[Hopp]

I preped early as well. I did lots of looking and researching on-line first so that I'd know basicly what I wanted. I did register at BRU at the request of family and friends. Our experience was similar to Emster. We walked in and they were great. Additionally, I went into my fav. fabric boutique to purchase material months before our son was born. I wanted to do his room myself (I don't like pre-fab stuff). When I went up to tell the clerk what material I wanted pulled and cut, she asked what I was making. I said, "our baby is going to be born in a few months and I'm doing his nursery." She looked at me and very smartly said, you look GOOD! I laughed and explained how our son would be coming to us (she was sooo sweet). Anyway, the girl teared up and said that she had been adopted in a closed adoption 20 years ago. We chatted, and upon check-out I got a 20% discount!

I took the attitude that I have every right to be in BRU or any other place I want to be. Do I need a gift receipt? Nah, its for us. Is it for a registry? Yes, mine...can you please remove this item for me. I never got looked at funny or felt strange. Maybe they really did look funny, but I just didn't care.

This is your special time to prepare. You are not a fraud or an imposter. You are going to be a mom. In a lot of ways you are in your first tri-mester and are starting to nest. Enjoy it. Plan things out, buy your little heart out, and throw the rest of it away...You are gonna' be a MOMMY!!!

Celebrate!