Now that our largest de-cluttering effort is behind us, I feel like the mental space around me has opened up, too. My brain hit the ground running this morning as we started the new week, and all of the things that were back-burnered for a few weeks are again at the forefront of my mind. It’s exciting!

I love being able to take physical steps toward baby’s arrival, even if that’s a far more simple process for us this time around. Sure, we have most of the baby gear we need, but that just means we can make careful decisions on the few things we’ve left to get for this little one, and then we can make some fun choices, too.

Baby will be sleeping in Eloise’s old room, which I call the nursery now because saying “baby’s room” felt kind of abrupt and unfair to E when we first moved her over to share with Henry. I actually think she loves sharing a room with her big brother, but since her dresser and some of her things are still across the hall, I also think it can be a little confusing some days. Right now, the nursery is in transition mode, but much farther down the path toward baby’s room than it was when it was filled with garage sale items a week ago.

When Henry was born, I found a fabric that I absolutely loved and wanted for his crib bedding, and my mom knocked it out of the park putting things together for me just as I’d pictured, with coordinating fabrics from the same line in all of the right places (she’s good like that 😉 ). I leaned into my love of giraffes the first time around, so yellows and grays and neutral tones dictated the space. I was so happy with how it turned out, feeling a bit more masculine than feminine, which went with my hunch about baby’s gender. A girl would have slept just fine in that cozy room, but I’m glad it worked out to be Henry’s space. Below are a few pics from my original post about H’s nursery:

For Eloise, we painted baby’s room a beachy, pale blue, and we accented things in red, mustard and olive. I had a hunch she was a girl, and I knew that if she was girl we’d name her Eloise, so I pulled from my attraction to all things Indian and used things like a sari blanket, a red metal lantern, paisley and floral patterns, a pouf ottoman and elephants to accent the room. When “Ellie” (although I’m still stuck on Eloise) was born, it felt perfect for her. I never did post her nursery photos in a 100 days post, but here are a few from before we welcomed her home (sans wall decor, but you get the idea 😉 ):

Now that this little bambino is coming along, it’s time to personalize the pale blue room for another babe. I love the idea that they’d all have their own nursery, and it helps me to feel connected to baby as I work toward a space that feels right for each one. This go-around though, I’ve had a terrible time gaining any insight as to the gender of our little bean. I have a boy’s name absolutely stuck in my head, but 75% of people who weigh in with their thoughts say girl, and Eloise is pushing hard for a girl, too. I’m waiting for Henry to make his determination, because he was adamant about Eloise last time and I trust his intuition as much as anyone’s. Jason and I just kind of shrug our shoulders and say, “It is what it is!” whenever we talk about baby’s gender as a family. I’m trusting that God knows what will add to our family dynamic best, and I’m excited to see who He’s chosen as the next little delight in our lives.

Gender curiosities on the table, I decided to stick to a theme that involved animals again, but wanted to incorporate calm, earthy tones and nothing too bright or bold. We’ve added a twin guest bed to the nursery now, and the bed and baby’s crib are both white. With the beachy walls, the white furniture and our proximity to a beautiful body of water, I’ve decided to slant the nursery in a nautical direction this time around. I’m excited about the little details as they’re coming together, and I’ll be thrilled to share the final product as baby’s arrival gets closer.

There are so many amazing things about pregnancy, and truly, I think nesting and preparing a welcoming space for baby are among them. For the first part of pregnancy, so many days go by where it feels like there’s not a lot to do to prepare for such a life changing event. Eating well, praying, and trying to wrap your mind around a new person in your life are plenty big charges, but in a tangible way, I think most of us only start preparing for the physical space and needs of a baby come our second and third trimesters.

So we’re here now, and I’m so happy about it. Baby’s arrival seems more palpable by the day, and creating a space where I know I will rock and sing and nurse baby to sleep night after night is good for my heart. He or she is becoming a reality slowly but surely. The changes around here are evidence, and I’m grateful.

81 days, more or less, until we’re snuggling our tiniest bundle. When I started 100 days this time it felt so far away, but just look at the countdown passing by!

speaking life over this baby and the room that will soon be his or hers. prepping for babies never gets old to me!

mm