The Last Nursery

Back when we began the adoption process, I started planning a space for a little girl. It was all pinks and whites and golds. Once we found out that this darling babe was indeed another BOY we began to wonder what to do with our extra space. Adoption is tricky in that we weren't (still aren't!) sure of timing. We weren't sure if she'd be home when this baby was still young enough to be in our room... did we even need a nursery?

Anyway, long story... but basically when we moved to Washington we also found out that baby girl Lincoln probably wouldn't be home until closer to Finn's first birthday. And so we decided to give this little dude a nursery all his own. I think putting a space together for him helped me to bond a bit more. This is by far my favorite space I've created for the kids yet (and I really love the boys' room too, so that's saying a lot!) Here are a few pictures of the space!













So much of the room is "repurposed". The crib was actually picked up for our daughter a long time ago used and for a steal! The dresser is from Max's nursery over 4 years ago now. The rocking chair was the one thing I bought after finding out I was pregnant. I wanted a comfy place to nurse at night that still was charming and had character.

Many of the little elements, like the gumball machine, book (another one is on the way!), goat stuffed animal, star, toys, chair pillow etc were all things we had lying around that I had used in other spaces. Even the fox canvas that I painted for him was a canvas left over from another project. I just had to buy a few colors of paint.

The bedding and crib pillows are Land of Nod. Same with the changing pad cover and floor basket. The curtains are ikea and Ritchie built the shelf and I painted it.









And, while this little guy might have his own space, I'm sure he'll never be alone....





His brothers like to hang out in there, so he'll always have company :)

January's Goal and a Home Tour!

In January, my goal was to get this house of ours organized! I did a pretty good job. Closets? Check. Fridge? Check. Pantry? Check. The only things I didn't get to (yet) was our filing cabinet and our basement. Both pretty large tasks that I'm hoping to tackle REALLY soon.

So, while I had my house all clean and (mostly) organized, I thought I'd give you a little tour.

By the way, these pics are AWFUL. I don't have the right lens to adequately capture these spaces and I was taking pictures in poor lighting.

Enjoy! ;)

When you walk into the front door (which we never use), this is what you see on the wall:


My collage of photos that I'm trying to expand. And the kid's kitchen/imaginative play area.


To your left in the space is the open play area.


This is the view when I'm standing in the play area.


This is the view from the tiny hall leading into the kitchen/living/dining rooms.


In that tiny hallway are the paintings my brother made us for Christmas! Love those!


As you keep walking into the house you pass a cutout with the pantry and our Christmas card hanger and bathroom.


And, of course, our menu.


And the kitchen would be to your left.




From the kitchen you can see into the living room.




This is the view of the living room from the dining room.






And the view of the dining room from the living room.






I spared you the stairway. I'll also spare you all the bathrooms. Think toilet, sink and shower/tub and you've got the idea.

So, just FYI. The boys' rooms are totally boring and not at all what I'd like them to be. I will eventually put them into one room with bunkbeds and redecorate the whole space. For now, they have simple and very plain rooms. They ONLY sleep there, so it's cool, I guess.

Maxton's room:

As you enter....


To your left upon entering.




Just some details...






Bennett's Room:

As you enter:








Why, yes we have a janky half decorated space above Ben's bed. No, I don't plan to finish it.


My favorite part of the room, the Apple posters.



Our room:

As you enter...


Standing back by the nightstands.


Standing by the bathroom door.


Standing by the windows


Those shelves will eventually house even MORE photos of us. All black and white. I just need to bite the bullet and buy frames. I also need window coverings of some sort. All in good time.



That's it!! Welcome to Casa de Lincoln. It's NEVER this clean.

Countdown to Christmas

We've been counting down to Christmas in this house. With a VERY excited 3 year old and travel plans to finally go back to California and see so many loved ones, we're all really anxious for Christmas to get here!

Here are some of the fun things we've been doing, sprinkled in with some looks at our house all ready for Christmas.


This is what we're constantly finding these days... Ben about to climb up onto the table.


Max and I made links to count down to Christmas and have faithfully been tearing a link everyday.

 


There were 5 days left on this particular day.




Ben spent a few (consecutive) days in the same reindeer pjs. Mom fail, but festive.


Max shows off our new ottoman! More to come on that later!


Every year I try to make these... and every year they are really ugly. They're tasty though! Oh and Santa? Clearly I need new baking sheets - yikes!

All of the Christmas tree lots around here carry these reindeer made from cuts of the tree. They're adorable!!



Although we didn't take one home this year, next year Rudolph will be ours!































Then we went to the "fishy store" (Bass Pro) to see the festive truck and, of course, the fish. I do not recommend going there 2 days before Christmas. Madness.








The best I can get of the two of them. Ugh.









Ben's newest game:





Peek-a-boo!


Max is turning teenager on us already. Whenever he has a chance he's hooked up to the iPod listening to toddler radio with headphones.




There's been SO much of this going on lately. It's sweet, but my back is seriously thrown out due to carrying this heavy kid ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY. Teething? Separation anxiety? Spoiled? Your guess is as good as mine.

And, our house. Oh, our house. It's my favorite place that we've ever lived to date and dressing it up in our quirky way for the holidays has been so lovely.


Our 5th annual Charlie Brown tree.


I bought those reindeer after a ceramic snowman broke :( I figured they couldn't break wooden reindeer. I was wrong. I had to hot glue ALL of the legs back on.




So happy to have a fireplace mantle to decorate again. I love this whimsical feeling space.


We haven't done much with our Elf, but it's on the "to do" list for next year.


I do, however, love to write in chalk on every surface that chalk is accepted.


Yum, indeed.


The living room in all its festive glory. The toy room has a few more little odds and ends, but it was messier than I'd like in order to photograph. Can't have you guys thinking I don't keep a clean house, now can I?

Oh wait.....

Merry Christmas from the whole Lincoln clan!!