Baby Otto #2 - Nursery Reveal

I'm down to 3 days until my due date and I finally got the nursery mostly ready for baby boy #2.  It was a lot slower this time than with Charles' nursery because I had to first move sweet Charles to his "big boy room."  With him went his rug, animal accessories (art, figurines, hamper, etc).  So contrary to Josh saying we didn't need to "re-do" the nursery - we really didn't do as much as he thinks - just some fresh paint on the walls, dog accessories, art & rug.  I really wanted Charles' stuff to stay with him - especially the giraffe painting my parents did for him.  I'll show you his big boy room soon!

A reminder of Charles' nursery HERE

And a reminder of where I started with my little idea board for nursery #2 HERE

I really stayed pretty true to where I started with my ideas for this room...

Some details...

In keeping with the dog theme (which I may have gone a little overboard with...oops), I also made some round monthly dog themed stickers for the little guy.

Sources:

First of all, the biggest change is obviously the blue and cream stripes.  My buddy Robert Corprew painted them for me and did a fabulous job - it almost looks like wallpaper.

1 Felt Dog Heads Over the Crib - Fiona Walker England - I ordered mine from South in Chapel Hill.

2 Jenny Lind DaVinci Crib (from Charles' nursery) - Amazon (love this and the pricetag, only thing I changed was the casters - see that here)

3 Glider (from Charles' nursery) - Pottery Barn Kids Comfort Swivel Rocker (cream twill with white twill piping)

4 Pouf by Glider (from Charles' nursery) - Serena & Lilly Square Gingham Pouf in Oatmeal no longer have it, but lots of other great options!

5 Rug - I bought a remnant of a Stanton wool rug from Eatman's Carpets & Interiors in Raleigh

6 Changing Table (from Charles' nursery) - Furbish 

7 Throw on Glider - Sarah Louise blanket - I got at Shutterbug's in Raleigh, but found online here.  I may end up getting a different throw for the chair (brighter blue?), but this is fine for now.

8 Elephant Table beside Glider (from Charles' nursery - the only jungle animal that stayed!) - I spray painted an elephant planter I already had, but you could get the Serena & Lily Ellie Side Table for the same look

9 Baskets on changing table - the Serena & Lily belly baskets (holding diapers and other changing needs) were getting a little droopy from so much use with Charles, so I got these sturdier Threshold baskets that have a similar look from Target

10 "Naps fix everything" print (from Charles' nursery) - this was a shower gift from a sweet friend

11 Changing pad and cover (from Charles' nursery) - Serena & Lily nursery basics diaper changing pad aqua & insert

12 Cocker Spaniel dog mobile - my aunt's friend made the 6 cockers for me (Etsy shop here) and I then assembled them into a mobile.  Maybe separate post to come...Josh was definitely making fun of my "arts & crafts project," but it turned out really cute and was so cheap to make!  

13 Mirror (from Charles' nursery) - Wisteria French Gilt Mirror

14 Pendant Light (from Charles' nursery) - RH Baby Spence Pendant - this and the giraffe painting are definitely the two things that people immediately comment on when they've come in to see the nursery.  I liked that it was different without being too frilly and girly.

15 White lamp on changing table (from Charles' nursery)- another favorite item - from Printer's Alley here in Raleigh (gift from my mother-in-law) and have also seen it at Acquisitions in Raleigh.  I can't find the name brand listed on it though, so unable to locate it online.

16 Baby Wardrobe (from Charles' nursery) - family piece that I painted and changed the hardware on - details here

17 Dog prints above wardrobe - found these on Etsy at Deer & Badgers shop (I framed them myself with frames from Jerry's that I painted gold)

18 Ceramic Dogs - most of these are from Jean's basement that I claimed years ago and had around my house

19 Blue & White Hamper - Serena & Lily La Jolla baskets (this is the medium blue)

20 Dog Rocker - Restoration Hardware

21 Crib Sheet & Crib Skirt (both from Charles' nursery) - Serena & Lily sheet no longer available and I made the crib skirt (no sewing) - details here 
22 Dog Bookends - Jack Russell bookends from Biscuit - sold out, but here are the poodles
23 Dog Breeds book - originally I spotted this on Anthropologie, but went to purchase and it was gone, so I ordered from Amazon

I think that covers it!

Will be back with an update once this baby debuts.  Amazing how much less antsy I am this time about his actual arrival date....he can stay in a little longer :)  No old wives tales yet!  I'm trying to enjoy every minute that I'm not working with Charles, Josh and Ollie.

