Week 34, Day 4 (Bumps & bumpers)

We're just about *set* now - we picked up the breast pump and a stroller/pram on Saturday, meaning that's all the big stuff organised and just some last minute bits & pieces to go (mattress cover, toiletries, bibs, etc).

Wayne did a lovely job sanding & revarnishing the cot (after removing the knobs just to be on the safe side). He'll pooh-pooh that compliment, of course, but don't listen to Mr Perfection Aint Good Enough - I'm more than happy with the result. When he pointed out the (miniscule) flaws in his work, I had to remind him that kids are really hard on gear, so after a few years' abuse, the cot will look vastly different. If it was TOO perfect, he'd just be crushed when Braeden bangs it about or chews it to pieces.

Speaking of chewing.. we decided to get some teething protectors for the top rails, but discovered that you cannot buy these separately, they only come with a new cot.

Ridiculous!

The baby store did offer to sell us a padded tie-on bumper (not to be confused with the sleep-height bumpers that some say contribute to SIDS), for a mere $69 per side.. I took one look at the oatmeal coloured canvas "padder" (can't really call it a bumper) and said "Honey I can make this for a lot less!". The sales assistant agreed with me, and said she also made her own.

Quite liked the padder idea, because it would help protect baby from himself (esp when teething or throwing a paddy, or if his clumsy mother's RSI played up at the wrong time and she slipped putting him to bed). Also it can be thrown in the washing machine when it gets a bit grubby, and should dry in less than an hour on the clothesline.

Yeah.. so let's do this.

Had some upholstery-grade canvas at home, just needed some contrast material (so it's reversible), some batting and some bias binding. We spent a fun hour at the fabric store choosing tough but appealing fabric, and settled on a dark navy denim with embroidered red & black ladybirds. That way, even if Braeden does turn out to be a Rowyn, the padder will still suit.

Unfortunately we didn't realise how thick the seams would be on the finished article, so I bought the wrong width of bias binding. Wayne's calling in at the store today to get the right size, and we'll finish the padders tonight, and I'll take a pic of the finished cot and post it for you.

I've got enough denim left over to make a reversible duvet cover with the light canvas, for the continuity-look.

And the total cost for FOUR padders (not one), and a matching duvet cover? Less than $50.

Homecrafts rule :-) (esp when you've got a helpful bloke on hand to do your measuring & cutting for you) You get a sore back though from straining past your bump to reach the overlocker... ;-)