Lillie World

Lillie World is what we have taken to calling her room – she is growing up so quickly it does not even feel like a nursery anymore. Logically, we know it is just a small bedroom in a house we are renting for a couple of years. But it has become so much more than that; it is the heart of our home.

Practically speaking, it is where we almost always feed her (5-times a day) through her g-tube, where she sleeps, where her therapists stretch her out on the floor and try new exercises, where we play and often where Team Lillie huddles singing her favorite songs when she is having a tough time. “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” and “Yellow Submarine” are two of her favorites.

It is filled to the brim with a comical number of toys, books, and family keepsakes – including pictures by grandma Juli and some of her mom and dad’s favorite childhood goodies. Not to mention a closet embarrassingly full of adorable summer attire and comfy jammies. (Some might say mom and grandma Bette have shopping ‘issues.’)  Almost all the toys have names: Dell, Davy, Blue, Monroe, Sketti, Q-Bert and more.

With no discernible design theme, all bright colors are welcome – especially hot pink. Looking around, there is a slightly higher proportion of owls and flowers than might occur naturally, but not quite enough to feel planned. The extra large yellow rocking chair that sits across from the crib is a little worn and almost always occupied. You can imagine, then, that it is a little busy in here. But somehow, it all just works.

This is also the place we anxiously set-up when she spent 17-days in NICU, asking just that we got the chance to bring her home. Where we have seen her make slow, steady progress and where we have consoled her, and ourselves, when times have been tough. And it is where we love to bring her back after adventures in the hospital, doctor visits and trips to the duck pond.

So, here is to Lillie World - the kookiest, craziest, best place we know.