Brooklyn Limestone

White Box Challenge

2013-06-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

I'm probably the last person in the world to tout about 'doing what you love' but there are a select few that seem to be able to make it work. Enter Bryn Alexandra - I was a fan of her style and her blog way before she chucked her first career to devote herself completely to interior design. Since then she has grown as a designer and a blogger in many ways but most recently by joining forces with a few other fabulous bloggers to curate a collection for Joy & Revelry. Forever in awe of anyone who make that leap, I was happy to lend my support by playing in a white box challenge. FUN! Little did I know I'd actually be getting a white box!

Being a generally disorganized person, there is nothing I like better than putting things in boxes. This classic but beautiful white box with a lucite cover was just a perfect hideaway home for all of the electronic doodads that clutter our coffee table. Isn't it just lovely?

Wishing Bryn lots of luck in this new adventure! Want to go shopping? (please someone buy these fabulous brass serving dishes!) Bryn has given us all 10% off by using code "BRYN_WHITEBOX_10" at checkout.

Scatterbrain

2013-06-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

Just a little scatterbrain post today. June is a packed month for us with lots of family events, our respective jobs and just regular old life. I haven't gotten much down time to work on projects or sit down to create something fun. It makes me very antsy but I expect our social calendar to empty out soon which will leave time for more creative endeavors. Yea.

Completely unrelated, this just might be the most amazing table I've ever seen. I'm completely obsessed with bare bulb fixtures lately so this is driving me over the edge! image by studio impressions via Style me Pretty

No surprise - I'm obsessed with deep blues! Read my take on three different ways to dive into deep blue at MyColortopia.

This hex wall treatment (and the entire room for that matter) is one of the most clever kid's rooms I've ever seen. Well done Vintage Revivals!

So there you have what is on my scattered mind right now. For lots more like Brooklyn Limestone on facebook, follow Mrs. Limestone on pinterest and twitter.

Steal this Idea*: Father's Day

2013-06-14T09:57:00.000-04:00

I'm sure most of you have had your Fathers Day goodies well planned weeks in advance but for the last minute charlies out there, here is a round up of DIY projects you can make for your the best dads in your life.

Give him a great photo using some sidewalk chalk and his favorite people via Crafty Texas Girls

Or the cutest way to give the most boring gift via hello lucky

Or how about the manliest flower arrangement ever via 1800flowers

Did you DIY a fathers day gift? Please share!

All that's fair...

2013-06-12T09:09:00.001-04:00

By complete accident I visited the Country Living Fair this weekend and was impressed! A perfect mix of vintage and creative vendors with a bit of farmers market thrown in. I never knew this fair existed before bit you can bet Ill be back next year. I believe this fair tours the country so there might be one near you too. Have you been?

Added bonus: a few miles away, there is one of the few remaining drive in movie theaters AND an old fashioned roller skating rink. Consider me sold.

Shore Kitchen Idea Board

2013-06-10T09:31:00.000-04:00

Here is what I'm thinking for the shore kitchen. I want to keep it simple and clean - lots of whites and grays - punch it up with a pop of colorful artwork (cheap!) and finish it with the beautiful structure of the light fixture.

We are going to remove part of the left wall to open up the feel of the apartment which means no upper cabinets on the left hand side. I might include a set of open shelves on the remaining part of the wall but that is still TBD. I'd like to see how it feels completely open before I add those. I'm debating tiling the whole wall on that side. It's a bit of an expense and a painted wall might work just as well.

On the right hand side of the kitchen will be the real workhorse with almost all of the appliances so I have to keep the wall of cabinets.

The internal debate about marble vs. quartz is still raging in my mind so more to come on that but right now I'm leaning toward classic Carrara.

At the end of the galley, we will be keeping the eating area (its the only one in the condo). I'm debating about whether we should add a built-in bench at the end for both easier seating and storage. It all depends on the cost.

Naturally we haven't even started the work yet and I'm already aggravated at the poor response time from the contractors we are working with. Is it really so hard to get back to your customers on time?

