On the work front, I've gotten through an insane number of major, time- and head-intensive projects in the past 8 weeks—and I won't bore all the non-university types with the details. But I'm pretty sure it's the academic's version of nesting, as I wrote to some friends the other day, as I prepare to turn in the professorial robes for spit-up encrusted nursing jammies for the foreseeable future. Manuscripts written, courses prepped, letters sent, studies up and running, human subjects requests submitted, proposals under review, research students set on cruise control for the time being, etc. etc. etc.
At home, recent days have seen junk drawers purged, linen closets organized, the fridge and freezer cleaned out, and an unseemly number of cheap plastic trays and bins from the dollar store brought into the house to tidy up any number of disheveled areas. There's nothing like the instant satisfaction of vacuuming out under one's onion bin, no?
And in response to several requests (not to mention promised to Kara the other day!) here's pictorial documentation of the boys' rooms. Josiah moved up to his big boy room during the summer, and then the nursery received some of the attention it never got two years ago when we moved to this house. Pretty much everything in both rooms consists of hand-me-downs, thrifted items, gifts, or things we've made ourselves, so I'm foolishly pleased at how cute they look and how they nonetheless cost next to nothing. I think I like the boys' rooms as much as any area of the house!
Nursery pics first:
After making the flag bunting for Josiah's birthday party, I couldn't resist sewing a permanent one for Will's room! The woodland animal pictures on the wall Josiah and I made together. He painted big sheets of paper in colors that I set for him, I cut the animal silhouettes out of those sheets, and together we glued the shapes to backing papers.
The mobile is another DIY. I used the same animal shapes but cut them from wool felt, blanket stitched the edges and glued on bead eyes, then made hanger bars from old wire clothes hangers. It looks cuter in person, and it dances and spins in all directions with the slightest movement in the room, so I think it'll keep the baby's attention. Josiah and I both can stare at it for ages. But...maybe that doesn't say much about the quality or complexity of our minds! :)
Mom made all the crib bedding for Josiah three years ago, after I bought the fabric and fizzled out of steam before making it myself. (I'm still grateful, Mom!) The crib used to belong to cousins Jaron and Bryn.
Every piece of furniture in here was pre-loved before it came to our home; most items were handed down to us, and the dresser/hutch we bought from a second-hand shop before Josiah was born (we updated the hardware). Pretty much every book, toy, blanket, and clothing item was a gift from some sweet friend or family member. We feel so fortunate! Thank you!
And now Josiah's "big boy room."
First up, a very poor photo of the room overall. The curtains and Thomas pillow on the chair are my work. And the IKEA chair itself was actually a new purchase (although on a great sale)... Josiah's train table and much of the train gear are used from Craigslist. We really should be naming this new baby Craig given how much we utilize that crazy site!
Dad built the lovely oak bookshelves for me when I was in college. The toys are all gifts and hand-me-downs, I think with the exception of the drum, which Jesse bought handmade from a man in Dominican Republic; Mom painted the wonderful Thomas watercolor picture; the desk used to be Tim's 20 years ago; the terrific Welly boots under the desk are a gift directly from England; the hobby horse was mine as a child (made, again, by Mom).
The bed? Craigslist too, as was the side safety rail. We bought the letter 'J' at a local store, and the big picture of a boy waiting at a train station came from a rather junky antique shop in NH! The four cute engine pictures I cut out of a used copy of The Little Engine that Could. The real highlight of the room is the incredible quilt my mom made for the bed. We collaborated on the design, and it needs to be seen in person to appreciate what she did! 
The bookshelf is Salvation Army thrifted (painted with leftover wall paint); obviously the clothesline of photos, cards, and art is all Josiah's work; the Chinese lanterns were ordered online for a few dollars apiece; and the alphabet cards running all around the room were a proper purchase.
I love the silly alligator mirror. That's IKEA too...
...as is the puppy dog tail hook, which is perfect for Josiah's new bathrobe!
And last but not least are the wonderful Noah's ark animals my Mom has been making for us these past few years. We get a few at a time, and they'll be cherished for a long time to come.
Jesse and I really do love that these spaces are filled with people's handiwork, gifts, and love. And we're so thankful that even Josiah already appreciates that too. Many nights he goes to bed commenting on how much he likes certain aspects of his room, and he knows who made or gave almost everything. Due to that, he's already quite good at keeping his items tidy and well-kept (for the most part, anyway!). Thank you, thank you!
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