We don't WANT to travel until February-ish. So NO, our paperwork is NOT done. So sorry not to have progressed any farther. No, no news.

Sorry, had to finish an argument with someone (who doesn't read this). We have begun clearing out the room for the nursery. Our office "stuff" is all downstairs now. Just a matter of putting things in its proper place - or throwing things away so other items can be put in its proper place. As I remarked a few entries ago, where are we going to PUT all this STUFF? We have thrown out 3 trashbags full of excess, and even begun packing up extraneous books to donate to our library's fundraiser.... and we keep finding more.

Here's an etiquette question for you: are showers expected by society? Everyone knows that at least one *shower* is held for a bride, to help the couple collect smaller household items. But a *baby shower* is something quite different recently, I'm told. Now, there has always been a close-knit group of women who would buy items for an expectant mom to help the couple collect necessary items. But the idea of registering, of _having_ to host some, is a modern invention.

I ask because 3 generous people have all offered to host a shower for me - 1 before we leave, 1 after we return, and 1 that has recently been decided to be "after" as well. I think this is wonderful. Various people have given me their opinion on it, however. They should all be "before" or else how would we get everything we need? Some say they should all be "after" or else how can people buy for a baby that we don't know official size and gender?

I say before _and_ after, because then I have the best of both worlds - collecting necessities we'll need immediately, even upon traveling... and then the fun stuff afterward as well. But there's always that niggling thought in my mind saying, "don't be so d*** selfish; you really don't have to have ANY." Babies are expensive, and I truly think that although you can't always be "financially prepared" for a child, you should at least be financially aware. Because boy, it would be nice if we could get a few things taken care of through showers.... but then again, I'm a member of the 1980s "X" generation, and we're just greedy. :) So I'm told.