Sniff. Sniff.

2013-06-07T09:35:00.001-04:00

After a few weeks of ignoring the reality of it, it was finally time. We changed A's bassinet into a big baby crib.

Where did my wee baby go? She seems to have grown up from tiny newborn to spirited baby overnight!

\
From one day old to 5 months in a flash!

High chair choice

2013-06-05T10:11:00.001-04:00

Thanks to everyone who lent a hand on our high chair shopping. We ended up going with the OXO Sprout which wasn't even on my radar until you recommended it.

Aggie isnt quite sure what to make of it but enjoyed the new vantage point during her first sit. We are a few weeks from using it for eating but so far we like how easy it was to put together, the small footprint and the simple design. Hopefully we made the right choice but only time will tell.

Now if only all baby items had so many good choices! My next target is cushioned playmat that doesn't look like a clown exploded on it. This one from Skip Hop isn't so terrible but I would much prefer fewer colors. This Tadpoles grey faux wood looks cool in the photo but has no reviews so I'm leary. And this round Nook Lilypad has a nice texture but the orange is very loud. Suggestions?

An unplanned renovation.

2013-06-03T09:34:00.002-04:00

what the kitchen looked like the last time i photographed it in 2011

Remember my shore kitchen? I hated it so much! Then I painted the cabinets, painted the countertops, added a fabulous fixture and made some drapes. All of those little things made it a lot more more tolerable but no amount of sprucing was going to change its poor set up and hodgepodge materials. Eventually we were going to renovate but kept putting it off.

Well here we are. As I mentioned last week, we some damage during Hurricane Sandy that is making it uninhabitable right now. Overall, we were very fortunate to have escaped the worst of it but we still had to do some repairs. This prompted the thought that perhaps we should renovate the kitchen since we are already going to need to find a contractor and all the fun that goes with managing work to any home. (Which has already been a major pain and we haven't even started yet!)

Do I want to take on a kitchen renovation right now? Not really. Aside from the cost (boo for unexpected expeditures!), we have a bit less time now than we did pre-baby. Ultimately its the smart thing to do since we can get it done in one shot without ruining another summer but I'm not as gung ho about the process as I would usually be. (I love to help friends with their renovations!)

Naturally I know exactly what I want it to look like when its all done but I'm struggling with just how much I want to invest here. We don't plan on selling so resale isn't usually in my mind but I don't want to throw money into the trash either. At the same time, cheap materials tend to look just that - cheap. So this renovation will definitely be a balancing act!

Wish me luck nailing down a decent contractor. Right now that is our biggest struggle but layout, material selection and finishing will soon follow. Lots more to come in this space!

And while I'm at the drawing board, I'd love to hear your suggestions on what I should consider in terms of materials and design. Yes, I have a pretty solid picture of what I'd like here (which of course I'll be sharing just as soon as I can nail down a contractor!) but there is always room for improvement. Anything new in the kitchen design world I should be considering? Did you renovate a galley kitchen you want to brag about?

Trends I Defend: Concrete

2013-05-31T09:11:00.004-04:00

You might notice I don't often talk about what is on or off trend here. Thats mostly because I feel like almost anything - whether super new or seen everywhere - can be done well, when done right. So rather than bashing what's out, I thought it would be fun to discuss some great trends (despite being oft seen) we can defend.

letter via wit & whistle / cooler via homemade modern / planter bar via the hunted interior

Today's spotlight is on concrete. Cheap and approachable - its uses are endless. I've never been in love with concrete countertops but when it comes to being used for home decor accessories, I'm a fan.

What do you think? Are you sick of the hard stuff or do you love it? Have you gotten your hands dirty with your own concrete project? Please share it!

Do you have a trend you want to defend?

How High a Price for a High Chair?

2013-05-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

In about a month, we'll be starting solids so it was time I went high chair shopping. I've learned that in the land of baby products, its very hard to get away from hideously ugly eyesores but thankfully that isn't the case in the high chair department. There seems to be plenty of decent looking options. Hooray for good design.

