One of the things I’m always on the hunt for is furniture that looks amazing but won’t serve as a potential death trap for my little one. That’s right, kid friendly furniture that isn’t an eye sore… I want my living space to be chic and presentable but still safe enough for my little one to explore and climb without having to be hovering over him on toddler watch the whole time. Short of bubble wrapping the living room this seemed like an impossible mission – but its not. Kid friendly furniture simply means choosing rounder pieces and softer options. And, yes – plush furniture without corners doesn’t have to mean living in a gymboree – there is so much incredible kid friendly furniture out there at varying price points that will allow you to reclaim your gorgeous home while also keeping your little ones safe. Always remember – that nothing is entirely injury proof (besides a padded room) there are just safer option – always keep a close watch on your little ones – these furnishings will simply allow us worry warts to relax… a bit…
MATERNITY MONDAY – the nursery essentials
There is a reason we’re pregnant for 9 months – and it’s not just so our babies can cook (well, its mostly for that) – but it’s also to give us time to prepare for baby mentally and physically! You may notice around 5 months that you go into full on nesting mode. I actually woke up one day compelled to get organized – I woke my husband up at 6am on a Saturday with the words “we need to get to Target right now.” There is an urgency that comes with pregnancy to get your space ready for the new arrival, so I am dedicating this post to the nursery essentials to get your started! I’m not talking about baby clothes and plush toys – I’m talking about the nursery essentials to help satisfy your nesting needs.
THE BASSINET: This is far more a nursery essential that a crib for the first 3 months. The first 3 months of life your baby will most likely be in your room with you (for both convenience and the health and safety of your new little on), so a bassinet (or moses basket) you can put next to your bed and easily take with you from room to room is a must have. Babies sleep A LOT in the beginning so the bassinet is where they will be spending the bulk of their time.
THE CHANGING TABLE. You will be changing A LOT of diapers – more than you ever though possible so a changing table or dresser or at the very least the countered changing pad is essential. I have 2 of the changing pads – one for in the nursery and one that I keep in the bathroom for bath time – but is easy to take from room to room is need be. If you’re limited for space a great dresser can double as a changing table while also giving you storage for all those cute baby clothes!
BREAST FEEDING ESSENTIALS: Breast feeding, for me, was the hardest part of the whole newborn process – but totally worth it and for those that are struggling keep at it, find a pump station and don’t be afraid to ask for help from a lactation consultant… Nothing is better than breast milk for babies (if you can do it) for those who struggle with latching issues pumping is always a great option. My son was 9 pound 5 ounces when he was born, so I had to start pumping while at the hospital to try to increase my milk production. Pumping (and my daily oatmeal) helped me become an over producer, which was great because I was able to pump enough to keep him on rest milk 4 months after I stopped breast feeding. Just make sure you have the proper tools to make your life as easy as possible during this time! Also – get comfortable – have a great chair (check out my post from a couple weeks ago on gliders and rockers ) the more relaxed you aren the more relaxed baby is and the easier the whole process.
SWADDLE BLANKETS: Swaddling is a must do for baby – it keeps them warm, safe and secure almost replicating the tight security from being in the womb. I read Dr. Karp’s The Happiest Baby on the Block about a week after having Max and it was a game changer. Once I figured out how to swaddle (shush, sway etc) I felt like I finally had some sort of grasp of the whole parenting thing… So having great swaddle blankets are serious nursery essential!
BOUNCERS, ROCKERS & SWINGS: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my fisher price monkey chair and snuggabunny were my life savers during the first 9 months of Max’s life. Unbelievable how these little chairs can instantly soothe our little ones and allow us some hands free time to do other things like cook or even use the bathroom. One night, after hours of middle of night screaming, I got on the computer and ordered the monkey chair (which a friend of mine had and swore by) and when it arrived my whole life became 10 times easier. I buy one of these chairs for all of my expectant friends knowing they’ll truly understand it’s value soon enough…
BABY MONITORS: As I mentioned, your baby will sleep A LOT in the first couple of months (although not always when you want them to) so having a great baby monitor is essential. Being able to see, hear and even talk to your baby when they’re in the next room can give you peace of mind to do the things you need to (like nap) while they sleep. Technology is so amazing that you can even get monitors with wi-fi which will allow you to connect through an app on your mobile device so you can monitor your child even when you’re not at home! Another great monitor, for those particular nervous about SIDS, are pads you can put under them which will alert you to any sudden changes in their breathing.
CAR SEAT: The first thing you need when you leave the hospital after baby is a car seat to get your little one home! There are plenty of great infant car seats – just make sure to never buy a second hand car seat (this is a big no-no) and to get it properly installed (there are places that have professional car seat installers – even a fire station or highway patrol will help install it correctly). Remember to keep your babies rear facing until 2. Some people like to turn their little ones around sooner but there is absolutely no question that before the age of 2, if you get in an accident with little one in the car they are far safer when they are rear facing. The great thing about these infant car seats is that they are also carriers so take into restaurants or to snap into a stroller frame without having to wake your sleeping angel.
