Homecoming

Dakota Kate is very LOVED! Mason just adores his little sister and asks to hold her all the time. It's such a blessing because I was concerned about how he'd receive this tiny stranger, but thankfully we have yet to see any jealousy.

And while Dakota mostly sleeps in her bassinet {note: this is a photo of her naptime in the living room next to me & I was watching her sleep so no worries for blanket-smothering}.

But it was heart-warming to walk in her nursery and see the homecoming sign that Mason and Gigi made for her on her crib:

Here the China doll is awake and alert...

Making Space for Baby

I finally took general measurements yesterday and mapped out 3 options for Dakota Kate's nursery layout.

Room Challenges:

1. The crib is prettiest from the front, you see the fluted column detail on the front legs only from the front and the screws are also hidden from the front view.
2. There are double doors to the closet which limits furniture placement...and Scott still has a great need for use of 95% of the closet, including the use of opening the doors wide enough to wheel his desktop cart out for when he works at night {and that's been almost every night lately!}
3. I feel silly for complaining that the room is small because I know there are actually nurseries fit into tiny spaces that are adorable...but we do have limited space and we decided to keep furniture count minimal only using the crib, glider/ottoman, and a changing dresser.

Layout #1

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Layout #2

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Layout #3

And this is the crib again...just to show that it's best viewed from the front and not the side {like in Layout #3 which would probably be the easiest layout}

Thoughts and opinions welcomed! I requested that we move the bed to the back wall with the window for a few days to see if Scott could sacrifice even more space {for the left closet door}.

On another note, this is the fabric ordered for the curtains. Right now the plan is for 2 long panels...possibly a Roman Shade in the center, but we'll just have to see what pans out.

To Lay Her Head...And to Fit Her Feet

Daddy put together Dakota's crib on Wednesday... Of course with a little help from Dakota's big brother too...

And while we still have to find some more furniture for her nursery, at least we have a good collection of shoes to fill her dresser!

Spring's Around the Corner

...and so is Baby Dakota Kate's due date! My little May flower will be here in no time so we better get prepared ASAP. Here are some fun felt flowers I made last night {tutorial HERE}

Also, Scott found a great deal on a beautiful crib this morning and I told him to order it pronto. It should arrive Wednesday...YAY!

This is our 1st piece of furniture for Dakota Kate's nursery...sheesh, we need to get on it!

The Cradle

I'm drooling over this cool contraption: the Ontwerpduo Rockid Cradle. What a great idea to combine the cradle design with a rocker chair. And apparently, this can be converted into a regular rocker too.

On a related note, I'd like to announce that my husband has indeed "robbed the cradle"...I'm still in my 20s, but he turns 40 {yes, FORTY} next year! {even though I can only say this for 4 months}

Design Progress

While I didn't get much accomplished for the Nursery this past weekend, I did find a great resource for Nursery Design: http://babysdream.icovia.com/

Here's Mason's Room Layout

The door on the bottom right enters into the hallway and the door on the top right is to the closet. This layout is drawn to scale architecturally, including the (potential) furniture and accents.

SLEEPYHEAD

Also, last week my dream bassinet arrived for pickup (I just have to pick it up!) and last night I ordered Mason's crib. Mom graciously offered to sew the custom bedding and I'm definitely taking her up on that offer...THANKS AGAIN MOMMA! I had a jumpstart on ordering the crib so she'll have exact measurements for the bedding (I want a tailored straight skirt not a ruffled one, which would be much more forgiving). The actual crib will be a bit of a surprise-I definitely am veering from my original plan for dark rich wood furniture (like a mahoghany) and Mom has also promised to add her artiste touch to the new idea!

Tomorrow my Amy Butler "Little Stitches for Little Ones" arrives and I'll review patterns for bedding in this book too. I hope they're helpful!

DIRTY DIAPERS
I hate the idea of changing diapers so please do not judge me as I've dreaded looking for a changing dresser and decided to go cheap...very cheap. This will likely be the very last piece I purchase as I'd rather invest in a great glider chair and ottoman first.

Babies R Us Graco Christon Dresser/Changer regularly $260, but now @ $100 (although I have some reservations as all of the reviews have been very poor)

Albee Baby DaVinci Kalani 3-Drawer Changer @ $290 & free shipping
Babies R Us South Shore Changing Table @ $160
OR

Target Pure White Country Style Changer @ $170

(these are the same exact furniture pieces, but I haven't figured out which will be more expensive when taxes / shipping is factored in)

Target Pure White Open Baby Changing Table @ $100 (although this is only a bookshelf and I'm really looking for a dresser combo)

Target DaVinci Roxanne 3-Drawer Changing Table @ $294 & free shipping

Baby Go Night Night

Baby, Lay Your Head to Rest (and give me some nights of sleep!)

I think I've convinced myself to go for the convertible cribs. They're cribs that turn into toddler beds and some even convert again into a full-size headboard/footboard. Here are some of my favorite finds so far:

Pottery Barn Madison Crib @ $700

Pottery Barn Harper Crib @ $900 Pottery Barn Larkin Crib @ $1000
Restoration Hardware Sutton Crib @ $900
Restoration Hardware Marlowe White Sleigh Crib @ $1000

Albee Baby Simplicity 4 in 1 Ellis Crib in Espresso @ $280