Our morning started off early—with the nursery chandelier and curtains installed at 8:30 a.m. followed by a trip to Rice Village to pick up our glider.
I’m so thrilled with how the nursery looks right now. It’s such a beautiful, serene space. I think it’s actually turning out better than I had imagined as it all comes together—and it’s not even complete yet!
After picking up our glider we had a delicious lunch at Hungry’s—one of my favorite lunch spots. I absolutely love their chicken salad plate and tomato basil soup. YUM.
Best.chicken.salad.ever.
Before leaving the Village, we stopped in at Baby Gap because the entire store was 30% off. In addition to picking up some socks, I also got three adorable little items for the baby:
Speaking of shopping, I mentioned in a previous post that I haven’t shopped for myself in a long time. I’m perfectly content wearing all of the clothes I already have right now and I look forward to treating myself to some new pieces when I return to work after the baby is here. I did pick up a couple of items at Target the other day though, so I thought I’d share them!
I loved the stretchy tech fabric of this Champion brand shirt. The color is also a great neutral to pair with brighter workout clothes. It was $24.99 and I got a size medium. It’s super long too which is great for the bump.
I also picked up this lilac cotton shirt by Xhiliration for $12.99. I love wearing tops like this for lounging around the house and running errands. This one is a size large, to accommodate my bump.
Finally, the last item was something I ordered online—I bought this Forever 21 dress in hopes that it would work for one of my baby showers. Plus, I wear maxi dresses all the time in the summer so it will work great post-pregnancy too:
(buy here– and check out the image on the model- really pretty!)
After we dropped off the glider at home today, we went to IKEA to pick up more items for the nursery. We bought some frames for wall art, some ledges we will use as book shelves (thank you Pinterest!) and a new LACK coffee table.
IKEA on a Saturday afternoon=madness central!
We’ve had our LACK coffee table for five years now and after years of wear-and-tear and a move, it had all kinds of dings on it and was just looking really banged up (I had been using a black Sharpie to cover all of the dings but even that was no longer doing the job). It’s a steal at $39.99 so we decided that since we loved it so much, we would get a new one.
I’m so glad we decided to get it! One word of warning though—the legs of our table didn’t come with the holes that were supposed to be pre-drilled into them to install the shelf underneath the table. Thankfully, my husband was able to use his drill to drill in the holes and it all worked out—but I would check the box before you buy to make sure the legs of the table have the holes in them. It’s really not a difficult job, but if you don’t have a drill you’d have to return it for a new one.
Before I go—I wanted to clarify something about my last blog post because I have gotten some Facebook comments about it and also a nasty anonymous comment here on my blog. Firstly, we do not put our dog in the crib on a regular basis. The photo of Lulu inside of the crib was a one-time deal the day it was delivered and he was in it for less than 30 seconds while I snapped a quick photo. The sheet he was on has not been washed and the mattress the sheet is on is still wrapped in its original plastic, even today. Also, at no point during Lulu’s 30 seconds in the crib did he touch or make any kind of contact with the bumper (which we ended up exchanging for a different color). He was dead-center in the middle of the crib, sitting and as soon as I snapped the photo I lifted him right out. I didn’t let him walk around or roll around in there.
And speaking of the bumper—I get they aren’t for everyone and some people think they are stupid/wasteful/dangerous. I mentioned we did not plan to use it once the baby is sleeping in the crib for safety reasons, but that I got it because I like the way it completes the look of the crib—which is true, and I know tons of moms who did the same thing (and even a few who got some nasty-grams on their blogs about it too). When we purchased our crib and some of the other items and bedding we ordered, Restoration Hardware Baby & Child was having a promotion where you received $100 off of your order every time you spent a certain amount. In order to reach this amount and get more money off of our order, I decided to order the bumper to bring us to a total that would save us more money—so basically, it ended up costing me $30 and not the price it sells for online. I don’t see that as a waste, if you do, that’s okay, but please don’t leave me a nasty comment about it.
