Ultimate Changing-Top Dresser

A few weeks ago I finally purchased the ultimate changing-top dresser. I searched for months knowing I did not want a tradition changing table - but yet a dresser that could be used for several years - and could host a changing pad on top. I quickly found that I was in love with IKEA HEMNES 8 drawer dresser with SKUBB storage boxes (I used 5 sets). I added golden-yellow, chevron knobs to the dresser, from Home Depot.

 

 

I read several blog posts on what ladies were storing in their changing tables and even found a post about my exact dresser. After the shower, receiving all the beautiful gifts, I was able to play around with how I wanted to organize everything. OF COURSE - my OCD self started with post-it notes
- on the outside AND the inside :).

 

After a few adjustments, and a lot of laundry washing, I came up with the following. I will start with the upper left drawer and go left to right, then down a row, etc.

 

Top Left Drawer: Diapers

My wonderful cousin gave me over 100 newborn size diapers - half of that assortment is laying on its side in this drawer. The standing, left column of diapers is size one. I am not certain how long baby Morenus will need the newborn size - so I wanted to be prepared for size one too. The other 50 or so newborn size diapers are still packaged and sitting with my stockpile!

 

 

Top Left-Middle Drawer: Wipes, Ointment & Wash Cloths

This drawer will host the currently-being-used diaper changing necessities, from butt cream to baby powder, in the front square box. Wipes in a sealable container are beside of it, topped with the facial wipes that come highly recommended. Not yet pictured are the wash cloths which I plan to fold and have take up the rest of the drawer - to be used for baths but also for any other cleanups that occur during changes :). You can, however, see that the IKEA drawers come pre-lined!

 

 

Top Right-Middle Drawer: Accessories

Who doesn't love little girl accessories? The front portion is for bows and headbands - and don't worry - Tucker's BFFs (aka my friends) are about to make several more headbands at our next craft party! The left middle box holds bloomers (newborn - 3months) that came with some of her dresses. Back right box holds her hats and mittens. The middle left box holds 0-3month size socks and the back left box holds larger size socks.

 

 

Top Right Drawer: Current Size Onesies and Leggings

This will be a drawer that changes as she grows - currently the front section is divided into two small boxes: one for Newborn-3 month size SHORT sleeve onesies and the right for Newborn-3 month size LONG sleeve onesies. As she grows out of the Newborn-3 month size clothing, I will move up the next size from the drawer below ;). The back left portion is Newborn-3 month size leggings and the right portion is 3-6 month size leggings.

 

 

Moving down a row...

Middle Left Drawer: Extra Supplies

This is a well organized catch-all drawer :). Front L-R: outlet covers, small medical items, arm & hammer smell good things for the drawers, q-tips, ointments, and plastic diaper trash bag refillers. Back L-R: Soap & shampoo, lotion, baby powder, and baby oil.

 

 

Middle Right Drawer: Bath & Bed

This drawer does hold the next size up onesies (front left) but for the most part it is centered around bath and bed times. Back L-R: Sleepers (gowns folded and body suits rolled), inflatable duck bath tub, and hooded towels. The front middle is her yellow terry cloth bath robe (which I assume will just stay in the bathroom) and then the front right is home to her sleep-sacks, which are like swaddle blankets but Velcro in place.

 

 

Moving to the last row...

Bottom Left: Bib-Burp-Swim-Change

Basically explains itself! Front L-R: Burp clothes, waterproof liners, and changing pad covers. Back L-R: Bibs, spoons (ok they will make their way to the kitchen eventually), and a bin for her swim necessities (3 suits, a hat, sunscreen, and sun glasses) as her first beach trip is already planned :).

 

 

LAST ONE

Bottom Right: Help Me Sleep

The entire front row is crib sheets - we are ready for multiple changes per night! The back row stores her swaddle blankets (Aden & Anais) and her fluffier blankets. I love the colors of this drawer!

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the trip into my OCD brain!

Feel free to let me know if you can think of items I haven't included or just want to say how you did or didn't organize your changing area! I am all ears :).

 

"But all things should be done decently and in order." 1 Corinthians 14:40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



25.25 Check In

You may remember that after my 25th birthday (April 14th) I challenged myself to complete 25 tasks before turning 26... One year to change my lifestyle for the better.

 

Review:

 

1. Hit my savings goal, and keep that amount in my savings account, untouched, so I will have it in case of emergencies OR to eventually retire on :).

2. Pay off at least HALF of my car loan!

3. Be at a healthy weight and BMI with habitual exercise and healthy eating!

4. Be in prayer and scripture reading daily, with proper tithing and church attendance. Serve in the church and make more relationships with other believers!

5. Finish projects! Start with finishing the kitchen table and chairs,

 then make the upholstered headboard.

