Since we announced that we were expecting, we’ve received lots of comments and emails asking how our home has adapted to a growing family. Now that Clara is two months old, we thought it was the perfect time to share candid photos and a realistic look at how our house has changed with the baby gear we’ve collected so far. (Yes, we know the collection will only grow—stay tuned for future updates.)
The photos shown here are unedited snapshots of everyday life in our home. We actually like the lived-in look: casual, convenient, and functional—exactly what we aim for with our décor. The key for us has been giving every item a place to go when it’s not in use. While these images show things out and about, each piece can be stowed away if we want to quickly de-babyify the house for guests. That rarely happens though, since most visitors come to see Clara and enjoy watching her in her element.
So, here’s a realistic day-in-the-life reveal of our home with a newborn.
Our bedroom now reflects a new routine: we no longer make the bed every day. If company is coming, we might straighten up, but the newborn grace period gives us a pass most of the time. Burger, our dog, often naps next to a stack of books we’ve read to Clara that morning. When he finally wakes up, his first move is usually to find his little sister.
Clara spends a lot of time in her Boppy Travel swing, which has become her favorite piece of gear. We chose a compact, budget-friendly travel swing rather than a large, dedicated unit, and it has proven versatile. It takes up minimal floor space, blends with our neutral palette, and doubles as a low, bouncy seat when the swing function is off. That dual purpose means we didn’t need to buy a separate bouncer—useful when storage is at a premium. Of course, every baby is different, but for us one multi-use item has been a big win.
The pink blanket draped over the chair is reserved for playtime and tummy time in the den. We keep two plush floor blankets—one in the den and one in the office—so there’s always a comfy surface available for floor play, neck-strengthening exercises, rolling, or gazing at the ceiling.
Speaking of laundry: having a baby means more loads, but Clara’s tiny clothes fit generously into an energy-efficient wash. We’re looking forward to trying cloth diapers once she’s a bit bigger, which will shift our laundry routine again, but for now disposables have been convenient.
Bath time has added a regular burst of baby gear to the bathroom. Clara adores baths, and a simple tip from a family member led us to a yellow foam bath pad that’s easy to store and very comfortable. It’s inexpensive, lightweight, and can be tucked into a linen basket between uses—an economical solution that works well for the early months.
In the office, another blanket lives on the floor with a few toys. This becomes a small play station for Clara to practice tummy time, play, or even nap occasionally—sometimes with Burger curled up nearby. With one of us often balancing Clara-duty while the other works, having floor space for interactive play is invaluable. The Boppy pillow also travels from room to room, providing comfortable support during nursing sessions in multiple spots around the house.
For outings, we rely on a versatile Joovy Kooper stroller that grows with the child. We opted for one durable stroller instead of collecting several different types, and daily neighborhood walks give it plenty of use. When not in active use, the stroller is stored in the car trunk or in the sunroom for quick access.
The nursery stays fairly tidy thanks to a large toy bin under the bench. Clara has been enjoying a Bumbo seat, a hand-me-down that fits the room’s colors nicely. Little moments like a half-read board book left after a brief spit-up incident are simply part of the everyday flow.
We also kept the kitchen simple: because Clara is exclusively breastfed so far, we only have a few colorful bottles and a small drying rack. We purposely chose gender-neutral bottle colors so they’ll be useful for any future children, and we resisted buying more bottles than necessary based on advice from friends and family.
Our approach to baby gear is guided by a simple organization principle: everything has a place. Small items like bottles and feeding accessories live in a skinny cabinet above the drying rack. The Bumbo and other occasional items are stored on nursery shelves or closets when not in use. The foam bath pad goes into a linen basket after drying, blankets can be folded into closets, and the travel swing can be folded and stashed away if needed. This system makes it easy to tidy up quickly and keep the house feeling calm.
We’ve embraced imperfection and the relaxed pace a newborn brings. A lived-in home is a loved home, and making functional choices has given us more time to simply be together as a family. None of the products mentioned here represent endorsements or sponsorships—just honest picks that have worked well for our little family.