Our Baby Girl's Nursery Design!

It's official!  WE'RE HAVING A GIRL!!!  Her name will be Sadie Elizabeth and she will be all sorts of stupendously precious.

So, of course, now that we know the sex of our little bundle of joy, it's time for "Operation: Decoration" as my super fab friend, Meggy B., would say.  I came up with a couple of designs, one being a little less "baby" than the other (the "less baby" included some hollywood regency esque elements that I so love).  But, my friends and family convinced me to go with this one, and I have to say, they're totally right.  I LOVE this design, much to the disdain of my husband and his aversion to wallpaper hanging, painting and paneling.  Hey, if I'm going to do this on the cheap, it's going to require some extra measures, k?! :)  However, we are accepting applications for paneling and wallpaper hanging friends.  We'll buy you pizza!! :)

If you followed THIS POST, you'll see that I combined a bit of the ornate french flair (see: gold gilded surfaces, ornate silhouettes and linen galore) of the first design with the colorful creativity of the second (see: wallpaper and rug!).  It'll be perfect for our little, spunky princess.

Here's how you get the look...

1) Wallpaper: Graham & Brown

2) Some DIY Paneling: We did this in our dining room and it's easily the cheapest way to upgrade the overall impact of a space!!

3) Window Panels by Nate Burkus via Target

4) White Jenny Lind Crib via Target

5) Linen Ruche Ruffle Bedding via Target

6) Hanging Pendants.  Still trying to find these in stock.  I may have to find an alternative if I can't.  I'm on the waiting list on Gilt.com

7) Most amazing rug via Lulu & Georgia:  Currently on the waiting list!!

8) Chic Rocker via Target

9) Gold Pouf

10) Faux Sheepskin Rug via Ikea

11) Chartreuse Lamp via Kirklands

12) Faux Agate Accent Table via Target

13) Vintage White Dresser: The one we're actually purchasing has gold hardware and I plan on customizing a bit with some paint.  Changing pad will be placed on top.  We're purchasing ours from a local vintage consignment shop.

14) Rococo style mirror for gallery wall.  We already own one, but you can purchase a similar frame via Ikea and spray it gold.

15) Frames via Ikea

And, don't forget the fresh flowers!!! Every princess needs blooms.

Can't wait to share "after" photos with you all!! :)

16 Weeks Pregnant!

Yesterday marked 16 weeks!  Only 2 weeks left until we find out the sex of the baby and I'm finally gaining a little weight.  My weight fluctuated around a three pound difference pre-pregnancy, but I'm thinking that after losing in the first trimester, I'm up 1-2 lbs now.  I have my 16 week appointment tomorrow, so I'll get the official word then!  I gained a little too much with Jacob, so I definitely want to keep my weight under control this time by staying active and making healthy choices.

Another reason I need to keep my weight gain down is to make sure my body is ready for a VBAC.  It's definitely something I really want, so I'll be asking my doctor tomorrow for more details and scheduling a consultation with a doula.  I always wanted the natural birth experience with Jacob, but since he was measuring so large, I ended up scheduling a c-section.  They estimated that he was going to be close to 11 lbs, but he was only 8.6.  I now know that my body can do this and that I have to trust it.  I just have to prepare for it and give it the time that it needs!  Any experiences with VBACs, incorrect measurements or doulas?

On another note, I'm feeling little flutters!!! It's so sweet and is finally making me feel like I'm actually pregnant!!  It was hard to believe there for a while... :)

...excuse the creepy red eye :(  

Be Inspired by a Quiet Mind.

I've been quiet over the past few days because I've really just been in a "blah" mood.  I know I'm being moody and super sensitive, and I feel like my emotions are completely beyond my control!! Not true, I know.  Sometimes I get in moods where I'm just unsatisfied.  I want to be doing, moving, decorating, working, making major life moves, anything but staying still.  I find it difficult to relax, to just breathe and sit back in the quiet of nothingness.

I'm sure part of this has to do with the fact that I really haven't stopped moving since I was fifteen.  I was always in several clubs, involved in several projects, working a couple of jobs and developing other interests, such as a marriage, a child, an education and a career along the way.  My pursuit of perfection and blatant disregard for the virtue of patience have always gotten in the way of my ability to be still.  And, now that I'm staying home, it's like I have to address this fear of not moving, even though I'm definitely doing a lot of physical moving with a three year old at home!

So, in this time of transition, I just want to take in the beauty of my life, the beauty of my babies, my husband, my family and my friends.  Instead of trying to find new things to make pretty, I'll focus on the pretty that's already present.  Because, while staying in the present is sometimes harder than reaching for the future, the quiet mind is ever more inspiring.

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