Time for a Finished Nursery!

It really is about time I finished it.  After all, today marks 39 weeks.  And, we'll find out if I have progressed at all in this afternoon's appointment.  Up until this point, I have tried to keep my hopes down, because when I hear that there is absolutely no progression at all, I get really disappointed.  But, that's not the point for today's blog post!  Onward to the nursery!!!

Let's start off with a huge shout out to Alison Peak for the fantastic job she did on doing John Michael's name for me.  I had seen some really cute stuff she did for Evelyn, and just had to have her do something for John Michael too.  I love how it turned out... not too baby looking.  I don't know why I'm so dead set on his nursery not looking too babyish, but anyway.  Here's the finished product as it sits over the crib.

Directly across from the crib is the changing table with my three paintings I did.  You can see close ups of them in this post.  This is the changing table that my mom, cousin and I found on our scavenger hunt to find a changing table that wasn't really a changing table.  I love how it turned out.  And, we have storage below for diapers and such, as well as a wipe warmer (which conveniently also serves as a nightlight).

And yes, the diaper genie was one of those things that I heard mixed reviews about.  However, the more Michael and I thought about it, the more we realized that we needed something super secure to keep our curious schnauzer out of the dirty diaper hunt.  We're saving ourselves a lot of heartache, I'm sure.  Over by the crib, Michael put up a shelf, which holds some sentimental items, and currently John Michael's going home outfit.  This shelf is awesome because our video monitor sits up there as well, and points directly down into the crib.  Michael and I have already had some fun playing with that monitor.  We just can't get over how it has night vision.  Yeah, it's the little things. :)

On the other side of the crib sits our fun find from IKEA.  We love this chair and matching ottoman.  The blanket over the back is a sweet gift from Haley Justice Gardiner (which just so happened to match the room perfectly- and I'm pretty sure she didn't know that).  

And speaking of IKEA, here's the rug I found there that I'm in love with.  The only thing that bothers me about it is that I can't get it to stop sliding around and puckering up.  We've tried the rug tape, which failed miserably... anyone have any other ideas?

Michael's dresser that he grew up using sits in the other corner of the room.  It has TONS of space in the drawers, and it doesn't hurt that it's also a sentimental piece for John Michael to now get to use it.  

And, we're ready to start reading to him... as Michael and I both LOVE to read.  We can't wait to pass that trait along.  (Notice the IKEA lamp I snagged- that was another item that I really struggled with was finding a lamp that was more modern and less baby).  And I love the cute hamper too.

And now to show a little bit of my embarrassing OCD nature.  But mainly to brag on my sister-in-laws Rebecca and Meg, who are absolutely the most INCREDIBLE sister-in-laws on the planet!  Yes, it's a closet.  And yes, alot of the hanging clothes are clothes that we got at showers (although the majority of his clothes are in the dresser drawers).  

But, if you look above the hanging clothes, you'll notice the bins labeled with different sizes.  Yep, that would be the hand-me-downs from Rebecca and Meg.  I cannot tell you what a blessing it is to have these two women in our lives.  We don't have a shortage of boys in our family, but I have just been beyond amazed at the generosity.  And, not only that, but Stephen and Rebecca have just poured out the generosity with things like a swing, vibrating seat, and anything else that they thought we could use- they have sent our way.  So, here's my little teary-eyed thanks to family for being so incredible!!!

And, since Santa himself is coming soon, John Michael is definitely ready to show his Christmas spirit just weeks after his own arrival... (thanks to Rebecca Tidwell and Cindy Hopkins)

I realize that this has been a long post, but it's been awhile in the making.  So, I'll leave you with one wide shot of the nursery view from the door.  Thanks to everyone who has helped us, been generous to us, prayed for us, put things together with and for us (shout out to Paw Paw), prepared food for us (shout out to our moms)... we can't for you all to meet John Michael in person!  WE can't wait to meet John Michael in person!  Have a great week- maybe the next post will be his introduction.  Pray, people, pray!