Speaking of nursery updates—I contemplated showing progress photos (and I may still do that) but I also like the idea of waiting until it’s all complete. I will do a full source list for anyone who is interested in where the items in our nursery were purchased. Right now all of the big elements are in place—furniture, lighting and window treatments. It’s all of the little details that I’m so excited about. I have a few DIY projects I’m planning as well so I may do some separate posts on those if y’all are interested.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and thank you for reading!
cute outfits and table!
Do people seriously think your dog won't make any contact with your baby? People need to get real. In a few short months Lulu will be licking her! Lol
I have 3 kids and have used bumpers with all of them. OH NO! (sarcasm). With my oldest son, we briefly removed the bumpers during the time that he started scooting himself around the crib, but wasn't rolling himself over consistently. Once he was able to roll both ways easily and turn his head without issues, the bumper went back on. It was either that or go in every few minutes when he got his legs and arms caught in the bar. He's 2 now and still has bumpers. My other two are twins, 4 months old, and we had them in their cribs for the first couple of months WITH bumpers while they couldn't move at all. Now that they're scooting around, the bumpers are out, but once they can roll, back they'll go. To each their own. You get to make the decisions that you want to for YOUR family…everyone else should mind their own damn business!
Same goes for Lulu in the crib.
@Finley's mom— someone had left me a nasty comment that they couldn't believe I had the audacity to return the bumper I purchased (I'm exchanging it for a different color) after my dog had rolled around all over it—which simply isn't true.
Please don't feel like you have to justify any of your choices as a parent. People will disagree and criticize. Only you and your husband know what's best for your family. If you want to put your dog in your crib or put in bumpers, so be it! My son is 3 months old and we have PBK bumpers in his crib. He is just fine. It's different strokes for different folks. Mother's should support each other instead of tearing apart decisions that YOU make for YOUR child. Good luck with everything. I think that everything you've picked is beautiful. You're doing a great job!
People (aka jealous, ravenous grown women) need to mind their own. Good grief. My daughter is 16 months old and I can't imagine not using a bumper in her crib. She is the queen of having an entire leg through the crib even with the bumper. We took it out for several months while she couldn't move around so well, and then put it back. There are 1,001 worse things you could do than have a cozy bumper.
I bought that same blue and green romper for my daughter today! She had it
in green stripes last year and I loved it so much I bought another this year. Excellent pick. 😉
Wow. That must have been some serious judgmental attitude to cast mean comment on your dog and the bumpers. eek.
🙂 Carry on. I hope you didn't let those comment bother you. I would have been ticked off for 5 mins, and that would have been 5 mins too long. 🙂
It is annoys me when people become anti-dog when a baby is born. We have 3 dogs and the dumbest question people always asked us was, "What are you going to do with your dogs when the baby is here?" Um….nothing. We are not getting rid of them. It is absurds. They are family. Do you get rid a piece of your family everytime you add another family member on. Oh and the bumper comments you are getting is so stupid. People need to get over themselves. You are mommy you will do what is best for your baby. People get so caught up in themselves. It is annoying. Sorry for my little vent. I've been there so it is frustrating when I read you are going through it too. I think you are doing great!!
Being pregnant was amazing but all the unsolicited advice drove me crazy!
The fact that someone seriously went out of their way to leave a nasty comment bc you put your dog in the crib for a cute pic!?
And on the bumper- my son just turned one and I'm finally about to remove it bc he's starting to stand on it. He didn't sleep in his crib until 6mths,he could roll over then, and loved to snuggle his back/bottom up against them. Then he started tumbling around as he got older and I'm sure the bumpers prevented a few bruises. Anyway, sorry for the novel, but I am just a huge advocate for mama's using their own judgement 🙂 Best wishes!!
