Ever since we announced that we were expecting, readers have been asking how our home has adapted to life with a baby. Now that Clara is two months old, we decided to take some candid photos and share how our house has adjusted to the new gear and routines. These snapshots are unedited—just real life—and we like it that way. Our home feels lived-in, comfortable, and practical, which is exactly what we aim for when decorating. Most importantly, every item has a storage home when it’s not in use, which helps keep things manageable. While today’s pictures show items in everyday use, everything can be stashed away quickly if we want to tidy up for visitors (though most guests come to see Clara and are happy to find the house just as we live in it).

Here’s a look at how our bedroom typically appears. Making the bed has become optional—usually we skip it unless we have company. Burger, our pet, often lounges in bed until midday next to the books we’ve read to Clara earlier in the morning. When he finally gets up, he immediately seeks out his little sister, which is both funny and sweet.

Burger often finds Clara in her swing, which we move between the den and the office depending on where we are. Clara’s favorite baby item is the Boppy Travel swing. We picked a compact, affordable travel swing that we use daily, not just on trips. Its small footprint and neutral color make it fit easily into our spaces. We hoped it could double as a bouncer, and while it doesn’t vibrate like many dedicated bouncers, it sits low to the ground and works as a stable, non-vibrating seat when the swing function is off. Every baby is different, but for us this one item serves two purposes and saves space.

The pink blanket draped over the back of the chair is for playtime and tummy time in the den. We find it handy to keep two plush floor blankets—one in the den and one in the office—so there’s always a soft surface nearby for rolling, neck exercises, or quiet play. Babies are endlessly entertained by ceiling patterns and toys, so having a blanket within reach makes those moments easier.

Our laundry routine has increased, but baby clothes are small and we can fit many onesies into an energy-efficient load. We’re planning to try cloth diapers once Clara is big enough, which will change our laundry habits but reduce disposable diaper use—something we’re excited about.

Bath time is frequent and joyful. Clara loves baths, and a tip from John’s sister saved us from having to store a bulky plastic tub: we use an inexpensive yellow foam mat from Target. It’s cushy, easy to squeeze out and store, and comfortable enough for several months of use. Simple, low-cost solutions like that are lifesavers.

The office blanket lives on the floor as a play station with a few toys. It’s a spot where Clara practices tummy time, plays, and sometimes naps—often with Burger curled up beside her. With one of us on baby duty and the other working, we appreciate the generous rug space for getting down on the floor and engaging with her face-to-face while she tracks toys with her wide blue eyes.

A Boppy nursing pillow is commonly found on the sofa and travels from room to room with me since I nurse in multiple places: bedroom, office, den, nursery, car—wherever Clara ends up. Its soft blue color blends in with our décor and makes it feel less like baby gear and more like a functional household accessory.

We chose a single versatile stroller—the Joovy Kooper—that covers newborn through toddler stages so we didn’t have to buy and store multiple models. It gets heavy use on neighborhood walks with Burger and Clara. The stroller’s fated “stash spot” is the car trunk, but sometimes it ends up in the sunroom for convenience. While it doesn’t exactly match the beachy white daybed, convenience wins when you have a young infant.

In the nursery, clutter is minimal thanks to a large toy bin under the bench. Clara is enjoying her Bumbo seat, a hand-me-down that surprisingly matches the room’s palette. The half-read book we left on the bench was exactly where we left it—life with a baby includes small interruptions like spit-up mid-story.

We worried the kitchen would become overwhelmed, but because Clara isn’t yet on solids our additions are modest: three glass bottles by Weego and a small drying rack. I nurse exclusively, but I pump occasionally so having a few bottles on hand is helpful. We chose gender-neutral bottle colors with future children in mind, so the gear remains useful and practical over time.

Our “everything has a place” approach keeps the house under control: bottles and feeding utensils live in a skinny cabinet above the drying rack, the Bumbo sits on the top shelf of Clara’s closet, and the Boppy and office blanket can be tucked away quickly. The foam bath mat fits into a linen basket after drying, and the travel swing can be folded and stored in a closet or on a shelf above the laundry area. These small organizational choices make it easy to restore order when needed.

We could make the bed every day, but lately we’ve embraced the relaxed pace that comes with a new baby. We appreciate imperfection—painted paneling, DIY art, and lived-in spaces—and having Clara has reinforced that a happy home is one that’s used and loved. Functionality gives us more time to spend together as a family, and that’s what matters most.

Note: None of the baby items mentioned were gifted or sponsored; they are simply products Clara uses and enjoys.