I’ll be honest: I knew my previous post wouldn’t be my last one before D-Day. I had a real strong feeling this little fella/bella would be kickin’ around for, minimum, a few days after my due date. I’ve long expected to be a long-expectant momma, and that’s actually been incredibly healthy for my mental state. It means I’m less “GET THIS BABY OUTTA ME!” and more “I guess I’ll make brownies?” I’ve been assuming this babe will take it’s sweet time, and that a due date is just a marker to make sure you’ve done all the important laundry. So, here I am, two days after my due date, and still no strong signs of labour. But I’m good with it! Really! I’ve even kicked myself off of the “let’s read about the WORST CASE SCENARIO” message boards. The oddly-comforting reality is that there is nothing I can do about how this baby comes into the world, and anyway/time that gets it here safely is the right way/time. Whoa! Look at me getting all advice-y and evolved. Must be the brownies! (Also, remind of these words when I’m, like, 12 days overdue).
Anyways, seeing as I’ve had some time to kill lately, I’ve made sure to visit all four of the main thrift spots in Hamilton over the past few weeks (Talize, Salvation Army, Valu Village, and Bibles for Missions). The outfit above is 100% Bibles for Missions. I found the sweater for $6, the hat for $2, and the boots for $10. I was immediately pleased with the way the gray sweater and red and white stripes went together, but couldn’t figure out why. When I got home, I figured out why: It’s because I look like those socks, and, by extension, those sock monkeys. You call it a coincidence, I call it the easiest Halloween costume ever!
In this look, I also fit quite nicely into the palette I set for our nursery. “Setting a palette” almost sounds too fussy for how I approached decorating the space. I just wanted it to be FUN, full of primary reds, blues, and yellows. And you know what? Fun it is! Matt, with the help of his Dad, cousin, and a few handy friends, really did all the hard work in prepping this space: He created a brand-new room out of our way-too-large living space – walls went up, trim went down, and paint went on. All I had to do was fill the room with furniture and the fill the walls warmth and whimsy.
The first decorative items I received for the nursery were these beautiful paintings by my sister Laura. Matt, ever the thoughtful one, commissioned some artwork from her for our fifth anniversary in the summer. Laura had heard a few things about my “vision” (again, that sounds too fussy) for the room, and she completely nailed it. I really did use those paintings as a launchpad for everything else in the room: the patterns and stripes, the golden yellows and punchy reds – it’s all there. I was able to take that influence, and fill the rest of the room with gifts from friends and family, items I already had, and new buys from Ikea and Target (I’ll miss you, boo!). OH, and so much Kijiji:
More pics and such below!
Colourful kids books were a big piece in this puzzle. For one of my showers, the guests actually brought signed books instead of cards – such a great idea from my inlaws! That, coupled with a book-selling family, pretty much ensures this baby will never want for literature. Also, fart books:
Nurseries are also special because so much of what’s inside comes from loved ones. Yen found that original Queen Buzzy Bee, and my sister Robyn thrifted that amazingly retro Fisher Price toy. One of the ladies from my Oma’s building knit that sweet little stripy bear, and Matt’s mom refinished the chalkboard and a matching change table (didn’t snag a photo of that yet) for us:
All in all, I really loved bringing this room together. A big part of that is because one so rarely get to start from scratch when decorating. For that reason, this is easily the cleanest, most organized room in our house right now (and I’m sure it will stay that way, because babies are so known for their cleanliness and organizational abilities!)
As the clock marches on, and the post-due days rack up, I’m comforted that, when he or she should choose to arrive, we’ll have a warm, friendly space to welcome our new family member.
I can’t wait to meet our little sock-monkey.
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Crib: Ikea Rug: Target Glider: Kijiji Chalkboard + Change table: About Time Vintage Letter Poster: Decorative paper from The Painted Bench, frame from Michael’s Retro prayer wall-hanging and white tiered shelf: Found in storage from old neighbours! Baskets: Michael’s