So the question is - which one do I go for? Ultra cheap Ikea Antilop, middle of the road Even flo Modern or high end Stokke Tripp Trapp? Or maybe you have another suggestion?

I think I've ruled out the Ikea but the price is so low, its tempting! I like how the Evenflo model folds should we want to put it away when company comes over. The Stokke's ability to grow with baby is a nice feature but I'm not sure how often we'd use it once she is able to sit in a real chair.

Whichever we buy, we will be using it a lot so I don't mind splurging if its worth it but the high end price on the Stokke does seem a bit much. Decisions, decisions.

Which one do you have? What did you like and hate about it? What do you think?

Pink, Gray and Gold Dining Room Daydream

2013-05-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine just bought a house so I'm having lots of fun giving her decor advice. I had almost forgotten just how much fun decorating from scratch can be! Like any new homeowner, she feels very poor so she won't be running out and buying all new furniture anytime soon but its still fun to dream. I know many of you are decorating your own homes now so I thought I'd share the mock up. I love it all except a cherry dining room table which she already owns and I included just for completeness.

sources: dupioni silk panels, tufted chairs, brass sputnik chandelier, large photo frames

The wall colors I'm suggesting are a pale pink and dark gray. I think it would look so beautiful for a formal dinner!

Happy Friday!

2013-05-24T11:38:00.001-04:00

This weekend marks the unofficial start to summer but thanks to a very rainy forecast in the NY area and our shore place being uninhabitable thanks to hurricane Sandy, we are hibernating at home. Too bad since I could definitely use a bit of fun in the sun.

Speaking of gray, please come visit me at MyColortopia to read what I have to say about painting marble bathrooms. (I know many of you have your own experience with this topic.)

In other news, I'm starting to think about my Halloween plan this year. I think I've come up with a theme but I have to test out some of my plans for decor before I commit. I'm having the hardest time coming up with a costume for myself. Anyone out there make costumes? I can't seem to find anything ready made that works. (Don't get me started on the topic of slutty halloween costumes!)

I also keep meaning to finish up Mr. Limestone's man cave. It's not that far off so I really should just go underground and get it done but I've been very distracted.

Lastly Im helping with my brother and future sister in law with their wedding favors. They have spent the last few months making gifts to give away and its just about the sweetest thing so I'm excited to see how those are going to look when all done.

I hope your Memorial Day weekends are much sunnier than ours!

Won't you be my neighbor?

2013-05-22T10:03:00.001-04:00

This house isn't actually in my neighborhood nor is it for sale any longer but I stumbled upon the listing for 23 South Elliott Place and was immediately drawn in.

I just has to give a kudos to whoever photographed this place. It's not renovated or decorated - in fact there little piles of belongings scattered about this mostly empty house - but it a magnetism that I've never seen before. I want to know more about this place and who lived there and what fabulous person is buying it now? Wouldn't house hunting be a lot more fun if all real estate listings had this kind of drama and mystery?

Is the buyer of 23 South Elliot Place out there? I want to be your BFF.

postscript: No, we are not moving or even considering it. I'm just a house stalker :)

What's in a Baby Book?

2013-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

So I'm trying to work on Agatha's baby book a little at at time but I'm struggling what is important to include and what is best to leave out. I tend to be drawn to really simple book designs that are almost entirely photos but part of me wonders if I'll be sorry I didn't have more details included. What do you think: Is less more? What details did you include in your baby's books?

On that subject, here are some fabulous baby memory keeping that inspire.

Arden's First Year by Copy Cat Chic / Fill in The Blanks by Strange Birdy
Bee's First Year by Pencil Box / Chalkboard Design by HannaMac

Did you do a baby's first year book or other memory keeper you want to share? I want to see it!

