Non-Baby-ish Boy Nursery

Next best thing to setting up a traditional nursery.... polyvore!

Baby Boy Nursery by katiepeters featuring seagrass area rugs

Even before we listed the house, I planned to use and borrow from what we already had as much as possible.  I also knew that I wanted versatile pieces that could grow with the child or be moved to other rooms later on.  Most of the items in this set are simply placeholders.  Feel free to view the sources on polyvore, but don't for a minute think that I spent this kind of $$.

Sources:

Black Crib- Garage Sale (spray painted)

Wooden Dresser- Craigslist (similar)

Bentwood Rocker- Craigslist

Brass Lamp- Goodwill (similar)

Velvet Drapes- Pottery Barn (purchased long ago)

Jute Rug- RugsUSA (purchased long ago)

Moroccan Rug- RugsUSA (one of the only new, significant purchases for the room)

Acrylic Book Ledges- from here (didn't purchase due to moving)

Dog Art- painted by my grandmother (this is just a placeholder)

Letter B- from here (didn't purchase due to move)

Crib Sheets- TJMaxx (sewn from a full sheet set)

Crib Skirt- Burlap with white border (sewn from fabric on hand)

Blue Bunny Lamp- Wedding Gift

Changing Pad Cover- Black and white houndstooth (sewn from fabric on hand)

Stainless Steel Trashcan- Target (hoping it will hold in the smell)

Books- Target (on the registry)  

Last but not least...

via

Is this not the cutest mobile you've ever seen?  Made from felt (with lines sewn on to look like notebook paper) and wire.  As much as I would love to plop down $58 and as much as I am sure the craftsmanship justifies it, it is simply not in my budget.  So... I will try my hand at making my own.  Hopefully I will get around to showing you how it turns out.

ps.  Is it bad etiquette to register for baby books?  Have you ever?

So long! Farewell!

It's looking like we have sold our house!

In March we finally got it posted online and listed in the local newspaper.  After several weeks of no response, we let the newspaper ad expire but continued to bump it to the top of Craigslist.  In late April we finally got a call that someone wanted to come see it and a week later they wanted to come again!  Now we've signed a contract, passed the important inspections, and are getting ready to pack up.

I haven't let myself get very excited about the sale for fear that it would fall through.  And now that it appears to be a go, I'm feeling a little sad about it too.  We love our quiet cul-de-sac and super private back yard.  Also, I think there's a certain amount of disappointment in not getting to see our plans for this house come to life.

There are a few big things we always wanted to do like finishing the basement and making a stone patio outside the basement doors.  But at the moment, my mind seems to be focusing on my plans for the nursery/guest room.  Imagine that.  We didn't have some grand scheme with lots of paint or money, and that was sort of the fun of it for me.... challenging myself to put a room together using mostly what we already have and shopping Craigslist and consignment shops for the rest.

But interestingly enough, I am totally relaxed about this whole moving-right-before-baby-and-not-getting-to- set-up-a-real-nursery thing.  I would follow that with- "knock on wood", but I know the relaxed feeling is not something I have manufactured.  It's not coming from me, it's coming from a deeper place of trust and a clearer view of priorities that I can only attribute to the Father.

I am so thankful for the many family and friends who have offered living quarters, help packing, moving, fixing food for the freezer, hosting a baby shower, etc.  The list goes on and on.  We are incredibly grateful and pray that we will see the opportunity to help and bless others as they are blessing us.

Next up... my "would have been" plans for the nursery!

Baby Peters Gender Reveal Party!

photo credits to N. Long Photography

It's a boy!  And we're pretty pumped!

Celebrating Advent- Day 10

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.  It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God!  We have waited for him, that he might save us.  This is the Lord!  We have waited for him.  Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

Isaiah 25:8-9

Does this verse speak of the birth of Christ?  The coming of Christ in our hearts?  The second coming?  I sort of think it's a combination of all three.  Read it through three times, each with one of those in mind.  Amazing, huh?

He HAS swallowed up death forever, friends!

Celebrating Advent- Day 9

And God said to me, "They're right.  They've spoken the truth.  I'll raise up for them a prophet like you from their kinsmen.  I'll tell him what to say and he will pass on to them everything I command him."

Deuteronomy 18:18

God had a plan from the very beginning.  Sometimes I wonder how.  And why.  But it's a story- from beginning to end.  Like the story of our lives, we can't take out all the mistakes and missteps and expect it to turn out beautiful and reconciled.  How could he reconcile someone who doesn't need reconciliation?

The law only served to show us our weakness, our shame, our guilt before him.  And in some small, foggy place in my brain, I think I understand the importance of that as a basis to our regeneration in Christ (on a corporate, worldwide level that spans all time).

The law set the stage for a completely awesome transformation....

This is the advent of our Jesus!