Random Acts of Reality: February 2012

So it all started with a book-as it usually does for me. As I was tucking Sean in one night he was picking out his routine three bedtime stories and he brought me one book that I vaguely remember adding to our library. Not that I remember adding many of the close to 600 books that make up our children’s book library. But this one in particular was one that I scored from out of the discarded box that I usually pilfered through at my old library. To me, there is nothing more sad than an unwanted children’s book-who cares if it is thoroughly ~~tattered~~ loved....it is like going to an animal shelter...all those little books staring at you with those sad eyes (or in this case sad looking dust jackets)....I DIGRESS. So as I slowly opened the circa 1972 version of Good-Night Owl (written by Pat Hutchins) the old familiar library smell filling my nostrils, I was overwhelmed by this unexplainable warm feeling looking at the very 70’s illustrations-it just seemed cozy and inviting to me (though the use of the browns and mustards aren’t my favorite color palette) I just knew that somehow this book was going to be relevant, I just didn’t know how...just yet. Days later, I came across the book again-Sean had left it out on his bed after “reading” it again himself and as I put it away on the shelf I thought to myself....”OWLS” I immediately ran to the computer and did a search for owl crib bedding and a bunch came up but one, more than the rest, caught my eye.

Now, let me note that I am now pushing 5 1/2 months pregnant with my third boy. I am finishing up teaching a college class, packing boxes and selling unwanted items because I am moving out of the COUNTRY in 3 days with my 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 year old children, one [extremely high maintenance] dog and I am on my way to a part of Virginia that I have a) NEVER BEEN TO and b) need to purchase a house, find a doctor to perform my c-section in June and get settled....all in the next month or two (and on my own since my hubby doesn’t get there until late April) but of course the new baby’s nursery is topping my priority list.

Being stationed at this base for the past 2+ years has basically sucked the creative spirit out of me. I have put all the things I love to do (i.e. photography, writing and VERY AMATEUR interior design) in my spare time on the back burner because it just never seemed right to me here. Now, with the impending move, all of the sudden I feel inspired again (or it may just be the pregnancy hormones taking over my brain). I wanted this blog to be the first in the series Extra! Extra! Read OWL about it! since it will basically follow my progress in creating baby Nathan’s nursery from the concept phase through to fruition. For now I can start off with my concept and will periodically post updates and pics from the actual project.

Owls Sky by Dwell Studio

Sean, being our first child got the new furniture and bedding....Brayden basically got hand-me-downs...or as I (the A-type, first child) affectionately refer to hand me downs as.... “THE SHAFT” Now, with the two older boys moving on to bigger and better things (basically a page ripped out of the PotteryBarn Kids catalogue check out their new room here: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/room/rom/romboy/romboygry/ complete with wall map mural and Camp Bunk bed in that super cool weathered blue color it comes in). I figured this third boy was not going to resent us for life for being the third boy-he was getting a new (AND COOL) nursery if it killed me! I always look at the bedding that I used for Sean and Brayden and laugh since it was something like $39.99 on clearance at Target...and I was being ~~CHEAP~~ thrifty so I went gung ho into the Jungle theme...though the room always looked too “normal” for me. When I came across the bedding for Nathan’s nursery...I almost keeled over at the $360 price tag (just for the bedding) but really, who can put a price tag on inspiration?? Or at least that is how I justify the purchase. The bedding Owls Sky is made by Dwell Studio, it is a clean and modern twist on the kitschy owl patterns from the 60’s and 70’s. His crib will remain the same but some touches that I am excited to bring into the room are custom changing table and a revamped rocker (painted your’s truly). I scored the rocker from a yardsale site and while the rocker was selling for $100 I snatched it for a mere $50 and the dresser though hasn’t been purchased...yet, I see a craigslist search in my near future. NOW THAT IS TRIFTY!! I will post before and after pictures of the projects as they are completed but for now here are some pictures from my little concept board for Nathan’s nursery :) What do you think?? I would LOVE to hear feedback OR tips!!