a cute tray

I have been on the hunt for a tray to put on the changing table/dresser. A spot for things like diaper cream, q-tips, lotion, etc. I have seen tons of cute ones. But all in the $30-50 range so I was hesitant to get anything until I found the perfect one. On a stroll though Target I found a small wooden one in their dollar section. It was even an aqua color. And at $2.50 it became that perfect tray. I found some cute scrapbook paper the other night I thought would lay in it perfectly. I didn't like the idea of paper laying in here. I imagined night time changes in the dark and spilling something on it. So I grabbed a laminating pouch and trimmed it to size. Voila...now I can wipe it clean when I make a mess. Isn't it cute!?

we're halfway there!

Well, I made it halfway through. At about 20 weeks we got confirmation it's a girl! Ava is head down....all the way down. I also can't hide this bump any longer. I am definitely a little bigger this time around but not by much. She is rolling around and we have had a couple outside kicks, but Jeff has yet to feel them which of course bums him out. But all in good time I tell him. Soon enough she'll be trying to burst her way out just like her big brother.

you paid how much!?!

So I admit, I am often fond of pricey things and once I'm stuck on something, I can't get it out of my head until I have it. I think the "you want what you can't have" theory just might be true! Well, clearly that just doesn't work for a family with a limited budget. On occasion I find something and it's on sale or clearance or I have found a way to create it for half the price. All of my inspiration for Ava's room have come from a number of blogs with these fantastic nurseries that are just drop dead gorgeous. Of course most of them have these big budgets I just don't have. And quite frankly I still would want to find everything at a discount even if I had tons to spend. I just can't stomach $1-2k on a tiny dresser or crib. Just think of all the shoes I can buy with that! So that brings me to my ultimate nursery splurge (ok, not really). I spotted this pillow in a nursery and it was perfect. Just perfect. Until I found out it was Serena & Lily and $88. HOW MUCH!? Yes, I said $88. For a toss pillow. Let's get real, no baby needs an $88 dollar accessory in their room. But of course I had to have it. I mean, it was perfect. So after a little time had passed I visit the website again and see this perfect pillow is on sale. For $39! Now that was getting closer to my style. But still, I waited on it. It would still be over $50 with tax and shipping and I was trying to be cheap. Well, sure enough, my cheapness paid off. I got an email with big letters "ALL SALE ITEMS, TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 40% OFF". Um, exsqueeze me? It was like music to my ears. I bought it without a single regret and it is fantastic!

Serena & Lily Punch Bloom Throw Pillow

(if you see something you love on sale, use code extra40 at checkout for an additional 40% off)

a name for our daughter

When I got pregnant with Ashton, picking out names was one of the hardest things we went through. We both disliked majority of the boy names out there. All I knew was Avery would be the middle name. That was easy. It was my great grandfather's name and had been passed down to my dad and then to my sister and brother along with one of my cousins (don't quote me on that). I found Ashton on a name website and we both loved it. Naming a daughter I thought would be a breeze. I had loved Ava for a few years and really wanted it. I definitely kept my options open but unfortunately Jeff disliked every single name I suggested except Ava. Now I wanted to be set on Ava but I swear if one more person tells me it's too popular I'm going to scream. I have yet to meet an Ava nor do I know anyone who knows an Ava. And really, it's no where near as popular as some of the names of my generation. How many Jennifers, Jessicas, and Sarahs do you know? Yup, about a dozen each. For the past 30 years Emily has been topping the charts....I've known like 4 in my lifetime. So clearly, those name lists mean nothing and I'm going with my gut. Ava it is! Oh and she'll have a middle name...someday! But that's another battle Jeff and I will have to overcome.