My First Nursery

My kids never had a nursery.  Why- well, I could explain it to you, but it is such a long story.  The story involves emotion, heartache, several hoped-for adoptions that never happened, and then overcrowding.  NOW however, I have moved past all of that, and frankly, I have moved to a bigger house!  I have two happy, healthy biological daughters, a vivacious dog, and a husband who loves me.  What more could a mom want?

I was going to have the girls continue to share a room, but then I started thinking...  "Wouldn't you like to make a little nursery?  AND Wouldn't it be easier at nap-time if they weren't in the same room?"  Well, I answered yes to myself, and this little nursery was born.  I finished it (for now) last night, and couldn't wait to share.

I didn't want to paint the walls in my new house, so we kept them this creamsicle orange.  I like the color after all, and some pinks and yellows, I really like it for a little girl.  My "baby" who lives in this dear little nursery is already fourteen months old, and so I would like to share a few practicalities with new moms and dads designing their nurseries. 

 

1. Include a Rocking Chair.  I used to feed the baby on the couch, and I still do.  However, a rocking chair is much more convenient for bedtime snuggles and undivided attention.  At about nine months everything all of the sudden is much more interesting than eating.   A private place to focus on each other is definitely the key to success in that area!

2. Mobile.  Those things hanging around baby's rooms aren't just too look at.  OK, maybe they are, but did you know that babies really do spend a lot of time looking at them?  Even older children adore beautiful mobiles hanging from the ceiling.  I had no idea that they were so important, and I certainly never expected to see the babies looking at them.  Now I know that visual stimulation is thought to help infants develop important neural pathways in the brain.  Not to mention, they are much happier when they are looking at something so pretty!

 

3. Don't take any chances with large furniture.   An newborn may be perfectly safe in a room with a huge shelf for storage, but to a mobile infant and young toddler- shelves look just like ladders.  Choose low, open shelving for toy storage where the child can reach their own toys.  They will thank you for it.  If you do put any larger furniture in the room, please, anchor it to the wall.

4. Cuddly toys are a nice finishing touch.  The older babies get, the more interested they are in the cuddly toys and stuffed animals. The ones that are near them the most are the ones that they go for to get comfort.  Addie likes this one because it's always sitting in the chair were we nurse and cuddle.  It's become very familiar to her, and now she chooses this one over most of the others when its time for bed. 

5.  Blackout curtains are great for nap-time.  Mine are energy efficient too, and they effectively keep heat out in summer and cold out in winter.  They really help to set the tone for a quiet story time at bed time (even if the sun is still out). 

I hope these tips help you to create the perfect nursery for your family, and I'm thrilled to finally give my "baby" a nursery.  Now the wheels are turning for decorating my big girl's room!

Tags: nursery, crib, pink, yellow, orange, bunting, banner, name, Addie, rocking chair, shelving, shelves, toy, storage, cuddle, nursing, mobile, lantern, stuffed animal, homemade, bunny