3.30.2016

spring wish list for mamas

Happy Wednesday! The weeks are flying by around here and I can't believe another week is half over. Even though it doesn't quite feel like Spring outside today because of all the clouds and rain, I've rounded up a few of my favorite items for Spring for us Mamas! It's so easy to forget about ourselves when we have little ones and my hubby recently sent me on a little afternoon shopping trip to treat myself to a few little things and it felt so good. Even if just a coffee, pedicure or something small, us Mamas have to treat ourselves once in awhile, so here are a few of my favorite things for Spring!
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven

I love throw pillows for our couches and beds and especially ones with texture {1} and neutrals to use all year long {2}. These are both a great price and perfect for any room in your home; they'll easily transition from season to season.

Although I don't get a lot of time to read, I try to dedicate 15-20 minutes a day doing so because it's something I really enjoy. I made a New Year's resolution to read the entire within the year and so far am on track, but it's nice to add in other books too. Dustin got me The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst {3} a few months ago and so far I love what I've read. A book I have on my wishlist that is releasing late summer is Present Over Perfect {4} by Shauna Niequist, which is about leaving behind a frantic lifestyle and moving towards a simpler, more soulful way of living. Looking forward to checking that one out!

I've had this french cade lavender candle {5} for ages and recently revamped our master bathroom for Spring and pulled it out. I forgot how much I loved the scent. In college I worked at a local boutique with a selection of the prettiest candles and voluspa was always my favorite line. They come in so many other scents and lots of sizes, including tiny little ones perfect for small spaces. PS So many of you loved the new floral shower curtain I shared last night. It can be found here. I also love this round bath mat so much I bought a handful for all our bathrooms!


I love having my favorite recipes written down instead of looking them up online. There is something so special about pulling out a recipe card and holding it in your hands, especially when it's one that my grandmother and mom used. I love this new herb recipe box from Rifle Paper Co. {6}, such a pretty color palette.

Dustin and I decided we would take on one DIY project a month for the entire year of 2016 and since we tackled a rather large one in February, a rustic kitchen island, for March we are keeping it simple and doing a new gallery wall in our living/dining room. This "Hello Beautiful" sign {7} is one of my favorite pieces that will be part of it.

I love the sleek look of this Mirano PacaPod bag {8} and how many compartments there are for me to keep all my stuff organized. Life is just so much easier -- especially on-the-go with little ones -- when everything is in it's place. And because of the material used, it wipes clean, so spills aren't an issue (#momwin). In addition to this tan {a favorite of mine for Spring}, it comes in black, navy and mocha.


Last but not least, a few new pairs of shoes for Springtime weather. I am loving ballet flats right now! I shared a picture last week on instagram wearing the Audrey Brooke flats {10} that I've had for over a year. They still look brand new and are so so comfy! I wear them 7 days a week, they are my go-to shoe for all occasions. I recently picked up these Steve Madden ones {9}; they come in a few different colors and are surprisingly comfortable too! And after an extra long day, one of my favorite things to do {in addition to a long bubble bath} is wash my face. It's like washing the whole day away and so refreshing! This sea salt scrub from LUSH {11} is in my weekly rotation and I love it. I have always really liked exfoliating face scrubs and this not only offers that but smells ahhh-mazing. If I close my eyes real tight and take a deep breath, I almost feel like I'm on vacation by the ocean!! For now, that will have to do until our summer trip! :)

What items are you loving for Springtime? Hope you're having a wonderful week!! XO

3.25.2016

friday favorites

Happy Friday! It's been a little extra quiet around here as I've been feeling less than 100% off and on for the last few weeks and seem to spend my "free" time (can we even call it that as Moms?!) resting and playing with the girls. Spring allergies mixed with other random stuff but thankfully everyone else has stayed totally healthy and I am so grateful for that!!

That being said, we are so excited for a fun Easter weekend ahead. Last night we went on a double date with some friends of ours out for the most delicious authentic Italian food. Dustin has today off so we planned a little date day while my Mama watches the girls, then getting a few errands done since we're hosting on Sunday and having a low key dinner at home tonight before we catch up on a few of our favorite shows! Tomorrow we have my best friend's older son's birthday party and then Sunday is of course Easter. Last Easter I was 16 weeks pregnant with Penelope and am so thankful to have her here with us this year! It's amazing how much can change in a year!

