Tag: newborn

Watch the first episode of “It’s Only Reality”

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Why start a YouTube channel? I used to wonder why many of the mommy blogs I followed also had videos embedded in the content. It was almost identical information in the video and in the text, so it seemed a little redundant to have two mediums within the same webpage.

It wasn’t until my mother had to tell me–for the millionth time–that I should start a YouTube channel that highlights my journey of motherhood that I even considered doing it. I’m an avid reader and I almost prefer reading someone’s blog over watching their video and mentally rushing them to get to the point. But I do understand that many people prefer to watch someone they consider an online friend. Hearing their voice, getting used to their mannerisms, and being invited into a stranger’s home is a unique experience for our generation. However; if I’m going to take on a project, I like to do it well, so the thought of taking on yet another task by choice was almost laughable. Continue reading →

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You don’t have to be grateful.

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I read an article recently of a mother who went through one of the worst horrors you can imagine. She conceived a child only to have him stillborn many months later.  In her post, she offered a suggestion to other new moms she knew stating that they should remember her when their baby is up at 3am crying for hours. She implored that they shouldn’t complain, but instead should be grateful for the newborn cries that she would give anything for. She asked that they not describe the struggles of breastfeeding because she would be left with milk in her breasts and no baby to feed. She went on to say how they should be grateful for all of the ups and downs that came with having a baby because hers had unfortunately died.

Years ago, I would have agreed with her. Continue reading →

Welcome to Breastfeeding

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When I was into my third trimester, I felt like an expert at giving birth already. I watched YouTube videos, read articles, and searched through blogs to get my birth plan together so that I would feel “ready”. Little did I know (as you’ve witnessed from my previous posts about my daughter’s birth), that I could never be ready for what giving birth entailed. Although I can look back and say I did my best to prepare, what really caught me off guard was how little homework I did about the moments (and lifetime) after that last push. Don’t worry, there’s an app for that and plenty of people to give you advice. Or so I thought.

I think there was a total of three tips I got from people when it came to feeding my baby naturally. 1. It’s second nature, you’ll just know what to do. 2. If you’re doing it right, it doesn’t hurt. 3. Make sure you have all of the accessories that go along with breastfeeding (a good pump, and a good nursing bra). No one really made a big deal about it, so neither did I. I certainly didn’t expect the whirlwind that was about to hit me.

I’m not sure if you’re days away from your due date, searching for anyone out there to help you through breastfeeding because you think you’re going insane, or maybe a reader that just happened upon my site. Whoever you may be, I welcome you to breastfeeding.
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Petra’s Birth Story Part II

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The top photo is the very last picture I took while pregnant. My mom texted me asking if I had already had my baby without telling her and I sent that photo to her with a reply “Yes, mom. We totally had the baby in secret. Lol.” Then she joked about my old lady house shoes. The other photos are right after Petra was placed on my chest for skin-to-skin and then bundled off to the nursery. I know this sounds really vain, but I’m so glad I groomed–everywhere–and took a shower the day before Petra arrived. I would not have thought to do that while counting contractions and debating when we should go to the hospital.

When I last left off, I just got to my delivery room and met the nurse who would be taking care of me. I felt confident that things would go as I imagined them, but I wasn’t sure. I’m not an over-sharer, but I wish I would have known more about what actually takes place during delivery. That’s why I’m willing to share these things with those of you visiting this post. I will warn you, some of the content below will be pretty graphic, so if you’re squeamish, just stop here. I see you’re still reading, so let’s get on with it, shall we? Continue reading →

24 & 25 Week Pregnancy Update

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This is random, but I just have to comment on it. No one has really done this to me, but I have noticed so many incidents of other people’s unsolicited advice regarding pregnancy. I’ll see Instagram posts, Facebook pictures, or just status updates from my pregnant friends, and almost every time, someone has to leave a comment like “Are you sure you should be doing/eating/wearing/talking about that?” Or even “You better stop doing that because of this, this and this.” It’s usually an innocent post, and mostly subject matter that a lot of people are ignorant about and have misconceptions regarding. I think it’s inappropriate to expect anyone to have to explain themselves to you or your opinions, but that’s just me. Believe me, most pregnant women do a ton of research and ask their doctors before deciding on anything, so please give them the benefit of the doubt that they’re not trying to harm themselves or their baby. Now on to your regularly scheduled programming… Continue reading →

22 & 23 Week Pregnancy Update

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Welcome back to the blog! It’s been a doozy of a two weeks, so I haven’t written in a while. I actually might just make this a habit of posting every two weeks. One of my friends was posting progress photos of her bump on social media, and the last one she posted, everyone was saying how great she looked and she replied “I don’t feel great, and I’m really tired of posting these. I’m doing it mainly since my family in other states have been asking for them.” I thought I was the only one who felt that way. It’s been nice to have so many friends who are pregnant at the same time and share things that I feel like I’m going through alone. I also have a group text going on with four other women from church who are all pregnant, and the candid comments they make have me cracking up all the time. And the support and prayer is priceless. Continue reading →