babe
 

You know my boy cat's name. The child in question is a girl child, and is not mine.

Larger Car?
 

Hmm. So, you were able to find a late-model used one? How much did it run, if you don't mind my asking. I know they're about $40K new, right?

We might just have to test-drive and see.

tm

babe
 

sorry - lol...when they make contact with copious amount of drool!

Larger Car?
 

Finding them used is a b%#^%!!! I did find 3 used in rhode Island, and they were clearly having someone drive them to get to the 7500 mile requirement for sale in Massachusetts. MB was running one of their cheap interest rate, like 2% so I ended up buying new, but I'll tell you I filled it up last week and the gas mileage is so much better than my wagon, not too mention currently running about $.45 per gallon less. And I have driven significantly more than usual over the long weekend.

There are used ones out there...I'd go to the MB website and do a search there because you can search all over the country. If we weren't trading in my husband's gas guzzler, I probably would have waited and found a used one.

Decorating Kids Rooms
 

Looking for a comforter for the white wood, twin size sleigh bed from Pottery Barn and I swear it's taking me longer than my entire adoption did. Along with the bed is a night table and extra wide dresser (both white wood -- I need that to brighten the room). The comforter/duvet is what I want to work around in terms of putting the room together (window treatments, wall color, throw rug). The carpet is a non-offensive beige berber type rug (I will get a throw rug to match the comforter and window treatments, which will be floor-to-ceiling over each of the 2 windows in the room). I really love toille, and I also love this set from Pottery Barn:

French Rose - Blue:
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/produ...&cm%5Fsrc=hero

But my sister says it is not bright enough and also looks too oldish, and the place will look like a "guest room" instead of a kid room if I use that. She suggests this instead:

Blue Cherry Blossom
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/produ...key=rromgirbcb

I like that too but.....

Vietbabe's color is any shade of blue -- I am at least decided on that. I had looked at blue toilles but everyone nixed them b/c it was too "old" looking.

Please put me out of comforter-pattern-picking misery!!

Decorating Kids Rooms
 

I've always been a fan of Garnet Hill. I've bought a bunch of duvet covers from them, and I've always been happy with how they make my room bright and cheerful. It seems like they have a kids' section too.

Decorating Kids Rooms
 

In percale, whale, bandana, cat's chorus, and elephants are predominantly blue (or have predominantly blue option). I like the elephants the best. Penguins of course win hands down for flannel in winter, but that's probably not what you are interested in right now.

Decorating Kids Rooms
 

My daughter has that 1st one, and I really like it.

I also like the stuff from this place quite a bit -

http://www.kookoobearkids.com/departments.asp?dept=1782

and this place as well -

http://www.landofnod.com/category.as...c=1&srccd=y112

Decorating Kids Rooms
 

I love the stuff from Company Kids.
http://www.thecompanystore.com/dept....AbsolutePage=1

The Brazenette has the quilt with the butterflies, and then I made (yes, MADE!) butterflies and dragonflies to hang from her ceiling.

Sheets, I pretty much buy whatever's cute and on sale.

I figure she's got a lifetime of big-girl bedding. I've only got a chance to really cute it up for a little while.

Decorating Kids Rooms
 

why not garage sale? as B&B notes, the kid can't tell. I say, unless you can afford $50/bottle wine, you're better off saving the money.

Say you have kid number 2. Aren't they getting to use/wear hand me downs? Why treat no. 1 better? be fair.

Bedding
 

Wow. Thanks for all the suggestions and links. I ordered both from Pottery Barn and may get a third from one of the links posted here. Then, when the furniture gets here and Dad and bro-in law are putting it together, Mom, sis and I can decide which looks best on it and I'll return the rest! (Of course, Vietbabe has no say in it!)

As for hand me downs and number 2....ouch. Don't know if I can go back to the terrifying infant stage (or come up with the funds for a second adoption). But....as my basement flooded, I called the parents and asked them to please store Vietbabe's crib and changing table furniture "just in case." I just can't bring myself to sell it and close the door on number 2. All the singles I know who have adopted are on number 2 already and my good single friend has 4 adopted kiddos. I don't know how they do it. I'm getting spoiled with my new found freedom. I tell you what -- when your one child hits about 3, being single with one kid is definitely easier than being married with 2 or more kids. I never expected that.

Proud moments in parenting.
 

The Brazenette just walked into my office, naked from the waist down and declared, "By the way, Mommy, I've decided to go commando."

Proud moments in parenting.
 

From proud moment to sad commentary on the times of our childrens' lives: just heard from the Mrs., who is currently entertaining an afternoon play date with 3 kindergarden girls and a 1st grader (plus the two-year-old in a cast). The girls are currently playing "lock down," hiding under beds until someone gives the "clear" signal. Sounded like they were having a ball, but still....

Proud moments in parenting.
 

my daughter got on two kinds of probation her freshman year in college. Go ahead- top it.

Proud moments in parenting.
 

My friends and sister and I used to tie each other up with scarves, to see if we could tie someone up so securely she couldn't get free, and look how I turned out! It will all be OK. Hiding is an undervalued talent.