A Baby-Proof Area Rug

How can such a small person take up SO much room in the house? I have asked myself this on a daily basis since we brought our little man home almost 4 months ago and his stuff just continues to close in on us. In addition his nursery and all of the toys that have flooded our Family Room, he has also staked his claim on our guest room. I'll admit, that one is our doing because we wanted a little station set up on our main floor where we could change diapers and let him nap if necessary so we didn't have to go upstairs every time there was an explosion (which let's be honest, is often). So, our cute little guest bedroom has essentially morphed into a second nursery.

I do my best to keep it looking fresh and modern instead of overly baby-ish. We do spend a lot of time in there though so I wanted to make it as homey as possible and to me, a nice area rug is always that finishing touch. I've mentioned my obsession before - I'm pretty sure if I buy any more for the house, my husband will ask for a divorce but I can't help it...Rugs are such an easy way to completely change the look of a room and add some warmth, don't you guys agree? 

For Ro's SECOND bedroom space  (😂 ), I partnered up with Lorena Canals, an amazing home decor brand that I stumbled upon via Instagram and I am so lucky I did. For the past 12 years, they have been specializing in children's rugs in order to offer elegant and cozy spaces that meet all the requirements a Mother needs for her kids. YES PLEASE!

The unique and beautiful design of this petroleum berber rug was the first thing that caught my eye (mostly because I'm OBSESSED with this teal color!), but the story behind her designs was what hooked me:

1. All of the rugs and cushions are machine-washable and fit into a standard washer and dryer. Is this not the most GENIUS idea ever? In 4+ years of owning our home, I have replaced multiple rugs due to stains and general wear and tear so I am beyond thrilled to have this ability. Literally a life saver, especially with a baby who spits up and drools all day long!
2. Their home collection is perfect for sophisticated kids rooms but also for adult spaces. I'm thinking about ordering another for our loft area - It's so nice when the design is ambiguous enough for two kinds of spaces so you can change it up later on if you want instead of being stuck with a rug adorned with matchbox cars that only fits one space.
3. The brand is shopped by top celebrities and was picked by Vogue as top baby product for celebrity nurseries. Stars...they're just like us ;)
4. All rugs are made in India and designed in Spain 
5. All products are handmade with natural dyes, eco and contain no VOCs like most carpeting and rugs -- Makes me feel better about Ro spending so much time on it.
6. The proceeds support the Sakula project and provide schooling for children in India. I love shopping brands with a generous philanthropic mission!

While I can get annoyed with his stuff being everywhere, it's also a nice change of space to switch up our scenery and hang out in different rooms so it can also be convenient. I often bring his activity mat in here and we just hang out with his woodland friends. He has started rolling now though so I can't just lay him there and walk away anymore...He is definitely keeping me on my toes these days!

We also spend a lot of time reading books and with all the natural light in the guest room, it's the perfect space for it. I think Ro is really going to like reading because he listens intently every time my husband or I tell a story and it's precious to watch his face light up with each flip of a page. Right now, Silly Tilly and Dragons Love Tacos are two of our favorites! I look forward to these moments during the day and right before bedtime.

P.S. I have always been a sucker for rugs with tassels...Though, I did hesitate with this because they look very similar to my dog's chew toys! Luckily, he rarely comes in this room so I figured it was safe ;)

This face, though! My handsome little man is getting so big...I could stare at this face and kiss these cheeks all day long (and by could, I mean I do)! I am very lucky to be his Mama.

Mom's, how do you keep your baby spaces looking nice & fresh? Raise your hand if your little one has taken over the whole house as well!
Thanks for stopping by! Xo
Featured:
Rug: c/o Lorena Canals Activity Mat: Skip Hop Pajamas: Nate Berkus

I received product compliments of Lorena Canals. All opinions and statements are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make Sisters Marie possible.

Mom Monday: 5 Favorite Baby Products

After we got home from our baby shower and unloaded all of our amazing and thoughtful loot in the house, I looked at the piles of gifts and thought, there's no way we can possibly use all of this. Well, here we are, 3 weeks home with the baby and I would say 95% of everything has been put to good use. It's kind of amazing how much stuff such a small human requires...we have 3 different contraptions for him to sleep in alone because who really knows what they're going to prefer? (And trust me, you'll do anything to find what works!) With this said, I wanted to share 5 of our favorite products that we use on a daily basis. Hopefully this is helpful to new Mom's, those who are just registering and even seasoned parents who are just looking for another option!

