Bringing Up Bebe

(Our first glimpse of Bebe Bird)

Making Spaces in the Tiniest of Places: "We didn't plan for this very well, did we?" Papa Bird concluded after it was confirmed that we were, in fact, pregnant.  And it's true, we didn't.  What I thought would take us years to "accomplish"only took us a few months.  I know, it's naive of me to write considering how bebes are made.  And I know how lucky we were that it took such a short time, but still in all, I was in a complete state of shock.  Really.  It was at the end of May when my doctor confirmed Bebe Birds impending January arrival.  Even though the pregnancy test I took at home came up positive twice I was still convinced the box was defective and told my doctor so. "The box was dented."  I explained. "and it was the generic Walgreens box. I'm pretty sure there was green ink on it too..." While filling him in on my diagnosis he declared, "Oh, look there's the heart beat."  The heart beat?!?  And so it was.  Bebe Bird was on his way whether I was ready or not.

As a planner and living in a one bedroom Brooklyn apartment I  concluded that we mustn't be the first New Yorkers living in a tiny space with  bebe on the way.    I spent days, nights, weeks doing my research as to how in the world we were going to build our nest for our January arrival.  Here are some tips I picked up along the way that I found incredibly useful:

10 Tips for Making  Space in a Tiny Place: 

1.  DaVinci Portable Rocking Crib:  Bebe Bird is 1.5 years old and still sleeps comfortably in his portable crib. It doesn't take up much space & the style is simple and adorable. Plus it has wheels so you can move the crib from room to room if you so choose.
2. Phil & Teds Metoo High Chair: Another great space saver for our nest. It connects to our kitchen table and we can take it with us when going to restaurants or traveling.
3.  Bright Starts Portable Swing or any portable travel version of a swing or bouncer does the job and saves the space.  They fold nicely and can be stored away when bebe is asleep.
4. Collapseible Tunnel: Great for a rainy day. They always bring excitement and fun to any play date and they can be stored away neatly when not being used.  Bebe Bird has two of them and you would never know it.  
5.  Portable Activity Center: This is in lieu of the cumbersome exersaucers.  Bebe Birds friend, Lady Bird, had one and they used it all the time and again folds flat so you can store away when it's not being used.
6.  Strollaway:  an over the door storage system (think hook) that holds most brands of foldable strollers.  We love ours.  You hardly notice the stroller is there. It's never in the way.
7. Citi Mini Baby Jogger:  We totally dig this stroller. It folds up effortlessly (literally, in an instant with one hand). Its light. I can carry Bebe Bird, the stroller, diaper bag and snack bag easily on a daily basis...wow!
8.  Turn the dresser you already have into a changing table: My friend did this. She built rails on the front of the dresser so Lady Bird wouldn't fall and placed a changing table pad  on top-voila!  You now have a changing table and dresser all in one and spent very little money.
9. Transform a favorite chair into a rocking chair:  My sister-in-law did this!  She took the feet off of one of her favorite chairs and added wooden pieces to make a rocking chair.  Great use of keeping what you already have (and like) while getting what you need. I will be doing another post soon where she can walk you through the process.  
10.  Clean out your book shelf. Donate the old books and create space for toy storage.  If you wish pick up collapsable storage bins to keep toys organized.

A HUGE thanks to a Mommy Poppins post, Making Your One Bedroom Work When Baby Moves In. I found a great deal of inspiration for my nest building and confidence knowing that "if they could do it, so can I."

Pleas share your ideas for some space saving solutions.  Bebe Birds would love to hear from you!