Cheater, Cheater Icecream Eater

Remember that time I decided to begin "clean eating"? I'm now asking myself where that drive and motivation went. For a while I was doing really, really well with it. Get this: I even started working out. Then, this past week happened. Cold weather set in again, I avoided the grocery store like the plague (to stock up on healthy options), and here I am back in a funk. I haven't worked out except once this week (normally I do 4 days), I've been eating like crap, and I have had very little energy + have been just 'blah'. I'm actually mad at myself for giving in (not giving 'up') to laziness in all of the aforementioned areas. I type this as I'm currently sitting here eating a Chick-fil-a asian salad because that was the "healthy" option. Pshhh, who am I kidding...the ingredient list on the back of the dressing packet is like a paragraph in length. This salad really isn't that healthy. Also, I got a small fry. I'm not fooling anyone.

I blame the weather. It snowed here today for crying out loud. Yeah, that's it; the cold weather is to blame for my cheater attitude. Anyway, I'm getting back into my routine starting Monday. Someone call me to make sure I do, for I can't be trusted. I'm kidding. I'm very strong willed and when I put my mind to something, I accomplish it, but for some reason, food + exercise seem to get me every time. Since I'm starting back at it on Monday, that means I have one more "cheat day", as they say.  (I think it's actually supposed to be a "cheat meal", but for me, it's been a whole week of cheating). Oy vey.

Y'all, I long for warm temperatures, fresh fruits + veggies, flip flops, the beach, and loads of sunshine. I ab.so.lute.ly cannot wait for those things! In addition to the fact that all of those things make me infinitely happier than anything you could imagine during the winter, I'm very excited that this will be Emerson's first summer with us (in the flesh, I mean). Also, this summer I won't be a beached whale + I can once again consume alcoholic beverages on the beach (or at all). Ahhhh yes, I can hear the ocean waves + feel the warm breeze already. Emerson has 5, yes five, swimsuits prepared for her summer debut. I also bought her a little navy + white stripped coverup because it was $1. I am DYING to see her little chub legs in those suits. Honestly, it's her cheeks that will get all the attention, no surprise there, even though the swimsuits are just darling. I can't wait to see her reaction to feeling the ocean + the sand for the first time. I anticipate her first experience in the pool will be that of pure bliss (seeing as how she would live in the bath tub if we'd let her) and by summertime, she'll be eating real "solid" food, not this puree mess. Side note: this girl is CHOWING DOWN on some food, y'all. I think the doctor will be impressed in 6 weeks. She already looks + feels heavier. I have muscle definition in my arms just from carrying the car seat. I retract my earlier confession of not working out, I HAVE BEEN WORKING OUT! You try lifting a carseat up/down/in/out/over/under a couple times a day and try telling me it isn't a workout. All my mama friends, can I get an 'AMEN'!

So friends, warm weather is coming, as are fresh foods, and plenty o' sunshine! That calls for a celebration with my most favorite food of summer... icecream.

Don't worry, it's from Skinny Cow...that means it makes me skinny, right? Or maybe it's more of the cow. Whatever, I'm doin' it.

"I'm so proud of you!"

"Aw, she's so tiny", they say. "She's so little; how much does she weigh?" or "She seems so small for that age". These are all comments that have been made to me by complete strangers after they find out (or even before) how old my daughter is.

I almost take offense to it. If you're one of the guilty ones, it's really okay and I know you meant nothing mean or offensive by it at all. Honestly, I hear it so much, that there's a good chance I tuned you out as you were saying it. I know that people, maybe like yourself, are completely innocent in making those comments and usually, they mean no harm, but if I'm being honest, I can't stand it. Why? I don't know. It probably has something to do with how I've been told "You look so young", or "You don't look old enough to be a teacher", or "You're not seriously in your twenties are you?" more times than I can possibly count. I know it's probably not a big deal to others, but to me, it is. It always has been when it comes to how "old" I look (granted, I'll be LOVING this in about 10 years or so...at least that's what everyone has told me), and it probably always will be a big deal when it comes to how "big or small" my sweet daughter is.

