It’s been nearly five years since we welcomed a new baby into our family, and by now, that feels like a very long while ago. I’ve felt all this time like we’ve saved a lot of baby items, yet as we get ready for baby, there are things I’m realizing we’ve let go of little by little. I can’t say as I mind. It’s fun to dream again about fresh new baby gear. We’ve learned over time what we use and what we don’t, so there’s really no need to go crazy by any means. But the new items we do need are bringing me great joy as we obtain them, and prepping to get the nursery ready is probably my favorite bit of all.

J works for a consumer brands company that owns a few baby brands, and they gift an item or two to employees when they’re expecting. It was great fun to have a new pack n’ play and a new travel system delivered here a few days back. I want to unbox them, but then I want to keep them perfectly new for when baby arrives, too. Just having them here feels hopeful and good. What a treat! These days I’m also looking at a bassinet for our bedroom, a new changing pad, sweet trinkets for shelves in the baby’s room and soon, an outfit to bring baby home in from the hospital. I remember this feeling and loved it before just as much as I love it now. I just can’t believe we get to do it all again.

Tonight we’re watching a movie with our two oldest while the youngest is tucked in bed. How are our kiddos old enough to stay up for a movie night with mom and dad, while there’s also a new baby safely growing in my belly? I can’t wait to experience what it will be like to have this span of ages in our family. It’s dawned on me a few times that we’re starting the clock over again on this parenting gig, and in my heart of hearts, I truly don’t mind it a bit. Sometimes it’s overwhelming to think about how old we might be when…xyz…but mostly, I know adding a little one into the mix here will be a bright spot for all. Someday we’ll be sending one off to college and ushering this babe into second grade, while their other brother and sister will be in high and middle school. It’s quite the spread, yet such a sweet dynamic that we couldn’t have planned on our own.

This next number of weeks, when the waiting feels long or the heat is getting to my pregnant state of being, I’ll be sure to spend time focused on little things for baby that make him or her feel closer. It’s such a fun way to pass the time when the days pass slowly. Getting things ready makes it all seem near–I know it will be good for other hearts around here just as much as it will be for mine.

Making room for this little life to be present here is such a joy!

MM