Cora Grace's "Finished" Room

Before I start on the Room report, I just had to put a couple sweet shots up. Keep in mind you can click the pictures to make them larger to see the details, if you want. Enjoy! I'd love some feed back so please tell me what you think. :)

Evan's first official 'Art work' on the inside of his closet with a dry erase marker (it doesn't come off as easily as you think, I'm gonna have to use a magic eraser I think). If you look closely, you'll see he also has it on his lip. ;)

And the cuteness...

I'm going to put the lyrics (My Heavenly Father Loves Me) I considered for the wall in this shadow box around a smaller framed picture of Cora Grace. The twig and bird hooks for the towels were just bought at "Harmony Home", a home decor place behind my work. They have lots of unique things in there and a Baby gift corner too that I love to find unique gifts in.

The new single bird hook I just got. How can you not love this? :)

The whole Cherry Blossom Tree that I painted freehand. I am so impressed with myself for doing this and am so happy with the outcome. I love the little nest's I made on it.

Drapes from Ikea and Armoir (sp?) from Kmart 10 years ago that I painted back then. I hated this thing till I got the idea to change the boring wood nobs to cute ceramic ones from Hobby Lobby. Now it is ADORABLE! :) It holds C.G.'s hanging clothes, shoes, future toys, linens and 6-12 month clothes. Whew! That's a lot of stuff.

My sister in law, Lael is a very thoughtful (and crafty) woman. She's the one responsible for all the amazing quilts I own. Well, she surprised me with this Little Tykes beauty shop that she's had for her girls (the oldest is 16? sorry Colby if that's wrong) and saved for me in the hopes I would have a girl one day. :) Little does she know that Evan is obsessed with it and plays with it EVERY day! he he he. (no, not while wearing my heals silly geese)

The changing table. On the shelf with the turtle light are a picture of my grandmother Grace on the right, (C.G.'s namesake) and her set of "Mother's Encyclopedia's" from 1935. There are crocheted booties from Mike's grandma Grannie and a heart shaped music box that plays a pretty song. The rest are newer collectibles and gifts, including the Tutu my sister in law Jennifer and I conceptualized and made for our baby girls born on the same day. :)

Bed wall. I decided not to do the original wording I had planned over the bed and chose, "Love is spoken here" but the 'is spoken here' part didn't look good to me. Instead, eventually, I'm going to collect different words that appeal to me in different fonts etc to put around the word "Love". Also, I'll decide how I'm going to do Cora Grace's name on that some wall I think. Wish me luck on that one. :)

A little closer look at the long awaited bumper and skirt that my friend Kristyn made as a gift. All I did was pick the fabric (that I love) and get it measured. She did a fabulous job! :) Thank you!! xoxo

The complimentary dresser to the one in Evan's room. They belonged to Michael's grandmother, "Grannie" who passed away in 2002. We feel very lucky to get to use such special pieces of furniture.

Choo Choo, TRAINS!

Reading "Jamberry" to Cora Grace.

What a good big brother

So strong. :)

I tried to load a video of the finished room but I think it was too big :(.

YAY!

So one of my 'stresses' has been that I wasn't able to give C.G. a room preplanned and executed. It is still a work in progress but so much closer since this weekend! I will send my visuals to you. This week I dug my heals in and after much consideration on what to do about the blah wall color I just painted a few weeks ago. I choose an accent color, Brown. I was really trying to stay away from the predictable by choosing brown since the blah color is Malted Milk (pale pink) but I really had no choice and needed to choose what would look best as a back drop to the bumper I'm having a friend make from scratch with a really cute and unique fabric I chose at Hobby Lobby. Anyway, after choosing the paint (at Wal Mart and I DO NOT recommend their home Colorplace i think - paint. It is watery and peels easily=no worth the few dollars you save) for the accent wall behind C.G's bed (which will house a vinyl saying: "Love, is spoken here") I knew something kinda big needed to go opposite on the wall now that we've moved her shelving next to her bed. (thanks for trying to help me brainstorm Godby's! lol). I choose to paint a tree 'mural' if you will. I searched online and decided I could do a sort of Cherry Blossom tree. "Cherry blossom is an omen of good fortune and is also an emblem of love, affection and represents spring." Somewhere I read how it is common to sit benieth these trees in particular to eat and visit. I thought nothing could be better since the rocker I want from IKEA is to go right benieth it (let me know if anyone's going to atlanta and wants to bring it back for me :) he he). So... here you go...

