We need to get the room ready for our little friends who will be coming to live here. There are a few challenges...1. the room is not large 2. the room needs to be appropriate for girls and boys, infants through 7 years old! 3. we have a budget of just $800 for decorations, furniture, paint, etc.
First of all, geez louise are cribs ever expensive!!? I would love to be able to get a beautiful crib from PB kids but holy moly people...$2000 for a crib?! We're looking into the possibility of a hand-me-down. Otherwise, I think we found a nice alternative.
I picked up a fabulous antique twin bed from my friends at the cottage for the rock bottom price of $50. (I'm not counting that in the budget since I bought it last month, before the budget was established. Cheating, I know. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!) My sweet friend Linda is painting it for me a nice antique white. It is a 4 poster bed that's missing its finials. I'm going to find some cute wooden birds to paint the same color as the bed to make fun and funky finials.
The photo above sparked the whole plan for the room. It's from the fabulous Red Shoes.
And here's what we are putting together for the plan. All of the house paintings are made by the very talented Catherine of Red Shoes. Most everything else is from Ikea. Oh, but the last photo is also from Red Shoes.
If you live in Ann Arbor, you are the luckiest girl in the world. Especially today since today is the day Red Shoes has its open house. Go! Experience it for all us poor souls who live too far away.
36 comments:
Amy - I think your blog readers need to have you a kiddo shower to help get you ready. Diane
Oh Amy....I am so excited for you. Getting to know you at Silver Bella was a wonderful experience. YOU are gonna make the best MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just a FYI with the crib..if you find an old one make sure it meets safety specs. I know some railings have to big of gaps in between.
Keep us posted....If you need anything let me know.
xoxo
Lonnie
Congratulations Amy! I'm sure that any little one that gets to share your home will be thrilled with the nest you make them! xo natalea
Amy - This is so exciting and I cannot believe you're friends with Red Shoes! She is another of my favorite blogs...
I agree about the shower...please send me your address again. We here in St. Louis want to get your library going and fill your bookshelves! xo Corinne (groarkblankfamily@hotmail.com)
Amy,
What excitement! If you haven't checked already, Pottery Barn at the Leesburg outlets often has great deals on the kids stuff. Have fun! xo- (the other) Diane
What fun stuff! Oh, get floor cushions if you can. Kids looooove sitting/lounging on the floor. Good luck on getting your room decorated. :-)
Amy I'm so excited for you and your new adventure. You and your husband are going to make such a difference in the lives of young children. It is a good thing!!!
Also, I opened an Etsy shop. If you have time please take a look I welcome any constructive criticism.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5389774
Have a wonderful weekend!
oooh those Ikea covers are the best! That is what I am hoping to get for my kids room. i love how perfect they are for boys and girls (since I have one of each and they share right now).
Oh my goodness, you are having so much fun!!! Love seeing all the inspiring pictures. I'm about to re-do my sons decor and I have the same Ikea sheets and curtains. Love it!! I may have to find myself some house pics. Love those! Wish you lived closer. We're about to get rid of two gorgeous cribs....
Enjoy the process of creating their room. FUN!
Kari
Amy, my husband of 23 years & I went through 4 rounds of invitro, to no avail. I am deeply in my heart so glad you and Rich are making such a special family. We have nieces and nephews aged 3 to 22 who we adore, and I know how happy opening my heart to still love children makes us feel. You and Rich are opening your hearts, too. My sincerest best wishes.
Congratulations on this wonderful journey you and your husband are taking!!!
Can I come be your foster child? :)How sweet that room is going to be.
Enjoy every moment of this. I wish the world had more people like you and your husband that were dedicated to this very important job.
best wishes!
mel boniface :)
Amy, those kids are going to feel SO LUCKY! What a home you will make for them! Best of luck.
Oh, you are on to something. I think it is going to be the most fun, lovely room a kid ever had. You may want to check out the Pottery Barn Kids Room book for some fun inspiration. I picked it up 2nd hand yesterday for $5 (that fits in your budget, right?) so I can finally stop checking out from the library once a month!
Eh, I wouldn't spend a mint on a crib. We have one that was about $100 bucks from Toys R Us, and it worked just fine for Jack for nearly 3 years. (It was a white Jenny Lind style.) (They have big coupons in the spring when they have their annual baby sale.)
Alternatively, you might have a resale shop near you that carries them secondhand (and they meet current safety standards.) A popular kids resale chain is called Once Upon A Child.
You lucky duck. I love me some Cath/Red Shoes. She's a sweet pal to have, yes?
And you're close enough to me that I'm tempted to kick my 3 year old out of her crib and take it to you. =)
You can do it on that budget, especially with IKEA so near by! I used to live in Ann Arbor, I'm so sad I moved away before the Fairy Doors arrived. Now I live in Sterling so I get to visit The Cottage. My 3 year old often says "Let's go down-down-town Leesburg!" and I will say "What do you want to do there?" and he says "Go to The Cottage?" He likes it because I usually park in the big garage and we walk down and go past the Antique car dealership on the way. We haven't been in a while, we need to stop in and see the Holiday Cottage!
I know it's going to look fantastic! Can't wait to see the finished room!
Wow, what exciting news !! After reading your blog for over a year now, I can say, what lucky children ! I've often thought of being a foster parent but I'm just not strong enough. Thank goodness for people like you and your hubby. Good luck to you.
