I pulled into my usual parking spot and got out my phone ready to record this moment in hopes that I could share with Chas later and that he too would love the name. I found the audio from the segment I had saved on my phone and this is what played…

“And Billy Graham thought he would be in the back, in the very very back because he said he has received so much acknowledgement and so many rewards here on earth, so much approval here on earth. He said he thought Pearl Goode would be in the very front row. You probably don’t know that name most likely, but Pearl Good was born in 1884 and to the staff of the Billy Graham evangelistic association she is a legend. She was a retired nurse in her mid 60s with grown kids in 1949. That is the same year that Billy Graham preached at the tent revival in Los Angeles, it’s the thing that put him on the map, and she joined other volunteers to sign up to pray for Billy Graham.

Pearl said that she felt the Lord speak to her at the revival and she felt God calling her to pray for Billy Graham from that point on and so from that point on, wherever Billy Graham went she went. She would go on her own dime, book a hotel room and pray on her face and on her knees the entire time he and his crew were there, sometimes weeks at a time. Eventually after maybe four or five years of doing this on her own time and on her own dime, the Billy Graham evangelistic staff caught wind of her and brought her into the group, but she never wanted recognition. She did that until 1972 when the Lord finally took her home, but from 1949 to 1972 Billy Graham never preached without Pearl Goode on her face in a hotel room praying for him. And I have a feeling that Billy Graham was awfully excited to see Pearl Goode when he passed into heaven this morning.”

I remember listening to that and tearing up thinking to myself if I ever have a daughter one day I want to name her Pearl. As someone who believes deeply in the power of prayer, I was captivated by her selfless dedication to praying for others — most of whom she never even knew.

When we lost our second baby during the first trimester last fall, I began praying like I’ve never prayed before — prayers of grief, hope, and even gratitude. I started including Archie in our prayers for another baby (I shared the story in the caption of this post how Archie prayed for a healthy “baby see-ser”).          

Last December, some of the women from my church hosted a beautiful dinner honoring mothers of loss. I will never forget one of the speakers shared something that stuck with me,

“The king keeps his best wine in the deepest cellars and the finest pearls are found in the deepest seas.”

Little did I know that out of such a sorrowful season we would soon find our precious little treasure.

At the end of each year my family has a tradition of choosing a word to carry into the coming year — something to reflect on and guide us throughout the months ahead. It was New Year’s Eve and we went around the room sharing our words. Chas and I both said the same word, completely unaware the other had chosen it: Joy. That the joy of the Lord would be our strength in the months ahead as we try again to grow our little family.

Chas immediately loved the name Pearl after I shared it with him. In fact, two of his favorite parables come from Matthew 13:44-46.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure which says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value that says, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Chas knew her middle name should be Joy — this small word that is often overlooked in Matthew 13:44 deeply resonated with Chas during college and does to this day. These parables illustrate that the Kingdom of God is so precious, so valuable, that, when we truly find it, we joyfully surrender everything else to receive it. Our hope is that Pearl’s life reflects a joyful surrender to the ultimate treasure: life with Christ.

I’ve also just always loved the beautiful jewel. My mom has photos of me as a little girl decked out in my Nana’s pearls. They are classic, timeless, elegant — and rare.

It is with the utmost joy and delight that we share with you our darling little lady, Pearl Joy Taylor, made her entrance into the world November 1st, 2024. We praise the Lord for His faithfulness in allowing us to share in this divine gift.

bloom and grow forever our precious Pearl,

Mama + Daddy

The post Our Little Lady appeared first on Miss Madeline Rose.

When it comes to shopping for your first baby there are so many options and opinions, it can feel quite overwhelming. I spent hours researching and curating my baby registry and am including items that I genuinely love and use. I’m grateful to all of my girlfriends and seasoned mama’s ahead of me (including many of you!) who were so helpful in sharing their favorite baby products with me. And if you just found out you’re expecting, I have a post with my pregnancy must-haves by trimester here.

Baby Gear

Artipoppe Carrier – I have really enjoyed baby wearing and this is the most beautiful and comfortable baby carrier. It is easy to put on and thoughtfully designed as you can wear it with baby facing in or out as well as on your back. Use this link for a discount and free express shipping!

Bassinet – stand, liner, and sheet and pod – One of my girlfriends recommended this beautiful yet simple bassinet and it is just perfect! Archie slept in it during those first three months and its lightweight enough to carry from room to room if you need to. It makes it even more special to us that our grandparents were the ones who gifted it to us.

Charlie Crane Levo Rocker – A sweet baby rocker that turns into a rocking chair once baby outgrows it. Archie likes to recline in it while we read books and it’s the cutest thing!

Snuggle Me Organic Infant Lounger – If you end up getting the bassinet with the pod you really don’t need another snuggle me because it’s basically the same thing. I kept mine (with this cozy cover) at my parent’s house. They’re nice to have when you need a hands-free safe space for lounging.

4moms Breeze Plus Playard – The most seamless set up and take down, you can do it with one hand!

