Friday Rewind // Ada’s Nursery Tour

I was flipping through old photos the other day. I’ll try not to get too down on myself, but I feel like I was so much more together as a mom to Ada than I am to Eloise. I mean, so many factors in our lives have changed. I really should give myself more grace. But . . . we haven’t even finished painting Eloise’s nursery yet. Still, in my photos with Ada at just 11 months, I was dressed in cute dresses with boots, my house was impeccably clean, and Ada was wearing clean + adorable outfits. Everything seemed in place.

Here’s a rewind to September 2012.

(Side note: We still use this exact Woolino sleep sack! Every night!)

Was that real life? Honestly, I cannot remember. I’m sure I was projecting an image more than anything else. But at the same time, I am incapable of even trying to seem this together now. I write this as I type in my pajamas, dirty hair, and I haven’t run in a couple days. I’m definitely having an off week. I feel tired and slightly nervous for the upcoming school and cross country busy season.

Regardless. Five years ago. How times flies. We’ve been through so much since these photos were taken, but they are still a sweet glimpse into the life we used to lead. I hope to snap some photos of Eloise’s nursery soon. Maybe that’s some incentive to finish up the painting.

Happy Friday, friends! Be kind to yourselves.

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Ada's Nursery Tour

It's surprising how clean Ada's nursery looks in these photos. To take them, I had to rotate around piles of clothing and other clutter. It was worth it, though. I've been meaning to post a nursery tour for months. I'm hoping to include some tutorials on how to make certain items in the near future.

First, this is what the room looked like before we got to work:

If you haven't been following the baby blog, I initially wanted to keep Ada's nursery relatively gender-neutral (here's our first plan). It ended up more feminine after we discovered a floral rug in one of our closets.


Yeah. That's sort of the central theme: Budget/Handmade chic. (My best friend Lindsey made that knit blanket on the crib.) We didn't have a load of money to spend on decorating. So I made her curtains, crib skirt, and cushions.


We also made these awesome book slings that we've seen all over the internet. (My friend Dani made the framed A.)


We initially resisted wall decals. But when we found a simple black tree, we couldn't resist. It compliments out chalkboard wall perfectly. And we made it unique by installing it as half a tree versus the entire thing (there were two arrangement options).


We re-purposed our TV console for her room, too. It serves as a generously sized dresser and changing table -- all in one. We kept the decorations simple. Ada loves staring up at her name during diaper changes. (My mother-in-law gave me the letters, I spray-pained them.)


We also chose to forgo a traditional mobile. They are expensive and babies can't necessarily use them for very long. Instead, I hung colorful flags between the beaks of two thrifted birds (also spray-painted).


Though she doesn't sleep in her crib yet, I can tell Ada loves her nursery.

No. Really! I'm not just speaking for my baby. She's enthralled by all the bold colors and patterns. If she's particularly cranky, I take her up to the rocking chair and turn her around. In seconds, she's wide-eyed and taking it all in, especially the tree.


(Did you catch the clutter in that photo? I thought I got away with it. Nope!)


I'm hoping to break down the total cost of this project sometime soon. In short: It wasn't expensive. We bought a crib and the window seat. Otherwise, we re-purposed or benefited from hand-me-downs. Score!

More baby stuff: If you'd like to see what Ada's current morning routine looks like, check out (never home)maker, baby! I posted a cute video that I, myself, can't stop watching.

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Weekend Chores and the Blogging Pants Return!

We posted a recipe on SATURDAY. Can you believe it? I just couldn't wait. So, if you're normally not online over the weekend (we stay as far away from the computer as possible!), be sure to check out the Ring-O-Fire Garlic Knots. They'll change your life. Or just fill your tummy.

Weekend stuff was relaxed. Stephen went to a beer festival with his dad and brother in Philadelphia. I stayed behind and had a girly date with my friend Jesslynn. Food, art, walking around -- it was fantastic. Saturday was a bit of a relaxed blur. A 6-miler in the morning. Hanging out with my parents for most of the afternoon. Low, low key. Which is exactly what I needed.

When Stephen returned Sunday, we got to business: Do you remember our office?

That's where we plan to put the nursery. It's been a dumping ground for any baby stuff we're picked up so far (including a crib -- but we're not assembling that quite yet). It's still a mess, but we cleared out most non-baby stuff.

And we need to get Time Warner to come and move our internet connection. That's why you see a pile of computer equipment in the corner. Ick.


When Stephen was home this weekend, his mom sent him back with the rocking chair she had used with both him and his brother. We love how compact it is . . . and though we had first considered sanding/painting it, we may just keep it finished as-is.

Of course, now that I'm totally obsessed with a new hobby, I'll want to sew some cushions!


Where did our desk go? And my guitar/cello/violin? The computer chairs and other stuff? THE EXERCISE ROOM. Which will be our exercise room AND office from now on.

Hooray for small, cluttered spaces?


We had to custom cut the door-desk to make it fit the nook right as you enter the room. But we're loving it. Just need to clean everything up.


So that's what's going on while we make room for the baby. Today I'm 15 weeks -- we still have quite a while. I want to get a jump on things, though, so we'll have time for bigger projects I want to tackle. Like the kitchen.

Now, I must apologize to Faith. You see -- Healthy Ashley had sent me the Blogging Pants a couple months ago. Yeah. We're talking months at this point. We actually received them the day we decided to take our blogging break. I've been holding them hostage ever since.


I took me a while to think of what I'd like to write on them. The task of finding some "encouraging message, affirmation, sentiment of wisdom" seemed difficult with how I've been feeling (overwhelmed) lately.


I ended up writing: "Believe in Yourself. Inspire Others." But then I sort of highlighted so it would also say "Believe in Others. Inspire Yourself." I think it's a totally cyclical relationship of positivity!

So far, the pants have traveled to . . .

Hangry Pants
Chandra
Run, Eat, Repeat!
Healthy Tipping Point
A to Pink
Then Heather Said
Healthy Ashley

And now, they are on their way to Julie of Savvy Eats! I chose Julie because I've met her in real life, and she's a very positive person. I think she'll have something great to write on them to inspire and motivate others.

What did you do this weekend? I'm excited for next because we're hanging out with some of our favorite friends. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous. And, well, I'm a sucker for ANY time off these days. Bring on the week . . . but let's hurry up, weekend!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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