Where You Weigh In

If you think you can help, please weigh in! Here is the shelf in discussion. We already have molly bolts installed, but the screw won't catch because of the thickness of the shelf. We were told by a friend that mollies would be the best way to go. Can we get a longer screw for a molly and have that work? Mollies are also supposed to be very difficult to remove without ruining your wall. We've also been told that using some sort of bracket to hang the shelf wouldn't be a good solution for this particular type of shelving. No other solution we've tried has worked either. Now you begin to see why we're frustrated with the design of this shelf. There probably are some other ways we could hang it that may or may not hold up in the long term, but they wouldn't be safe. And you know what? I'm willing to bet that's what most people settle for. This is why I'm disgusted with their response. They should probably know their own products well enough to offer some suggestions. And yes, we only have one stud on which it would work, and it's too far away from the drywall. Don't even get me started on how sloppily/quickly houses are thrown up these days. If we had known this was going to be such trouble, we would have bought a much cheaper and lighter shelf that would be easier to install.

Help if you can! Thanks.

Ikea's Response

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We do apologize for any
inconvenience that you may have experienced.

We would recommend taking the item to your local Home Improvement
Center to speak a hardware specialist. They will be able to recommend
the appropriate hardware to use for the shelf.

Thank you for your interest in IKEA. We do appreciate your inquiry.

In my opinion, this is not good customer service. Just because I've already bought the item does not mean their service to me ends there. Nor does it mean I'm no longer a customer worthy of service. I spent and spend a lot of money in their store. This feels very much like a "You bought it, and now we're done so deal with it yourself" brush off. It frustrates me to no end that it's difficult to get good, caring customer service from such large entities. Because really, that's mostly what we have anymore - especially if you live in an urban area. And if I take this "item" to my "local Home Improvement Center," you know what's likely to happen? If I find someone to help me at all, I'll be lucky if it's someone with any expertise in this area. I have not had much luck with this in the past. Their customer service is not much better than what I'm experiencing here.

This is one time when I wish my blog was more popular so someone from Ikea could see it that would understand brushing off your customers is not a good plan. I'm just bummed about the holes in my wall and all the money spent trying to figure out a hardware option that will work. blah.

Overwhelmed

I've been feeling very overwhelmed due to how slow I am and all that has to be done and all that is coming. Granted, I'm more inclined to feel that way than the average bear, but someone please tell me it's normal?

And yes, I am still very grateful and happy overall, but that doesn't change the day to day.

Frustrated and a Warning

Remember how we got that Ikea Leksvik changing table/dresser? We also bought the shelf that matches it to hang above it. Let me warn you about it. That damn shelf is HEAVY. It also comes equipped with nothing to hang it other than two little holes and instructions to buy some screws to put through them. That is not enough. It is especially not enough if you have dry wall. The screw doesn't reach far enough through the shelf unless you get it ridiculously long to get to the stud. And we only have one stud in that area anyway. The shelf is also too thick for drywall anchors to really work. I am quite unhappy that there is not more in the instructions or in the set up to help with such a ridiculously heavy shelf that often hangs above a baby's changing table. Can you tell that I'm frustrated? I just wanted to warn anyone who might be thinking about buying it. We've bought multiple kinds of hardware now, put two big holes in our wall that may not even work and now have to go buy MORE hardware to see if we can fix it somehow. We spent $40 on that damn thing. Argh. I really just want that room to be done and pretty so it feels ready. Is that too much to ask?

Realization

Yesterday it really occurred to me that the Babybutt is going to come out of there soon. It made me a little sad. I'm going to miss his little rib kicking feet and bladder butting head.

I also just realized that I forgot to mention Jen's shop where she makes those cute onesies, babylegs and other things in my other post.

Good Baby Day

I had my regular 2 week check-up today. The baby is definitely head down! I have really felt the difference in how he's situated the past few days. I even saw some really big migrating movement the night before last. It's so cool to see. I have gained no weight since the last visit, and everything looks good! It's really funny to see things through an OB's eyes, because today he declared, "You've finally popped!" He explained that to him I finally looked pregnant. Maybe I should carry him around with me for the next time a customer insists that I am "...carrying far too large for the stage of pregnancy you're in!"

At the next visit we get to see the little goat again on ultrasound. Yay! After that, we go to weekly visits and the big dilation checks! Craziness!

I also finished ALL my Christmas shopping today except for one little thing. BIG load off my shoulders. I really do not have the stamina or patience for it right now. Now I just have to get everything wrapped and sent. sigh.

And lastly, I had my work baby shower tonight. It was at Mimi's Cafe, and I enjoyed myself immensely both for the food and the company. I have been so incredibly blessed to be on this new team for my pregnancy. My managers and coworkers have just been so amazing. Two of my managers were even there and brought really nice gifts! It feels really good for people to care like that. Wow.

p.s. I had fried pickle slices, and they were AMAZING! I want more right now!

Handmade Lovelies and Hints on Baby Furniture

The adorable wipes Jen made for the Babybutt:

The super cute combo of a blue Bumgenius diaper with adorable baby legs that Jen also made for the Babybutt (She's so talented. :):


AND my attempt at putting together Ikea furniture.

I did a pretty good job though it almost made me cry tears of weariness because many pieces were heavy, and it took 2 days worth of a few hours each to complete. Notice my oops though. That piece is backward. Should you get the Leksvik changing table, please note the position of that piece. It's the only one you can put on backward without realizing. The other hint for this piece of furniture is to leave the drawers OUT until you fasten the changing table top. It's much easier that way. And do not try to follow the additional changing table instructions in the dresser box (they come in different boxes). They are not correct. Just use the changing table box ones. Now I feel better about all my mistakes. ;-)