Mom Talk
Becoming a mother is something that completed me. The are the stories that represent the most intimate parts of my life.
Pregnancy
Whenever I’m pregnant, I LOVE to research and learn about everything that is happening both to me and my baby. I am completely humbled by the experience of growing a tiny human inside of my body, and even through the varicose veins, stretch marks, and leg cramps, I relish every single moment.
What To Do When You’re Overdue
So here I am, 12 days overdue with baby #5, and of course I'm…
10 Tips for Getting Over First Trimester Morning Sickness and Fatigue
First trimester morning sickness (which doesn't just hit in the…
Pregnant with Baby #5!
With four children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years...girl,…
10 Tips for Getting Rid of a Yeast Infection While Pregnant
If you are pregnant and have a yeast infection, put down the…
Why Pregnant Women are More Prone to Yeast Infections and Gestational Diabetes
The real reason why pregnant women get yeast infections (or any…
Best Pregnancy Item Must Haves
During my four pregnancies, these are the things that I loved…
Birth
Giving birth to each of my five children has transformed me into the person that I am today. Each birth story holds a special place in my heart that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Our Fifth Born: Jack’s Home Birth Story
The pain was excruciating beyond all measure of belief, yet I somehow managed to bring my hands up to the edge of the couch and buried my face in the cushions so that I could scream with reckless abandon.
Our Fourth Born: Julian’s Home Birth
The fear, the worry, the pain…I let it all go and went inside of myself where I was finally able to exhale. In that moment, I was rocked by a huge and powerful contraction and then felt a pop and a warm gush. “My water just broke!” I shouted.
My First Birth: An Epilogue About Dealing with the Pain
So hear I am, three days away from my due date with my fourth pregnancy, and I'm finally reading birth stories and thinking about how I'll manage the pain.
Our Third Born: Ophelia’s Homebirth Story
When the next contraction came they said, “Ok, give one big push!” So I did, and then I felt the rest of the body slip out. I turned over and couldn’t believe the little miracle that was placed upon my chest.
Our Second Born: Elliot’s Homebirth Story
One of my first words after the birth was “That was sooo easy!!” because really, it was. I had been afraid that I wouldn't want any more children after this birth...but that was not the case!
Our Firstborn: Ruby’s Birth Center Story
I felt like I was going to panic. I didn't think I could handle the pain that was consuming me. Scott was crouched beside me with encouraging words. My body felt like it was being torn apart by a viscous source of unknown agony.
Postpartum
Taking care of yourself and your baby after birth is crucial. It is a very special time that should not be rushed and needs to be treated with tender care. The first three months after birth are essentially the “fourth trimester” and it is a world unlike any other. I have learned many helpful dos and don’t for this time in my experience.
Everything You’ll Need for a Successful Postpartum Recovery
Giving birth is an amazing and empowering experience that will…
How I Survived Postpartum Depression
Let's be honest. Being a mom is hard. Being a person is hard.…
Best Advice for Having a Peaceful Postpartum Recovery
Giving birth is an amazing, spectacular, and tremendous journey.…
Breastfeeding
Yes, the general consensus is that “breast is best”, but that doesn’t mean breastfeeding will be easy. With my four children, I feel like I have been through just about every breastfeeding hump in the road. I researched viciously to find answers and wanted to share here what has worked (and not worked) for me.
12 Ways to Start a Good Breastfeeding Relationship with Your New Baby
While it is true that breastfeeding is natural, it doesn't mean…
Why I Won’t Drink Coffee While Breastfeeding
After being up in the night with my little ones, I used to feel…
How Nursing Aversion Led to the Weaning of my 15 Month Old
I was bombarded by a range of emotions when one of my favorite…
How to Identify and Treat Oral Thrush While Breastfeeding
I remember nursing my six week old baby Ophelia, when I noticed…
How to Identify and Deal with Lip Tie and Tongue Tie
After having problems establishing a breastfeeding relationship…
Babies
After having our first baby, Ruby, we thought we had things figured out! Then along came Elliot, and we learned just how different two children could be. After now having five children, these are the things we’ve learned about sleep, teething, and all things baby related.