Is it just me?

Only I could find a way to become emotional in a bookstore! So, let me start from the beginning. I went to Barnes and Noble with my parents because my mom was looking for a book for none other than her friend from work's two-year-old. As we were going in the parking lot I saw a giant sign for some new store that's evidently going to be opening in the area called "Buy Buy Baby." (let's not even go into the fact that when you sound it out, it also says 'bye bye baby'). I saw it; I ignored it, as I do with most baby-related things lately. My mother then points it out and says, "ANOTHER baby store?! Seriously? All babies need is a crib, a onesie and a few packs of diapers!" That went through me like a rusty nail. I know I may have taken it a little too literally, but I wanted to scream that it was she who, while trying to "help" me, convinced me how much babies need and how much work they are and how much money you spend on clothes that they outgrow within a week, diapers, etc. It was one of those moments where I wanted to speak up and just say, "really? that's all?," but I knew it would make her feel awkward for saying it, and I've already been so on edge lately that they last thing I need is another argument with her. She didn't mean to be cold-hearted when she said it, but really? Obviously, that's not all that babies need; and even if it were, it wouldn't have changed my decision. For arguments sake, even if babies only needed a crib, a few outfits, and diapers...they still need a father, a college fund, a house to call their own (not always their 'grandparents house'), and a stable, secure family...not a father who is there when he feels like it, even if he loved her with all of his heart (which, I do believe that he loves her) it doesn't count when he is a fair-weather father. There is no such thing. You are there or you aren't. Same goes for me. I would have dropped her at daycare in the morning, only to work 9 - 5 or longer and pick her up, feed her, and put her to bed, just to wake her up and do the same thing all over again. That was one of the huge dealbreakers for me - the fact that her adoptive parents both have their own businesses and can work from home when need be...and, the fact that they have worked it out so that when one does have to leave for work, the other is always home. I mean no offense to anyone reading this, but in my opinion, having a child in daycare is like having someone else raise that child for you, as well. Yes, I am aware that adoption and putting your child in daycare are two completely different things, but I also agree with the argument that if your baby is with someone else from 8 - 6 five out of seven days a week, that person is going to be very, very close to them, and they may witness even more 'firsts' than the child's mother does. Again, no offense is meant, it's just my opinion. It's not something I wanted for my daughter. But I'm getting off track, again! Anywho, I was extremely irritated by the comment she made, so it sort of put me in a funk for a while. Then, I saw this book:

which also made me feel sad, for obvious reasons and also because the picture at the bottom left-hand corner looks exactly like one I took of Arianna in the hospital. The hat, the angle, the fact that she's all swaddled up in the blanket...it was the spitting image, only the baby looks different, of course.

And thus ends my story of the trip from hell to the bookstore.