6 of the Best Wooden Toys for a Natural Baby Registry.

I've spent a lot more time than I care to own up to building my baby girl's registry. Some of the searching started before we even started trying and then I started a private registry to remember things as I came across them in the few years we spent waiting and praying for our miracle. But, this made piecing together my public registry pretty easy since I already knew the type of items I wanted to stock our home with for the future Owens'.

My top priority when building my registry is finding safe, all-natural products that our babies can put in their mouth (since that's the first place everything goes) and not have to worry about the toxins they might be ingesting. Some pieces are more important than others (to me) to be organic, etc. But, when it comes to toys, that is non-negotiable for me because that's one thing I know for sure will end up in their mouths constantly.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite wooden toys to help anyone else searching for items to add to their natural baby registry...

1. Heart Baby Wooden Puzzle from Bella Luna Toys ≫≫ This toy is not only a great brain game for baby, but it's pretty to look at and has multiple uses (doesn't have to be used as a puzzle). I love that it is complicated enough to grow with baby for awhile, but the pieces are all large enough for the tiniest of babes to play with.

2. Personalized Name Block Wooden Toy by Little Sappling Toys ≫≫ I know I'm still being a tease with baby girl's name, but I love it so much I want to put it on everything! These personalized blocks are so cute and still safe for baby to use for their buildings.

3. Wooden Cakes and Biscuits from BeeSmart ≫≫ I'm obsessed with the vintage look of these toys. If anyone knows where to find more vintage looking toys (wooden or not) that are safe for children (aka- not actually vintage and use lead based paint, etc)...please let me know!

4. Wooden and Crochet Hedgehog Teether and Rattle ≫≫ Baby can shake and teeth on this natural wooden rattle and teether all day and night. I like having a few neutral items in babies toy bin amidst all the pink and bright colors. We have several rings like this to tie onto her "paci" clips (that were never used for paci's) so she can chew and play without losing them.

5. Colorful Wooden Toy ≫≫ I'm not sure what to call this thing, but Iris loves it. It moves around in infinite directions and it's fun for her to try and figure out. I saw it at Barnes and Noble when I was pregnant and knew I had to have it, added it to my Amazon registry and Iris received it for her first Christmas. I love modern momming.

6. Melissa and Doug Wooden Sorting Cube ≫≫ Another brain game for baby that will grow with them for awhile as they learn it's ins and outs. Iris loves her sorting cube and it keeps her engaged for longer than a lot of toys.

If you know another great place to find wooden (or other natural and affordable) toys, let me know in the comments! What was/is your baby's favorite toy?

♡ MALLORIE

It's a...GIRL!

Baby Owens is a GIRL! I knew it all along. :) I'll explain how I knew once she's born and we announce her name (I know, I'm such a tease!), but as much as I tried not to get my heart set on this idea, I wasn't surprised at all when the ultrasound showed girl.

Dave and I could not be more excited to welcome a baby girl in August! I always thought we'd have a boy first (don't ask me why, I just did), but we would have been completely happy either way, we're just so grateful to have a healthy baby. I can't stop staring at her sweet profile in the ultrasound pictures and watching the dvd of her moving around after the technician woke her up (by poking my belly) to get a better view at the goods.

This will be the first girl grandchild for Dave's parents and the first grandchild ever for my parents. I know she will be spoiled rotten with love from all sides. I can't wait to see who she looks like, we don't know much about my side of the family other than me, since I'm adopted!

Baby Gap (and all other stores that contain baby clothing) has become very dangerous now that we know we're having a baby girl! I'm trying my best to contain myself, but it's hard. So many cute little outfits!

Atka has become extra protective of me and this was one of the signs I was pregnant, since she knew before we did. The last few weeks she's become EXTRA needy, I think she senses she's about to not be the only sweet girl in our lives. I'm ok with the extra snuggles though and I can't wait to see her with the baby!

Liam on the other hand hasn't really changed much at all. He's still the same laid-back dude he always has been. He's a mama's boy, so the snuggles aren't unusual from him, but he hasn't gotten needy like Atka. The only thing I've noticed from him is when I'm relaxing on the couch, he'll lay next to me, instead of his usual spot in the kitchen. And if I lay down and Dave's not home, he'll lay in the hallway as if he's the barrier between anything that comes in the door and me. I definitely feel safe being home alone with our two malamutes as my protectors!

Oh and this is what happens every week when Dave tries to take my weekly bump pictures...

...she loves me, haha. Dave and I love the fact that there is a huge picture of her looking so sweet and innocent behind me while she's giving me a wild bear hug.

Thank you so much to everyone who has commented on our posts, tweeted, text, etc to wish us congratulations...we love getting to share this special time with you all!

♡ MALLORIE