Day 8 of Things I Love: Tilley-Gray's favorite things

Having a baby changes (almost) everything, and thankfully there are a few things that I love because Tilley-Gray loves them. These make our days that much easier together. I promise I won't ever turn this blog into a baby blog, but I have had a few request on my favorite baby things, so here they are!

Mommaroo

(aka the baby whisperer)

This thing works miracles. My house is pretty small and I can't stand clutter, so this is the perfect compromise between a baby swing and a bouncy seat. It does both and buys us extra time because it (typically) puts Tilley-Gray right to sleep. 

Baby Bjorn

This is Grayson's favorite thing to do with Tilley-Gray. When she is fussy or just wants to be held but we have 100 things to do around the house, we put her in this carrier. It soothes her and lets us get things done . It's pretty much the cutest I have ever seen my husband look too. 

Bob Jogging Stroller

It's expensive, but totally worth it. I try and walk 3 or 4 miles a day with Tilley-Gray so I use this more than almost any other baby gadget we have. Once she is a little older, I'll be able to jog with her. It's the Cadillac of strollers, trust me.

Aden + Anais Muslin Blankets

In the hospital, I was kind of psycho about Tilley-Gray only being swaddled in her Aden + Anais blankets. I think the nurses  I had been given so many and they were so much prettier than the hospital blankets. Serena and Lily has their own line of Aden + Anais blankets that are my favorite. 

(Tilley-Gray's first day in the hospital)

Bumbo Chair

Tilley-Gray is getting so big and strong (she is officially out of new born clothes) and has started to love her Bumbo chair. You can't tell in this photo, but she typically squeals when she is sitting in it. 

I'm Back!

Happy Monday! A little over a week since Tilley-Gray arrived and we are adjusting to a family of three pretty well. My mom left on Friday (I balled like a baby) and got me back to feeling good, taught me a ton about babies and being a mom, and fed us like kings for a week. I begged her to stay; aren't moms just the best?

I can't wait to share the details of our birth day, but there are so many so I am trying to cut it down. We had to stay in the hospital an extra day because I had to have a blood transfusion (more on that later) so I'm still not 100% but I'm on the up and up. In the meantime, I have more guest bloggers, a few of my own post, and these darling pictures to hold you over!

Tomorrow is the Day

I'm getting induced tomorrow, Thursday, December 1. It doesn't look like Miss Tilley-Gray has any intentions coming out on her own, and as she grows to a healthy weight inside my body, I won't be able to have her naturally if she gets much bigger. I am so excited to meet her finally and to see Grayson with her for the first time. For some reason, that is one of the things I am most excited about. 

The induction process is a bit nerve racking. I have to call in at 5am to see if the hospital has a bed open, and if they do, we will go in at 7am. If not, we have to keep calling until they have availability. Once we are at the hospital, they will start a series of things on me and then it's a waiting game. Please keep us in your prayers tonight and tomorrow. I know that will have been covered in prayer this entire pregnancy and I am so thankful for that. 

The house is clean, the cars are clean with full tanks of gas, the pantry stocked, the dogs groomed, the bills paid, the Christmas decorations are up, and our bags have been packed (at least mine and Tilley-Gray's) for three weeks. I'm a planner by nature, so you know I had to do a few things extra for this delivery. They are totally unnecessary, but doing them is my way of coping, of bringing a sense of calmness and control over tomorrow.

Tilley-Gray's overnight bag

I know that she doesn't need her own bag, but I wanted to take swaddle blankets, and onesies, and her baby book, so it was just better that she had her own bag. I found this one at J.Crew and had a girlfriend add the applique with her monogram. I love how it turned out and know that she will be using it a lot when she starts to visit her grandparents.

Hosptial Sign

I wanted to have a sign that we could put on the door of the hospital welcoming all of our visitors. I found a shop on Etsy and the designer was so great to work with. 

(There is a tiny hyphen in there for those of you wondering)

A Hosptial Gown

This was so important to me and I was lucky enough to be gifted one by the sweet people from B.Y.O.G. There is something about being in a gown that hasn't been worn by other people and that looks good (aren't these gowns precious?!) that brings a sense of calmness to me. The fabric is incredibly soft and it came in sizes, meaning that it is proportionate to my 5'1" frame. During our birthing class, I held up a hosptial gown and those things are definetly one size fits all. My good friend Millie Holloman has also offered to take photos of the birth and it will be so nice not to be in an ugly blue gown during those first precious moments captured. 