The fabric scene is a childrens 'carnival. I liked it cause it feels classic like toile but it's whimsicle for a child. Plus I've never seen it before. I really love it and can't wait for my friend to finish making it. The pink fabric on the bottom right is kind of a satin and has a puckering. That will be the bed skirt to hide all the junk I have no where to put. Ha ha ha. Eek! I can't wait!

I love this rocker! It's low profile so WHEN my children crawl all over it, they don't have far to fall. he he he. I told my mom in law today that I didn't think it had a back cushion. My bad! Bonus! I'm so excited, now if I could click my heels to IKEA and get it! :( Anyway, it's going under the mural with comfy blankets draped over it.

First I freehand penciled the mural design on the wall...

Next I started with the base color with the left over accent wall color and layered it with a deep brown toll paint and a black toll paint. At last night at the last minute I decided to tackle the blossoms and got a second wind. I was so impressed with myself and even Michael said how impressed he was, even asking why we don't have a tree in our bedroom? LOL (thanks honey). :)

In the process of painting, Mike took Evan outside in our back yard to blow off some 21 month old energy (plus Evan's been a little under the weather so he's been in isolation). I had just finished all the wood parts when I heard the boys come in early and subsequent hand washing ensued. Turns out, Evan found and touched a baby bird that had fallen from it's nest about a 10+ foot drop. It was still alive so I went outside to see if it could be put back in the nest. It seemed fine, even opening it's mouth for me to feed it! so cute! I picked it up with a plastic bag to limit my scent, just in case, while MDS got a ladder. Not only was I able to put the birdie back with it's sibling that probably kicked it out, the nest was totally tilted and the 2nd birdie would have fallen soon too so I did my best to support the nest better with a bunch of twigs and stuff. WHY do I share this touching birdie story among my mural/baby room story?? because I was inspired and went right in the house and painted not just one but TWO nests in the tree! I love them so much. I don't feel talented enough to draw or paint birds but I would if I could! :)

Close up of the blossoms.

Michael's idea when I was done, "ooo, you should have 'carved' her name in the trunk." So you know I di-id! It says: "MDS + LAS, CORA, grace, S., '10". Then I added the little worm to make myself happy. :) he he he.

And the accent wall that will say "Love is spoken here" but the vinyl lettering I bought didn't have the word "Love" in it! rrrrrrr! I also still have drape panels from IKEA to put up that I think will do really nicely with the rest of the decor. I can't wait to see it all come together finally! :)

I am so relieved that so much is finished and that I finally got to personalize her room (as if I had actually had time to consider she was coming! lol). It gives me a lot of peace honestly and I feel more ready to settle in better.

Here is a video of what the room looked like 'before'. When it's entirely finished, I'll take a new video. For now, enjoy our messy catch all room. :)

Awww

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

FINALLY finished Evans' name!

As promised in this original post: BETTER PICTURES! (added at 12am)

This is lettering that I make and sell (that's right, SELL). Featured is my lettering for my baby Evan. This is done with the newspaper from the day and city he was born in; ATLANTA, October 14, 2008. I have been saving this idea in my 'back pocket' to do it first for myself before I get flooded with orders to do it for YOU! ;) You can click on the pictures to see them closer and read the paper but I am explaining each letter, below.

The "E" is the front page of "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution" newspaper, including the date. My favorite part is on the bottom is gives a weather 'teaser' that says: "It promises to be (a) pretty day"
By far the biggest news I can remember from this time was all the fires in California (that lasted for weeks!) and since it was also in my home state, I was sure to use the story for my "V" as well as 'represent' for my Cali peeps. ;)

The "A" features the (then) Presidential Candidates who were focusing on "the Economy" (a lot of good that did). ;) Also a side story about Bristol Palin and her boyfriend (the speculation that he was being made to join the campaign)

the "N" is the Comics page of the day. i made sure to fit "family circle" cause it's so classic and wholesome. ;)

below are the pics and message sent originally from my phone.

