We are proud to announce the arrival of
Henry Brooks Mathis
born: July 13, 2009
time: 11:57 am
weight: 7 lbs 10 oz
length: 20.5″

..Henry was born Monday before noon and we were home on Tuesday by 4 pm! He has a big chest, short legs, a mess of dark hair and, well he is just ADORABLE!!!.. I had a very painful/tricky epidural but a painless birth. so thankful..three pushes and he was here! He is soo precious and good and i feel great!

[and look who has already napped in his crib! it was MONTHS before big brother slept in his nursery;;]

thank you for your love and prayers.

“The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!” Psalm 126:3

out preparing for baby (leave L&d playlist suggestions in comments if you wish..think Chris Tomlin, Chris Rice, Robert Plant & Allison Kraus;;)

..we will be back to posting soon..

thank you for your prayers and well wishes.

[image by lola b]

A stop on Kelly’s home tour…today is ENTRYWAYS…mine is tiny but it is BROWN so i have to share..in fact it is coated with some very expensive paint so dont be intimidated..it is called “BROWNIE” and it comes from Walmart” excuse the shabby door paint in the pictures..i had just scraped the window part and was repainting..this hall is tiny, remember our home was built in 1941 and it has a door on each wall..i was hesitant to hang anything on the walls but i did and i am glad…it is my gallery..and i know the crosses are busy but i love those too..

ok back to baby palooza!

This is about it for baby palooza ’09..mama is getting tired and she needs to wash slipcovers today and PACK! So let’s end with a bang..We talked about budget nursery decorating (a bit) so now lets look at the other end of the spectrum..

PomPom Interiors did a fab job on Marc Anthony and JLo’s baby nursery–i mean really, it is so pretty. Hard to believe they also did Stella’s room..a little scary. but very much like her mommy..i think i liked Liam’s room better but cant find a picture..

And now a look at Brook Shield’s first nursery by Wendy Bellisimo who also has a line at BRU..i dont hold that against her..Amy Coe does as well and they have some cute things available for great prices..just be careful with the “set.”.anyway, i love Wendy B’s styling or (stylists) more than her actual products..but look at this room, i just love it…vintage perfection.

I think that is it for baby palooza ’09..if you have anything to add, please leave comments! Thanks for indulging me on this trip through babyland!

This is our last day at home, just Drew and I, and I am feeling a little bittersweet and goopy. We are going to go here in a little while for some pictures and then home to just snuggle and watch movies..he has been taking such great care of mommy (well except when he is jumping on the bed when i am trying to rest, its like trying to relax in a bouncy castle! sigh, just keepint it real;;).. Back to the goopy…for nearly 5 years, it has just been us here at home, day in day out and for the most part, i have loved every minute and i think he has too..next week everything will change, he has no idea what is coming..and the one thing that will never change is how much i love this little boy.

Drew, you are going to make such a great big brother! How do I know?? because you already tell Henry good night each night and go turn on his night light and tell me how you are going to sing to him and protect him from dogs;;..and you kiss mommy’s belly and “check on him”..I know you are a little concerned about your toys and I am a little concerned at how you will react to all of the crying but everything is going to be just fine. I love you, Mommy

[photos by K Gallery, Summer 08']

[image from post tots]

Baby palooza continues with….. CRIB BEDDING! Oh this is a hot topic..i get so many inquires and emails about this..these are SOME of the issues:

*custom or not? [i say, yes, no, both]
*is toile still in style? [toile has literally been around for centuries..not going out of style, just choose it carefully]
*may i use toile for a boy? [sure..just dont ask daddy]
*silk or linen? [linen is a strong fiber and soft and washable, silk is well silk] see what Joni says about the fab-ness of linen! I nearly did Henry’s entire crib in beige and white linen…he does have a linen crib sheet (it is white and sooo soft..i wish i had a sheet this nice..i know i can use borax on it or boil in hot water if need be…linen is such a strong fiber!) and his interior bumper fabrics and crib skirt are linen as well..the other fabric is waverly sun and shade!
*bumper or no? [i say until they start standing on it as a way to escape]
*boxed bumper, fat or thin?? [i love fat and i love boxed]

[image from angie baker at design dazzle]