Tomorrow at this time, I may just be a momma, and that is so incredible to me. Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. 

In the meantime, I have a fabulous line up of guest bloggers that will be filling in for me while I take some time out to be with this precious babe.

xoxo

Holiday Parties and Weekend Plans

Last night was Monkee's of Wilmington Holiday Open House. It's always so much fun to go to. They have champagne and hors d'oeuvres, a DJ, and 25% off the entire store. Every year, I see people that I haven't seen since the previous year and meet new friends as well; plus all the girls that work there are total dolls. This year was no different with lots of goodies including a trunk show from the New York City based store What Goes Around Comes Around featuring vintage furs and Chanel handbags and jewelery. Monkee's also had a ton of new holiday clothes and shoes in stock. 

This was one of my favorite finds of the night. Wouldn't that black dress be so great for Christmas or New Year's parties? I also am in love with the Kate Spade heels. Perfect for a cocktail dress or skinny jeans and a silk top and little jacket. 

This fur and bag are from What Goes Around Comes Around. I tried the bag on because, let's be honest, it would make the absolute best diaper bag ever, but I'm positive the husband would murder me if he saw a charge for $4500 anywhere on our credit card bill. It's pretty fab though, isn't it?

Vintage Chanel jewelry

Vintage Chanel bags from the 1980s and 1990s

Some of my favorite Chanel earrings

My favorite Chanel bag of the night, circa 1980.

Vintage furs from What Goes Around Comes Around. 

One of my other favorite items of the night was this jeweled jacket. I don't have a dressy winter coat and think that this might fit the bill. Perfect weight for Wilmington weather and would be great with cocktail dresses or jeans. I love the details.

Monkee's always has the best window displays for their holiday parties and this year did not disappoint. The photos don't do them justice, but all of their windows looked beautiful!

 After socializing for a few hours and catching up with old friends, it was great to go home and be greeted by Grayson and an anxious Polly Anna who just wanted a snuggle. (PS: She is looking a little raggedy these days but is on schedule to get a haircut next week. Bless her heart)

When I got home, Gray was watching the UNC game and it was the perfect opportunity for me to read the new House Beautiful that had just come in the mail. I almost stroked when I saw Society Social featured on page 28 under the subtitle "The Best." Isn't that incredible!? Roxy has come a long ways since she started last year and has ended up in one of the most prestigious design magazines out there. (I've told you that we are from the same home town and our parents live in the same neighborhood right?)

In baby news, I had my last doctor's appointment today before my official due date. I haven't progressed any since last Friday but my spirits are still high and I know she will make her debut when she is good and ready. I am just so anxious to meet Tilley-Gray I can hardly stand it. 

Tonight, Gray and I are having dinner with our new friends Shannon and Will Darrough and I can't wait! Oh, and I promise, nursery photos to come this weekend!

Have a fab Friday!

xoxo

Guest Post from Design Shuffle

A few weeks ago, Design Shuffle contacted me to see if I would be interested in a guest post. One look at their site and I knew it was a great fit! They have amazing features that haven't been seen anywhere else and their bloggers and writers are super nice. I hope you enjoy! Check out Design Shuffle here for more inspiration!

Hi, I'm Susi, a writer for Design Shuffle, a wonderful social media site for designers around the world to showcase their projects and design ideas.  I'm so happy to be visiting Fifi Cheek today and writing about must have nursery accessories.  I've been following Tilley-Gray's impending arrival (Congratulations!) so I know nursery decorating ideas are a hot topic.  Here are my eight must have accessories for the nursery. Are your favorites here? If not, please share! Enjoy!

When thinking about must have accessories for the nursery, don't forget to look up!  Mobiles and colorful accessories hung from the ceiling will entertain baby when she's on her back getting changed or in her crib.

Soft toys that are safe for little hands and mouths make great accessories.  Handmade is even better. Like this sweet owl made from socks!

A mirror is a must have nursery accessory.  Babies love to look at themselves and can be entertained for ages in a mirror.  Make sure the mirror is secured well to the wall.

Another must have accessory for the nursery is art.  Nursery art can be super simple, like these different colored circles, or more sophisticated depending on your taste and interior design style.

Charming lamps, perfect for low light for feeding or changing in the middle of the night, are a must have accessory for the stylish nursery.  Combine with an overhead light like a chandelier or pendant for a well lit nursery.