1. BOPPY LOUNGER

The Boppy Newborn Lounger was a last minute addition to our registry and it's one of our most used items. My girlfriend had a baby girl a few months before Ro was born and she told us how much she loved sitting in hers, just chilling during the day or even taking small naps and now Ronan does the same thing. He feels very comfortable and content on the pillow because it is uniquely designed with a bit of a sloped interior, perfect for a baby's bottom. It's really nice because it allows us to interact with him, but hands-free so we can still try to get some things done instead of having in our arms every second. Truth be told, he's relaxing in it next to me right now...so basically, baby + boppy = blogging time! (And Fitz clearly enjoys these moments too!) 

2. BREATHABLE BABY ONESIES

Now that I have officially entered the world of baby wardrobes, I have come to realize how many amazing children's clothing lines exist. Everything from big-name brands to smaller independently owned shops make it easy to curate an adorable (and functional) baby closet. I recently received a piece from Lark Adventurewear...a little romper which may be one of the cutest things in Ro's Summer apparel. Unfortunately, the little man is still too tiny for this look because it's a 3 month onesie but I'd give it a month or so (at the rate this kid eats!) and it will be perfect for layering under a Fall hoodie.

The material is eco-friendly and contains no chemicals or synthetic fabrics which is an instant win for us. It's also unbelievably soft and my favorite detail about the romper is the kimono opening which makes taking this on and off super easy. It buttons at the bottom with 4 buttons so diaper changes remain quick and painless (unless we're being sprayed for the millionth time, not sure I'll ever get used to that surprise!) If you want to try a piece from Lark Adventurewear, get free shipping on any purchase using code SHIPPING at checkout!

3. HUSHH SOUND MACHINE


The Hushh sound machine is definitely one of, if not our very favorite item from our registry. We had read a lot about white noise and how it can create the same kind of feeling for babies they experience in the womb and noticed this one got a lot of good reviews and here's another. We don't leave a room or the house without making sure this device is with us. It has 3 sounds and creates a constant, soothing noise which helps lull the baby to sleep and once Ro has drifted off to dreamland, the noise works throughout nighttime or nap time to drown out the random noises that might startle him. It charges with a USB cord so we can ordered an additional, longer cord in order to make sure it never runs out of juice because it's THAT helpful. 

4. ON-THE-GO BABY DOME

We love being outdoors, whether it's sitting under our white lights on the deck at night or hanging out by the lake up north. I kept this in mind while creating our baby registry and when I saw the outdoor dome, I knew it was a must-have for our Family. ​The dome has soft, comfy padding and an overhead, sun-blocking mesh canopy that makes it perfect for keeping bugs out during the Summer months. We tried it for the first time the other night and Ro loved the dangly, colorful toys above his head and was quite content to relax in there while staring at the sky and enjoying some outdoor time with us. P.S. it folds flat and makes carrying easy with side handles so I imagine we'll be traveling with this quite often.

5. PACK & PLAY WITH 
REVERSIBLE NAPPER

I knew we would need a pack & play later on as Ro got older, but I never knew how much it would come in handy this early on. This one was a perfect choice for us -- We keep it in our guest bedroom on the first floor because we spend most of the day in the Family room with the baby. The design has a reversible napper and changer mechanism so it gives us easy access for changing diapers during the day instead of going up and down the stairs a hundred times a day (because yes, we are changing them THAT often!) and with a push of a button, we can turn that over for a soft napping station if we want him to rest in there.

Mom's, what are your most-used kids products? 
Anything else I should add to our collection?

Mom Monday: 3 Things from First Week Home with Baby

Hello there! It feels good to be here, as I slowly try to make my way back to blogging in between feedings, diaper changes and an extreme amount of tiny toe kisses. Lots has changed over here...everything, really. We have officially been home as a Family of four (our pup included) for a little over two weeks now and to say our worlds have been turned upside down is an understatement. But, before I dive into the details, I am so pleased to introduce our handsome little man, Ronan James. 

