emily's nursery reveal

I am thrilled to be able to finally share Emily's nursery. We've been working on it since before she was born. Let me walk you through it!

Let's start with the dresser/changing table/night stand combo. This was a free piece of furniture from some friends in Massachusetts. I decided to keep the original hardware and honey finish because I have a thing for late 90's. Our alarm clock from Sam's high school days ties in with that theme.

The papers spilling out from the two organizational items I've given Sam to corral his stuff fits with the shabby chic vibe I'm going for, emphasis on shabby.

Notice the poop stain on the changing table cover. I love when things have some life and story to them. Also, I like to have a mix of name brand and store brand products for baby care because I never want anything to be too matchy-matchy. 

Here's the pack-and-play that Emily occasionally naps in when it's not being used for holding my clean laundry straight from the dryer. It's too big to fit through the doorway, so all my plans of moving it back and forth from room to room went out the window. Sometimes you've got to roll with the punches when you DIY!

I have hated the color and pattern on this thing since I bought it, but it was the cheapest model and we weren't really in the market for splurge items at the time. However, I love the functionality of having some extra storage space below when the bassinet is attached. I still have the blanket that was hiding all the kids Christmas presents left in there. See! Our house really doesn't look like a magazine 24/7, no matter what it may seem like from the other pictures on this blog!

And here's the woman of the hour! I wanted something really special, just for Emily, so I bought some washable Crayola markers for her to suck on. I can totally tell the difference. Trust me guys. So glad I splurged on that one.

Here's the nursing and sleeping portion of Emily's nursery. It might look like it's in a different room, but that's because it is. Think I'm walking all the way upstairs when she's crying in the middle of the night? Think again. Ain't nobody got time fo' dat! (Here's where that gif would go if I were savvy enough to know how to embed gifs.)

I try to keep things casual in here so I've avoided cleaning, for the most part. Also, window dressings are a no-go according to our rental agreement, so that made our decorating decisions significantly easier. Emily is playing with the blanket I crocheted for her and wearing the sweater my mom knitted for her from the left-over yarn. When she's sleepy, she hooks her fingers through the holes of the blanket and pulls it towards her while turning her head so her cheek rubs against it. Seriously, it's the cutest, most heart-warming thing I've ever seen. 

Finally, the hamper and diaper pail. I was planning on hand-quilting an organic cotton liner for the hamper, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Maybe next week!

Hope you enjoyed the tour! Here's a source list in case you'd like to replicate the look in your own home:

Dresser: Free from friends
Changing pad: Came with a changing table I got on freecycle which is currently used for storage upstairs
Pack-n-Play: Babies-R-Us
Rocking chair: Gift from in-laws
Ottoman: Hand-me-down from in-laws
Rocking sleeper: Hand-me-down from Sam's brother and sister and was originally a gift to her from my in-laws
Mini bookshelf: Free from my college roommate
Hamper: Dollar Tree
Diaper Pail: Target

Check in next time to see what we've done to organize our half-a-tiny-closet-sized pantry. Here's a hint: NOTHING!




*Of course this is a joke. I love beautiful nurseries and found myself wishing I had the space, time, money, and talent to make one. Then I remembered my beautiful happy healthy baby and how she adores me and the blanket I made her, and how happy and easy and convenient our life is, and this idea was born. I hope you and your beautifully decorated home aren't too offended.

july 2014

Emily overload!!! July was a fun and busy month. Also, I didn't get much sleep. But that first month with newborns is so precious! My mom and I decided she should come to stay with us as I was headed to the hospital (the second time). So last minute, she booked a flight from Germany and stayed with us for 10 wonderful days. There's nothing like having your mom there after you've had a baby. Not only do you not feel bad asking them to be awake at all hours or do nasty post-baby laundry, but you also get to talk about all those deep things that well up when your hormones are all shifty.

These two were also thrilled to have Grandma Becky around. 

So many people brought us so much food. We didn't cook for weeks. This was a cute pudding dessert in a pail. The kids thought it was amazing. 

The ice cream truck was on our summer bucket list. We were excited to get to check it off. And the kids were excited to eat ice cream in the middle of dinner.

So much LOVE!

Look at how satisfied she is with herself. Best big sister ever.

I caught a smile!

Oh baby yawns! They always make me think of that the strong bad email about anime mouths. "Real tiny when it's closed. Ridiculously huge when it's open!"

There was a lot of this in July.

Puppet show!

She was still hungry.

I made this hungry caterpillar costume for my friend's son and she graciously sent it back to me so I could take pictures of Emily in it. 

I love the crazy positions they'll sleep in.

These two were inseparable. It was adorable. I'm so glad I had her in the summer when the kids got to spend all day with her, watching her grow. 

 Mom just whipped up these doll costumes while she was here. She's amazing.

Ruth and Van brought John and Anna's boys down from Nebraska to stay for a week. It was fun to get some cousin time in with them.

She lost her umbilical cord stump really early, so she was so tiny for her first bath!

Our family on the day she was blessed. Sam gave a beautiful and thoughtful blessing, and we were surrounded by friends and family.

Everyone who came for the blessing: Natalie and Seth, Amber and Madison Schultz, David and Marcelle and children Jonas, Maggie, and Gabriel, Doug and Daniel Summerstay, Van and Ruth, Gordon and Katrina and children Caleb and Naomi, Jacob and Lauren and Daniel.

David and Marcelle were in the middle of their move from California to Alabama and we were on their way. Thankfully, it worked out that they could be here for Emily's blessing. They arrived the night before and stayed at a hotel, so we got to see them for the first time as we all walked into the chapel together.

After the blessing, the Stays came to our house for lunch. We had baked french toast, baked oatmeal, fruit, and sausage.

These two girls had a marvelous time with dolls and dress up. Anna did Maggie's hair here.

Amber and Madison gave us this darling bracelet. It was Madison's when she was a baby and she wanted to pass it on to a new baby.

The next day, Dave and Marcelle prepared for the last leg of their long trip and then we all went to the Grapevine Dove pool. Even Emily got into the water. Then, unfortunately, it was time to say goodbye to Dave and his family.

Half the Stays.

Doug and Daniel were kind enough to come visit and break up our long summer. We went to the Fort Worth Water Gardens for the first time and then to the Kimball Art Museum which I really enjoyed. It was the perfect size for kids. 

We spent another day at the Perot Museum and their special exhibit was of giant dinosaurs, including the Alamosaurus.

Doug spent a lot of time holding Emily for me. Like all the Stay men in my family, he's really good with babies-- patient and willing to walk and sing and talk to them.

One month!

We did some putt-putt while Anna was at art camp one day.

Cousin selfie!

Daniel caught these two precious shots from the back seat.