The Nursery - A Not So Short Story

Well, friends, here it is! The latest version of Baby Mc’s nursery in all its glory. For some reason the pics are making the space look a little bigger than it is, but whatevs, I’ll take it. The whole room started with the fabulous painting by Michelle Armas. Originally I’d thought it would be an over-our-bed piece, but when we found out we were preggers I just couldn’t resist. They say (you know, “they”) that babies love color and texture, and well, this beauty has both in spades. When I thought about this room, I knew only that I didn’t want it focused on Hot Wheels, and that I did want it to be distinct for our little guy without being too far removed from the rest of our space. Hence, modern meets vintage meets comfortable as hell was born. This is where I admit to putting my Eames rocking chair in storage in favor of a custom glider/recliner. That’s right, I said it. There are a few décor-related words that make me want to die, including ceiling fan, sponge paint and recliner, and yet, I went there. I feel better that the pull is hidden deep within the inner cushions, but still. Let’s just say I had to make a choice, and my choice landed upon my ever-widening butt NOT wanting to rest in a hard, cold, plastic shell at 2 a.m. Stop judging me.

As I’m currently having a love affair with blue and gray, I was stoked to pull these colors out against the white furniture. Oh and speaking of white furniture, I had long pictured theWalmart Baby Mod Parklane crib up in here, only to realize the legs wouldn’t fit in glass jars. Glass jars, you say? That’s right, to keep the SCORPIONS at bay. As if being a first-time parent isn’t terrifying enough, these are the kinds of nightmarish things haunting my desert dreams. Bastards. Luckily I stumbled upon the Baby Mod Modena crib and changing table and am just as happy. Ish. The crib skirt and bumper are custom from Carousel Designs, and the sheet is themini dots grey by DwellStudio. And don’t you worry, I promise the bumper is currently just for show and will be retired until Baby Mc can properly turn himself over.

Since this room is also still our guest bedroom, we traded our queen bed for my parents’ pop-up twin trundle that has been around for almost as long as I have. No, not the mattresses, but the frames themselves which are super old and most importantly, super well-made. The picture ledge above the bed is home to our favorite old photos of us as kids with our parents and grandparents. I love the idea of surrounding our newest addition with love and memories from the past. I’m also secretly hoping that the picture of my Viking grandmother will come to life one night when I’m having a stage five meltdown and urge me to pull myself together. She was good that way.

Now that we’re talking about heritage…how ADORABLE is the print above our changing table? A dear friend made it for us, and it reads “sweet dreams” in English, Gaelic, Swedish and Italian, to represent pieces of both the Hubs and me. Such a thoughtful, sweet gift, it makes me teary eyed even now. Hew. And just when I think I’ve recovered, I look to the left where notes from my girlfriends hang - ready to offer a laugh or much-needed piece of motherly advice. Sniff.

This shelf houses a few cherished toys and books from childhood, and yes, that IS a giant apple.

My grandmother knitted these sweaters for me when I was a baby. I wish I could've gotten a better shot, but the top one has a duck and the bottom features two little lambs. So cute!

And last but not least, some little animals to keep the little guy company. I'm kind of obsessed with the sleeping bunny, and also thinking our grown-up bathroom needs another version of Sparkly Pony's whale tissue holder. It's THAT cute.

And we're done! Balls, are you sick of me yet? I'm sick of myself. I am glad, however, that I got to stage some shots for you before real life sets in. You know when q-tips take over the pretty white jars, diapers cover the floor and my sanity heads out the window. I'll be sure and look back at this post when I've been in my bathrobe for three days and have made the recliner my permanent residence. Until then, thanks for hanging with me...and judging me silently!