Baby Project, part 2!

Every day, Lilia reminds me that the baby is getting bigger in my belly.  It's getting harder to walk, breath, eat and sleep.  Sometimes it's even hard to sit.  I expect December is going to feel pretty much like the entire summer...slow and never ending.  35 weeks along, and I think this one can come as early as next week, and as late as next year.

Remember this little unit?

Part two of my changing table project was actually transforming an old shelf unit into a small matching wardrobe.  We bought this unit way before we had kids.  At one time it was filled with DVD's and video games.  Then Lilia was born, and began to crawl and then walk, and all our DVD's got strewn onto the floor on a regular basis.  One by one, I emptied the shelves, and than as Lilia got old enough to leave it alone, I started putting it all back.  Until Liam came along, and then it was the same story.  Ever since then, the DVD's really never got put back onto this shelving unit, and there seems no point in trying to use it again for it's intended purpose- I'm sure this little one will do the exact same thing.

Finished, and perfect for newborn clothing!

As I began to gather baby stuff, I stored it in my dining room closet.  Liam's room has no closets, just a wardrobe and a set of drawers.  Lilia's room has a closet, though her toys are mostly stored in there, and no matter how many times I clean my own closet, there never seems to be room in there for long.  And then looking at this shelving unit that now seemed to function as a junk unit, an idea hit me.  A small wardrobe, perfect for holding the baby's clothes.

I started with a coat of paint.  Same color as the changing table.  I decided I wanted to keep a small shelf for storage, so I moved one shelf to the top most holes, and painted the shelf.  I bought an 18-30 inch adjustable clothing rod, and installed that.  There's a basket on the bottom for baby blankets, swaddles and changing table covers.  I debated having a second shelf on the bottom, but that took up too much room.  Because the top shelf was so thin, I used old silverware baskets from my kitchen drawers.  They have things like hair bows and hair bands, nail files, nail clippers, nose sucker, and the like.  I added a basket for bibs on the top, another basket for baby wash, coconut oil, and wipes solution, and the wipes warmer.  The top is actually protected by a plastic desk shield.  And I added a few decals from the set I used on the changing table.  It looks so nice, and I feel so organized!  I'm still debating on adding a curtain rod and a small curtain, but I can't decide if that would be too much.

Side with a decal.

So far, I placed all her newborn clothes, with the exception of onesies in there, as well as 0-3 month outfits, dresses.  I use one of the drawers in the changing table for oneies, and another for sleepers.  Everything fits in there nicely, and as she starts to outgrow items, it will be easy to just break out the next size, while stashing the old sizes.  And once we've had either an addition made, or we move to a bigger house, she can still use it for play clothes and toy storage.  I have a little mental image of attaching a mirror on the other side, and hanging up her (and Lilia and Liam's) dress-up clothes.  And again, this was super cheap.  Except for the baskets and the clothing rod, everything was an extension of the original changing table project.  The baskets I got from Kmart on Black Friday for 24.99 (for a 7 piece set that included a hamper, waste basket, and 5 different sized baskets.) and the clothing rod was $5.

Little Changes...

Before!

I've had the same crib and changing table for all my kids.  Well, sort of.  It's one of those convertible cribs that turns into a toddler bed, and then you can eventually use it for headboards, and the changing table can turn into an end table.  Or something crazy like that.  We used it for Lilia, and then when we had Liam, we converted it to a toddler bed for Lilia, and he slept in his own crib.  We kept the changing table part for him though.  Now no one using the crib or changing table, and until we decide how we're going to go about adding another room for the baby, I'm only using the changing table.

After two kids, it was a bit of a mess.  A bit of wear and tear, and me having the desire for something new looking, I knew I wanted to do something.  I had some ideas in my head, and then of course, I found some things on pinterest which made me think "Hey, I can do my ideas!"

After!

The first thing I did was wash the changing table, and then let it dry.  I added two layers of Benjamin Moore paint, in a chocolate mocha color.  After it was dry, I put on pretty little decals because I'm not so good at painting by hand.  Or with stencil.  I replaced the hardware, though I have to admit, I'm disappointed I couldn't find butterfly or flower shaped pulls like I envisioned.  But I like the little pink knobs well enough.  I found some cute baskets that fit the shelves (and small enough to be able to throw in a small basket just for snappi's when I get around to buying them!)  Since I cloth diaper, I added a towel bar, just to hang covers on between use.  Is it bad to admit that I feel a bit like genius for that one? Toss on the changing pad and a new cover, and voila.  My new changing table.

