Nursery Business Time

I'm uber happy to report that Baby Colette's nursery has been painted. Many thanks to my husband and his mom for working on it yesterday! We haven't set the room up yet, and I would rather wait and take pictures when it's all put together, but here are a couple of sneak peaks.

These are just quick snap shots. It's a very dark room, so it wasn't easy to get an accurate shot of the wall color. It's a bit darker and a bit greener than this.

[caption id="attachment_440" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Wall Color: Behr - Dill Seed[/caption][caption id="attachment_441" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Wall Color: Behr - Dill Seed[/caption]

 

Now I'm into thinking about the layout of the room. Trying to picture it in my mind is terrible because I'm not very good with scale. So I went to the Pottery Barn website and used their Room Planner tool which was pretty helpful. Here's what I've come up with so far:

[caption id="attachment_443" align="aligncenter" width="488"] Preliminary Nursery Layout[/caption]

Lots of lights! Originally I was going to put the mini chandelier between the two pendant lights above the double dresser, but I think it would probably look better hanging above the crib. Haven't decided on a chandelier yet but here's what I have in mind:

[caption id="attachment_444" align="aligncenter" width="560"] thebellacottage.com[/caption][caption id="attachment_445" align="aligncenter" width="320"] overstock.com[/caption]

 

I did pick out the pendant lights over the weekend. (And a new ceiling fan/light fixture!) Here's the shade that goes over the pendant:

[caption id="attachment_446" align="aligncenter" width="560"] 5'' Crystal Pendant Shade - Lowes[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_447" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Full Pendant Light[/caption]

As for crib bedding, I found some things that I like at Cottage and Cabin on Etsy. She makes some really beautiful and simple things. I requested some fabric swatches that should be here in a couple of days. If I do decide to go with Cottage and Cabin, I'll have to decide pretty quickly! Orders being taken now are for October shipping dates! *insert panicked emoticon here*

 

In other news, we leave for the beach in 5 days. Hooray!

23 Weeks Pic

It's been a few weeks, thought it was time for another picture for the blog! There's no question I've packed on a couple baby pounds now! She seems to be swimming around quite a bit in there. Cory got to feel her a few days ago and that was pretty exciting.

 



 



 



 

Thanks goes to Billy Madison for the chalkboard quote today.

We went to Babies R Us and Target this week to get started on the registry and it was terribly overwhelming. I think we did a pretty good job. I'll be going back and forth comparing lists for a while, I'm sure, but definitely a good start. It's crazy to think that in just a few short months Colette will be here. Time has just flown by..... And there's still so much to do! Ahhhh! The nursery is officially cleaned out and ready for that paint. I'm going today to find some new light fixtures to be installed when the electric is done. I'm very ready to put the crib together and get started on the real decorating... just gotta get the paint on the walls first.

In other news, my dad will be up this weekend. We'll have a booth for Schultz Studios at the Pink Bridal Show at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Sunday. If you're planning a wedding, it's probably the place to be. Free food and swag. I'd go even if I wasn't getting married just to get all the free stuff!

 

I think that's all for now friends! Have an excellent weekend!

New Things!

I'm quite pleased to announce that the Taylor's are now proud owners of a car that can successfully and comfortably hold two adults, a baby, a large dog and a medium/small dog.



We brought it home on Monday and with any luck we'll keep it around for a long, long time. It's a serious upgrade from our previous vehicles, but of all the fancy features, I think the one I'm *most* excited about... is the dual control heat and A/C. :) So excited. And the seat coolers/heaters aren't bad either.

 

In other news we had a check-up yesterday afternoon. Everything is good so far. Colette's heart rate is still in the 150s and I've started gaining a little weight (imagine that...), but not too much.

After the appointment I went to HomeGoods to see if there was anything I couldn't live without for the nursery. I came home with a white picture frame and a fancy little mirror.



Okay, I didn't take a picture of the frame, but here's the mirror. I got the two little candle sticks at Heirlooms Vintage Boutique in Lafayette, GA a few weeks ago.

 

And I guess that's all for now! Have an excellent weekend!