Why am I ranting tonight? We had Emerson's 6 month well check-up today (which really should be called '7 month', considering she's 7 months on Thursday). Side note: how is it even possible that my itty bitty baby is closer to a year old now than she is to birth????? Anyway, aside from her first month of life (she was a chunker at birth), Emerson has always been on the small side. I knew she would be because I always was/have been too. Let me preface this next part by saying that I completely understand that the "growth chart" used by pediatricians is just one way to measure a baby's development/growth. I also completely accept the fact that every baby is different and that my darling girl is FANTASTIC, GORGEOUS, PERFECT just the way she is. That being said, Emerson weighed in the 2nd percentile today. She's a whopping 13lbs 12lbs, 15oz . I know, I know...she's tiny. Basically, the pediatrician said that everything else checked out great + that she even seems a little ahead on some milestones (Go Em!), but that I need to feed her more, plain and simple. Dagger to my heart. I knew going into this appointment that she'd be low on the charts (as I've seen lots of pictures of babies her age that are clearly larger than her), but it hit me hard today just how small she is.  I'm not mad or even upset that she's small or anything like that (in all honesty, I'd rather her be small than humongous, because I'm not trying to lug around a 20 pounder), it's just I immediately felt like it was my fault. Why couldn't I have fed her more often or produced more milk (even though that's definitely not the problem)? Why didn't I start her on rice cereal or formula like they suggested at her last appointment? I could ask 'what if' until I was blue in the face, but that won't change anything.

My goal over the next six weeks, or before her "weight check" (per the pediatrician) is to fill that chick-a-dee of mine with some calories, non-breastmilk calories. She nurses 4-6 times a day as it is, and has been eating solids 2x a day. She's definitely not being deprived of the goodness of food. She just gets to enjoy it even more now, I suppose.

Remember my post titled "Advice to a First Time Mom From a First Time Mom"? In it, I referenced how I have found it helpful to be part of a group on Facebook for moms. Today, that proved especially true. I don't post on the FB page much, but today I needed a little encouragement from moms who have had babies in the lower percentiles. I needed to know it wasn't my fault. I'm telling you, 33 comments later and I feel SO much at ease. I obviously didn't intend for that large of a response. Honestly, one mom saying she'd been there would've been plenty, but I worry a lot, and those 33 moms made me not only feel terrific about where Em is both physically + developmentally, but they also made ME feel like I'm doing a good job (probably without them even knowing it). I KNOW in my heart of hearts that there's nothing more I can/could do for my daughter than what I'm already doing. I give her 110% of myself and my time and I care for her needs almost 24 hours a day (minus the parts that she's sleeping). I am no less of a mom because my daughter is small and she IS THRIVING. She is doing awesome and I am so proud of her.

I just put her to bed a bit ago and as I rocked her, I just thought about how blessed I am to be her mom. She has not been the easiest of babies, but she is my sweetie. I love her with every piece of me and then some. As I laid her down and kissed her goodnight (for the thousandth time, because I kiss her at least 10 times at night before I actually leave her room), I whispered in her ear, "I love you so much", followed by...

"I'm so proud of you."

Real Talk: Just Breathe

As I sit at my kitchen table eating the dinner I made for two, all by my lonesome (because my husband came home early from work tonight with a nasty, nasty stomach bug), I can't help but think about how I yelled at  him this morning. One of my finer moments, clearly. I rarely yell, but my inner *cuss word* came out today. He actually hadn't done anything, but he was the recipient of some pent up frustration caused by a relentless crying baby named Emerson. This morning was especially tough, which was a reality check because last night was so great. We got together with our small group last night for food + fellowship. We didn't get home until after 11 (which is a pretty big deal for us these days) + ended up in bed sometime after midnight, but that was okay because we had had a great night.

Well, fast forward approximately 5-6 hours + cue Emerson waking one whole hour before her usual wake up time. That, plus *TMI ALERT, men* my lady friend decided to return after 16 months of vacation time (talk about returning with a vengeance). My back was aching something terrible + I was very tired this morning. Needless to say, the day started on a rough note. After feeding the babe, she was unusually fussy (until she went down for a nap a little before 9am). I was losing my patience and quickly.