I've rounded up a few Friday Favorites to kick your weekend off!

1 // If you follow on me on instagram, you may have seen a sneak peek yesterday at my new favorite bag for Spring (and all year round!!), the Day Bag II from Nena & Co. I use it as a diaper bag & absolutely love it; the generous size is perfect for fitting everything in it for both Olivia and Penelope plus a few things of my own. My wardrobe basically consists of black + gray (anyone else?!) so this bag is a beautiful pop of color with all my outfits; all the textiles at Nena & Co are hand woven in Guatemala by Mayan artisans and then assembled in Utah. The story each bag tells and the history it holds is incredible and if you want to win your own, stay tuned for a feature & giveaway coming in April!

2 // Throughout 2016 I'll be sharing my favorite children's books under the hashtag #BlessedNestLitList on IG and this is one we've been reading a lot lately. I mentioned last week that Olivia absolutely loves letters and spelling and this ABC book, Adventures with Barefoot Critters by Teagan White is the sweetest. In addition to letters it's a great way to teach your child the months of the year and about different seasons. Plus it looks darling on a front-facing bookshelf in any child's room or a nursery.


3 // For awhile now I've been on the hunt for a backpack for Olivia that was big enough to hold a few of her essentials (her stuffed animals, blankets, water bottle, books and other random toys she wants to throw in...) but I wanted one in a sophisticated pattern (aka floral) and made from material other than plastic. I stumbled upon this one on Amazon randomly last week and took a chance. I was going to use it as her Easter "basket" instead of her traditional basket but she managed to get her hands on it before I could hide it in our closet so I decided to just let her have it early. #CantWinThemAll :) I love the overall size and even though she's only 3, it's actually a great fit on her. It comes in a variety of patterns and is pretty inexpensive! I adjusted the straps to be as tight as they go and they're perfect, so it's something she can not only use + wear now but grow in to and use next fall in preschool and eventually Kindergarten too. Let's not get ahead of ourselves though, I'm not in any rush for that.

4 // Old Navy has had some pretty great shoes lately for toddlers and if there is anything Olivia gets excited about getting in the mail, it's definitely new shoes. I recently got her these when they were 50% off and she loves them. They're perfect for Spring and so cute no matter what you pair them with, but especially skinny jeans. I also have my eye on these colorblock sandals and they come in a handful of colors!!

5 // Last but not least, babies in bonnets are just my favorite, especially bonnets with pom poms. And especially when the baby is mine. This bonnet is from Links & Co and you can win your own in your choice of colors today by heading to my instagram @blessednestblog.


Hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend celebrating the resurrection of our Savior!!

3.21.2016

best of the nest | ostheimer farm figures

Spring is right around the corner and with Easter less than a week away, I'm so excited to be featuring our favorite toys today on the blog, both for Springtime and all year round. Ostheimer wooden toys make a perfect addition to your little one's Easter basket and I love that you can choose a few favorites for every holiday & celebration to add to your little one's collection and build it over time.


Ostheimer wooden toys are thoughtfully designed & handmade in Germany from the highest quality materials, hand-painted and then shipped around the world for children of all ages to enjoy. Ostheimer values sustainable production; they aim to use high-quality, environmentally friendly materials. Each resource that goes into making their famous toys are chosen consciously; the lumber comes from sustainable local forestry and is then painted with carefully chosen colors and organic oil to preserve the natural qualities of the wood.

Each toy you buy from Ostheimer is truly one of a kind; I love that the entire process of making each piece from start to finish is done by hand, ensuring the quality and craftsmanship through and through.


Even with just one look at them, it's easy to see that Ostheimer figures spark creativity, a sense of wonder and encourage a childlike imagination for anyone playing with them, even the adults. Our girls have a collection with a wide assortment of Ostheimer figures and some of our absolute favorites are their farm figures, perfect for Springtime and hugely popular in Germany all year. I especially love them because I grew up living on a farm with my parents. The farm figures were some of the first toys Margarete Ostheimer ever created and even today, 50 years later, still remain the core of the Ostheimer brand. Families in Germany especially love to visit farms with their families and because of the deep longing for farm life, the farm collection allows children and their parents to bring that love of farmland and farm life into their homes.

