The Nursery

This weekend, we finally put the finishing touches on the nursery.  There are still a couple of minor things to attend to (like replacing the outlets so they're white, not cream), but, at this point, the nursery is completely ready for Wolverina's arrival in terms of set-up and supplies.

Ray hung the blinds we got to ensure that we could sufficiently block the afternoon sun coming in Wolverina's window.  Even though the curtains are lined, we felt like we needed blinds because the sun coming in is very, very bright.

Ninja likes to hang out in the nursery when we're in there.  I think she's a little confused by it all, but she smells all the new stuff when we're in there working.  And then, if we're in there too long to suit her, she'll flop down in the middle of the room and heave a great sigh of disappointment that we're not all outside with a tennis ball.  Her world is about to change so much, but Ray and I are both convinced that she's going to be great with the baby.  She's so sweet and so patient with everyone, including our niece, Holland.

The blinds are up, and the curtain is hung!  This is what it'll look like for nap time.  (Also, note the giant tower of diapers.  We also have diapers hidden under the crib.  I have no doubt we'll need them, but I think we'll probably end up having to exchange some of the sizes.)

 I took all these pictures with my cell phone, so you can't really see the cute detail of the tie-back.  It's got a cute flower made out of the animal pattern Aunt Stacey used for the crib skirt.  And now that I'm posting this blog, I also realize I didn't get a good shot of the crib skirt.  It's got box pleats and a cute horizontal gray stripe (matching the vertical stripe on the right side of the curtains and the tie-backs) that's hidden by the bottom rail of the crib.  However, when we raise her mattress, you should be able to see the stripe with no problem.

Our changing table is attached to the crib and all ready to go with supplies.  You can't see it, but between the changing table and the wall, we've put a laundry hamper and the diaper genie.

My cell phone picture really doesn't do this justice.  Ray did a phenomenal job with the dresser, and it's packed to the brim with clothes, blankets, washcloths, and towels.  The pink basket on top holds all the bath soaps and lotions (and a set of bath time letters from Sarah and Allison that we'll begin using with her the second she's old enough to start learning).  The milk glass belonged to Ray's grandmother, and I plan to eventually put something cute in it.  For now, it holds a pad of paper and a pencil so that I can make lists of things I need to get for the baby.  Next to that are the pink humidifier and a small white lamp (that I should have turned off for pictures).

This is our solution to the closet door opening into the room and really limiting space.  Aunt Stacey and I made this curtain to hang over the entry to the closet.  The box next to the glider is one of those things we still need to take care of.  It's a bunch of pictures we're not sure what to do with, so they've just been stuck in the nursery because it's been our holding room since we moved.  However, with the baby on the way, we need to make a decision and get that box out of there.

Last picture.  This bookshelf was not part of our original nursery plan.  However, when the family baby shower left us with a library of books for her, we made the necessary change.  I think I may rearrange the bottom shelf, but it works for now.  The pink canvas baskets are perfect for holding the toys we've been given that she'll have to grow into.  The kettle bell belongs to a member of our gym, who loaned it to me to use during session because my schedule was such that I couldn't get to the gym.  I should probably return it to her, but it makes such a great door stop.  And it gives Wolverina a chance to learn about kettle bells before we get her doing CrossFit Kids!

I know you can't really tell what the picture on the wall above the bookshelf is, but it's one of my favorite things in the nursery.  Adrianne made it for me (per my request) because she's much better with graphic arts than I am.  It simply says, "I love you a bushel and a peck & a hug around the neck."  Granny Squeaky used to say this to us grandchildren all the time when we were little, so hanging this in the nursery was a way for me to include her.  I gave a matching picture (except that it's navy blue for the University of North Florida) to Rachel to hang in her dorm room.  It feels good to tie us all together.

Not pictured: the wall opposite the bookshelf.  This wall is pretty much  unused because of the way the glider is positioned, but it's a large, blank wall.  I'm going to hang wooden letters similar to this to spell out her first name.  However, because we aren't revealing her name until after she arrives, this will need to be done post-birth.  I have a feeling I'm not going to really feel up to being crafty at that point, so I plan to get the letters painted and ready to go before she comes, and hopefully, some handy helper will volunteer to take care of that... Any volunteers?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?