Toddler "Big Boy" Bedroom Reveal!

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Oh, this is a fun one. I shared a few weeks ago that we have been slowly putting together my 2-year-old's "Big Boy" bedroom. He has been so excited with anticipation during the entire process. Before we even moved him over into the room, he would come into the room and play with his toys on the floor while I worked on hanging curtains and folding laundry. We talked in depth about how he was trading in his crib for a big boy bed, and how his crib would be going to the new baby in the family. I really wanted him to feel like he was being promoted into his new room, not kicked out of his old one. So we worked on making the space intentional and special, and a little more grown up for this seriously fast growing toddler of mine :)

I am so excited to share this space with you today, because it feels like a really special victory for our family. Everett has been sleeping and living in his new big boy bedroom room for a few weeks now, and he has adapted beautifully to the new routine and set up. I keep pinching myself that we don't find him wandering aimlessly around the house in the middle of the night - I don't think he's really aware that he has that power yet. We will keep him in the dark (no pun intended) about that one for as long as possible!

How cool is this map? It marks all the national parks in the States. I was pleasantly surprised to count on more than one hand the ones Stevie and I have visited together - of course, that was all before we started having kids. Now we have to start over and all go together! Because - BOY FAMILY. I see many a camping trip in our future.

We were given a beautiful twin trundle bed when we moved into our house last year, and I have been holding onto it with glee for the day that I could use it in Everett's room. I am excited that he will have a fun place for cousins to come over and have sleepover parties :) We also bought a few sets of these sheets to cover both of the mattresses, plus a back up, for when we really get to potty training. I'm not a huge fan of the guard rail that we put on, because it's not aesthetically the most pleasing (and because I can't properly tuck his comforter in), but safety first! We went with this universal option, since almost nothing works well with a trundle bed.

These are actually picture ledges but we layered all his favorite books on the shelves instead. He loves scooting his stool over to this area and picking out books from the top shelf. Anything that seems like a challenge, right? Also, the picture above the books is a prayer for Everett, a gift from before he was born. Good stuff.

Eventually, there will be a trailing plant growing out of that planter! I only planted it a few weeks ago.

That's Mister Fox. He guards the Honest Company goods.

I love this little picture wall - it's the life of Everett thus far! A custom name print by Jenny Highsmith, his first ultrasound photo, a gifted print from my BFF Natalie and a sweet month-by-month frame of his first year from Pottery Barn.

Stevie caught us in our bedtime routine last night, and even though the pictures are fuzzy, I really love them. Me and my big boy in his big boy room.

Everett's favorite things about his new "big boy" room":
- His "shapes" (garland - picked out in the Target party section!) that hangs above his bed.
- His toy bins. He didn't have any toys in his baby nursery, so this is a real treat.
- His bedside lamp - he loves clicking it on and off by himself. It's fun to watch him feel so powerful.
- His "babies" (stuffed animals) - he gets to pick out two to sleep with every night. Which totally turns into 4, because I'm a softie.
- He especially loves using his stool to pick out books and get into his rather high trundle bed.
- He just loves talking about his big boy bedroom. And he's very interested in other people who have "big boy/big girl" bedrooms. When we meet new people, he always asks me if they have a big boy room, too.

Sources:
1. Target Arrow Curtain Rods
2. IKEA SANELA Curtains
3. Target Crocodile Crossing Sheet Set
4. Target Yellow Stitch Comforter Set
4. Target Hanging Terracotta Planter
5. Target Fox Throw Pillow
6. Ikea Hemnes 8-Drawer Dresser
9. Target Bear Throw Pillow
10. Target Garland, found here, others are the "Spritz" brand found in the party section (I couldn't find the links online)
11. Target Pillowfort Laundry Hamper
12. Best Maps Ever Map of U.S. National Parks
13. Retro Art Prints Wooden Picture Hanger
14. Target Threshold Picture Ledge

Thanks for letting me share this special milestone for our whole family! I kid you not - Stevie said to me the other day, "I feel like Everett's bedroom is nicer than ours." I just laughed at him. It's not necessarily nicer, it's just had a lot more thought put into it. The bedrooms in our house are tiny, so I had to get intentional with how everything would flow in his small space. Especially with the large furniture we were working with. And I still wanted it to feel airy, clean and simple, while still functioning for all the different needs we have. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out, although I can't have a husband jealous of his son's bedroom - so I think some extra intention needs to go into our own bedroom next!

Any advice for decorating and streamlining the space for a toddler bedroom? How did your kids adapt to changing rooms and transitioning into a toddler/twin bed?
 

Preparing for a New Baby.

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He's coming soon. It's only a matter of time now.

I've been a little anxious, not necessarily about the baby coming (because I'm excited to meet him!), but more about all the things I want to get done before he comes. And I also feel pretty limited, because some days I feel absolutely fantastic and super productive, and some days I have a lot of back pain and contractions and I'm restricted to sitting or laying on a heating pad to get some relief. Those days are tricky, figuring out how to still have quality time with my toddler, even though he's super active - "Mommy, play golf with me!", "Mommy, play choo choo with me!" I want to enjoy every single one of these days, I want to relish the marrow out of each moment with my family, and I want to remember.

