Our 10 must-haves for baby #3

Being that we're having our third little girl, there aren't many "essentials" that we need before she arrives. She'll be able to wear all of Poppy and Olivia's clothing and we have the basics for bedding, gear, decor, accessories & more. 

BUT because nesting + collecting tiny treasures for a new baby is still such a special process (no matter how many babies you've had), I thought it would be so much fun to share the must-have pieces that I've collected for her, all of which come from incredible handmade shops + US-based brands that we love, including dear friends of mine (many of which are mamas like me) who pour their hearts into each piece they make. 

This list is perfect if you're looking to get something extra special for your own little one on the way or trying to find a one-of-a-kind gift for a new mama. 

one // an heirloom doll from dainty cheeks

Run by beautiful mama Chrissy, Dainty Cheeks Boutique is our absolute favorite doll shop out there. Poppy has a darling unicorn & the softest unicorn lovey from Dainty Cheeks and this custom bird doll was made for our sweet baby girl on the way. Chrissy's dolls are easily recognized by their unique, whimsical look -- created by combining both new & upcycled fabrics (the bird's wings are made from the coziest old sweater), bold patterns with neutral accents, layering a variety of textures, and finishing with classic round cheeks and delicate vintage details. Chrissy is most well known for her unicorns but also makes lions, birds, sloths and more. She has been widely recognized in magazines around the country for her work and recently had the opportunity to design a collection for Anthropologie. Her pieces are unmistakably stunning and so much care goes into each one -- every stitch and the process of creating her dolls start to finish by hand is incredible.

If you're looking to get your own DCB doll, Chrissy offers both ready to ship pieces (restocked once a week in her Etsy shop here) and custom slot listings (typically once a month), where Chrissy works with you to create the perfect piece for your little one, complete with initials, quote tags, name personalization & more. Her work never ceases to amaze me and her pieces are something my girls will cherish forever, a beautiful heirloom they will hopefully someday pass down to their little girls.

two // a lovey from rise & kind

Every little baby loves having something just their size to snuggle and Rise & Kind hand makes beautiful lace loveys. They are the perfect size for tiny hands, made of the softest fabric and so so pretty. I love the floral one (to the left) and the charcoal one. I wish one came in my size! ;)

three // freshly picked (crib) moccasins

We have loved FP moccasins since Olivia was just a tiny baby back in 2013, and at that time the crib moccasins (Size 0) hadn't yet been released. They are the sweetest, tiniest little leather moccasins for fresh new baby feet and not only make a perfect shoe for the first weeks and months (Poppy wore her Size 0 pair until about 4 months old), but also a beautiful keepsake as your child grows. I love that they are soft-soled, especially as your baby's feet are growing, because they have just the right amount of give for comfort without being restrictive or stretching too much.


Olivia wore them as a baby up until about age 2.5 and they were just as functional when she started walking as they were when all she did was sit and play around the house. At 13 months, Poppy is currently in Size 2 and they are my go-to shoe on our way out the door because they keep her feet perfectly toasty even without socks, ideal as the temps drop. They are easy to get on and off and most importantly, stay on once they're put on. Poppy loves to pull her shoes off, so I love that these stay on so well. A few favorites of ours are the gold, rose gold, green camo & weathered brown (the perfect neutral!)

four // a solly baby wrap

If you haven't yet heard of Solly Baby, it's a company founded in 2011 by Elle (Mama to 3 and named after her 2nd child, Solomon) which specializes in the comfiest functional infant wraps and coordinating swaddles. These saved me after I had Penelope because it allowed me to be hands free with Olivia, and thinking about adding #3 in to the mix, I can pretty much guarantee I will be wrapping her daily. Now living in San Diego, California, Solly Baby works with a small manufacturer to produce their sought-after wraps, overseeing every step of production and keeping everything United States based. Their wraps are not only beautiful but work so well to carry your baby closely and comfortable, from newborn up to age 1. We also love their stretchy soft swaddles, which you can get in sets of two and select your favorite colors and patterns. A few favorites are the Rifle Paper Co wrap (above), Natural & Grey Stripe wrap and the Solly Swaddle Set.

