Category Archives: nursery

The madness now begins

Well I declare, my prayers have been answered and Antz received his bonus early this year and it was actually more than I expected which is mega awetastic. I literally did a freeze frame fist in the air jump when I saw our online bank statement. Nevertheless, that doesn’t leave me in the clear in my bebe shower vs garage repair dilemma. I am still waiting for the guy next door to give us a quote. I know he’s going to give me a huge number because he wants to install a pitch on the roof to drain the rainwater and he’ll use water pressure inside the garage to get rid of the mold on the wood beams. I would be super stoked if he would be under $3k but that is wishful thinking. I am coming to my senses and I shaved $400 off the shower budget *by removing 6 people from the guest list* because we must buy a new stove. I had a great deal at Home Depot but sadly the price went up by $100. We’re going to look in the store and see what they have in stock so maybe we’ll find something less than $400 because we have to get an exhaust fan, installation and a warranty. So yesterday was pretty busy, we met with David *the guy who’s fixing my neighbors roof* and he quoted us $500 to remove the popcorn ceiling. No way Jose! That is $150 more than my budget allows. My friend Connie said her dad may be able to help us remove it but we have to send in samples of the roof to test for asbestos first. I am hoping we only spend $300 on the popcorn because we have to buy more paint to do the ceiling and the crown molding. So back to yesterday, we saw David and then went to Pasadena to Pottery Barn kids to check out curtains. Of course the ones I wanted were all sold out *my luck* but they did have 2 panels in the right color but the wrong size. They are 96″ and I need 84″, so hopefully Antz Mom will be able to hem them for us. Luckily because I have a gift registry I saved about $12 on the curtains.

We chose a burnt orange for the curtains. The wall will be painted beige and the 2 walls are a chocolate brown. Our palette is Earthy tones. We did worry it looked too masculine so we looked at pink curtains too.

 

We liked this milky pink but I wanted grommets and we feel the orange is stronger and will keep the nursery looking modern rather than trendy. Maybe later when she’s a toddler we’ll go for the pink but for now her bedding is orange and many of the paintings in her decor will have orange in them. I did find a pink bedding set on sale that I love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skip Hop Floral Vine Bedding Set total score for a 5 piece set $199! I just have to keep reminding myself not to go overboard with pink. I did buy a pink Malfi today but it’s justified because the store I planned to buy it from sold out and I found it for way less on Amazon so Antz gave me the ok to buy it.

How cute is this guy? I’m using him and his soon-to-be purchased friend as bookends

After Pottery Barn we stopped by Giggle *my favorite bebe store* which is right next door and drooled over everything. Then we went to the Grove too check out the Dream Menagerie rug at Anthropologie but of course it was sold out. I can order it online but it’s backordered until 3/1. I am completely sold on the rug but Antz still thinks we can find a better one for $300. I’ll wait until March to buy it. This doorknob was asking me to buy him but we need to measure the door to see if it’s the right size

We checked out Jack & Janie, the most adorable clothing store ever! We really want to buy Olivia this dress for her first Easter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We browsed a bunch of shops and took some cute pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bought the yummiest grilled cheese sandwich and shoestring fries ever! Too bad I ate them too fast to take a pic. So when we got home I had a bone-headed moment. I was telling Anthony the shipping for the glider and the bassinet were so high at Giggle $264 and he sent me a link of the manufacturer’s website where the shipping was only $129. A light bulb went off in my head because not only am I saving a ton on shipping but by buying it from the place the makes it, if anything goes wrong, I am under warranty. Sheesh, the icing on the cake is there are more color options for the lumbar pillow on the Monte Design site but now I can’t choose between orange and pink!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know the orange would tie into the curtains, the paintings and the bedding but what happens when I change the bedding to the pink set? I wish they sold the pillow separately. So, here’s what the room looks like presently.

It looks like an entire house worth of things in these boxes. We have no clue where to put all this stuff. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that by the end of April the room will transform into this, the question is pink or orange?

 

12 Days till Gender Ultrasound

Throughout this entire pregnancy I haven’t really considered having a girl. For some reason it’s embedded in my head we are having a boy, Parker. Today it dawned on me, I could have a girl, Olivia! Most of my friends and Antz co-workers are betting we are having a girl but my acupuncturist/doula, Gilli, said I look like I’m carrying a boy. This has made me re-think my current nursery plans. As gender neutral as it is, I have to throw in some girlie elements for Liv. I found the exact same bedding by Rosemary Hallgarten as the blue one I planned to get for Parker in pink and beige. Then I found a Friends With You Malfi in pink, and now I am obsessed with the Tazi Pouf in pink and also pink curtains which I still need to find in the perfect shade. So although I wanted to stay away from pastels, I think the brown and beige really bring the pink down to an Earth tone.