I'll post better pictures later but I finally finished 'EVAN' for his bedroom. I have wanted to make his right away but till now (and even now) I had no time. I did all the letters in the newspaper from the day Evan was born & in the state/city he was born. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Tonight I will post better pictures of it but tell me what you think?! I also sell these @ $7.00 per letter (plus shipping) for anyone interested. @ may post others I've made in the past.
Lila

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

Visitors from the West...

Ashley Jane.

karla ellen.

So, you'd THINK I had a little time to blog while my family was here but... no. Turns out they like it when "I" hold the baby when he's crying etc. lol. Oh well, we did get Evan's room painted! I also decided with my mom's help to do a two toned room. One wall is a brown color, the other three are the gray/blue color. Since I'm too impatient, I'll post one of the wall with a quote on it but later when it's sunny, I'll take and post better ones and the video I shot before and 'after' (though it isn't finished yet). Let me just say though that I L O V E the colors! I also put drapes in there and they do look great I must say, you'll be the judge...

close up

(it says: "Everyday holds the possibility of a Miracle")

our helper.

When I finish this blog (in the next week?) about the room, including drapes etc, I will also blog about the much anticipated BABY SHOWER/OPEN HOUSE we finally had on Friday! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED. Lindsey, please give me a list of everyone who did so I can thank them for that please. We had a wonderful time and only wish we got to spent more individual time with everyone. I look forward to telling you more about it. Thank you for coming, we enjoyed everyone.

Baby & Baby Room Preparations...

Ok, to start, the two pictures below are of the previous "Office". You will not speak of this room again. I was obviously used as storage for the past year (ahem)... or so. Here is the before, the after was not taken yet but it is now "The Guest Room".

(all pictures can be clicked to view larger)

Here is one 'before' shot of the old "Guest Room" which is clean compared to the former office. ( I show the before to give an idea of all the work that went into this weekend extravaganza. Michael is cringing right now that I'm showing these pictures of our dirty rooms. sorry honey!)

Ok, Here is where the transformation begins to becoming a baby room. I don't have time to paint the room yet and haven't bought it even (I'll wait till when and IF my sister Ashley comes with my mom to help me). I paused before opening the crib box so you could see my 'excitement' of putting the room together alone (that's right, feel sorry for me people!;)...). I'm pretty impressed with this since I had no make up on...I'm laying on the box and am displaying tools to look more realistic. lol!

FINISHED PRODUCT! Success! Doesn't the crib look great? I'm not talking about the bedding, it's fine for now. I just bought cheap bedding at IKEA (Stacey, I can't believe you AND your husband have never heard of this before... i would be a bad friend if I didn't' steer you in the right direction, get ready to fall in love... http://www.ikea.com/) to tide me over. My friend and client "Kristyn G" has long told me she'd help me with some custom stuff so I will likely take her up on it in the next month. Get ready to be impressed when that happens! Anyway the "mobile" is actually a Capiz Shell Wind chime I bought last year in Gulf Shores Alabama and plan to look for another when we're there THIS Thanksgiving. I love it and can't wait for the walls to be painted so you can actually see it in contrast. Now, these puppet looking stuffed animals are AWESOME! I bought them about... 9 years ago, I think through Pottery Barn Kids. They each have story's on their back sides, in accordance to their Fairy Tale or Children's Rhyme. I know, cool huh!?

Next what we have is Grannies antique dresser that I love! It is definitely a work in progress as to what is on it but to the left, you see the blanket and sweet Raggedy Ann Doll. It is where a Changing Pad will go if i get one (wink. wink.). Of course the entire top will be covered with a cloth before we put a baby or real stuff on it, but, you get the idea. The middle picture is of a tile I made from a craft project we did at church. It reads: BE: Grateful, Humble, Still, Prayerful, True, Clean, Smart, Positive, Involved. I can only hope. ;). Featured in the picture to the right is my Grandmother, Grace Anna Isaacson Holmstrom's, 1952 printing of "A Mother's Encyclopedia" In Six Volumes. I was compiled and edited by the Editors of Parents' Magazine (first copyright was in 1933). I made away with this little treasure by shear luck of dusting off a shelf and saying, "Mom, this is so great! Can I please have these?" Thanks to a mother who isn't highly attached to 'things', I took the goods and ran as soon as she said yes. (that's how you survive in our big family. "Kill or be Killed, Survival of the Fittest..." you get the point) Here my children will now be blessed with the outspoken words of the then Editors of Parents' Magazine. Ahh, the honest days and simpler times... ;). Oh, and don't you just LOVE the little mice, holding up the books?! I found them at a boutique called "Yours Truly" by Tangerine Salon and Spa on Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro. They sometimes have sweet odds and ends like this there.

