Recession? I'm Unfamiliar.

Our kid's bedding, already purchased and paid for:

We opted not to get the rug or the mobile, but the rest of the set is our boy's. He better appreciate it, too, because you know what the set didn't come with? THINGS FOR HIS MOTHER.

Next up, these:

Because he's my kid, right? And good footwear is sort of par for the course.

I did go browsing for some clothes for myself today because I'm officially making my pre-pregnancy clothes work a little too hard. While looking at Old Navy, I saw a purse I loved, and it's Old Navy, so I almost didn't look at the price before adding it to my bag and then HOLY SHIT THAT OLD NAVY PURSE WAS NEARLY $60. How is that possible?

It's pretty, yes, but Old Navy, you can't just go around having overpriced J. Crew moments and get away with it.

I have decided, though, something about maternity clothes in general: I don't like them. Progress has been made in maternity fashion, don't get me wrong, and we have options when it comes to panels now, thank god, but I much prefer going up a size or two to wearing actual maternity things. There are still plenty of things I own that I can still wear (a lot of pieces I shied away from wearing before because they made me look pregnant, funny enough), and I'd rather stock up on more pieces like those than purchasing maternity clothes that make me look, well, like I draped a tent around me and called it a day.

See, I could probably pull this dress off (in the right size) for an upcoming baby shower:

But, wait, I think it may be ugly. (Edited to add: But I also kind of like it, so insult tactfully, my friends.)

Oh, and we have a baby gender guesser winner. I added up all the names (from both posts) of readers who guessed boy (only one guess per reader, though) and then wrote them out in no particular order. I asked Mike to pick a number (without seeing the list, of course), and Angella was selected. Now, the gift is a surprise because I totally waited UNTIL I knew who won to choose it (more personal), but I'll share once she has it.

Thanks for all the guesses and, again, thanks for caring and supporting us through the last rollercoaster of a week. I ... just ... there aren't words, okay, and if there were, they wouldn't be nearly good enough for each of you.

Comments

[Kerri Anne]

Um, maybe the cutest nursery set ever.

Also: I totally think you could rock that dress.

[TUWABVB]

I love that bedding - especially the colors. I want to decorate our master bedroom in those colors when we get a house. And bedroom furniture. And a job. And money.

Until then I'll bask in the beauty of your nursery bedding.

[K]

That bedding is so cute, I'm going to have to ask where you got it, if you don't mind, because I want it too.

Maybe the dress is ugly. I kind of like it. Plus, it's got that color swirl right where your belly is, to emphasize the baby! But maybe you want the opposite of that.

[NGS]

Yes, yes, yes, that dress is ugly.

But the elephants are awesome!!

[rebecca]

It is kind of cute ugly. But only a little bit. and on/ly if you are tan.
love the nursery set. and the shoes. I od'd on baby shoes with vi. i am showing incredible restraint this time. but still buying her WAY TOO MANY SHOES. Such as the pink sherpa boots with pom pom she got yesterday.
Sheesh.

[Dianna]

I LOVE the elephants, they are adorable! Gotta admit though, not a fan of the purse, but somewhat of the dress. Gosh, I just love the elepants though, so cute!

[Raven]

OMG! I love the bedding! It's totally adorable!

I love the purse and I think the dress is ugly pretty. It could totally work and I think that pregnant women can rock things that others can't naturally, because they are so super adorable anyway.

[Maggie]

The bedding is precious!!!! I love the simplicity of it... and the modern look to it!

I'm thinking that you'll be fine not buying a lot of maternity clothes. A friend of mine is pregnant and simply doesn't want to drop the cash on the maternity gear when she can find things in bigger sizes.

Oh, and that purse price is pure evil. Old Navy is losing their mind!!!!!!

[Kristie]

The bedding? Perfection. Good job, Mike!

[Megan]

I didn't like maternity clothes either around 20 weeks, more because I wasn't really fitting into them correctly. Now that I'm 30 weeks and totally popped - they fit much better and most non maternity stuff, even in a bigger size, looks funny.

