So you're going to have a baby! What a wonderful time in your life?and what a fun time, too! Second only to buying adorable new baby clothes in pink or blue, decorating your baby's nursery is one of the most fun and exciting things you'll do in anticipation of your precious little one's arrival. And with the wide array of baby nursery bedding available today, you'll have so many options to choose from, you'll feel like a kid in a candy store.

Today's baby nursery bedding and crib linens run the gamut from soft pastel solids and stripes to delicate prints and even vibrant hues and paisley patterns. You can choose complete sets with themes?from the ever popular nursery rhyme and storybook themes, like the classic Winnie the Pooh, to vintage styled sets, to bold modern renditions of airplanes and car racing or more subdued colors in cabin themes like moose, bear, fishing, and more. No matter what your home d'cor, there are baby nursery bedding sets to fit right in with your natural style!

If you've never examined a fully outfitted crib before, you may be surprised at all of the different elements that go into preparing and decorating the crib and all the different baby nursery bedding pieces available. There are multiple pieces to select?from waterproof mattress pads to fitted crib sheets, soft flannel receiving blankets, bumper pads, coverlets and comforters, quilts, traditional blankets of various sizes, and even canopies for over the crib to create a soft, quiet haven for your baby's slumber.

Let's start with the basics. You will want to purchase one waterproof mattress protector?that goes on the mattress first. Then you'll need crib sheets. It's a good idea to get seven or eight of those because you will probably want to change and launder the crib sheet at least daily. Whether it is from a leaky diaper, drool, or spit up, crib sheets tend to get soiled quickly and easily.

Newborns are usually wrapped in receiving blankets no matter what time of year or season it is and then other blankets may be layered over that, so receiving blankets, like crib sheets, are most apt to get soiled easily and require frequent laundering. Plan to purchase about 10 of these.

Decorator items like bumper pads, a crib skirt, a canopy, and a matching coverlet or quilt don't come into contact with baby quite so closely, so you'll probably only need one of each of these. You can buy coordinating sets or collections, or you can be a bit more creative and mix and match pieces to outfit your baby's nursery with a more custom look. You need for additional blankets and quilts will vary with the baby's size, age, and the season, so select a good variety. (Note: After a time you'll often find baby prefers a particular blanket or type of blanket. Some children get very attached to their blankies of a particular size, fabric, or satiny binding.)

Whenever possible, look for comfortable 100 percent cotton fibers in your crib linens and baby nursery bedding. Jersey knits and flannels are also soft wonderful choices for crib sheets and blankets baby will appreciate.

Once you decide on the colors you will use to decorate the nursery, or the theme you like, it's a good idea to register at various baby stores and websites so friends and relatives can pick out some of your favorite baby nursery bedding, blankets, and crib linens when they are looking for gift ideas for your baby shower.

Above all, have fun decorating your baby's nursery! This time passes all too quickly and you should enjoy every moment of the anticipation of your little one's arrival.