Welcoming a baby into the world is a whirlwind of emotions, decisions, and preparations—and for us, it all started with turning a 100-year-old house into a home ready for a newborn.

Our house, full of charm and history, needed a lot of love to be baby-ready. The biggest task? Creating an actual nursery out of what was basically just a bare, outdated room. We started from the ground up—literally—replacing the nursery flooring to give it a fresh, clean start. From there, we painted the nursery, living room, dining room, and main bedroom to give the entire home a warmer, more welcoming vibe.

One of the most important upgrades we tackled was replacing the original 100-year-old windows. While they had historic character, they weren’t doing us any favors in terms of insulation or safety—especially with a little one on the way. The new windows not only made the house more efficient but gave us peace of mind.

Once the dust settled, it was time to celebrate our baby girl with a shower filled with laughter, love, and the overwhelming support of family and friends. We had a general idea of what we needed (thank you, registry!), and it was amazing to see everyone show up for this new chapter in our lives.

If you’re in the process of building your baby registry, one tip: think beyond just the newborn stage. Try to plan for the whole first year. Our daughter is only six weeks old, and already flying through clothing sizes. Time really does move fast, and having a range of essentials for newborns through 12 months has already proven to be a lifesaver.

The diapers, the gifts, the hugs, the stories—it all reminded us that we’re not in this alone. Getting our house ready may have been a big project, but creating a home full of love and support? That’s what matters most.