Trash to Treasure: Baby's Dresser

 

About a month ago, I was scouring one of our local Goodwills when I came across this lovely hunk o' junk. 

I knew it needed a LOT of TLC, but the potential was totally there to transform it into the perfect dresser/changing table for Baby's room. After tons of sanding, seemingly endless coats of paint, a little knob drama, and a few other minor hiccups along the way...here's the finished product!

 Please excuse the messy garage!

Now if only my Hercules of a husband can find a way to get this bad boy upstairs, we'll be in good shape. I can't wait to get it all fixed up with a changing pad and organize the drawers. In these pictures the gray paint looks more white, but it's actually the same color we used on the nursery walls as seen here.

A small rundown:
blue paint: valspar Filoli Morning Glory
gray paint: valspar Gravity
glass knobs: Hobby Lobby
sealer: Rust-oleum Ultimate Polyurethane, Satin Interior (we swear by this stuff!)


And one more look at the transformation:

A HUGE thank you to my hard-working husband for all his patience on this project. He basically had to rebuild the drawers and replace the entire back of the dresser, all while taking orders from me in the process. What would we do without our sweet men, ladies?


Happy Hump Day!
What projects have you been working on lately?!
 

27 (and a half) Weeks

I'm writing this post a little late, but Momma always taught us better late than never. I wish the library agreed with Momma; apparently they don't see things that way when it comes to returning books as I so wonderfully found out this afternoon. The infamous "pregnancy brain" is definitely getting the best of me.

We worked on a few new projects this weekend that I'm excited to share with you guys upon completion! Zach's actually outside on the table saw right now putting the final touches on Baby's dresser. I, on the other hand, am sitting here catching up on blogs and eating Sour Patch Kids. This is the life.

To our Baby Boy:
Dad is working like crazy to finish all the projects for your nursery; he even painted you something that looks amazing. I think you're going to love it. You've been staying up pretty late these days; you seem to come alive and wanna party around midnight. Does this mean you're going to be a night owl like your mom? You really enjoyed the library today and even helped pick out a few books. I interpreted one kick to mean "keep looking", two for "check it out". Although, thinking about it now, your enthusiasm could have been caused by the large Sonic Blue Coconut Cream Slush I downed on the way to the library. Nah, you're just Mommy's Little Helper. Thanks, Tiny! We sure do love you.

No, that's not a hat I'm sporting, or a furry animal...it's the World's Largest Bun. They weren't kiddin' when they said pregnancy makes for thick hair.

How Far Along: 27 weeks, 3 days

Baby Size: 14 3/4 inches, 2 lbs.

Total Weight Gain: 14 lbs.

Maternity Clothes? Still wearing normal clothes, just not anything that buttons. Couldn't button up a pair of my old britches if I tried (and yes, I have tried).

Stretch Marks? No new ones to report...thank heavens.

Sleep: Sleep has been pretty great the past week. Unfortunately I'm still waking up with a nasty migraine every morning, but I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow to see if we can't tackle this once and for all.

Best moment this week: There aren't any moments that are jumping out...honestly it was just a great week all around.

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my back and belly. So hard to keep from it!

Movement: Still lots, and at random times throughout the day. As Little Man gets stronger, some of the kicks are starting to hurt! I can't imagine what it will feel like in a month or so.

Food Cravings: Milkshakes, sweet potato fries, Taco Bell (strange because I'm normally not a big TB fan)

Anything making you queasy or sick? Had morning sickness one day last week...other than that eating like a champ.

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: Not yet

Belly button in or out? Still an innie, barely

Wedding rings on or off? On & loose

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and excited

Looking forward to: So many things we're looking forward to this week!
1. Hearing our Little Man's heartbeat at the doctor on Thursday
2. JOURNEY concert Friday! We're all three pumped for that one.

3. Our birthing classes at the hospital Saturday and Sunday.

4. Seeing Tiny in 4d on Monday! Zach took the whole day off...this is a big occasion. Technically next week, but too exciting not to mention :).

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Auction Hunters

Yesterday evening, Zach and I made a thirty minute trip to the Magnolia Gardens Auction House, the cutest little auction we've ever been to. And let me tell you, my auction-loving husband has taken me to a lot. If you're in the Houston/Woodlands area, I would highly recommend visiting this auction house on a Saturday night. We felt like we'd stepped back in time; there were even complimentary homemade snacks and drinks to devour while you sat back and enjoyed the bidding.

