A sneak peek at Madelyn’s nursery

The last month has been filled with preparation for Baby Madelyn. Troy and I have been visiting pediatricians’ offices, interviewing nannies, and taking childbirth classes. (I have one more eight-hour birthing class to go this weekend!)

Of all the prep work we’ve done, decorating the nursery together has been the most fun. I picked out everything for the nursery, along with the theme, while Troy assembled the crib and dresser and hung all of the wall art.

We finished this joint labor of love last weekend. Now all the room needs is a baby! I’m 33 weeks pregnant, so Madelyn could be here anytime in the next month and a half. When she does arrive, we’ll be ready.

A lot of friends and family have asked to see photos of Madelyn’s nursery. Here are some snapshots with captions:

A growth chart to keep track of Madelyn’s height!

Naturally, Madelyn's room needed to have lots of books. The bottom shelves are filled with kids' books. I organized the other books accordingly. The classics, for instance, are on the middle shelf; I figured she'd be about that height once she's ready to read them. — Naturally, Madelyn’s room needed to have lots of books. The bottom shelves are filled with children’s books. I organized the other books accordingly. The classics, for instance, are on the middle shelf; I figured she’d be about that height once she’s ready to read them. Also note the cart of diapers and the Diaper Genie; we’re mentally preparing for lots of diaper changes!

The shelves are decorated with sentimental trinkets. The "M" is made out of a book and is a souvenir I bought when Troy and I went on our "babymoon" to St. Augustine in October. The fairy is a gift that my mom bought for my maternal grandmother years ago. My grandma gave it to me a couple years ago. The stuffed elephant is holding onto a silver cup that holds some of Troy's baby spoons. And the Precious Moments figurines are mine from when I was a child. — The shelves are decorated with sentimental trinkets. The “M” is made out of a book and is a souvenir I bought when Troy and I went on our “babymoon” to St. Augustine in October. The fairy is a gift that my mom bought for my maternal grandmother years ago. My grandma gave it to me after my mom passed away. The stuffed elephant is holding onto a silver cup that holds some of Troy’s baby spoons. And the Precious Moments figurines in the right-hand corner are mine from when I was a child.

This shelf has a framed Jane Austen quote, a crane and butterfly (I've always loved cranes and butterflies), a tiny ladybug my dad bought me last year for good luck, a photo of Madelyn at 18 weeks, and a nightlight that my dad and stepmom bought for Madelyn. — This shelf has a framed Jane Austen quote; a crane and butterfly (I’ve always loved cranes and butterflies); a tiny ladybug my dad bought me in Boston after my paternal grandma passed away earlier this year (we’ve always believed ladybugs are good luck); a photo of Madelyn at 18 weeks; and a nightlight that my dad and stepmom bought.

There are lots of toys we still need to put together. They're in the closet for now, along with Madelyn's adorable clothes. — There are lots of toys we still need to put together. They’re in the closet for now, along with Madelyn’s adorable clothes.

A dresser drawer filled with cute socks and bibs.

A collage of prints in Madelyn's nursery. I'm a sucker for quotes, especially literary ones and ones geared toward women! — A collage of prints in Madelyn’s nursery. I’m a sucker for quotes, especially literary ones.

I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude as I look through these photos; we are lucky to have a room for Madelyn and to be able to make it so special for her. I hope she enjoys it as much as her parents do!

Published by Mallary Tenore Tarpley

Mallary is a mom of two young kiddos -- Madelyn and Tucker. Mallary absolutely loves being a mom and often writes about the need to find harmony when juggling motherhood and work. Mallary is the Assistant Director of the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas at the University of Texas at Austin, where she manages the Center's various programs related to distance learning, freedom of expression, and digital journalism. Previously, she was Executive Director of Images & Voices of Hope and Managing Editor of The Poynter Institute’s media news site, Poynter.org. Mallary grew up outside of Boston and graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island. In 2015, she received a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University. She now lives in beautiful Austin, Texas, with her kids, husband Troy and cat Clara. She's working on a memoir, slowly but surely. You can reach her at mjtenore@gmail.com. View more posts