@Vu The Explorer— It did bother me because it wasn't true. If my dog had rolled all over a bumper (or anything fabric) I wouldn't return it. I shouldn't have to justify it, you're right, but I didn't want any of my readers to think that I let my dog hang out in there and jump all over something I was intending to return.
I got the same forever 21 dress 2 months ago! Still haven't worn it as it is too cold here, but it is a beauty!
Can't believe people said that about your dog….you could tell you are the type of mama to just snap a pic and take him out!
I hope you show some nursery progress photos….would love to see what chandelier you used!
I can't wait to see your finished nursery; I'm sure it's going to look amazing!
Where did you get your black clover necklace (first pic) from? I've been looking for something similar myself!
P.S- I'm sure you're going to receive plenty of non-solicited advice about raising your baby, but I'm sorry to hear you received nasty comments over it.
@unknown— thanks for your comment 🙂 the necklace is by Regina Pierallini!
PS- my friend also makes similar clover necklaces in her etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/117957753/white-mother-of-pearl-gold-quatrefoil?
Glad to hear your nursery is coming along 🙂
I'm so excited for you
Your dress is lovely
Xx
https://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au/
Couldn't care less about the dog, but some of these comments about bumpers are concerning. If people bothered to do 5 minutes of research on bumpers, you would quickly see they are not recommended any longer. If you want a bumper, get a breathable one. Sure, it doesn't look "pretty", but sometimes you need to sacrifice looks for safety. Oh, and the "well, my baby had a bumper and he/she is perfectly fine" is just ridiculous. Car seats weren't required years ago either. Does that mean they aren't necessary?
@courtney— I did research bumpers and that's why I'm going with the recommendations set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics. There are definitely risks associated with them which is why the recommendations were made. We won't use ours because I am too paranoid—but as an aside, many pediatricians are not against them. I personally know at least a few people whose pediatricians told them bumpers were fine to use. I'm not saying that's right, but a lot of parents listen to the advice of their doctors.
You are going to have one of the most stylish babies ever! I love seeing all of your cute finds (for you and your little girl)!
I'm sad to hear you had some "haters" out there giving you a hard time. You're such a smart and sweet woman that I just don't understand why people would hassle you about things like that!
I was directing that more towards your sheeple. You've already made it very clear that you purchased a bumper, but are only going to look at it. Not use it.
And if a pedi goes against something the AAP recommended several years ago, I would question continuing to go to that pedi.
I agree with an above poster. As a parent you are going to be judged (sorry, I wish it weren't so) for any decision you make..whether you work, or stay at home, or use disposables, or cloth diapers, or practice cry-it-out, or no-cry, if you use a paci, or don't give your baby a paci, if you make your own baby food, or buy it, if you talk to her in baby talk, or dress her in green when really you should be dressing her in pink polka-dots and a striped bow…ok the last couple were just for ridiculousness sake, because sometimes that's how it feels! Remember, she is *your* baby, and don't feel like you need to justify or defend yourself.
You are doing a great job! Keep it up!
And I *love* the little outfits you picked up, for you and for Baby 🙂
(oh, and I used Bumpers for both of my babies..both are happy, healthy, and issue free ha!)
I bet the room will be beautiful, can't wait to see it when its done! I'm sure you will make the right decisions as a mother….don't let some comments that some women leave you get you upset. As ladies, shouldn't we be uplifting and encouraging each other instead of being rude and snide? Honestly….
So what if Lulu slept in the bed or on the bumper? That's nobody's business but yours! People are so rude. 🙁
I love your blog! Your style is fabulous!
I can't believe some people. I left the bumpers in with my son for 2 years (GASP!) because he didn't move in his sleep. My daughter on the other hand has never had them because she is crazy. Lol. Don't worry about what people say…you are her mom and you will know what's best. You are going to be judged so be prepared…but in the end it doesn't matter, you will be a great momma!
