e's place

I'm so excited about this post! Eli's nursery is finally finished, with the exception of Mammaw Browne's chair. It's still with the upholsterer (is that a word?) but should be ready soon. This room has quickly become my favorite room in the house. I love to go in and picture little man in his crib. I also love to open his closet and smell the clothes and blankies! Thanks to Mammaw for helping me wash them all last week...what a job! Before even starting on the nursery, I wrote in E's baby book about what I wanted it to be like. I wanted it to be comfortable, filled with items that hold memories, and home-made as much as possible. Although I still have a few small things I want to do, I feel like it has become all that I had hoped. I have been so blessed to have a husband who was just as involved in the nursery decorating as I and many others who have added in some way. I am also very thankful that I have been blessed with a healthy pregnancy that allowed me to do a lot myself. Here are some pics of my new favorite place...



I used embroidery hoops to make these...
curtains by Sarah and I...
moo cow mobile...wish I could have made these myself...

this is a basket that Jesse's grandma Lil has had for years. She gave it to us when we were at her house for Christmas...I love it...

I used more embroidery hoops to make these...elephant, cow, duck

I also decided to make a valance for his bathroom...
our friend Michelle's sister handed down this rocking horse to us...Jesse stained and painted it to match the room...I love him too...
this is a poem written by my precious friend Gwen...
it's entitled "Eli's Prayer"...I have to share it with you...

Baby boy conceived in love, designed by God's own hand
Entrusted to this earthly home, to guide and understand
The wonders of our gracious Lord, His mercy and His grace
And taught each day to walk with Him, His wonders to embrace
Listen, Little Eli, as we talk about His name
And teach you how we call on Him, so you can do the same
When we sit at home, or walk along the road
We'll teach you how our Savior will carry every load
Keep His name in your heart when you lie down and when you wake
And a noble man of God one day you shall make
- Gwen Whisnant

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:7

nesting...

Okay...I now understand what people are talking about when they say that they "nested" before their baby arrived. For me, this has been going on for the last couple of months. I can't seem to get my kitchen counters quite clean enough, pick up every tiny piece of lint on the dark hardwood floors, and straighten the pillows on the couch at least 10 times a day. For those of you who know me well, you know I was already pretty particular about these things, but, this is crazy! It's funny, though, I still can't quite get OCD over the laundry and toilets. I hate those chores! Anyway...one of the things I've really enjoyed during the nesting phase has been sewing. I really haven't ever sewn before, but there has been an overwhelming desire to do so now. It's been a lot of fun. One of the things I really wanted to do was to make Eli's curtains. My friend Sarah was so sweet to spend a whole day helping me with them. I love them and can't say enough "thanks" to her for our fun day of sewing! I've attached some pics of our sewing day and some of my projects thus far...I've also attached a pic of a onesie that Sarah made for E. It is hands-down one of my favs :)

my dad's cradle that we're going to use in our room for a while...it was made by my great-grandpa...the bumper was one of my first projects...
I decided to make a basket-liner to match...a good way to use up left-over material from our kitchen curtains...
the ole' Singer...my grandma has had this sewing machine forever and let me borrow it for a while...it still works well...
a carseat arm roll to protect my wimpy arms...they charge way too much for these things at the store!
burpcloths and red pillow...other projects
a bike bib and burpcloth...this one is for daddy the biker...guess I'll need to make a Harley one too :)
birdie burpcloth...
elephant bib and burpcloth...
onesie by Sarah...how cute is that?
overwhelmed but still smiling...
sweet friend...