PexelsBabies just grow so darn fast. Pregnancy might feel like it lasts an eternity, but once the tiny human comes into planet Earth, they gotta hit the ground running! Clothing fits smaller by the day, shoes can’t stay on for longer than a few weeks, and the number of diapers, wipes, cotton swabs, and all the other accouterments just seem to pile up.
Let’s not forget high ticket items like strollers and diaper stations that cost a pretty penny, and are really only around temporarily before they become obsolete. So, when a mom of newborn twins set dad to go figure out how the changing station would come together, let’s just say dad came back with a unique solution.
David Pike lives and breathes cars, cars, and more cars. He’s always got his head in the garage. So, his solution, I have to say, really makes sense. Not only is he being crafty, practical and functional, but he’s also thinking ahead and will repurpose his wild idea when the babies are too old. David’s solution to help welcome his family’s two new additions is brilliant.
David explains, “So, why a toolbox diaper changing table?… So why a tool cart? My day job for the last 25 years has been a mechanic. My other job is being an automotive YouTuber making videos about the cars I worked on all day. So, my life is 24/7 cars, cars, and more cars. Eventually, it spills over into my family life. Fortunately for me, my loving wife and kids fully understand and have accommodated me and my all things automotive lifestyle.
For that reason, I truly am blessed. After testing the waters with a picture of one I found online and getting shot down before I could get the words out, I knew I needed to tread softly and go with another tactic; delay. The longer I waited to pick something out the more likely she would be more like, ‘Whatever, just find something and find something now.’
Well guess whose evil planned worked, plus it didn’t hurt having everyone online giving their opinion on the post I created lol. So, my process on projects is to think outside the box which typically means wandering up and down the aisles at Lowes and Home Depot looking for something to make work. Typically, I have no one thing in mind so being open to anything truly helps. So, I break down what is a changing table. Well, it’s something with drawers or shelves to hold clothes, diapers, wipers, etc. Okay… so, how many times will we be using this? Will it be another piece of baby furniture that we have to list on Craigslist or Facebook Market Place with the hopes to recoup pennies on the dollar? Well, I know the answer to that question and knew I could come up with something better.
Enter….the ‘Tool Cart’. It’s perfect! It has drawers, and shelves on the side and bottom, and the exact same size recessed top for the changing pad we had already. That told me it was meant to be! Now, I could have picked out an expensive Snap-on, Matco, or Mac tool cart but I was happy to get permission and wasn’t going to push my luck, so I went with what I knew.
I already had a Husky version at the shop from Home Depot. Found a metal side shelf and no wire mess baskets for the bottom for diapers and whatnots and then for safety… some foam pipe insulation to place around the metal lip along the top so that ‘No babies would be harmed in the changing of any diapers.’ The results were the most practical diaper changing table you can find.”
Wow. And all for $200. Dad is seriously on point, and I feel like this might inspire many other families to do the same!