Steal this Idea*: One Big Letter

2013-05-17T09:28:00.000-04:00

Its Friday (yippee!) - time for another Steal this Idea* feature - a tiny show of appreciation for a well executed tutorial. It will come as no surprise to anyone that a typography loving, font hoarding, diy project lusting person like me would appreciate today's project. Straight from the creative mind of Kate Bower over at Bower Power, comes a giant wooden letter DIY

Aside from it looking fabulous, it only cost her $7.25!

Anyone want to make a giant A for me? Pretty please?

Bower Power needs no introduction but on the off chance you haven't already stumbled into all of the lovely projects that go on over there, go check them out here.

postscript: *When I say steal, I really mean borrow nicely and give proper credit!

**If you have an idea/tutorial you would like me to consider for a feature, email me. I'd love to see!

Most Useless Baby Stuff: Newborn Edition

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

As a new mom to be who didn’t want to be overloaded with a lot of extra junk, I tried to research all the baby items that were absolute musts for newborns. I made careful notes and was judicious in purchasing. Turns out that some of those must haves just did not apply to us at all. Like almost everything to do with baby, so much depends on what kind of mom you are and what kind of baby you have. The items that were life savers for other moms ended up being complete wastes of space for us. So perhaps useless would be the wrong term. Let's just say that these were least loved items I had stocked up on and ended up not finding all that critical. With that in mind, I give you ...

The Top Ten ~~Most Useless~~ Least Loved Baby Items

1. Onsies. This one seemed like a no brainer – everyone said I should have lots of these as baby will pretty much live in them. I had several in newborn, 0-3 months and 3-6 months sizes all ready to go. It never even occurred to me that a baby born in the middle of winter wouldn’t have a lot of occasion to wear a onesie without some kind of pants to go with. And considering the number of diaper changes in those first few weeks, the last thing you want to do is add another thing to put on and take off. Since she needed to be covered from shoulder to toe anyway, why not put her in a footie outfit and be done with it? Yea, that’s what we did. With the exception of one time, I never used those white onesies.

2. Diaper Pail. I was sort of resistant to this one anyway but many people told me it was an absolute must. So we bought one and then got another as a gift. Guess what? We have two unused diaper pails collecting dust. Perhaps its my overwhelming aversion to having bins full of baby waste laying around but we simply throw it in the trash and take the trash out as needed. Duh.

3. Boppy Pillow Not only was it useless at home, it was also one of the things I dragged with me to the hospital. Everyone told me it (or one of the other products like it) would be critical. I guess I must be an odd shape because my anatomy just didn’t line up with the boppy. So it wasn’t helpful for nursing at all. I thought it might be handy to use to put baby in on occasion but she isn’t a big fan of sitting in it in general. It does make a pretty supportive pillow when I remember to use it but if I had never had it, I would have never missed it either.

4. Baby Towel I know I’ve personally bought a lot of these for moms to be along with other cute baby bath stuff. Never again. Much thinner and not nearly as absorbent as one of our regular bath towels. It only took one bath to realize that using the cute towel wasn’t worth it. Skip that purchase and just use one of your own.

5. The Happiest Baby on the Block So many people recommended this book to me so I ran out and read it quickly. I was somewhat shocked to finish it and realize the whole book can be summed up in 5 words. Sure, those 5 words are very useful and I think its handy to know but save yourself the $10 and just read the jacket.

6. Bundle Me I thought for sure this thing would be necessary since we were having a winter baby. We did use it a few times but because we were using the car seat in the stroller for those first few months AND using a bundle me in the car seat is a safety no-no, it just didn’t make a lot of sense to put that thing in and out all the time. The same cozy factor can be accomplished with blankets. (That said, if I had used the stroller without the car seat right from birth, I think the bundle me would have been handy)

7. Any Swaddle blanket except the Miracle Blanket Baby A was a world class escape artist almost from the moment we brought her home. We were given or purchased nearly every kind of swaddle product that exists and the only thing that could keep her little arms in for the entire night was the Miracle Blanket. Skip the other products and go right to the Miracle Blanket.

