Etsy favorites: Nursery art edition

What did I do before Etsy existed? I love browsing for ideas and inspiration and I love buying affordable (for the most part), unique, handmade items from small business sellers. I'm having a blast dreaming about decorating the nursery. I'm loving the idea of investing in pieces that can grow with the Cub or become a permanent part of the nursery and adapt for each baby. Here are some of the little beauties I've found recently.

Linda Solovic

Fall Down Tree

Le Papier Designs

Art and Philanthropy


Penny People


Persimmon and Pink


Winborg Design


Modern Pop Designs

Giveaway!

I am getting my life organized before this bambino comes along and so I want to send all my handmade gifties soon! These are the lovely ladies who commented first!

Cara
Jane
Lindsey
Courtney
S
Cat (I don't need your address, I'll see you soon!)

If you haven't already, please email your mailing address to getupandplayblog@gmail.com.

Living Planet Aquarium

We had a fun time at the Living Planet Aquarium with Steve, Kerry, Sam, Lily, Marty and Peggy. We saw a live animal show (super cheesy, but the animals were cool) with tropical birds, snakes, a tarantula and a scorpion! I pet a manta ray, we saw the coolest jelly fish and all manner of ocean animals. I don't remember actually having ever been to an aquarium before and I really enjoyed it.

We're totally BFFs now

C Jane wrote a great account of her "Blogger's Day Out" on Capitol hill. She even calls me "beautiful Barbara" and gives the Cub internet belly rubs. Check it out.

C Barb Geek Out

Guess who I met today? The one and only Courtney, of C Jane Enjoy It. She and her sister, Lucy, joined their dad, aka Representative Stephen Clark, at the House of Representatives today. He said the prayer. They said the Pledge. (Yes, we say the Pledge of Allegiance every day up here. It's kind of like Kindergarten. But of all the possible places to regularly say the Pledge, the State Capitol makes the most sense, wouldn't you say?) Anyway, I got to meet the Councilwoman and The Chief, too, both regulars on C Jane. The Chief sure is a cutie- he clapped along with the applause on the House floor and waved hello to me and the Tribune photographer next to me (who took this picture, thanks, Scott!) I tried to play it cool, but I revealed myself as an utter fan. Courtney was beyond gracious and lovely and supremely down to earth, just as she seems on her blog.

Tag with a Twist

I saw this idea on Holly (and Paul and Leo)'s blog and I thought it was such a fun idea! I don't know if I'm one of the first commenters over there, but I thought I'd do it anyway.

Here's the deal: the first five people to respond to this post will get something handmade by yours truly. And I reserve the right to choose what it is when I see who comments! The only catch is that you must re-post this on your own blog and offer the same giveaway to 5 of your own lucky blog readers. (And it'd be fun if you posted a picture of what you got, too!)

Here's some examples of things I have made this year that could be yours!

Photos:



Tutus:



Cupcakes:




Comment away!!

Can we just strap some roller skates on the car seat?

Hello, friends. I am calling on your collective wisdom and experience to help me decide on a very important decision: which stroller should we buy? I know the world will not end if we don't choose the right one, but between my nesting instinct and my pregnancy hormones, it seriously feels like it will. I think we have narrowed it down to three options. Let it be known that John has his mind made up on which one he likes, but I am still undecided. And since I am the one who will most likely be using the stroller most often, I really have to make a decision that I feel good about. (And I have to make it soon, this is the group gift that we are receiving at one of our showers on the 28th).

First option: The B.O.B. jogger stroller.




Pros: It can be converted to a bike trailer, it can convert to accommodate a car seat, it's sturdy, the wheels pivot, it has shocks and real tires, and it looks cool.

Cons: We'd have to buy a separate car seat plus the adapter pieces, the tires can go flat, not a lot of storage space.


Second option: Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe


Pros: *Affordable-includes car seat in price, can close with one hand, lightweight, wheels won't ever get flat, has independent brakes, lots of storage, it's John's favorite.