five // a mobile from petite pehr

Petite Pehr is one of our favorite brands for all things baby, child, nursery & home and their mobiles are no exception. This new Swan Lake mobile (above) is my absolute favorite for our girls but I also love this gender neutral Sparrows one. We never purchased a mobile when Olivia was a baby but then were gifted several for Penelope. I have a large one hanging over her crib and then the sparrows one over her changing pad. I love the detail and movement they add to a space, the perfect finishing touch. Not to mention they capture a baby's attention and (hopefully) soothe them in the process. We also love their pom pom bins for storage of toys, blankets, dolls & more around the house.

six // parasol co diapers

After trying just about every diaper & wipe out there since Olivia was born in 2013, I've finally found a brand I absolutely love, Parasol Co. They are my go-to diapers for Penelope and wipes that our whole family uses because they're so soft but still durable and they smell like cucumbers and aloe, so refreshing! They're perfect for wiping hands, faces, our highchair, carts, you name it. I keep them in my diaper bag and our car in addition to being stocked in our nursery & bathrooms. With modern hand-drawn artist designs on the diapers and created for comfort while still maintaining superior absorbency, Parasol diapers and wipes are a must have for our little lady on the way and a monthly subscription makes a beautiful and practical gift for a new mom. You can save 20% off your first subscription using the code BLESSEDNEST at checkout here. You can also try the diapers & wipes before subscribing with their free trial. The best part? The diapers are not only luxuriously soft but they are safe for your baby -- hypoallergenic, chlorine-free, fragrance-, lotion-, and latex-free. Their subscriptions deliver diaper bundles + wipes to your door every month, a must for busy moms and a convenience I'll definitely be taking advantage of when our 3rd baby arrives!

seven // blankets & bedding essentials from stella & lu

If you're looking for the coziest blankets, loveys, boppy covers and more, Stella & Lu is your shop. With hundreds (literally: hundreds) of patterns to choose from, Stella & Lu offers coordinating bedding, changing pad covers, crib sheets and more, all available in the softest minky fabric and backed in their signature faux furs. Now, to be totally honest I have never been a huge faux fur person (because what I'd felt had never been super soft or it shed a ton) but when Poppy's blanket arrived many months ago in the mail, I was tempted to keep it for myself it was that soft. If I put it in her crib for nap time, she is pretty much guaranteed to bury herself in it and fall asleep immediately. This vintage rose pattern is so feminine and dainty, perfect for our third little babe on the way. Whitney loves working with each customer to create the perfect blanket or bedding item for your little ones and also designing a nursery using coordinating pieces. I also love this mustard gold lace boppy cover and this navy and pink wholecloth baby blanket as well as this chartreuse cross lovey, a great gender neutral option for gifting!

eight // a wild creek co. rattle

You can bet if something is made of wood, it's probably my jam. We have more toys made of wood than any other material. There is just something so timeless and classic about them. Wild Creek Co makes beautiful wood rattles, teethers and pacifier clips I just adore. Their round rattle (below) is the perfect new baby gift and equally beautiful sitting in a nursery once a baby has grown or passed down to your next little one.

nine // a swaddle from coveted things

There is no such thing as having too many swaddles. Am I right?! We use them for everything under the sun around here, and Olivia still sleeps with the ones she had as a baby. Coveted Things makes incredibly beautiful swaddle blankets that are not only so soft but make for beautiful photo backdrops as well. A few favorites of mine are the black and white Dream Together swaddle, the blue Wings Swaddle and the blush Life Grows Lovely swaddle (pictured above).

ten // a bodomint diaper bag

I've been using my Bodomint diaper bag for about a month now and every time I go somewhere I discover something new I love about it. I shared a sneak peek of it a few weeks ago on the blog here in a Friday Favorites post shortly after it arrived, as well as the story on how it was created. Of all the incredible features it boasts, my favorite is just how spacious it is. With baby #3 on the way, I'll be carrying things for three little girls...and myself. That requires plenty of space and this bag has that and more. I feel like I can fit so much inside but because of the many pockets, I still stay totally organized. Another feature I love are the two outer pockets, something my previous diaper bag didn't have. If you have a little one, they're ideal for bottles (there are also two interior bottle pockets) but I love them for my own water bottle and sippy cups for the girls. The back has an additional pocket which snaps shut and is the perfect spot for my wallet and phone or anything I'm carrying that I want to stay within close reach and secure. There is also two side by side pockets inside, perfect for a handful of diapers and a pack of wipes as well as a pocket which holds a portable changing pad...and for us, pouches & extra snacks.

