Awaiting the arrival

Sometimes part of an adventure includes down time and waiting. That's where Jamie and I are with the great adventure of Callie. So, we thought you would like to see some pictures of Callie's room as it is now (and then I'll post some of the room with Callie in it later.) I am very happy with how the room has turned out. I just hope we don't overstimulate our poor little girl with all the patterns in the room. Here's what we did to get the room ready...we had lots of help from loved ones to make this room super special. Jamie found all the "gently used" furniture on Craig's list and it's all like brand new, without the brand new price. He also did the chair rail after I painted the walls...yes, each polka-dot was hand-painted with 2 coats of paint. It was fun for the first 10 polka-dots. :) Emily, Jamie's grandmother on his mom's side, helped me make the window treatment. She is a wonderful seamstress and was a fabulous teacher when I asked her for help on this project. She helped enough to make it fun and easy, but really let me do the work. Emily and Cathy, Jamie's mom, also quilted a dog quilt for Callie...it is a tradition on the Andes side(...guess I better learn how to quilt sometime.) After soaking up a smidge of Emily's sewing expertise, I decided to tackle recovering the glider chair and ottoman with a durable denim material...not bad for a first-timer. The lamp base on the side table used to be in Jamie's baby room. Cathy's friend made it and Cathy gladly let us have it for Callie's room. I decorated a lamp shade to match the rest of the room. The empty picture frame that hangs above the glider chair was given by my wonderful friend Bethany. Her fantastic idea is to have everyone that comes to visit Callie in the hospital sign the mat board, and then we will put a picture of Callie in the middle...symbolizing that she will always be surrounded by people who love her very much. The bedding was bought by my mom and dad and the very special part about it is that when I was a baby, my mom made a red gingham blanket for me to be cuddled in and I love that Callie will be sleeping with red gingham surrounding her too. The artwork above the crib and the artwork above the lightswitch were made by an awesome artist and my great friend, Michaela. They really pull all the elements of the room together...can't thank you enough Michaela!!! They are perfect. I have one more piece of artwork to finish for her room; her name will be mounted onto white bead-board and hung right above the changing table. The artworks on the dresser are a collection of postcards, and handmade creations clothspinned on a metal crate. Thanks again to Michaela and also to Karla, another awesome artist and great friend for all those special creations. Karla and her mom, Shirley, also made a quilt for Callie. It is a stunning black and white quilt made specifically because newborns don't really see colors right away; they see contrast very well though. So, Callie is extremely blessed to already be surrounded by so much love and I thank God for each person who helped make this room and my pregnancy very special! I pray that He will bless you richly in return and I hope you know how much Jamie and I appreciate you. Enjoy the pics! Hope you can come see it for yourself sometime.