decor, registries, & other baby musings

I've realized, in my wise, old age, that the nursery I always assumed I would put together for my children, the traditional, brightly colored, matchy themes look ... I actually don't like anymore. This was quite a shock to realize a few years ago and yet with that realization came the notion that I could instead create a nursery/baby's room of quite simply what I preferred and admired and felt strongly about. I came across these photos in Fit Pregnancy some time back and they are a similar version of what my ideal Natural Nursery would be like. I love their statement ... "Create a calm, inviting baby's room by using neutral tones and simple furniture." Explaining that "Once your baby is born, you almost certainly will spend a lot of time in the nursery, so it should be a cozy and restful room. With this in mind, the designers then chose a neutral color palette, eco-friendly baby-care products, some organic cotton accessories and wood furnishings for a welcoming, intimate feel."



So here I am, now putting into practice these preferences of style and convictions of healthier options. Bringing into fruition the surroundings I'm happy to piece together for my child. One that is calm and uncluttered. Full of books and creativity. A quiet nook for Mum and babe to nestle and bond and just hang out together. A room that is bright, airy, simple and yet well thought out. A room that has memories and mementoes from my own childhood. And most importantly, a room which can be easily transitioned into a big girl's or a big boy's room, without having to completely empty it of all it's coordinated cutesy decor.



Have I become too particular? Perhaps. But I'm realizing I don't want alot of "stuff" around. I don't need alot of stuff around. Believe me, I know our child will never be lacking for toys, at whatever age, but I just don't want Rubbermaid containers heaping full throughout the house, the bottom halves which never see the light of day. It's been liberating to realize these feelings and opinions lately too. Knowing there are options or creative ways to bring fun and creativity and beauty into your child's life. I really appreciated this article No More Junk Toys and the message it shared, in my heart feeling much the same way. Still, I don't deny it's a struggle. Not to be that consumer, the one who is seeking after all that "stuff".



So it's ironic that I actually have pulled together a bit of a Baby Registry ... which I must admit was rather fun! It's at a favorite store of mine in Vancouver, so it's certainly not very useful to most. But it tells my story, of organic, of simple, of modern, of "no plastics, or purples, or (Winnie the) Poohs"! I won't post specifics here but if you know my name then you can certainly find it on the Crocodile Baby website. (Plus a few items noted at Cravings in Saskatoon. Sorry, no online access to this one though!)

2 months to go and we have yet to really get all the "big stuff". (It's amazing how much a little person needs!) We do have our car seat though, which was very exciting to pick up, so whatever happens we are safe and legal to bring Baby home! Now it's the stroller, the crib (with an organic cotton and wool mattress ... very important), the dresser and changing table top, a cozy baby sling, and a comfy high backed chair for me during those long and frequent hours of feeding. And no need for more clothes, I'm sure! - as I have yet to sort through the boxes full of my collectibles from years past as well as what my sister in law has passed on to me. A few of my preferred organic cotton baby outfits have been added in over the past year or two, so I'm sure we're well set to have one good lookin' kid.

I'm just coming to realize that there are thoughts and plans beyond labor and delivery and in just 2 months we'll actually be bringing home with us a little squawking, needy, delicious baby of our own. Which is the obvious conclusion to the rotund and awkward state I find myself in ... and yet I can hardly comprehend it. It's too amazing and too unknown and too "for everyone else" that I just can't believe it's really us now. It's our turn.

Too wonderful.

{the 100th post!} this is me.

I am:

a Canadian lass

a psychologist's wife

a mumma-to-be

a new homeowner

a Sophie-cat's mother

an internet addict

a coffee drinker

a photographer

a scrapbooker and a documenter of life

a blogger

an admirer of the simple things in life

a paper and pens sort of girl

a baker and taste tester of all things sweet

a European traveler

a letter writer

an organizer and a listmaker

a reader

a movie buff

a lover of books and fancy papers 

and vintage fabrics and polka-dotted teapots

a loyal friend and

a very happy wife

did I mention a cupcake eater?

my child's grandparents visit

My parents left this morning after a few days visit. Just passing through from Yellowknife, NWT on their way back to Kelowna, BC as their time in the North is finished and Dad is retired and well, good, and done with the bank! My sister was supposed to come out for a visit at the same time as well but, then at 33 weeks, her doctor wouldn't give her permission to fly and as it turns out it sounds as though that was the best decision. Bethany spent yesterday in the hospital, having contractions, and is now at home doing well but on bedrest. My little niece may come earlier than even we expect!

I took some days off work and had a good, relaxing time with my parents - enjoying lots of meals out on the moving expense card! {so nice!} We spent Wednesday about 90 minutes east in Moose Jaw, where my Mum was born and where she lived until Grade 5. She took us to her two homes and two different schools, where she then proceeded to tell us some very enlightening stories of her very naughty childhood! Stories which have been kept from us up until now ... stories of arson, theft, school pranks, and community tragedy ... all quite enlightening indeed!