I love the bins, and I love the towel bar.

I wish my camera could do it justice.  I think I should've added new camera to my baby registry (which was really more so I could keep track of what I needed to buy...)  The best part is the price:  20 bux for the paint, 12 bux for all three bins, 5 bux for the towel bar, 10 bux for the decals (I paid $5!), and 3 bux for the drawer pulls.  A brand new looking changing table for under $50. You really can't beat that!  And while I don't include it in the price, the changing pad covers were almost 50% off on Amazon, so I bought a couple then, rather than pay full price.

And before anyone asks, yes, I have everything organized, or a list of how I plan to organize.  The drawers will be prefolds, sleepers and onesies.  The bins are hats and mitts, soakers and covers, and socks, baby legs and soft shoes.  If I can find one I like, I might add a small mobile, and my warmer and wipes will be near by.  Perhaps on the wardrobe I'm working on, but that's a whole other post.  (You know you are looking forward to it!)

Now if I could just figure out what to make with the chicken I have out for dinner tonight, my day will be a complete success.

My morning project...

Having a small house, we've had to come up with a place to put the baby after she's born.  Now, I have no qualms with co-sleeping.  I personally just don't sleep well enough when there's a baby in bed with me.  So my plan this time was to get one of Arm's Reach co-sleepers.  Well, I decided I didn't really like them.  At least the mini ones that were in my price range.  I did, however, discover this cute little nursery center.  We bought it way back in August, and I have to say, it took a bit of self control not to open and play with it until now.

The co-sleeper section

This was my morning project.  It wasn't too bad, there were a few complicated parts, mainly squeezing metal rods into places that were tight. I may or may not have squee'd and coo'd at how adorable it really is though.  Not only is it a pack and play, which will be nice when and if we ever travel again, but it also has a bassinet attachment.  And it has a co-sleeper section.  While we haven't attached it to the bed yet, I'm hoping this makes life so much easier for sleeping and for nursing.  There is also a changing table, side compartments and a little attached side bag for diapers and the like.  And we won't get into the little attached "Electronic music center with volume control, nightlight, and vibration".

Actually, we will.  I haven't tried it yet.  But it apparently features options for nature sounds, music, and an mp3 input so you can play your choice of music for the sleeping baby.  These features, on top of the vibration feature, and night light...well, it' a little over the top, at least for me.  I'm not sure if I'll even use them, though it can't hurt to give it a try.  My only disappointment was the lack of a mobile, which some of the other models had.

Next to my messy bed.

Needless to say, I'm still thrilled with my choice, and I am looking forward to putting the baby down in this.  I'm going to leave the whole "attaching the play yard to the bed" thing to John, as that involved removing the top mattress and probably a lot of crawling around on the ground and getting into awkward positions.  A little hard to do at this stage of pregnancy.  

Knitting and Crocheting and waiting (somewhat) patiently...

What's this?  A post?!  Cut me some slack! I'm pregnant.  They say that everything happens sooner with each subsequent pregnancy.  They don't have to convince me.

Actually I just feel so busy in my own little way now- I'm knitting and crocheting up a storm, painting, and shopping and preparing...It seems almost sad that I'm so silent at such a fun time.

Yeah, that's my odd shaped bump underneath that blanket...

Since August, I literally did about 14 different knitting projects.  A few were for my sister, who had a baby in September.  And the rest for our number three.  I keep my ravelry updated, so you're always welcome to check out that little list.

My current project has slowed me considerably.  Wanting a break from all the knitting, I went back to crochet for a bit, and decided I'd try to tackle something bigger.  I fell in love with the Tulip Baby Blanket when  saw it a few months back, but I'm usually not one to buy patterns.  Mainly because I get wary that I won't be able to do the pattern due to my lack of skill.  Well, I just kept coming back to this pattern, and finally caved, hoping it was something I could do.  And it turns out that while it's a time consuming process, the pattern is super simple.

I love the colors- they match fairly well with the Fisher Price Mocha Butterfly theme, which while not our "official" nursery theme (there's no nursery...), is basically the color scheme I'm going with anyways.  And there's something exciting about working so hard on something you're going to wrap your baby up in.  I can't wait to take some adorable pictures.

