Week 33: Nurseries & Nesting

Now that our twins have reached Week 33, we’re very aware that it could be “go time” pretty much anytime.

It’s handy, then, that a pretty significant nesting instinct kicked in for both of us in recent days.  Our friends and family gave us a ton of excellent presents at our baby shower, but we still had a few things to go out and buy before the big day. (We’ve done more shopping in the last several days than we’ve probably done in our whole marriage.)

We took a two-session twin-specific infant parenting class (with the fabulous Natalie Diaz), and in the class it was recommended we eschew the $1,100 cribs out there and hit IKEA for the $100 ones.

“They’ll get poo and pee and vomit and all kinds of things all over them,” we heard in class. “Get a cheap and sturdy one for now, and when it’s time, toss the crib out and spend the money on a real big girl or big boy bed.”

It seemed like sound advice, so we did just that. We hit IKEA, bought the cribs, a Poang rocker, a great dresser, and a changing table.

Building it all wasn’t easy. Matt was especially key in getting the furniture together, but I think Butter would appreciate us mentioning that he oversaw the effort with a keen and careful eye. 😉

I helped with the furniture, but also simultaneously undertook the task of washing and folding six or seven packed loads of infant clothes, blankets, towels, onesies, burp pads, and all manner of other baby paraphernalia. We wanted to make sure everything was fresh, clean, and ready to go for its first use.

When all the furniture was built, and the laundry put away in the new dresser, we had this amazing moment where we stood and looked around us at our welcoming, cozy, fully-realized baby nursery. We had the windows open, with a breeze coming in–spring finally made its way to New York City–and Butter trotted around checking everything out. Matt and I kind of stood there with stupid grins, looking around at the room we’d put together for our kids. It was a little bit mind-blowing, just standing there and soaking it all in.

Butter remains very interested in the nursery. During the day, the room has become his new favorite spot to curl up and catch a pocket of sunshine. He’s given me a few quizzical looks when we’ve been in the nursery together, seeming to say, “So, Dad, what’s up with these cribs and blankets and everything?”

Soon enough, he’ll understand. He’ll be great with the kids. He’s so sweet and patient with small children, and I can only imagine it’ll be the same–probably with an added air of protectiveness–when we bring the twins home.

In the evenings, when we’re all ready to tuck in for the night, I’ve developed a new habit of walking to the nursery, flipping the light on, and looking in.

I can’t tell you what it does to my heart just to look into that room.

To say that we can’t wait for our little arrivals is an understatement. We’re so excited. But, we’d also love for them to have all the extra days possible in the womb, growing and getting stronger and preparing to come into the world and meet their dads, and their new four-legged, furry protector, who’s sure to be curled up on the floor by their cribs at all hours of the day and night.

Our family of three is about to become a family of five.

–Josh

For more photos from our nursery, and our daily life, feel free to follow us on Instagram @joshcentral.