One of the first things I started thinking about after I found out I was pregnant was the nursery. Of course, being that we were in the middle of flipping a house [and still are], the basics needed to be finished.
My wonderful father-in-law and husband quickly finished the floors, which are a dark bamboo, and things were ready for me and my Pottery Barn catalogue.
I spent a lot of time in that room, just sitting and thinking. Thinking about
colors and decorations, but also about sounds and smells. Little giggles and the sweet smell of new baby were about to take over, and I needed to create a space worthy of that magic.
Beyond the emotional aspect of creating a calm and inviting space for my soon-to-be bambino, I also wanted it to be something I enjoyed.
LIFE-SAVING PRODUCTS
» OWLET SMART SOCK: IS USED AS A BABY MONITOR, AND TRACKS HEART RATE AND OXYGEN LEVEL.
» MICROWAVE STEAM BAG: CLEANS BOTTLE, PUMP PIECES, AND PACIFIERS.
» CAR SEAT COVER: ALLOWS FOR BABY TO STAY WARM WITHOUT THE DANGER OF WEARING A COAT IN THE CARRIER.
» SOUND MACHINE + NIGHT LIGHT COMBO: OFFERS DIFFERENT SOUNDS [OCEAN, RAIN FOREST, LULLABY], AS WELL AS THE PERFECT AMOUNT O FLIGHT FOR NIGHTLY FEEDINGS.
I ended up making a wall hanging for above her crib. I hung fishing line and fake flowers from a branch that was originally from a tree in our front yard. I loved sitting outside in the fall and looking at how the sun shone through the leaves, and was so sad that we had to cut it down. Having that little piece in her room made it feel 10 times more authentic and homey.
I remember reading forums and advice columns about changing tables and decided I wanted to use the top of a dresser. Not only did this help with storage, but it made it tall enough for my husband, Reid, to use comfortably.
This is when I say turn to local thrift stores, online rummage sales, and Goodwill. With a little bit of paint, elbow grease, and a lot of lemonade, I was able to turn an old dresser into a lovely changing table with kick-a*s hardware (thanks to World Market).
After we got the dresser into the nursery, I remember sitting on the floor and having a few minutes to myself. I was reflecting on what each piece meant to me, its function, and whether or not it would benefit our baby. 
What I've Learned...
» ALWAYS CHOOSE COMFORT OVER AESTHETIC WHEN CHOOSING YOUR ROCKING CHAIR OR GLIDER. YOUR BACK WILL THANK YOU.
» REMEMBER: YOU WILL SPEND AS MUCH TIME IN THERE WAS YOUR BABY, SO MAKE SURE THE DÉCOR IS CALMING AND RESTORATIVE.
» MULTI-USE PIECES LIKE A DRESSER + CHANGING TABLE COMBO ALLOW FOR GROWTH AND CONVENIENCE.
Almost as if Reid could read my mind, he walked in and said, “I want to make something for her, something she can keep forever.”
It was decided he would make a blanket ladder. For those of you who are pregnant with baby number one, or have yet to take that step, let me tell you that you will receive more blankets than you could ever imagine.
Displaying the unique ones on something handmade was really special for us, and it’s a piece Sloan can keep with her.
Those are the elements that make her nursery a space we all love to be in, and one that acts as more than our middle-of-the-night stomping grounds.
