"Nesting"...Better Late Than Never!

When I was pregnant with Emma, we had no idea where we were going to be in the months after she was born. We were certain that we would be moving somewhere far away for Sam to continue his schooling and that we would only be in our current apartment for a short while after Emma's birth.

Well, life is unpredictable and the plan we had changed. Sam got a wonderful job at the St. George and Cedar City IHC hospitals where he is gaining valuable experience working with patients who are recovering from heart or lung surgeries as an exercise therapist. We are SO grateful for the way things turned out. I know that Heavenly Father was looking out for us and knew what would be best for our little family. Moving so far away from all of our family and friends so soon after Emma's birth would have been quite a challenge and obviously not what He wanted for us at this time. The fact that the position became available and that Sam was hired for it has been an incredible blessing for us and the best thing that could have happened in our current situation. 

Anyway, because of all of the uncertainty during my pregnancy, I was never able to create a room for Emma. We live in a tiny apartment with NO storage or garage. It's a nice place and we love it, but it's tiny. Seriously, there is one drawer in the kitchen. ONE DRAWER. We have a "spare room" but it's never been spare. It's always been packed with junk from floor to ceiling and the tiny little corner of it that wasn't filled with junk (by junk I really mean holiday decor, keepsakes, and other storage that we just don't use on a daily basis-just to clarify) was Sam's mini "man cave"-his desk and fly tying equipment. Since we were going to be moving, we didn't worry too much about making room for Emma. I set up the bassinet in our room next to my bed and put the changing table in the living room. 

Emma was born, we didn't leave for school, Sam got a great job, time went on, we were still in the tiny, cramped apartment and Emma was getting bigger and bigger. She outgrew here bassinet by month three but, we still weren't sure what to do. Should we move to a bigger apartment? We love our little apartment. We have a great big back yard, it's a wonderful neighborhood in a great ward, and besides, who WANTS to move?? The fact was, we didn't want to move at all but, we didn't know what to do about making room for Emma. We procrastinated. 

Finally, at five months, Emma was WAY to big for the bassinet (poor baby!) and we couldn't ignore the problem any longer. We decided to move all of our "junk" into a storage unit and convert the spare room into Emma's room. 

We loaded up the truck a few times to take loads to the unit. It was the tiniest bit like actually moving and let me just say, I'm so glad we weren't actually moving. I hate moving. Hate it. 

Once we got that part out of the way, the rest was just fun! I felt like I finally got to do that whole "nesting" thing that you're supposed to do when you're pregnant. I was proud of myself for really making the most of the small space that I have and turning it in to something beautiful and special. I don't really think of myself as much of a decorator but, I am so happy with the way it turned out! I just wanted it to be amazing for her so I really put a lot of work into it. 

Here's a little tour in pictures of the nursery...

On the left is Emma's baby calendar which I am filling out as the months go by (I swear Emma has the most well documented life of any child), I made the letters that are hanging above her changing table. The daisies on the little dresser were displayed at my baby shower and next to them is her baby album, which is also being put together as we go. (I take so many pictures that who knows how I'll ever fit all of my favorites!?!)

Isn't this the cutest thing?? For those of you that don't know, I've collected little frogs for quite some time. This one was given to me (I think as a teenager) by my mom and I actually remember thinking how cute it would look in a baby room. 

I didn't take a picture of the entrance to the room because it's really not all that exciting but, I did hang this picture. It was given to me by my mother and was hanging in my room for most of my life. 

The lighting wasn't very good in this corner for a picture but, it's so cute! This is where I rock her to sleep every night. A lot of the stuffed animals were mine (frogs, bunny on the chair, Raggedy Anne and Andy) and some of them were even in my baby room! I painted the trunk that the toys are propped on for Emma. The basket next to the rocker is filled to the brim with books! She has quite a collection already...We're gonna need a bookshelf for this baby girl.

A close up of the cute wall art that my mom made. This was also displayed at my baby shower.

To the right of her rocking chair are these cute vinyl flowers that I actually was able to snag for free from work! (they were leftovers.)

And above the rocker, there are three butterflies hanging from the ceiling. These were purchased for me by my grandmother who has since passed away. I hung some of them in trees for my wedding reception. It makes me think of my grandma every time I see them and Emma loves to look up at them as I rock her to sleep. 

Sam and I bought Emma's crib used and refinished it. I am in love with the bedding set and the cute rug! 

Close up of the cute mobile my mom gave Emma. She LOVES it. 

Big thanks to my sister for helping me frame and hang all of the pictures for Emma's picture wall. I love how it turned out! 

This is my favorite of the three wall art quotes I hung because it's just SO true. 

I still have a few projects up my sleeve and improvements I want to make. I have just had so much fun with it. (Honestly, her room is my favorite room in the house by far. 

Emma's first night in the nursery was a little bit sad for me. I'm not ashamed to admit that I actually got a little bit teary eyed. I was so used to being able to peak down at her just by turning my head to the left on my pillow or hear her sigh occasionally throughout the night. Every little milestone makes me feel all sentimental and weepy. She's growing too fast. 

However, she did SO good and slept even longer than she usually does. I think she likes having room to stretch and move around a bit in.

So fun to be able to do stuff like this for my sweet girl! 

As you can see, She loves her new room. :)