Jan
25
2018
Furnishing The Nursery
Posted in Family Life 6 Comments
With a grandchild expected to arrive in a few months, I am shopping for baby furniture.
I always told my children that I planned to have a full nursery here in our home.
I wanted it to be very easy for them for come her with their children.
I just want you to bring yourselves and the baby, was what I always said.
Now is the time to shop.
My daughter and her husband have already selected the things for their nursery.
It is time for me to look around for nursery furniture for our house.
It almost feels like it did when I was twenty-four and purchasing our nursery for the first time.
The crib and the dressing table will go into the bedroom our sons used to share.
A coach, car seat, high chair, and pack and play need to be purchased as well.
My husband is in full agreement.
Just bring yourselves and the baby, is what we always say.
Many of the stores are having sales on their baby items.
I am having so much fun looking at all the possibilities.
It is quite nostalgic to be buying these things again.
Get good quality, my husband insists, since this will be for all of our grandchildren.
When my youngest daughter went to college, it was strange to have the house so quiet.
I could not believe the number of times people asked me the same question.
So, when are you downsizing? They would say.
I guess my face gave me away.
We don’t have any plans to downsize, I answered them.
But your children are grown and on their own, they would say.
Yes, but God willing, there will be grandchildren, I would say in reply.
As I walked away, I would smile and say to myself: Lots and lots of grandchildren.
My husband and I are not ones to pressure or ask when.
However, each of our children know how very loved our grandchildren will be.
My husband even talks about having a Grandchildren Camp.
His idea is to offer a weekend to each of our children and their spouses, so they can get away.
I am all for that.
As God allows, the things I buy for our nursery here at home will be used by many children.
How things have changed since I bought our nursery furniture the first time.
Things we had then would not meet all the safety standards now.
I remember furnishing our nursery when I was carrying our first child.
We actually bought the crib and changing table through the Sears catalog.
It was delivered to our home.
My husband put it all together.
The armoire that held undershirts, socks, blankets, and sheets was unfinished.
I remember my husband staining the wood the color I selected.
How excited we were when the nursery was finally completed.
The furniture was in place and the rocker was waiting for those late night feedings.
For some reason, we got a free stuffed Winnie the Pooh from Sears.
We still have that special bear.
It sat on the side of the crib during the last month of waiting.
The excitement of anticipation was palpable.
We came home with our precious little daughter and pulled in the driveway.
I looked up at the nursery window and saw the Winnie the Pooh bear waiting for us.
My husband moved the bear from the crib to the window to welcome us home.
He did that four more times.
Some of the nursery things were given away many years later.
The crib we used for our children was taken apart and placed in the attic.
We knew that we wanted to get all new nursery furniture someday.
Since the crib did not meet today’s safety standard, we decided to get rid of it.
Our township has bulk trash one day each month.
One large item can be placed at the curb for pickup.
The crib was in pieces so we knew it would not be too bulky for the trash men.
I remember my husband’s voice calling me from upstairs.
I went upstairs to see what he wanted.
Do you really want to throw this out? He asked me.
We decided that we would get all new things one day, I reminded him.
But do you really want to throw THIS out? He asked again holding one piece in his hand.
It was one end of the crib.
It was the side that had the wicker I liked so much.
I did not understand what he was trying to say.
Only when he turned it around, did I see.
When our children could stand on their own, they would go to that side of the crib.
It was the side of the crib that was closest to the door.
Sometimes they would jump a bit, and I would know that they were awake from their nap.
When they were teething, they would put their mouth on the edge of the crib.
It was little teeth marks that I saw.
It was the imprint of five children’s baby teeth on the side of that crib.
It was something I never noticed before.
It was a remembrance that could not be thrown away.
What should we do with it? I asked knowing my husband had an idea.
We could hang it on the wall, he said as if he already thought about it.
He knows me and my country tastes: my quilts, my signs, and my whimsical touches.
Perfect, I said and meant it.
So the side of the crib, with the teeth marks facing the wall, was hung in the upstairs hallway.
It is the first thing you see when you come up our backstairs.
Only we know the teeth marks are there.
I like it that way.
My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78: 1-4)
Gina I love how you and Michael are approaching grand parenting. They are such a gift and blessing.
Carol,
We are very excited. I have been praying for this little one since we learned that Claire was expecting. It is amazing the amount of love that fills your heart for this precious little baby that is so wanted and so loved. I am thankful that I have wonderful women like you as examples of Godly grandmothers. Blessings!
Gina
Love that! What a clever idea to hang the end of the crib.
Alissa,
I cannot take credit for that idea! The credit goes entirely to my husband. It is wonderful to have the end of our crib as a visible memory. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to make new memories with the next generation.
Gina
So fun, Gina, in preparing for your first grandchild! I can relate to what you have shared in so many ways. I love walking into our nursery and seeing all three of our children’s baby shoes displayed on a shelf with their framed birth announcements above:)
The season of grand parenting you and Michael are coming into is a wonderful one…such a blessing to be a part of your ‘littles’ lives and share and love and joy they will bring to your family.
To pass on ‘things of old’ from one generation to the next is fun too…bringing out some of the old toys, books, etc. that belonged to your children that now their children will use brings warm memories. And to think we have the opportunity to pass on to this next generation something even greater and richer…our love and passion for our great God and to help guide and pray them towards a relationship with Jesus one day…well, there is no greater blessing than this.
So happy for your growing family and the amazing love, joy and laughter you are about to embrace with your future littles…the goodness of God indeed!
Carolyn
Carolyn, you are so right! Keeping old toys and buying new furniture is nothing compared to teaching our grandchildren about the Lord Jesus I love so much! I know that I can glean much from many precious grandmothers, like you that I know and love!
Gina