Page 126 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2024

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story by Holly Harrison and Shannon Stage
There is nothing more special than having a baby. And adding a baby to a Southern family involves much more than the two adults and the dog that will welcome the new human home.
Every member of the tribe that is still breathing feels a deep sense of pride and strong love for that child as if they birthed it themselves. From the moment they knew the family’s baby was having a baby, plans were in the works. Photos are shared all during the pregnancy, parties are hosted, and phone calls become weekly, if not daily check-ins on everyone’s health. Folks begin reminiscing about previous family births as they
Parents trying to keep up with the latest trends in decorating a baby nursery can be overwhelmed and intimidated. There are some things to keep in mind, but it is not rocket science and it does not have to be an expensive proposition. There are lots of ideas and gadgets out there that can be taken with a grain of salt or frankly ignored!
A baby’s room needs to be a safe space first and foremost. While babies are not mobile for the first few months decorate and furnish the space with their mobility in mind. Borrow or purchase furniture that meets all safety standards. Plug all the electrical outlets and make sure there are not any sharp edges in the room. Think about changing out the doorknob so it does not lock. You can use the doorknob covers that are easy to find, but those can be extremely frustrating for the adults in the house. Just change out the knob. You are not going to want the door to lock for several years.
If painting the room is on the to-do list, select paint with no VOC’s and while you are at it, clean all the air vents in the room and change all the air filters in the house. Start out as fresh and clean as possible. Housekeeping tasks will fall by the wayside soon enough after a new baby arrives. You will be lucky to find time to clean yourself and your clothes during those first few months!
The fun part begins with a color palette selection. Grays, www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
prepare to pass down all the hopes and dreams as they have done for generations. Giving birth to a Southern baby is a big deal! So, it is no surprise that creating a space for the baby in the family home has also become
a big deal.
126 | April 2024