When we last left off in the nursery, we had painted the closet door green, but still had a few lingering functional things that we needed (like a changing pad cover, a hamper, and a bin for dirty diapers) as well as a plan for the wall behind the crib that we had been debating.
Update #1. You probably remember when we were considering this fun arrow wallpaper for that spot (among others) but thought it might be a little busy on that side with all the built-ins, so imagine our surprise to find a changing pad cover in the same pattern on Etsy. Teddy loves it. So much, in fact, that he has already peed on it a whole bunch of times. You know, to mark his territory.
We’ve heard a ton of tips (washcloth, wipe, clean diaper) to block the spray, but even with those methods we found that it still managed to run down and pool on the changing pad cover, meaning that we had to strip it off and wash it more times than we hoped in the first few days of being home from the hospital. To the point that even if we had 4 spares we’d still be washing them constantly. We had the same problem with baby Clara (good genes I guess) so we used a wipeable changing pad cover over her cloth changing pad during that phase (it was so much easier to wipe that down than constantly be washing the cover itself).
Which brings us to Update #2. Now that we use that vinyl pad in the car for changes on the go, I thought I’d make one for the house from oilcloth. Here was my process in a nutshell:
1. I grabbed half of a yard of “marine coat vinyl” in white from JoAnn for $6 (they didn’t have white oilcloth), and I actually got two changing pad covers out of that half a yard (so we can use one downstairs when we change Teddy on the ottoman as well)
2. I laid out our existing car pad by Skip Hop (the front is the shiny vinyl part and looks like this, so the black fabric is the back) and traced the shape onto the back of the white marine coat vinyl fabric with a sharpie (twice since there was room for two).
3. Then I just cut them out. Vinyl doesn’t have a fraying edge, so I didn’t even need to hem them or anything
So far it has been awesome. Just look at Teddy modeling his new waterproof cover. He actually peed through his diaper and his onesie while we took this shot. True story. It’s like he wanted to test just how waterproof it was. Thankfully, it worked like a charm. And it has been saving us a little bit of laundry (every little bit helps!) ever since.
Update #3. You can also see the simple white trash can that we grabbed at Ikea for diapers (we’re using disposables until Teddy grows into our cloth ones, just like we did with Clara). So far it’s working well. The lid (with the step-to-open mechanism) keeps smells in, and makes for hands-free opening, which is really convenient.
Update #4. In other “I’ll take all the small conveniences I can get while running on a lot less sleep” category, we also got this adorable navy and white Boppy cover from John’s sister as a baby gift (it was also from Etsy). I know some folks skip the Boppy and just use a pillow or something but I use it so much in these early days when the baby’s so small and nursing all the time. We debated bringing ours to the hospital and I said “nah, that’s overkill” and I actually wished I had it instead of using wadded up blankets and pillows, which surprised me.
Please avert your gaze from my dirty nails and focus on the cute baby.
Update #5. This is a little craft fair item that we bought here in Richmond at the annual Spring Bada Bing event (we’ve blogged about it a few times before). It’s always fun to support small businesses and browse homemade wares – and this one is made by The Little Bandit Shop. It’s an embroidery hoop with discontinued fabric (from Ikea a while back) that she hand-stitched with some cute green vines on each side. We thought it was so charming, and a great idea for a DIY project too.
Update #6. We also realized we needed a clothes hamper, so we grabbed a basket from HomeGoods that’s around the same size as the hamper that we use in Clara’s room and I quickly sewed a little inside-out pillowcase to create a liner. Why inside out? That way when you fold the edges over the side of the basket, they face the right way (and when you look down at the inside of the hamper the patterned side shows). It’s easy to pull out and wash, and I got half a yard of this soft gray ticking fabric at JoAnn for $4.
Update #7. Now for our little plan behind the crib wall, which we didn’t actually do yet – but we think we’re set on this idea. John came up with a repeating pattern of T’s (for Teddy of course). Although this photoshopped version leaves a lot to be desired in the “realistic” department, in our minds it’ll look awesome.
It’s subtle and sweet enough for both of us to like it best of all the other options we’ve considered, so now we’re just debating if we’ll end up making a stencil to paint the T’s on the wall like Clara’s raindrops, or if we’ll use contact paper or some other method to add them. Will keep you posted!
Oh and I finally remembered to snap a picture of the fourth wall of the room (it briefly flashed by in this video tour, but I don’t think I ever took a photo of that angle). Right now there’s just a floor lamp for function (it works on the wall switch, so we can flip it on when we enter the room) but eventually we’d love an overhead light on a dimmer and we think we’ll use that wall to make a fun little play area once Teddy’s a little older, like we did on this wall in Clara’s room.
