I have a feeling I'm going to get some flack for this post. But you know what, that's OK. Because in this space, I'm all about being real. And a lot of times in the hardships of parenthood, or really life in general, we tend to think we are alone. Alone in our feelings, alone in the struggles. But we aren't. And if we could all just be real and open and honest and even, raw, then maybe others would feel not so alone. Maybe, just maybe, by being open with each other we can push the clouds apart to let the sunshine through. So here it goes. I'll say it. I just don't really like Continue Reading
Getting Enough Calcium: Breastfeeding Nutrition for Mamas
This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation on behalf of Viactiv that contains affiliate links. I received Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews for my own personal use. This post is not intended to address or diagnose any medical conditions. All opinions, text, and experiences are my own. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, or planning on becoming pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider if you have any specific health questions or prior to Continue Reading
Raylee’s Half Birthday – Baby Update
Our daughter, Raylee Lynn, turned six months old last week. I can't believe we are half way to a year. Not only am I head-over-heels in love with this little bug, but I'm so proud of myself for surviving! Ha! I knew from before I was even pregnant that I wanted to take monthly photos of our kids. I love seeing the differences between each month. They grow so dang fast that first year! Each month is full of so many milestones, and I want to remember them all. I decided to take her photos on the blankets she was given. Several people made us quilts or crocheted blankets, and lots of Continue Reading
10 Baby Toys We Love for Our Little One
I always thought baby toys were kind of pointless. I mean, they are babies -- they can't play yet, right? Wrong. Toys help babies learn and develop new skills. Toys for babies are important for a child's development. I didn't realize how much I'd need to keep my little one entertained! She actually gets bored. She needs things that keep her attention, and I need things that keep her happy! After six months, we've learned which toys Raylee likes best. In my opinion and experience, these are the best toys for babies. Do you have any of these for your sweetie? Our Favorite Baby Continue Reading
Encouragement for the Hard Mom Days
It's been so long since I've posted. Too long. I have wanted to blog, but I just haven't found the time. Motherhood has been a huge adjustment for me -- there are so many more hard mom days than I had expected. I used to be able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I would spend hours a day on the computer working on this blog and my social media pages. Now, I spend hours trying to get Raylee to nap! It feels like she has complete control over my day. Everything is wrapped around when she eats and naps. And honestly, it has been hard. Hard for me to let go of what used to be and embrace Continue Reading
How to Choose a Breast Pump
As I've said before, breastfeeding was really hard for me at first. We had trouble getting a good latch, my breasts were sore all the time, and Raylee was eating constantly (or at least it seemed like it). So during that first month, to help me out and give me a little break, my husband would give our daughter a bottle twice a day. I would pump using a breast pump during those times, but it also gave me a chance to sleep a little longer. For me, pumping was a way to grow a stash of milk to keep in the freezer and a way to give myself a break from the constant breastfeeding. For others, they Continue Reading
10 Must-Have Items for Your Newborn
I can't believe that Raylee is past the newborn stage. She is now over three months old, which means I'm past the "fourth trimester." Those first three months with a new baby are hard. Lack of sleep, the shrill sound of cries, the poop-filled diapers ... having a newborn is a big adjustment. But there are items that help. We found these ten items to be incredibly helpful during that newborn stage. I'd consider them must-haves for any parent with a baby! Newborn Must-Haves K'tan Baby Carrier This baby carrier is very easy to put on once you know what you are doing. They have Continue Reading
My Favorite Nursing Clothes
Breastfeeding can be difficult, especially at the beginning. Now that I have been nursing my daughter for over two months, I feel like we have finally gotten the hang of it. The biggest thing that helps me now is having nursing clothes. It makes it so much easier to breastfeed her at home and out on the town when I have nursing tops on. At first, I had a hard time finding nursing clothes. Your average store doesn't have a nursing section. A lot of them don't even have maternity sections. But in the last two months, I've found some nursing clothes that I love. It's all I wear now! So, if you Continue Reading
My Breastfeeding Essentials
As I mentioned in my post about the first month of motherhood, breastfeeding was not what I expected. Everyone had told me what a wonderful experience it is. You'll bond with your baby through breastfeeding. You won't want to stop. Since I knew it was the natural way to feed my baby and I knew all the benefits of my breast milk for her, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. There was no doubt in my mind. God created us to do this, so it will come easily and naturally -- right? Wrong. My Breastfeeding Journey The first week of breastfeeding was terrible for me. In the hospital, she latched Continue Reading
What New Mamas Really Want for Mother’s Day
I recently saw a post about things that moms want for Mother's Day. And it was a joke! I do not want a pair of designer sunglasses. Don't buy me a purse or a candle. Nope. As a new mama, I can tell you what moms really want for Mother's Day. Or at least these are the things I want! Mother's Day Gifts for New Mamas 1. Sleep. New mamas get no more than three consecutive hours of sleep at a time for at least a month. Isn't that considered torture to wake someone up constantly so they never get a good night's sleep? I feel like I saw that on an episode of Criminal Minds. Sleep deprivation is Continue Reading
The First Month of Motherhood
I didn't know it was going to be like this. I've wanted to be a mom my whole life. When people would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, more often than not my answer was "a mom." Thanks to lots of babysitting throughout my life, I always thought I'd be a good mama. I thought motherhood would come easily. And then she was born. We left the hospital with our brand new daughter, and suddenly my entire life was different. Not only am I trying to heal and recover from delivering an 8 pound human and getting a fourth-degree tear in the process, but I'm also trying to take care of said human. Continue Reading
Recovery Items for a Vaginal Tear
As you may know if you read my daughter's birth story, after delivering her I found out that I had a fourth-degree vaginal tear that went all the way through my rectum. I know, sounds pretty, right? Pretty gruesome and painful -- that's for sure! Thanks to my epidural, I didn't feel the tear happen at all. Thank the Lord Almighty! But the recovery from such a vaginal tear is not fun. I was given a two-month recovery time, which feels like forever! I was given plenty of pain medication in the hospital, and they sent me home with quite a bit too. That has been very helpful, but pain medicine Continue Reading
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