Hunter's Nursery

I 'think' Hunter's nursery is finally done! It is finished enough to post pictures, but ideally we will add a few more decorative touches here and there. It was kind of hard because we have also been storing all of his baby goodies in his room so it appeared way more full than it actually was. I finally talked Tim into moving all of Hunter's supplies into the sitting area of our room and it really cleared out! Imagine having two strollers, a pack and play, a bassinet, a swing, and a bouncer all in a small bedroom and then removing them all at once! Here is our current bedroom situation:

I wanted something pretty simple, with a color scheme rather than a theme and if you know me, then it will come to no surprise that his color scheme consists of blues and browns. I say those plural because there are a few shades of blue and a few shades of brown all around then entire room. Somehow, green has snuck it's way in, so there are a few different shades of green in there as well! We wanted it boyish and not babyish.

Almost all of the picture frames are empty, but you can get the general idea! Once we get his newborn photos taken they will fill the frames, and take out some of the 'white space' from the walls! I love these frames from Cut It Out Already, but they took forever and a day to get them in! They also come unfinished, so Tim was out in the garage spray painting them for a few nights! They are a pretty porous material and soak in all that paint, it is hard to get a good coat on them. Now that they are here and hanging, I really want some more! If only I could get up the courage to try to distress the edges to show more of the beveled edges... the problem is that if you do one, you must do them all. What if I don't like it? What if they don't some out even? What if I mess up the paint job and Tim has to redo it? Decisions, decisions!

It also took some persuading on my part to get hubby to hang the pom pom balls, but I think it makes the ceiling seem a little less empty. They were from the baby shower, and I couldn't bear to just toss them out! I have seen so many nurseries with them hanging, and just had to give it a try! I wanted either three or five bunched in the corner, but Tim would only settle on hanging three. I know its a boy room, but he is a baby! He is not a 28 year old man like him.... not yet, anyways! Still not sure if they will stay, but they are hanging for now.

Here is the nursery for now:

Furniture: Baby's First Furniture (Brand: Natart----- took foreeeeevvvvveeeerrrrr to get in!)

Bedding: babybedding.com (retro owl)

White Frames: Cut It Out Already

Brown/Blue frames: Hobby Lobby

Cornice Box above window: Pier 1

Glider: Babies R Us 

Owl and Monkey: Pier 1

Marlin stuffed animal: gift from Grandma and Grandpa from Hawaii!

I love it and canNOT wait for him to get here!

Preppiest Baby on the Block

Over the course of the past 4 months, since finding out that Baby Thompson is a boy, my baby style has become super evident. I always knew that I loved 'Little Man' clothing on little boys, button up shirts with Gap jeans and sweater vests, and the like. Looking at how Hunter's closet has slowly filled up, the evidence is all the more clear, see for yourself:


He won't be able to wear these until next summer, 2013, but who could pass up these adorable baby Sperry Top-Sider boat shoes? I can totally see a family picture of us all wearing close-to-matching shoes on the beach in Florida. The best part? These were purchased for a mere $3 at a local children's consignment shop. Link to brand new Sperry's here

Next summer will also bring days by the pool and in the sand at the beach. Check out the swim trunks and rash guard/swim shirt I found at Gymboree. 

I know these are NOT swordfish, because who can forget daddy's big catch of 2010? These marlin are the closest fish we are going to find!

You must be asking yourself, what is the little guy going to wear before next summer? That, my friend, is the best part of all! Fall is my favorite season, and you can bet that Hunter is going to be dressed to the nine's. Look at these amazing Ralph Lauren button up shirts! Don't fret, these were all purchased at a children's consignment shop, Once Upon a Child, for $8 on average. Can you see the brand new one hanging down? It still has the Dillard's tag on it for $35. Hunter and I are both saying a HUGE, "Thank you!!!", to Grandma/Nana/Mimi/which-ever-name-she-wants-to-be-called McLees!

Don't worry, daddy hasn't forgotten to let mommy spoil herself a little but in the shopping process. Here is the amazing diaper bag hubby let me get:

Again, don't get too upset thinking I will be walking around with a $398 diaper bag.... this was purchased at the Coach outlet near my house for just under $200! I really think I can use this bag for more than a diaper bag as well. It looks like the perfect 'airport' bag. If you know me, then you know that I am obsessed with finding a new, more perfect carry on bag for each airport trip that I take. I don't know what it is, but I am always searching for something more suitable than the last one I bought!

