I don't think I've ever seen Franky so excited to go shopping, most of the time I have to drag her out of the house, but that's all change now. We are currently heading to the baby store that Franky has been to once before, I believe it is where she purchased the beautiful white onesie she surprised me with a few months back. We figured it was finally time to buy the essentials for the baby, since before we know it Peanut will be here, plus at 24 weeks I'm still mobile enough to help with getting the nursery prepared, and I presume anything we order will have at least a few weeks' delivery time, so we'll be lucky to get any furniture before I'm 28 weeks I reckon. Last weekend, we tidied out the spare bedroom adjacent to ours that we are using for the nursery. Franky called in a few favours from our friends and luckily Greg and Will were available to help her remove the old furniture and take it to a charity shop in town. While they were doing that Amelia, Maura and Vera volunteered to paint the nursery, insisting that I leave them to do that job because the fumes could be bad for the baby – I wasn't complaining, it meant I got to sit and relax for a while after a tough week at work. The baby's room is now painted a lovely pale lemon colour, which is great as it's gender neutral.
We have just pulled up to the store and thankfully there's a space right outside, we are driving the Porsche today, which has been a topic of conversation lately. I love this car so much, however it is far from baby friendly, even Franky's car – a VW Golf would be hard pushed to fit all things baby in when we go on trips. Car shopping is definitely on the agenda for before the birth, that's for sure, but today I think we'll focus on the baby – one thing at a time.
"Gidge, you are going to love this store! It has everything, I'm so excited for you to see all the cute little outfits!"
"God, what have you done with my wife? Since when are you gushing over 'cute little outfits'?"
"You will understand when we get in, trust me." Franky puts her hand on my lower back and guides me into the store.
"Hi ladies, welcome to Baby Boutique. Oh I remember you!" it appears the saleswoman recognises my wife.
"Ah, yes I was in a few months ago to get my wife here a little present to cheer her up, but today we have come to look at the larger nursery items we will need."
"No problem, all furniture for the nursery is over there." The saleswoman points and I turn to see a lot of cribs, changing tables, wardrobes – literally everything we will need for the baby's room.
"Well I think we'll start over there then, thank you." I nod at the woman and take Franky by the hand as we go and explore the various ranges of furniture.
"What about this set Gidge? I like the white finish more than the wood, I think with the lemon colour on the walls it will look really good, keeps the room bright and fresh." I just stare at Franky as if she has grown a second head.
"Since when did you become an interior designer babe? You been taking classes in that too?" I smirk at her but she just looks at me with wide eyes.
"Umm, well…I might have done quite extensive internet research before coming here today." She says shyly, oh god could she get any more adorable?
"Darling, hey look at me, this is so sweet, I'm glad you did because if not I wouldn't even know what we actually need to buy. You're already taking such good care of this baby." Just as I say that I feel what I think is a little fist against my stomach.
"Oh Franky quick give me your hand." I grab her hand and slide it under my jumper so her palm is against my bare flesh.
"Aw Peanut is moving again; I love you both so much."
"I think that's Peanut's way of saying this is the furniture they would like for their bedroom, and we love you too." I give my wife a quick kiss before we tell the saleswoman this is the furniture we want.
"Great choice, so it will be a 4-6 week delivery on the pieces you want, would you like the furniture assembled on delivery as well?"
"No, that won't be necessary I can build my own kids' stuff thanks." Ah, there's my Franky, far too proud to get help from strangers, I'll just let her agree, we can always get Amelia and Greg to help, after all they have just had to do their own with Benjamin.
"Okay, well is there anything else I can help you with today?" well I know for a fact there is a lot more still to get and I would like to get a stroller and car seat actually.
"I think we'll have a look over at the baby transportation section, might as well since we're here." Franky nods at me in agreement and we walk over towards the strollers.
"Shit Gidge, where the hell do we start here? There's loads of them, I didn't have a chance to read up on transport for a baby yet." Franky says with a hint of trepidation.
"Well, luckily I did! So I want one we can have until toddler stage, they come with a car seat as well so it covers all basis." I say with a proud smile actually having some knowledge on baby stuff.
"What about that one? ICandy travel system, has a car seat, adjustable headrest as Peanut gets bigger and stroller is good until approx. 24 months." It looks a really good choice, until I see the price!
"$1400 for a stroller! Jesus Christ Franky, is it gold plated?!" that just seems a lot for such a small person.
"Yeah, but Gidge, this is like a two-year investment, if you think about it, it's like $60 per month." Huh, that's a good point I guess.
"Well do you like that one Franky? Can you imagine pushing Peanut around in it?" Wrong question! Franky as grabbed a doll from a nearby shelf and buckled it in to the car seat.
"Yes! This is the one! Look, it only took like 20 seconds to fasten!"
"Ah, yes Franky, I'm sure the baby will be that still and cooperative when you try to put them in it."
"You may have a point, but I like this one, I can picture us out for walks pushing this along, what you think?" I push the stroller up and down a few times, it does look very stylish I must admit.
"Let's get it, then we can pick up a few more outfits, but then we really need to leave before we need to re-mortgage the house!"
"Ha! I know babe, it's all just so exciting, I'd buy the entire store if we could afford it."
"Same here Franky, right let's get some clothes then go pay."
"Fuck, did we really just spend almost $11,000 in there Gidge?"
"Yes I think we did, let's hope you get some big cases with high commission this month babe!"
"Thank god that Partner job came along when it did! This kid is draining the bank and they're not even here yet!"