 

Baby Registry

Here's the list. It's sort of all encompassing and not just for the registry.. I got some tips and advice from my sister-in-law, now you can have a look for yourself. Feel free to leave advice in the comments! If I've picked out a particular brand or style of something, I also included that.

 

Nursery

• Furniture
  
  
  
  • o   Crib {Cache, Montana}
  
  
  • o   Dresser/ Changing Table {Cache, Montana}
  
  
  • o   Chest {Cache, Montana}
  
  
  • o   Nightstand {Cache, Montana}
  
  
  • Glider & Ottoman {Newco Premium Rosie Glider – Ivory}
  
  
  • Lamps (At least one floor and 2 desktop)
  
  
  • Ceiling Fan & Additional Lighting (White Fan, Pendant Lighting)
  
  
  • Bassinet (Verdict still out for this. Haven't decided whether to get a bassinet or just use the Pack n Play)
  
  
  • Mattress
  
  
  • Changing pad
  
  
  • Storage baskets (for closet and table tops)
  
  
  
  

Baby Gear

• Stoller Travel System (includes stroller, car seat) {Graco FastAction Fold Travel System, Metropolis}


• Car seat cover (for cold weather)


• Play yard {Graco Pack n Play Element Playard, Metropolis}


• Carrier {Boba wrap..verdict still out on this one too. Boba is my favorite, but might be easier for something already ‘put together.’}


• Backseat baby mirror


• Baby seat {Bebe pod}


• Highchair {Fisher Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster}

Diapering

• Diapers (different sizes)


• Wipes


• Diaper rash cream (couple different kinds)


• Dirty diaper pail & refills {Diaper Genie}


• Diaper bag (comes with travel changing pad) {SoYoung, Charlie}

Feeding

• Breastpump + accessories {Medela Pump in Style Advanced}


• Milk storage


• Boppy


• Lanolin ointment


• Hot/cold gel packs


• Breast pads


• Burp cloths


• Bottles (different varieties)


• Bottle Brush


• Drying rack (Boon)


• Bibs (ones with plastic backs for later)


• Sippy cups

Bathing

• Baby Bathtub {Puj Tub or First Year’s Infant to Toddler}


• Shampoo/Body wash


• Hooded bath towel


• Washcloths

Clothing

• Sleepers


• Onesies


• Socks & booties


• Mittens


• Hangers


• Hats

Sleeping

• Swaddling blankets {regular, possibly a woombie too)


• Sleep sacks


• Crib sheets


• Waterproof mattress pads


• Noise maker {Sleep sheep}

Toys/Entertainment

• Bouncer/Swing {Fisher Price My Little Lamp Platinum Edition Cradle 'n Swing}


• Play mat


• Pacifiers (different varieties)

Safety

• Baby gate


• Monitor

Health

• Baby lotion


• Cotton balls


• Clippers


• Bulb syringes


• Saline drops


• Anti-gas drops


• Baby thermometer


• Infant acetominophen


• Baby brush


• Teething toys {Sofie the Giraffe}

 

And we'll be registering at the following:

Nursery Furniture

So we have all the furniture for the nursery now! (Erm. Except that glider I'd like to have...) It hasn't been set up yet because we still have to get it painted, but I thought I would post some stock images of it.

It's Baby Caché, Style: Montana, Color: Driftwood.

[caption id="attachment_418" align="aligncenter" width="497"] Baby Cache, Montana, Driftwood[/caption]

 

I think it will look really nice with the color we chose for the walls. You can purchase Baby Caché fron any ToysRus or BabiesRus. We got the pieces shown plus a nightstand. They also have a hutch available, but I opted not to get it. I think I would rather have some floating shelves instead.

 

We'll also be putting in some new lighting in the nursery. It's very dark in there as the large window actually only looks out into the garage. I'd like to do something similar to this:

[caption id="attachment_419" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Lighting Ideas[/caption]

 

Now, as much as I would like to have that chandelier, our ceiling is a bit too low... and I'd like to keep a ceiling fan in there.. So we'll probably just go with a neutral fan/light combo, and possibly some mini pendant lights over the dresser/changing table area. We'll see.

 

That's all for now! Baby registry list and a couple of other topic to come in the next week or so!