1. LOVE HAS A WHOLE NEW MEANING
I remember during one of our Dr. visits, my OB telling us how our definition of love would change the second our boy arrived. He said it would be like nothing we've ever felt...not the love we feel for each other, for our parents or anybody else in the world. It would be all-consuming and almost overwhelming from the second we locked eyes -- And while I believed him, it was still hard to imagine experiencing these feelings for someone I hadn't even met. I knew we would love him but the doctor was right...I couldn't have imagined anything like this.
The second we saw him, it was as if somebody pressed a hold button on all of the stress and intense labor pain I had just been through. My husband and I were bawling, half convinced it was all a dream, one we didn't want to end. Through my tears I said, "He's so tiny!" (and he was -- 6 lbs, 10 oz) and thought, I had never seen something so amazing. We created him. In the hours that followed, we were moved to the recovery room where we got to spend some time together just the three of us and I'll never forget him sleeping soundly in his tiny bassinet next to my hospital bed and me, laying on my side to face him, with tears streaming down my face. My husband kept reminding me how important it was to try and sleep while he did but it was so hard. My heart actually hurt from how precious he was and I just wanted to stare at him. I don't think I'll ever forget that moment and there's been many similar ones since, all of which mean the same: Nothing will ever be as important as his protection and sense of happiness. 

2. TEAMWORK IS EVERYTHING
They say "it takes a village" to raise a child and now I know why. During those first few days, especially the first night (oh, that first night), we quickly realized what kind of a challenge stood in front of us. It's hard to believe someone so small can change your life and routine so dramatically, but he is helpless and relies on us to provide him with every single thing. The first week, my husband and I did everything together -- every diaper change, every new outfit, every feeding (him bringing me water and crackers, watching late night Gilmore Girls by my side), baby's first trip to the pediatrician, the first time he peed on us (which btw, was just the first of MANY), and so on. Sure, now we're realizing it's more helpful if we split up some of the duties to give on another a break, but finding our way together has been more helpful than I can tell you. I am so thankful to have such an amazing person by my side because when I'm crying from exhaustion or feeling unsure, he is unfailingly supportive and reassuring that we're doing the best we can. Those little reminders are so important as new parents.

Not to mention, both sets of our parents have been remarkable -- Stopping in daily to offer us time to nap, shower, take a walk together, fill our fridge, bring us goodies, and more than anything, offer us words of encouragement. A simple "we're so proud of you," goes a long way and reminds us we're not alone. We can't forget all of our friends and extended Family who have stopped by with some amazing dinners, making sure we don't have to think about cooking and those who already have kids, sharing their tips on what has worked best for them (including a breast feeding session with some of my best girlfriends  -- I'm talking, boobs were whipped out and we wasted no time discussing the best nursing positions, techniques, pumping questions, etc. Ladies, nothing is considered TMI at this point!) 
So, yes...I can confirm: IT TAKES A VILLAGE. 

3. SLEEP WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
I will never forget the morning after our first night home. I don't think we actually ever went to sleep so at that point, we had pretty much been up for 24 hours straight because there's no rest in the hospital either. The sun came up and I came downstairs in a dense fog, needing to put something in my stomach in order to move forward. I poured a bowl of cereal and ate it standing up at the counter,  barely alive and literally forcing myself to chew. I felt sick. It was a different kind of tired than I've ever felt -- My body ached and it put my emotions into overdrive. And hello, I had just given birth 3 days prior, so the debilitating burnout I was feeling was to be expected. I wondered, how do people go on like this? Can we really function in this state? 

Luckily, things have continued to improve since that first night...not only is the little man becoming more comfortable in his surroundings and sleeping for slightly longer periods (sometimes!) but we are also finding our groove...or at the very least, we're doing better adjusting to the change. In addition to middle of the night diaper changes and feedings, I also unconsciously wake up every now and then to check on him and make sure all is well (okay, and stare at him in the soft quiet of the night...he's just so precious!) I know that he will continue to sleep better and longer which I look forward to but part of me also wants to hold on to these moments forever...when it's just he and I,  whether I'm feeding him or he's just staring up at me in the dark, I think, maybe sleep can wait. This is a good attitude to have because as I understand, once you're parents, you never actually get back to your old kind of a "good nights sleep" again. I think it's a trade I'm willing to make ;) Fellow Mom's - What did you learn your first week home with a new baby?  I'd love to hear any special/memorable moments you experienced!
Thanks for stopping by...Xo!