I also love the versatility of the Bodomint design, allowing the bag to be used in 3 ways -- messenger style across your body, worn as a backpack (so nice with full hands!!) and clipped to your stroller using stroller hooks (best invention ever). There is also a heavy duty handle that allows you to carry it as a purse, which I find myself doing a lot when I'm bringing the girls in from the car and don't want to swing it over my body because I already have Poppy in my arms. Of course the stripes are such a fun feature but Bodomint bags also come in solid black. It's durable & wipeable (must-haves with toddlers) and multi-functional but doesn't sacrifice in style. Both styles of Bodomint diaper bags are available for preorder here and will ship in early December.

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So there you have it! Our Top 10 favorites for our third little lady. Are any of these your must-haves as well?! Be sure to follow along on instagram @blessednestblog to see more of the pieces I've been collecting for her and our favorite shops for each! Hope you are having the best week!! XO

It's a GIRL!

Happy Monday!! Hope you all had a relaxing Fall weekend. We took it pretty easy, did a few small projects around the house and spent a lot of time outside with the girls. Olivia loves crunching the leaves & going on leaf hunts and of course the colors this time of year are always so pretty, especially on early morning walks around our neighborhood. We rounded out our weekend with a slow breakfast on Sunday morning of cheese soufflés and donuts, a long walk in our pajamas, a visit to the park before nap time and then a pizza night and pumpkin carving with the girls in the evening. How many times have I said it, this time of year is my favorite!!

Last week on instagram @blesesdnestblog I shared that Baby #3 is a GIRL and thought it would be fun to do a little update here on the blog! The photo below was our official announcement, taken at our recent Late Summer Lifestyle session. I had so much fun planning the session, incorporating old fashioned props like this vintage typewriter, suitcases and a quilt. I'll be sharing more of our favorites here soon, it was hands down my favorite session yet.

We found out we were having another little girl about 3 weeks ago at our 20 week ultrasound and you guys, I haven't stopped smiling since. In some ways I was shocked, because deep down it was my heart's desire to have another little girl and I couldn't believe my dream was coming true a third time. But in other ways I wasn't surprised at all, because I'd had multiple dreams of her early on in my pregnancy, one where I actually saw her swaddled in the hospital in a bassinet sleeping beside my bed, right after she was born. Her eyes were closed and she had a pink hat on. The dream was so vivid I can still see her sweet little face if I close my eyes hard enough.

We had also been seeing her name everywhere, including her nickname, which I'd never met or known anyone to have. This whole pregnancy, especially finding out it was another girl has been so special to me, because I had been praying for her & praying over her since September 17 of 2015, when Penelope was just one week old.

That day, Poppy was asleep on me and Olivia was upstairs napping while Dustin and I watched a movie together. I remember being exhausted from having a newborn, nursing around the clock and snacking on a caramel apple while the movie rolled. As soon as I heard the name, I just knew. We were going to have a little girl and name her that. I was certain. Her middle name will be the same as mine, which comes from my Great Grandma. And her nickname (also from the movie) is old-fashioned and so darling, we can't wait to share it. I spent many months praying for her before we began trying to conceive, and then began having dreams and feelings early on in my pregnancy that it was her, just like I'd had dreams of both Olivia and Penelope. Finding out at the ultrasound just confirmed everything I knew to be true, and we are all just over the moon.

I'm 23 weeks along and I think it just dawned on me last week that we are less than 4 months until my due date. February still feels so far away but before I know it, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and ringing in the New Year and then the countdown will really be on. Having another girl, there is really nothing we need or need to do, which has been so nice. I have all the clothing, bedding, etc and won't be changing paint or any furniture in the nursery other than getting a new crib since Penelope will still be in hers when we move her into Olivia's room.