Moms seems to have a phobia of ready made, cartoon characters etc..all of which i can understand but i am hear to say IT CAN ALL WORK AND BE CUTE (and i have done it all except the character theme). The thing is, when you are pregnant and hormonal, decorating is a challenge, even if you are a designer (the fab Erika at Urban Grace admits this, oh how i cant wait to see what she does..no pressure Erika!)..simply put, there are a LOT of baby decor choices out their today…and being pregnant and feeling pressure, being tired..it all adds to that stress.. Now i know there are more important things going on in the world, but indulge us mothers..after all, it is Baby Palooza ’09 here at HMI and if you are about to vomit, well click on away because we are about to really get in to it..

So lets get started…There are just so many sources to choose from: great online stores like Layla Grace, custom sites like Polkatot and Javis Davis, you can even find bedding on etsy..Or you can use a designer and workroom or a lady in your church who sews for a bargain..or your mother-in-law..just be careful and remember emotions run high during this time;;

And remember you dont have to spend a lot (that old cliche)..just take a look at the things posted below..which one to you think is from Walmart, Babiesrus, Olivine, etsy?? sure the styling may give it away but you could restyle some of these pieces for a fab look..mix the target piece with something more high end..

[first one is from Walmart,then the babies r us classic set, etsy and then polka tot design, last one is a "dwell look"from....walmart!]
Again, some of the styling may be off and may give it away (and frankly the quality and feel might too) but it is an option.

Pottery Barn is offering some of the hot new boxed bumper designs and they seem to run their solid white “hotel look” baby bedding on sale a lot..i really like that with the brown stripe..keep that in mind..

[elizabeth allen at layla grace]
and this Elizabeth Allen stuff is precious..you can find online at layla grace or in Houston at Olivine..love her french inspired fabrics..and though it takes the guess work out of mixing fabrics it doesnt have that “bed in a bag” feel..of course it doesnt have that bargain price either..but Layla Grace does run sales on
their crib bedding..and free shipping on Serena and Lily and others..

Speaking of Serena and lily..they are everywhere..very popular. look around there site and you can see why..in Houston i think you can find their things at Nest & Cot (in Rice Village which you must visit for ideas if nothing else)…SOOO back to Serena & Lily, i love this “Rye” look and look how they name their collections (you know i like the “Henry”) now there is a concept, wait until your child is born, learn its personality THEN decorate…can we say more STRESS! But seriously, everything they do is darlin.love the “kate” below too! and always styled to perfection!



[above images from Serena & Lily]

[crib bag from leontine]

So that is my advice: Mix fabrics, mix off the rack pieces and custom–maybe the leontine crib bag with a polka dot dwell crib skirt from Target..this takes confidence just like dressing your self, and may involve lots of returns but if you are interested you can create a great look without spending a ton..

UNLESS this all just stresses you out..then do ALL white and keep it simple and pure.. or dont do a thing at all..just love that baby! After all, as much as we love this stuff, we mommies have to remember, this is all going to get vomited on (or worse) anyway, assuming your baby even sleeps in this crib..so maybe scratch the Leontine idea, make one out of Hobby Lobby linen and have monogrammed in your local stationery shop;;; Just remember, like the nester says, it doesnt have to be “perfect to be beautiful”..enjoy this special time whether it is a perfect nursery with chandelier or a pack and play from Walmart..babies are such a gift and in the end, stuff is just stuff!

He settles the barren woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the LORD. Psalm 113:9

Babypalooza ’09 continues with HMI’s favorite things list for baby..these are all items i have either used in the past and love, things i have heard rave reviews about and intend to use this time, or just simply things i think look divine but cant afford (can we say Serena and Lily sling)..please be sure and give your input and opinions in the comments…

So let’s jump right in with Lisa Leonard and something totally non-essential but precious..


I’ve received a silver rattle and cup in the past and i love those nicer things but this lisa leonard spoon is reasonable AND precious. also her necklaces- i just love (would make a great push present..who needs diamonds, this is wonderful!..hint hint;;)

and…

praise baby CDs..i loved these with Drew..both the audio and dvd once he got a little bigger (loved that exersaucer) the images and concept are similar to Baby Einstein which i like ok but the praise Songs on praise baby are just wonderful and uplifting for baby AND mama!