8. Diaper Bags I only have a couple of them but so far haven’t found any to be all that useful. They are all too big and unwieldy for me to sift through while trying to change baby in a public restroom. If a good one exists, I haven’t found it. Until then I’m just using a purse.

9. Baby Detergent Perhaps we just got lucky but this seems like a bit of a racket. Why did she need to have her own laundry detergent? Baby had no reaction no matter what detergent we used.

10. Bottle washing doo-dads I’m referring to special baskets and brushes to help clean bottles. The bottles we use were very easy to clean both by hand or in the dishwasher without any special tools. Just buy the bottles and skip the rest.

So there you have my list. I hope it will save someone from making the same newbie mistakes I made.

What do you think? What was your most useless baby buy?

Blessings

2013-05-13T08:30:00.000-04:00

Last week we hosted a very small gathering to celebrate the baby's christening. Despite my inclination to always go the extra mile for any occasion, we did keep it low key. Of course I had to add a few special touches or I just wouldn't feel right.

In this case, there were three special touches (aside from plentiful food + drink which is always a must!):
1. a beautiful splurge: Sugar Couture made us a stunning cake to work with the pink and gold theme. Penny does such amazing work!
2. a large visual centerpiece - giant mylar balloons that spelled out baby's name which we will be saving and using again
3. something whimsical - cut outs of baby holding onto a cluster of balloons were floating all around - such a big hit that everyone went home with a 'flat aggie'

Doing something simple was a change of pace for me but I'm kind of itchy to do something more my style for her first birthday party. I'm torn on what since it would be around Christmastime. Any winter baby mommies have any advice to share on birthday parties?

What I want for Mother's Day

2013-05-10T09:30:00.000-04:00

This weekend will mark my first Mother’s Day. A day that has come and gone in my life without much fanfare up until now. So what do I want for this first special day?

I want my daughter to know that being her mother has been my pleasure. Before I was a mother, I imagined parenthood to be a marathon of sorts – worth it in the long run but painfully difficult while the race was being run. Good parents sacrificed to give their children what they needed to grow and parents reap the benefits over time as their children age and are able to reciprocate that love. While that is entirely true, I didn’t realize there was something wonderful that was much more immediate. I never imagined that being a mother wouldn’t feel like a sacrifice at all – at least not one that I minded. How could I have known that even one sided love can fill my heart to bursting? How could have I realized the happiness of simply seeing my baby smile back at me, holding her close while she sleeps or a million other little moments were an emotional experience that parallels no other? I did not expect that my mostly happy life would be catapulted into a different stratosphere of pure joy when she upended my life.

I’m sure there will be many days in my life when motherhood isn’t quite so joyful and many days in her life when she will forget the unending love I have for her. But I hope in those darker times I can recall this and remind her that I am here for her, always. Not because I am obligated as her mother but because I am blessed to have had her in my life.

For mothers day, I want my daughter to always know that being her mother is the greatest joy I could have I never imagined.

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Want more Brooklyn Limestone? Please come visit me elsewhere on the web. Let's talk about stoop gardening at My Way Home, thrift store shopping at Colortopia, some favorite shopping finds via Wayfair, behind the scenes of our lives on the Brooklyn Limestone facebook page and Instagram feed.

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What the what? Playhouses

2013-05-08T11:02:00.002-04:00

When I was a little kid, I always dreamed of having a playhouse in our backyard. So now that I have my own baby girl, I thought it might be nice to investigate getting one for her. Granted, our backyard is postage stamp size and we live right near a great park and I'm sure once she is old enough to play in it, she will be driving a hoovercraft to preschool but a girl can dream, right? So off to google I went and found this.

in case you are made of money, buy it here
WHAT THE WHAT? Aside from not having room for a second home in my backyard, I will most definitely not be shelling out twenty large for a child's toy. But I wont lie - I would love to!

Forget giving it to my daughter, I want to be the lucky kid that gets to play here. Look at that outfit she is wearing on her hot date! Is that couture? I die.

Alas my child will have to rough it with something more pedestrian. Do you have a playhouse? Did you DIY or buy? Does your child actually play in it or is it just a giant paperweight? Please share.