They say the 2nd trimester is the "honeymoon phase" of pregnancy, and for me it truly has been. I was nauseous what felt like 24-7 the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, on top of living in a construction zone while we completed a major kitchen renovation (ourselves). I was constantly exhausted and had no energy to do anything all summer. Once August hit and I made it to the 13/14 week mark, I felt like a new person. I got my energy back, my nausea subsided and I hit that sweet spot where you feel great, still sleep well and aren't uncomfortably big yet. Ha. When I start feeling flutters, kicks and somersaults, pregnancy is my very favorite. I love knowing our sweet little girl is always with me no matter where I go, and seeing Olivia so excited to meet her and always wanting to talk to her and kiss my belly makes my heart so full. I'm not quite sure Poppy knows what she's in for, being that she is only 13 months, and I still haven't fully wrapped my head around the fact that she is going to be a big sister, cause she still feels so much like our baby. But the thought of her snuggling with her baby sister in a few months makes us so happy. And she can already say the baby's nickname, which is the sweetest.

More to come soon on nursery favorites, my top picks in new baby essentials and the girls' shared room design in collaboration with all my favorite brands! Have the best week!!

best of the nest | the baby cubby

I've shared my love of one-stop-shops many times in the past and am so excited to be featuring a new favorite of ours today in my Best of the Nest series, The Baby Cubby. Offering "The Best of Everything Baby" in one spot, The Baby Cubby is made up of a team of parents who have been there, know what it's like and are passionate about encouraging, inspiring and reminding all parents just how amazing they are and how important their role is in the lives of their children. The Baby Cubby specializes in carrying every item you could possibly want or need for your little ones, all by the top brands in the business, including so many of our absolute favorites -- 4moms, Little Unicorn, Boon, Freshly Picked, Briar Handmade, Uppababy & more. 

little unicorn swaddle set / maxi circle gathre mat in gray

As a busy Mom of two, I love when I can get everything I need all in one spot, whether for my own girls or for gifts and expectant Mamas-to-be. With an easy-to-navigate website, all their products are organized by category so you're able to find exactly what you're looking for with just a few simple clicks. They also offer a Baby Registry, which I LOVE and wish I had known about the first time around back in 2013 when I was pregnant with Olivia. 

Below I've rounded up a handful of our all-time favorite products from The Baby Cubby with quick links to shop. And Blessed Nest readers can save 10% off your total purchase today through June 30th using the code ABlessedNest10 at checkout.

one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve

The 4moms MamaRoo {one} & DockATot {two} were two must-haves during the first few months after Poppy was born and made life so much easier with a newborn. We have always loved swaddle blankets for how versatile they are -- not only for swaddling & snuggling but as a changing pad, nursing cover, carseat cover and more and the little unicorn swaddle sets are favorites in our home {four}. 

For teething, our go-to bibs are the little unicorn bandana style ones {five} and our favorite feeding spoons are the Boon swap {eight}, we've been using them since Olivia was a baby. Another product I've used since becoming a mom is the Boon grass drying rack {eleven}, perfect for bottles, pump parts, cups, bowls, spoons & more. We use ours every single day!

As many of you know, our love of children's books runs deep and The Baby Cubby carries a great selection of BabyLit Books {twelve} as well as tons of darling nursery products, like this gray pom pom bin I love {six}, gender neutral and a stylish way to stay organized! Two new products we've recently started loving for Olivia, our 3 year old, are the Puj Phillup Cups {seven} and the Boon Glo nightlight {ten}, perfect for middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom!

We also love their selection of Uppababy strollers and accessories. We have the Uppababy Vista 2015 and use it every single day. You can easily turn the original Vista into a double by adding a rumble seat. The original Vista here comes with a coordinating bassinet which I loved when Poppy was a newborn, not only for pushing her in the stroller but also to carry into the house for her to sleep in. These days we use our Vista with a piggyback, a convenient board that attaches to the back of the stroller, so Olivia can ride along when she wants but easily hop off. I love that it can be put on or taken off in just seconds and can also be folded up and kept out of the way if I'm not using it without having to fully remove it.

uppababy vista stroller in black complete set / rumble seat / uppababy vista piggyback

In addition to their online store, they have a brick and mortar retail location in Lindon, Utah and amazing customer service. Something else I love about The Baby Cubby is that they always price match {even with Amazon}, so you know you're getting the best deal out there. I'm all about getting a great deal ;) In addition, free domestic shipping is automatic on all orders over $49 and if you sign up for their newsletter you can grab an extra discount on top of that!