Whenever I walk into that room it seems more impossible to fit this many things in there. There is also a few of Antz paintings that I want to keep but they do not seem to coordinate well with the nursery design. We also have to make room in the living room for the movie posters he has in there now. I can not wait to find out what we are having. I also want to see the little guy/gal moving, the last ultrasound was November and I haven’t felt any movement yet which is driving me crazy. We are going to a birthday party for Antz cousin *no idea who he is, one of thousands* tomorrow and Sunday we are having brunch with his sister and her sons *both are recently married*. This month of Paramount movies sucks, the only 2 we are seeing are the Princess & the Frog and Nine. I really want to see the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

How to raise a prodigy

I didn’t accomplish many feats at an early age *I wet the bed past 10 years old* but I am obssessed with bringing out the Einstein in our bebe. I get sucked in watching the “Your child can read” infomercial. There was a kid featured on Conan O’ Brien that was 2 years old that could name all the presidents. Now I have a new goal…

How amazing is Lilly? I love geography, so many of my friends and family have no idea where anything is in the world. I plan to instill geography, math, classic literature, an amazing variety of music and history. I found this gorgeous map for the nursery. I have always been fascinated with globes and maps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that our child will develop wanderlust at an early age. I had my first passport at age 3 and I traveled all over the US before I was ten. My dear husband however, didn’t take an airplane until he was 21 when we flew to Italy.

New Year’s is off to an awesome start

Nothing phenomenal has happened so far but yesterday we went bebe furniture browsing. The plan was to test out the Pottery Barn Kids glider. We were really happy with it, the price was right, $850 plus shipping, we loved the washable slipcover and it felt comfy. Then we moosied on down to Giggle. I have been such a good girl, for the past 6 months I have been dying to go in Giggle to look but Antz said no window shopping until 2010. So when we finally got to Giggle I was a kid in a candy store. I had the golden ticket! I saw every single thing on my bebe registry plus the crib and dresser/changing table. As we were checking out the Oeuf crib and dresser there was a chocolate glider set up besides it. I had to sit and give it a test drive knowing in the back of my mind this glider must cost over $2000. I persuaded Antz to give it a try, he was also worried about the price tag. We asked the saleswoman if the glider had washable slipcovers. Sadly she said no, and it has to be professionally cleaned. It has micosuede that is stain and water resistant and it comes in a rich chocolate brown. Something sparked when I sat in that glider, I had to have it despite the price and knowing how clumsy I am and I have a grey and white cat that will over take the chair with every hair she can. So, I tried to walk away and checked out this rad activity mat

As happy as I am about the mat, I kept eyeing the glider! Arrrggh! So I finally couldn’t take it anymore and I peeked at the price tag just to verify that I couldn’t afford it and to my surprise it cost $945!!! WHAAA?
I mean if it were over $1,500 I would have expected it but it was under a grand. I immediately hated the Pottery Barn kids glider. Antz still wasn’t sold because he wanted a washable slipcover. It was, and still is a no-brainer to me, here’s the comparision *of lack of*

Eco Glider

*pros* washable slipcovers, feels comfortable, reasonable priced
*cons* looks Grandmotherly, expensive shipping $250

Luca Glider

*pros* modern design, soft microsuede, tall back, feels plush and comfy
*cons* umm are there any? ok I admit the shipping is $164 and not washable 🙁

So, I have fallen in love with the Luca and that’s that! I think it will fit seamlessly into the nursery and go well with the color scheme. Speaking of color, we stopped by Jill’s Paint in Atwater Village and picked up paint swatches. I was thinking of a Tiffany box blue or an aqua blue but Antz *the artist who knows best* said with the brown walls and the white/birch furniture we should use a neutral beige color. I wasn’t so sure but when Antz showed me the brown against the beige I agreed. There is no lack of color in the nursery, we found modern burnt orange curtains that will bring out the orange in the crib bedding and the poster. I also love the green and blue from the Candela nightlights Story & Chris just gave us as well as the green from the frog humidifier. Oh well, my description is not as good as the real thing, so here’s the updated mood board.