By 8am, Trey was awake (for real, not just because the baby was crying). He was preparing his things to leave for the gym before he had to go to work. I was irritated beyond belief that my child was crying relentlessly for no apparent reason (though looking back, obviously there was probably a reason). I was jealous that Trey got to get away from the noise + the responsibility of a baby for a WHOLE day, and to top it off, I really didn't feel well. One little comment he made set me off. I don't even remember the comment, but boy did it piss.me.off. I yelled and he shot back a response, then quickly kissed us + left. I really don't blame him for wanting to peace out, but it only made things more frustrating. That my friends was all before 9am.

I cried HARD for about 30 seconds after he left (mind you, Emerson was still crying). It felt good to cry. REALLY GOOD, actually. I think sometimes you just need a good, deep, emotional cry to let out your frustrations. I also prayed. That is always, always, always a good idea. I asked Trey to forgive me and I went forward with my day, which for the most part was much less exciting than the early morning portion. Thank God.

Why is it that we take out our frustrations on those we love the most? Trey and I are sadly good at this. Okay, that sounds WAY worse than how I meant it, but y'all know what I mean. I love that man with every fiber of my being, but I selfishly treat him like dirt sometimes + vice versa, especially whenever I feel inconvenienced or under appreciated, or ___________ (fill in the blank). I always feel extremely guilty and almost immediately feel the need to repent + apologize. I just don't know why we do it when I know it makes us feel so crummy. I guess Satan has a way of kicking you while you already down. Thankfully, Jesus picks us back up and cleanses us white as snow.

Next time, I just need to breathe...that could've eliminated an entire morning of chaos. Mental note to self: "breathe".

Advice to a First Time Mom from a First Time Mom

Let's get some things straight right up front. As a new mom there are TONS of things you'll have to learn as you go. No book can teach you motherhood, I don't care what anyone says. Not to say, you shouldn't read some materials to get prepared, but just like most new things, you'll learn via trial + error (and I would recommend this method above all others anyway) AND you'll just know some things because you're now a mama. Trust that.

To begin, allow me to put this out there. I am in NO WAY trying to pretend I'm an expert, let alone even that familiar with the ins and outs of motherhood. I just have TONS of friends that are pregnant with their first baby right now (literally I have a friend due every month between April and October) and several have asked me lots of questions regarding mommydom, so I thought it would be fun for me to share some of my personal advice for brand new mommy's.

1.  Let's familiarize you with all of these crazy abbreviations that you'll need to decipher if you begin Googling anything, especially if you read any forums involving other mothers. I have learned these simply by reading too many blogs/comments on said forums. I also literally  just typed into Google "Abbreviations Used in Baby Forums" to see what I could find and whaddaya know, there's 50 million websites dedicated to deciphering these codes. Here's the ones that I've managed to figure out on my own (AKA, the ones you'll see the most), but if you get stumped some time in the future, just use good ole trusty Google.

Deciphering the Code:
FTM= First Time Mom
LO= Little One
DH= Dear Husband
EBF= Exclusively Breast Feeding (Fed)
SAHM= Stay at Home Mom
WM= Working Mom

2. Do not read too many stories about labor and delivery because no matter how prepared you think you are, you aren't. It's important to be informed especially if you plan to get an epidural (risk factors, etc), but overplanning is pointless and will only make you more fearful. If you're not slightly afraid of labor then you're superwoman, because even though birth in and of itself is a beautiful miracle, the actual labor process isn't that glamorous. So, my advice is to read the basics (maybe take a class) and let your body/nurses/doctors tell you the rest. You were created with a body that is MADE to do this. It hurts like absolute hell, but in the grand scheme of yours and the baby's life, it's over pretty quickly.  I know that I personally tried not to read online too much about labor and delivery simply because I didn't want to have any expectations, just to be let down or quite frankly, pissed off when things went differently than what I'd read. It's SO true that EVERY woman is different, every baby is different, and EVERY. SINGLE. DELIVERY is different! Even if you're scared out of your mind, you can and you will do it, and after you do, you'll feel like the most powerful creature on the planet. Though exhausting, it's quite a rush and unlike anything you'll ever experience. Plus, think on the bright side, you are pushing out YOUR little baby and so your pain is not in vain, dear friend! Just trust yourself! You're going to do awesome! {And if you want/have to have a c-section, then the same goes for you, minus the pushing}.