6. Hang photos, paint the interior walls, and keep organized/decluttered!

7. Sew regularly as a means of relaxation!

8. Spend time outdoors! In the garden, under the sun, redneckin' with hubs, running with bud...

9. Take several quick weekend getaway's with hubs.

10. Strive to do better than the day before!

11. Make goals/deadlines and Achieve them. Home projects, Work assignments, etc.

12. Advance within the company in knowledge and skillset.

13. Blog Often!

14. Take photos and actually print them. Make the 2nd year-in-review photo book!

15. Get to know a neighbor.

16. Have people over to our home for fun evenings, often!

17. Spend girl time with friends. Take a girls trip!

18. Learn to play an entire song on my guitar.

19. Find something to do when not happy, other than eating! Make it a habit/natural reaction.

20. Spend time with family, immediate and extended.

21. Volunteer & serve: help those in need. Share God's love!

22. Make sure I am being a great wife- don't get too busy to forget to show love!

23. Make new traditions with hubs and continue ones already created.

24. Make cleaning the house less of a hassle by doing a little each day.

25. Try new things and blog about them :)

 

Well here is my 25.25 update:

 

2. I will most likely not pay off half of my car loan in just one year, however, I have managed to pay more than the minimum so far each month!

4. We have found an amazing group of young married believers in sunday school. We both pray all the time but need to be more committed to reading the Word outside of church. We tith in chunks, currently, instead of each pay period- need to make it routine.

5. Table and chairs finished. LONG to-do list started.

7. I made pillows for Valentines day, Made gifts for pregnant friends, Made Chapstick keychain holders, and turned old tee-shirts into new workout tanktops!

8. Tyler and I planted a garden and maintained it. We went to the pool often- including the inflatable pool on our back deck (last 2 weeks until the mosquitos got out of control). To top it off- we had a redneck memorial day with the Holberts: "Pig Pickin'". We also put in a new mailbox and added a bench to our front porch. We were outside a lot!

9. Tyler and I went to the beach in February and in April. We also went to Charleston in August with our Sunday School class. I went to the beach again in August with my mom/sister and then to Raleigh in Sept with my sister to see friends.

12. I was promoted to executive admin, then to project manager. Then I took a promotional move and joined the marketing department.

15. We delivered veggies from our garden to two different sets of neighbors. Not much interaction with one set, and the lady we did get to know is now moving. We will continue to reach out to others!

17. Refer to #9 :).

20. We always gets to see both families on holidays, which is fortunate! We also got to see all grandparents (except Grandma Ruth) over my birthday weekend! July 4th we spent time with Uncle Kurt and Aunt Caroline and in a few weeks we will decorate pumpkins with all of my dad's family. Tyler and I make it to our parents home at least once a month for dinner (usually more often) and see our siblings then. We will get to see Christy in a few weeks too because she will be working a carnival in Winston Salem, NC :).

22. Started a new cleaning scheduled where I attempt to keep the house smelling fresh. I have organized EVERYTHING and will do it again each "quarter". We will be having a yardsale in two weeks :). Other good wife duties: investing interest in tyler's shows and hobbies. Giving headrubs without complaint. Helping with the cooking... or at least doing all of the dishes :). Ensuring he has clean clothes for work each day and food for lunch.

23. New traditions: Birthday beach trip (my bday). Being a redneck on memorial day. Continued traditions: anniversary beach trip with Gram/Grandpa. Yard sale shopping on Saturday mornings.

 

"Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work."
John 4:34

Welcome...

FINALLY...

 

We have the SMALLEST entryway of any home I have ever seen. You walk straight into our living room, which is luckily sectioned off by a change in flooring and a squared-off furniture layout. BUT, it only left a small wall for any sort of entryway.

 

So we waited. And waited. And thought. And waited more. And analyzed what we actually used the entryway space for. Conclusion- our sandals which are worn in and out of the house on weekends, a place to sit and put-on/take-off work boots, a DRAWER for keys, tyler's wallet, etc., maybe a spot to hang a coat. The extras I envisioned were a mirror, a cute clock, and a place to put my slender flower arrangement that no longer fit on the mantel due to husband's oversized TV.

 

I give you... our entryway...

 

Briefly.

My mother's father was handicap but found unique ways to paint before he lost all of his muscle strength. He lived two hours away and passed away just before my 10th birthday, so I didn't have a chance to really get to know him. Having one of his paintings is a true treasure for me!

The shelf with drawers and stool were both yard sale finds.

The flower arrangement fit perfectly and I found a cute clock at Ikea.

I have the mirror Grandpa Crawford made hanging on the photo wall, so no need for one here.

The rug is a navy and white, chevron/diamond pattern: found it at Walmart on Clarence.

 

To come.

This wall, as well as the rest of the living room and hallway, still need to be painted grey like our photo wall. I think I will add a row of hooks below the shelf too... to close in the gap and allow for a guest to hang their coat or purse!

