DIY Headboard

There are few pieces of furniture that make you look like an adult more than a headboard. Mattresses on the frame (or worse, on the floor!) scream college to me and since we moved into the Behemoth I've been dying to turn our bedroom into an "adult" room.

I knew that my best option would be to DIY a headboard and thanks to Pinterest I found many wonderful options. I loved the look of an upholstered headboard and set about making one.


I measured the bed and cut a piece of craft paper to the length. I folded the craft paper in half and drew half of the design on the paper.

I cut the template out of paper & traced it on a sheet of 3/4" plywood.

Jus then cut the shape out with his jigsaw. (Apparently the kind people at Lowe's & Home Depot will do this for you as well)

After the headboard was cut out I used spray adhesive to attach a double layer of batting to the headboard.

The process slowed for a bit as I searched for a fabric I loved for the headboard. At first I was leaning towards an olive velvet but the fabric I found wasn't large enough for our very large headboard. I continued my search, but the price of fabric plus the limited options left me wishing for more.

I started thinking about other options and realized that a shower curtain would be enough fabric to completely cover the headboard and would give me a wider variety of colors & fabric options. Finally I found a yellow ombre shower curtain at Target that I adored. I washed & ironed the shower curtain.

After the adhesive dried I laid the headboard face down on the back of the shower curtain. I started at the top, pulling the fabric very tight and stapling the fabric to the board. (I wanted to start at the top in case there was a big issue I figured the bottom would be more forgiving since it would be behind the mattress.)

After the headboard was upholstered Jus added two 2x4s to the bottom and screwed them into the bed frame. 

And just like that (for less than $40) our bedroom feels 100x more grown up!

If you need better directions you can follow this video from Design*Sponge, but when it comes to choosing fabric I highly recommend looking for a cute shower curtain instead of spending the money expensive fabric.

Bump Update: Week 39

There are still times I can't quite believe that I'm at the end of my pregnancy. It seems like just the other day that I used my 8th pregnancy test and saw the second line appear.

This week has been all about finishing getting ready for LBL. The crib came in (even though it was back ordered until July) and so did the rug so we spent several hours finishing setting up the nursery & getting the room ready for our baby.

Last Friday marked my last day of work so from here on out it's all about laundry, nesting & trying to patiently wait for LBL's arrival. Interestingly enough, my midwife said that for women that walk as much as I do throughout their pregnancy they're more likely to go into labor after they've had time to nest & relax. Here's hoping LBL decides to hurry up, I'm ready to meet our little sweet pea!

LBL's Nursery Reveal

It's been a while since I shared my nursery inspiration with you. I knew I wanted to fill the nursery with bright colors that worked for a boy or a girl. I knew that we'd be redoing the nursery in a couple of years so I thought bright colors were the way to go.

Last week the crib & the rug arrived (they were both backordered) and we now have a completed nursery!

But first, the nursery when we bought the Behemoth, complete with stapled on wallpaper, gross carpet & lace curtains.

And the nursery after.

View from the door.

At my second baby shower my sister had all of the guests bring a letter to make this lovely letter wall for LBL. It's wonderful to see how all of the guests personalized their letters.

Built in bookshelf with child's rocker that matches my big one.

Diaper changing dresser, Jus painted the dresser red then I pained the inset panels black with white lettering to give the illusion of chalkboard paint. (I wasn't crazy about the mess that came with chalkboards)

Handmade friends

Paint Color: Valspar Window Screen
Crib: Davinici Jenny Lind in black (apparently everyone wanted this crib this year, it was supposed to be backordered until July!) Gift from LBL's Grandma H & Papa L
Letters: Handmade & purchased by family & friends
Rug: Urban Outfitters
Curtains, bookshelf & dresser: Ikea
Adult & Child's Rocking Chair: Handmade by a family friend
Elephant Chairs: Vintage
Mobile: Handmade following this pattern
Big Bird lamp: Made by my grandfather for me when I was 3
Handmade friends: Giraffe & Teddy made by BFF Beth and Owl & Basset Hound made by me
Knit Blankets: Handmade by friends
Elephant Pillow: The Pillow People (I think I need a little one for LBL's rocker, don't you?)
Good Morning Sunshine Print: A Vintage Poster
First We Had Each Other Print: Enduring Arts (Gift from Banan)
Animal Prints: Berkley Illustration
I Knew I Loved You Print: Gift from LBL's Aunt Naughty
It's the House Telling You to Close Your Eyes Print: Gift from Banan
Giraffe Rocker: Similar one found here (Gift from Grandma C)
Changing Pad: Amazon (Gift)
Changing Pad Cover: Babies R Us
Books: All were gifts and most are Caldecott Winners
Crib Sheet: Target

Bump Update: Week 38 a week late

Needless to say, last week was a bit of a blur.

Walking into my appointment at 35 weeks 6 days and walking out at 37 weeks 5 days was a bit of a shock. To know that at any moment LBL could be joining us and we could be parents is a little crazy, and a little intimidating.

We also talked to the midwife about my fear of an epidural. I know I promised to discuss why we're going the natural route but haven't really gotten around to it. Five years ago I had a Staph Bacteria infection in my spine and long story short some of my spine fused together & I'm missing a disc so the thought of an epidural scared me half to death. I mentioned this to the midwife and she is going to talk to the head of anesthesiology to make sure that plans are made so everything is safe.

I've been feeling good for the most part. We've trying to get the Behemoth in order so we aren't bringing our brand new baby into a dirty construction mess and it's really coming along. The contractors came in and trimmed out the kitchen so now it's just up to Jus to finish painting and we're good to go!

Quit Playing Games with my Heart

Remember this post?

