Making a List & Checking it Twice

Happy Saturday!

We all just got home from a day of shopping from our many last minute shops, lists in hand. I just laid Ryder down for a nap because he was starting to have a meltdown, and even though I would rather go lie down myself and take a Big Mama sized nap, I wanted to post the pictures from Brynley's chandelier and the finds we got today while we were out. My mom and stepdad came over last night to hang out and talk (mom and I), while the guys got to work hanging Brynley's chandelier. Ryder spent his time running back and forth between us all, having the time of his life getting all the attention and "helping" the guys, using his own set of play tools. Here are the pictures of the chandelier lit up, and then I took some of it in daylight, but the pictures don't even do it justice, it's so cute! I absolutely heart her sweet girly chandelier and it is the perfect final detail in completing her nursery! My stepdad installed a dimmer switch for us too, so it will act as a nightlight or full light, whichever we may need. Because of this option, I won't have to worry about finding a side table with lamp to go next to my rocker and will keep things less cluttered,(and our budget thanks us too) since she doesn't have as much space as Ryder does in his big boy room.

 I think I may have had the settings on my camera wacko when I took the daylight pics, because they all turned out kinda white lightish, which was not the look I was intending for. Once the chandelier was hung by the nursery with care, it was time to eat dinner and then my parents were ready to head home. As an added surprise bonus, they offered to take Ryder for the night, to let him spend the night since he had been begging to go to their house from the time they arrived. I never pass up an opportunity for a good nights rest, and it is one of the many reasons I am so blessed to have family in the next town! My mom and stepdad are the best and Scot and I both slept soundly, and woke up around 8:30 this morning which was huge as far as sleeping in is concerned. I was up a few times to pee still, of course, but it was still great to get some much needed rest! It also meant that Scot and I could go to some of the places to look around that we normally can't with Ryder, because there are so many knick knacks around that I would be so embarrassed if he broke!

We started at Marshalls and Homegoods and didn't find much, but knew what we had in mind as we set out, list in hand. On the list to get was some sort of rack to put next to Brynley's changing table to store headbands and diapers, and other small things, so that I didn't have to use up her precious drawer space.
Next we stopped in at Black Lion (love this store!) where I found a pair of polka dot Baby Legs, a WubbaNub (pink one that I hadn't been able to find..LOVE), and an adorable pair of brown MudPie giraffe socks. Scot was so funny as I was shopping, saying that he was completely lost when it came to girls and what to buy for them. I told him it was good he had me around to help steer him in the right direction!

 Next we went to Target, but again didn't really find much that we were looking for as far as Brynley's room was concerned, but we did get a bargain on these adorable lamps, $5 each, that went along with the art table we just got last weekend. We needed more light for the loft area, and I think this will be perfect! I also love that they add color and go with the whimsical theme of the art loft. We drove to IKEA, and by this point I started having pretty heavy Braxton Hicks contractions and was not having a fun experience fighting the hot, humid temps, and battling the crowds inside, and may have even said "I'm done" to Scot at one point. We did find a pair of organic white jersey crib sheets to go in Brynley's crib, so the trip wasn't a complete loss. After having Ryder, we realized how often you wash the fitted sheets, and I wanted to have plenty to change out when her soft little minky dot one needed a good wash. Feeling slightly defeated that we wouldn't find any sort of rack at this point, Scot suggested one last stop to Hobby Lobby just to look around, since we were already in Charlotte.

Score! Just what we needed! It was originally over $100, and had been marked down all the way to $33. Baskets and all. It was the best find of the day, and now Miss B's room is all complete! (again not sure why the setting on my camera made the pic so light). We ended our shopping, then grabbed a bite to eat before meeting my mom and stepdad to pick Ryder up. I had missed our little bug so much, but was happy with the amount of shopping we were able to get accomplished without having him there to worry about. We checked off the items on our list and revised one for next week when we plan to do one last BIG Target shop, and plan to hit up Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us, and the educational store at the outlet mall near us one last time. I want to get some flash cards for Ryder, and to look for any wooden blocks or fun educational toys he might like. We also want to hit up the Stride Rite store and hit up any sales they may be having for some Fall/Winter clothes for him. In other words, we are saving the fun stuff for last, and it will probably be the last shop before Brynley gets here! The last two weeks of August and first week of September will be tied up with work functions and a fantasy football draft for Scot, so we are getting everything accomplished while we can (and while I'm still mobile ha)! I'm so happy with everything that we have bought, and I'm ready to relax the rest of the day, and love on my sweet little goose who's fast asleep upstairs in his bed right now. Happy Saturday ya'll!