Are you rallying to add a flurry of small things to a space that’s mostly complete? Buying anything fun from Etsy or at a local craft show? Peeing on changing pads, just for fun?
Psst- To read about all of the nursery updates from the beginning, here’s how we painted all the pink trim, laid new hardwood floors, got a rug, painted the walls & ceiling, added built-ins, tackled some baby bedding, hung extra thick crown molding, filled up the built-ins, added a storage cabinet/changing table, made a mobile, and made art & painted the closet door green.
Aimee says
Hey that’s the changing pad cover I recommended on the wall paper post! (Maybe a different etsy shop though) It looks awesome! I’m so proud.
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE it so much!
xo
s
Riara says
I love the green and grey color scheme! Really sets off the adorable baby ;)
Haven’t read through all the comments – but I assume someone has mentioned about pointing baby boy’s stuff down in the diaper? Sort of tuck it in a bit, and it makes a big difference to the leaks! (Took me a week to figure that one out with my own!) Also I’m always surprised by just using a wipeable cloth underneath, doesn’t the pee just run right off of it? I always used the white cheap gerber cloth diapers underneath my baby for changes – easy to wash, and soaked up a lot in case of spills.
YoungHouseLove says
It always pools around his bum and back, so he’s laying in it. So gross, but if never runs off, just sort of makes a little lake around his body since the pad is contoured and the middle is the lowest point…
xo
s
Janet says
We actually used puppy wee-wee pads on the change table in lieu of a custom-made waterproof job like you have, and they worked like a charm. Cheap, easily re-purchased, and less laundry for moi. BUT if I had sewing skills (I can barely sew a button back on shirts) I’d probably make something like what you did. Looks cute!
Tara K. says
I LOVE the bike posters! My son is obsessed with bikes, bike parts, etc. Do you know if Public bikes ever sold them? I need them! Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t think they did but I wish they would!
xo
s
Katherine says
Awwww, I’m amazed you get anything done when it requires looking away/putting down your new bundle of cuteness.
Love love the changing pad cover with the arrows!
C says
Where did you get the floor lamp from? I love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! I think that was TJ Maxx or HomeGoods a few years ago.
xo
s
Meagan says
Looks great! Where did you get that floor lamp? I’m in the market for one and I’m looking for suggestions.
YoungHouseLove says
I think that’s from TJ Maxx or HomeGoods a few years back. Can’t remember!
xo
s
Kelly says
Love the T’s behind the crib! You probably already know this but with boys it helps to fold the front part of the diaper in and then secure it. Saved us lots of leaky diapers! Congratulations to you all!
meagan says
What great updates! We just found out our little bundle of joy (due in September) is a boy! We’ve already decided to “adopt” (aka shamelessly copy) several of your ideas, like the neutral walls/painted doors (only our doors will be navy, since the curtains and bedding are green)and the homemade mobile. Now I’m certainly going to copy the changing pad cover! I’ve heard getting peed on regularly is just one of the joys of parenting a boy. Thank you so much for the great ideas. I see so many sweet girl nursery inspirations, its great to have been able to follow your progress for an adorable boy nursery. I might have to stop now, though, because the pictures are so darn adorable and it makes me too anxious to wait another 19 weeks to meet our sweet little guy.
Kara says
Joining the bandwagon here – I love the T idea on that wall! It’s perfect!
Also thought I would throw in a possible idea for a “down-the-road” thing for the light switch. There are all of those new WeMo switches (other companies make them too), that John probably could geek out over, where you turn the lights on and off using a regular switch/dimmer, and also from the iPhone – kinda like how Nest works. I don’t have one myself, but thought I’d throw that out there. (Plus, imagine late night feedings, where you could just use your phone to slowly dim the lights without having to move the lil guy. Then fast forward to when he’s older and you can use it to flicker the lights on and off to wake him up in the mornings! Ha!).
Ali Miller says
I love his room! It’s so cute without being overly “baby”. Congratulations, he is beautiful.
I have always been inspired by the way you Petersiks live (from your frugalities to your home/work balance and everything in between). I love watching your home and family evolve so thank you for making tweeks so you don’t burn out! So wonderful to see people appreciate “now”. Love you guys!