3. Have someone set up a meal train for you. THIS SAVED US! We had steady meals for almost 3 weeks. It was a.w.e.s.o.m.e! You'll be tired and sore and cooking is the last thing you'll feel like doing, so it's really nice to have friends + family that can provide meals for a while. Also, don't feel guilty spending money on take-out...you earned it!

4. Use your pump. When your milk comes in a few days after delivering, your boobs will feel like humongous water balloons filled with concrete. For me, this was almost as painful as the delivery itself. But, that's because I didn't really know how to use my pump/when to pump/how much to pump. When those suckers are full to the brim, pump until you are comfortable. Take it from me, don't try to suffer through it. It's most definitely not worth it. *TMI alert* I vividly remember early on when my milk was still regulating, I was in so much pain that I was feeding Emerson on one side, while Trey was holding a warm compress +massaging on the other side to ease some of the pain. It sounds really weird, but oh MY gosh, I've never loved him more. :P Speaking of breast pumps, most insurance companies will cover that and provide it free of charge, so call before you purchase one. I have Anthem, and I got mine from Edgepark and it's the Medela In-Style Advance (and I've been very pleased with it).

5. Give yourself time to heal. I'm such an overachiever/OCD freak that I wanted to do everything all the time. BIG MISTAKE. I wore myself down and I was a wreck because of it. Let other people help you. I was so afraid that I was the only one that could truly care for the baby, and the house, and myself, that I rarely let anyone else do much. I completely 100% regret this. I should've slept more, cleaned less, and pawned my child off as much as possible. HAHA, but seriously. It's such a roller coaster of emotions those first few weeks (months for me) that you'll only be doing harm by not allowing others to assist. Don't try to be wonder woman...you have the rest of the child's life for that. Save yourself early on. If someone offers to come help, let them. If someone offers to do your laundry, say "ABSOLUTELY". If someone wants to come over just so that you can take a nap or a shower, do NOT turn them down, no matter how much you may want to.

With that being said, one thing that I did really love was that Trey + I didn't allow many visitors the first few days we were home. It allowed us time to get situated + adjust to life with a brand new little human, plus it gave us time to just BE without having to feel like we had to entertain 24-7. Not that there's anything wrong with having visitors right away, we just felt like it saved our sanity a little bit to reserve some time just for us. But again, to each his own in that regard.

6. As I mentioned before, try to save Google for "emergencies", as in you've tried everything you possibly know to do and now you need reinforcements. I learned the hard way that Google is not God. I relied on Google wayyyyyyy too much in the early days. Whenever I couldn't figure something out, surely other moms or websites had all of the answers I needed. Again, every baby is different, so even Google can't solve all of your problems there. I still Google often, but I have found that I am MUCH happier/less stressed when I just let her be how she is and I don't try to "fix her" with a possible solution found on the internet. I will say though, I do recommend joining some type of FB group of moms or something, because SOMETIMES (not often) it IS nice to run ideas past other moms who have been there + done that.

7. Try not to compare yourself or your baby to other moms/babies. This has been hard for me. I've written about it before. I see pictures of babies that are doing all of these things and my little Em just isn't and it makes me feel like 1) a failure or 2) she's behind developmentally. I have to constantly remind myself that (again) every baby is different and develops at their own rate. I have several friends/acquaintances with babies around Emerson's age and I constantly find myself wishing she was "bigger like that baby", or "rolling over like this one", or "sitting by herself like her baby". It's a treacherous path and I have to catch myself mid-stumble or else I end up crying and hurt at the bottom of the hill. Just let your baby be him/her self. They change SO quickly that if you waste time (as I've learned the hard way) comparing you're just wasting away precious moments that you'll never get back. You're baby will be awesome, no matter what.

