Friday, March 29, 2013

Butterflies & Tutu's

Since I made all of Harrison's crib bedding, I decided that I wanted to 'splurge' and buy a mobile for above the change table.  This time, since I bought the bedding, I decided I was going to make a mobile.

I took to Pinterest for inspiration and knew I wanted something that looked like these:

(Couldn't find the source on Pinterest)

(Couldn't find the source on Pinterest)

(Source)

With those pictures as my inspiration, I set out to figure out how to bring my vision to life.  Thankfully I know someone fabulous that has a Cricut machine.  This project would not have been possible with her help!

Unfortunately, since I wasn't in blog-mode when doing any of my nursery projects, I have no 'in process' photos.  Sorry...

Anyways, I went to Michaels and picked out two shades of pink paper and grey paper and spent one of Harrison's naps over at her house cutting out butterflies (in three different sizes) on the Cricut.  No specific reason I chose butterflies, I just think they are pretty.

Once I had all my butterflies cut out, it was time to start stringing them up using fishing line.  To add sparkle (because every little girl needs sparkle) and a little weight, I used plastic beads before and after each butterfly and on the bottom of every line.

It was a time consuming and tedious part of the job, but I was just so excited to be making something for my little girl that I didn't care!

After I had all my butterflies strung, It was time to hang them on the frame.  I ended up using a wooden embroidery hoop, because I couldn't think of anything else to use.  I knew I wanted there to be two layers of butterflies, so I strung some fishing line across the hoop so I could attach some butterflies to the 'inside' of the mobile.

Once they were all strung, it was time to do something about the ugly wooden frame. I made it look like a tutu, because, just like sparkle, every little girl needs a tutu.

And here is the finished product:




It is very rare that a something I attempt to make turns out to be just as good, if not better, than I envisioned.  This is one of those times.  Just sayin'.

I absolutely LOVE this mobile, and am pretty proud of myself for making it!  I can't wait to see her look up at the mobile and be in awe of what her mother can do. (Just kidding!)

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Tickled Pink

When I saw the result of the first pregnancy test I took (I ended up taking three..) the first thing that went through my mind was Psalm 92:4 "I sing for joy at the works of your hands", the second was 'It's a girl' and the third was 'Oh crap'.

I immediately put the second thought out of my head.  I didn't want to spend the next couple months hoping for a girl and be disappointed if we ended up having another boy.

So when my second thought was confirmed by my midwife, I was over the moon.  I definitely cried.  A lot.  

I was so excited to start dreaming about how to decorate the nursery for our daughter.  I decided this time that I wasn't going to make the crib bedding and change pad covers.  I looked into the cost of getting it made versus the cost and time for me to make it, and opted to have it made.

I searched Etsy and priced out the cost for two crib sheets, a crib skirt and two change pad covers.  I decided to go with the shop RockerByeBaby.  Amber's prices were great in relation to other Etsy shops, but what made my decision really easy was how quick she responded to my questions and how helpful she was.  Before I had even decided to go ahead with my order, we had exchanged thirteen messages.  Her communication was fabulous and she totally delivered on the order!

I knew that Baby Girl's room was going to be grey and pink so Amber showed me a line of fabric that was all grey and pink and I picked what I liked and she made it be.  

This was a really nice way to get crib bedding and change pad covers.  I got exactly what I needed (no unnecessary crib bumpers or quilts that you normally get in set) and in the exact colors and patterns that I wanted.




I also got an extra crib sheet (left) and change pad cover (right):



I was so excited to receive the bedding in the mail and couldn't wait to get Harrison set up in his new room so I could start the nursery.

Since I ended up buying the bedding, I decided that I wanted to make a few things for her room.

I'm really excited to show you what I've done, but you'll just have to wait for another post!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Harrison's Big Boy Room

When we found out I was pregnant, we knew that Harrison's time in the nursery was going to be fairly short lived.  We decided to keep the nursery as the nursery and turn the office into Harrison's new room.  We also decided that we didn't want to buy another crib.  That meant that Harrison would be in a toddler bed by the time the new baby arrived.

I wasn't too concerned about the transition to the toddler bed as my mom did the same thing with me before my sister arrived when I was fourteen months old.  I'm just sticking to tradition here people.

I didn't want to have to buy anything more than a toddler bed for his new room, so we used furniture that we already had.  


The Expedit was used when this room was the office.  You may notice that the bottom two rows of this Expedit are empty.  Before Harrison had his first nap, and slept his first night in this room, I had put stuff in every cubby.  I put the books that he could 'read' without supervision in a couple of the cubbys on the bottom, and a couple baskets with his toys as well.  I was then able to put some of his keepsake items, books that required supervision, and breakable items in the top two rows.

I think it took me two naps to realize that if there was anything on the bottom two rows, it will be played with during the times sleep should be happening.  Eventually I'll try putting a few things within his reach and see how he does, but for now - they shall remain empty!  It doesn't make for the prettiest looking area's, but when it comes to Harrison's sleep - practicality rules (Mama needs her breaks!)

Due to some rearranging in our room (a post is coming!) we had a dresser from our bedroom set that just so happened to match the Expedit.  So, we threw the dresser in Harrison's room!  It fantastic as it's drawers are deep and wide, and it's deep enough to be able to use the top as a change table.


