Why the Practice of Writing a Sentence a Day Changed my Life
I have been writing a sentence a day, every single day since the summer of 2009. That is approximately 3800 days or 10 ½ years! This simple practice has given me a snapshot of my daily experiences and emotions, all neatly tucked away in a few journals. The best part? It only takes me a maximum of two minutes each day. Writing a sentence a day has truly changed my life, and I believe everyone should incorporate this practice into their lives.
“I Know He’s Ready, But I’m Not”: Trusting Your Mama Gut and Going at Your Own Pace
The passage of months feels different now, perhaps because we measure our kids’ age in months. Each new milestone achieved, each pound gained—it all marks a version of my children that slips away, never to return. These ‘I’m not ready’ conversations often begin when my husband broaches the topic of attempting a new milestone with our little one. In nearly every instance, I find myself unprepared, while my baby seems ready. Our mommy guts have an uncanny way of knowing. They’re like our internal compasses, pointing us toward the next chapter even before we consciously realize it.
Mother's Day: Reflections, Quality Time, and Gift Ideas to Make It Special
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, happening on Sunday, May 12th. Now that I’m a mom too, Mother’s Day has taken on an entirely different meaning. Sometimes I even forget that I am now someone’s mom (well, actually two people’s mom!). If you're on the lookout for a gift for yourself, your own mom, or just need a subtle hint for your loved one, I've put together a short gift guide of things I either want or already have and absolutely love.
Double Trouble: Exploring Toddler-Friendly Places with Your Newborn in Tow
There is no other way to say it, going anywhere in public with a newborn can be hard and overwhelming. With the birth of our second baby, I knew I would have to leave the house a little bit more than we did with my first only because the idea of being cooped up with a newborn and my toddler sounded a bit miserable. With this in mind, I decided to compile a short list of the places we have gone to during these first several months that have been practical and accommodating for both my toddler and my newborn.
Cherishing the Little Moments- Navigating the Delicate Balance of Motherhood
I wanted to share an excerpt I wrote back in February 2022, during a particularly vulnerable moment in my journey as a mama to my three-month-old son. I’m a little nervous to share about this day and my feelings, but I go back to what I wrote frequently and feel comforted. I hope that by sharing I can help other moms feel less alone in similar situations.
Everything You Need for Nursing a Newborn
When it comes to breastfeeding, I’m not an expert. However, I did nurse my first for 10 months and my second for going on three. When you calculate the total number of hours, you can say that I have a lot of experience. Beyond practice, I have found “supplies” that have really helped me with breastfeeding and creating an efficient and enjoyable feeding experience. This is a popular question my new mom friends ask me, so I wanted to share the list below of my must-haves along with links of where you can purchase. I hope this is helpful for new moms, moms-to-be, or those who are supporting/shopping for mamas.
What I’m Doing Differently with Baby #2
Having the confidence and experience this time around has given me permission (not that I should need it) to change things up. So, here are a few things I’m doing differently with baby number two than I did with first (and why).
Podcasts I Am Loving!
I am a huge Podcast fan. During a run, driving in the car, making breakfast, folding laundry, feeding baby in the MOTN- I have a podcast on. Below are some of my must-listen podcasts and others I have subscribed to and will listen to when I have extra car time—because there is never enough time to get to all of it.
Easter Traditions & Baskets for a 2-year-old and Newborn (That you still have time to get!)
Growing up Easter was my favorite holiday. I think this was mostly due to the traditions that my parents had set up. This Easter, Lane is finally able to understand the concept of Easter. n my opinion, Easter wouldn’t be the same without an Easter basket. Here are some ideas for what I’m putting together for my son and daughter’s basket this year. Hopefully this can help you with some ideas for your kiddos.
5 Things That Kept Me Sane at 5 Weeks Postpartum
I can ALWAYS think of something I could be doing. After about one week of relaxing and doing nothing, I started to go a bit insane. So, at 5 weeks post-baby, here are 5 things I did every day to keep myself sane. (highly recommended for anyone who also can’t just relax like me)
Why we kept the Gender of our Baby a Surprise: A Pros and Cons List
Our second baby, Kelly Rae, was welcomed into the world in late January and we had no idea of her gender until she was born. Not finding out the gender was the most beautiful surprise AND ultimate test of self-restraint. These days there are few true surprises, and this was a genuine moment I will treasure forever- truly worth the wait.