Anyone who reads, or has read your blog knows that you're a smart and sensible person. To leave a comment about your pup and the bedding is ridiculous. It is unfortunate that you had to address this. On a lighter note, I am so excited to see what you've done with the nursery!
Don't apologize! You haven' t done anything wrong.
It is your life.
By the way: I really like your blog.
Greetings from Germany
Baby Gap has the cutest clothes ever. They are so soft and hold up really well too. I go nuts in there when I shop for my baby's clothing!
https://thegrassskirtblog.com
I can't wait to see the updated nursery pictures! 🙂
Also, ignore people's comments. Some people either just don't think before they speak/write or have nothing better to do with their time and write mean and ignorant comments to other people. It is just a sign of jealousy 🙂 I would have definitely put my dog in the crib for a pic too if he wasn't almost 100 lbs 🙂
I love reading your blog, and don't usually comment but I have to say- Some people are just crazy!! The comments about your dog and the bumper?! My goodness, no need for it!!
Your nursery is gorgeous and you are such a beautiful pregnant lady! Best of luck in the last few months. 🙂
Hi! I have been reading your blog for a long time, please don't worry about nasty comments! I do understand people's concern about bumpers though, although I agree that a lot of people use them and their kids are fine. I think some (nice) people just have the mind-set that if they didn't mention their concern and anything ever happened, they would always regret not saying anything. This does not excuse plain old nasty comments at all! So glad that your pregnancy is going well, I have two aged 2 and under and unfortunately unwanted advice just gets worse as they get older! Fabulous blog and gorgeous outfits!
I am so sorry you got nasty comments about such a little thing! I love reading your posts and thank you for telling them how it is. People are darn opinionated, and need to keep it to themselves. Beautiful nursery, something I'd 100% want to replicate when I have children.
Lol. I was wondering how many nasty comments you would get about the bumper and the dog. You do whatever makes your heart happy! As for Lulu, there have been numerous studies that show children who grow up with dogs are healthier because they are exposed to more things in the environment. Some days I don't know how you can stand blogging with all the judgmental crazies out there.
I'm a bit confused as I don't see any nasty comments in your last post, but you may have had to remove them – and I don't blame you.
Veronika – you don't need to justify *any* of this. If you want a bumper, you get 10 if that's what you want. Why are people even judging you for something so inconsequential? That's just cray cray!
And as for Lulu…she will likely be your daughters best and most loyal friend – and I sure hope the 2 of them will be allowed to cuddle, play, and be buds. Good lord, many of us kiss our dogs and cuddle the heck out of them – picking up their 'catastrophic' germs by the millisecond. That's called normal. While a baby's immune system is immature, it does not mean it is flippin' absent, folks. I know plenty of people whose cats and dogs sleep/nap with their babies as long as the size issue is safe. Why are people caring so much about Lulu being in the crib? Is that a catastrophic event? That's just bizarre.
My vote is, get 10 more bumpers and let Lulu spend all the time she wants in the crib :D. Okay, I exaggerate…but ykwim.
@Ann— I didn't publish the nasty comment on my last blog post so that's why you didn't see it 🙂
The issue the person had was that I sent back the original bumper to exchange it for another one—and they claimed my dog was "all over it" and it was wrong to return it, which simply isn't true. Not only did my dog not make any contact whatsoever with the bumper—but he doesn't shed (he has hair, not fur) and his breed is one of the most hypoallergenic—not that it matters, because he did not touch the bumper.
I know I didn't need to justify it, but it bothered me that I was being accused of something I didn't do—because if I had in fact let my dog roll around and step all over the bumper, I wouldn't have returned it.
Veronika, I love your blog! It is one of my favorite blogs to read. I am a mom of 2, I ignore 3/4 of people's advice on how to raise my kids. I used a bumper with both of my kids, with my daughter we had 2 dogs on 2 cats and the cats would sleep in her crib until she was born. The day before I had her I washed the bedding and closed the door. She didn't sleep in her crib until she was 6 weeks old. You do what you feel is right and don't feel like you need to justify anything. People are just jealous!
