Lay Baby Lay - Nursery Inspiration & Delights!

First, thanks to everyone who entered the Little Choux + Shop Belle giveaway!!  Congratulations to Melisa, the winner! Be sure to visit their sites if you haven’t; they are celebrating their 2nd birthday, and offering a 22% discount!!  And here is a little inspiration for an airy, fresh room:

This week, Vivi had her last day of school for the year.  The summer has completely snuck up on me, and I was a bit unprepared for the charming little “graduation” ceremony her sweet teachers had for her class.  Each little student received a certificate for a quality about them that the teachers identified, and it took all I had not to cry when she got her rolled up certificate for being compassionate.  She was ecstatic about the whole thing, mostly because it also involved an ice cream party, and it was fun to see how much she has changed throughout this year.  I had Chip take our photo on the steps to benchmark it.  My precious girl has changed so much, and it’s amazing to see how she has grown.  I have to say I have been truly relishing the days with my girls here lately more than I ever have.  It may be because I am more acutely aware of the passing of time now that I am watching a second one grow and change at a rapid pace, but regardless, I am loving watching our little family change.  Things have been so different for me with baby number two – I am enjoying it so much more.  I was a bit of an anxious mess with Vivi; I just felt so overwhelmed and clueless and honestly I think I was in complete shock for awhile there at how much life had changed.  With Brigette, I can hardly stand to put her down.  I feel the time slipping through my fingers, it seems, and I can’t keep myself from cuddling her chunky little self all the time.  We certainly have some tough episodes – sleepless nights (between one who is still waking up and nightmares with the other continuous sleep is a rare treat I can only fantasize about), tantrums, discipline struggles, and crying – but the sweet moments make it all worth it.  My favorite part of the day is naptime.  We all three snuggle in Vivi’s bed and read books before the girls go to sleep, and I am careful to tuck those memories away somewhere special in my heart.

First, don’t forget to enter the awesome Little Choux + Shop Belle giveaway!  They are celebrating their second birthday.  Just leave a comment on this post.Last weekend, I snuck away to Scott Antique Market for a quick morning outing.  It’s one of my favorite things to do, and it never fails to leave me inspired.  There were some great finds, including this beautiful brass chest from the ’60′s.  I’m making a few style boards around some of the pieces there, to hopefully inspire you to check out the markets and vintage shops that may be local to you.  You never know what you might find!

I have a super exciting giveaway today: an adorable tent made exclusively for Little Choux featuring Hibou Home fabric, along with a $100 gift card to Shop Belle, which has some of the cutest tiny clothes around.  These sister sites are celebrating their second birthday, so they are generously offering these two items as a giveaway.  To enter, visit both sites and leave a comment under this post with either a Little Choux or Shop Belle item you’d love to have!  Winner will be randomly drawn and announced Monday morning, May 20th. (adorable photo by  MoxieSox)And, just for fun, here is a playroom that would pair well with this tent:

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mamas!  It’s a tough job, for sure, but I wouldn’t trade any of these sweet snuggles for anything.  I hope you all get some rest this weekend and feel treasured for the gifts that you are.  Happy Mother’s Day to my mama, too.  You are the best in the world, and I hope I can be at least half as selfless, compassionate, and giving as you are.

(And thanks to all of you who entered the Paper Box Quilt Co. giveaway!  It was clearly a favorite!  Congratulations to Mary Britton who is the winner!!)