Charming pillows create a comfortable seat for mom or dad as well as add extra cushion on the floor for little ones who are rolling.  Love this cushion from Michelle Mason.

A pouf is one of the big must have accessories for a nursery right now. Seat, foot stool, soft place to climb... poufs are so versatile for a baby's bedroom design.

Colorful bins and baskets, boxes and bowls can all make for charming accessories for the nursery for all those bits-&-bobs.  Fabric bins and baskets are soft enough to have on the floor for little hands too.

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These design inspirations are just the beginning! †Head on over to Design Shuffle to see the latest in design trends including talented work from San Francisco interior designers, Boston interior designers and more!

Little Men

With all of these babies around me, I have become smitten with little ones. These styling little men have stolen my heart. I think Tilley-Gray just might have a crush! 

Little Girls

For the first 6 months of my pregnancy, I was determined that I was having a boy. Nothing inside of me ever thought I would have a girl. First, I am the only girl and the youngest in my entire family, cousins and all. Secondly, Grayson came from a family of all boys, so the odds were already against us for a girl if you look at it like that. If you look at it from a 50/50 point of view, of course, we could have a girl. It took me a few weeks to get used to the fact that a little girl was coming in November. 

What is making this more real, other than my expanding belly and the evolving nursery, is that fall clothes are coming out and they are so fab right now for little girls. From Crew Cuts, to Zara Baby, to Gap Baby, all of the new clothes are so adorable!

 Who knew that they make faux fur vest for new borns!?  

Prim and Proper in Color Blocking from J.Crew

 Leopard print, one of the season's hottest trends, in accessories from J.Crew

Lots of layers from Zara Kids

A tiny caplet from Zara Baby

A faux fur fest from Zara Baby

 Velvet and military inspired details from Baby Gap

I think I'll talk one of each for Tilley Gray!

Nursery Inspiration, Part 1

I promise Fifi Cheek is not turning into a baby blog, but I did want to share some ideas for the nursery. 

We have a few things in place, like the crib.

 If you can LOVE a crib, then this crib by Dwell Studio  had me at hello. 

I love the clean lines and the modern legs and especially love that I don't have to deal with a crib skirt. 

 I also bought these cuties for the nursery right when I found out that I was pregnant. They are from Anthropologie and are paper maiched out of French books. 

 Do you remember how I told you how much I feel in love with the art site 20x200? I started out with buying just the baby giraffe for our gallery wall, but once I found out I was pregnant, wanted a collection of these baby animals for the nursery. I"ll hang these in a collection above the dresser or changing table. 

With the crib and art work being neutral, I want to punch up the rest of the room with lots of color and patterns. I think that it would be fun to play off the orange in the giraffe and maybe pull in pinks or corals, but I don't want the animal theme to be so literal that we have zebra print drapes. Instead, I would love to something like Quadrille Kazak in orange and magenta. So chic and fun and bright and a fabric that could grow with her into her next room. This particular fabric isn't in the budget, but I think I can find something close!

For lighting, I want to do something really large and fun and this Ps Maskros chandelier from Ikea just might fit the bill, both in design and budget. I think the glam factor could go way up with a good coat of gold spray paint. 

The husband is taking me to Charleston for a babymoon for a long, much needed weekend away! I can't wait to scour the antique shops and eat my way around the city. 

I hope you all have a fab weekend! 

xoxo

Our Reveal Party

Last night, Gray and I hosted a Baby Reveal party, something that we had talked about doing from the day we found out we were going to have a baby! We went to the doctor on Wednesday and had the doctor call the bakery so that we would be surprised with our closest family and friends. It was so much fun doing it that way! Our good friend Brent Holloman took this video! Hope you enjoy!!!

new (bebe) blog love

I told you how everyone I know is having a baby, right? It's true. Literally, every time I turn around, BAM, someone else is preg. I love it and couldn't be happier for them. I just got back from a baby shower that was precious and sweet. I hope that one day I can ooh and aah over things like baby swings. I just don't have that in me right now, but I've been told it will eventually come. As she opened one gift after another, I just keep thinking, "There is no way in hell I could put that (insert random plastic brightly colored super necessary baby item) in my house. It doesn't work with the decor." Clearly... not ready for a baby.

In the meantime, I'm loving this new blog by Chocolate Butterbean designer, Joni, on her new adventures of being a mom and still staying hip. She just had the cutest baby (whose name I love for a one day little Cheek) and has created a blog that is totally swoon worthy. Check out the blog, Lay Baby Lay, here.