I always loved the descriptions of nurseries in certain English books-- Mary Poppins, for example. The ideal nursery was a large, light-filled room, full of children's toys (a dappled gray rocking horse was a must) and special children's furniture. There might or might not be a crisp-starched nanny in attendance.
Alas, my boys were lucky to have a crib in our bedroom -- later, of course, they shared a bedroom filled with action figures and dinosaurs.
I admit to severe envy of pregnant friends with an extra room as they set up their little nurseries, decided on color schemes, and installed cribs and changing tables and a rocking chair. But that passed and our boys turned out well, despite the lack of a nursery.
A few days ago, as I sat on my bed and watched Josie at play in the bedroom, I realized that at long last, I have a nursery -- lots of light, kid-sized furniture . . .
There's even a rocking horse.