A big thanks!

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their congrats and complements for the big reveal on Saturday. We had an excellent holiday weekend with family and letting everyone know we will be having a little girl made it that much better.

We also revealed her first name at the end, so in case you missed it, it will be Colette. Full name will be Colette Josephine, and we intend to call her Lettie. :)

[caption id="attachment_413" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Colette Josephine Taylor[/caption]

 

In other news, we decided on a paint color for the nursery and the nursery furniture has arrived at our local Toys-R-Us! We'll be picking it up today or tomorrow. We're also going to look at cars today. Cory sold his 2-door Civic a few weeks ago as we don't think Colette and 2 dogs will fit comfortably in the backseat on our pretty frequent trips to see family.

This little girl isn't even here yet and she's already draining the funds! Now that we know we're having a she,  we should probably go ahead and start putting back money for proms and college and wedding. And maybe add on 3 or 4 jobs a piece. *sweats*

It's also time to get registered for baby showers. As a first time mom, I really have no idea what I need, so I've been searching and researching the web for practical lists of the do's and don'ts for registries and what I'll actually need. My plan is to make a preliminary list and send it to my sister-in-law, and possibly other mom's for guidance. And actually, now that I think about it. I'll probably post the list here so I can get feedback from any of you who are moms already!

 

The BIG Reveal!

Annnnnd here it is. The moment you've all been waiting for!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/69699404]

Old Wives Tales

While you're waiting for the big reveal (probably on Saturday), I thought I would give you some information to hold you over. I'll go through a list of old wives tales and mark whether or not it indicates a boy or girl.

 

Calorie Intake:
More calories consumed = Boy
Same or less calories consumed = Girl*

 

Cravings:
Salty = Boy*
Sweet = Girl*

 

Bump:
Low and out front = Boy*
High and visibly pregnant from the back = Girl

 

Heartbeat:
Under 140 = Boy
Above 140 = Girl*

 

Morning Sickness:
Strong Nausea in the first 12 weeks = Girl
Little to no nausea or Later in the pregnancy = Boy*

 

Chinese Gender Calendar:
Boy

 

Ring test:
Side to side = Boy
Circle = Girl*

 

Skin:
Clear skin = Boy*
More flare ups = Girl

Itchy and Dry = Boy*
Soft = Girl

 

Sleep:
Left side = Boy
Right side = Girl*

 

Boy = 6
Girl = 5

 

So there you have it. Sort of. Again these are just old wives tales and have no real validation, so take them as you will.

 

This will just have to keep you satisfied until Saturday. And trust me, I want to tell you just as badly as you want to know ;)

 

I leave you with this picture of kittens wearing cloths and riding donkeys.



 

 

Sounds

We're officially past the halfway mark! Whew. Makes me worry a little bit since it seems to fly by. It didn't help when I walked into Hobby Lobby the other day and all the Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations were out. YOU JUST SLOW DOWN A SECOND, HOBBY LOBBY! I'm not quite ready for that yet!

Cory and I did some 'gender reveal' activities over the weekend and I'm pretty excited to release all that to you guys, but family comes first! Other activities that happened over the weekend include getting all the desks out of the soon to be nursery AND getting the 2 guest rooms' furniture changed out. Mattresses should be arriving in the next couple of days so now all we need are new sheets! Big thanks to the Branum's for getting tricked into helping out with that. :)

So now onto the title of the blog. Sounds. We're finally in the early stages of hearing and voice recognition in Baby Taylor's development! Music has always been a big part of my life, so I've been waiting for the moment when I can go out and purchase my Bellybuds and share the joy that is music with Baby Taylor....... (Okay... so maybe I don't buy the Bellybuds. But I think my big headphones will work just fine.)

While I was browsing Spotify last week, I came across Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star lullabies. I was thrilled because a lot of what I listen to isn't exactly baby friendly. There are hundreds of albums from various artists and genres that have been turned into lullabies and I love them. Below are screen shots of some of my favorite things they have, but I encourage you to go check out their website to see if they have something to suit your fancy if you're looking for something like this.









And to colse, I leave you with this terrible video of Gloria singing Hush Little Baby on Modern Family. Enjoy!