{7 favorites from The Land of Nod // baby toy inspiration.}

Ten weeks ago my healthy blue-eyed baby stared into my blue eyes for the very first time. I snuggled my face in his neck and took a long, deep breath. For 27 years I waited for this very day — the day when I held my son for the very first time. This heartbeat of life, beautiful life, is held tight against my body. When I pull him back to speak into his eyes I can feel the warmth of my love diffusing off his skin.

Hello, Maxwell Zackary.

I start to think about all the moments of learning + adventure we’ll have together. I start to daydream about how special it will be to see a giraffe together — how a month before we learned of Maxwell I was standing before one in Africa, in it’s natural habitat, in true awe of its beauty. And now Maxwell is here, in my arms, snuggled near my face, in his natural habitat.

On Sunday we went to the zoo. Our little family of three stood before a family of giraffes, and again I thought about this moment of learning + adventure. All the weeks we’ve had with Max, all the weeks leading up to this day, made my heart swell. There is so much to teach him, and I’m confident I’m capable.

Life is so precious, isn’t it? And those blue eyes that mirror mine, this young life that is watching me, is learning new things with each fresh day.

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Each week new toys are pulled out from a basket under his changing table where I have a few things stored. We have the basics: rattles and squeakers and stuffed animals. But often I think about more challenging toys that will soon polka dot our home…

The Land of Nod is my go-to store for baby toy inspiration. You know me, I love color and timeless, practical pieces. So of course The Land of Nod’s timeless, fun toys have my attention.

Here are my 7 favorite items I’ve collected from their site:

1. down to the wire wall bin // 2. rainboat wood stacking boat // 3. landscape floor bins // 4. good read book caddy [gray] // 5. wildlife of the party puzzle // 6. big picture book [fruits and veggies] // 7. double decker bus in transportation

Simplicity has never looked so good! ;) By the way, have you seen their amazing shelving units? Oh my goodness, just stop it Land of Nod! Such a fun way to store all of those colorful, practical, timeless toys.

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The Land of Nod is celebrating the Grand Opening of their Costa Mesa store on May 31st at the South Coast Plaza [located at 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626]. You should definitely be there as giveaways happening in-store throughout the opening day and of course there will be free goodies for those who arrive early to shop [ahem!].

Leading up to their Southern California Grand Opening party, follow along with The Land of Nod on Pinterest, Facebook + Instagram to gather even more inspiration prior to shopping on May 31st. I’ve already started a little list for Maxwell of items I plan on purchasing.

I’ll have him with me while I shop The Land of Nod, perhaps Max could point out a few things he’d like me to bring home? ;)

[This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Land of Nod, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #NODinCA http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.]