Emily @ Life on Food says
I cannot believe how far this room has come. We are thinking about kids now. We have a spare room that will be come a nursery someday. I really want to just jump right in now. I think the hubby would have a problem with that plan.
hollyloo says
his room is so sweet!!
i’ve got a mum-of-boy-twins tip for you so you don’t get peed on during diaper changes: undo the diaper on both sides, lift back the diaper enough to let air hit his little boy bits, quickly put the diaper back down and wait a few seconds. i noticed that as soon as air hit the bits, pee pee would flow. putting the diaper back down for just a few seconds saved me countless times!
Crystal says
Our daughter pees almost every time we change her–perhaps it’s the burst of cold air or just that she prefers to pee with her pants off–I know I do! And the quantity is impressive. We found that a vinyl pad just left the pee running off and usually soaked up by her clothes.
We ended up picking up a couple packs of vinyl backed changing pad covers and they absorb the pee and we just keep them rotating through the wash. We even pack a couple of these bad boys (and a plastic bag) in our diaper bag for on the go changes.
I never thought I’d be so eager to share my trials with dealing with pee… good luck to you all and so glad you found something that works for you!
Michaela says
Long time fan, first time poster! Congrats on another beautiful addition!
For all the parents out there- a great tip for removing dried poo from bums is to use shaving foam and a warm wet cloth. The foam helps reduce friction on skin.
Cheers.
Avi says
I know a lot of people forgo the boppy, but we still use it today, and our daughter is 7 months. We no longer use it for feeding, however we put it on the ground behind her when she is playing, and we are doing work in the room with her. Just in case she falls backward while playing.
Jules says
Ok-all your Teddy pics are making me yearn for a baby boy (I have 3 girls)! I wanted to tell you my fav part of his awesome room is the changing table you hacked (loving that etsy cover)- it inspired my and and husband to attempt our first ikea hack- brown counters on our expedit and a little bench- so thank you for that! I love that you’ll be integrating all the fam stuff here now since that’s my favorite part anyway :)
Christine says
Boy babies and their fire hoses! For us it was the never ending battle of wetting through the diaper and clothes until we found the right position for the for hose… Cuz depending on its orientation it might be shooting off to the side and leak zone.
Good luck with the little sprinkler.
Kim Zale says
I’m not sure if you’ve answered this question already, but does Teddy sleep in your room for now or is he in his room from the beginning? Nursing in all, i heard its easier to use a bassinet at the beginning with infants so you dont have to run back and forth though the house in the middle of the night. I’m wondering bc i’ll be a first time mom this year. Very exited to hear about how others do it. :) If he does have a bassinet, what does that cuteness look like? Any fun patterns?
YoungHouseLove says
He sleeps in his crib but his room is right next door so it’s not too bad. Clara was such a great sleeper from that method that we wanted to replicate it and hope for the same results. Haha!
xo
s
Amanda B. says
Just some more input… We also had our baby sleep in his own room almost from the very start. He slept in a Rock-n-Play for the first few months, but we started out with it in our bedroom. He was such a noisy sleeper, though, I couldn’t sleep at all with him grunting and cooing! Plus I ended up taking him to his room to change his diaper each time he woke up anyway. So we moved the Rock-n-Play into his room at 3 days old and never looked back.
Sam F says
Love these “little” updates and I think the “T”‘s on the crib wall is a fantastic solution. Definitely my favorite out of all the options too! Love it and can’t wait to see it done!
Katie says
I love the new boppy cover. The fabric is something I would use in any number of projects. So glad they are making cuter and cuter baby stuff these days. Primary color everything is a bit of a downer. nawwmean?
Elaine says
How perfect to have a moose in Teddy’s room. I’m certain Theodore the Pres approves.
Carrie says
Oooh! Good call. That awesome picture of Theodore Roosevelt on the moose would be a cool print to add to the room! And maybe even a Teddy R quote?
Vanessa R says
When I saw the photoshopped version of the Ts I thought they were clear acrylic pieces. That would give you dimension but you’d still be able to see through them. Just another idea to add to the pot!
Melissa says
The T’s are such a good idea, decorative but symbolic!
Melissa
http://www.melismcgrath.com
Jenn C says
I love all the updates you’ve done! Have you considered making/designing/creating a kids’ home décor line? You guys have such a great eye for it!
On another note, is Teddy a good sleeper like his big sis?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, we would love to do a kids line someday, and as for Teddy, he is still figuring out the whole “sleep at night” thing but I think we’re slowly getting there…
xo
s
Vanessa says
First of all Teddy is so adorable like his big sister Clara. You are so blessed. I love the little additions to the room. I think the T’s on the wall would be great.
