It was almost a year ago that we decided it was okay to start considering decor for our baby girl’s nursery. Once I gave myself the go-ahead to actually consider the fact that this baby was going to be born, I felt comfortable (and excited) to plan out the theme for her room. I am very big on themes and minute details. As a virgo perfectionist, I pride myself in ensuring that all facets of my life (particularly my home and my wardrobe) are color-coordinated. Thus, I have to admit that once we found out the baby was: a) healthy and b) a girl, I began dreaming of the perfect nursery. I surfed many baby bedding websites, but couldn’t find the “right” bedding ensemble. I didn’t want anything too pink or frilly and was dead-set against paying hundreds of dollars for fabric that was going to be peed on, pooped on and/or spit-up on.
So, picture this: Yellowstone National Park, July 2009 (ah…Sophia…). Taylor and I are having lunch at a restaurant in the park. The restaurant is outfitted with photographs of said park (for sale, of course) at various times of the year. One photo — it was of a bison and a rainbow — caught my eye. Then, bingo! I realized that I wanted rainbows to be the theme of the baby’s room. I took a stroll up to the photo, glanced down at the price tag and decided that the photo we had taken of a rainbow over a waterfall in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone would suffice as my inspiration and anchor for the nursery. Now, the key was to find the perfect rainbow bedding….and thanks to a joint effort between myself and my best friend, Missy, Clara’s rainbow bedding became a reality. Not only is it absolutely perfect in every which way, but it was also made with love by a very important person in my (and now Clara’s) life.
Clara’s nursery today:
Fast forward to early 2010. I had heard the phrase rainbow baby used by a Facebook friend and decided to look up its meaning. Much to my surprise, a rainbow baby represents:
The understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn’t mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy and hope.
And that is exactly the perfect description for our little Clara. She is our rainbow baby. Although it has been almost two years since we lost our son, I think of him every time I look at Clara, as she is the rainbow that now fills our sky with happiness. Believe it or not, I had never heard of the term rainbow baby until after Clara was born and her nursery was finished. But, I can honestly say that each time I step into her room to change her diaper, get her up from her nap or am greeted by her gummy smile each morning, I smile at my rainbow baby and embrace the memory of the baby who watches over her.
The photo that we took at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone:
Filed under: Clearly Clara
That thought is so beautiful! And so true, wonders do happen.
I love that so much. The nursery is so beautiful, and it fits Clara so perfectly. She is such a funny, sweet, beautiful, and adorable baby!
[...] a possibility.” We always knew that Clara was a special little girl, seeing as she is our rainbow baby. And, every time I look at her, I am reminded of the little boy who sits watching all of us from [...]