The post where I shared that my midwife practice had changed my due date from June 10 to June 26?

Well, here we go again...

Yesterday at my 36 week appointment my midwife measured my belly and declared I was measuring two weeks ahead. I've been measuring two weeks ahead for about two months now so my midwives haven't been concerned.

Throughout my pregnancy we've been seeing a wonderful midwife practice that consists of five caring, knowledgeable women that I know will guide me well when the time comes. The downfall with a practice is that I hadn't seen this week's midwife since the beginning of my pregnancy. Yesterday's midwife was the one who confirmed my due date initially but it had since been changed by another midwife (along with input from one of the doctors in the doctor practice).

So yesterday when my midwife said I was two weeks ahead I asked what the probability of my original due date being correct was. She looked at the paperwork and said she didn't understand why they had changed my due date.

Apparently it's customary to change a due date if the baby is measuring more than 12 days off on the ultrasound. As it turns out LBL was measuring exactly 12 days off and so while the midwife I was seeing yesterday wouldn't have changed my due date the other midwife did.

After consulting with a doctor and the other midwives my midwife called me to tell me that my second due date was wrong and that based on the limited information they had it looked like June 14 was a more realistic date.

So on a day where I woke up being 35 weeks and 6 days I went to sleep at 37 weeks and 5 days.

It might not seems like that big of a change but at this point to be thrown from almost 36 weeks to all of the sudden being full term and ready to have a baby whenever the baby decides to make it's appearance was a bit of a shock. Having my due date moved once, and then again has helped me to chill out about when the baby will come. I think women frequently get caught up in when their due date is and if the baby hasn't made it's appearance by then they get antsy. Since my due date has been moved I know that the baby will join us sometime in June and it will probably be sooner rather than later.

LBL is still very high so even though I've made some progress with dilation it looks like LBL will hold off for several more days.

Bump Update: Week 35

Goodness, I can't believe it's taken me so long to get this week's bump update up. I hope you all had a lovely Memorial Day weekend. I spent the weekend trying to stay as cool as possible which was kind of hard to do as the temperatures were above 90.

Jus & I have been working to get the Behemoth ready for LBL. The contractors have been here to trim the kitchen & family room. We're getting so close to having the house done & I can't wait to show you all!

Lately I've been feeling really good. I've had lots of energy which has meant lots of nesting has been going on. Jus & I worked on the dresser for the nursery and the room is ready & waiting for the crib (it seems like everyone wants a black Jenny Lind crib this year).

LBL's Dresser

This week was a little emotional. I had to step back from the wedding I've been planning. Life has gotten to be too much and I know that I'm not able to fully dedicate myself to the wedding. Luckily the bride is a rockstar and the transition is going to go well. I also had my first shower was this week and it was wonderful. Unwrapping all of the little outfits & baby soap made the fact that our sweet baby is going to be joining us so soon! I couldn't help but giggle throughout the present opening just because I couldn't believe that we actually need these things!

Bump Update: Week 34

Time has really been flying lately. I remember in my first trimester thinking every week was such an accomplishment and being so eager to tick another one off. My second trimester seemed to drag on and on, I was so anxious to get into my 3rd trimester, and now that I'm here I can't believe we're so close to meeting our LBL.

I had a minor breakdown this week because after a long trip to Ikea (which didn't end as successfully as it could have) I was tired & discouraged about the state of the Behemoth. Luckily my mom is an amazing planner & has stepped in to provide some of the energy I've been lacking.

We had our 34 week appointment this week and everything is going well. My weight gain is on track but I've been having some pain that is associated with spending too much time on my feet so my midwife recommended I cut back on work and let myself rest & relax more.

All in all this week has really left me dumbfounded with how close we are to meeting this sweet baby. I've been anticipating going past my due date as most first babies are late but the possibility of LBL arriving before June 26 has been amazed.

Bump Update: Week 33

Hello my dears.

I'm so sorry I've been so absent. Life has been busy and it's sinking in that our LBL will be here in a matter of weeks. To think that I'm due in seven short weeks is exciting and intimidating all at the same time!

This week I had a bit of a scare after working too hard Friday. I had some major Braxton Hicks contractions and even though I knew they weren't the real deal it was scary to have more than one contraction and to think that if it were the real deal LBL would be joining us too soon. My mom & I have worked on my schedule and I won't be working quite as much from here on out. It's hard to admit that I'm not my normal self but it's important that I start taking things a little easier.

Lately everyone thinks that I'm much bigger than my 33 weeks. Most of my friends & family are convinced that LBL will be joining us before June 26 but I think that our little one will be staying put for longer than expected.

We*

Sometimes you go to one of your favorite places without one of your favorite people.
When you get there you realize how much you miss that person and that your day would have been much better if that person was by your side.
So you draw a silly picture in the bathroom to let them know how much you miss them.




And life is much better when you're in their arms later that day.
*Yes, I've been mentally referring to myself as we for the last couple of months. It's hard to deny LBL's existence when there's so much squirming in my belly!

Bump Update: Week 32

Hello my dears.

I have so so much to update you on on the kitchen & the rest of the Behemoth but I'm afraid that the only update I have for today is a bump update.

LBL has been growing so much lately that every day I look in the mirror and am sure that I'm much bigger than the day before. This has caused some pain as the baby pushes against my sciatic nerve and I get shooting pain in my hip and down my legs. This has made me understand why women in the middle to end of their third trimester are dying to get the baby out.

I've resorted to sleeping in a cocoon of pillows which leaves Jus short on bed space (especially when Layla hops in bed too). Our last appointment went well. I'm on track weight wise & baby is head down (as LBL has been for 2 or so months). I can hardly believe we're getting so close to meeting our sweet little baby!