It’s almost time,  I’m now 9 months and 2 weeks pregnant and as ready as I’m going to be for the rite of passage ahead.   After 3 plus years of fertility challenges, I’ve enjoyed every moment of this pregnancy, and I hope you’ve enjoyed what I’ve shared.  Now for the next phase-with all the change happening, my husband and I have decided to stay put in our one bedroom for the next 6 months at least.  Here’s a look at our mini-makeover to create a nursery area in our bedroom.

Fitting In One More

We currently live in a 760 square foot 1 bedroom in Stuytown.  Not a lot of space for a growing family but not terrible by New York City standards.  My husband Tom has lived here for 15 years, and the place hasn’t been renovated since the 1950’s, which has it’s drawbacks and it’s charms. Stuytown is a beautiful community that feels more like a neighborhood than anywhere else I’ve ever experienced in this city.  It’s very much home for us and I’m happy to stay for a while longer, even if it’s a little tight.  Since it’s recommended that babies “room in” for the first 6 months, to reduce the risk of SIDS, we decided to set up the nursery in our bedroom.  We purchased a PAX wall unit and a changing table from Ikea, to help us make more space for our stuff and create an exclusive baby area.  The changes went down over the last month, here’s my visual diary:

1. Delivery day from Ikea was daunting.  27 boxes in total for 2 finished products. This was not going to happen with just the 2 of us.  Especially because one of us is only in physical condition to “supervise” and the wall unit is a “2 person assembly”.  We called in Alex from Task Rabbit to get it going, best $100 bucks I’ve spent this year,  the wardrobe was a monster to assemble.

2. Next up we cleared the space.  We sold the dresser and Tom’s bike was relocated to the living room.

3. With the wardrobe in place, Tom simultaneously watched the Met’s game and put the finishing touches on the changing table. Mad skills.

4.  After the main furniture was assembled I put the bassinet together and hung the artwork I picked out.

5. Sweet perfection.

6.  The elephant is a painting on silk I purchased on a trip to India almost a decade ago.  During my travels I learned that the elephant is found in the form of Ganesha who is the God of luck, fortune, protection, and a blessing upon all new projects.   Well since this is the biggest project of my life it seemed like a no brainer to frame this colorful piece. Underneath is a beautiful Lakshmi Yantra, given to me with love by my long time friend Sarah Tomlinson.  In addition to being a wonderful friend, Sarah is also a doula, yoga instructor, ayurvedic astrologer, and talented artist.   According to her website “Lakshmi is the Goddess of Fulfillment, allowing us to develop positive virtues.  These riches attract abundance in areas of health, prosperity, and compassion. First, one cultivates these virtues within, then the means to sharing these are given.”

7. Lastly, I washed all of the beyond adorable clothing we’ve been given and placed my personal favorite right on top.

So now we wait.

With everything ready in our nursery and my hospital bag packed I’m enjoying the waiting.  Soon enough I’ll be covered in breast milk, poop and other surprises!  I’ll also be completely exhausted.  So, as excited as I am to bring her home I get to spend the next couple of weeks with these awesome guys.  I’ll keep you updated as the countdown continues.  If you have any newborn tips for me I’d love to hear them, fill me in below!