Our New 'Big Boy' Room

It feels like just yesterday that we were deciding how to decorate the nursery for our three babies that we had only seen through many different ultrasound photos. Once we learned that I was carrying Boy, Boy and Boy, there was very little discussion. Everyone knew that the room would be Sports, Sports and more Sports!

My wonderful friends Debbie and Tracy traveled up one weekend to visit, watch some Game Show network with me since I was a complete baby blob and paint our nursery. After that weekend, I blinked and the room was filled with three beautiful babies. I have some of my most special memories in the nursery during our nighttime feedings. I loved being alone with music playing and rocking with my boys while they ate. It feels like from that point until now, our lives have been on fast forward and the boys just keep growing bigger and stronger. The nursery was conveniently located in an adjoining room to the master bedroom. This was perfect for a while but it was time for the boys to move into their new room.

I think it took us longer to decide exactly how to decorate this room than the nursery. We wanted a room that boys could have as they develop from toddlers into little boys. The boys' new room has high ceilings which provided great opportunity. However, since we are not artistically talented like Ms. Debbie, we had to be a little creative. Mike and I worked together on the decorating decisions but he gets all the credit for the execution. Here is a glimpse into the boys new 'big boy' room....

This is the wall above the main wall in the room. Jared's crib is right below the phrase "In The Zone"....
This is the right corner wall. Wesley sleeps directly below the Catcher and the word "Score"...
This is the left corner. Andrew sleeps below the Running Back and the words "Think Tough"...
The wall across from the boys' cribs has the Basketball players. The football and baseball guys are about 3.5 feet tall and the basketball players are 6 feet tall.....
For a little perspective, here are a couple photos of the boys in their cribs getting ready for their nap. They now sleep under the protection of the ball players. These pics were taken before the inspirational phrases were added. Here is Andrew already gaining inspiration from the ball player as he winds up to throw Curious George....
Don't worry, the nursery is still the boys' room. We have turned this very special room into our new play room. We were unsuccessful in baby proofing the closet doors so we just took them off. We painted the inside of the closet and added a curtain. Ta da.... it's part of the room. The boys will even hide in there. Mike also added a mirror at the boys' height and they love playing with these new friends. The boys also enjoy gazing into the master bedroom. Don't worry, we still have privacy curtains over the doors....

The room also has twin beds that the boys use for jumping, rolling around, hiding under pillows and for overall play. We opted for slip covers over the mattresses so we do not have to make these beds everyday. There are a pile of pillows for the beds including a football and baseball pillow. However, the boys like to toss them around so they are not in the picture below...

I am so pleased with the way the new room has turned out. It is a shame that the room is almost always dark because the boys use it for sleeping only. However, I am confident that this will be a room that they will be able to grow into as they grow into little boys. I also think they already like the room because they point to the ball players. We now say good night to everyone. Just like the book, Goodnight Moon, we go around the room and say "good night football players," "goodnight baseball players" and "goodnight basketball players."

I almost welled up with tears the first time Wes stood in his crib and pointed to the football player above his crib and said "fu-bol."

This post would not be complete without sharing some of my husband's humor. It's not a secret that I am the sports fanatic in our family. Mike is a very good sport and is learning to accept a Sunday of Buccaneer football. I am confident that he will learn to love it when the boys are running around on the field. Until then, he is still learning. The shadow figure decals come with mini decals to help with positioning and testing the wall. I wanted the basketball shooter and blocker to be interacting. Mike used the mini decals to confirm what I was requesting. Here was his first example.....

Oh my.... the blocker is like Superman. No honey, try again... .

Sigh..... my silly husband! As you see with the finished product, he eventually got it right. I love this man for his humor and for putting up with me during this activity. You are a very patient man!!! I am sure your boys will love the effort you put into this room one day!

Take care,