Unfortunately, men don't nest.

 An old trunk that belonged to my great-grandma makes a perfect table between the beds (and holds extra bedding). The lighted globe is my favorite night light. A red box from IKEA holds all of Oliver's secret things.

Welcome to Oliver's room. It is my new favorite spot in our house. I've been itching to get it finished before the baby comes. The last and biggest project on the list was installing paneling. It was a project I couldn't quite handle by myself, so I had to enlist Mike during some of his non-existent spare time. He was very helpful, even when he would have rather been relaxing on the couch. He must love me, because he certainly doesn't love installing paneling.

 Oliver's side, complete with "shippy", his fleece pirate blanket.

Since this room is in the basement, it doesn't get much natural light. I wanted to lighten the walls with more than just white paint. So we matched the paneling we have in our family room, which is next door, and also in the basement. I think it worked. The room is so much brighter now.

Mabel's side

Until the new baby is old enough to move downstairs, Mabel will sleep in Oliver's room with him (he would never in a million years sleep in the basement alone). I thought I should girl up her side just a bit with a pink M and the flowery quilt I made for her toddler bed back when she was a toddler and I thought toddler beds were a good idea.

I think my favorite part of the room are the reading lamps above the beds, from IKEA. They make a perfect spot for curling up with a good book, as demonstrated by the very willing Mabel.

Next to Oliver's bed is his red dresser, also from IKEA. His collection of boy things, like bottle caps, rocks, and seashells is housed in an old type drawer I yanked from my in-law's donation pile a few years ago. I knew it would come in handy some day.

And now we are one week and one major project closer to having this baby.

6 more weeks.

Yay!