10 Tips for Finding a New Normal
If you had asked me three months ago if I felt like I had it together, I would have probably told you that I felt like I did most of the time. My life wasn’t in picture-perfect order, but overall I felt like I created a life with just enough organization that I wasn’t usually blindsided by anything. In fact, I will admit I prided myself on my ability to prepare for situations. Then Things Changed But then things changed. The addition of our newest little babe was wonderful and magical but also unexpectedly difficult. Our sweet little girl came into the world ready and wanting to nurse, but we…
Birth Story of Baby Amelia Part Two
Read part one here. Just before 4 am the Hubs and I said farewell to my mom and our sleeping babies and loaded up into the car. We texted my doula and called my doctor and let them know we were on our way to the hospital. For all you mamas that have labored in the car, you can attest to the fact that IT. BLOWS! The 25ish minutes it took to get the hospital were excruciating! Sitting was not comfortable and my contractions were coming every 3-4 minutes. We didn’t have time to remove Ellery’s rear-facing car seat and couldn’t lay the seat back. We arrived at the hospital…
My Healing VBAC Baby Birth Story – Part One
I can hardly believe that the healing VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) birth of our littlest love was over eight weeks ago?! Where, oh where, does time go. The truth is three kiddos has me all sorts of busy! But none the less, we are here and I am excited to share our story. It has been a whirlwind of incredible proportions these last eight weeks. We have been soaking up all that is our newest addition and working to settle into a new routine as a family of five. Wanting Something Different To get a better understanding of what led me to the journey of a VBAC birth, read…
Birth Trauma and Post-Partum Emotions
Birth trauma is an area of motherhood that often goes undiscussed and unacknowledged. The old saying has always been “a healthy baby is all that matters”, but is it truly ALL that matters? Today’s post is a bit rawer than you might be used to seeing around here, but none the less, I think it is important to be open about my own birth trauma story. My Own Story of Birth Trauma Our beautiful middle child was born via an urgent c-section. This procedure occurred in order to save her life after she stopped moving for reasons that weren’t apparent until we were into surgery. We learned during surgery, that…
Tips for Packing for the Hospital From a Mom of Three
Preparing for Arrival The time is officially here! It feels like we have been counting down to this little one’s arrival for much longer than 9 months! I am excited to share with you my hospital packing list! We’ve checked almost everything off our Bringing Home Baby Checklist, and now it is time to get our hospital bags ready. Learning from Past Pregnancies Both of my previous babies were born in the hospital and if things go as planned, our newest will be as well. Knowing that you are going to be away from your home and place of comfort can make you feel like you need to pack everything.…
9 Months Pregnant Bumpdate
We are officially 9 months pregnant and into the home stretch of our little lady’s development. It has not become a waiting game to see what day she will choose for her birthday. Baby Update: Our littlest lady is doing great. She is as active as ever and as of yesterday dropped, letting us know she is getting closer to picking a birthday. Mama Feeling Physically: I must admit that I am ready to have this baby! I am to the point in pregnancy where I uncomfortable more often than not. My feet and hands have started their end of pregnancy swelling and I feel like a giant water balloon.…
Easy Bringing Home Baby Checklist
It is hard for me to believe that we are only a few short weeks away from bringing home baby! This summer is very literally flying by! The last time we welcomed a baby into our home was three years ago! And while it might not seem like that long ago, I feel like a new mom all over again. At that time we were living in a one-story ranch home and had a newly two-year-old toddler. So needless to say there wasn’t much of a “shock” with the new baby. We were pretty used to diaper changing and nursing. For this little one though, we are in a position…
8 Months Pregnant Bumpdate
It is feeling so very real now! We are 8 months pregnant! It is unbelievable that this new little one will be joining us sometime NEXT month! Ahh! I am so excited! Baby Update Littlest lady is doing great! She helps to calm my nerves by being super active. She loves to make use of all the space she has in there and loves to stretch out as much as she can. This week we had another ultrasound to evaluate placenta location as it was low at the last ultrasound. Thankfully everything looks perfect. The placenta has moved up and away from the cervix, baby girl is head down, and…
7 Month Pregnant Bumpdate
We are officially in the home stretch! This pregnancy felt like it moved so slow through the first trimester. Every day felt so long and the weeks even slower. Then BAM second trimester is over. I can hardly believe here we are sitting in the third trimester! It feels so unreal that we will be welcoming home our final little one in just a couple short months! Baby Update Our little lady is doing great! She is moving and squirming every day! She is still very active at night, especially when we are settling down for the bed. It honestly feels like she moves more than either of the other…
6 Months Pregnant Bumpdate
At the start of this pregnancy, it felt like this we were moving slowly. Each day I was worried for our little one’s safety. After Ellery’s birth, being pregnant this go-around has been filled with a higher degree of worry and anxiety around this pregnancy. I struggled to not give in to worry during the first trimester, but things have improved now that I am 6 months pregnant. Each time I feel her little body squirm I am reminded of the miracle that she, and her siblings, truly are. I will continue to trust and have faith that this little lady will be perfect! At 6 months pregnant, we are…