DIY Photo Shelves

2013-05-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

As promised, here are the details on the DIY photoshelves / message center I made for our little hallway. I knew I wanted to have somewhere to be able to easily display lots of photos of baby where I would see them regularly but also wanted something that was easy to change out as she grows.

Enter Ikea's Tolsby frames which were just 99 cents each. I snatched up a bunch of those and made some simple shelves using the help of some wood glue and my brother (for the extra set of hands that required when photographing a project).

You will need: 3 pieces of wood for each shelf (I used 3 by 1/2 inch, 2 by 1/2 inch and 2x1 boards but you could make similar shelves with different combinations of wood), bulldog clips, Tolsby frames, wood glue, clamps, screws for the bulldog clamps, a 5/8 paddle bit (I only had a 3/4 so I used that instead) and a drill.

I measured and cut the wood to the desired size, drilled holes for the frames and glued it all together. No screws or patching needed. After the glue was dry I painted white, screwed in the bulldog clips and sat each frame into the holes. I repeated three times, dropped my photos in and hung. Voila! A new message center that has my favorite person staring back at me.

The best laid plans.

2013-05-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

Yea! A full fledged DIY was completed this weekend! With a few pieces of wood and some Ikea picture frames I put a twist on a traditional gallery wall.

I know its not much but accomplishing anything that requires measuring, sawing and painting is quite the feat around here. I had intended to post a full tutorial today but you know what they say about the best laid plans. I promise to share the step by step later this week along with some photos of baby A's christening party which turned out lovely if I do say so myself. Have a great Monday.

If I were a hoarder...

2013-05-01T10:05:00.001-04:00

and had the right spot for this, I would be all over this mirror/console table monstrosity.

I think it would look pretty amazing in the right room painted a better color.

Alas, I'm not a hoarder but I hope this ends up in the right hands.

Succulent!

2013-04-29T07:34:00.000-04:00

After my first week back at work, I had a fabulous weekend cuddling with baby, enjoying the company of friends and even getting a few household projects completed. The one above was just a simple outdoor centerpiece using succulents and extra terracotta pots I had laying around from my vertical herb garden. Sadly the plants in my succulent chandelier didn't survive the hurricane so I'll have to replenish.

I know its horribly on trend to be so enamored with succulents but they are a black thumb's girl best friend. Happy Monday!

Steal This Idea*: Vintage Camera Nightlight

2013-04-26T09:44:00.000-04:00

Its Friday (yippee!) - time for another Steal this Idea* feature - a tiny show of appreciation for a well executed tutorial. Today's feature something that I saved to a favorite file ages ago and just recently rediscovered. I so want one! I just need to find a tiny camera to hack.

Jason Hull shared with anyone who wants to know just how to turn a little camera into a nightlight . Isn't that kind of him?

I like it so much, I'm tempted to just buy one already made (etsy seller relectronics sells a cool albeit pricey versions).

postscript: *When I say steal, I really mean borrow nicely and give proper credit!

**If you have an idea/tutorial you would like me to consider for a feature, email me. I'd love to see!

Things I Wished I Knew Before Bringing Home Baby

2013-04-24T10:25:00.002-04:00

Keeping with the theme that I want to share a little bit about what my experience in parenting has been like (see the 10 things I wish I had known before getting pregnant), I thought I’d share a bit more about the few weeks that followed her arrival. I can honestly say that the entire experience from pregnancy to now has easily been one of the happiest times of my life - much of it in a way that I had never experienced before making it all that much more amazing. That said, I thought I was a lot more mentally prepared for what would happen after her birth than I was. So with that in mind, I give you...

the 10 things I wish I knew before bringing home a newborn.

