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!

Forgetting the Easter Eggs

.... Easter is coming! Karly had her Easter party at school last week. I was in line at morning drop off & the teacher ask if I had her Easter eggs?
Oh my Gosh! Easter Eggs, how could I forget?!
No, I'll run them right up...

I didn't even make it to the car & the tears came bursting! Ever have those moments when you feel so overwhelmed by life that all you can really do is cry. That no matter where you turn or what you do you are letting someone down?! This has been my past month.  I have so much on my plate right now and all of it I love, all great things, but I begin to let life overwhelm me. Wanting to be there for every step of the way with Noelle. This is a once in a life time moment as she is planning her wedding, and the last time I will have this opportunity. Wanting to spend as much time with Karly and invest into her before her world gets rocked with a baby sister & has to share us all the time. Realizing that she will be starting KG in just a few months. Knowing that life as we know it is getting ready to turn into uncharted territory.  There are walls I need to paint, decorations I need to make, a million phone calls to make, when is the last time I paid that bill, what's for dinner, did I drink my 64oz of water today?, KG registration, college financial aid, Shower (did I shower today?!), hospital registration, baby/ wedding showers, registries, cleaning, laundry, my husband gets sick, my 5 yr old gets sick & nights in the ER running every test possible cause they cannot figure out why she has 105 fever and screaming with abdominal pains (side note: ER's are pointless. Momma figured it out before the Dr's. baby girl has mono :(  Mom:1 vs. Dr: 0 )..... AHHHHHHH!  How could I forget the Easter Eggs?! I wanted to scream, hurt someone, cry for hours, wanted my best friend, my mom & wanted to not have to be the grown up for just one day! All it took were some silly Easter Eggs to make me crash...

Being a mom is hard work! After I had my mini meltdown, (ok so there was nothing mini about it ;) God reminded me of one simple word. Grace.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Cor 2:9

My type A personality likes everything to be perfect all the time. I hate making mistakes. I hate forgetting things, I hate things not being perfectly in their place. But God has reminded me once again that He needs my weaknesses as much as my perfections. I am certain that within the next 4 months I will probably have another meltdown (I am a little hormonal these days), however I am so glad that God gives me grace, even when I forget the Easter Eggs. 

Got the Easter Eggs! Success.

1/2 way.... Baby bloggin...

A House Divided.

Today is a valentines day I will never forget! I have the best doctor in the entire world and she gave us a wonderful treat of finding out (a little early) if we were having a girl or boy.

 Everyone placed their bets before the appointment- we were a house divided! 2 votes for boy & 2 votes for girl.

It didn't take long at all, little one spread those little legs & gave us a very nice clear shot... "No doubt, that is a GIRL!"

I think Jason went into a state of shock realizing that he would now be living in a house of 4 females (not to mention our cat & dog are both girls too). It took him a min to come back to life. I have always believed that it takes a special man to raise all girls. He has that special touch! He's excited, he says he's got this!

Being a girl and having only sisters, I have to say that I am SO thrilled. The boy world scares me just a bit. The girl world is a world I know inside & out. Not to mention I can't imagine life without my sisters. I think sisters are the best! Karly is already planning tea parties, girl clubs & bunk beds ... its gonna be a fun ride!

Is there such a thing as too much pink?! I think not!

We have had names picked out for quite sometime.  One night right after we found out we were pregnant we talked about names, it was the easiest decision ever. In a matter of minutes we had both a girl name & boy name ready... We both like names with meaning, so this little princess will be named after both our mothers. My mom's name is Edith and Jason's mom's name is Joyce, so we took variations of both names...

Ironically, we realized later that we officially have taken over the middle part of the alphabet... J,K,L,M,N (Jason, Karly, LeAnn, Meredith, Noelle) I'm confident in saying that we will not be finishing the rest of the alphabet ;)

side profile

such a princess, sitting with her legs crossed

Its a GIRL

Baby Countdown: 15 Weeks

Thursday cannot come fast enough, I'm very excited to find out what this little one is. I have such mixed feelings about whether its a boy or girl. I have reasons for wanting both so we are super excited either way. Most people are betting that it is a boy. Karly is hoping for a baby brother ("cause boys are just more fun to play with, but if its a girl that is ok too"-- karly). 

A month before I found out I was pregnant I had a dream that, Jason was working from home, I was writing a book, and had just given birth to a baby boy. One month later I was pregnant. A few nights ago I had the same dream. I am not one to think much of my dreams, however... Jason is now working from home, I am currently writing clips for what may be a book in the near future, now the question is, is it a girl or a boy? Maybe I should start paying more attention to my dreams! :)

The Baby Countdown Begins!!!

Here we go! The countdown begins (even though I have some catching up to do!) I've had a nice long break from blogging- I'm terrible at keeping secrets, so I just had to go into stealth mode for a while! 

November 21st: I almost passed out in my bathroom! And no I did not pee on 2 sticks, I pee'd on 8! After 5 yrs of waiting & praying our second miracle was happening right before us. The Friday before I took this test Jason & I had a long talk about how we were going to try for 1 more year & then call it quits, little did we know God had better plans!!! 

Since I found out soo early that I was pregnant waiting for that 6 weeks ultrasound was a killer! Patience is not my best quality! In the mean time we were able switch doctors. I am SOOO blessed to now have one of the best OB's ever & she is such a great friend as well. I have so much peace just knowing that we are in great care!

FINALLY: December 3

Yes, that is my little piece of rice! I laid on the table with tears flowing. I could not believe it was real, We are having another baby!!! (But we weren't telling until Christmas!) It has always been a dream of mine to share this news on Christmas & God cares about all things :) Not only is He blessing us with a baby, but He gave it to me at a perfect time. All along I have said I would love to have another baby when Karly starts school. Baby is due in July and Karly starts KG in August!! hahaaa. God's timing is SO perfect!

December 18- 8 weeks

Simply because my doctor is the best. She let me come in for an extra ultrasound before we shared the news, just to put my mind at ease and make sure baby growing perfect!

Late on Christmas Eve Santa delivered a GIGANTIC box address to Karly & Noelle. They opened it to find tons of balloons such as...

Noelle's eyes popped out of her head, I sat with Karly to explain what this meant & she put on her BIG SISTER shirt immediately (I am still fighting to get it off of her!), my mom squealed, my dad laughed, & My sisters... well, they suspected, my nieces had already called it-- they know me WAY too well!

10 weeks

Hard to get a good picture, we have a mover on our hands or should I say in my belly! LOL. Had a bit of a scare at this visit. Went to hear the heart beat & could not find it- of course my mind went into panic mode- but don't worry. All is well in baby's world. I could sit all day & watch that little heartbeat flicking away on the ultrasound. Seeing its little nose & facial profile, arms waving, moving all around-- what a little miracle. I cannot put into words how miraculous God is & how blessed I feel.