MOMMA NEEDS… furniture without corners
I have a wild child. He is 19 months, a boy, and ready to conquer the world. He runs, climbs and knows no fear. He also trips, falls, bumps his head and gets stuck multiple times a day as he explores and learns. My job as a parent is to limit the liability – child proof and keep a watchful eye. Still, accidents happen and one great solution I have found is furniture without corners. Forget the ugly foam corners ruining all our formerly chic furniture – they look hideous and he’s now figured out how to rip them off… I can’t wrap him in cotton wool or lock him in a padded room, but I can invest in some gorgeous furniture that I love and won’t serve as baby booby traps. Furniture without corners is a concept almost too good to be true – I might actually be able to cook in the next room while he plays happily in the living room knowing that he is safe. Will he still trip, fall and bump his head? Sure, he’s a toddler, but soft and rounded edges are the next best thing to bubble wrapping all my furniture and it sure looks better! We would go to the greatest lengths to keep our little ones safe, yet we want them to explore and climb and investigate the world around them – so get rid of all those sharp edges and put your mind at ease – here are some great furniture without corners options for the home…
MOMMA LOVES… glider or rocking chair – nursery essential!
A friend of mine came over the other day with her 3 month old and, as babies do, she started to fuss. My friend removed herself from dinner and went into Max’s nursery and came out 5 minutes later (without baby – who was snoozing happily in Max’s crib) proclaiming “I need to get one of those rockers!” Absolutely she does – without a doubt having a great glider or rocking chair is a MUST. We spend so much time breast feeding, reading to our little ones, snuggling and rocking that is absolutely a nursery essential for both you and baby! I confess I still rock max to sleep and its one of my favorite pieces of furniture in the house. While pregnant (and going through my nesting phase) I searched high and low for a glider or rocking chair that wouldn’t just serve purpose but in the long run was a beautiful piece of furniture. My Monte glider will be with us for the long haul – Max will now climb onto it himself when he’s tired and just snuggle up happily. The glider or rocking chair has come a long way in recent years – they’re not the old fashioned style from days of yore – they’re chic, modern and incredibly comfortable! Check out some of my top picks for a glider or rocking chair that will transform your child’s nursery and your life helping you soothe them to sleep in stylish comfort.
MOMMA NEEDS… storage solutions for the holiday haul
I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday – gifts, food, friends, family and the joy of watching kids enjoying the magic of christmas… But what are we left with? That’s right – a big old mess. Its amazing how much things can accumulate and now that all the gifts that had been neatly stored under a tree that’s soon to disappear, what do we do with all this new stuff? It’s time to start thinking about storage solutions because in the new year I really do resolve to reclaim my living room! And my bedroom and office and kitchen and bathroom… In order to do this I need some proper storage that looks chic in my living room and storage that’s cute for his room. 2014 is coming people and I want to start the new year right with a clean slate and a clean home. So, here are my storage solutions that look great and can hide all the new acquisitions…
for our space…
For the kids areas…
And now its time to store all those Christmas decorations away…. and while you’re in the attic, garage or basement storing things – you may as well put away any toys and clothes that are not longer being used… That is, if there might be more kids in the future… Also consider donating things that you haven’t used in a year to good will – we have enough clutter in our life – may as well give those things that we no longer use to those who will…
MOMMA PLEASE… cool nursery furniture for kids of all ages
I wanted to do a quick post on great nursery and kids room furnishings… I saw this amazing sale on Gilt.com today and there are things I covet and wanted to share with all of you. I love a pop of color, some modern shapes, and just great “make believe” furnishings that my little one can enjoy. Here are some fabulous additions for our kiddo’s space!
MOMMA NEEDS…furniture without corners
So your beloved little one finally starts moving around, crawling, cruising, walking and it dawns on you… you live in a toddler death trap! There are sharp edges jutting out everywhere so you get to childproofing the house. Chic living space be gone is more like it. Its literally like living in a padded room which, while hideous, is better than living in a toddler death trap. So here I am, on the hunt, the hunt for furniture without corners. Curvy not edgy, rounded lines not straight ones and most important chic furniture that won’t injure my child. Here are some of my favorite contemporary furniture finds (special note – items from gilt.com and onekingslane.com are on special sales that are for a limited time but even if you miss the sale – keep checking these sites as things come back up for sale again)…
MOMMA NEEDS… to reclaim her living room
I am on a constant quest to reclaim our living room. With a toddler this seems an impossible task. There are toys everywhere in the brightest colors imaginable and we always laugh that our living room is actually Max’s playroom, we’re just living in it… So this is my mission – find chic storage that fits a grown up decor where we can hide his toys when visitors come… Here are some of my top storage ottomans and trunk finds (although stay tuned – this is an ongoing mission).