i hate ikea but, on the plus side, we (almost) have a playroom.

I decided from the moment I found out I was expecting that we'd move my office and turn that space into a playroom for the baby. Certainly my husband and I could bother to share a home office especially considering the fact that when baby came, free time would be scarce and we'd probably never even use the office (this is a true statement).

I decided that I wanted the playroom to be beach themed with white furniture. The room already housed my huge bookcase which was going to stay because our house only has so many bedrooms and I have high hopes that my little (future) literati won't mind his playroom doubling as a library. These things were all well and good but as time went on and as Ethan came earlier than anticipated, the playroom became a storage center. Every last gift that we received at my baby shower? Yeah, let's just throw it into the playroom until we need it. It was getting out of control. The more stuff that was shoved into the room, the less motivation we had to clear it out. I'd be flooded with anxiety if I so much as peeked into the room and so I didn't.

Until today.

I'm not sure where our certain burst of motivation came from, but it was there. We borrowed my dad's Suburban and took off for Ikea (I hate Ikea) and Target. We returned with so! much! stuff! and all of the makings of an awesome playroom. I'm only creative to an extent, but my mind was hard at work churning up ideas and projects and decorations and this-and-that to complete the room. Ethan went down for a nap when we returned home and we went for it. Purging the closet of receipts from coffee shops from my college years in 2005 (really? Please call Hoarders and send them for me now) and finding a place for everything was the tough part. After hours upon hours of organizing and cleaning, we were finally able to start decorating.
BEFORE:


SOME SNEAK-PREVIEWS OF 'AFTER SO FAR':




It's nowhere near done yet (actually, the room is still pretty empty) but after over 12 hours at this, it's time to call it quits for the evening. I'm so relieved and excited to know that the clutter is gone and a playroom is starting to come together. I'm eagerly anticipating working on the room some more tomorrow and throughout the week now that the clutter isn't there to scare me away.

I hope we're able to unveil the final product by next weekend! (Famous last words.)

I think he'll need a 2nd closet.

My husband and I spent the weekend working away on Ethan's nursery (and bathroom and playroom -- this feels like a never-ending process!).

Today I hung his clothes in his closet and was totally amazed (and amused) by how many clothes he already has.



What a loved little boy he already is (and, no, I haven't even had my baby shower yet!). I think he's definitely going to need a 2nd closet. Yikes!

Nursery Progress, Day Two!

We completely jam-packed this weekend with nursery assembling. We're nowhere near done (we still have to order our glider and crib mattress among other things) but I finally feel comfortable with our progress! We were so behind with getting everything set up thanks to my accountant husband's busy season being in overdrive so it was nice to get caught up. All of our furniture is completely assembled and the decorating has begun! As much fun as it's been getting to set up our son's nursery, it's also been exhausting. My husband has been in bed for nearly a half hour already and I'm not too far behind.

Still, what a great feeling! I can't wait to continue piecing everything together little by little. What fantastic progress was made this weekend! We definitely even got a head start on Ethan's bathroom, too -- though you have to wait on those photos. We're working on one room at a time!




































Hanging the artwork my little sister made us for the baby last Christmas!









What's What:
Crib - Wendy Forever Crib by Pali Desgins in Cognac
Dresser - Wendy 5 Drawer Dresser by Pali Designs in Cognac
Mezuzah - Under The Sea by Shelly-Ka
Photo Album - Custom order by Miss Sew N Sews
Engraved Piggy Bank - Gift from Rhian at for Always
Name Letters - Custom order by Baby to SO Big!
Mobile - "Bubbles" by Kids Line
Pillow - Custom order by This Little Piggy Embroidery
Constellation Night Light - Twilight Turtle by Cloud B

Making Progress In The Nursery

Today began bright and early with a trip to Home Depot and is just wrapping up right about now. We made huge progress in Ethan's nursery today and I'm so excited with how everything has turned out so far!


Since the paint is dry and ready to go, we had to move all of the stuff from Ethan's "storage space" room...


...and into my office/Ethan's future playroom! It's now become the official "storage place." I can't wait to go through everything tomorrow and get everything in it's place!


Can't forget Snuggle Seal, who was my BFF from birth onward. :)


Goodbye to the closet doors for paint touch-ups and detail!


New metal outlet plates and covers are a must, of course.






With the windows open, the room is so light and perfect!


















BEFORE: Goodbye, ugly old fan!


AFTER: Hello, pretty new cherry wood fan (with lights)!




Helpful moms drop by with Starbucks iced tea for melting husbands!



















It's way past bedtime. We're exhausted (though, okay, maybe my husband has the most reason to be!) and I'm eager to crawl into bed. I can't wait to do it all again tomorrow!

What's What:
Paint - "Tropical Pool" by Behr
Ceiling Fan - "Wellston" by Hampton Bay
Lamp - "Bubbles" by Kids Line
Bookshelf - Pali Designs Bookcase/Hutch in Cognac
Changing Table - Badger Basket Changing Table with Hamper in Cherry