Below are featured some of the many current gifts and I'm sure many more to come from Grandma Jennie. She gave us another hand crocheted blanket from her mother Zelma (Grannie) who passed away in May (sorry if I'm wrong on that) 6 years ago. It will be featured alone in a later post. Grannie made them when she was feeling well and I'm sure planned all along to have us be given them, when we were blessed with our children. Thank you Grannie, we love you. In this picture you will see, Jennie gave Evan a toy phone, no doubt to encourage him to call his Grandmother waaaay more than her son Michael. ;) You're welcome Jennie. he he.

Last but certainly not least is our gift from Evans Uncle Matt that wants to be sure his nephew is decked out in the finest of outfits for the great hockey team The NASHVILLE PREDATORS!!!!!!! Thank you Matt. WE LOVE IT!

Lastly, (Kathy, I hope you are satisfied with this post. lol) So many of you have asked about a shower, and I'm very excited about that! I will tell you that I am having a 'small private' shower this coming Friday and a friend and my sister are scheming some Virtual Shower idea for California Family and Friends but as for here, we have PENCILED, Friday November 7th for an Open House at our Church on E. Clark Blvd (by Leaf Ave) from 6-9pm. It's come and go, visit style, permitting we are back from Atlanta. An official date and time will be announced later and an Invitation will be posted on this blog. We are not ashamed to say, we are registered at Target and Babies R Us. We welcome your gifts and need them! Adoption is not free so we love and appreciate all gifts you bring, including, just YOU! If Evan is healthy enough, he will be at the open house but we will see.... Ahhh... I'm so tired, whatever time this says it's posted at is when I STARTED typing. It is now 1:34am and I MUST go to bed!!!! Evan will be here soon and I've gotta get some rest! Thank you everyone, we feel so humbled that you care about us and Evan and want to share this with us. We are grateful and CANNOT wait for you to meet him. xoxo

p.s. thank you stephen, liz and hayden for coming over tonight. it felt great to share our preparations with friends! oooo, so exciting......:)

Our Baby Stuff

OUR IKEA ANTILOP HIGHCHAIR OUR IKEA SNIGLAR CRIB
I have been asked by many of you about what we are doing to get ready for the baby. At first we were doing nothing. I'm glad I finally feel confident to get started on a baby room. Originally I wasn't going to do it, just let the baby stay in a pack n' play in our bedroom or living room (though we also have a 'jenny lind' bassinet we've had for about 10years!) for a few months while I worked on the baby room AFTER home. Not knowing whether a baby is coming home is difficult to make such plans, mentally or physically (no matter how much strength you put into faith, you have to be realistic). Thanks to Courtney, we feel very excited that Evan will be ours. When we talked to Courtney on the phone first time, I started to get brave and started to imagine the room and the colors. I'm gonna turn our guest room into the 'nursary'. Currently it has beautiful antique cherry furnature of Michael's Grandmothers. This weekend I will lovingly be taking the bed apart and hope I can store it at "G-ma's" (only if she promises to give it back later! ;) ). I plan to paint the room a silvery grey and keep one of the dressers in that room that will hold the changing table. I really like neutrals and organics. I envision a vintage, classic style. I am a day dreamer... If any of you know my friend jessica marie (hopefully you can go to her blog from mine on the right side column. sorry JM!) and have seen the pictures her mother took of her walking on hillside at sunset with hip high dry grasses, it's sorta how I would live my life. With streams of sunshine in every glimpse.
Thank you for being our streams of sunshine...