Unless you're pregnant

Winners never quit and quitters never win...unless you're pregnant.

Let me start off this post by saying that redoing a table is actually extremely easy...unless you're pregnant.

Let's back up for a moment. The past few weeks I have really been feeling the "nesting bug." I still have a lot of my home decorations in boxes because we have yet to figure out our furniture situation. (However, we did score a sweet free bookcase this weekend!) So, with this nesting urge and few things to do with it, I decided to dive right into a project I have been wanting to do for years. 

Deal with this baby...

This table was a hand-me-down from my wonderful sister-in-law, Amanda, and it has served us well over the years.  But the wood and the color scheme are just a little out-dated. It was definitely in need of a some love. So I drove myself down to Home Depot to pick up a few supplies. 

When I got home from the hardware store Chris took one look at my spoils and started laughing. I was too shy to ask any of the Home Depot employees for advice so I had come home with an interesting assortment. The next day I took my hardware handy friend Hillary to Home Depot with me. With her help (and after actually asking an employee) we came home with the right tools: sand paper, stain, primer, paint and polyurethane. 

Chris made me take a belly shot here.

My pregnant self and I got right down to work! I sanded the finish off the top of the table and lightly sanded the legs so that the paint would stick. Then, I added a few layers of dark walnut stain to the tabletop. 

Work in progress...

I was ready to get down and dirty with the painting when Chris decided to read the back of the paint can. After seeing a warning label saying "COULD CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS" he decided that I was no longer allowed anywhere near my beloved project. After double checking with my doctor, who also told me I should "find someone else to do the project," I reluctantly handed over the reigns. Chris was kind enough to paint the bottom of the table for me. We had to do a few coats to cover up the black, but it looks great!

I also wanted to paint my chairs white to match. (But no, I am pregnant.) I felt bad taking so much of Chris's time away from studying. Luckily, I have some amazing friends who came to the rescue! After a little begging (and bribing with ice cream) my friends came over for a massive painting party! They all got down and dirty while I hovered around from a safe distance feeling useless and pathetic. They did a great job and I am so thankful for their help!

Zoe, Brittany, Hillary, and Kayla slaving away for me.

All that was left to do was add a few coats of polyurethane. This is also a quick and easy job...unless you're pregnant. Chris took over that job for me and finished in one night. We had to wait a few days for it to dry properly because of the humidity, but we now have a completely new table. And I love it! Thank you to everyone who helped me finish this project that I couldn't finish myself! You made this nesting mama bear very happy!

So even though I was a quitter, I think I won in the end. :)