An Extra Special Something for Z

Nick and I have gotten so many special things in preparation for baby Z's arrival.

We now have the pack-n-play, which will double as his actual crib:

We have a dresser to store his little baby things in: (Should I paint it brown?)

We have the swing, stroller, and car seat (already installed and waiting!):



And many more little things to make life a little bit easier:

There is, however, one very special something we've received that's a little more precious than the rest. --
A little over 24 years ago, Nick's mother, who was about to have her first son, asked her sweet grandfather, who was a carpenter, if he would make a cradle for her baby to sleep in. Nick's great-grandfather did so with love and Nick slept in that cradle all throughout his parent's travels while he was a baby. This little cradle held Nick and his little sister, Dani, throughout the US, Panama, and Germany. When Nick and Dani were too big for the cradle, their mother brought it safely with them even till today.
This special cradle was brought out of storage and prepared, again, to cradle another sweet baby who is due in just 9 days! I think that it's a sweet, special blessing that this little baby gets to enjoy the work of his great-great-grandfather's hands even after he passed away. Not only will our baby get to use it, but by the time he needs to move to a bigger crib, his little cousin, (Dani and Chris' baby) will be able to use it as well. :) Every morning I wake up, my eyes fall on that sweet little cradle and I feel happy and blessed. :)