Aimee
Well, I don't know you. BUT I know how to say CONGRATULATIONS! If so Please let me know if you have more than one girl, as there is something I would like to send you. I share in your joy! Bloglandia is abuzz!! The children who get you are in for a wonderful Mommy!
Hi Amy,
I have just discovered your blog and cute shop! All I can say is that it does not matter what you put in the rooms for the children all they need is love, and since you have plenty to give then that's it! Most likely they will end up in your bed anyway like my boys do, they always want to come and snuggle!
Enjoy the ride!
Hi Amy,
I've read your blog for a long time, and have purchased things from you, too.
I'm getting a little queasy reading comments here about your adopting children. While I appreciate your adopting children who need homes, you need to think of adopted children (infants or not) as special needs children. They need more than 'love'. They do not need to be called 'lucky'. Groan.
Please be a kind, thoughtful adoptive parent, and READ! I reccommend THE PRIMAL WOUND by Nancy Verrier, herself an adoptive parent who has written this indespensible book. Adopting children should not be expected to act 'as if' they were born to you. You may not have other children, but they HAVE another family that they have lost at birth. Please do not make them act as if their past doesn't exist. If these suggestions make you nervous at all, you might want to reconsider.
-From an adult adoptee who cares a lot about little adoptte's inner lives.
Dear anonymous,
I appreciate the concern voiced in your comment.
I need to clarify that we are not thinking about adopting children. We are going to be foster parents. In the foster parent program, the goal is reunification with the child's parents. Rich and I will provide a loving, safe, and friendly home while their unhealthy homelife situations are healed. Their family will be a topic of continued conversations, most certianly.
We understand completely that the children coming to stay with us will be special needs children. Most of them have been neglected, abused, and/or molested. They will have broken spirits, maybe broken bones, and they will most certainly have serious attachment issues.
In the past foster parents were discouraged from forming real parent-child relationships. Research has shown, however, that by not forming a trustworthy bond with the children, foster care serves to add to detachment issues. Foster parents today are encouraged to welcome foster children into their homes and hearts as if they were their own.
We certainly won't have the luxury of pretending their past doesn't exist. The pain and bruises of their past neglect and abuse will be always present. We will strive always to help them heal and grow into healthy children who feel safe and loved.
This is a very serious life decision we've made. We've gone through rigorous training through the foster agency and we have read and researched plenty.
As for these children feeling lucky, most of them would have considered themselves lucky to have gone a day without being beaten or for their mother to remember to feed them. We hope to show the child that they are special and loved and worthy. The friends who have commented that the children who will live here will feel lucky meant just that, I'm sure.
Knowing you as I do, I know how much deep thought went into your decision and how much love you have to give. Anyone entering the sanctuary of care that you are creating is lucky, irregardless of where they come from. Wishing the whole 'family' nothing but happiness and good fortune.
I think you are amazing, and foster care is soooooooooooo needed, as a person who has had infertility issues, and been blessed 3 times by adoption, my hope is for you to someday have a forever child. Yes, children of adoption may have "lost" birth families, but you could also say the have gained a family, glass half empty- glass half full. Sounds to me like your reader is a bit sad, and unclear on your focus at this time. Thank You for providing,a lovely temporary home to these children.
blessings,
Carrie
Nj
P.S. Catherine from red Shoes is a friend, I'm sure she'll be thrilled and honored you're inspired by her art.
hey amy! i'm still so excited for you! if you know what kind of bird shape your wanting for the finials i would love to cut some for you and send them as a shower gift for you! please let me know! this is so exciting to see this all happen!
kim
I have had several friends who have had foster children and all of them have adopted one or two children, so don't be surprised if that's part of God's plan for you.
It's not always possible for children to be reunited with their birth families and the foster parents are the first choice as adoptive parents.
How much fun will you have decorating and putting the "Amy" touch for the sweet little children who will be decorating your homes. I can't wait to see more pictures.
Blessings:)
Carol
Oh jeez Amy, I meant to say for the "sweet little children that will be gracing your homes"
Blessings again :)
Carol
Oh Amy, I am so thrilled for you. This must be such an exciting journey. Thank you for sharing it with us!
This is so exciting!!! I just read your wonderful news and am so happy for you and Rich!
I am just now getting up to speed on this wonderful news from you, Amy. I'm so happy for you- knowing that any child would be so fortunate to have 10 minutes or 10 years of your loving, patient attention and care. I do like Diane's idea of a blog-shower for you...and would be thrilled to contribute anything to your littlest-love-nest. I'll be looking for a way to pitch in. Thinking, thinking....o-so happy, Amy! xoC
You are well on your way to making a lovely home for the kids...I could design an entire house around one of Cahterine's paintings! Congratulations!
Hi, first time visiting your blog. Very cute and lovely work. makes me want to leave work early and go home and craft.
As far as a crib is concerned, visit Craigslist.org and search your area. You can often find one or 2 yr old cribs for less than $100.
good luck!
I am So honored to be an inspiration for your adorable room!
Just the fact that you have a heart that huge to open your home to those children is an inspiration in itself.
I am humbled beyond belief to be a part of your room, I am looking forward to coming up with something
extra sweet for you and your future guests.
big hugs.
xoxo
catherine
Having met you at Silver Bella, I can honestly say, that your love of life, your passion, and your spirit is contagious, and that any child fortunate enough to spend time with you, will be blessed forever...best of luck...suzanne
Love the stuff from Red Shoes, fabulous. Good luck with the preparations.
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