8. Read a sleep habits book for babies. I read Babywise and Sleep Easy Solutions (I think that's the title anyway). Babywise is really good for establishing a routine early on, though let me warn you, don't get too caught up in a routine right at first, because it takes a good 2 months before any real "schedule" starts to stick. Those little babes just wanna sleep and eat (and cry) in those early months. Thanks to Babywise, I had Em on a 3 hr. eat, sleep, and wake time routine from very early on, which for a schedule-oriented person like me was VERY helpful. But, I know some people that feed their babes whenever they cry or let them sleep whenever they want, and if that's the route you decide to take, go for it! No judgement here, just personal preference. The Sleep Easy Solutions also deals with scheduling and routine but it more explains baby sleep and how it works/changes at they grow. Babies are constantly changing (like what works one day may not work the next) and so you HAVE to be flexible or you'll drive yourself mad (like I did).

9. Invest in ONE good friend/family member to be your sounding board. Mine has been my friend Sarah. Ironically, she was the first person to know I was expecting (yes, even before my husband...on accident) and she was IN LABOR when I texted her a picture of the preggo test. She has literally been supporting me every single step of the way and I'm so grateful for not only her mommy-support, but also just her friendship. She understands what life is like now because she's been there. She can relate to issues within marriage post-baby because she's living it too. She understands the need for "girl time" and "venting sessions" because again, she's doing it alongside me. The reason I confide in her so much, aside from the fact that we're great friends, is because she is SO different from me, in terms of parenting. She is super laid back and go with the flow and I'm basically the opposite. She helps me in this area. She calms me down and encourages me when I feel overwhelmed. She assures me that I'm not failing Emerson as a mother and she isn't afraid to tell me when I need to chill out, which I love and respect. I'm so thankful for her and I strongly encourage you to find ONE person that can be that for you. I may catch flack for this, but I would encourage you to find someone that has a baby (or babies) because some things are just different when you become a mother and sometimes folks,without kids, though very helpful, can't always relate to what you're experiencing day in and day out (by no fault of their own).

10. Lastly, but probably most importantly, make time for your spouse. He was there before the baby and he'll (Lord willing) be there after the baby. Make time for each other and make one another a priority. Bringing a baby into a marriage changes the ball game drastically. Before baby you just had each other and your independence, but after baby you have you, him, the baby, and somewhere in there you're supposed to have "us". Independence somewhat goes out the window (especially for mom in the beginning). Make sure you kiss your spouse when he gets home from work (and I'm guilty of not doing this) even though sometimes it will be the farthest from your mind. As everyone knows, Trey + I have had a hard time these past 6 months because of scheduling issues and in part because of my depression early on. We have to REALLY TRY at this marriage thing now because it's not just easy anymore. I'll admit that most days when he gets home after working 24 hrs. all I want to do is 1 of 3 things: pawn Em off on him for a while, go do something by myself (even if it's just watch 1 tv show or write in this blog), or have him help me do chores. Where in there are we supposed to cherish each other? I have to make a concerted effort to love ON him and to make him feel wanted by me. I have failed so much at this in the past 6 months and it's become very clear to me. We have to make dates a priority or they won't happen (as we've learned). Life with kids is SO different from what I expected, honestly. It's terrific and filled with so much love, but it's also changed "us", not necessarily for the worse, it's just different than it used to be. I've learned that when you vow "in good times and in bad" that can even include joyous occasions such as bringing a baby into the world. So, all of that to say, make one another a priority, especially you, mom! You'll be exhausted at the end of the day and tired because a little human has been hanging on you (or spitting up all over you, in my case) and beckoning for you all day long, and you'll be so excited just to pawn that off on someone else for a little while. Try not to see it that way, though. Try to share in the experience, all the while, showing your spouse that you are SO excited to be with him and around him. It will make this whole baby-rasising thing a little less exhausting.

I hope that I've helped some of you and eased some of your minds. I guess it's possible that I did just the opposite, but hey, I'm all about being honest and real with you. I'm not trying to sugarcoat anything because at the end of the day us moms gotta stick together, for the good of society because without us, Lord knows it'd go to pot. :P

Cravings

I still get cravings. And no, I'm not pregnant, at least I don't think I am. *insert BUG EYED emoji here* My most recent craving has been bell peppers, which is odd because I've NEVER liked peppers. EVER. I ate an entire green pepper yesterday...plain. Today I ate half of a red pepper dipped in hummus. I don't know who I am anymore!