I am preparing for the new boy. I am preparing for a shift in season. I am preparing for my life to never look or feel the same again. It's sort of hard to prepare for the unknown, but I am doing my best based on previous experience. I just know there are always wild cards! But in an effort to be ready, in mind and body and spirit, I am focusing my dwindling energy in the following areas:

Spending Quality Time with Family.
I shared last week about how we made time to get out to the Pumpkin Patch. It was so so fun, playing around the farm with no agenda except to HAVE FUN. We are making an intentional effort to do some special family things before baby boy #2 arrives. We are also just making time to be intentional with seemingly uninteresting things - like encouraging Everett to help me bake muffins for him (he stands on a stool and helps me dump flour and honey into the mixer - yes, it's a complete mess), like flopping into piles of leaves out in the yard, like making a trip to Target a special mommy-son date with a treat at the end :) I'm just trying to make everyday moments charged with life, because soon these days will be over and the season will look different.

Finishing Last-Minute House Projects.
I've been very reliant on my family members for these projects, and I am so so grateful that they are willing to oblige me. Last year we were gifted a beautiful mahogany dining room set that I've been slowly repainting a chalky, antiqued white. It's been a long process, something I started when I was newly pregnant (don't worry, I've been using a safe paint!), and I am just jonesing to get all the pieces finished up before the baby arrives. Taking a month to go to New York and then having some pregnancy setbacks (AKA being forced to sit and lay) kind of threw off my time line for completing this project, but I am still attempting it while I can! We will see how far I get.

Washing/Folding Baby Clothes.
This one is so therapeutic. Pulling out all the newborn/baby items from their storage space in the attic has been super soothing for me - the nesting urge is so present and real right now! Folding and washing these sweet little baby clothes has flooded me with memories of Everett's first few months. I'll admit, those were hard times for me, and I've been flooded with reminders of sleepless nights and zombie-like days and the unending cry of my colicky baby. But they were also significantly rich times, knitting my heart to the eternal spirit of my beloved boy. I am in awe that I get to do this again; I am so privileged to be entrusted to foster another little soul within my care. I am so excited and nervous, all at once.

Assembling Baby Gear and Creating "Stations".
Stations are going to be my best friend, according to all my mama friends of multiples. I am assembling swings and rockers and pack n plays strategically in different areas of the house (including next to this bed of mine) so that my new little guy can hang out while Everett plays and while I scurry around and do dishes, fold laundry and you know, do the life things.

Buying Last-Minute Items.
Everett might have broken our baby monitor (he's such a Bam-Bam), and we might have lost the cord to his sound machine while we were in New York. There are all kinds of little things that need some upgrading or replacing, and I have been slowly making these purchases so that our budget doesn't balloon out of control in December, which is already the most expensive month of the year. Thankfully, we have most everything we need, so I've just been filling in the blanks here and there. The Cat & Jack section at Target has been a nasty lure, but I've resisted the temptation to buy all the things. I still need to make a few necessary purchases - can anyone recommend some bottles and nursing bras that you really loved?

Blog Collaborations.
I am so grateful for this blog of mine. I love writing and sharing and I especially love the record it's served as a place for our family memories to live. It's opened up some really fun, unexpected opportunities over the past year, and I can honestly say there is nothing that I would rather be doing with my margins of time. In fact, I am trying to figure out how to continue to grow this space and balance the whole motherhood gig. And from now until Christmas I have some really fun collaborations ahead that I'm excited to share, so I am in the process of getting those buttoned up :)

What advice can you lend a mama in the final stage of pregnancy? Any last-minute preparations you made before your baby arrived that made all the difference? I am so open to all input over here - please share in the comments friends! xox

P.S. - I forgot to mention that I got my nails and toes done this week. I rarely forget to pamper ;)

At the Pumpkin Patch!

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Pumpkin Patch15.jpg

He keeps asking to go back "to the farm".

I don't blame him, it was kind of a dreamy experience. October at its absolute finest.

First of all, it was cold. The temperature was 45 degrees when we arrived at Wargo's Pumpkin Patch last weekend, and we did all the things that you do in October at a Pumpkin Patch. We drank muscadine cider, took a brisk hayride, fed the rowdy goats, and let Everett pick out a zillion pumpkins because they were like $1 each. Oh, and that doesn't include the 15 minutes that I sat in reverent silence and relished the glory of my Styrofoam cup of hot boiled peanuts. Now if you aren't from the south, I forgive you for not knowing what on earth that is. But I wish for you to know. It has been years since I tasted the steamy, salty glorious treat that is the hot boiled peanut, and oh heavens. I already want more. Correction, need more.

