Shelfies - The Baby's Room, Part II

 Have you heard of a shelfie? It's a selfie with a shelf! 

This is the only shelf that we have in the baby's room so far. It's filled with a few of my favourite things. 

I fell in love with this giraffe at a store here in Göteborg called Afro Art. The colours and patterns are fantastic and I thought it would look great in the nursery. The striped zebra is one of the first purchases I made for baby back in 2010. It's from Peir One Imports and I had to have it for my future child. When I was in Texas last December I found out I was pregnant. Upon my return to Belgium this zebra came back with me, because I've always known it would go in my baby's room. 

The origami elephant is a prototype for a mobile that I am in the process of making for the baby. Thankfully, my mother-in-law is bringing a 10-inch embroidery hoop with her when she comes to visit next week! I've had no luck finding one here in Göteborg. Sometimes I really miss shopping in the USA. 

Here we have baby's first Dala horse and traditional wooden clogs - a nod to her Belgian and Swedish beginnings. The 'Hey Girl' bib is an absolute treasure. It was hand stitched by a friend referencing this hilarious video, and sent to me this summer when things were especially tough and sad - it was one of the sweetest gifts and reminded me how good laughter through tears can feel. I have the card that came with it in a frame, which you can see in the first photo. However, I've decided that the bib is too beautiful to use and will also get a frame the next time I happen to go to IKEA.

We've received many gifts for the baby from friends and family. We are truly blessed. These past two months I have spent many days washing, folding and organising tiny pants, onesies and socks. I've never been so organised in my entire life. I am hoping for better skills, as I want to set a good example for my daughter.

Ideally, baby girl will have her own book shelf one day, but for now all books reside on this huge set of shevles in the living room. Books are such trouble to have while living abroad, but I love my books and I believe books make a home. 

I have many, many more books in Texas, and I miss my collection. I also have many books from my teaching days that will create baby girl's library some day. I want my daughter to grow up with as many books around her as possible, it makes such a difference and I believe establishes a love of literacy. I realise that this will be tricky, seeing as how we live abroad and move so much, but I am determined to find a way to make sure that this happens. It made such a difference in my life. I am thankful for that experience. 

By the way... have you experienced the power of a bookbook™?