Hi Alissa....

Sounds like a VERY over powering MIL there... First question is.... IS there any possibility of MOVING out when the baby is born??????

I think if she is this over bearing NOW- she is only going to get worse when bubs is here... i think you need to remind her NOW that this little girl will be YOURS and your partners baby, not hers!!!

I would start decorating the nursery how YOU want it, just start with little things, try 2nd hand stores or something if money is tight, but make a start with something you like, so she has to work into what you have started and if she tries to buy stuff, tell her she needs to buy things to go with what you have already got going, not what she wants.

She sounds very pushy, buying things she is aware you dont want is not a good sign that this will be easy on you!! So i would just say thank you for her gifts, but dont use them, maybe then she will get the message.. maybe try going with her to the shops and if she is happy to pay for stuff, let her, but see if you can try and have a say in WHAT she buys. It might seem as though you are being ungratefull, but its fair enough for you to be able to choose your babies decorations for the nursery and clothes etc, Nanna's can get excited and they can go overboard (especially if its the first grandchild) but she needs to understand that this little girl will be YOUR baby.. not hers!!!!!! And as i said before, i think its a good idea to try and establish this now before the baby comes, or i can see her taking over with everything, how you change the nappy, when you feed, how you wrap bubs up etc etc etc. I think you know what i mean.

I feel sorry for you being in this situation... Good luck with it!!