These are just a few of the purchases made for baby Hunter. I am so flipping excited!!!
Please don't forget to vote!

Project Nursery: Day 3

I am SO excited right now! Hunter's furniture came in a whole six weeks early, and of course I begged and begged for Tim to pick it up as soon as possible!  It is even prettier and nicer than I remember, and I can't wait for more nursery goodies to arrive!

Here is a picture of the first thing to go up, the window cornice box and the curtains. We have had this up for a while, but I didn't want to put up a picture of just one tiny thing! Also notice that the crown moulding is all up, Tim and Jason did a wonderful job. It is amazing at how one little thing makes a huge difference in a room!

Tonight, we got the furniture assembled....

We also put the bedding in the crib...

And we (and here when I say 'we' I mean Tim...) moved the furniture around to all of the different configurations that the room would allow and decided where the furniture would go. I know that when he can stand in the crib, something needs to move, either the curtains or the crib, but for now this is where it is going...

On the wall across from the window is the door. To the right of the door is the nightstand (not pictured for some reason), and to the right of that, angled near the dresser/hutch will be the glider. We are waiting to order it because we are hoping for Babies R Us gift cards so that we can put it towards the glider/rocker. I know once we get it, I will probably sit in his room and imagine what life will be like in a matter of weeks, so it is probably good that it is not here yet, haha!

Now the question is... Where do I put the letters for his name? I ordered a set off of Etsy, and I am worried they are too large now. I am for sure thinking they are too large to center over the crib, which I already knew, but I was thinking they could be centered on the wall over his crib, but now that can't happen because the crib had to be a little closer to the window than I anticipated. I can put them over the hutch, centered on that wall, but that means I need something perfect to go above the crib since I have been thinking that area will have the name 'Hunter' sprawled across it for so long now.  Oh well, I guess that just means more Etsy shopping for me!

Also, I am totally aware that the wood on the window cornice box is many shades lighter than the furniture. I am thinking that when we get more wall decor up, it will look ok. I knew that it would be much darker, but the metal accents on the box almost match the furniture exactly so I thought it would flow.... Any thoughts?

Fun Week-End

These don't happen often, I have to admit. Usually I am a "Fishing Widow" or "Hunting Widow", but this week-end, I was lucky that Tim stayed in town. I don't mind being at home on the week-end, I really don't. I spend time with my parents or girlfriends, and get to catch up on the housework that has no doubt slipped behind during the week. It's that gosh darn dishwasher. I don't mind filling it up, but hate to unload it.... so I put it off, and by the time I unload it, I can basically fill it all the way back up with what has piled up in the sink. Too bad I didn't train husband early on in the marriage. He can't figure out how to load it anyways. Go figure, he can puzzle piece luggage into a car so that everything fits perfectly, but ask him to load the washer and I get two plates basically strewn across the bottom and two spatulas on top...... and a sink still full of dishes that "didn't fit". Yes, dear......


Oops, let me get back to THIS week-end. 


Friday started the week-end off, the school had a delayed Christmas/New Year's party for staff members, and while all day I was thinking, "Ugh, why did I sign up to go? I would so rather get in my pj's and relax at home"... I decided to go anyway. It started at 6, and told Tim I would probably just make an appearance, and leave by about 7. He told me to stay how ever long I wanted, but I really didn't think I would. I ended up leaving at 9:00! We played LRC, which is a super fun, and super exciting depending on the group that you are playing with. Everyone has 3 one dollar bills in front of them, and you sit in a big circle. We sat around the pool table. There are 3 dice, each marked with an 'L', and 'R', a 'C', and the rest of the sides are dots. If you roll and 'L' you move the the left, 'R' to the right, 'C' goes to the center pile, and if you get a dot then you get to keep the money. You roll three because you start with three dollars, and each dice represents a dollar. The person with the last dollar wins the center pile. I am telling you, SUPER fun! Also, you can basically be out for the whole game, and then at the last minute get a dollar passed to you and still win! Here is the best picture I could get on my phone of us read to start:

After this, was the "As Seen on TV GIft Exchange", which I didn't participate in because I honesty thought that I would have snuck out by then! This was hilarious to watch, and I definitely want to host one of these things near Christmas time! There were some Bump-Its, a Shake Weight, a singing Justin Beiber toothbrush, the perfect meatloaf pan, the easy foot scrubber, and many more. This is why I stayed the last hour! It was also done where you could 'steal' gifts, and that Shake Weight sure was popular! 

