Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

This Monday has been a long awaited day for your Daddy and me. We will get to see your sweet picture during our ultrasound and find out if you are a boy or a girl. It almost seems surreal that that this day has come, since I have dreamed of you since I was young. Daddy and I are eager to call you by name and we have it already selected.

We cannot wait to rock you, sing songs and play. As I sit and type this letter to you, the windows are open, the lovely spring breeze is flowing through our home and I hear all the neighbor kids outside playing. I let Braxton, our puppy dog out, he lays in the cool green grass and watches the kids play. I have a feeling you'll like being outdoors just like your puppy, Daddy and me.

Little one, you are so blessed because you are going to have the greatest Daddy around. Your Daddy is my best friend and I know he is going to be your hero. I daydream, often wondering if you'll be more like Daddy or more like me...

Will you be a quiet soul or a big talker?
Will you be a runner or a tennis player?
Will you want to be a scholar or an artist?
Will you be tall or short?
Or maybe you'll just be the perfect mix.

One thing I do know is you're going to love adventure and be a big dreamer because your Daddy and I are the same in that regard!

I think about you constantly and am eagerly waiting for you.

xoxo

Forever & Always,
Mommy

The Wide World of Disposable Diapers

source

When people think of becoming a mom or dad, they think cute chubby babies and lots of cuddles. But let me tell you something no one seems to tell you — there are so many decisions to be made!

Genetic testing?
Would you like to find out the gender?
What prenatal vitamins to take?
What crib has the best features for your family's individual needs?
What car seat is safest?
There only hundreds of stroller options — which one makes the most sense?
Every. Single. Thing. a baby needs has at least a handful of brands — then versions — then colors! Oh. My. Goodness! And all these decisions need to be made before the little bundle of happiness arrives.

This week, I decided to conquer the world of diapers. To start with...cloth or disposable? Personally for our family schedule, disposable are really the only option for us. Originally I thought I had it all figured out...until recently talking to a friend and finding out the diaper brand I had planned on using was much more expensive than many others that also get great reviews. I had planned on spending a bit more on diapers because I wanted the best for my little babe and the environment! So I sat down and decided to do my research. I made a chart to show what is the most cost-effective disposable diaper brand.

Click here to view larger.

So in the end, the above chart really helped us out with our diaper brand decisions. If you too are in the diaper-world dilemma, hopefully this chart can help you too. I've shared this chart with a few friends and they have said it was helpful too!

If you have personal experience or thoughts on disposable diapers you've used, I'd love to hear!

Colorful Gender Neutral Nursery Preview

Last January I traveled to Curaçao. While there, I picked up a beautiful painting of the charming colorful buildings. As you'll see in the below photos, the canvas became the design centerpiece of our bright gender neutral nursery. The painting inspired the nursery, with it's heart wrapped around adventure. Both Husband and I pray that our little one finds life to be one big adventure and never stops exploring!

nursery design inspiration board

(top to bottom, left to right):

The room is painted Behr "Club Soda," which is a very light blue

Canvas from Curaçao

Kallax Bookshelf

Small Kallax unit on casters – will be used for toy and book storage

A selection of my favorite vintage cameras will be on display

DIY hot air balloon mobile

Branäs baskets

Mohawk chevron rug

Gulliver crib in white

Vintage floor drafting light

Wooden rocking chair that Husband was rocked in as a baby — We will be painting this! The two colors up for debate are either a navy blue or red. Opinions and other suggestions are appreciated. Also, for the rocking char, I need to sew or buy a rocking chair pad.

This past Tuesday, Husband and I finished clearing out the junk room — oh wait, I mean the nursery, and purchased the basic furniture and started the set up. But without further ado, a sneak peak of our (unfinished) colorful gender neutral nursery!

Before:

After:

Of course there is more to do in this room, but am excited with the progress so far (getting all the junk and storage out of this room was a big step) and wanted to share! Once the nursery is complete, I'll be sure to share more photos.