Our original purpose was to bid on a few coins that Zach had his eye on, but they went for a tad bit higher than we had anticipated. When this baby piano made it's sweet appearance, I nudged Zach and our paddle went up immediately. We just couldn't resist. I'm hoping it will make a lovely little addition to the nursery, and luckily the wood almost perfectly matches that of Baby's crib. Score!

We even love the worn, well-played look of the keys. Gives it a touch of character and charm.

The children's chair (an Ikea purchase) was set there simply to show the size of the piano. Isn't it a cutie? The woman sitting next to me at the auction leaned over and said, "We have a baby piano just like that one. Our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have all loved 'making music' on that thing. I'm sure your little one will, too". What a special piece to pass down through generations.

There's talk of building a small bench for Tiny to sit on while he "plays"...what do you think? Maybe miniature Beethovens prefer to stand?

Happy Sunday, friends! Hope your weekend has been a wonderful one.

Maternity Style: Pearls

pearls:gift from Z, cami:Target, cardi:Target, maternity jeans:thrifted, flats:Antonio Melani via Dillards

For my birthday last month, Zach gave me this beautiful pearl necklace and earrings (which I had hinted for just a few times...he's a good listener). I kept thinking they were only "church appropriate" or fit for an equally fancy occasion, not meant to be paired with jeans and a cardigan. I mean, do you really think when Miley hopped off the plane at LAX she had on a three strand pearl necklace? Doubt it.

All in all, I think it works. Then again, as long as I'm rockin' the baby bump, I'd probably go out in my pearls and PJs.

Do you ever "dress down" your pearls for a relaxed, yet more feminine, look?

This Week...

Baby and I discovered our love for Flatout. Wraps, pizza, breakfast burritos...the possibilities are endless!

We've enjoyed seeing our "pet", Mr. Frog, hang out on the patio every night.

We've devoured our chocolate covered macadamias from my parents' trip to Hawaii. So, so yummy!

They even brought Tiny a snazzy little beach outfit...

and a pineapple piggy bank...and a stuffed sea turtle named Limu. Thank you for all the goodies, Mom and Dad!

I started Julie & Julia, and am loving it so far. I never saw the movie but the book is a great read.

What made you smile this week?!

A Quick Thank You...

almost 27 weeks!

I know I've said it on here many times, but many is simply not enough. So to quote the immortal, semi-frightening Whitesnake, "Here I go again".

To my sweet, sweet husband:

Though you'll likely never read this, it must be said. You have amazed me time and time again the past six months, and in more ways than I could ever begin to type out. Your patience, support, and love for our growing Little Man continue to blow my mind every single day. It hit me really hard yesterday when we were discussing a table to put beside the rocker in Tiny's nursery. When I asked if you could make a "tree trunk table", which I'll admit is a pretty far-fetched thing to ask, you looked at me with the most selfless, loving face and said "Anything you want. If you want it, I'll find a way to make it". In that moment, I realized just how much you care for Baby and me. We are beyond blessed to have you in our lives, and I pray that you know just how much we love you, too.

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And, just in case any of you were wondering, Z came home from work today with a tree trunk in the bed of his truck. I didn't ask any questions....but I am one happy, lucky Momma.

World's Easiest Cherry Cobbler

Last month, I was scrolling through Blogger when I saw this post on my friend Sarah's blog, gracefully made. I knew immediately that Tiny and I had to have this cobbler in our bellies. It took me a month to get around to making it...apparently pregnancy makes you a little lazy. When I say 'you', I mean me. But alas, the cobbler was made and it was delicious. I'm talking melt in your mouth, tickle your taste buds, make-you-go-back-for-thirds kind of delicious. And the best part? It's the easiest dessert you'll ever make. For real. Hope this is one you'll all whip up; you'll be glad you did!

 

Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 can fruit filling of your choice
2 sticks butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Grab a pie dish or 9x13 pan and pour filling into the bottom. Cover the fruit with a thick layer of yellow cake mix (we are crust lovers, so I used almost the entire box...a little over 2/3 of it). Melt sticks of butter in microwave and drizzle over top of cake mix. Bake 40-45 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream!
(recipe adapted from gracefully made)

Happy baking, friends!