 different weddings in my head when I first got engaged, and though that might seem excessive, it wasn't NEARLY ENOUGH! I just get so wrapped up in details and fun design elements that I have serious trouble committing to one design. After our wedding in 2005, I suffered from "acute wedding fall-out" ... yes this is an ACTUAL thing! I nearly lost my mind not having a project to plan, decor to pick out, or details to obsess over. It took me months and months to regain normalcy.


Then I got pregnant in 2006 and the fun planning began again. I pined and pondered the "ultimate nursery", which ate up most of my 9 month journey into motherhood. Luckily I didn't suffer from "acute nursery fall-out", probably because I had an infant strapped to my boobs for the next 12 months and sleep was something I would have paid for.


So here I am, baby #3 and it is time to plan the next nursery. Decisions, decisions, decisions..... It is SO hard for me to choose which direction to go in this time. Things I need to remember this time around: 


A) really should find out the gender of the baby BEFORE I spend countless hours obsessing exploring nursery options 
B) Set a budget.... cuz' ummmmm DUH 
C) Take a deep breath and ACTUALLY COMMIT TO A DESIGN


Okay so yes, these things are common sense, but I seem to refuse struggle with these 3 KEY ideas that are the basis to any successful design project. Already I am in over my head. Why you ask? Hmmm, well let's just say that my "google machine" is on overload with the amounts of crib bedding, wall decor, and paint options it's been researching. To top it off... the average price of the bedding sets I'm falling in love with debating over are $350! Note to self, MY OWN BEDDING DIDN'T COST THAT MUCH! 


As I sit here, attempting to reason with myself, I have to wonder why.... WHY oh WHY do I ALWAYS pick the MOST expensive goodies? I mean, is it a learned behavior? I could walk into a store with no price tags showing and STILL manage to pick the MOST EXPENSIVE item! UGH! 


Here are a few of the "lovelies" I've fallen for:

$585

$340

$395

$340.00

So yea... I think I better head back to the drawing board and re-think my incredible ideas.... or at least until I actually know the gender of the baby. Who knew baby planning was such a tough predicament!