Now I am concerned the rug feels too busy but I still haven’t found a rug I love. I cannot wait to see the room finished. I am like Lucy Richardo when she thought Ricky bought her a fur coat. Step one is removing that awful popcorn from the ceiling and selling the couch and tv stand. I am thinking we might fetch $110 for them but Antz is a bit more optimistic, whatever we get, that money is going directly into Parks savings. The nursery budget is $8,000! I can’t believe it but that also includes the stroller, car seat, books, and toiletries. I keep trying to cut it down but it’s impossible, I have stripped it down to the bare necessities. Well, at least I am contributing my Fisher Price Toy Ball that I had as a bebe so that’s a freebie 🙂 Bebe’s first heirloom.

Goodbye Ruby Tuesday

That song has been stuck in my head for a few days now. Last night I went to prenatal yoga, which was lovely but I am sore. Tonight we are going to Paramount to see The Lovely Bones. I am going to see my sis-in-law at Bed, Beth & Beyond today to buy a few things

Boppy Pillow
At first I was going get the Snoogle *shaped like a candy cane* but I like that I can use this to nurse.

I hope this works, it’s early now but in January movement begins and I would love to play classical for the baby.

Everyone has to have a Hooter Hider

My sis-in-law is getting me a 20% discount. I really want to take advantage of the end of year sales but we don’t have any place to store things. Last Monday I was checking out Young House Love and I got inspired and attempted my 1st mood board.

I know it’s a bit cluttered and the text is overwhelming but I was excited and I wanted to try to put everything in the room at once. I still have to figure out how to put in the crib bedding. I’m glad I could visualize the room but I wonder if it lacks color, and it’s going to be difficult to find the right wall paint. We are keeping the 2 brown walls and I wanted to put a square pattern of teal, turqouise, lime green, Tiffany box blue and orange. However, I have seen this exact pattern in magazines and Bringing Home Baby a few too many times. I would like to put up a wall size canvas behind the crib and have Antz draw a mural but I’m not sure of what. I have seen too many trees, safari animals and monkey murals. I love this piece of art I saw at Monkeyhouse in Silverlake *which is sadly closing next month*

Lorax by Darren Goldman. I can’t bring myself to have any other artist besides my husband in the nursery. Ah well, hopefully the popcorn ceiling removal will happen this month and sometime in March we will seriously plan paint. So, being that next year is right around the corner, I have a new babymoon destination. I think it’s quite suitable as it is international travel and it has a W hotel 🙂 Drumroll please, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
I am hoping we can go the weekend of my birthday in March. I will be 29 weeks so I can still fly without a doc’s note. I have always wanted to go to Montreal, I love the French culture and I am excited to go to the Biodome and see the Artic animals. I also hope to pick up a bunch of toys for the baby out there.

Score, a direct hit!

You win if you knew that line from John Hughes “16 Candles“! Today Antz worked from home and he somehow ended up perusing the freebies section on craigslist. He ran into the bedroom and said “Come on, we gotta go to Alhambra to pick up something!” So I joined him on the excursion saying the entire drive that someone else would pick up the free item before us but we went anyway. We arrived at a very nice house and the back gate was open. It appeared no one was home so Antz went into the backyard and gave me the thumbs up. We scored!

Aneboda Drawers retails for $69.99 at Ikea. Excellent condition. I am usually skeptical of Ikea drawers *from past experiences* but these glide open and shut like butter! No scratches, we really lucked out. We put my Grandmother’s heirloom Christmas tree on top as this is our first Christmas gift of the year. I am so excited to debut our Christmas Photo tomorrow *hopefully*. We are using the new Nikon camera and testing out the timer. Antz found easy peasy popcorn ceiling removal instructions so maybe we’ll start that project soon which will be a great beginning to our nursery. Speaking of nursery, I am still searching for the perfect mobile.

This was my first choice

However, I don’t see cohesion with the monkeys and the crotchet feels a bit Grandma *not in the cute vintage way*. So here’s the next pick

A beautiful Etsy mobile, I love elephants but…I’m worried the furniture is too modern and the pastels may not work with an orange bedding set. I’m also not loving the top part of the mobile.

This one is my fave, another Etsy gem, love the twig, love the non-mobileness of it *I mean it’s not too kiddie*. So why am I not buying this steal at $33? The one reason is do I really want rain clouds over my bebe’s crib? It’s too much of a downer, I want sunshine and happiness emitted around my kid. So, I am still mobile-less. 🙁

Although, I do have my dream mobile but I will have to wait a long time for Anthropologie to put this one on sale from it’s $148.00 price tag.

