The Nursery

Tonight I tucked the girls into their room for the first time together. The nursery is an adorable little room that sits inside of Allison's room. From the first moment we walked through our house I could envision the nursery tucked inside of what at that time was the closet to what would become Allie's room. I'm sure you may be doubting how adorable a nursery inside of a closet could actually be, but I assure you it in no way resembles a closet. You would have never guessed it was once a closet if I hadn't told you. Anyway, my girls are both in their beds, inside the room that they share for the very first time, and I am loving the feeling it gives me.

We remodeled the huge closet in Allison's room shortly after Ashley was born. The kids helped us knock down walls and build doll house units(that store Ash's clothes and linens. They are the sweetest things you have ever seen!) and paint and decorate in anticipation of Ashley's arrival. We had no idea that we would have to wait for six months before she ever came home to see it. Allie asked night after night when Ash would be home so they could begin sharing their room. Once Ash did come home she was so fragile and so ill that we were never able to tuck her into the crib inside of the nursery. She had to be placed in a crib in our room, next to our bed instead. Allie tried to understand, but she was broken hearted. Several nights we spent our tuck in time talking about how much she was looking forward to Ash being in their room so she could help take care of her. She talked about how she couldn't wait for Ash to be big enough to want to sleep next to her. She was really looking forward to having her close by.

Last night was Ashley's first night to sleep in her nursery. She will be two in less than two weeks. She spent exactly one year of her two sleeping in cribs inside of ICUs. The other 11 and 1/2 months she has been next to us in our room. Last night I got brave enough to lay her down in the crib that was once Blake's, and then Allie's and is now hers. It was built almost 12 years ago by her daddy. She slept peacefully while I sat up and watched to make sure she was safe. This morning I went in to wake her up around 9 and I found her sleeping with both hands behind her head. She was just so cute and she looked as if she was always meant to be there.

Allie came home today. Tonight I tucked her into bed and then went and picked up her baby sister. As I brought her into the nursery to place her in the crib I could see the smile spread across that big sister's face. She had waited so long and I was thrilled to watch out of the corner of my eye as she nestled herself under her quilt and readied herself to be on "call". I have no idea if Ash will always be welcome in their room, but for now she is exactly where she belongs. After two long years of anticipation I can only imagine what dreams are dancing around in my nine year olds head.