Decorating for Baby on a Budget

When I found out I was pregnant I had tons of nursery ideas for a boy, but I could not come up with anything for a girl. One of the very few things I kept of Karly's was her bedding. You have no idea how many times I almost sold it,  I just could not bring myself to let go of it. I know it is silly but I grew so attached to her bedding. It holds so many memories for me! I can look at it & just get overwhelmed with emotion, remembering placing her in it for the first time, seeing her roll over, her first fever, her little dimples every time I would walk in the room... silly yes, but I'm not ready to let go. So when we found out we were having another girl I knew that our budget was not gonna allow me to go wild & buy a bunch of new things. This pregnancy has been all about repurposing (& incredible friends blessing us)! I have been slowing working on the baby's room for some time now, I did not want it to look just like Karly's nursery (just a weird quirk I have), but I was drawing a blank, oh & I refused to paint (hate painting!!!!) so I had to get creative. Thank God for Pinterest! A mother's dream come true.

Tonight I finally put the finishing touches on baby's room, and I have to say that I love how it turned out! And I am proud to say that it cost under $75 to finish the room!! YAY!

Crib & Bedding. 2 of the 3 things I kept of Karly's.
The glitter 'M' my mom found at HomeGoods, it had a little chip in the corner so they discounted it out.
My fabric circles were repurposed, it was a window valance that came with the bedding, I was not fond of  it so I cut it up & put it in embroidery hoops that I had packed away ;)

One of my favorites in the room. This is Karly's little chair but she wanted a spot in the baby's room "I need a spot to sit & read and sing to Baby Meredith" So this is Karly's spot! 

I had a wall saying on this wall previously, but I didn't like it for a nursery so I scrubbed it off. When doing so it messed up my paint, and like I mentioned I refused to paint. I had some old canvas bird pictures that were sitting in my closet & a bunch of pink fabric from a party last year so I got busy with my staple gun & in about 15 minutes had this little masterpiece, which happens to be one of my favorite things in the room.

Get this! This changing table was my nieces, who is now 19 yrs old! They don't make furniture like they use to. It was actually white when I got it, but I wanted some color & I love the shabby chic look. I sprayed it & beat it up (Yes Dad, this is how I wanted it to look!) My mirror is from a friend who was moving away (it was blue) but with a little paint it made the perfect accent (Thanks Jill)!

Ok so check out the changing table shelves. My husband is a rock star and cut me some new shelves for the table & I covered them to match the room. love my handy man!

Just some tissue balls for a little pizazz!

I love pick & red together.

When I was decorating today, Karly was wanting so badly to help me. She asked if she could make a picture for baby M's room... and this is what she made! Precious Girl, she's gonna be a great big sissy!

Ok so this lamp was in the garage & my hubby used it as extra lighting. I really like the lamp but it had a ugly grease stain that would not come out. Nothing a few flowers can't cover up! Now it is my most favorite accent in the room!

SO here is my baby room on a budget:

Crib & bedding: already had-- $0

Glitter M-- $10 (HomeGoods)

Embroidery Circles: already had-- $0

Pink Chair & Bear rug: Already had-- $0

Lamp: Already had but needed some cover up... $4. (flowers Hobby Lobby)

Red Curtains- $20 (Target)

Changing Table: given to me but needed paint $6 (Home Depot)

Changing Table Shelves: $4 

Baskets: Already Had

Tissure Paper Balls: Already had tissue Paper

Pom Pom's: Already had from a precious party

Fabric Squares: Already had pictures & fabric

Rug: (not pictured) $29.99 (Marshalls)

Grand Total: $73.99

Now I can sit back & relax and wait for baby girl! I love to decorate and I love the challenge of doing it as frugal as possible. I wish I could get a pic of the entire room cause it is just that cute. I am very pleased. So hard to believe that I have 14 weeks left at best. I know she will be here before we know it. Since I found out I was preg, Jason or I would ask the other one, 'Are you ready for this?' and usually one or both of us would says 'I don't know!' Last night the question came out and we both said "Yes"-- We care so excited to meet her & have this new little miracle join our family.

Word of the Year.

I have determined that the word for this year is: TRANSITION.

In fact we have had so much transition that I've been a horrible blogger. Sorry! 

Even as a young child I never liked change in my life. I love to change my hair color, paint my bathroom, or rearrange the furniture, but hated meeting new people, starting new schools or classes...  Life changes sent me spinning. I have always had a negative view on transition, like it was some kind of purgatory before you got to the real thing. 

Before we even hit the new year, I knew this was going to be a year of change. And before I even finished that thought I knew I had more gray hairs on my head (yes, I have a new shade of 'blonde' showing up more & more :( not a fan!). 

This morning I got up to do my normal routine (I sure do love routine!), catching up on Twitter I read this quote by one of my favorite pastors and it slapped me in the face.  

"Transition is not a regrettable place, but a place where power is being transferred to a new and exciting era."

With Jason starting a new work schedule, planning for a new baby's arrival (in 15 weeks!! I might add.), a wedding (did I mention I am due at the same time as this wedding?- hello stress!), my baby girl entering Kindergarten & trying to focus on my time with her. There's been a lot of resistance for this mama who does not like transition. This was exactly what I needed to hear. Its amazing how something so simple can have such an impact. It was a relief, all this transition is good, new & exciting- I am in a place of power. God is entering my family into a new season of life. So often our minds can take something that is meant for good & twist it into something bad. I am making a decision to love all the crazy transitions in my life, big or small, because I want to live in a place of new & exciting power!