After I finally made it home, Tim surprised me by suggesting we rent a movie from Comcast. Snuggle time on the couch with husband even though it is 9:30? Yes, please! We rented Courageous, and it is an amazing movie! It is made by the same people as Fireproof, which is about a couple whose marriage is struggling. They are actually made by a church in Georgia, are very low budget, not the best acting, but the message is so powerful. Courageous is about parenthood, but more specifically, fatherhood, and I was so glad when Tim suggested it. While I did my fair share of crying, we also did our fair share of laughing. This made for a past midnight bedtime for me, but I was able to sleep in the next morning, so I consider it an overall score!

Saturday, I met some girlfriends for lunch at a local sandwich shop, and we had fun catching up on life, students, and gossip. Did I take a picture? Of course not. I don't know what my problem is! I had been so good at snapping pictures everywhere, but now I'm lucky to get ONE taken on Christmas! This will no doubt change when Hunter comes into our lives! After this, Tim and I had planned on going to register at Babies R Us, but on the way there I got an Allen wrench in my tire and was losing air fast. Like, I pulled over and when the door opened you could hear the air whizzing out. Luckily, there was a tire repair shop across the street, so we got it patched up. By the time we left, there was only about an hour and half before we had to meet Kristin and Jason to eat dinner (Tim and Jason were smoking a brisquit). We settled on going Sunday, but ended up having enough time to do it after dinner. We actually had a lot of fun, and it was just another step in the, "Oh my goodness, this is really happening" ladder. Choosing items that will sit in the living room for the next couple of years with a baby in them is really fun stuff!

Sunday, we met my parents at a local Mexican restaurant for lunch. We just had one built out here, and while we were hoping for a Pappasito's, this is probably the next best thing. I mentioned while my mom was in the restroom changing Isabella that I would be going out to the outlet mall to use up a coupon that I had at Carter's. He said that my mom would probably like to go, and offered to take the baby home while we shopped. We ended up having a blast, and shopped for a couple of hours! Hunter got some really cute clothes, and I was even able to find some shirts that will double as maternity shirts and transition me back to being a plain-clothes mommy. I came home and did a little fashion show on my belly in the drive way because I was so excited about some of the clothes I bought. I even found a swim shirt with a marlin on it. Seriously? Could it get any better knowing my husband? I guess if it was a swordfish, haha! Luckily, nautical items are totally 'in' at the Gyboree by the house!

And there you have it, a fun filled, family week-end!

Happy Birthday to Me!

This year I turned 27. Twenty-seven. Oh my goodness! I feel so close to 30!


As with Christmas, I was kind of ready to keep my birthday super low key. I am ready for the weeks to keep ticking along! Tim and I combined families and we all ate Pappasito's.... this has become my birthday tradition. Luckily, I was spared having to wear the oversized sombrero and the shouting/singing waitstaff!


Since we decided to keep it low key this year, Tim just got me a cookie cake (I got a little spoiled with my cake last year!), and it actually turned out to be kind of funny. He ordered it online and since he couldn't see the sizes in person, it turned out to be a huge cake! He also chose a cake with a 'horse and horseshoes' on it, but when he picked it up it was a cartoony horse and colorful flowers all around. I was taking a nap when he came home with it, and when I asked to see it, he said, "No, it looks like a 5 year old's cake". I continued on with my nap, but when I went to look at it I did have to laugh a little. He was right, it looked like a child's cake! That's ok, they all taste the same! It also probably looked a little funny because it was seriously huge! We had 12 people eat off of it, and only ate one quarter of the whole cake!

Poor Tim, he was nervous about everyone seeing the cake!