Transportation

Doona Infant Car Seat/Stroller – If you haven’t heard of the Doona it’s one of the greatest inventions for parents, at least that’s what Chas and I think! It is a car seat and stroller in one which makes going out and about a breeze. We were able to strap it into every uber while we were in Chicago and it’s just the right size to easily fit through revolving doors, buses, trains – perfect for city living/no car life. This padded travel bag has been great to protect it from getting beat up on the plane and I added this handlebar cover to make it look a little more unique. 

Silver Cross Wave Stroller – Silver Cross knows how to make a gorgeous stroller. It glides like a dream, the leather detailing, large storage underneath, easy to fold up, comes with a cup holder (that fits a Stanley) and so much more. It has a beautiful quilted interior along the bassinet which is suitable for overnight sleep if needed. Both the bassinet and toddler seat are included and can easily convert into seven different configurations. I just love it.

Stroller Fan – The best fan for you mamas having summer babies! It easily attaches to your stroller. You can choose from three modes, there’s even a light setting, adjustable legs that can be bent over and over and still function. I had a few people tell me to pack one in my hospital bag! I’m grateful for that advice because it was so nice having it on next to me while I was in labor.

Baby Car Mirror – Once we moved back to Texas and bought a car we immediately installed this. I love the size and that I can keep an eye on Archie from the rearview mirror.

Clothing & Accessories

Kyte Baby Zipper Footies and Lake Pajamas are made of that incredibly soft dreamy fabric and wash so well. And zippers. We love a zipper.

Sleep Bag and Linen padded sleep sack – I didn’t really understand the need for a sleep sack until we started using one. They’re basically a safe wearable blanket to help your baby fall asleep and stay asleep. It’s like Archie’s own little duvet and he loves it! I like to use the Kyte ones in the cooler months and the padded linen in the warmer months.

Ollie Swaddle – We tried no swaddle and swaddle and he slept so much better when he was all bundled up. This one made it quick and easy!

Going Home Outfit – I love the timeless style and delicate blue details of the Kissy Kissy Hat, Mittens, Onesie and these booties!

Ralph Lauren Iconic Flag Sweater – Archie turned one month old on the 4th of July so I couldn’t help myself with this purchase. We also used it for his first Halloween costume as the RL Teddy Bear. I know it will be a special heirloom piece.

Feeding

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair – The design of this high chair allows you to bring your baby straight up to the table and it grows with them over time. We went with the walnut as I like how it blends in with our table and flooring (plus you don’t see the mess quite as much!) but you can choose from an array of pretty colors!

Inglesia Table Chair – This portable high chair easily attaches to the edge of most tables. We keep this at my parent’s house, but it’s also great to have for on-the-go!

Dr. Brown’s glass bottles – I prefer glass bottles over plastic and these have been perfect! I use these bamboo brushes to clean them and love this nontoxic bamboo drying rack that folds flat for easy storage.

Silicone baby bib, snack cup, sippy cup (great for smoothies) – these are all easy to clean with an assortment of pretty colors! I ordered this sippy cup to put in Archie’s Easter basket last month and it is amazing. It’s indestructible and spill-proof!

Nursing

Elvie portable pumps are life-changing. I found them on sale and decided to splurge since I work one day a week and knew I wanted to keep breastfeeding as long as it feels right for us. It’s so nice to be hands-free and they’re so quiet it’s barely noticeable! When I’m not using them I sometimes pump with the pink spectra I got from my insurance. Another recommendation I’ve been thankful to have is the Elvie curve. If you’ve heard of the Haakaa it’s like that but better (in my opinion)! It’s a manual wearable breast pump that catches the letdown from the other side and unlike the Haakaa (that my friends said would often get kicked off by baby) it fits in your bra so no crying over spilled milk! 

Amma cover – My parents bought this for me for my birthday and it’s so chic. The soft knit is breathable, lightweight, wrinkle and stain resistant (mine came with a little mesh laundry bag for washing) and can also be used as a stroller cover or baby blanket.

La Maman wedge – When I think of beautiful and practical I think of this. A nursing pillow that provides the perfect amount of support while doubling as decor. I used it every day until Archie got too big for it and now it’s just a sweet little pillow in his nursery! 

Lake dreamknit kimono set – I lived in this set postpartum! The kimono style makes it easy to nurse in and who doesn’t feel put together in a cozy matching set!? The dreamknit fabric is just that, dreamy and luxurious! One of my favorites to gift new mama friends. I wear a small in this set and would say it runs true to size, even slightly big.

Nemah nipple balm – Another favorite to gift! I love all of the Nemah products, including their stretch mark cream! This renewing balm is incredible and was such a game changer for my nursing experience. All clean ingredients!

Lactation massager – I feel like this saved me from getting any clogged ducts or mastitis – I used it mostly in the shower and it brought so much relief as I was figuring out the hang of nursing. These ice packs provided a lot of comfort too!

Muslip burp cloths – So soft, gentle, and absorbent. We were constantly going through these in the first few months.

Bath Time

Angelcare Baby bath support – Bath time is always a highlight of the day for me. Archie has loved it since he was a newborn and I liked the convenience of this simple little bathtub. It was just the right size for our kitchen sink in Chicago and was easy to clean and store once we were done.

