I've alluded to my "small pumpkins" personality before but the time has never been quite right for sharing the full story. That time is finally here and I'm ready to let my crazy hang out.
I have one sister who is a good 6 years younger than me. Growing up, rarely did we see eye to eye on much of anything. During a very special vacation we took together, my sister had an epiphany. In one clear and shining moment she was able to finally define just exactly what our core difference is: small pumpkins vs. big pumpkins:
When we were little and our mom would take us to the pumpkin patch before Halloween to pick out our jack-o-lanterns, my sister would run straight for the biggest pumpkin she could find. It didn't matter whether it was absolutely deformed and lopsided, an odd shade of greenish/orange, or covered in mud and spots, as long as it was The. Biggest. Pumpkin. I, on the other hand, would meticulously scour the pumpkin patch in search of the "perfect pumpkin": generally smallish to medium in size, perfectly orange, round shape, nice stem, etc.
Translation: my sister clearly knows what she wants and wastes no time finding it while I feel the need to compare and contrast to make sure I've found the very best option available. You can perhaps see why we got along like oil and water for a few years there. Thankfully, just recognizing this personality difference has helped us get along much better in our recent years.
Which brings me to my case in point. Sometimes my "small pumpkins" tendencies drive even me crazy. Sometimes I need an outside opinion to smack me out of my vicious decision making circles. My current quandary? Little Pea's coming home outfit.
Now, I will be the very first to admit I'm putting way too much pressure on one little outfit. I chalk it up to small pumpkins mixed with pregnancy hormones. Scary combo to be sure. But the reason for this pressure is that the peanut's coming home outfit ended up being the one featured in her birth announcement and in most of my favorite photos from those first few days. So just in case we get lucky with good lighting on our way home that morning with Little Pea, I want to make sure she's dressed appropriately for the photo op.
Now comes the real crazy. I'm asking for your help in deciding. I love Handyman Tim but he's no help to me in this arena and obviously my sister will have very little patience for this kind of decision. That leaves you to deal with me, sorry for you!
So here we go:
Option 1: Bubbles
Quick backstory: Though I've been referring to the baby as Little Pea here on the blog, if you ask the peanut what the baby's name is, she will proudly tell you, "Bubbles!" She has been quite certain of this fact for at least a month and now that nickname has stuck amongst our family. I found these two little outfits and they just "clicked" for me. My big concern is that they are blue and white, perhaps not "girly" enough for a birth announcement?
*There are two outfits here, we learned with the peanut it doesn't hurt to have a spare since she spit up all over option 1 on her own coming home day and we had to dig out option 2 before leaving the hospital.
Option 2: Pink snails
No backstory, I just think this is cute and falls into the more girly territory:
Option 3: Purple pansies
Backstory: I have a strong connection to pansies from my college days. They remind me of some of my dearest friends and they've found a place in my home or garden every year since graduation. They just scream spring to me.
So there we are. I've laid my crazy out for the world to see. I'm hoping you'll take pity on me and help choose Little Pea's outfit. Please leave a comment or heck, email me privately if you wish. The more the merrier!
My sister and Handyman Tim thank you.
canuck_grad
Personally, I like snails best (love those pants!) and bubbles outfit #1 (don't think it's too boyish, and is kind of appropriate with the blue room). However, I also suggest you go with whatever one fits her best! I hate it when people have their heart set on a particular coming home outfit, and then it's huge on the baby, and they just look silly in the birth announcement pictures. Our little guy was not small - 8lbs 8oz - and many of his "newborn" outfits were still much too big - especially pant legs. Sleepers always fit him best in those days.
Tiffany
Excellent points! Let me quickly clarify:
- baby is expected to be possibly 8 pounds+
- outfit will likely be shown just from the chest up for the birth announcement (thus all the close-up shots)
- if the outfit is too big or I don't get a good photo, we'll go with something else for the announcement. Just want to be prepped if it does work out like last time!
Thanks, canuck_grad! 🙂
Colet
Bubbles. Definitely. You will be shocked at how much The Peanut will consider this baby hers, anyways. You, my friend, are just the vessel. But when you as a family look at those pictures, you and the girls will always remember that the firstborn was excited about her little sister's arrival. (You know, before they try to kill each other).
Bren
The other outfits are cute - but the one that strikes me as perfect - it the pansies one. Because, one - it's so pretty & because it doesn't have a character on it (snail, or bubbles) - then Little Pea will be the focus in the photos & not the cute little character on her outfit. . . (& it says sweet little girl all over!!!0
xo, Bren
Kristina
While they are all adorable, my opinion is based in pure practicality. That, my friend, is perhaps my downfall. I tend toward the practical far more than I probably should. And, for me, the adorably perfect purple pansie outfit would be the solution because it appears to be just one piece. No squinching up of a top that just looks mooshed up on an itty bitty newborn even at 8+ lbs...and I KNOW ABOUT BIG 'UNS) and no two pieces into which you must wrestle those precious little limbs, both before and after a diaper change. Adorable comfortable and practical pansies...that's my vote.
Kristina
I should amend...I scanned the photos far too quickly and must put the one-piece bubbles at the top of the list because the practical side of me is very swayed by the sentimental side as expressed by Colet. You can't beat the adorable sweet sentimentality combined with the practicality of a one-piece outfit.
Stefanie
I vote for purple pansies. Do you have a sweater/cover for any of the options? I worry about temp, esp with Midwest weather....
Heather Straw
Tiff,
We are so much a like! The employees at HomeGoods know who I am because I'm constantly buying things and taking them back until I find just the right picture or decoration. I'm constantly wishing my Mom or sister lived close so they could help me make the decorating decisions. So I feel your pain. However, after looking through the options, I knew right away which one I would choose. I LOVE pansy outfit. Not just because of the Tri Delta connection (and perfect for a future Tri Delta!),but because it is so adorable and springy. I love the soft purple and green colors and little ruffles. It is just so sweet! No matter which outfit you choose, I know she will be adorable!
Renee
I vote for the one-piece bubbles! For all the reasons Colet and Kristina already gave. Sentimentality always wins out with me, every time. And the fact that Peanut calls Little Pea Bubbles? That is heart-meltingly sweet.
Whichever outfit you decide on, she will be gorgeous; they're all SO cute!
Carrie
I have to go with the one-piece bubbles. Peanut will love it and it's simply adorable! Good luck with making the decision!
Erin Muree
I like the bubbles. It is so cute. I vote bubbles all the way. I would be afraid the bright color snail would make her skin look funny and the pansy when you look back would look like a curled up flower patch. So go with the bubbles, they are cute, they are fun and they are a perfect blend of a soft color with a pop color. And it is totally girlie. Go with bubbles. 😉
Laurie Lou
BUBBLES with the FISHIES!!! They look like Prok Chop - the carnival gold fish that lived for 7 years and was 7 inches long when he died (yes, we measured). I LOVE the fishies line from Gymboree and whenever I go in there I try to find all of it on sale and I get it for Baylor. I think that is the best outfit for the pictures. Go for that one! Very cute, totally girlie and super fun!!