I also crave projects, as you know. Everywhere I turn, I spy a project I want to do. I blame Pinterest for this overachiever attitude that I've taken on recently. I posted this picture to IG + FB recently. What you're looking at are whitewashed brick walls. (Side note: I could never be a tried and true blogger because I ALWAYS forget to take a "before" picture to compare to my after picture). Nevertheless, I finally tackled this BEAST of a project. I have despised (and that's putting it tenderly) the deep red brick walls in our back room. They make it dark despite all of the windows and they just make it downright u.g.l.y. and hard to decorate. I've known for a while- like since we moved in 4 years ago- that I wanted to change the brick. I contemplated many options: putting up drywall, painting it, or whitewashing it. The cheapest and honestly, the easiest was whitewashing it. There are two full brick walls in that room. The small portion in the picture below took 2 hours and that was even with a nappy roller (every tutorial I read said to use a paintbrush, but I would've been well into next century before finishing had I gone that route).

 Here's almost one entire wall.  This was the first wall I tackled, so I was a little more precise in making sure everything was evenly whitewashed and then my muscles started screaming at me. The second wall (not pictured) still looks about the same as this one, but a little less precise because by the time I was finished I could barely move my arms. I know, I'm out of shape. Don't mention it.

The aftermath of painting both walls was evidenced all over my body. I sent this picture to my husband as proof of my handwork. You can't tell, but there were little specks of paint ALL over my face and in my hair. Not pictured are my arms and feet which were COVERED in paint (and I mean that as literally as possible). The annoying thing about this project was that because you have to mix equal parts water + paint to whitewash the brick, the "paint" ends up splattering and going everywhere. Had it been red paint, it would've looked like a murder scene in there and I would've been charged, fo' sho!

 I feel a huge sense of accomplishment after whitewashing the brick. I dang well should after nearly 4-5 hours. That's a big ole check on the to-do list. Next up is removing the coal-burning stove (pictured above), replacing the gross carpet, and creating functional, yet stylish seating. I'm really, really loving this pallet sectional. I like the idea of using outdoor cushions since it will be a playroom. This seating would not only provide plenty of lounge space, but it would also be easy to clean, anddddddd most importantly, I could make it for pretty cheap. Many stores have piles + piles of pallets out back and a lot of times they'll GIVE them to you. If not, you can always get free pallets on Craigslist. The store "At Home" sells a variety of outdoor cushions in lots of patterns and colors, so that would be my first choice for cushioning the sectional. I would add some fun patterns + punches of color with some throw pillows. I have visions dancing in my head. I don't know colors or patterns yet, but that hamster wheel is definitely turning.  Stay tuned for more on the pallet sectional + whatnot.

 I'm not ashamed to admit that I am drinking a glass of red wine before dinner, with dinner, and after dinner. It's been a long day with this cute little diva who I thought was getting a tooth because for the past week I could see a fairly large white spot on her gums, but it has now magically disappeared! That little booger is playing games with us. Games that are NOT fun for either of us, might I add.

Since {I've} Been Gone

Hey guys! I'm dropping in just for a minute, or thirty, to share some updates that have occurred since you've I've been gone. I've mostly been "gone" because of what you see below, AKA an apparent teething baby that wants to cling to mom like no other + chew on every possible item, including my plants, bottles, bagels, and most importantly, my face (please ignore me in the picture below...bleh).

Aside from that, I've updated our living and dining spaces. This will not come as a shock to most of you because we all know how much I love to redecorate. I wasn't dissatisfied with our living space really, but it wasn't exactly what I'd hoped for the space. Between that and my taste changing monthly, I had to do some updating on a budget, of course. It all started with a picture of a living room with light colored furniture + neutral tones, which led me to an entire redesign of the space. The first must-have purchases were some new rugs, one for the living room + one for the dining room. The dining room rug needed to go. That thing was like $20 (nothing wrong with that) from Big Lots and I bought it when we first moved in to our house almost 4 years ago simply to define the dining room as an actual dining room. The rug actually wasn't terrible, but it definitely was a cheap-o both financially and in design.  The living room rug was a Target sale purchase and while it's served us well, baby spit up has gotten the best of it and I've found it isn't very easy to clean because of the weird grooves (see below). I knew it needed to go, plus the all "white" (or ivory) rug just wasn't cutting it with my OCD shoe-removal self. It was getting dirt and mud all over it when folks would come over and ultimately I regretted purchasing it and I couldn't deal.