1. CALL THE WAH-BULANCE.

You will cry ALL THE TIME FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. Yea I know you think you are tough and “not a cryer” but it doesn’t matter one iota. Forget the Kleenex, you are going to need super absorbant paper towels, which you carry around all day and all night long because…

2. YOU WILL NEVER SLEEP AGAIN!

Sure, you thought you were mentally prepared for sleep deprivation but the reality of it is way worse than you imagined. You really can’t grasp what true torture it is night after night. You will spend your daytime hours in a zombie like state and your nighttime hours praying to whatever god is listening to please let her sleep just a little bit longer tonight while you…

3. YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOU WERE HIT BY A TRUCK.

You spent nine months dreading the pain of labor but reassured yourself by saying it was “just one day”. You didn’t think about the aches and pains of recovering from said labor would take a lot longer not to mention the odd things your body will do just to mess with you. You will walk with the gingerly grace of an old woman and mumble “ouch” all day long as you resign yourself to the fact that…

4. YOUR HOUSE IS A DISASTER.

No matter how carefully you prep or what sort of minimalist you think you are right now, your house will look like a Babies R Us bomb went off. Stacks of diapers and clothing and other baby paraphernalia will take over every inch of your living space. You will forever being doing, folding and putting away laundry. You will feel defeated by the mess that is so unavoidable but is also not worth giving up one moment of precious sleep to take care of properly. It’s especially difficult to clean up when you…

5. YOU WILL NEVER PUT HER DOWN!

Something happened to your brain during labor that made you feel like leaving her alone for even a few seconds to use the bathroom is a form of child abuse. This sort of attachment at the hip somewhat explains why…

6. YOUR DAY IS FULL EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING.

Before, you wondered what exactly would you do with an infant all day? After all, how many times a day can you sing nursery rhymes or change a diaper? Surely I would have lots of time to fill her day with stimulating activities, power walks and making healthy family meals. HHAHHAHAHAAHHA (insert evil laugh here). Your day (which just so happens to be extra long, see #2) will fly by in a whirl of rocking, shushing, diaper changes, laundry and do it all over again. The days go by very quickly even when you never leave the house. While you won’t have much time to accomplish your to-do list you have plenty of time to doubt yourself because…

7. EVERYTHING WILL SEEM LIKE A LIFE ALTERING, CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, HUGE DEAL.

Somehow every decision regarding her care – whether big or small – will feel momentous. As if one wrong move will ruin her life forever and it will be ALL YOUR FAULT. No matter how sure of yourself you were before you had a baby, you will temporary lose all perspective for a short while. You turn to your wonderful friends for some advice and realize…

8. YOUR FRIENDS GIVE TERRIBLE ADVICE.

Ok this isn’t entirely true as I did get some great advice but most wasn’t very helpful. This isn’t because my friends aren’t amazing mothers and friends and were genuinely trying to help. It’s because my friends are at least a year (and in some cases a decade) removed from life with a newborn, they don’t recall this insane period in their own life. They tend to say stuff like “I can’t believe how small she is” and “so much has changed since I had a baby”. You will wonder ‘what the heck’ and then you realize….

9. YOU WILL FORGET ALMOST EVERYTHING FROM THIS TIME.

Trust me, the month will come and go you will have a giant black hole where normal memories live. No matter how good of a memory you think you have, it will all be gone! Some highlights may remain but the low points all smooth out so you barely remember the anxiety, depression, stress and pain you felt. Mother nature is smart that way! Further proof of that is just just when you think you can’t take it anymore…

10. EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE!

What seems so overwhelming right now is not only going to be better, it will be mostly a hazy memory in just a few short weeks. She will sleep through the night, you will be able to diaper one handed, her cries won’t send you into a panic, you will feel like yourself and you will have confidence in your parenting! What follows that first crazy month is be the most amazing period where this tiny person’s smiles will fill you with an exquisite happiness you never knew existed.

So there you have it. The whirlwind that was the first month was pretty intense but became a lot more amazing soon afterward. For those of you with kids, did you have the same experience? For those of you who are about to join the mommy ranks, was this helpful at all?

The next baby related post I’m planning is all about the MOST USELESS BABY BUYS which I hope will be helpful but if there is something you want to hear about, please let me know.