I secretly love when Olivia pulls our baskets of Ostheimer toys out because it gives me an opportunity to totally unplug from my day and just imagine alongside her. Play is a child's work and Ostheimer figures are the perfect medium. I love that they don't make noise, don't require batteries, aren't plastic and look just as beautiful left laying out on our table or in her room as they do piled in baskets around our home. These are the few toys I don't mind looking at day in and day out, and even Poppy at only 6 months old loves holding them. They come in all shapes and sizes and are perfect for little hands.


So to celebrate the start of Spring & the upcoming Easter holiday, I've teamed up with Ostheimer to give away 8 FARM FIGURES OF CHOICE to one reader {over $100 value}! You can peek at all the farm figures you'll be able to choose from here.

To enter the giveaway, head over to my instagram @blessednestblog and find the posted photo with instructions. Giveaway will run today through Sunday, March 27 and the winner will be announced on the original post within 48 hours of the giveaway ending. And to stay up to date on their toys, new releases, special promotions & more, be sure to follow along with Ostheimer below:


To shop for Ostheimer wooden toys in the US, simply visit The Wooden Wagon or Bella Luna Toys.


And for some extra Springtime inspiration, I've teamed up with a few of my favorite bloggers for a fun little blog hop! You can use the quick links below to visit their posts.
Kid's Fashion Must Haves | Sandy at Sandy a la Mode
Mom/Maternity Fashion Must Haves | Keila at Mommy in Milwaukee
Family Friendly Activities | Elisabeth at Bella
Spring Date Ideas | Diana at Mother Soul Shares

Hope you have a wonderful start to your week!! XO

3.18.2016

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! Another week has come & gone and here is a round up of a few of our favorite things to kick off your weekend!


1 // One of Penelope's favorite animals to snuggle and nap with is her maileg bambi deer. The polka dot version above has since been discontinued but here is a similar one that is just as sweet. Stay tuned for a giveaway coming in April where two followers can each win their own!

2 // Olivia is busy learning the alphabet and I often find her sitting with books in her lap naming every letter of every word on every page. She loves letters and spelling, just like her Mama. These adorable alphabet art cards {Ff shown above} are not only fun for teaching your toddler letters but would also be darling framed in a nursery. Plus they teach so many new words. Olivia's favorite is the R card with a green robot on it, because it gives her an excuse to run around the house saying "beep! beep beep!" very loudly. I came across them a few years ago at a local children's boutique when I was pregnant with Olivia but just recently found them on Amazon at a great price!

3 // I shared last week that we just started Penelope on solids right around 6 months and I am having so much fun making different foods for her. I found this cookbook on Anthropologie's website a few weeks back and then was curious to see if Amazon had it cheaper and was pleased to find they did! I've been loving how many ideas it gives me for new meals and food combinations for her and there is so much great information in addition to recipes, especially for a first time mom (wish I'd had this 3 years ago!) on portions, feeding routines, transitioning from purees to finger foods and more.

4 // Last weekend Old Navy was offering 40% off every single item and I picked up this linen flutter-sleeve dress for both girls. Olivia hasn't taken hers off since it arrived and even though P won't fit in hers until the end of summer, I just love it. It's a great staple piece for a spring and summer wardrobe, it's lightweight and seems so comfortable. Plus my forever favorite color.


5 // Last but not least, my favorite everyday clothes for the girls are from Mini Boden. They have so many beautiful pieces (lots of floral, including this set of bodysuits I don't ever want P to grow out of) and the quality is outstanding. Olivia has a floral sweatshirt from last Spring that still fits perfectly and looks brand new. You can save 20% on your total purchase AND get free shipping through 3/22 using the code 6A8F at checkout.

