Lullaby and Goodnight

 

The littlest British Royal bundle of joy will make his or her debut at the beginning of the summer. Like every expectant couple, William and Kate are redecorating the house in anticipation of the arrival of their first baby; the difference is that the nursery will be in their new apartment in Kensington Palace. Kate and William have a young and easy style, but the nursery will have the help of a decorator who created the sanctuaries for other royal babies and there will likely be some regal standard to the design.

There will be a bevy of suggestions for the nursery suite of the future Prince or Princess, so let's get the cradle rocking with some worthy suggestions..........

A small bassinet is usually the baby's first bed. This antique iron bassinet in a warm shade of gold brings a soft mix of old and new together.

 This change table by Savio Firmino ensures everything is at your fingertips - drawers underneath for storage and pull-out shelves wing at each side to provide a helping hand for the diaper brigade essentials.

Shelves over the change table offers much more than just additional storage. It's important to have a teddy or toy at arms reach to occupy a fussy baby.

savio firmino

Savio Firmino creates some of the most elegant bed ensembles and they have paid special attention to the nursery. Soft neutral tones of creamy white and beige linen are sure to lull anyone to sleep.  

savio firmino

The French Provincial style upholstered headboard of the crib could double as a headboard for a single bed - perfect for your own little princess. 

Albeit that the new little prince or princess will have a more spacious nursery than this one above, the teddy bear tones of soft neutrals and white will bring a softness to any size nursery.

Continue with tranquil neutral shades by injecting soft grey and white to the nursery.

Add soft elements in pink or blue to a neutral nursery with linen. The beautiful linen collection below is from Belle Notte Linen.

Restoration Hardware has a full line of furnishings for the littlest member of your family.

Jennifer Lopez' designer created an opulent nursery for the twin's. Comfortable chairs and ottoman allow mommy or daddy to put their feet up at feeding time, a side table provides a space for everything needed in arms reach and a lamp on a dimmer switch is perfect for those late night cuddle times with baby. The ultimate nursery would have an ensuite bath.

Kensington Rocking Horses

A vintage rocking horse, teddy bears and various memorabilia add a whimsical finish to a nursery.

nicespace.me

Kya's nursery - image: my own

I think it's unlikely that Kate and William will have a miniature castle built in the nursery, but if that is part of your dream nursery it is available.

Savio Firmino - for the princess in your life.

And would better way to take the royal bundle out for a walk than in a Silver Cross Surf Pram - Aston Martin edition, which is described as 'the ultimate in comfort for your baby and style for the owner'.

The options on designing a gender neutral nursery are endless. But if you are left wondering will the blankets be pink or blue, you may want to try the Chinese gender chart - here .

Adding personal touches to a nursery like Mommy & Daddy's baby pictures, a family heirloom Christening gown hung in a frame, or a favourite quote on the wall make the space special. One thing is certain, it is always amazing how such a little person needs so many things.

'Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,

For babies grow up as we've learned to our sorrow.

So settle down cob webs, and dust go to sleep,

I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.'

** if you tried the Chinese gender chart for your own pregnancy drop a note and let me know how accurate it was.

First Ladies

"Being First Lady is the hardest unpaid job in the world."

                                                                                                                     Pat Nixon

First Lady's - Johnson, Bush, Clinton, Ford, Reagan

As the whirl-wind tour of the current political campaign in the U.S. continues, I watch with amazement {from Canada} at the energy level required to constantly be 'on'.
From the moment a candidate steps into the political arena he brings with him {or her} their family on the quest to succeed. And that quest comes with a grueling regime.

First Ladies are not elected, do not receive a salary and perform 'unofficial duties'. Although some critics would say that living in the White House is not a hardship, I'm not alone in the thought that I would not want the job and constant criticism.

The First Lady is the official hostess of the White House and attends ceremonies and functions of state with the President or as his representative. Not all past Presidents had a spouse to act as First Lady and a relative or representative stepped into the role {President's Jackson, Jefferson, Taylor, Buchanan}.

The campaign trail is a tough one to travel with the public and media constantly monitoring every move. Just the physical aspect of visiting multiple cities and states in one day, greeting thousands of people and shaking the hands of hundreds is overwhelming. It is exhausting to watch the activities and I wonder how they stay standing and healthy through the process.

Betty Ford

Private life becomes public for the First Ladies of the White House. A photo of Betty Ford was published while she was in the hospital recovering from a double mastectomy. In an unprecedented move at the time Mrs Ford authorized the photo to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer.  55,800 well wishers sent letters and cards to the First Lady who's husband had only been in office for two months at the time.

President Lyndon Johnson, Lady Bird and family.

Standing strong together in the public arena has been a tough challenge for many First Ladies. 'Stand By Your Man', a song made famous by singer Tammy Wynette describes the ying and yang of relationships. The political public eye turns the volume up to a deafening level.

Pat Nixon and daughter Tricia.

It was soon-to-be First Lady Hillary Clinton who said during her husbands 1990 campaign that she "wasn't some little woman 'standing by my man' like Tammy Wynette". Later the state of her own marriage would fuel much speculation with the Lewinsky scandal. The former First Lady was both admired for her strength and criticized for staying in the marriage.

One thing is certain, that through this very public arena survival depends on your level of personal strength and personal acceptance. I've always said that no one wears your shoes and knows how tight they are.

The First Lady doesn't wear a crown, but wearing a string of pearls has been a long tradition for most. Barbara Bush wore pearls daily {and did before becoming First Lady} as have most others, but her daughter-in-law Laura Bush rarely wore the crown of pearls.

 

I don't have to worry about the media publicly scrutinizing my children, but the concerns the First Lady has as a mother are enormous. It goes beyond the things that all mothers worry about like health, education, safety, happiness for your children. The magnitude of the constant public eye on your family is sure to be exhausting.

The First Lady is a wife, a mother, a daughter, a woman who has her own needs. I believe that no matter what the campaign trail brings these women of strength are the hub of the wheel at home.

For the Obama girls Michelle's most important role is being Mom.

"If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much" : Jacqueline Kennedy

 
Thankfully there are only days left to the current campaign, it has been an exhausting battle for the candidates, their families and the American public. Whew !!
I admire the strength and endurance of the First Ladies, and admit that it is a job I would never want to do.






 

A room fit for a Princess

 

Six months ago today we welcomed our new baby Granddaughter. She is by far the cutest baby in the world :: I know that most Grandparents would say that, but my Daughter literally gets stopped every time she is out with Baby K. She is like a little beam of light shining.

I had the pleasure of painting the nursery, and I stood in the little room and cried :: I was so excited and filled with joy at the thought of my first Grandchild coming into our lives. I will never forget the warmth in my heart as I stood and looked at the pretty mauve walls thinking of all the adventures yet to come for Kya.

My Daughter and I searched for the perfect things fit for a Princess and decorated the nursery together. And then she invited me into the labour and delivery room to share with my baby girl, the birth of her baby girl.

the sock drawer waiting for little toes to emerge

a colourful little friend

Happy Six Months Baby Kya. 

Congratulations to my beautiful Daughter :: you are a wonderful Mother.

You can never have enough frills

My first hug with Baby Kya

Our cute little Lady Bug