Livvie's New Room

When the temperatures started dropping, we noticed that Liv's bedroom seems to be the coldest room in the house. The guest room seems to be the warmest room in the house (just ask Grammy and Grampy). So we figured why not switch them? The guest room is a little smaller, as is its closet. But we can make it work. And down the road when she's potty training and in a big girl bed, it makes sense because it is right next to the kids' bathroom, so she won't have to traipse down the hall to potty.

So a few weeks ago, I dove in. I cleared everything out (our hallway is like a mine field) and gave it a coat of BM's Pristine. I wanted a very soft, pale coral pink. This color fit the bill, though, as always, it does not look exactly like I expected once it was up. But it is fine. It would look better with white trim, but I didn't have the energy to tackle that yet. The wood doors and trim definitely detract from her room's look, but so be it...

Then I painted some IKEA spice racks and a mirror we weren't using in Behr's Guava Jam as a fun accent, found some cute art for her art wall, and some curtains at Home Depot. Once I got all that painted, hung, ironed, etc., we were in business.

Then I measured the crib. 1 inch wider than the door frame. Doh. So Mike took it apart and then put it back together (breaking a piece in the process, but it is still functional and safe). Tonight Liv cuddled into her bed in her new room for the first time. She went to sleep like it was the same old room as always. I've made a point to hang out in the room with her several times, but also she is just not one to mind about this sort of stuff.

Here is her room. We still need a ceiling light and some accessories and things, but it is getting there. Just a few projects TBD. For this project, I bought paint, curtains, and a few art prints (the big one is actually a sheet of wrapping paper for $3 at Papersource). I had tons of cute ideas on my Pinterest board, but was trying to do the switch on the cheap for now. Until she is ready to move into an adorable big girl bed. I heart the teal Jenny Lind beds, but we'll see...

Here, the paint is up and Ben is "helping me" hang art.

The $16/panel Home Depot curtains, up close. They are more aqua than they appear in this photo. Another nice thing about this room is that it gets a ton of natural light, as it has a West-facing window, but it makes taking photos a challenge.

 Our master bedroom mirror, with a fresh coat of Guava Jam. And her existing dresser and stool.

The IKEA spice rack bookshelves, and a memo board I've had for years and years.

(Um, ignore the painting bar in the background. Not sure how I missed that. But it is cleared out now.)

Her gallery art wall. Mostly prints I had already or that were free. The teacup art is the wrapping paper I mentioned. I found that heart canvas at Homegoods and couldn't resist.

Her door is on an angle, so it creates a weird issue with that wall, but I think I made good use of the space with those shelves and memo board.

So there you have it. Her mostly complete using what I had on hand new bedroom. I'll keep you posted as we add elements to her room.

Not pictured is the massive closet overhaul I did. I went through all her bins, closet, and dresser. I sorted everything, matched up outfits and folded them all neatly, gave a ton away that she'd outgrown (she's in 24 month pants and 2T or even 3T tops), and have all that she is yet to fit into neatly sorted in bins. Perhaps I'll do a quick closet post soon.

Random

With everything going on lately and Liv's recent issues with biting at school, I pulled up these pictures from the last few weeks to remember what a sweet little thing she is. I'm hoping the biting episodes are short-lived. Because while she is high-energy, she is a sweet girl.

Here is what happens when Mom tries to sit down for a few minutes. Even Dee comes running. No rest for the weary. :-)

Here we are getting ready to head out to school one day. Ben insisted on those light up Spiderman snow boots. And Liv is obsessed with her penguin boots. So cute! She has to put them on herself; if you try to help, she holds her hand up and tells you "No, no. Mine."

See how I had that tape up to paint the walls navy? Liv took it upon herself to pull it all down one day. She was having so much fun, I didn't have the heart to stop her. She was really proud of herself for "helping."

Beauty Shop

Mom tried to tame Liv's wild hair on many occasions during their visit, but most often Liv wanted to do it herself. "I do" as she tells us. And on one occasion, Liv turned the tables and did Mom's hair. Lucky Mom!

Cookie Monster

Ben is not a big fan of eating cookies, but he is really into helping make them. We whipped up several batches over the holidays.

Here is our attempt at sugar cookies. They tasted fine but spread. Later, someone told me you have to add extra flour to the dough to avoid spreading. Noted for next year!

Ben was a little heavy-handed with the sprinkles. Surprise, surprise.

What I Did On My Christmas Vacation

Remember back in grade school when we had to write those reports after summer and Christmas vacation? I couldn't help but think about that as Mom, Bill, and I worked on our mini mudroom during the holidays.

We got through Phase 1. More work to be done, but it is now a functional space. Woohoo!

Here is the "before." I'd already cleared out most of our coats and some of the junk that was living in there. But it was still god-awful.

Step 1: Paint. We went with BM's Hale Navy, which I'd also used on the fireplace wall.

My handsomest helper.

Painting done.

Phase 2: Bill installed boards for the hooks. A higher level for the adults and a lower one for the kiddos. Then Mom and I gave them a coat of Swiss Coffee that I had on hand. And Bill built a shelf for the top to add some much needed storage.

Phase 3: Install the hooks, add some baskets, and throw in a bench.

Mom donated this bench, which she wasn't using. It is too small for the space, but it works for now. We plan to build in a bench, but that is Phase 2. (Then I can repurpose the bench as a cute window seat in Liv's room; just need to make a pad for the top.)

You'll also note that I started painting the walls outside the closet in BM's Coventry Gray (leftover from Ben's room). But then Mom and I were brainstorming that I should paint the closet trim white and use the same Navy throughout the laundry/mudroom. Phase 2 as well.

Here you can see the trim that Mom picked out and Bill installed to pretty it up.

You'll also notice that I used white hooks on the side for the kids' backpacks. But the different hooks are bugging me. So those will come down and be replaced with matching hooks. I bought them out at HD, so I have to wait until they replenish their supplies.

Right now we are just kicking off our shoes on the floor, but when the bench is built out, it will have storage or baskets below for shoe storage.

It was a true team effort, and the results are awesome. It is so much more functional now (even Mike thinks so), and it certainly looks a whole lot prettier. I'll be back with Phase 2 one day...

Christmas Wrap Up

I'm a little late to the game posting about Christmas. Mom and Bill came for a visit and helped me with a project (more on that soon). With that and the kids being home most days, we kept busy! Here is Christmas Day 2014!

Present-opening. These kids must have been good this year. ;-)

 

There's a glimpse of our Christmas mantel. Looking a lot better than last year. Yay!

 Christmas dinner with the Tammaros! I got everyone in the pic (even Dee!)

Opening gifts.

Dee knew there was something waiting for her in there. :-)

Denise is pregnant with the next edition to the Tammaro clan. A little boy due in April. Liv was giving her a run for her money, practicing for her own baby. With Denise's patience and natural way with kids, she will be a fabulous mom!

These two may have indulged in a little too much Scotch and food.

Merry Christmas, until next year.