Have a wonderful & relaxing weekend!! XO

3.16.2016

150 life lessons for my daughters

Being a Mama is something I always dreamed of and our girls are truly the light of our lives. The past 3 years of motherhood have taught me so much more than I could have ever imagined -- about life, myself, my marriage, our daughters and more. It has been a whirlwind of good days & hard days, laughter & tears, overwhelming happiness, overflowing emotions and most of all, gratitude. Gratitude that Olivia and Penelope are who they are and that I have the gift of being their Mama. So I wanted to write a list for them filled with all the little & big life lessons that I believe are important for each of them to grow up knowing.


1. You are never too old to act like a kid again.
2. Seek beauty in all things. 
3. Find your identity in Christ.
4. Give and love generously.
5. Walk with your head held high.
6. Crying is not a sign of weakness. And a good cry is great therapy.
7. Never love anybody who treats you like you’re ordinary.
8. Class is more important than popularity.
9. Stand up for yourself. And for others. Speak out for those who can’t do so for themselves.
10. Depend on Jesus for strength and joy.
11. Never be afraid to ask questions.
12. Start each day like it’s your birthday. 
13. Sometimes, a bubble bath is all you need to set the world right again.
14. God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Fear can keep you up all night but faith makes a wonderful pillow.
15. You must love yourself before you can love another. 
16. In everything, give 100%, even when you could get by with less.
17. Nothing that happens to you is a surprise to God.
18. If you can’t pour your whole heart into it, it is probably not worth doing.
19. If you can only have one beauty accessory, choose mascara. And splurge on it because it is always worth the investment.
20. Don’t be afraid to be bold and speak your mind. But have discernment when you do so.
21. Write letters to stay in touch with loved ones, even when technology allows you to connect instantly.
22. Embrace messy hair and wild curls.
23. Do your best to cherish each season of your life, even those that are challenging.
24. Exercise regularly to be strong and healthy; a beautiful soul needs a sturdy vessel.
25. Know that no matter what, people will let you down because they are human. Put your hope in God, not people or things.
26. Never go to bed wearing makeup. Wash your face every night.
27. Baking is the best cure for heartache.
28. Challenge yourself to be present in every moment. 
29. Travel and have adventures. But know you always have a home to come back to.
30. Never stop learning.
31. Remember that sometimes you just need to take a nap and get over it.
32. Order dessert. It’s worth it.
33. If something is worth fighting for, fight fiercely. If it isn’t, let it go.
34. Stand on God’s Word above all human opinion.
35. Independence and self-awareness are good things; know who you are and be who you are, not who others think you are or who others want you to be.
36. In relationships, choose your battles.
37. Drink water -- and a lot of it -- every day.
38. Stand up for what you believe in and don’t waver based on popular opinion.
39. Every part of you -- every characteristic, feature and quality you possess was chosen perfectly by a mighty God. You are a daughter of the King and have a great purpose on this Earth.
40. A flower doesn't think of competing with the flower next to it; it just blooms.
41. Don’t ever go tanning.
42. Always look people in the eye when you’re talking to them.
43. Don't gossip.
44. When people talk to you, listen attentively to them.
45. Read lots of books.
46. Smile when it’s raining.
47. Before you speak, picture whatever it is that you want to say written in public with your name underneath it. Would you still want to say it?
48. Be playful and silly...Free-spirited with a true love of life that is undeniably contagious.
49. If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.
50. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of body. It starts in the heart, not the mirror.
51. Take responsibility for your actions and apologize when you are wrong.
52. Food should be a joy. People who love to eat are always the best people.
53. Home is not where we live, but who we love.
54. Marriage is an an act of commitment and sacrifice. It is designed to make you holy, rather than happy. And it is also the most fun you’ll ever have with your best friend.
55. Use conditioner every day. Only shampoo once a week.
56. Remember that you will reap what you sow, so always sow kindness, grace, mercy and love.
57. Don't try to build yourself up by tearing others down.
58. Always love your sister; she is a gift to you for a lifetime. 
59. Be wild at heart.
60. Hold yourself to a standard of grace, not perfection.
61. You can do anything, but not everything.
62. Challenge yourself. In big and small ways.
63. Forgive them even if they are not sorry.
64. Learn at least one foreign language, and speak it for the rest of your life.
65. An ugly truth is always better than a pretty lie. Be honest.
66. Dress for your body, not your size.
67. Follow your heart; the heart always knows.
68. Eat fresh and whole foods, straight from the earth.
69. People may not remember what you did or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel; value others and love them sincerely.
70. Organization will save you so much time and stress. 
71. Things do not make life worth living. People do, so always put people first.
72. Hugs are completely underrated. Hug longer and more often.
73. Be yourself. Don’t try to impress others. If they like you for who you are, you’ll know it. 
74. Learn to enjoy your own company.
75. God has a plan for your life that he set into action before the world was created. Even when life feels like chaos, remember that God’s plan is always good, to give you hope and a future.


