A CRIB MATTRESS GAME CHANGER

If you're anything like me, you probably didn't think twice when getting a crib mattress while expecting your first baby. You fall into the trap of what-things-do-I-need-as-a-first-time-parent and hit the Add To Registry button, which more excitingly included a Sophie the Giraffe and not a specific crib mattress. You have vivid images of your new baby sleeping like a dream and the thought of any sort of "sleep issue" never crossed your pregnant mind.

As you have probably read here before, Faire hasn't always been the best sleeper, and we've had to really think outside of the box to find different rhythms and remedies to get a sound night sleep. That's when I started giving second thought into the type of mattress she slept on nightly. Enter the Newton Baby crib mattress, an entirely washable mattress that was innovatively designed to be breathable and regulate temperature. It's been about four months and I can honestly say it's been a game changer in the snooze department.

Faire seems to be sleeping at longer increments at night and not waking up nearly as much as before. Though, it could be just her getting older, but the timing doesn't seem too much of a coincidence. And even when she's not snoozing away or having a "team no nap" kind of day, she still enjoys having a little bit of quiet time in her crib to read books. The soft, pillowy surface makes for more enjoyable quiet time, for both mom & toddler.

I commend the Newton brand for emerging themselves in the baby market by being completely transparent with their consumers. The product, now made in the USA, was designed to literally be seen and felt from every angle. Most mattresses on the market aren't made to see the inside, so you're unaware of what your baby really sleeps on or what hazards they could potentially be breathing in every night. The mattress cover unzips allowing for full exposure of the mattress core itself - which is composed of just air and 10% food-grade polymer. It's pretty amazing once you lay eyes and hands on it for the first time. (Read more about the mattress design here.)

Overall, the mattress is extremely quiet and the soft cover was designed to work sans crib sheet - because it's that soft! I still like to use a crib sheet for added comfort, but you can also purchase additional crib covers to have on hand in the event of an accident in the middle of the night - which again, the mattress is completely washable and can even be sprayed down in the shower to wash away any bacteria.

The photo below shows the patented Wovenaire material that creates a breathable atmosphere for your child. So bye-bye toxic chemicals and allergens!

Faire still has a few more months left in the crib & then it's on to a big girl toddler bed this Fall. With all the BIG changes taking place in our home in the very near future, it will be great to have her consistent cozy place where she loves to sleep transitioning with her to her new bed.

Read more about the Newton Baby mattress here and take $30 off your purchase with code 'AmandaK30'.

This post was shared in partnership with Newton Baby. All content and opinions are my own.

COZY COMFORT AT 17 WEEKS

Whewww... 17 weeks came with the quickness and my handy Ovia app conveniently reminded me of the French pastry our baby is the size of currently: a creme brûlée, which of course I've been craving ever since Sunday morning. It seems to be a common theme for most of my friends, where the first trimester moves at a snails pace when only a select few people know your secret and you're feeling pretty rough. Then, before you know it you're (hopefully) feeling better and you're flying at high speed towards your 20-week halfway point. So that's where we're at.

I thought it would be fun to do a little update on my pregnancy at this point and share how I'm feeling, cravings, & things I've bought for little one & I.

HOW I'M FEELING?

Overall, I'm feeling pretty great. I had rough nausea starting at 8 weeks and finally at 11 weeks started on nausea medication (Diclegis) to help alleviate the symptoms. So that's been a lifesaver. The fatigue has let up a little bit and I've been able to get most of my energy back. During the week, I still hit that 3 o'clock sleepy stage, and will usually try to sneak in a few zzz's while Faire is napping. The bump is looking and feeling bigger and bigger by the day, but I'm totally embracing it!

Also, this tiny sweet pea has been kicking up a storm. Funny how I didn't start feeling the kicks until we were 30,000 ft in the air on our way to Nashville. Feeling all the flutters and kicks for the first time this pregnancy brings back so many emotions of when Faire was in my belly. 

AM I SLEEPING?

After flying back from Nashville, surprisingly the slight time zone difference has screwed me all up. I've been a night owl lately not heading to bed until almost midnight, and I'm up every morning at 7am. As far as sleep, the nausea medication has a sleeping agent, so thankfully that helps to keep me asleep for most of the night. My bump nest pillow is still packed away under our bed - and my husband isn't complaining about it, for now.

