A Peek at Our Nursery & The Baby Gear We Can’t Live Without

A look at our green and white traditional nursery for baby James and the baby gear that has saved our lives the past 6 weeks!

What a whirlwind the past 6 weeks have been as we welcomed our first baby to the world almost 6 weeks ahead of his 40 week due date. I cannot describe how surreal it was to wake up to my water breaking at 2:30 AM or the intense 36 hour labor that ensued. We are so grateful that James and I came through it healthy and whole.

Following a week long stay in the NICU, we brought our baby home to his charming nursery that S. finished renovating in an exhausting mad dash amidst visits to us in the hospital. Our families really pitched in: gathering all the baby things we hadn't yet acquired, cooking hearty meals, and helping finish the renovation. Like I said...a WHIRLWIND! Or maybe tornado is more appropriate?

While I am taking the next several months to focus on James and bask in his darling coos and silly gurgles (he makes the most adorable chuckling sound that S. and I swear sounds just like a billy goat), I will be writing a few posts and sharing life updates as nap time allows. Today, I thought I'd give you a peek into the nursery and share the baby gear we've found most helpful.

There is still much decorating to be done in the nursery to pull everything together, but for now it is functional. All the essentials are in place for us to use the room and enjoy spending time in here with baby. You can see my original plans for the nursery here.

In the Nursery...

After reading all the rave reviews for the Snoo we opted to rent one to try with James, and I'm a total believer. Its combination of white noise and motion is a godsend that soothes him back to sleep time and again. The Snoo is not a replacement for mama cuddles or parental supervision, but its safety measures keep baby snug and flat on his back so we can have peace of mind.

We've decided to wait to order a regular size crib until he gets bigger and we are ready to transition out of the bassinet. I'm still on the hunt for a dresser, so for now I'm using an Ikea shelf with bins to store all the baby clothes and paraphernalia.

I have basically lived in this glider for the past 5 weeks from nursing a preemie 10 times a day to pumping in between. This Craftmaster chair has been such a good investment, and the performance fabric called Handsome has already stood up to numerous milk spills. I re-upholstered this round ottoman in the same fabric to match the chair. It works beautifully to prop my feet.

This sweet appliqué name pillow came in just the other day, and I love the green gingham letters spelling out his name!

How darling is this bunny lamp? I love the whimsy it brings to the nursery!

I'm so glad we invested in smart choices for lighting the nursery. These mid-mod style sconces are on a dimmer switch, which allows me to control the level of lighting for nighttime feedings and diaper changes.

The other smart design choice I made are these custom roman shades in this gorgeous Thibaut fabric called Milanese. The sewing workshop I use added blackout linings and a charming box pleat valance up top. They feel so traditional but the plaid makes them a standout with the toile wallpaper.

Nursery Sources: Green & White Wallpaper // White Brass Sconce // Craftmaster Handsome Fabric // Thibaut Milanese Fabric // Rabbit Lamp // Craftmaster Glider // White Cart // Green Plastic Baskets // Sheep Footstool - Estate Sale Find - Similar Here

Paint color: High Park from Benjamin Moore

Baby Gear We Can't Live Without:

No. 1 The Snoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet

I'll say it again this was a game changer for James' sleep! Babies often fuss as they work through their sleep cycles, and the Snoo lulls James back to sleep during the transition. It is also a useful soothing tool when he is gassy. The swaddle sack that keeps him on his back to sleep gives us so much peace of mind, and after the first couple of times wrapping him in it he has grown so accustomed he automatically puts his arms down.

No. 2 Momcozy Wipe Warmer

I know...I know...we are those people apparently. But if you could hear James squall when a cold wipe hits his tush, you would have bought one too! We actually joked about how ridiculous these were when creating our baby registry...it only took one week of diaper changes and S. heating up the wipes between his hands to express one from Amazon. LOL

The Momcozy one has the best nightlight on top and allows you to adjust the temperature setting! So useful!

No. 3 Ergobaby Embrace Wrap Carrier

I was ecstatic the first day James weighed enough to go in the carrier! The day after he hit 7 lbs I had him wrapped up and away we went on a walk through the neighborhood. This carrier is really easy to put on and adjustable based on the infant's size.

No. 4 BBHugMe Pillows

While pregnant I bought the full size pillow to support my hips and growing bump. It felt so good to snuggle with at night and helped me sleep longer. While it works for nursing too, I find it too large for sitting in a chair, so I bought the smaller nursing one. The micro-bead stuffing molds to me and baby and is the best support while breastfeeding.

No. 5 Swaddles

We are big believers in the 5 S's from Dr. Karp (read the book!). The jello head jiggle and soothing side lying calm James down like nothing else. The first step is the swaddle though, and for that I like the Ollie wrap best.

Ta Ta for now until the next nap time allows!