Most likely, Antz will make a mobile and we’ll spend $4.99 on fishing wire and it will rock!

PS I got my nursing bras today, Houston…we’re gonna need a bigger boat! 40D???? Aye-yi-yii!!

Brrr and Grrr

Be careful what you ask for. I was actually complaining last week about the Indian Summer heat Los Angeles had. Now it seems fall has taken over and we are starting to fight over the comforter at night. Even my cat, Lola is nestling herself under the blankets at night. So, chilliness has started and we need to find a way to keep the house warm and insulated, the windows are very drafty. I dispise cold weather!

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As for the grrr, I am completely frustrated because almost all of our friends with houses has remodeled and done beautiful improvements to their homes, we have been here for 3 long years and haven’t so much as changed a light bulb since we moved in. I know it’s because we spent our life savings (and a loan from Antz 401k) on IVF treatments, surgeries and meds. It’s just really unfair that what’s free to everyone else cost us over $20,000. That money could have easily paid for a kitchen remodel and replacing our 86 year old galvanized pipes to copper. We also had the misfortune of having our main pipe burst and it cost $2500 to repair which doesn’t even improve our pathetic water pressure. I would love to start small weekend projects, like painting, installing tile floor in the bathroom or even peeling the horrid popcorn ceiling in Antz office (soon-to-be nursery). However our house has a bad foundation. The weight of our goregous but not-working fireplace/chimney is pulling our house to the right. Even the front stairs are starting to crack and shift like a pop-up book. Antz is constantly reminding me that any improvements we make may be in vain because of the moving foundation. I do see his point, we can’t replace our pipes when the plumbers can’t even access the kitchen pipes due to the uneven crawl space under the house. We received $15,000 for repairs in closing costs when we bought the place but I really can not see how we spent that entire amount on furniture and appliances. The estimates to repair the foundation and rebuild a new chimney are close to $40,000. I really don’t think this house (or neighborhood) is worth the investment. We desperately need a new stove and hood.

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The kitchen floor needs refinishing. I would love to paint the cabinets however there are coats of years of grease and terrible previous paint jobs. I also don’t know if the hinges would survive been taken off which means we would most likely have to buy new doors.

Our garage roof leaks and the windows need caulking to stop leaks. I have no idea how to design the nursery/office. The space is so small as it is and I don’t have any inspiration for that room until we get rid of the popcorn ceiling and fix the electrical in the closet. Antz thinks there is popcorn in his office and the living room to hid cracks from the house shifting. He doesn’t want to get rid of it and have to deal with cracks or having to replace the entire ceiling. Grrr! I have 9 months to get this house bebe-ready. I played around with photoshop to get an idea of what to do with the nursery but now I am second guessing my choices. Here’s the current office and this is the nursery furniture.

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ace79-antzofficenursery
Buying Guide
Oeuf Crib and Changing Table
Garden Crib Bedding
Chock-a-Block Aqua Atomic Bedding
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=880024&catId=HOME-RUGS&pushId=HOME-RUGS&popId=HOME&sortProperties=&navCount=115&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=mul&colorName=MULTI&isSubcategory=true&isProduct=true
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/5513015/index.cfm?clg=55&orderid=0&skus=5513015&cm%5Fsrc=E%3AB%3Aslipcovered%2Dupholstered%2Dchairs&action=editpip&shipto=You&showsku=5513015&lineid=2
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/6184998/index.cfm?clg=55&orderid=0&skus=6184998&cm%5Fsrc=E%3AB%3Ababy%2Dessentials&action=editpip&shipto=You&showsku=6184998&lineid=9
http://www.zacandzoe.com/playroom/fmalfi.html
Mandy Sutcliffe Eskimo Kisses
Kartell componibili system
We already own the ihome speakers. We are keeping the desk and Antz toys.

Movin’ Right Along

Trying to get into True Blood. All my friends are raving about it but so far Anna Paquin’ gap toothedness and the black gay dude are not blowing my skirt up. Tomorrow I’m seeing the wonderful Gilli and Tuesday is volleyball after it being cancelled for 3 long weeks! I’ve been thinking about my dream nursery all month.

As you can see I suck ass at formatting these pics, any helpful advice on how to get them correctly lined up is welcome. So as for now adieu to you and you and you!