XO,

Whit

It's a....

BOY!  

Just as suspected.  Charles is still stunned, but we are thrilled with the news.

I haven't forgotten about my sweet first girl, Olivia - she was horrified by the balloons and hiding under my bed and was even less cooperative than Charles with the picture :)

XO,
Whit

Nursery Round 2

That's right, we are officially expecting Baby Otto #2.  I'm still a bit shocked, but he/she should be arriving sometime late February - early March.  We will find out the gender officially at the doctor next week, but right now I'm thinking it's another boy.  Either way, I'm moving some of Charles' decorative stuff (the giraffe painting my dad did and other jungle animal accessories) so I'm thinking a subtle dog theme for #2 regardless of gender.

What do you think?  

BOY VERSION

GIRL VERSION

XO,
Whit

Welcome to the world Charles Benton Otto!

Charles Benton Otto graced us with his presence last Monday, March 24 at 2:30 a.m.  He weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was about 20 inches long.  The little guy made his debut 9 days late, but we have already forgiven him!  

He has way lighter hair than we expected and one of the first things everyone notices are his really long fingers -- perhaps we have a little athlete on our hands?  It's safe to say we are already wrapped around his (long) little fingers.

No birth story yet, but here is a photo overload.

Josh has been so incredible -- it's true you totally melt seeing your husband hold your baby.  I didn't know I could possibly love him more, but this last week my heart is about to burst!

One of my best friends, Rachel, came over right when we arrived home from the hospital and I'm so impressed with the professional-like photos she captured.  I'll treasure these forever!

Charles came home in the same outfit Josh left the hospital in 33 1/2 years ago.  Love the giraffe that ties in so nicely with his nursery.

Olivia is extremely fascinated by him and so far has been a great big sister.  If he cries, she desperately tries to alert us. He actually has been pretty mellow and a good sleeper during his first week.

She even tried bringing him one of her toys to pacify him.

I cannot believe he is already a week old!

We are beyond thankful to God for blessing us with this beautiful baby boy.

Thanks so much to all our family and friends who have done so much for us.

XO,

Whit

Patience

Hello!  I'm officially now into week 41 and still pregnant.  I've been a pretty happy-go-lucky pregnant lady, but my patience is running out.  I've tried a lot of the old wives tales and nothing has worked.  I have literally walked miles and miles every single day, eaten pineapple to the point it burned my tastebuds off, tried spicy Mexican, spicy Thai, spicy Chinese (all only induced serious heartburn), consumed many glasses of raspberry tea, eggplant parmesan, wheeled mulch all over our yard 9 months pregnant, had my membranes stripped twice, you name it!  I think I'm drawing the line at Castor Oil, that freaks me out a bit.  If you have any new ideas, feel free to send them my way. 

The dreary weather on a Monday only increased my funk, I said a prayer for patience and decided to make myself some chocolate chip pancakes for dinner and serve it up on my fine china.  This may have been my first craving -- better late than never.  Considering Josh doesn't like breakfast at breakfast time, this was dinner for 1 (well 1.5!).  Sorry, babe.  

I am trying to be very, very thankful that the ultrasound today showed a healthy baby boy.  He will be here soon and I know he will be worth the wait.

XO,
Whit

One more baby post

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After seeing these highchairs featured at many first birthdays and across Pinterest and blog land, I decided to take the highchair I'd registered for off my registry and start hunting for an old wooden Jenny Lind.  I ended up finding one locally on Craig's List for about $50.  I've gotten safe paint (in BM Hydrangea Blue) and a food safe sealer and plan to work on it during maternity leave (not that the little guy will need it for a while).  Has anyone tackled this project?  Any advice?  I plan to use this as my everyday highchair, not just for birthdays.  I want to find a new strap because that part of it being old really grosses me out.  

I'll report back once I complete it!

Last Thursday evening, we were blessed with another fun baby shower.  My mother-in-law, Jean, graciously open her lovely home and invited family and some of her friends and neighbors over to celebrate Baby Otto.  It was a wonderful evening -- this baby is spoiled already!

(I wish I'd taken more pictures, but here are a few)

The delicious cake from Edible Art matched the invitation (from Charlotte's)

Jean and some of her friends

Thanks to all the ladies who came that night!  I feel very blessed.

I promise not every post will be about babies, but maybe writing about it again tonight (after being a slack blogger!) will get him to come on out.  The spicy food, pineapple, walking, etc. don't seem to be working...

XO,

Whit