**on to layette..



babystyle onesies are out this time(they declared bankrupcty you know) but i love that these classic gerber onesies now come in organic AND brannan bear gap onesies are always great too..i mean they come in button downs even! and these for winter…who says little boy things are boring..
and i am a sucker for these..love love the classic feltman.

**footwear..
i love bare little baby feet at first and then robeez for a little later, or these stride rite prewalkers..i loved those with drew..


and then these when walking or little guppy fisherman sandals (notice i am just doing boy stuff)..i just dont get in to the little socks that look like shoes..maybe if i had a girl i would like the mary jane ones;; maybe.

**blankets..

aden +anais muslin blankets..so excited about these.. i hear the Miracle blanket is really the bomb though..but these from Aden + Anais are huge and great swaddling AND for hot texas weather..i will let you know how they work..i have seen them cheaper at gap and Land of Nod carries them too…regardless of what blanket i use, i am determined to be a better swaddler this time around..WE WANT SLEEP!

**diaper bags..just cant go there on the diaper bag though i do admit i SWOONED the first time i saw it..i think skip hops are great especailly for boys and they even have them at target (I saw one for $29!)..though i admit you may see Henry with this, yes monogrammed and all..dont be sick;; I know there are lots of opinions out there about diaper bags…thoughts??

**dr brown bottlesdr brown bottles now come in glass..love that…just cant go for those huge born free things..sorry..;;

**nursery….

this from babies r us..literally one of my fave things in the nursery..in choc brown..4 years ago this would have had to have been custom made now just off the rack.love that..and minky dot fabric is so expensive..just the amount of fabric in this cover is worth the price.

**and i am not a slingy girl (maybe it is my build or the lack of openess in my home..i feel like i might hit the baby against a door jam when i sling)

BUT this from beautiful sling from Serena and Lily almost takes me there..

**and oh the stroller debate..

bugaboo, bob or snap and go or maclaren??! for me, a snap and go is perfect (and cheap) the fit in my car trunk and leave room for other things..they are small and short (good for my height) and they maneuver well in antique stores..they just dont take up more space..now later, after we get a larger vehicle and have more room to tote and once Henry is out of an infant seat and we are exercising in the park more (yall remind me i mentioned this), THEN maybe we will get a bigger stroller…but dont get sucked in..if i can resist, so can you! (spend that money on really useful things like bella notte crib sheets;;)

and if you want to read more, stamford wife recently gave her great list..i think she makes a great point about spanx (even in Texas heat this support feels good, not every day but for a special occasion out)..and those belly belts are great too i hear..c section or not! But I disagree about the diaper genie…i think they are gross and a hassle, but people either love them or hate them..i prefer this (but it cant stay in the nursery, best by the back door or even in the garage but it keep them in their own little place and not mized with all of the trash)..

last but not least..be sure and visit Danielle and see her thoughts on baby wants and needs..isnt she just THE most gorgeous pregnant woman ever?!

ok, time for yall to chime in..what am I missing, any suggestions??? Of course we all know, all you really need for a baby is a lot of love and a package of those gerber onesies!

OK, so if I dont go into labor next week (I am feeling like I might but it is still a bit early–but are we are going to induce the next week for certain) sooo if I am around each day next week, We are going to have a baby PALOOZA here at HMI! Yall might think I should rename the blog HENRY MATHIS INTERIORS with all of the baby talk.. I promise there will be a respite soon but for now, hold on to your baby booties because here it comes….

here is a sampling:
*Henry’s baby shower!
*Baby stationery–shower invites, announcements, thank you cards
*Baby must haves–diaper genie or petite (and cute) galvanized bucket?
*Baby bedding–custom, semi custom, silk or no???
*Baby faves list–onesies, robeez, glass bottles, rockers
*and maybe more (or maybe just a picture of me on the couch eating Blue Bell ice cream under a fan!)

Not sure how this interiors blog turned into a baby blog–but dont say I didnt warn you before Babypalooza begins!;;; and if you have topics for discussion, something you would like to share from your own blog or experience, or questions just leave a note or link in the comments.

[image by Doc Milo from here]