 

"For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

 

Yard Sale Chair

No unique title needed... this chair says it all!

 

Found a silver-metal framed chair with grey seat/back... paid $5 at a yard sale.

 

 

 

Added padding to the seat & recovered each section in fabric I already had, and had already used to make my sewing machine cover (first thing made on first sewing machine).

 

 

 

I secured the fabric with a few staples from the staple gun and then bronze upholstery nails in a design that goes across the bottom and up the sides of the inside, and then across the top of the back of the chair. I love the look of the two different fabrics! The top fabric is gold and white damask, the bottom is gold and white stripe (hard to see in the photos).

 

Also, I spray painted the frame white since there wasn't any silver in my office. I think I will go back and spray paint the screws white as well so there is no silver on the chair.

 

This will be my chair to sit in when I sew... and it fits nicely pushed under my cheap card-table, sewing table! {Note the sewing machine and pile of fabric :) }.

 

 

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.” Isaiah 65:17



Collections on a Wall

Before the holiday season started in October.. yes, we celebrate pumpkin carving and candy eating :), I took the time to gather several items and frames I had been setting aside KNOWING they would make for an excellent photowall/gallerywall/PinterestMasterpiece :).

 

Then, I taped a very unproportionate square on my living room carpet and laid out my design...

 

BUT. Then we had the holidays and NUMEROUS other household projects... and we didn't tackle hanging anything until April/May.

 

FIRST. We had to paint the wall. We knew we wanted the WHOLE room to go from light tan to a powerful grey- so we started with the "photo wall". A great way to try out the grey before committing to the whole 12 foot tall room and hallways! We LOVED the grey that I painted, so Tyler agreed we could start hanging pictures.

 

Let me explain...

 

My nanny family, the Slaters, gave us a very generous Groupon giftcard during our engagement. I chose to spend it on a deal for two professional photos turned into canvas portraits. GREAT SPEND! Can not thank them enough!

The tan portrait is Tyler and I during our First Dance as a married couple- at our Wedding Reception. The second, Black and White portrait is from our engagement session at the Barker Farm with our precious son, Buddy :).

 

Also during our engagement, while shopping dangerously at Kirklands... I found two plaques that spoke to my heart. I bought them, and right away knew that they needed to be added into a photo wall. Enjoy reading these gems...

 

Next.. I searched for a small frame to fill the whole in my carpet-layout ;). While at khols, who has AMAZING frames for cheap, I found a four selection frame. I thought "It will be too high to capture photos this small of a size" but the frame PERFECTLY fit the measurements I needed, so I bought it. After a few too many days wasted on pinterest, I realized that so many people were framing fabric and scrap book paper for room décor. Got me thinking... why don't I frame the fabric samples from the fabric I've used in my living room and kitchen for curtains, pillows, etc. So I did...

 

 

Both of the Hanging plaques have been in my apartment and at our parents homes while we lived at home waiting to get married. The dog portrait looks JUST LIKE our little guy so when we saw it at the Southern Living Christmas show in 2010- I bought it. The fisherman plaque came from Kirklands... and it was just TOO good to be true, especially now that we are married and living together. I gave it to Tyler for Christmas the year we were engaged and buying our home.

 

From early on in our dating relationship, Tyler and I had a little phrase we repeatedly used, "Love you more". To our content, we have found a picture frame and even a candle with the phrase. This plaque, however, Tyler found and brought home. Beautiful surprise and a great "cherry on top" of our "photo wall". The wood slice was cut by Tyler for our wedding and written on by my crafty sister, Amy. Both are wonderful treasures...

 

 

Please note: The window framed mirror was made by Grandpa Crawford!

 

We still need to find frames to go around the wood slice, and pictures to go inside... but our photo wall is almost complete! My husband spent two complete days measuring out every piece to make sure the wall would look perfect. He is the best!

 

"He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer."  Exodus 35:35

 



 



 





#Twentyfive

There are several years that have passed where I have found myself thinking, "Wow that flew by".

And yet, turning 25 years old seems impossible. Surely those quick years don't add up to 25.

"How in the world have I already lived a quarter of a century?"

 

I know that 25 is not "old" and I know that my adulthood has honestly just begun. However, 25 is a long time. Even though the majority of my life is just beginning (hopefully), I have already completed being an infant, a toddler, a child, a preteen, and a teen. I have graduated high school, and earned two college degrees. I have become a young adult. I have married my best friend and adopted our first child... even if Buddy has four legs and a tail... he counts! I have opened a savings account, bought a reliable car, bought a home, been hired by a reputable company, and started a garden. I have even traveled, not outside of the US but to every eastern US state and San Francisco, CA. Heck, I even owned and operated my own business, Buddy Care, for five years. I even did all of that pretty well- I was an athlete, I worked for a local TV station, I was on honor roll, president's list, dean's list and a collegiate national honor society. Through the God lord's blessings, I accomplished a lot in what seems like short amount of time until you put a number to it!

