Shaping Our Nest

I've said it before but raising a child in an urban space has its challenges. Josie's belongings have been distributed all over our one bedroom apartment in the most loving and organized tornado possible. In case you need context for the images below, you will notice my talented, Renaissance-man of a husband is the builder and I am the decorator. My childhood stuffed animal is our tester. I would also like the reader to note I spelled Renaissance correctly without Siri. That has to count for something.

I've learned many things in these past 8 months. Clarins Stretch Mark cream is essential. Maxi dresses are critical. Strappy sandals are the only thing these Flintstone feet can wear. And, the baby business is nuts.

I've been Inspector Gadget meets Carmen Sandiego, investigating every corner of this market (or as far as Google will take me). This piece below is a pack n' play/changing table/play pen/crib. It is intended to grow with the baby. It had better because this apartment sure isn't.

Will Josie flip over the wrong way during a diaper change? Let's see what happens to Puff.

He's a natural. So is Puff.

She'll make it! #parentsoftheyear

At our baby shower we asked for books instead of cards. If I learned one thing in my doctoral program, it's that brain development is aided by parents reading to infants, which increases the likelihood of early language development and ultimately literacy. I didn't need to spend six figures to learn that and now neither do you. Josie's little dendrites will be growing as she is fastened into a futuristic time traveling device that mimics her nine months of fetal development. Josie is basically a Jetson.

Behold: Josie's reading and spaceship swing corner.

As the lead designer of Josie's space, one should note the pattern of the object below matches the above pack n' play. Although these pieces will be in separate rooms*, the colors work with our decor and I like the symmetry.

*In Jersey City, people have a dedicated dining space which is distinct from the sleeping space, which is separate from the shower space, which is mind blowing to people who live in NYC. I think it's what inspired that Dixie Chicks song. They lived in Brooklyn and then moved to JC and freaked out.

Happy birthday, Alex! For your birthday, we got you a highchair to construct.

Finally, I present to you the last thing we've made recently, coupled with the VIP of my cravings and a decorative plant for good measure.

I don't know if you know much about babies/baby furniture, but this is neither.
It's evidence of MY nesting. I baked a cake. Rectangular flags are so 2014.

Happy 4th of July, dear readers. Fingers crossed this little angel graces us with her presence this month! If she doesn't, she's getting evicted.