I’ve found there’s no natural way to work “I’m pregnant” into a conversation, so here it is: I’m having a baby! My waistline is growing, I’ve had cravings (Laffy Taffy, Icees, papaya salad, French fries—everyone asks), and we’ve heard the heartbeat. I can feel the baby move as I type this. It’s thrilling!
When I initially conceived of this month’s section (like what I did there?), a baby felt light-years away. I chose a focus on home because I always loved back-to-school time. I still do. When the Earth starts to tilt, I harken back to fresh boxes of waxy Crayolas and crisp, clean notebooks. And post-school, that longing is filled with—you guessed it—nesting.
This year brings with it a whole other level of nesting. First, my husband and I are in Navy SEAL mode finishing up house projects, because we both know once baby gets here, all that will likely come to a grinding halt. (Sidenote: Calling the baby “it” or “baby” or “he/she” feels awfully impersonal, given how personal this is. We’ve taken to calling the baby Extra Smalls, after my husband William’s nickname for me, borrowed from the movie, The Sandlot: “You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”) Our backyard was full of shingles from a roof re-do. We’ve got paint ready to be put on walls. We’re making sure all our ducks are in a row, so to speak.
But with impending motherhood, the second level of nesting involves making sure our house is a home—for Extra Smalls. These first 18 weeks have been an exercise in patience and lack of control: hello, parenthood-in-training! But now I’m just one sweet, agonizing week away from knowing if Extra Smalls is a boy or girl.
Please believe there is going to be a nesting fiesta once I know the gender. Even shopping for this photo shoot was nearly impossible—my hormones were pleading with me to buy all things tiny and precious. But seriously, I know that having the right environment will help on days when everything else feels out of control—and there will be plenty. I know I’ll be taking some tips from our gorgeous pattern story on the following pages and pulling it through a nursery and baby gear.
This will definitely be the most adorable design project I’ll get to take part in.
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Hop To ItThese little buddies are perfect for tiny hands. Threaded Basil bunnies, $16 each @ I Like You, 501 First Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-208-0249, ilikeyouonline.com | Building BlocksTeach baby early with soft blocks. Love the modern design. Dwell Studio knit blocks, $40/set @ Pacifier, several metro locations, including 4942 France Ave. S., Edina, 952-767-6565, pacifieronline.com |
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Clean and DryEvery parent has told me this bottle drying rack is a lifesaver. Lawn, $30; Stem and Twig drying racks, $6 each; @ Pacifier. | Take a BiteWooden teether toys, complete with touchy-feely tails. Oak Tree Arts wooden animal teether toys, $10-15 @ I Like You. |
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