What really sets The Baby Cubby apart from other shops like it is their dedication to customer service and their commitment to only carry the best, safest gear & baby products, all of which have been thoroughly researched and tested, so parents can shop confidently. They've spent hundreds of hours researching the best of the best so as busy parents, we don't have to; they've taken the work out of finding just the right product for each family and instead strive to make your shopping experience simple and fun. No matter where or how they interact with parents, whether on their website, in their retail location, through social media or on their Cubby Community Blog, The Baby Cubby wants their customers to know they are not just another baby store; they don't just want to sell "stuff," but rather they have a passion for being a resource for them through the journey of parenthood with all its ups and downs. We have found so many items we love from The Baby Cubby and I hope this has given you just a few ideas of modern products that may make your everyday life with little ones a bit easier!

Don't forget that you can save 10% now through June 30th using the discount ABlessedNest10 at checkout {plus free shipping on all domestic orders over $49}. And be sure to follow along with The Baby Cubby below for sneak peeks, special offers & more!

instagram || facebook || pinterest || cubby blog 

Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week! Xo

top 10 baby + child products of 2015

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! We enjoyed a simple few days of special traditions, including our annual lasagna Christmas Eve dinner at my parents' house, candlelight service, strawberry cheesecake, Christmas day at our house and my uncle's famous homemade peanut brittle. A big tin of it is my gift from him every single year and I always look forward to it. We ate entirely too much good food and stayed up way too late playing card games. It was cozy, simple and as stress free as it can possibly be with two little ones. We opted not to do many gifts this year and instead focused on teaching Olivia about giving to others and the experience of the season (cutting down & decorating our tree, making a gingerbread house, reading Christmas books, singing carols, etc.) as well as the reason we celebrate -- Jesus' birth. It was wonderful to have a small little celebration with those I love most dearly and I vowed to leave my tree up another week or two, since Olivia and I both love having it lit all day and night! 

As 2015 comes to a close, I thought it would be fun to round up my favorite baby + child products from this past year. I stepped from the "toddler world" into having a new baby in September and have come across so many incredible new products for both of my girls, some of which weren't even around in 2013 when I had Olivia. A few of these have been long time favorites and others are ones I've discovered in the last three months since Penelope was born. They are the best of the best and staples in our everyday life with our girls.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

-- 4moms bounceRoo --

4moms is one of our absolute favorite brands. From their mamaRoo, which Penelope loves, to their breeze playard and more, everything by 4moms is sleek, modern, well-designed with busy Moms in mind and most importantly, incredibly functional. One of their newest products, the bounceRoo is a lightweight, portable infant seat with 3 unique vibrations. I most often use it for Penelope in the bathroom when I'm giving Olivia a bath and need two free hands. I also place it in the kitchen while I'm cooking dinner. I love that I can easily move it from room to room (with one hand!) and always have a comfortable place to set her. It provides just the right amount of motion to comfort and settle her and takes up so little space, I can fit it just about anywhere. I love the overall look and Penelope loves batting at the toy on top. It was so easy to assemble and runs on batteries, making it cordless and something I don't ever trip over. It has come in  so handy transitioning from one to two and my favorite part of all is that P is so happy when she's in it!

-- owlet monitor --

I was introduced to the Owlet only weeks after Poppy was born and immediately fell in love with the concept; for those of you who haven't heard of it, the Owlet is the first baby monitor of its kind that can actually alert you if your baby stops breathing during sleep. It uses the technology of pulse oximetry and is incredibly user-friendly, plus the peace of mind it offers Dustin and I as parents is priceless. You can read my full review here and purchase your own an exclusive promotional price here.

-- tubby todd lavender lotion --

If there ever was a lotion so yummy that you basically could eat it and want to sneak it out of your child's room and use it for yourself, Tubby Todd's Lavender and Rosemary lotion is it. Oh my goodness, the first time I used it on Penelope after her bath I just about fainted. It's the most delicious scent without being overpowering and I put it on her all day long just so I can smell it! Even better is that it's made with all natural ingredients that are safe for the whole family, plus its super creamy and makes skin so soft. All four of us use it (yes, even my husband!) and we just love it. I always keep extra bottles on hand because it's just that good.