 Enter RugsUSA! I happened to go on the website the day before President's Day, only to discover they were having a 75% off sale on most rugs! *Hallelujah chorus* I found a 5x8 braided jute rug originally $165, for just $42 and a 5x8 patterned indoor/outdoor white+gray rug valued at $372 for $74. I was sold immediately, especially at the ease of cleaning an indoor/outdoor rug. I purchased both (somewhat on a whim) and anxiously awaited their arrival. They were perfect for the vibe I was going for, which was a more subdued, natural color palette.

I did nothing in the space until the rugs arrived because I wanted to make sure I liked them prior to redoing any thing else (pillows, decor, etc).  Fast forward 1-2 weeks thanks to all that lovely white stuff that's bombed our area lately. I LOVE THEM. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I will say that my pictures are not ideal because 1) I used my iPhone and 2)I'm by no means good at photography. That being said, here's the rugs as they are now.

I actually wish I would've gotten the next size for the living room rug because it's a little small for the space, but it's not terrible and I can work with it! The next purchase were those white slipcovers. Previously the chairs had dark brown linen slip covers and while they were manageable, they made the space pretty dark and I wanted to lighten it up. The white slip covers are Ektorp from Ikea and they were $29 a pop (all of the other colors are $100+ each). *SIDENOTE: Those chairs are one of my favorite Craigslist purchases to date. Ektorp chairs run $350 each brand new and I got both chairs WITH slipcovers for $50 total.*

In addition to the rugs + slipcovers, my dad created a reclaimed wood ("borrowed" from an abandoned barn) pallet wall above our fireplace and thickened up the mantle. The wall is a huge statement piece in the room now and really makes the "natural/rustic" thing come alive. It's not photographed well at all here, but it looks really awesome in person. Dad also created those arrows for me and I purchased some new lanterns/boxwoods for the mantle decor, which I photographed a little better in the next picture. 

 The diamond throw pillows on the couch and the gray ones on the chairs were also purchased (TJ MAXX + ROSS).

The boxwoods on the mantle were purchased at "At Home" (used to be Garden Ridge) and they're the perfect size/ shape. I was pleasantly surprised with their selection of fake potted plants and they're cheaper than TJ MAXX + Ross. CHEST BUMP! The lanterns were a TJ MAXX find. I think it's safe to consider myself a Maxxinista now. Below are more arrows that my dad made (with my supervision, haha). I saw something similar on Pinterest and just loved it. These hang in our front entry way. 

That shelf is a new addition that used to just sit in the garage. It's actually bigger than I'd like, so it's just temporary, but I'm most likely going to paint that wood door with chalkboard paint, because what else do you do when you have a random wood door?! If you come over and realize my obsession with chalkboard paint, just pretend it's normal. Thanks.

And to all you doubters out there who claim my house is "always clean" or "always organized", here's proof that though it's clean/organized, it's full of baby stuff. Seriously, it's everywhere and it's slowly taking over the entire house one giant "toy" at a time. In my opinion, everything should be collapsable. But, that's just wishful thinking.

That's precisely why my spring/summer project is: Operation Playroom, where I will slowly but surely transform our hell of a "sunroom" into a functional, storage-savvy, kid-friendly, aesthetically pleasing playroom for Miss Priss. I figure I have a few more months, at least, before she is moving around and needing a real place to play, so until then, my hamster wheel is turning with ideas! I just love the notion of her having a whole room to use as she grows and as her play needs change and develop. 

 Anybody have any tips on either painting over red brick walls or whitewashing them? That's a BIG to-do on my list before anything else can get accomplished in that room. I'd appreciate any input you can provide! Thanks for reading. Sorry if I bored you, but hey, you've made it to the end, so congrats!