WHAT I'M CRAVING?

All the p's. Pizza, pasta, and pickles. And some c's. Cereal, la CROIX, and cherries.

WHAT I'M WEARING?

I've been living in all things by the Storq maternity label, a beautiful, minimal line for the pregnant and postpartum mama. Luxuriously soft pieces that were designed to outfit the expecting mom for all months of pregnancy and made to last through the nursing and early parenthood stages. I was sent a few products to try out and every single piece is a dream. The quality, fit, style, all of it is perfection. I basically have a little capsule wardrobe built from four pieces and look forward to incorporating them with my favorite Fall essentials in just a few months. I'm already eyeing you up denim jackets & sneakers!

The dress I'm wearing is the basic dress, which offers so many different styling options. I sized up a little to ensure it wouldn't be toooo snug by the third trimester, but even then the snug should hug the bump perfectly. It's the right amount of not-too-loose-not-too-tight, allowing me enough room to comfortably chase around a toddler all day.

I'm thrilled to offer my readers 15% off your next order at Storq.com with the code 'fromamanda'!

Other than dresses (because I'm limited on options in this 80-something degree heat), I've been wearing a few pairs of drawstring elastic waistband shorts, and of course, my go-to leggings. Given the season, all of my pre-pregnancy denim has been stored away in the closet until 2018. Not even trying to attempt squeezing into those. No hair tie, no thank you.

THINGS I'VE BOUGHT?

For baby: I've only purchased ONE thing so far for the new baby. Literally, one single thing... who am I? This is it, an adorable bunny bonnet we scooped up while in Nashville.

For me: These sneakers (still on sale at Nordstrom til 8/6!) because my old ones no longer fit - anyone else's feet get bigger during pregnancy?! Also, another tin of this organic shea butter for the belly. I just ran out of the first tin I bought while I was pregnant with Faire. I swear by this stuff and it's heavenly during the dry, winter months.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO?

Anxiously awaiting our 20 week ultrasound in three weeks. Hard to believe I will be at my halfway point so soon.

Still need to purchase Madewell maternity denim - these and these have been on my list - they always seem to sell out fast, so hoping I can snag a pair or two before the weather cools.

Oh, and we ended our little vacation in Nashville with a sweet, spontaneous gender ultrasound. I'll be sharing soon if this little babe is a boy or girl! 

This post was shared in partnership with Storq. All content and opinions are my own.
Thanks for supporting the brands that support this little blog and my family.

THE PERFECT PLAYROOM RUG

When I make any sort of room update in our home, my first step is usually changing where we step foot, literally - the rug. We have gone through a few rugs in the nursery (also considered our playroom) since Faire was born, starting with this and then this natural rug from IKEA, both of which I loved but weren't the most ideal for playtime where you want the upmost softness and comfort for your babies to roll around.

Earlier this year, I discovered Lorena Canals, a brand that hand makes rugs specifically designed to be machine washable. Talk about a total game changer for your messy kids. Each rug is eco-friendly and non-toxic, and handmade by artisans using 100% natural cotton and natural dyes with non-toxic chemicals. So you know your children are not only playing on an incredibly soft surface, but one that is also extremely safe and friendly to the environment.

We've had our Bereber rug for a few months now and are very pleased with the quality, tough durability, and super soft texture. Their rugs come in many styles and sizes, but this version is the perfect size for our space. And if we're being honest, I am surprised it lasted around three months before it even showed enough signs of dirt to finally throw it in the washing machine - that is a lot to be said for a rug that has a toddler trampling over it daily! Given its beige, natural color, it hides the everyday dirt much better than a bright white would. Perfect for those who want a light, neutral aesthetic for any room in your home.

Go check out Lorena Canals here and give them a follow on Instagram. Their brand now offers machine washable cushions, baskets, and blankets all under the same eco-friendly and artisanal guidelines as their rugs. A few other styles I am loving are this tribal version, the Bereber in black, and the Leaf basket in natural.

Photography by Peyton Curry

This post was shared in partnership with Lorena Canals. All content and opinions are my own.
Thanks for supporting the brands that support this little blog and my family.