[Jen L.]

Luuuuuuuuuuuuv the bedding! Is it Mod Pod? We have the monkey one. Very nice for a boy's room! Your little guy will love it.

WTF with that purse!?!?

Fashion is actually pretty kind to pregnant ladies these days. I bought a couple of two-sizes-bigger sweaters that lasted me throughout my entire pregnancy.

[Angella]

1. I NEVER WIN ANYTHING. Squee!

2. Boys rock.

3. So does that bedding.

[steff]

It ALL good!

[merrymishaps]

I think I like the dress ... you may have to try it on to know for sure!

I'm glad all is well with your son. That bedding is awesome, he'll love it :)

[Sara]

I want to know who decided maternity clothes must come with ruffles. I. Hate. Ruffles. But, I guess it's the cross I have to bare so that my belly (27 wks) doesn't hang out of my shirt!

[Nicole]

I love, love, love the bedroom ensemble!! And I really like that dress actually. I think you should go for it!

[Mom]

Love the bedding! My grandson's room is going to look so cool, and I can hardly wait to see it all put together.

[La Petite Chic]

Oh, I love it!! It's so different from everything else out there and the colors are beautiful. And uh, yeah, elephants just happen to be my favorite wild animal so that makes it even better :)

[Mary]

Please please tell us where you got that bedding. It's just adorable and not too babyish in a vomit inducing sort of way. Just perfect.

[Rhi]

That is the cutest bedding I have ever freaking seen.

Also, please keep me posted as to the strap situation on the dress. You may have a difficult bra situation.

Also part 2, not really a fan of the purse.

[hillary]

I kind of want that bedding for myself. Not for my non-existent kid. For myself. I love elephants.

[Sarah in LA]

J crew is totally having a sale right now, with an extra 20% off sale items. I just bought a beautiful yellow leather bag for 35% of its original price! I held off for as long as I could. :D

[Raychelle]

I love that bedding. Elephants are the best & the colors are really great. I like how you didn't go with the typical boy = blue.

I think the dress is cute :)

[natalie]

Love the dress. May want to put some sleeves on it though if you are wearing it to your Dec or Nov. shower.

I love the nursery! Mike did a great job of picking it out.

[Bailey]

I lived in Liz Lange for Target maternity clothes. I got tons of compliments on them and they are inexpensive. Old Navy's maternity yoga pants are super comfy.

The bedding is so cute! Love the elephants.

[Sabrina]

love. Love. LOVE. the bedding. I just adore elephants... and green for that matter!!!

I like the purse, but not $60 worth of like. Nope, not me.

I am so very excited for you that you are having a boy. Boys are great.. my 5 year old amazes me daily... he is my little buddy and he just LOVES his momma!! :)

[Jess]

The price of that Old Navy purse BOGGLES MY MIND. The dress, however, is cute.

[regan]

Where is the bedding from?

[Catherine]

I love the bedding, not fond of the dress.
Here I am 21 weeks and I have had four ultrasounds and wouldnt you know...The baby will NOT uncross his or her legs and will not un-bend his or her leg and move it's foot each time. And thus I go for a fifth ultrasound on Monday at 7:30am. Oh what fun it is :)

At least I will actually know since they are doing the level 3 (aka 4d ultrasound) so I can see everything because they have determined that I am suffering from a severly short Cervex. and because of this I will have to be watched incredably closely. :)

Good luck with your little boy :)

[Jess]

Love the bedding. They're right. When you get bigger, comfort counts and a lot of materity clothes are way more comfortable than rolling your jeans down below the bulging bump.

Steer clear of patterns that could make you resemble a couch. There's a fine line. Don't cross it.

[L]

Looks like she got it at JCPenney. It is adorable.

[She Likes Purple]

Although it is available at JCPenney, that isn't where we got it. We purchased it from babybeddingtown.com.