To be honest, just a little over a month ago, I didn't think our little family would make it to the pumpkin patch this year. I was having trouble at the end of our New York stint, and with all the contractions and pressure I was feeling, just walking was a real challenge. And I remember thinking, "I won't even be able to accompany my son to do something special like the pumpkin patch!" I know that sounds a little pathetic and morbid, but I've really been making it my mission to do special things with Everett and Stevie while we are still a family of 3. And the thought of not being able to do something like this just seemed so sad and ridiculous, because I am a healthy person! I shouldn't be having so much trouble just being pregnant! Anyway thankfully, I am feeling much more rested and, you know, able to walk (ha!), so making it to the pumpkin patch actually felt like a real victory for me. And for us. And for fall.

Of course, the joke is sort of on all of us here in Georgia, because suddenly the temperatures have jumped back up into the 80's and we are all wearing sandals again. Why, Georgia - why?!!

Have you made it out to a pumpkin patch this fall? What's your favorite part of the whole experience? xox

Outfit Details:
Blanket Scarf (borrowed from my sis, similar here and here), Free People hat (past season, similar here), Gap Maternity Shirt, Gap Maternity Jeans, Anthropologie Sweater (past season, similar here), Frye Boots (on sale here!)

P.S. - Many, many thanks to Julianne who Instagram direct messaged me about this particular farm - such an awesome recommendation! You guys, please reach out on Instagram - I would love to connect with you!

New Mom Hour with Lalabu Baby!

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In case you missed my little plug on Instagram and Facebook yesterday, I wanted to share the link to my Instagram Stories chat with Lalabu Baby! They host a live series called New Mom Hour covering all sorts of super helpful mommy-centric topics, and I was honored that they reached out to me to share some tips about traveling with little ones! Which is very timely, with the holidays right around the corner (I may or may not be in Christmas violation over here - Mickey Mouse Christmas migggght be on in the background...)

I'll admit, I have a hard time watching the little film (listening to the sound of my voice is so rattling, and I'm not being self-deprecating here), but I do stand by the tips and encouragement that I shared. I am so passionate about families continuing to have adventures, even after the little ones arrive and disrupt all the perfectly-crafted travel itineraries:)

Many many thanks to all of you who tuned in and supported me - I am so grateful for those of you who continue to visit this site and lend a positive voice to this community. Your comments are always so touching and really give me a sense of what resonates with you. You guys are seriously THE BEST. You can't tell, but I'm hugging my lap top right now, and pretending its you.

The Final Weeks of My Only.

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I'm just really proud of the person he's become.

Yes, he disobeys and throws massive tantrums. And he does those things in public when it embarrasses me, sure.

But mostly, he is this sweet, funny, sensitive, polite, extremely observant person who makes me really really proud. He notices when the moon is in the sky (during the day!), even when I'm certain it's not out. He says please and thank you, and even though he mixes up when he's supposed to say "Yes ma'am" and "Yes sir", he still tries and it just makes my heart smile. He is a show off, which I can't fault him for, because I was the exact same way. "Watch me, Mom!", he shouts at the top of his lungs. All day long. So much shouting. But it works out pretty well because that's what I want to do - I want to watch him and marvel at the stunning person he is. The funny person he is. The smart person he is.

I have another baby coming soon. Soon I won't be able to tell my little son that he's my favorite boy in the whole wide world. Soon I won't be able to just sit endlessly in his bedroom with my morning coffee and watch him almost break the crib with his feats of jumping. Soon I will be a heart divided, a mind unfolded in full-blown multitasking, an attention that sways with the alternating needs of two boys.

And that day is nearing, all the time it's nearing closer.

It's alarming to think about my heart opening up to another little person in the same way that it has with Everett. Because he made me the mom that I am. He made me love motherhood. He made me fall in love with myself in a new way. He made me believe in a capability that I wasn't prepared for - he made me follow my instincts, discover an awakening of my mothering nature, and grow as fast and mightily as him because, well, I didn't have a choice. As a mom, you have to be all in. This role is the greatest thing I've ever done, but if you had told me that prior to this precious boy, I couldn't have believed you. Because I had other things to do, and frankly, because mini vans really turn me off.

Did I mention Stevie really wants to get us one?

I am processing these thoughts this morning, because they need to be processed. I imagine that every mother goes through this phase when they are expecting another little one, but it feels unprecedented when it's happening to you. I am pursuing time and engagement with my toddler son right now, because soon everything will change and I want him to know, how very desperately, that I want him to feel my love and appreciation for who he is. I love and hate how big he's getting. My baby, my big boy.

P.S. - Thanks to Rocco + Norah for sending us my turban and his beanie for the changing weather of the season - I have been wearing mine every third day for weeks. You know what happens on the third day? Dirty hair. :)

Outfit Details:
Mine:
ASOS Cold Shoulder Top, Gap Maternity Jeans, Forever 21 Kimono, Rocco + Norah Mama Turban in Napa (c/o)
His:
Rocco + Norah Reversible Palm Springs Beanie (c/o)