Love the post Veronika and I hate to change the subject but can we please talk about the Nikes you are wearing in one of your ootd pics? love them!
@bwallac- they are a couple of years old—I am not sure if they are still available but I think I got them at Nordstrom 🙂
Veronika, I love your blog and think you and your husband will be fabulous, caring parents. Please don't pay any attention to people who have nothing better to do than post nasty comments about someone they don't even know.
i almost got a bumper, but i didn't think we needed it. also bumpers are cute and tempting so if someone else gets it, no big deal. i hope you understand that there are crazies online who make it their business to be mean, petty and nasty because there are no consequences and they don't have to be accountable because you will never know who they are. it is a very vocal minority. most of us saw the dog and we like..oh okay. love your blog.
being a mom is the one of the hardest jobs there is so it is BEYOND me how other mom especially are so quick to judge and tell you what you should and shouldn't do. Let them get back to their own life and stuff worrying about yours. If you want to put your dog in your babies crib for a picture who cares! In no time your babe will be crawling all over him and eating off the floor lol.
I totally get why you feel the need to defend your choices/actions/etc but I think you're going to exhause yourself doing so. You will never be able to please all the people on the internet so the criticisms will never stop.
I say just let it slide and enjoy being pregnant and preparing for baby. This should be nothing but a happy time for you.
And seriously, I assume you don't allow Lulu to run around all dirty and nasty. Baby will come into contact with things that are way worse than a dog. And, from my experience around little ones, there will probably come a time when baby tries to lick Lulu, so I wouldn't worry about some dog hair in the crib.
You know Kate won't keep baby from Lupo! 😉
Veronika,
please ignore nasty people. Some people are very sad and have nothing better to do with their lives than being nasty.
Don't let their negativity get to you!
I love your blog
Anne in London
Hi Veronica! Your nursery and baby clothes are so adorable. Will you adopt me? You look great! I miss you on YT and I understand that it's not possible now. Sending you love <333
Those that accuse others are usually guilty of the same thing themselves. You don't need to explain your reasons for returning the bumper or anything else. Those individuals don't deserve to rent space in your head. I must be weird (according to other people) because my children are grown adults but I still enjoy your blog. Its my life and my time to enjoy whatever I want to and no explanation is needed!!! By the way, I have your blog in my favorites so I can check it out daily with no hassle of finding it.
People are mean & ridiculous.
a) Lulu will be licking the kid's face here in a few months. If she's like Tuck, she'll grab the toy & then the baby will grab it & woohoo, germs! It happens.
b) We used bumpers. Yes, even after doing the research & talking to our pediatrician. It was our pediatrician that convinced us that we could safely use bumpers & we trust him & our instincts as parents.
c) People are mean. Did I say that yet? & the moment you start parenting (which you are doing now, making decisions based on your life for your baby), they have this feeling that their opinion matters. So they start butting in about bumpers & formula & nursing & swaddles & cry it out, which are all things regarding your baby that they have no business having an opinion about.
d) You are doing great. You look beautiful & I can't wait to see the finished nursery. I know without a doubt that you are carefully selecting every choice you make for your little girl & even if you weren't, it wouldn't be any of my damn business other than to tell you that you look gorgeous.
The end. Rant over. xoxoxo, BA
You look great, that bump of yours is so cute! I love the little outfits that you picked up too. As much as I would love to see nursery progress updates, I think showing the finished product is the way to go- can't wait to see what you do with the room!
Wow…you were sharing a private and beautiful think like your nursery and, of course, people took it as an opportunity to make negative comments. Honestly you've done the research you know what is safe and right for your baby – don't let the judgement of others get you down.
I just wore that same dress to my baby shower last weekend! I got many compliments, so I know you will look great in it!
Also, sounds like we had a similar weekend. We made tons of progress in the baby's room too. Except you have way more time than me, haha, so I feel a bit behind.