-- angelcare bath support --

This was a product I discovered during my first pregnancy and loved! Made to be used directly in a bathtub, the bath support is ideal for babies from newborn to 6 months. Designed for comfort and safety during bath time, the angel care support is a product I have relied on since bringing each of our girls home. A few features I love -- the mesh material allows water to drain easily and it dries quickly after use, it's ergonomically designed for baby's comfort with soft-touch material and contour shape, and it's super easy to store and even hang up; its lightweight and makes bathing your babe extra easy. It comes in blue and pink and is my go-to gift for new moms because of it's excellent price point.

-- ostheimer wooden toys --

I shared all about my love for Ostheimer wooden toys a few months ago in this post and our feelings about them have only grown since then. In our living room -- the main place we spend our time during the day -- we have a rustic square coffee table with ample storage underneath. I have baskets and bins of Olivia's toys in it for easy access and day after day, week after week, the toys I find her playing with more than any other are her Ostheimer figures. We have the forest & farm sets but there are so so many darling ones! They are beautifully handcrafted in Germany with incredible attention to detail and overall design. I love that they're wood -- sturdy, well made and so pretty that I don't mind when they're left laying out. For Olivia's 3rd birthday in May, more of these are at the top of her list! She just loves them.

-- aden & anais burpy bibs --

This product was one of my husband's top picks and to be honest, we love everything from A&A. These bibs are perfect for keeping baby clean and dry during burping, bottle-feeding, eating & more. They are made of the softest muslin fabric which seriously gets softer with every wash. We still have sets from when Olivia was a baby that look brand new, and I love that they snap instead of velcro. It doubles as a no-slip burp cloth because of its contoured shape to fit on your shoulder and is ultra-breathable. Plus the patterns can't be beat. I recently added this one to our collection and just love it!

-- dockatot --

Another new product I came across shortly after Penelope was born, the DockATot is absolutely amazing. Created in Sweden, the DockATot is a multi-functional lounging, playing, resting and snuggling dock for your babe -- perfect for at home or on the go. We seriously use ours every single day, and I loved being able to pack it up and bring to my parents' house on Christmas Eve so Poppy could take her afternoon nap away from home. It can be used for co-sleeping, changing, tummy time, and more. Plus it has a built-in handle making it extra easy to carry from room to room as you follow chase your toddler. You can read my full review here, but if you are looking for an incredible innovative product for your little one, the DockATot is it. It comes in two sizes -- the Deluxe (for babies newborn-8 months) & the Grand (for babies and children 9-36 months).

-- under the sea playmat --

Entirely for fun, this playmat was one of Penelope's Christmas gifts and I just love how sweet it is. So many playmats on the market these days are bright, plastic, loud, noise-making products and I love how simple and fresh this playmat is. It's full of fun sensory activities for babies and is super cushioned so it's comfy for baby to lay on. Penelope has enjoyed many hours on it since we gave it to her and I love that I can leave it out because it's a piece of art in and of itself.

-- halo sleep sack swaddle --

We were introduced to these when Olivia was born and they are a nighttime staple around here to keep Penelope sleeping safely, securely and peacefully. While I love traditional swaddling blankets, I find that they aren't secure enough for long periods of sleep because even when swaddled tightly, they can be busted out of. I love these swaddle sleep sacks because they are safe, comfortable and stay put, plus are designed to swaddle arms in or out. We swaddled both the girls from Day 1 on and these are gold. The swaddling sleep sacks are made for up to 6 months (or until your baby shows signs of rolling), and after that you can use traditional sleep sacks by Halo. They come in all sorts of fabrics, including muslin and chamois. They keep Poppy warm and toasty, comforted because of their swaddle feature and safe during nighttime sleep. PS They also have this style which allows for quick diaper changes without unswaddling. Ahhh-mazing.

-- boon grass drying rack --

Last but not least, a fun and inexpensive product that makes life so much easier. The Boon Grass Drying rack is a modern and fresh take on drying racks -- made to hold all baby's accessories, including bottles and sippy cups, utensils, pump supplies and more. It's perfect for the countertop, comes in multiple sizes and has the cutest accessories. I love that the water drains into the lower tray and I can empty and wash it easily. Another fun gift for new Moms and something that I've grown so used to using, I don't think I could live without! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful last few days of the year. Hard to believe we are in the single digits for counting down to 2016. XOXO

best of the nest | owlet monitor

How many times have you stood by your baby's bassinet or crib and watched to see if their chest was rising and falling? Or listened closely to see if you could actually hear them breathing? In all honesty, I've lost track of the amount of times I've done that with both our girls. 