76. Open your mouth only if what you are going to say is more beautiful than silence.
77. Your heart might be broken once or twice, but there is life (and love) after a broken heart. Your heart expands when it's broken.
78. Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
79. If you spend money once, you can’t spend it again. Spend, save and share money wisely.
80. Seek to be worth knowing, rather than well known.
81. Believe in miracles.
82. Be polite. Please and Thank You go a long way.
83. Happy girls are the prettiest girls.
84. Never chase love, affection or attention; if it isn’t freely given, it isn’t worth having.
85. Be kind to others. Even when they are unkind to you.
86. Sometimes there is no right answer. And that's ok.
87. Read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It was a gift from your Daddy when we got engaged; I read it on our honeymoon. It's one of my favorite books ever written.
88. Laugh often. And laugh hard. Laughter is good for the soul.
89. Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.
90. Don’t be afraid to try new things. And if you don’t like something the first time, try it again.
91. Forgive. Not for others, but for yourself. Holding on to something will only hurt you deeper.
92. Seek first the Kingdom of God.
93. Class is knowing what to say, when to say it, and when to stop.
94. You will become like the people you spend the most time with; choose your friends wisely.
95. If you don’t know something, ask someone who does know.
96. Treat yourself the way you would treat someone you love.
97. You’ll know when a relationship is right for you; it will enhance your life rather than complicate it.
98. If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.
99. Fresh flowers are always the right choice.
100. You can never be overdressed or overeducated.
101. Each day is a new day. The sun always rises and it is always beautiful.
102. Trust your instincts.
103. If you are your authentic self, you will have no competition.
104. There is a difference between inspiration and copying. We create because we are inspired. Find out what inspires you and create something all your own.
105. Find a healthy escape for the stresses of daily life that will help you recharge.
106. Celebrate the little things.
107. Comparison is the thief of joy. 
108. Sleep in when you can. It is one of life's most simple pleasures.
109. Always write Thank You cards.
110. Patience is a virtue, albeit somtimes a difficult one to achieve.
111. There is power of life and death in the tongue; let your words speak life and truth.
112. Don’t wait for things to happen; make them happen.
113. Choose a career you love, not just one that you can tolerate or that pays well.
114. Jealousy is not worth your time or emotions.
115. You will never influence the world while trying to be like it.
116. Find something to be grateful for every single day.
117. Never cheat. On anything. Or anyone. Doing things honestly is always the way to go.
118. Learn to love cooking if you can. If you can’t, find a few simple dishes that you can prepare well and enjoy.
119. Read the bible every day, even if just a verse or two.
120. Never reply when you are angry, never make a promise when you are happy and never make a decision when you are sad.
121. Be curious, not judgmental.
122. Wear red lipstick because you can.
123. Anyone can hold a grudge, but it takes a person of character to forgive.
124. No prayer is too big or too small; pray boldly and fervently.
125. Slow down. Don’t live your life in a rush.
126. Chivalry is not dead. Marry a gentleman.
127. Love is a choice.
128. The grass is greener where you water it.
129. Learn and practice empathy.
130. Bloom where you are planted.
131. No one has ever become poor by giving.
132. Take risks.
133. Do not aim to please people; aim to please God.
134. Learn to adjust and adapt; flexibility in life will get you far.
135. Never settle.
136. Passion changes everything.
137. Pursue more than just the things you are good at. While your talents will come through, attempt something you might not immediately excel at because you might uncover a skill or strength you didn’t know you had.
138. Discipline in your mind; extravagance in your heart. It's okay to be practical but don’t ever forget to take the time to dream.
139. The measure of your goodness is not the amount of love you receive; it is the quality of love you give to others.
140. If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough.
141. If you are going to be late, call or send notice. But always try to be on time.
142. If you love someone, tell them. And tell them often. 
143. The thing about makeup is that you want to look like you aren't wearing any.
144. You will lose some things and you will find some things. Some will be trivial, some will be substantial. Try your best to always make peace with it.
145. Learn to say no without explaining yourself.
146. Do not allow your education to separate you from doing what you love.
147. You will always learn more by talking less.
148. No matter what is in front of you, walk toward it with confidence.
149. Remember that to me, you are the most beautiful souls and the most precious gems I have ever laid eyes on. 
150. I will love you forever. Even when I am gone, I will always be with you.