Cons: I don't like the look of it, it seems big to me, hard to open with one hand, may eventually need/want a jogger in addition.

Third option: Chicco Cortina Travel System Explorer



Pros: Can buy it as a complete travel system, compact, cleaner lines than the Graco, can close with one hand.

Cons: As far as I can tell, the weight limit is lower than the others, may eventually need a jogger.

I'd be very interested to hear your experience with any of the above strollers, what you love/hate about your stroller, what you wish you had known, etc. in the comments. Or to be more straightforward, I've also added a quiz so you can vote for the one you like the best! Don't be biased by the fabric/color choices because there are more options than the ones pictured.

*We are lucky enough to be receiving our stroller as a group gift from one of our showers, so price difference between these three is not much of a hindrance.

It's a small world and isn't it great?

I had a great conversation today with Representative Stephen Clark, who is one of the legislators I work for. He also happens to be the father of two famous bloggers, NieNie and C Jane. I asked how Stephanie's recovery is going and he admitted it was difficult, but his attitude was positive and gracious. He expressed how wonderful the outpouring of support has been from their loved ones and from the blogging community. It really has been amazing and I am so inspired by this community. With all of the horrible things the internet can be used for, the love and monetary donations that have poured in for the Nielsens really serve as a great reminder of the great tool for goodness it can be, too. I'm glad I had the chance to share that moment with Representative Clark!

Utes are #1 in our book

Yesterday, the U of U football team was honored by the House and Senate. You can read about it in the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune. The legislators wore their Utah gear, posed for pictures and most importantly, passed a resolution urging President Obama to encourage an overhaul of the current playoff system. Even the Speaker of the House, a former BYU football player, wore a Utah shirt to honor the undefeated team.


Representative Hendrickson



The Utah players in the House chamber



The team being honored in the Senate



Speaker Clark

Not your average intern

Read about the "world's oldest intern" in today's Daily Herald. Roland Wright is a retired schoolteacher interning at the Capitol this year strictly on a volunteer basis just for the love of the process.

33 weeks (8 months)

I missed taking a picture right at 32 weeks, but here I am at 33 weeks.

Cutest baby contest

Click HERE to vote for my friend's adorable baby!

Recycling Tips

The Deseret News had a few great articles yesterday about recycling in Utah.

According to the newspaper, "Nationwide, in 2007, the United States recycled 24.8 percent of the 254 million tons of trash we threw away. In Utah, we recycled just 2.7 percent of our 2.4 million tons of trash."

But in a poll conducted by the paper, 66 percent of Utahns want more access to recycling!

I found the list of helpful hints for recycling in Utah particularly interesting- I noticed a few things from that list that I am doing improperly. I hate to think that any of my recyclables are going to the landfill because I am ignorant!!(Note: You may want to check your local area's regulations for recycling.)

-Don't bag recycling in trash bags. Sorters assume bags are full of misplaced trash and throw them out.

-Clean pizza boxes can be recycled if the top and bottom are torn apart. Otherwise they will be thrown out. All other cardboard should also be cut or flattened.

-Stickers on recyclable items such as milk jugs can be recycled with the plastic.

-It's best to take the lids off soda bottles because lids and bottles can be made of different kinds of plastic.

-It takes about six weeks for recycled aluminum cans to make it back to the shelves. The average can is made of about 40 percent recycled material.

-Recycle plastic grocery bags by filling one bag with all the others and tying the handles of the outer bag together. Sending the bags one-at-a-time disrupts the recycling machines. Better yet, try reusable grocery bags.

-When trying to buy recycled products, look for brown and gray cardboard rather than white cardboard.

-All paper with ink, crayon or pencil is not considered contaminated and can be processed for recycling. However, any napkins, tissues or paper and cardboard with food on it can't be recycled.

-The only junk mail that cannot be recycled are the false plastic credit cards. Everything else, including envelopes with windows, are acceptable.

-Wire coat hangers can be recycled if they are bundled together.