Baby Bling aka Maya's Nursery

C and I debated over the theme for the nursery for days. First I wanted to do a casino room (slot machine diaper genies, roulette inspired crib bumpers - you know classy), but she wanted to have something a little more traditional. We decided to ponder it for one week and then bring our "A" ideas to the table for discussion.

I scoured the Internet and spent hours in the library looking for the perfect idea when it hit me like a load of bricks- a vision, an epiphany of the grandest scale that had to be nurtured to fruition. After flipping through some of my old scrap books I was reminded of a simpler, more honest time in my life. Where my friends and I laughed and sang songs and never had to worry about money in greater than $1 denominations, the best idea since the wheel, sliced bread or Sudoku:

"Tijuana bachelor weekend"

There was no way this idea could lose. We went out to a fancy dinner on Friday night each carrying our idea printed on a slip of papers in a sealed and notarized envelope. We waited until we each had finished our second White Castle and then slid our envelopes across the table.

I opened hers: "Paper Dolls"

She opened mine: "Tijuana Bachelor Weekend"

I won't go into details of the extended discussion we had that would rival some UN peace talks, but we talked it all out and made a compromise that would incorporate the best of both ideas. We would use "Paper Dolls" and I would apologize for making all of this up.

In reality, over Thanksgiving weekend we attended our first baby shower thrown by my Aunt Ann and hosted by my cousin in her house in Missouri. Nice place, beautiful event and I couldn't believe how fast all of the guys left me.

We received a lot of great stuff from all of my family, stuff we need, stuff that was unexpected and some pretty amazing items that will receive instant heirloom status.

First off was this blanket made by my Aunt Ann. You heard me right, she made this with her two hands:

I can't even imagine the hours it took to make this. We both feel so incredible to be related to someone that would take the time out of her life to create something so intricate, beautiful and amazing.

The second item I had to show was a little bench that was hand-painted by my sister. I never knew that she was so talented. Growing up, I thought she only good at creating trouble. :) Again, another beautifully created items that Maya is going to love and means a great deal to us.

The final person I wish to thank is my Mom. She created the amazing piece below over a long period of time. Again all by hand (I don't mean she hand ginned the cotton, but you know what I mean.) Another beautiful piece that we will surely cherish for all time.

The picture does not do this justice if you look up close at the hand stitching that goes into creating this item.

For everybody that was there and everyone else that bought us items, wished us well or sent us positive thoughts, we can not thank you enough. Our friend Jessica even tried to set me right by giving us a Cardinals jersey for Maya so she won't become tainted with the Cubs mediocrity, You are all truly amazing individuals that we are gifted to call friends and family.

The nursery is still ongoing, but I've inserted a couple of other pictures of our progress. I will give the grand pictorial tour when her room and the play room are completed.