3.14.2016

our weekend

Happy Monday! I am still smiling after the weekend we had, it was just such a good one spent as a family. Beautiful weather, lots of laughter, good food and so many new memories. I hope you had a wonderful weekend as well and had some time to relax!! I am still in shock that it's already mid-March and nearly Easter! Here is a little recap of our weekend.

Dustin and  I decided it would be fun to take on one new DIY project per month and as of early last week, our February one is finally complete -- a rustic kitchen island inspired by a design from Pottery Barn. My hubby really did it all, but I chose the vintage drawer handle so that counts for something, right?

In January we added an open shelving unit to our dining room wall & although the island was quite a bit more work than that, I am over the moon with how it turned out. We talked about adding wheels but because we may eventually move and use it somewhere other than our kitchen {since it's such a versatile design}, I wanted to leave the wheels off for now so that we have that option.

I still haven't decided what our DIY for March is going to be...and being that we're already two weeks in, I better think quick!



This weekend we had absolutely incredible Spring weather so on Saturday we took the girls to our local zoo. Olivia has been there many times and her favorite animals to see are always the polar bears. It was Penelope's first time and she slept through most of it, but woke in time to see a few animals & watch us eat pretzels and drink lemonade.

We also visited the zoo conservatory and Olivia and I had fun looking at {and smelling} all the beautiful flowers. Fresh flowers are forever my love language.



Afterward we headed home, grabbed some lunch on the way and then put the girls down for their naps. Dustin did some grocery shopping {gotta love a man who willingly runs all the errands I normally do so I can relax at home} and picked up pad thai for dinner. While he was out and about, I put together the girls' Easter baskets.


Many of these items were ones I featured in my Easter Basket gift guide here a few weeks ago. Olivia loves puzzles and I'm so excited for her to see her bird puzzle and start playing with it in less than two weeks! Poppy is getting a few new things to cuddle, some bibs, and a teether. I also picked up a few new books for them to share and some baby mice for Olivia's doll house. So much fun being a Mama and getting to put together baskets for two little girls this year!!


On Sunday we slept in, relaxed, had a big breakfast & then Dustin took Olivia to her favorite local indoor playground since it was rather gloomy out. While they were gone, Poppy was my little assistant as I cleaned the house, did a bunch of laundry, put some new Spring bedding on and worked on her baby food prep.

For those of you who plan to make your own baby food, our favorite containers for freezing it in 1 oz cubes are these. With Olivia I made all my own baby food and was surprised to discover it was way easier than I thought it would be. For Penelope, we plan to do a combination of homemade purees and baby led weaning as she gets closer to 7/8 months and can fully sit up on her own and begin feeding herself, so for now I just bought a ton of fruits and veggies (both fresh + frozen), chopped and steamed everything, used a food processor to puree it and then froze it in cubes using the trays I linked above. Once fully frozen, I pop them out of the trays (super easy to get out because trays are silicone) and put them into labeled freezer bags with the date. Because they are 1 oz perfect squares, they stack perfectly and I can fit 16 individual (1 oz) portions in each quart freezer bag. This weekend I made butternut squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, green beans, red split lentils and a beet, carrot, parsnip combo. When it's time to eat, I pull out a few ounces, heat them in a small sauce pan on the stove, add coconut oil and serve. Of course pouches are another easy route and there is no shame in reaching for those on busy days. Our favorites are these & especially this one. It was always Olivia's top choice as a baby so I guess it's no surprise it's her little sister's favorite too.

Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!!

3.10.2021

our 0-6 month favorites

Penelope just turned 6 months old today so I thought it would be fun to round up a few of our favorites items thus far since she's been born! Many of these items were ones we used with Olivia also and just love!
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 {similar} / 8 + 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

Almost every single one of these items are ones we use every single day. I've shared how much we love our DockaTot {1} many times, and even included it as one of my Top 10 favorite baby + child products of 2015 {original post here}. Poppy loves it for lounging, napping and playing. The Deluxe size is made for babies 0-9 months and the Grand Dock is made for baby 9 months to 3 years. Olivia has a Grand that she also loves...little does she know there are only a few more months until Penelope claims it as her own! 

Sophie the giraffe {2} was hands down Olivia's favorite teether and toy for the first year and Poppy is no different. I love that it's so easy for little hands to hold and P loves using it to chew on and making it to squeak.

Since Penelope was born in the Fall I picked up a few pairs of cozy knit & cotton booties {3} and ended up loving them! They were so much easier to put on her than socks and didn't constrict her ankles at all, so I felt comfortable letting her wear them for long periods of time and nap in them. I also love that they can just be thrown in the wash but hold up so much better than regular socks. Plus I had a hard time finding socks small enough for newborns so these were the perfect solution. She still wears a pair almost every day & they come in so many fun colors. 

Now that Penelope is growing so much and alert all day, she loves being a part of the action in our home, whether I'm in the kitchen cooking, we're in Olivia's room reading, the basement playing, the 4moms bounceRoo {4} makes it so easy to bring her room to room and give her a comfy and entertaining place to sit. She didn't show interest in it until about 3 months, but since then has loved it every single day!

The only sleep sacks I ever used with both girls were Halo brand. For the first few months I used the Halo Swaddle Sleep Sacks and now just use the regular ones {5}. They come in so many types of fabrics, patterns, and keep a baby extra warm through the night but are safe unlike blankets left in the crib.

I've expressed my love of Boon Inc. products before and their grass drying rack {6} is something I use every day for bottles, pump supplies, sippy cups & more. It's easy to clean and I love that it keeps the girls' things separate from ours. 

Poppy has a handful of stuffed animals and one of her absolute favorites for naps is her bambi deer. It's so cozy and easy for her to hold because of the long arms and legs. 

Our favorite swaddles come from Aden and Anais and Little Unicorn {8}. They're cotton muslin and bamboo and get softer with every single wash. I use them for everything under the sun...carseat cover, nursing cover, changing pad, playmat, snuggling and more. Olivia still has a handful from when she was a baby and loves them. There are so many fun styles available these days and they make great shower gifts!

More than anything, Penelope wears footed jammies {9}. Most days during the week we don't go too many places and if we do, they keep her cozy and warm. Olivia was a Spring baby so didn't really need them but I love how nice they've been through the fall and winter for Poppy.

Wee Gallery Art Cards {10} are one of the first "toys" I gave both girls. They are thick, sturdy black and white cards with animals drawn from repeating shapes and patterns. Babies' eyes respond most to black and white images early on and they are fun for her to look at and hold. Olivia loves taking them all out and laying them across the floor, naming the animals and the sound they make. These are a hit with both girls and would be a fun addition to an Easter Basket this year!

Since becoming a Mom, I've tried lots of different lotions, body washes, rash creams & more. My go-to product for both girls is coconut oil {11}. It's amazing on the skin and clears up anything and everything naturally. It moisturizes, heals and smells amazing plus its a superfood with countless nutritional benefits!! We always keep it on hand in the nursery and because it's also made for cooking (our go-to oil!), I mix it into all of Poppy's baby food for an extra boost and flavor! 

Last but not least, if you've been following me for awhile here or on instagram @blessednestblog, you've probably seen the tub insert we use {12}. I featured it a few weeks ago in my roundup of our favorite bath products here and seriously can't imagine giving baths without it. It comes in both pink and blue, is easy to clean and can be used for newborns up to 6 months! 


Hope you are all having a wonderful week! We are over the moon that tomorrow is Friday! XO

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