77 rows down, still far too many to go!

Because it's such a big project, I am working on other things.  I take breaks from crocheting...by knitting.  Right now I'm working on the jingle bell hat, just because it's a little silly, and a little cute.  I plan on adding a matching bib, and probably a pair of longies.  And this just seems to be the top of my list of things to knit/crochet before Christmas.  I won't even begin to list the other projects I'm working/want to work on.  I have a feeling I'm going to run out of time.

33 weeks, 4 days.

Wordless Wednesday

August Day Book

Joining in on The Simple Woman's Daybook today.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... are some really dark clouds, even though it's quite sunny out.

I am thinking...about everything I need to do between now and December for this baby, and the kids.

I am thankful...that my husband keeps me grounded.  I'd probably be a little bit insane if he didn't.

In the kitchen...are cans of white beans for white bean chicken chili.  Dinner should be delicious tonight!

I am wearing...my pajamas.  Go ahead, judge me!

I am creating...lots of knit items for the baby.

I am going...to finish a skirtie today, and start a soaker after that.

I am wondering...how I can go about improving my home without spending lots of money.

I am reading...The Birth Book by William and Martha Sears, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

I am hoping...the weather doesn't get too hot.

I am looking forward to...everything Fall.

I am learning...how to do a Picot Edge bind off.

Around the house...needs a vacuum.

I am pondering...learning to quilt.  Or at least improving my sewing skills.

A favorite quote for today... “Your body is not a lemon!” by Ina May Gaskin

One of my favorite things... feeling the baby move and kick around.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Laundry.

A peek into my day...

Here I am!

Ok, I know, I know.  I keep disappearing.  Hard not to really, life was just far too busy with everyone home for summer, and being sick and hot and well...just not in the best of moods for a good chunk of the summer.  But, despite all that, we did have a good summer.  From May until now, we went to Connecticut to see Florence and the Machine (great concert, but not fun traveling just as my morning sickness hit hard.), New York City, The Great Sacandaga Lake (camp), lots of trips to Albany (Midwife!), and trips to Rochester (Museum of Play and a new car), and spent lots of time in our cheap little intex pool (which sadly, has bit the dust after 2 years.)  There were races, and lots of fun in the sun.

NYC

But this week, John went back to teaching, and Liam's preschool classes began.  Next week, Lilia starts Kindergarten (Can you believe it?!) and I will have nice peaceful mornings to myself, if I can manage to climb out of bed before 11:30.  Yes, I know, that sounds so awful.  I don't know what's up, but this pregnancy has me exhausted in the morning.  Hopefully, back to school for everyone else though means some sort of sense of normalcy returning to my life.  Or at least some sort of routine where kids aren't underfoot!

So, with less to distract me, I'm hoping to update more often again.  I mean, it's not like I don't have stuff to talk about...It's September, my favorite season on the way, a new baby, Christmas, Birthdays and hockey season.  Well, hopefully hockey season.  If there's a lockout, you might get a few crying posts.  And with Pinterest filling my head with ideas on how to organize and prepare for the baby, well...we're in for some good times.

Speaking of baby, things are going really well.  I had my 20 week scan a few weeks ago.  As of today, I'm 22 weeks, 2 days.  My placenta is actually in front this time around, so it took a lot longer to be able to feel the baby kick than the previous two.  But I'm feeling almost every little movement now it seems, and with that comes a feeling of well being.

Camp

We did find out the gender, and while I posted it in comments on Facebook, I don't think I ever made an official announcement.  So here it is now...the next A little bit me baby is a sweet baby girl.  I was super excited by this news- knitting stuff for a girl is just more fun, as is shopping for girls, LOL.  With Lilia, we still stuck to a lot of gender neutrals for our basic stuff and nursery decor, so this time I'm leaning more towards pinking stuff up.  Actually, I'm leaning to purpling things up, but same difference.  Lilia is super excited to have a baby sister on the way.  Probably doesn't help that she sees all the little girly stuff we've bought (or plan to buy), and can't wait to play with them herself.

So there we have it.  Life is good, even if baby girl here is quite low and making a pillow and bed out of my bladder and pelvic floor.  I'm looking forward to the next 18 or so weeks.  Saying 18 weeks really makes it feel like that's far away, doesn't it?