Stephanie Clark says
I know there are probably a LOT of tips before mine for boy diapering, but I did not know until someone told me that you’ll have a lot less of the “out of the top of the diaper if you remember to turn “it” down when you close the diaper. I had to tell my sister this also – apparently it’s not common knowledge. Also, loosen their diaper before you actually take it off. Peeing on the changing table is just a must apparently. I also sized up sooner in honest, but we didn’t start wearing them until almost a year. The max weight is kind of outrageous in my opinion. Especially for longer skinnier little dudes!
Anyway, everything looks so great! We will be working on a space for out second boy in a few months, so pinning away!
Alissa says
Super cute. Love the Ts idea and glad you were still able to work that arrow fabric into the room. :)
Out of curiosity, why cut the shape out of the oilcloth instead of make a big rectangle? Does it fold or something?
YoungHouseLove says
That shape folds up but also hangs over the changing pad and sort of grabs the sides so it stays in place nicely, so I went with it.
xo
s
Alissa says
That totally makes sense. :)
Jennifer R. says
oooh I love these little details. The small details are always the most fun. I love the idea of using a graphic print fabric in a loom and embroidering something over it to make it look handmade like that little moose.
Im currently knees deep in a half bath “phase 1” redo. It is so hard to paint in such a small space. Choosing accessories to make the little room fun but not overwhelming. And a tight deadline to get it all done because we have company on Saturday. Eeek!
Sara Brown says
Hey! Here’s a neat product that I’ve used to make non-vinyl fabrics vinyl! Great for bibs and changing pad covers!
http://www.pellonprojects.com/products/100r-vinyl-fuse/
Enjoy!
Cristina says
Great post! You have a beautiful family. I’m not sure if you have heard this piece of advice, but it has worked for us! When my son was born in August, he kept peeing through his clothes and onto the bed, but somehow managed to keep his diaper dry. This kept happening and the nurse at the hospital finally told us to point his little penis downward in his diaper. We have followed that advice and since then we have never had a peeing through the clothes issue. Major poop blowouts and peeing on us while changing him are another issue. But when the diaper is on, the pee stays in the diaper. :)
Molly says
I’ve used both the My Breast Friend and the Boppy, and I strongly recommend that you try out a My Breast Friend. For as long as you’ll (likely) be breastfeeding, it is by far a superior breastfeeding pillow. A little unsolicited advice!
Melissa says
Love the nursery. Where did you get those adorable star swaddling blankets that are stacked on the diaper changing shelf? They are so adorable :)
YoungHouseLove says
Those are by Aden and Anais. They have the best swaddle blankets ever.
xo
s
Caitlin says
I feel your pain on the changing pad cover. My son (now 3 months) is getting better about not peeing on things. Boys are messier right from the start then girls are, at least that’s how it is in my house (my daughter is almost 3). To combat the laundry piling up but also to keep the changing pad warm (since he was born in January) I got inexpensive blankets from a local discount store, like Marshall’s, and threaded elastic through the hem to create my own cover. Worked really well. Now I can just change out covers when he’s messy.
Amelia says
I had no idea you could use wall switches for lamps! Was that already connected or did you have to do something to set that up?
YoungHouseLove says
That outlet was controlled by the light switch so we just plugged it in and it worked.
xo
s
Lou Anne says
Great looking nursery, adorable baby! Just thought I’d chime in to recommend the My Brest Friend pillow for nursing. It was so much more comfortable for me than a Boppy, especially in the early days. It’s a bit pricey ($50 I think), but 100% worth it in my opinion. I used it for nearly every nursing session for months. I left it at my parents’ house for a week accidentally and had to use the Boppy, which is when I learned just how much better I liked the My Brest Friend. I used the Boppy for setting the baby in to recline as well as for tummy time (which I believe was its intended use originally). Just thought I’d share for you and anyone else who may benefit! :)
Sayward says
I’m so happy for you guys and I love Teddy’s nursery. I’m especially in love with the T graphics for the walls. I saw someone mention painting the cord to that lamp, and now I’m thinking about wrapping one of my intrusive cords with string.
Non-pushy side note: did you figure out what version of weekly photos you want to do with this sweet little boy? I looked forward to Clara’s so much – the other day I was thinking, Clara’s almost 4, I wonder what theme she’ll pick for her party. Maybe they’ll do another yearly photo! (because when I’m sitting around in my free time, I creepily think about the lives of my complete stranger Internet friends)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! We love how his first week one came out and want to do this week’s pic and then share the project with you guys. It’s so much fun to be taking weekly pics again!
xo
s
Leah says
Love the idea of the Ts! Also the etsy changing pad cover is so cute! Boppy cover too! Adorable! Love you guys!
