Giraffe Nursery

Last November I wrote a post about elephant themed nurseries (here) and it was a hit.  I'm not always great a predicting which posts will get especially great readership and the Elephant Nursery post is an example of that.  Don't get me wrong, I found some pretty adorable nursery decor, but I didn't realize how many people are into elephants.

Today's post is part two (an unplanned sequel) of safari animal nursery decorating - Giraffes.  Below are my favorites that come from a variety of sources. There were truly too many items to include, so I had to leave a few out including Sophie.  I figured that if you're going with a giraffe theme for your nursery, then Sophie is a given that needs no plug.  Plus, she's already gotten far too much face time on this blog.  If you don't know who Sophie is, shame on you and click here.

Bedding set by Pottery Barn Kids ($19-$229)

1. "One day I will be tall like a" print (8x10") by Printed Inc. ($15)
2.  Personalized name print (9x13") by Leo Little Lion ($20)
3.  G is for Giraffe pring (8x10") by Delivered by Danielle ($14)

1.  Faux leather giraffe bookend (left) by Serena and Lily ($58)
2.  Ida the Giraffe bookend (right) by Zuny ($49)

Set of 2 security blankets by Aden + Anais ($20)

Set of 3 flannel swaddling blankets by Pottery Barn Kids ($34)

Minky baby blanket by KdBuggie Boutique & Designs ($35)

1.  Giraffe silhouette lamp by Giggle ($175)

2.  Nightlight by Jonathan Adler ($48)

3.  Head's Up Lamp by The Land of Nod ($199)

Animal print rug by Pottery Barn Kids ($149-$699)

Stuff People Google 37

Just yesterday, someone googled the word below.  I was stumped.  What does this word mean?  Why would this word bring anyone to Next Stop Baby?  So, I googled this word.  Turns out that I used this word in a post last October (here).  Also turns out that Next Stop Baby is the ONLY result on a google search of this word.  Tell me this (seriously, leave a comment) - why would someone google this word?  Why?  What was the idea or the typo behind this search? 

barkvelous 

Baby Crazed Grandparents

It's not just women of child-bearing age and desire that go baby crazy.  The parents of those women can go baby crazy as well.  And when a grandparent-to-be is baby crazy, it sort of blows all other forms of baby craze straight out of the pond.  Here's why: Grandparents are older than parents (you knew that) and it's well established law that the older a person gets the fewer rules he/she will follow and the fewer niceties he/she will extend.  Boundaries and limits are meaningless to old people.  Generally, old people don't give a shit.

She would totally cut you in line at the pharmacy
and elbow you if you put up a fight.
(image here)

When this free-for-all attitude combines with a severe desire to be a grandparent, the result is social inappropriateness at its worst.  I knew a woman who collected books for her unconceived grandchildren from the time her own child turned sixteen.  Yep, 16.  Mind you, I knew her child when he was around thirty, without kids and without a prospective baby mama in his life.  I know women who collect Christmas ornaments and clothes for their unconceived grandchildren.  And I know one woman who buys baby products (high chair, etc.) for her home for when her unconceived baby visits.  It was such a deep discount for such a quality product, she couldn't not buy it...

This sort of extreme baby craze can definitely knock the baby craze out of a lesser committed individual.  It's down right scary.  But, can this behavior be controlled and/or stopped?  Circle back to the beginning of the post.  The answer is no, no it cannot.  Grandparent aged folk are crazy by law.  The baby part is just a focus for that crazy.  There's nothing that can be done other than to ride out the socially inappropriate wave and remember that it comes from a place a deep, profound love.  Usually.

Who is the most baby crazed grandparent-wanna-be that you know?  Any good stories?  I'd love to hear about the baby crazed woman who bought her daughter ovulation test kits and prenatal vitamins?  Or baby crazed parents who consult their child's boss about whether he seemed like he would make a good father?

Houndstooth Everything...Before it's too Late

I had an amazing post idea about how the Republic presidential candidates are a lot like the men of the Jersey Shore.  Seriously.  Then, I remembered that I write a baby blog.  I found zero (reasonable) ways to connect the concept of "baby crazy" with the GOP primary elections.  And so, instead, I'm bringing you a post about houndstooth.  But, in case you were interested, here are the parallels...you can imagine the reasoning:

Vinny = Mitt Romney

Pauly D = Ron Paul

Ronnie = Rick Santorum

Situation = Newt Gingrich 

I've been in a houndstooth mood this winter.  It's a classic pattern, but can easily be incorporated into a modern motif.  It works for clothes, accessories, furniture and home decor...including toilet seats (here).  If I were a mood board, I would look like this:

images (here, here, here, here and here)

Or, maybe like this:

The tragedy is that houndstooth is a seasonal pattern - fall and winter appropriate.  So, before the spring is upon us...which I'm crossing my fingers is soon...here are some fabulous handmade, houndstooth gems from Etsy.

Onesie by Dread Pirate Design ($10)

Two bibs and burp cloth set by Vintage Kandy ($18)

Diaper clutch and wet bag by Bushy Tails ($15)

Black loafers by Ivory and Moss ($28) and
Brown loafers by Baby Love by Abbie ($15)

Grey blanket by Sew Wonderfully Made ($34)

Stuff People Google 36

Today's edition of Stuff People Google is maybe a fine question for google (maybe).  But it cracks me up that the searcher clicked on Next Stop Baby.  What post on this blog could possibly have answered this question?

does girls get their breasts in 5th grade?