Even as a second time Mom and Registered Nurse, in my mind there are never too many steps you can take to assure your baby is safe...and even when you take those steps, it's normal to still have anxiety no matter how many babies you've brought home, because we're human. That's why I'm so excited to be featuring the Owlet Baby Monitor in this week's Best of the Nest series. It's so good that watching their ad actually gave me chills!

how it works

The Owlet Baby Monitor uses pulse oximetry, the same type of technology that hospitals use to check heart rate and oxygen saturation. When you're at a checkup or in the hospital, you've probably experienced having a clip placed on your finger with a tiny red light -- that light shines through your skin and the amount of blood flow and oxygen levels are estimated based on how much light is transmitted to the sensor.

Owlet is designed to sound an alert if your child's heart rate dips too low, rises too high, or if their oxygen level drops below a preset threshold; the alert comes through the base station and the Owlet app. The alert strategy was determined by a team of pulse oximetry specialists, pediatricians, neonatologists and pulmonologists and over 100,000 hours of testing went in to developing the monitor! 

why it's different

We've used video monitors with the girls since they were both born, but of course a video monitor only works if you're looking at it. Designed with two parts -- the Smart Sock (the piece you place on your baby's foot) and the Base Station (the piece you place by your bedside), Owlet is the only monitor that uses hospital technology to alert you if your baby stops breathing. 

Additionally, Owlet is a smartphone compatible baby monitor. But for added safety, Owlet is also designed to function independently of your mobile device. The Smart Sock and the Base Station connect through low power bluetooth. Even if your phone battery dies or your home Internet goes out, the Base Station will still alert you if your baby stops breathing.

what's included

+ Smart Sock with electronics (in three sizes to grow with your baby)

+ Base Station and corresponding charging cords

+ Exclusive access to the Owlet app

find answers to common questions here || learn more about how it works here

I've been using our Owlet since it arrived both during nap time and bedtime. I move the base station to wherever I am in the house while Poppy naps in her crib or bassinet and then keep it beside my bed at night. I love the size of it, how lightweight it is and how few cords are involved. I also love how user-friendly the entire system is, especially when my parents are sitting the girls. The app is so convenient because I can pull up Penelope's stats even when I'm out of the house when she's napping. The perfect way to check in without even having to make a phone call.

Finally, I love how comfortable the Smart Sock is on Poppy's little foot, and that three different sock sizes are included to grow with your baby and get the most use out of it. I love knowing this is a product I can use for many months ahead! Our Owlet gives me added peace of mind when I'm trying to rest myself, knowing that my little lady is breathing just fine.

I don't know if its because I'm a Mom, because I've studied and worked in the healthcare industry, or both, but I am so passionate about this product. I haven't stopped talking about since it arrived. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it to every single person I know! It is going to be so far-reaching and life-changing for parents all around the world and I truly believe it will change the course of infant safety during sleep.

Because this product has had such a positive impact in our home and given us such indescribable peace of mind, I'd love for you to get your own!
Blessed Nest readers can purchase an Owlet at an exclusive promotional price by shopping the link below!
// purchase your own Owlet here //

AND to make your day a little bit sweeter, I would also love to give away an Owlet Baby Monitor to one of you! Head over to my instagram @blessednestblog for your chance to win your own. If you don't have personally a baby, the Owlet would be an incredible gift to give an expectant Mama! The giveaway will run from Wednesday November 18 through Tuesday November 24 and all entries will be verified. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on the original instagram post within 48 hours of the giveaway ending.

Be sure to follow along with Owlet below!

blog || instagram || facebook |

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!

summer maternity photos

I'm so excited to finally share our maternity photos, taken three weeks ago on a gorgeous Saturday evening. We are so blessed to have the most wonderful photographer and this was our 10th session with her, which I still can't believe!! She made all my Mama dreams come true and this might just be my favorite session yet -- with my best friend and both of my little girls.

Once they were released to us, I couldn't get the photos printed and framed fast enough, they just fill my heart to overflowing and then some. I am so grateful for our little family of four, and I love that Ashley captured Olivia at two years old...such a special time for our little girl that I'll always look back on and cherish.

