
There we sat, cozied in a vinyl booth at the Cheesecake Factory on a Sunday afternoon post our weekly church gathering. Our three children Lucy, Ian, and Audrey ordered their favorite strawberry lemonades and we were actively awaiting our meal among rumbling tummies and kid energy at the table.
"We have some news for you!" I said as Jonny and I exchanged a knowing smile. I was filming the scene with my iPhone. "You get a new brother or sister in September!" I spoke excitedly. The table erupted with squeals of joy and a not so convinced look on our youngest Audrey's face, as she pondered losing her spot as the youngest. The children had been praying each morning at school, and every night at bedtime for such an event to realize. They longed for another child in our family maybe as much as I did. Audrey came around shortly as she thought of a new baby to play with and cuddle.

We left our lunch with hearts full of joy and satisfied stomachs. We were eager to share the news with our parents. With a few short phone calls our immediate family knew of our good news. The day was happy.
It was only a short week later when we lost the baby. It was very early on, but the ending of this long-awaited person was devastating. I had three healthy babies prior to this, so I was unfamiliar with this type of loss and found it difficult to process, especially after sharing with the children and getting their hopes up. I felt as if I had failed the whole family. Jon and the children were all so supportive and the days that followed contained tears, talks, and processing of the event that only time and God could ultimately heal. During that time I was comforted with a phrase that echoed in my heart, "God's life, God's baby." It brought me such peace as I mourned that precious gift.
Prior to this news, we had been open to the idea of our fourth child for about three years. We already felt so grateful for the three children we were raising, and the fourth remained something we were open to but not going to force. Our faith taught us that life and death are in the hands of our maker. We continued to wait and pray that God's will be done, and we'd be satisfied either way!
About a year and a half after our miscarriage we traveled with the family to Florida for the every two-year trip we take with Jon's family. We drove, which from Iowa is a 20+ hour journey. We used the time on the way back to set goals as we often do and discuss the direction of our family and business. The topic of family expansion was frequently on my mind as I was only getting older and the chances of adding to our crew were diminishing. With tears silently falling behind my oversized cat eye sunglasses, Jon and I decided we'd try until the end of the year, and then be at peace with ending our efforts to expand. I didn't know it at the time, but while we carried on that conversation, the Lord had already granted our request. We would soon find out we were once again expecting.
The timing was a divine orchestration, setting into motion not just a growing family but a season of growth and change for our lives and our business.
Designing with Gratitude
The nursery became more than a design project; it became a symbol of hope fulfilled. Every choice we made reflected the gratitude and deep peace we felt. We wanted this space to feel serene yet full of life, a gentle welcome for the little one who had already taught us so much about patience and faith.

We set out reviving a bedroom designed as a playroom during the days when Eden and Gray operated out of our basement - that is another blog post I'll later link here! The room was already painted Farrow & Ball Teresa Green, meant to be a color that could welcome any future need of the room. The black and white mural paper was also put up in anticipation that at some point it could serve as an easily seen contrast for a newborn to study.
This time around, we didn't have to overplan or overthink. I never even put pen to paper or mouse to screen, as it was the most natural transition for any of the babies to come home.
Now that we were older and established, we had on our side experience, a spare room, and an expanded capacity. If I'm honest, it was completely unique from all the other three children we welcomed home. After digging out the crib from storage, it looked tired. It was a hand-me-down from Jon's sister and brother-in-law and it had been painted, stored, and housed its first baby over 20 years ago. That crib, like our parenting, had earned its bumps and nicks and should be celebrated, but it was time for something new, a fresh beginning of sorts. When I found the simple green bead post crib, it felt like a good choice for the space and had the character to perfectly match my baby-sized rocking chair that was in my own nursery many years ago.
The nursery became a mix of old, new, and flexible. Exactly the way we like to design for our beloved clients, and now I had the privilege of being my own client, welcoming a new guest home!
The Ripple Effect
This season of waiting and receiving didn’t just change our family; it transformed our business. The timing of this pregnancy coincided with a pivotal moment for Eden and Gray Design Build. As we prepared for the arrival of our baby, we were also streamlining our processes, documenting our services, and refining the systems that help us serve our clients. With our long-time designer on staff going remote for the needs of her own family, we found ourselves without a designer.
The hunt was on to find designers to take on the challenge of caring for our clients while I was out. From a unique situation, we only had 1.5 months to find and hire a designer. By God's grace, we were able to hire two, but our systems needed to be clear, clean, and documented quicker than you can say, "design build". I spent the last month of my pregnancy, for which I couldn't sleep anyway, and wrapped up designing our signature process so it could be repeatable and out of my head and others could serve our clients the way we have come to love and deliver.
Looking back it was a step I most likely wouldn't have taken knowing I like to be in control. I am grateful for the forced change. Very few things make me change my mind on things like this, but Jon and my babies, they have shown me that I can do many things I never thought possible.

We found that stepping back to focus on family gave us clarity about what truly matters. That clarity translated into better communication, improved workflows, and a renewed passion for creating homes that hold meaning for others, just as this nursery holds meaning for us.
A Testament to Timing
The nursery is ready now, filled with soft light, cherished keepsakes, and the giggles and cries of our precious baby Eva. As we welcome this baby into our family, we can’t help but reflect on how perfect the timing was—even when we couldn’t see it. It’s a reminder that dreams delayed are not dreams denied and that sometimes, the greatest gifts arrive just in time.
To those walking through their own seasons of waiting, know this: the journey may be hard, but the outcome can be more beautiful than you ever imagined, even when the answer is no, or not now. For us, this nursery isn’t just a room. It’s a celebration of hope, the culmination of years of prayer, and the beginning of a new chapter—one we’ll never take for granted.
From my nest to yours,
Hanna Shiplett, Principal Interior Designer
Eden and Gray Design Build
Clive, Iowa
Comments