It was a quick visit but we'll see them again next weekend on our way through to the Island and our own 2 week BC holidays!



Same photo set-up ... different parents!


The boys just needing to stop for a 'quick look'.


Getting ready to enjoy our Raspberry Wedding Cake - so delish!


Mum's first home on Willow St in Moose Jaw.


Relaxing at Moose Jaw's beautiful Crescent Park.


Jemima the Duck came over to say hello ...


If I bend over slightly, I can still see my feet!


Mum and daughter and Mum and daughter?? {or son!}

30 weeks and counting

The hair is shorter but the belly is bigger!

in the meantime

Well, we've moved back upstairs ... to our bedroom at least!

Except for the trim and moldings, we are done ... but that's a big "except for"! And we won't be able to get to that finicky last detail until towards the end of August, I'm sure, as there's just too much on the go til then. My parents arrive tomorrow for a visit, on their way back home to BC as Dad is done, done, done with the bank (retired after 41 years!) and so their time in the North is completed. And for those of you who call Canada the Great White North, well, it was certainly true in their case! yikes.

But I promise, we will not be one of those households who leaves those last renovation details til they're just about to move and sell the house! Quite a few people have had a chuckle already here assuming we'll do just that. Trim and moldings will be done well before Baby comes so that we can move completely back in upstairs and I can organize, organize, organize to my heart's content. {Ah, my scrapbooking has been calling me ... it's been agony without!}

So for now, the wonderful IKEA wardrobe is up and functioning beautifully. (5 doors to be put on soon.) New light and fan and a new duvet and comforter set for our new grown up room. Gone is Sam's bachelor set. So lovely. So light and duvet-y and plush hotel-like.

And I won't forget a full set of before and after photos once we're well and truly done. I promise.

another day of "work"

For the past week I've been organizing a Last Day of Work Before Getting Married Party and Potluck for Katrina, as she's off to Vancouver Island this weekend for her July 21st wedding. We had alot of fun at work today, all wearing her wedding colors pink and brown, surprising the bride-to-be, not getting much work done but getting a great deal of verbal catch-up accomplished, and eating alot of yummy treats all day. I've hit the jackpot, landing in the most fun and comfortable and enjoyable department in the credit union and I can't help but be thankful for that most every single day.

Have a wonderful Island wedding, Katrina and Brendan, we can't wait to hear all about it when you come back. Safe travels!

a healthy start

During my travels and shopping excursions the past few days, I've been starting to pick up a few of those potential newborn essentials. Some awfully cute and some just simply necessary. And as ironic as it is - thinking my Mum's "granola" ways were crazy for so many years - I'm turning into a Natural Mama of my own ... with the help of so many new, tried and true, and fantastic product companies out there. Such as Green To Grow which has a whole line of BPA-free baby bottles (check out the 'Learn' catagory of their website to make yourself aware of the dangers and alternatives to plastics). And Seventh Generation which boasts a huge array of eco- and people-friendly products, and probably one of the most well known companies out there in this field. And I can't forget my little organic cotton Bunny from Under The Nile which is a certified 100% organic, genuine Egyptian cotton children's clothing store. Ha, I know my father in law is just cringing right now! Chemical engineer as he is and just as passionate about his own opposite point of view.

Still, I'm enjoying my chance to stock up a bit. Have a few of these things tucked away. So at least I'll have a few Newborn diapers on hand until I get into the cloth diaper routine and later on when we travel as well. And I can start washing my Rubbermaid tubs full of baby clothes now, getting them ready and organized. I love this third trimester stuff ... feeling as though there's an end in sight and a child to bring home. Baby's kicking hard right now, just to say "That's right, Mum!".

saskatoon

Another overnighter and another 'quick drive to the city'. This time to Saskatoon, 2 and a half hours away, where Sam was writing an important exam and I had a long list of errands to run. Including picking up our ordered car seat! Do you mean there's really a baby coming home with us sometime?
I lived just outside Saskatoon for a year with my parents 15 years ago and so it's been interesting to go back all this time later and see the big and small changes. Sam and I stayed at the Bessborough, had a yummy dinner at a traditional English pub, savored late night milkshakes from the slightly different 'ice cream truck', and ordered in this morning's breakfast so Sam could study every extra minute. I also had a closer look at the CIBC branch, just 3 blocks away from our hotel, which is where I started my banking career at the tender age of 19 and where I got to work in the same branch as my Dad for the first and only time. Lots of good memories of our drives in and out of the city every day together.
So another quick trip, but a nice one for me. Gave me a chance to enjoy the downtown city life for an evening, go to Starbucks in the morning, and tackle one of my shopping/to-do lists. Home again now. Hot and tired. Summer is here and I am definitely big and pregnant now and feeling it!

late night shenanigans

These are the things that happen late at night ... when Sam is let loose with my Mac computer's Photo Booth function ... and Sophie is around for a bit of "Look at the camera!" forced participation.

Hysterical for Sam and I. But, yikes. In that close-up ... her look is positively deadly.