That's Not What I Wanted

I remember when I was pregnant with Aubrey, Christmas shopping for Eva.  There was one particular gift I wanted Santa to bring her.  A chair. Her chair, for the living room.  It's where she spent a lot of her time (still does) because it is literally in the middle of the house.  Whether she was "reading", coloring, playing with her toys or watching TV, I could keep an eye on her.  She was still small enough though, that she couldn't get up on our couch by herself so I wanted a place for her to rest comfortably that was all hers. 

I searched everywhere for the perfect chair.  I looked in stores and online.  I looked at rockers, chairs, couches and even recliners.  I had a vision of what this perfect chair was going to be. Can you tell I was at the end of my pregnancy and all jacked up on hormones? It was not only going to be something that she loved, but it was going to be stylish and pretty.  It wasn't going to be one of those cheapos you get with a cartoon character on it.  No, it was going to be something we wouldn't mind leaving out where everyone could see it. Maybe something like this:

And really, what I had in mind, was much fancier.

That didn't happen.  I just couldn't bring myself to spend, what I feel, is a ton of money on a chair she is going to grow out of.  So, I settled.  My dream of the perfect piece of furniture vanished.  This is what she got instead:

  
The Dora Flip Open couch.  Yes. Yes. That is a cartoon character.  Yes, I did get it from Wal-Mart.

Good Lord! I've failed as a parent! 

I was so disappointed.  She loved it.  Still loves it.  Seriously though, one of the best purchases ever.  Especially, when I find that this thing that was supposed to be "all her's" has become "all theirs."

I have so many pictures just like this.  They lay there and talk, and giggle, and live in their sister world (for about 5 minutes and then the screaming and crying starts).  It may not match my living room, it may not be what I wanted, but that's okay.  They love it, and that's all that matters.