Dinner was delicious, but seriously, when does Pappasito's ever let me down? Next came presents, and I was super curious to see what I would get only because I hadn't asked for anything this year. My mother in law and her husband gave me a nice gift card to go towards baby furniture, which was a surprise since we got so spoiled with baby furniture gift cards for Christmas! My two sister-in-laws also gave me gift cards to go shopping and get my nails done. My parents totally surprised me with my baby bedding and more shopping money! Maybe now I will finally bite the bullet and go on a maternity shopping spree!

I am in love with our bedding! I have been obsessed with owls for a
couple of years now, and when I found this, I knew it would be perfect!

Now I just wish that I had some furniture so that I could set it up!


I forgot to mention one of the best surprises of my birthday! Some of my students surprised me with a ton of balloons and gifts when they came in! Every year, my class dynamic changes, but I always get those few students that I will remember forever.... and these twins are some of them! Here is a picture of what I can post, but it was sad smudging out their adorable faces!

Hunter's Hospital and Coming Home Hat!!

I am so excited about this purchase, y'all! I have been eying it on Etsy for a looooong time, and today when I went to order the furniture, they had it in the store! I am so excited! So that you get the whole idea, I found a picture of the hat on an actual baby's head (not my baby, for obvious reasons)....

Is this not one of the most precious things you have seen? I know that his name is Hunter, and that he will be destined to wear fishing t-shirts during summers and camoflauge in the fall and winter, so I have to choose his clothing while I can! Also, this goes with the nursery bedding that I chose!


Hat can be found here.

Baby Furniture!!

Today we purchased our baby furniture and I am beyond excited!! Tim and I went to look at at before Christmas and since we plan on letting the set 'grow' with Hunter we wanted to get a really nice one. We settled on a set by Natart (pronounced nay-tar) in the Avalon model. I just wish it would get here in sooner than 12 weeks!

Here is the picture from the website:

They didn't have a picture of the dresser shown with the hutch on top,
I am most excited for this! It will be the changing table until he is
older, then it can be used as his entertainment center and set his
TV on top. The crib converts to toddler bed and then to a
full sized bed.

Baby Buys: Number One

I am so excited to start purchasing some items for our baby boy! One of the many perks to being a teacher is the appreciation that you get. During Christmastime, teachers usually a few gifts, and this year my parents went above and beyond! One made an amazing homemade craft kit with a picture of me with her twins, some made baked goods, and a lot bought gift cards for me (mostly for Target!), so when I happened to have just the right amount of gift cards for an adorable Pack-and-Play, I thought, "What the heck, let's start this thing!"

Today I purchased the Pack-and-Play that I have had my eye on for a while. It is by Graco and in the print Meadow Menagerie. It is boy-ish, not too gender neutral, but not baseball batty or anything. I usually don't go gender neutral, and that wasn't my goal here, but this is definitely cute enough to go with a girl. Let's put it his way though, if we were having a girl, this would NOT be the one that I would choose!

Tim doesn't want to set it up until we paint the nursery, but here is a picture of the print and the set up:

Cute, right? I am going to end up registering for the matching travel system (stroller, car seat, and base). There is also a diaper bag! I tried to buy it today, but it was gone :( I went to the store a few days ago when I originally saw it, but today it was sold out! I hope it isn't too much of a hot item! 

I have also been going a little crazy purchasing baby clothes for our little man. Actually, those are the clothes that I like the best, little man clothes! Here, let me show you:

This came from Baby Gap 

Another Baby Gap 

Love these onesies with jeans! 

A also found some adorable track suits from TJMaxx! The grey and green
one also has sock that match!

 The last thing is something that I am so excited about! It could go anywhere in the house, really, but I thought of it specifically for the nursery. It is going to be used as a window cornice box above his window, and then I will also hang drapes. Here is a picture from the website:

The wood is a little lighter than the wood for the nursery furniture that we chose, but the iron accents will bring in the dark element so that it will kind of match. I don't want his whole room to be dark-ish!

There are a ton more baby clothes, but I can't take a picture of all of them, that is for sure. Let's just say, his closet is getting filled!

Tomorrow, I am going fabric shopping with Jamie. I am not sure if I want to take on the task of making my own nursery bedding yet, but I do want to make a rag quilt for the bedroom, and to go on the toddler bed in a couple of years. Plus, I think it would be very special to have something made with love by mommy.