I have a random rant.

I just want to start by saying that I expect absolutely nothing for the birth of my baby from people. I know the economy's hit lots of people really hard, and others have family, time and other financial obligations. People that have wanted to do nice things for me have totally blown me away with their sweetness and generosity, and I am immensely grateful for it.

That being said and meant, I have to say I am going crazy about some of this. I have had two sweet people offer to throw me showers - neither of which was expected. Kev and I had planned to throw our own party later on, with no obligation of gifts. I made a registry in case people offered, though honestly it was mostly to keep track of what I wanted to get before our daughter's born. I put it on Amazon.com because that's where I do the majority of my shopping and we get really great deals from them.

In the past week I've had a couple incredibly dear, well-meaning family members who are attending one of my showers call me up and ask me what I want them to buy me. This makes me kind of uncomfortable, because I don't know what their budgets are and I have serious issues with feeling like I'm a burden on people anyway. But they insist to know what I want. So I tell them they're welcome to look at my registry on Amazon, where I still have items listed all the way from $15 to $190. I figure this is a nice way of avoiding the "what are you going to spend on me?" issue.

However, they get frustrated that I only have registered through Amazon. Now, I *had* registered at Target over a year ago, and I'd also registered at Babies R Us. However, as baby stuff tends to, their stock changes so frequently that it was frustrating to me to keep researching replacements for items that they'd decided to discontinue for whatever reason. Amazon is nice that way because, unless the manufacturer has stopped making it, I'm very likely to be able to find what I want. I like to have items that have been around for a little while and that are highly reviewed by several people - I've seen (and purchased) too many of the "new cute things" that end up being cheap junk three months down the road.

Now, I have *no* problem with people not going off of my registry. I have no problem with them looking at my registry and then finding the items at a different store. I don't even have a problem with them coming to my shower WITHOUT a present! But is it too much to ask that they do it without making me an part of the process? I feel like I'm in a no-win situation.

"What do you want me to get you?"
"Oh, you're too sweet. You know, I'm truly not expecting anything."
"No, I'm buying you something. What do you want?"
"Well, if you'd like to look at my registry, I have some items listed on Amazon.com."
"Are you registered anywhere else?"
"I'm not, unfortunately. I was but they kept discontinuing my stuff so I decided to keep it all in one place."
"Oh. Because I don't usually shop Amazon because *insert some excuse about shipping prices here.*"
"I understand. Well, you totally don't have to go off of the registry if you don't want to. Or, if you want, I get free shipping for most of the items - I can order it for you if you'd like."

*random uncomfortableness on both sides insues here, followed by me saying . . .*

"Well, you're welcome to look and see if you can find it somewhere local if you'd like. I'm not sure who has what in stock."
"*insert frustration about not knowing where else to find said item*"
"Yeah - well, you know, I'm truly fine with whatever you'd like to do. I'm just so glad you can celebrate with me. You truly don't need to bring me anything specific." (this is said sincerely, by the way)
"But I want to get you what you want! Tell me what you want."

...

Am I missing something? Help me out here.