Weezie bath set – this set includes a hooded towel and a pair of washcloths with blue gingham trim and can be embroidered which would make a great gift! If you’re looking for plush perfection this hooded baby towel is it!

Baby Bath Robe – One of my girlfriends gifted us this darling little robe (complete with his monogram) and I can’t get over how adorable he looks in it!

Baby hair brush set – Little fella arrived with quite a head of hair so this sweet set was well loved from the start!

Diapering

Coterie diapers are pricey but let me tell you they feel like cashmere and are simply the best. I liked to remind Chas that the nights Archie slept the longest he was wearing a Coterie. We also like the Kirkland brand which are also fragrance-free and aren’t as expensive. This Ubbi diaper pail works well to keep the odor at bay.

Tender tush is another miracle product that I highly recommend! We used it every night as prevention for diaper rashes and Archie has had maybe one rash in the past eleven months so I’d say it works! We used this diaper rash cream with Chas’ favorite product, the baby bum brush. I also love and use their lavender baby wipes. They’re so soft and smell like a dream!

Diaper Bag – After researching numerous diaper bags I landed on this beautiful vegan leather style that is structured yet slouchy with multiple pockets and a water resistant lining. It is versatile and can be worn as a shoulder bag, crossbody, or backpack. I have the stone colorway but linking sand which is very similar. This changing pad is also a must! The magnetic closure makes it easy to open and it folds up to fit perfectly in one of the many interior pockets of my diaper bag.

Olli Ella Reva Changing Basket – A beautiful addition to our changing table (that we still use!) complete with this custom water resistant pad and this neutral stripe cover.

Nursery & Decor

Satin edged pram baby blanket for the stroller, Willaby muslin blanket for snuggling on the sofa, deBuci toile baby blanket perfect for picnics! 

Parterre petite blanket – smitten with this clover stripe and the precious Posie lovie. A sweet shop to explore with beautiful and unique pieces.

Lovevery playgym – Lots of tummy time spent on this engaging play mat with activities to foster exploration and growth. 

Books

Sugar paper baby book – I love how sweet and simple this baby book is. Filled with pages of all the milestones you want to remember.

Jesus storybook bible – Already praying that the stories in this beautifully written and illustrated book capture our little Archie’s heart. We have also enjoyed this book about animals of the Bible that was gifted to us by our church when we dedicated Archie.

Guess How Much I love you – Another classic we enjoy. He was so little here *cue the tears*

Love you forever – I will never be able to read this book and not cry, especially being the mama of a baby boy.

Animals around the farm – A fun and interactive way to introduce animals and their sounds. Archie loves this one!

General

Frigg rope natural rubber baby pacifier and Mushie wooden pacifier clip – our favorite pacifiers in the sweetest colorways.

Tubby Tod All Over Ointment  – A creamy fragrance-free moisturizer that works like magic! Anytime Archie scratched his face I would rub a tiny bit on and the next day it would be completely gone – best part, it’s all clean with plant-based ingredients.

Hatch Sound machine provided a peaceful atmosphere and a cozy nightlight perfect for those middle of the night feedings. We kept this smaller Travel Sound Machine in our diaper bag perfect for on-the-go. Another thing we discovered a few months in was that our iPhones actually have a built in sound machine! Open up your Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > turn on Background Sounds > Select the sound! We prefer dark noise and loved the convenience if needed.

Electric nail file took away all my worries about nicking those sweet little fingers and made it so easy to quickly and safely trim his nails. Also, the dental hygienist in me couldn’t not have one of these infant training toothbrush.

Foot measuring device – This is the only thing I don’t actually own but it’s on my list! It can be tricky to know what size shoes to buy for littles and this looks like a seamless way to get the perfect fit on the first purchase.

bloom and grow forever,

Madeline Rose

The post My Favorite Baby Products appeared first on Miss Madeline Rose.

Seagrass Easter Basket – A classic style to use year after year. I love that the handle collapses for easy storage (this is the size small).

Natural Moss Basket Filler – This inexpensive natural moss makes the perfect Easter grass!

God Gave us Easter Children’s Book – Looking forward to reading this to Archie. A precious reminder of what Easter is all about.

Ralph Lauren Striped Baby Cap – Couldn’t resist a baby baseball cap (especially when it’s blue + white stripes!)

Baby Shoes – I ordered these in a few sizes in this colorway and have loved them! Adding white for a little spring and summer refresh

Non-toxic Bubbles – It’s the little things

Spill-proof Sippy Cup – The viral sippy cup that has spill-proof magic – excited to test it out!

Baby Sunglasses – Oh I cannot wait to get the little fella in these! We’ll see how long they last…

Festive Easter Pajamas – I saw some of you snagged these easter egg pjs during the Lake Pajama sale! If you missed those they recently launched this precious bunny print that Archie’s been living in.

Wooden Toy Bunny – A precious (and festive!) little push toy.

Posey Lovie – Everything from this brand is so sweet and beautifully made.

Parterre Blanket – Adore this print! 

THE FULL EDIT –

bloom & grow forever,

Madeline Rose

The post Easter Basket Edit appeared first on Miss Madeline Rose.