Don't let those comments get to you. You will obviously be a great mom, and others shouldn't judge based off of a photo. I'm keeping the bumper for now too, so I'm with you there!
Wow! You shouldn't even have to clarify what was going on in the photo! Give me a break! People need to chill the eff out! But in other news I really want chicken salad now. Lol
I used a cot bumper with my son and I didn't think it posed that much of a risk. As soon as he started rolling and was no longer swaddled I used an air wrap bumper which is mesh. However, I changes to the thicker cot bumper when he started to pull himself up and consequently fall over and hit his head.
You don't have to justify your choices to anyone, least of complete strangers who are nasty to boot.
Ugh, people are dumb! Cannot wait to see the finished product!
Love your new coffee table! Dont let the nasty comments bother you.. People dont have better things to do 🙂
Hey Veronika- I'm absolutely loving your baby posts- they're so cute. And you're going to make such a yummy mummy (I'm from the UK so not really sure if that's a 'thing' in the US, but it's a compliment!).
I was just wondering where you got the tray from that's on your coffee table in the last photo? It looks so effortless and elegant.
@I'm poor- thanks for the compliment 🙂 the tray is from West Elm— http://www.westelm.com
People will have all kinds of opinions about what you should or shouldn't do for your baby. But that's the thing; she is your baby. I don't know you, but I'm pretty sure that you are making decisions based on what you think is best for your child and your family which is all you can do. As a new mom, I feel like that was the best advice I got. Everyone will do things their own way but we are all just trying to love our children and be the best moms we can be and really should be encouraging one another in the hardest, most rewarding endeavor out there! So best of luck to you and your little one; you will be great!
*I realize this a parenting opinion, too, but I hope an encouraging one!
People will have all kinds of opinions about what you should or shouldn't do for your baby. But that's the thing; she is your baby. I don't know you, but I'm pretty sure that you are making decisions based on what you think is best for your child and your family which is all you can do. As a new mom, I feel like that was the best advice I got. Everyone will do things their own way but we are all just trying to love our children and be the best moms we can be and really should be encouraging one another in the hardest, most rewarding endeavor out there! So best of luck to you and your little one; you will be great!
*I realize this a parenting opinion, too, but I hope an encouraging one!
Love your blog.
I don't know why people are giving you a hard time. So sad! Don't pay attention. I know its super hard though. I have had some nasty emails too, and I don't even know why :/
Btw Baby Gap has the cutest onesies. Love the ones you picked. I always hang dry all of Masha's nicier clothing. I bought a wooden dry rack and it keeps the colors brighter that way. Plus with us living in warmer weather that is such a PLUS!
Luba
I am late to comment on this, but just wanted to let you know that I truly don't get why anyone would give you a hard time. You really do come across as one of the nicest, most genuine bloggers around and I personally think anyone giving you a hard time is just jealous. 🙂 As far as the bumpers go…we got bumpers for our baby boy and planned on removing them once he was big enough for his big crib. (He slept in a small crib in our room for the first 6 months.) Well, once we moved him to his crib at 6 months, I actually decided we were better off leaving the bumpers in his crib because he constantly got his arms stuck in the slats. Plus, a 6 month old is big enough and strong enough, the risk of SIDS is crazy low. The things is, once you are a parent, you make decisions every day that affect the safety of your baby…there are literally hundreds of decisions you make each day that can be safe or unsafe and you just have to make the best judgment call possible for YOU and YOUR FAMILY. I would guess that the people giving you a hard time don't have kids or else they would understand that. I've fallen asleep on the sofa holding the baby…is that technically the safest thing ever? No, but I did it anyway (and I would guess 99% of the population has). You just can't let people get you down about that sort of thing because you are making the best decisions you know how to make and I think those judgmental people are probably themselves doing a million different things that other people could criticize. Be yourself and be confident in your decisions and you will do great!