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She hasn’t slept in her crib for several weeks now, so this weekend, after everyone left from the workshop and before the kids came home, we did a little room makeover (Target loves me, by the way):

pink_austin_lifestyle_photographer.jpgI’m going to be completely honest here: the only reason I did the makeover was to help me carry through the emotional task of taking that crib down. That’s it. That’s the last reminder of our baby days. I remember shopping for that crib with my mom. I remember the excitement (and confusion and fear) Virgil and I felt the first time we put that crib together. It seemed like such a foreign object in this house built for two. I remember our puppy dog spent that first night under the crib…she would not come out. I remember my hubby getting projectile poo’ed on while changing a diaper in that crib. I remember how my little Logi Bear used to look in the summer time in just a saggy diaper and rosy red cheeks waking up from a nap in that crib. I remember how excited I was to finally get to put pink sheets on that crib and how Amry would gaze up at her bee mobile until she finally drifted off to sleep.

pink_austin_commercial_photography.jpgThat crib has been in our house for 7 years. Almost a decade. My mom and sister helped me take it down. I’m glad they were there. I’m also pretty sure my sis didn’t see me well up when she asked if we could store it for her to use one day. It would be an honor.

And so while the crib is put away until I get a new niece or nephew someday, my little girl is enjoying her “new pink room” as she calls it. She was so excited to explore all the new things…she was especially intrigued by the dress up trunk at the foot of her bed (hence the leotard and tutu). It brings me such joy to see her so comfortable in the very room that she was born in. Comfortable enough not to ask where her crib was even if I was kind of hoping she would.

  • I’ve been a blog stalker but don’t think I’ve ever posted. Holy tears…beautiful pictures and poignant writing.

  • Michelle, it’s beautiful. I was a tiny bit worried about you when we left knowing this was your project . . .you know I’m so sentimental about babies growing up! So I’m especially excited to see how gorgeous the room is and how much she loves it!

  • You are making me teary eyed with your beautiful words and pictures. We’ll be getting ready to put our almost 8 year old crib up soon 🙁

  • This is beautiful! And she is such a big girl. The makeover is gorgeous and I LOVE that bedding….been holding out on buying the owls for a while, but this may have just been a kick I didn’t need to get it for my own daughter….

  • Perfection!! It turned out beautiful 🙂

  • Oh that made my cry and my first thought was how perfect her big girl room is the room where she was born. Perfect!

  • She looks like a miniature fairy! Beautiful! (Is that a mural painting she’s touching on her wall?

  • O MY goodness , she’s so cute and the room is adorable !

  • life just goes on and on….it doesn’t even slow down enough for us to catch our breath. Lovely post…lovely room.

  • Oh how pretty! I’ve stalked your site for a while…and I’ve always loved the Amry entries because I have a daughter her age, too! Where did you get that lovely mobile? I swoon over the memories you’re creating and keeping for your children, and you inspire me to try to do the same!

  • I love everything about it!

  • Wow how beautiful! I’m so happy for you. That is a really big deal, no more crib!

  • I feel you! It’s not easy to let them grow up and knowing that phases go by and don’t come back.
    As Rachel says, life just goes on…. Beautiful post. photos and text! And the new room is gorgeous! 🙂

  • so adorable, Michele. so thrilled to witness the complete wonderment and joy your children bring you…..such a lovely quality in a mother

  • Allison Petersen

    Why you gotta make me cry before work?? 🙂 Thank you for letting me share your experiences from afar as a blog stalker. I especially love reading about your children since I just had my first 3 months ago.

  • Beautiful words to match the images…It is so hard to take down a crib and I had to just “pull the band-aid off” one day as my “baby” would have been 16 squished into a crib if I had my way…

  • Michele, adorable pics and your words are beautiful as ever. I remember going through the very same emotions not too long ago. And just yesterday I was driving and thought to myself, I’ve been a parent for 7 years already, wow! Enjoy your little princess!! Her room looks perfect!

  • Awe! I can so relate. I kept the sheets from my daughters’ crib and hope to make something special with them.

  • This is so beautiful. I could not hold back my tears as I read and saw the life in your beautiful work. Amry is so gorgeous, as is her room.

  • She is just ADORABLE Michele!!!!! Her room looks fabulous. We have that same owl from Target. His name is “owlie”. 🙂

  • super cute! We did our daughters’ room with those sticker also! They love them! …..although there room doesn’t look half as cute as yours (we are in the middle of a move)….but soon!