Baby Girl's Nursery Progress

We keep saying Baby Girl is already a Diva, getting anything and everything she wants.

Her nursery is the 4th bedroom and had been my storage closet/exercise room/catch-all room for the last few years.  For a period of time it had bunk beds, then a queen bed and a treadmill, then no bed and random antiques, and finally prior to cleaning it out it was pretty much just one of everything-  i total mess, hey but at least the rest of the house looked good.

Major work has already gone into this room and it's far from being complete.  Here is the breakdown:

1.  So first things first, we cleared out the bedroom and closet.

2.  Next Zach lime washed the brick chimney and it looks absolutely amazing in person.  Huge upgrade and so perfect for our daughter's beautiful retreat.

BEFORE LIME WASH

After just one coat, it went on like the consistency of milk.

After just a few hours, this is what happens! Still only 1 coat.  It is amazing how  it darkens with every hour.

AFTER LIME WASH

3. Zach removed the nasty, dated carpet and carpet pad.  It was awful and didn't even deserve a picture.  I really don't want to remember that image/smell. Good riddance!

4. Zach sanded all the moldings and trim, patched all the imperfections in the walls, and caulked the base boards.  Although this is one of the least noticeable changes in the room, it made a huge difference.  Zach is a huge details person and the little stuff makes a room look perfect in the end.  Also I gain so much piece of mind knowing that every surface in her room is now "new" and clean!
5. I began paining what I could reach without a ladder (which wasn't much) the sweetest pink color imaginable- SW Possibly Pink.  Then Zach came behind me and painted all the high areas pink, painted all the trim and baseboards fresh white and repainted the doors white.  He even repainted the entire ceiling white. AHHHHHH! It looks amazing!

OLD GRAY WALLS

NEW PINK WALLS

6. Zach decided he wanted all white outlets in her room so he replaced all the cream plugs, light switches, and facings with new modern ones.  Another small touch that I think made a big difference.

7. Zach installed a new fan- same one we put in Austin's room.  White, quite, and remote controlled for those 3am feedings when your comfy in the rocker and the baby finally fell asleep in your arms and you need the light dimmed and the fan speed higher.

8.  Dad and Zach begin to tackle the subfloor {insert prayer that we will not have any legs come through the ceiling this time around}.  After years of pets prior to us moving in, you can image what a subfloor under carpet looks like---nasty.  Yet another reason no pets will ever be allowed upstairs in our home.  They will replace the subfloor, then lay another 1/2' plywood layer prior to the Brazilian Cherry wood floors being put down.  Here is the kicker- Zach wants to have this complete by Christmas.....and when Zach starts a project it gets done fast so that might just happen if the weather cooperates (for the outdoor saw).

My favorite part of the entire process is Zach's painting shirt....I made it for him to wear to a Sorority Swap we went to in college called "Thank God I'm not...".  His shirt had a picture of a little girl on the front with her hands on her hips (foreshadowing maybe???) and it read "World's Best Dad" and I wore a 50's style dress with an apron (very Donna Reed) that read "I cook, I clean, I keep my man happy".  hahaha my, my, my how things change.  I love seeing Zach doing back breaking labor sporting that shirt....now the words are so true.

Happy Birthday Boo!

I always tried to make Zach's birthday special since he was a December baby and it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of all things holiday.  Usually by December 8th, you've decorated the home and tree, you have a few holiday parties under your belt, and you've gone to share your Christmas list with Santa.

Don't get me wrong I don't always take it to the level of the surprise party we threw him in college, but it's definitively not just another day around our house.  Besides, a quite dinner with family is more his style anyway. He doesn't even ask for gifts.....who is this guy??  I can't relate.

Being a mother now, I understand what a huge deal the birth day is.  July 16 (and a TBD day in April) will never be just another day to me..... it might not be significant to many other people but that is a day when the world was blessed, enhanced, and changed forever.  A day I counted down for 9 long months and I am sure Randa counted the days for December 8th as well.

Happy Birthday Michael Zachary Jex! Hope you have a special day since 32 years ago on this very day the world was blessed, enhanced, and changed forever.