Our first major Baby Purchase & My birthday surprise - The stroller travel system

OK, so my birthday was more than a month ago. But I wanted to wait and post about Kevin's gift to me until I got a couple of pictures to go with it (which were on my Dad's difficult to use cell phone).

If the first thing that comes to mind isn't a Baby Necessity when you think of the perfect birthday gift, then you aren't Me.  I am all about being practical and efficient, and Kevin knows my reaction to a bling-bling piece of jewelry will be "how much was this?"  Nevertheless, Kevin always manages to throw me for a total loop for birthday/anniversary/holiday surprises, and my 28th birthday was no different.

We had originally discussed not getting me anything for my birthday (it was more like me saying "don't get me anything, we have a lot going on this year"), but Kevin never seems to agree with that idea. I had mentioned I thought he may surprise me with a Pregnancy Pillow, so he ran with that.....

First I must explain HOW he knew what to surprise me with.
When we took our first baby bump trip to Babies 'R' Us, we walked away glossy-eyed and overwhelmed. BUT we also walked away knowing one thing: which stroller would be ours, no question. I think both of us fell in love at first site. The Gracco FastAction Fold Jogger Click Connect.

And while this stroller was available at several other stores, some at a cheaper price, the black/grey color scheme was only available at Babies 'R' Us.  And that's what I wanted. But it was not on my mind that we would have it for some time.

Back to my birthday:
Kevin had me open my birthday card in the car on the way to my parents' house where we were meeting for dinner. Inside was also a smaller envelope which he told me not to open and hang on to. So we walked into my parents house as we always do, me not noticing Kevin makes a beeline down the hallway away from the usually meeting area in the kitchen.  My parents and Gramma were standing in the front room where I turn around and here comes an assembled stroller down the hallway.

"What the F---????"

Extremely excited about the newest and first addition to our Baby Arsenal, I patted it and stroked it as if it were a puppy.  But Kevin knew. He knew I did not want him to spend that much money on me for my birthday. 

Well-timed. "Open the little envelope."  What's inside?? A long wadded-up receipt.  Knowing how much the stroller was I go, "Oh, ok, 20% off, that's cool." Still expensive. There's more.  An ADDITIONAL 20% off of that! Holy Cow! Now we're talking. Now THAT was worthy of birthday purchase.

At this point Kevin began explaining his day to me.  He had originally gone to Babies 'R' Us to get the pillow I had wanted (you can read about here). When the stroller had been shipped, the box had somehow gotten wet/damaged in transit.  So when Kevin found it already assembled in the store he inquired about it being discounted. Kevin proceeded to chat to the store associate, saying how he was torn... how could he leave it there? Well, when she offered up an additional 20% off he knew in his heart of hearts that I would be OK with this purchase.  He was right!

We proceeded to have a wonderful evening, satisfying my pregnancy cravings with dinner at Cantina Laredo.  Boy, does Kevin sure know how to treat his lady...... I mean ladies. ;-)