By the way, are you still interested in doing any posts where you and readers give feedback and ideas on a readers space? I want to send you a pic of the front of my house … It’s just kind of blah and I don’t know what to do about it.
Speaking of the readers’ spaces, I’d love updates from the ones we’ve already seen. It’d be cool to see how they took your ideas/readers’ ideas and changed their space.
YoungHouseLove says
We would love those updates too! Maybe when we get a few we’ll share them and bring those suggestion posts back too!
xo
s
Bailey says
I loved those posts! I hope you’re able to bring them back – I’m guessing they’re a little less time-consuming than project posts from around your house.
Allison says
My mother-in-law taught me to always put the clean diaper under the baby before taking the other one off (unless of course there is an explosion which requires a whole other level of intervention). That way you always have a diaper right there to cover up if things start to fly. I have three boys now. That little trick has kept me from getting sprayed many times.
Destiny says
Love the nursery and you guys lucked out on cover for the changer – cute fabric. Sometimes with boys it is all about the arrangement in there as far as soaking through the diapers! Try moving things around until you stop seeing so many leaks. And for naps and nighttime try diapers specifically for nighttime if y’all haven’t already. They work way better! Also, that pattern on the boppy cover… isn’t that what the pattern on clara’s doll cradle (or something like that) looks like?!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! I love that pattern!
xo
s
Carolina says
On my list of items for my “dream” nursery is a light fixture with a dimmer! So funny that y’all have the same idea. I am sure a lot of parents waking in the middle of the night, have the same wish! The room looks great, like a happy place to be. Does John still change all the diapers?
YoungHouseLove says
I do them sometimes since we have another kiddo – so we do a lot more dividing and conquering- but I’m still completely in charge of imports (breast feeding ;) and he’s mostly in charge of exports (diapers ;)
xo
s
Faith says
Wow, love the T’s idea on the wall. How do you ever come up with such great ideas! I am amazed, again! That is also a fun thing for Teddy to grow with. I’m sure he will one day soon tell people, “T is for me”, or something super cute like that. God Bless you guys. Keep up the loving…
Meredith Jones says
Gotta love when they pee all over! LOL. My little 3 week old (!) man peed all over his own little face in the middle of the night last night, along with peeing all over the curtain and the changing pad and the floor… he got pretty upset at himself when his face was wet! ;) LOVEIT
kathleen says
I have onlyonechanging pad cover for my son so I bought a pack of the old timey cloth diapers that are really just a big piece of absorbent fabric and I alwayshaveone laying on the changing pad. they are beige sothey don’t clash and they soak up pee and spit up like a charm. then I justtoss it in the hamper andget a clean one of it gets wet and they wash nicely inwith his cloth diapers and wipes… cute boppy cover. boppys are worth theirweight in gold!
Rachael says
Looking fab!
As a Mum of 3 boys, here’s a quick tip to reduce the amount of diaper leakage onto clothes….always make sure his willy is pointing south when you put the diaper on. I know, classiest comment yet, eh?!! :D
Zana says
Love the crib, is it still available to purchase.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s the BabyMod from Wallmart (surprisingly was one of the most affordable eco cribs we could find!
xo
s
Katherine says
I love the instagram picture of Teddy with his hands up over his head – amazing how comfortable babies are sleeping {don’t we wish we were still like that}. Clara seems suddenly taller and more mature next to her baby bro.
Lisa says
I adore Teddy’s nursery! As others have mentioned, it makes me want to get going on trying for baby #2! The colors, textures and art are all perfect. Well done!
Connie says
Dear John&Sherry, greetings from Montreal. Congratulations all around for job well done on all levels. Beautiful little boy and all that hair!
How is darling Clara adapting? I’ll bet she’s really a lovely big sister and Mommy’s little helper and what about himself (old Burger), hasn’t lost his crazies I hope! Wishing you all a lovely summer as sweet Teddy goes about the business of growing up to be a little charmer.
YoungHouseLove says
She’s doing really well. She loves helping with diaper changes and gives out ten million kisses a day :)
xo
s
Carrie says
Love love love all the details. So crafty, clever, special, etc. Wonderful!!!
(I use cloth diapers/burp cloths under the butt, on the peepee, etc. all in the name of not having to constantly wash the changing cover pad.)