Absence

You know what they say about absence...it makes the heart grow fonder.  Well, I'm guessing you are very fond of me right now!  After a month and a half sabbatical, the Tigress emerges from her den and declares that Spring Training is here!  Well, for pitchers and catchers, but the rest of the staff is not far behind.  There was a picture of Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias posted on the Tigers' Facebook.  I hope these two have taken a dance class or at least gone to couple's counseling, because they will be seeing a lot of each other this season on either side of 2nd base.

Rest assured that the Tigress has not been researching a new team to devote herself to.  No, I won't be transferring my fandom to the Nationals in order to keep my favorite player (Doug Fister, may he rest in Tiger peace).  I've been prepping and preparing for the newest Tiger fan to make her entrance.  Baby Tigress will be here in less than a month and the whole Tigress family has been working to ensure that she's the most fabulous Tiger fan to ever grace this Earth.  So, how does the Tigress decorate a nursery to encourage optimal Detroit love?  Why with Tigers swag of course.

First up, window treatments.  Nothing quite blocks out the sun (and the Yankees' chances at a World Series) better than a Tigers valance.  It sets the mood for the whole room (fun) and draws the eye to the most important letter in the alphabet.  

Next on the list is a place to put all of Baby Tigress's bobbleheads and other collectibles.  Mr. Tiger flexed his creative handiwork and made this over the closet shelf.  The brackets are two sided with "Tigers" written in script in one side and the olde English D on the other.  They are pretty boss.

The only way to adorn such a majestic shelf is to gather the greatest assortment of Tigers memorabilia and display it proudly.  You'll notice the gnomes given by Brother Tiger, the JV doll bought at the playoff game, and many a bobblehead acquired in promotional giveaways.  I've also included many bobbleheads from stadiums I've visited through the years.

Her favorites in the middle: Al, Gnomey the Homey, JV, Gnome fans, and Paws

While watching the Tigers is the top of Baby Tigress's priority list, literacy is a close second.  Her favorite books are about...the Tigers (imagine that!).  She also has a vintage dollhouse to store her books.  Notice the baseball bat, glove and ball handle on the bottom draw and Tigers bear security blanket in the bottom right room.

A classy lady has to have places to hang her things.  Enter the baseball hooks.  You'll see she currently has her friend Muffin Moose and her owl hooded towel up there (just in case there was any doubt that this is a girl's room).

Currently, the small Tiger head below will function as a trash can until the amount of trash Baby Tigress produces exceeds the amount this container can hold. The Tiger bench was purchased in Shipshewana shortly after Baby Tigress's existence was discovered.  The larger Tiger is a hamper, which is awesome except for one thing.  The top flips down to close showing a Tiger's hat.  Unfortunately, the olde English D is upside down!  Who did the quality control at the factory?  Write up a corrective action for this hot mess.  

To keep warm in the winter, Baby will have a hooded Tiger's blanket to snuggle up with.  The picture doesn't do it justice, but this blanket is worn with the Tiger head as a hood and there are spots to put your hands in the blanket to wrap it around you.  We've already agreed that until Baby Tigress is big enough to fully appreciate the blanket's awesomeness, I've been granted full access while in the home.  I've been blocked from bringing it to the stadium, but I get that.  A baby's got to have regulations.

While Baby Tigress's room is a Tiger's fan sanctuary, this kid has to have something to wear while cheering the Tigers to victory.  The clothes are thanks to Grandpa Tiger, Grandma Tigress, Uncle Tiger, and Aunt Tigress (they are digging their new titles BTW).  

The pink says, I love the Tigers but I also look great in pastels

Lastly, a child needs toys to enrich the mind and keep her occupied long enough so the Tigress can do the dishes.  These blocks are hand made by Aunt Tigress and Uncle Tiger.  Not only do they have fun blue and orange patterns on them, but they also have letters and Tiger's logos.  They teach, entertain, and let the creative juices flow.  Where else would you keep Tiger's blocks but in a Tiger's tin?

Baby Tigress will be here by opening day to cheer on the Tigers to a championship season.  That's right, Tigers.  Pressure is on.  This kid is expecting a lot from you.  She can grow up telling the story about how the Tigers won the World Series the year she was born, forever cementing her love of the Tigers.  In the meantime, her mom has some work to do.  Both My Tiger and My Not Tiger have to be chosen and the Tiger's roster has to be analyzed as they progress through Spring Training.  We call that "nesting."