Happy Friday eve!! 

shop spotlight | blueberries and lace

Happy Monday! It seems every weekend comes and goes faster than the one before (how is it already mid-July?), but we are so excited as we count down the weekends left before baby girl arrives. We enjoyed lots of time outside and finished up a few DIYs that have been on my wish list. I also finalized most of the pieces going on our bedroom gallery wall and can't wait to share more with you guys soon!

To kick off a new week, I'm excited to be sharing a shop that creates incredible skincare products for both Mamas and babies! Double win. Today's Shop Spotlight is on Blueberries and Lace Organics, luxury vegan skincare products that are 100% natural and 100% toxin- and animal-free. Founded and owned by Heather Puett, Blueberries and Lace began when Heather found the selection of high-quality vegan skincare products on the market to be virtually nonexistent. Each time she needed a new skincare item, she created it herself. 

Heather shares more of her story below

"In 2008, I transitioned from a vegetarian to a vegan lifestyle. While there were plenty of dietary options in Nashville at the time, I had a lot of difficulty finding the right skincare products to correspond with my beliefs. Most notably, I couldn't find a deodorant that had 3 important attributes: Vegan, Natural, and Effective! That was when I first took matters into my own hands. After a lot of testing, I was proud to have fulfilled my 3 requirements. Soon after, most of my friends were asking me to make them deodorant. With their feedback and support, I followed that same process with several other skincare products."

"The story behind the Blueberries + Lace name is so simple! My other great passion is vintage fashion and styling. As a teenager, I started an Etsy page so I could share my fashion tastes on a larger scale. When it came time to pick a name, I wrote down my two favorite things: Blueberries (because they're delicious!) and Lace (because there's something about lace that embodies elegance to me). When it came time to name the Handcrafted + Vegan + Organic skincare line, I considered changing the name. However, Blueberries + Lace has come to represent the spirit of my business. It's simple. It expresses me for who I am. It makes me happy."

"Though the Women's Deodorant Cream is probably the dearest in my heart because it reminds me of my humble beginnings, I've really enjoyed making safe, natural, affordable products for new mothers as they welcome a new member into their families. Baby Oil and Mama Oil are two favorites because it brings me joy to know I've made an impact on the growing relationship between new mothers and their babies."

"My boyfriend and I grew my hobby into a real business in our quaint "treehouse" of an apartment in Venice, CA. We recently moved back to Nashville so I could return to my roots and so we'd have more space to expand the business. My favorite aspect of owning Blueberries + Lace is the time we spend at our home using our hands to make a product we believe in. It gives us ample opportunity to enjoy one another and discuss plans for the future."

Because I feel it is so important to have quality skincare products made from ingredients I can both understand and pronounce, I just love Blueberries and Lace, both for myself and my daughters. Being 8 months pregnant, even finding a really simple way to pamper myself makes me happy and for that I love their charcoal detox mask. It's an easy way for me to take a trip to the spa in my own home in the middle of nap time or after a long day of nesting (though I think I nest all the time even when I'm not pregnant!)

Another product that both my husband and I enjoy is the daily moisturizer. Although my skin normally isn't overly dry, the summer heat combined with pregnancy has me always wanting to put extra moisture into it, especially after showering and washing my face. Made with coconut oil, vitamin E, aloe vera and lavender oil, it's the perfect blend to keep my skin feeling great all day without clogging my pores or weighing me down.

After Penelope is born, I'll be using B+L's breastfeeding butter and diaper balm. I love that the breastfeeding butter is lanolin-free and made with calendula-infused extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil & shea butter. It's safe for breastfeeding Mamas and their new babies, which is so important to me. I've used the diaper balm with Olivia and love the consistency and how effectively it absorbs moisture, which is especially important in the summer heat! 

If you're expecting like I am, another great product from B+L is their belly balm, formulated to maintain healthy moisture that soothes the skin and combats stretch marks.

And because we can't forget the men in our life, Blueberries and Lace even offers products for them, including men's deodorant cream, beard oil and coffee scrub (though I am all about that coffee scrub for myself!)

If you're interested in trying B+L products in your own home, Blessed Nest readers can save 15% off their total purchase from Blueberries and Lace using the code BN15 at checkout. I have been so happy with everything I've tried and I love how healthy and safe it is for me and my loved ones. Discount valid today through June 19 only / start shopping here

Hope your week is off to a great start!!