What a Hoot

I have a secret.

Something that's been simmering close to the surface for quite some time.

I think it's in my DNA.

It's how I was born.

I can't help the way I feel.

I can't deny who I am.

I don't care what society thinks of me--or my family and friends. I just have to stay true to myself and confess what's inside.

* Deep breath. *

My name is Courtney, and I. Love. Owls.

* Pause for a moment of reflection and acceptance. *

Yep, folks, it's official. I love those little boogers. Don't know why. Don't know why now. But it's hit me hard and cracked me up, since I never, ever would have pegged myself for a lover of those big-eyed, swivel-headed cuties.

But I wasn't kidding when I said it was in my DNA. My paternal grandmother was afflicted, as well. I can remember an entire refrigerator covered in owl magnets as clearly as I can remember the earth tones in her living room and the husky, German-accented timber of her voice. Let's hope she's smiling down from heaven, thinking: it's about time this kicked in!

For the record, I haven't gone all cutesy with this new preference of mine. I would never outfit a child's nursery in an owl theme (not because it wouldn't be adorable, I'm just not particularly keen on creature themes, in general), and I haven't gone to the bold-color, cartoon-ish end of the spectrum, yet. I like my owls sophisticated, with a side of adorable--for now.

This is the cutie that started it all:

I happened upon her (she goes by the name of Roxie), in Pier One of all places, several months before Baby Girl was born. Roxie's coloring matched the nursery bedding so well that I just had to get her for Baby Girl. Looking back, I guess this was when the floodgates opened.

Next, my mom found these beautiful, white bookends for Baby Girl's shelves:

Again, sophisticated without being too obnoxious. Perfect.

Then, my sweet and thoughtful sister-in-law sent me this for my birthday:

Love it. (And love this book, too. Didn't post about it the other day along with the others, but it's an amazing young adult read about a girl who dies and then has to re-live the last day of her life over and over. I highly recommend it.)

And finally, a week or so ago, when I was in a cranky, hormonal mood, my hubby went to the grocery store for something that escapes my mind at the moment, and he came home bearing this:

He thought it would make me smile. And it did.

What a hoot.

P.S. My mother-in-law also gave Baby Girl some adorable owl pajamas. But I ain't got no photo, 'cause those jammies are soiled at the moment ;) So just imagine the cute owls on the feetsies.