We’ve finally started getting The Acrobat’s room ready in earnest. I’m hopeful that we’ll have it mostly ready to go this week, but it really depends on my energy level. I wake up in the mornings exhausted, after “sleeping” fitfully all night, so I run out of gas pretty fast these days. I’ve been setting little goals for myself every day, so as long as I can continue to make those I will have the bulk of it all done before his arrival. Of course, he could come at any time so let’s just hope he waits until we at least have a crib.
I was going back and forth about getting a new rocking chair for the baby’s room. On the one hand, the green plush chair we have is perfectly good and I’ve rocked both of my babies in it. On the other hand, I didn’t want to take it away from Annabel since she and I sit in it every night for story time. But, Annie heard Mike and me discussing the chair dilemma and shocked us both by saying she wanted her baby brother to have it. “I will sit in it and read him stories every night!”
I wanted to do something for her to take the place of the chair – something special, since there are a lot of changes in the house right now. So I came up with the idea of a “Fairy Reading Tent.” I’m not really sure why I went with “fairy” other than I just needed something that wasn’t princess, and it sounds fancy and fun to a three-year-old. Plus, I wanted to emphasize reading, because she loves being read to and I always want her to love books and stories.
When I was at Ikea a few weeks ago, I found the perfect gauzy-tent-like-thingy (that’s its official Ikea name, those crazy Swedes). With that and a few new pillows and a bunch of old ones, plus an old down comforter and a handful of blankets, it’s the perfect cozy spot to curl up with some books.
Annie looooooves it and spent hours in it yesterday, flipping through the pages of books. We told her that it was her own very special place, and no one was allowed in it without an invitation from Annabel herself. It’s not the easiest little corner for me to sit in right now (Mike had to help me up on more than one occasion), but it was worth it to cuddle with Annie. I told her we’d get some pretty (fake) flowers and attach them to the tent if she wanted, but she seems content with it just the way it is. In fact, she said, “I can’t wait to show this to my baby brother!” That makes two of us.
Longtime Lurker says:
gauzy tent-like thingy is probably easier to say than the Swedish “Uberfluuginfart” or whatever its name is.
I would have loved to have something like this when I was a little girl. A fairy place, all of my own, to indulge my imagination with my favourite thing – books.
I’m also loving the colour of Annie’s room.
Crista says:
I love it! What an awesome idea! I hope you all have many, many hours of reading fun in there :).
I was wondering how in the world you got up; thanks for answering that for me ;).
Elaine says:
Get a chair big enough for three. When you nurse The Acrobat, you can be reading to Annie – and she can turn the pages for you. This was how my mother dealt with sibling rivalry after my younger brother was born. And I was only 18 months older than he was!
amourningmom says:
Love the fairy reading tent! Annie is so adorable and sweet.
I have to confess our twins did not have cribs till they were a few months old. Hope that makes you feel a bit better.
Sending you hugs and hope. xo
Chris says:
I love all things IKEA. I could spend hours and money in that store! Love the tent, what a great idea and when she’s older you can add a hanging chair in there.
Annalisa says:
Love that idea. We decided to get a rocking loveseat with our first, so that the husband and I could trade turns rocking the kiddo without one of us having to give up their spot if too tired, so I know there are options out there.
Nicole says:
you’ll be ready whenever he is! as you know, all you really need for the first few weeks is some diapers, some sleepers, a boob or bottle, and maybe a bassinet.
Vicky says:
Perfect spot for a bean bag chair!
Auntie_M says:
Annie is so precious! Giving her baby brother her chair! And I, too, looooove the Fairy Reading Tent!!! How very special! I would have loved one of those as a child! I still want one, to be frank. I love browsing the pages of Hearth Song catalog and looking at the fairy things…which could be creepy and weird as I don’t have children of my own, but I do have nieces & nephews and it’s fun to have the fun play room house for them to come to!
My niece (and sister and BIL) are going to live w/us for 6 months or so while they take over a business and save for a down-payment for a house, so our playroom is going to become my niece’s bedroom which is why I just might HAVE to FINALLY purchase these, since I’ve been dying to since we bought this house!!! http://www.hearthsong.com/assorted-fairy-garden-hand-drawn-decorative-wall-stickers-set-of-42-_p3688.html
Oh! And these: http://www.hearthsong.com/butterfly-string-lights-with-fiber-optic-magic-160-inch_p401915.html
And, if I had my way, and money, this: http://www.hearthsong.com/field-of-daisies-hideaway-for-kids_p1011732.html
My niece, of course, wants a “camp fire” themed room with a tent-bed & a fake flickering fire…but I think the flowers at least make it foresty–right???
Auntie_M says:
Heather! How cute is this leaf shaped reading pillow for your fairy reading tent???
http://www.hearthsong.com/leaf-cushion_p1007533.html
(Can you tell I love Hearth Song??? LOL)
Heather says:
Oh, I love this!! thank you for the link!
Heather says:
OMG. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I think I’m going to have to get those butterflies! What a lucky niece!
Rian says:
Great idea! I’m pretty sure I’m stealing this one as I’ve been having the same thoughts about what to do with the rocking chair. P.S…I’M PREGNANT! Due at the end of November.
Heather says:
RIAN! YAAAAAY congrats! I’m so excited for you! We have to get together soon!!!
Rian says:
I’d love that and I’m pretty sure Vivienne and Annie would get along famously.
ella says:
Omg! Love it! I kind of wish you could just pop this baby out now so that you could, you know, stand by yourself.
Expat Mom says:
My 2nd son slept in a baby tub for the first couple of months. A crib isn’t strictly necessary!
That fairy reading tent is just awesome. You guys are really, really great parents. It seems like a little thing, but Annie is going to remember that for the rest of her life.