Even when Harrison was in the nursery, his drawers were organized by clothing size.  I've done the same thing in his new room.  I know that as his clothes get bigger and bigger, the likely-hood of it all fitting in one drawer is slim, but for now, it works!

The shelf above the dresser (high enough that it is safely out of his reach when he is on the change pad) is a very recent install and has a few of those items that I can't keep in the Expedit yet.

I'm also using one of the drawers for diapers and all the necessary junk that goes along with it.  I just bought some newborn sized diapers and can not believe how small they are!  And how huge Harrison's are in comparison!


And now, for what I think is the cutest part of the room:


Is that not the cutest, tiniest bed you've ever seen?  We got it from Sears.  Surprisingly, it was cheaper and nicer than any of the beds I saw at Ikea.  It still uses a crib sized mattress so I'm able to keep using the bedding that I made for him!

I originally bought that body pillow when I was pregnant with Harrison but ended up not using it.  It is now used as a soft place for him to land should he roll out of bed in the middle of the night.  I'm sure it doesn't need to be there anymore, but it makes me feel better.

I really like his new room, and it's exciting to think that (unless we move) he will grow up in this room. I still have to hang the pictures that used to be above his crib somewhere in here (right now they are leaning against the wall on top of the Expedit), but I can't decide if I want them on the wall that his bed is up against (I'm worried that the frames would look dwarfed on the big wall) or on the wall above the Expedit.  What to do, what to do....

Suggestions?

As far as Harrison's transition from his crib to the toddler bed, I decided to take a 'Go Big or Go Home' approach.  I wasn't going to flip flop between his bed and the crib because we had a deadline and I wanted him to be fully settled well before Baby Girl arrived.

That being said, when we got back from our holidays Harrison had two nights in his crib while we got everything moved over.  Once everything was ready - we made the switch starting with his morning nap.  

Not going to lie, I was really nervous.  Like heart racing, glued to the video monitor nervous.  Thankfully he didn't hurl himself off the side of his bed (not during the first nap anyways).  It did take a day or two for him to properly get off his bed, as opposed to leaning himself off the bed.  He chose to continue with the option that doesn't involve crying.  After a couple days of constantly going in and out of his room to put him back on his bed, I decided 'NO MORE!' It was exhausting for me, and I needed my rest as much as he needed his naps!

If he decided to get off his bed, he could sleep on the floor.  It wasn't going to kill him.  And so far, it hasn't.  Although sometimes he wakes up with a pretty wicked pattern on the side of his head from the rug.  It seems that he prefers sleeping on the floor to sleeping on his bed.  Oh well, as long as he sleeps.

Don't worry though - if he falls asleep on the floor at night, Bobby goes in and puts him back on his bed when we turn in for the night.


He has been in his new room, in his new bed for about six weeks now, and I'm so glad that I moved him over so early.  So that he could be settled before the baby arrived, and so that I could get my hands on the nursery!!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Anyone Still Out There?

It has been almost a year since my last post.  And it has not been for lack of desire to blog (well, maybe a little bit) but I have been busy!  Life with Harrison has been a huge blessing.  He is such a wonderful little boy, and it has been a joy watching him grow up and change over the last year.

He recently celebrated his first birthday on February 21st!



The changes a baby makes in the first year are incredible.  Hitting all the milestones, and seeing the development is amazing.  There was a time when I wondered if Harrison was ever going to crawl,  I was pretty sure that he was going to go straight to walking.  Little did I know that he would go from immobile to walking within two months!  He crawled for the first time on January 6th, and started walking on February 17th!  He just made it in before his first birthday!

He is such an active little boy - keeps this mumma on her toes!  There is a constant rotation of bruises on his forehead, there always seems to be at least one.

I love this little guy so much!

On top of just going through the first year of parenthood with Harrison, we got a BIG surprise when he was about six months old.



I was pregnant!

Finding out I was pregnant so soon was the biggest surprise of my entire life, no exaggeration.  It took us so long to get pregnant with Harrison (almost 3 years) that I thought it could possibly take a long time to have #2.  With that in mind, we decided that we wouldn't prevent a second pregnancy, but we most definitely would not try.  I didn't even think I could get pregnant so soon!  Little did I know that when I traced back conception, it was almost immediately after I stopped breastfeeding Harrison (milk supply issues).

The first few months were tough.  Feeling gross, yucky, and exhausted is really hard when you have another little human to take care of !

But I survived, and now, at 36 1/2 weeks, I am so close to having two kids (who am I kidding, babies) under 2 (under 1 1/2 really).  Holy smokes!

We are expecting to welcome our little GIRL(!!!!) around April 13th.  I am physically ready to have this baby (it's so much harder being pregnant the second time around!) and I know I will survive once she does arrive.

Actually, what got me back to my blog was checking to see what I packed in my hospital bag when I had Harrison.  I really should get that bag packed soon....

I know my life is going to get crazy pretty soon, but I am so excited for what is in store for our family!  I hope to start blogging somewhat regularly again.  I have Baby Girls nursery to show you, and Harrison's new big boy room (he's in a toddler bed!)

We'll see how it goes!