 

WHAT IS LEFT TO DO?

 

Lots!

 

Once I started thinking about HOW MUCH I did in the first 25 years... I decided I wanted to make sure I accomplish just as much, if not more, and grow my knowledge of life in the following 25 years! By the time I am 50... woahhh... I want to ExHaUsTeD from accomplishing life and not wasting it! So here goes... I will start with 25 things to do before I am 26!

In a little less than one year I hope to...

 

1. Hit my savings goal, and keep that amount in my savings account, untouched, so I will have it in case of emergencies OR to eventually retire on :).

2. Pay off at least HALF of my car loan!

3. Be at a healthy weight and BMI with habitual exercise and healthy eating!

4. Be in prayer and scripture reading daily, with proper tithing and church attendance. Serve in the church and make more relationships with other believers!

5. Finish projects! Start with finishing the kitchen table and chairs,

 then make the upholstered headboard.

6. Hang photos, paint the interior walls, and keep organized/decluttered!

7. Sew regularly as a means of relaxation!

8. Spend time outdoors! In the garden, under the sun, redneckin' with hubs, running with bud...

9. Take several quick weekend getaway's with hubs.

10. Strive to do better than the day before!

11. Make goals/deadlines and Achieve them. Home projects, Work assignments, etc.

12. Advance within the company in knowledge and skillset.

13. Blog Often!

14. Take photos and actually print them. Make the 2nd year-in-review photo book!

15. Get to know a neighbor.

16. Have people over to our home for fun evenings, often!

17. Spend girl time with friends. Take a girls trip!

18. Learn to play an entire song on my guitar.

19. Find something to do when not happy, other than eating! Make it a habit/natural reaction.

20. Spend time with family, immediate and extended.

21. Volunteer & serve: help those in need. Share God's love!

22. Make sure I am being a great wife- don't get too busy to forget to show love!

23. Make new traditions with hubs and continue ones already created.

24. Make cleaning the house less of a hassle by doing a little each day.

25. Try new things and blog about them :)

 

Here's to Gray Hair...

 

"Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life." Proverbs 16: 31

 

 

Spring into March Madness

You read it right...

 

In the Morenus home... we do not wait on April showers to bring May flowers... we start spring NOW. We had a beautiful Sunday in Charlotte, NC with spring like temperatures and the ability to stay outside all day and not catch a cold [Knock on wood]. So we are officially celebrating Spring!
{Even though it will most likely drop below freezing again this week...}

 

March is a GREAT month for college sports fans! We get to see multiple basketball games as the March Madness challenge unfolds. I always complete a bracket with DUKE winning the entire thing, and haven't been correct in awhile. Tyler always thinks UNC will go all the way. We WILL decorate with {some} our Duke and Carolina items and there will be lost battles resulting in wearing your least favorite team's apparel, etc. It makes for a fun month! Hopefully the leprechauns will bring some luck DUKE's way middle of the month! You can see below that my colleagues are Carolina fans and have already started a battle...

 

 

 

Back to spring.
We have completed a few things already to prepare for the change in seasons.
The red and pink pillows were stored away in a pink Rubbermaid to be used again next February.
In their place now lives blue pillows and our friend, Mr. Squirrel.
My lovely sis, McKenzie, made the other two pillows!

 

 

 

On the Side Tables, we have stored away the winter flowers and brought out our spring vase and cherry blossoms. Fake of course... I have a brown thumb!
I have also purchased a few gold items to give the room a new accent color.

 

 

My most favorite... I took down the City of Charlotte Christmas painting my sis, Amy, and I made and re-hung my Grandfather's painting of Spring. This is one painting from a set of all four seasons. My mom and two sisters have the others. My Grandfather could barely use any of his muscles and was completely handicap by the time he passed away, but yet he produced some amazing paintings before he lost all muscle function. He died a few days before my 10th birthday, so sadly I do not remember much of him. Glad to have this artwork to connect me to him!

 

 

~** SNEAK PEAK **~

 

This week I will be finishing the pedestal table and chairs for our kitchen. We bought them last fall at a yard sale for $40 total... table, pedestal, 4 chairs. The seats of the chairs and the table top are maple wood  (remaining that way) and everything else was an ugly green color. I was confident I could strip the green away... and man is it hard to do! It has taken awhile but now that our garage is clean and spring is approaching... I am motivated! I will do a post on the table project when it is complete but here is the progress so far... note the finished product will be maple wood & brown distressed paint (seen on chair legs below).

 

Of course, Buddy wanted to say, "Hi" too.

 

 

I won the Sunday School bible drill yesterday :)...
"For the wages of sin are death but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"
Romans 6:23