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NMM9-2
This post is part of the New Mom Monday series! A series about moms and their advice to new moms! Books and videos can only teach us so much, but there’s something special about hearing from real life moms. Honest, true, and always beautifully inspiring!!
Your name:
Kelly

Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a Jesus loving wife and mama from Georgia on a mission to find and create joy in every day.  I love the SAHM life but I’m also a dance teacher three nights a week so I like to think I get the best of both worlds.  I am currently pregnant with my second little boy and am due at the end of September.  On my blog you’ll find a little bit of my journey through motherhood/second pregnancy and a good helping of DIY!
 
How many kids do you have? What are their names and ages?

I guess I technically have 2! Gavin (aka Mr. G on the blog) is 3.5 and Roman (aka RC) is currently in utero and due September 25th.

How do you find your “me time”?

Most of my me time is found after Mr. G goes to bed.  I’m a bit of a night owl with morning person tendencies so I’ll stay up a little later at night to browse a few more Bloglovin’ posts or catch up on a project even if it means less sleep when the little man wakes up.

What is the best baby related book you’ve ever read?

The only book I ever really went all in with was the classic “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”.  I read that thing religiously when I was pregnant with Mr. G.  The only other book that I read in regards to parenting was “1-2-3 Magic” once we started preschool and wanted to use the same discipline method as they do.  If you’re looking for a great discipline system, I highly recommend it!

What’s the most useful baby product you have? Why do you love it?
Since I couldn’t breastfeed my first due to the medication I had to take, I relied on bottles for feeding.  The Avent microwave bottle sterilizer was the best thing that ever happened to us!  Forget to clean those bottles for yesterday? No problem! Rise, pop them in the sterilizer, and just a few minutes later you have clean, sterile bottles ready to go!
If you could say something to yourself when you first brought home your first baby, what would you say?
He’s ok, you’re ok, you can do this!
How much planning did you do before your baby was born, and how do you think that it helped or didn’t help?
Not too much to tell you the truth.  I didn’t take any classes, not even birthing classes, and I don’t feel like I really missed out too bad.  I  mainly read materials about the pregnancy, visited the pediatrician (very helpful and necessary!), and did a hospital tour.
What do you believe are the top three pieces of advice a new mom or someone trying to conceive should know?
Trust YOUR instincts.  Nobody is right or wrong when it comes to raising their own child, unless they are harming them of course.  So whatever you choose to do is what works for YOU and YOUR baby.
What is your best memory so far of being a mom?
It’s seriously hard to pick just one but I have to say it was the first moment they laid my son on me, seconds after delivering him.  I have never experienced such a flood of joy in my life.  It as a feeling of “You’re finally here!” and “Oh my gosh, I’m a mom!“. 
Give us the short form version of your birth story.
I remember walking around the mall, it was the middle of January, the day before he as born to try to coax Mr. G into coming out.  I just didn’t “feel good”.  That was the only way to describe it and sure enough, 3 AM came around and my labor had started.  I had no birth plan other than I wanted an epidural and whatever the doctor thought as best for the health of my son and me.  I was not dead set on having a natural delivery, if I suddenly needed a C-section, than so be it.  But that as not the case, he just took his sweet time, 20 hours to be exact, and was delivered naturally.  For the full story, you can check out my birth story post.
Lastly, for fun, define motherhood:
It is joy, it is frustration, it is terrifying (at times), it is the epitome of the phrase “all the feels”.  You can have so many emotions, sometimes all of them, all at the same time!  But above all, it is joy.

To hear more from Kelly be sure to visit her blog The Little Things and follow her on Instagram.

NMM9

If you would like to participate in New Mom Mondays please feel free to message me by using my contact form! I would love to not only feature you on my blog but learn from your answers, as I’m sure many readers would too! 
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NMM8
This post is part of the New Mom Monday series! A series about moms and their advice to new moms! Books and videos can only teach us so much, but there’s something special about hearing from real life moms. Honest, true, and always beautifully inspiring!!
What’s your Name?

Alisha Parker

Tell us a little about yourself!

I’m a former elementary school teacher turned stay at home mom! I’ve been married to my wonderful husband Adrian for almost 5 years and we have two wonderful children.  I was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and I love it here! I love the Lord and hope that the life I live will be a testament to His grace and mercy and an encouragement to others.

How many kids do you have? What are their names and ages?

Caleb 2 years,  Chloe  7 months

How do you find your “me time”?

I get up at 5am every morning during the week to work out and have quiet time while I do my devotional. I also have my husband watch the kids from time to time so I can go get a pedicure or get my hair done.

What’s the most useful baby product you have? Why do you love it?

My Ergo 360! It makes it so easy to grocery shop & chase around my two year when we’re out and do other things all while having my hands free.

If you could say something to yourself when you first brought home your first baby, what would you say?

Let go of all of your expectations and just enjoy the ride. Parenthood is a journey with lots of bumps in the road but it will all be worth it!

How much planning did you do before your baby was born, and how do you think that it helped or didn’t help?

I’m a type A personality so I did a lot of planning before. I had in my head how I thought everything would go and how I would do his nighttime routine and naps, etc. NONE of it went according to plan! It was good to think through the process but it stressed me out that none of my planning “worked.”

 

What do you believe are the top three pieces of advice a new mom or someone trying to conceive should know?
  1. Every baby is different! Don’t play the comparison game or you will drive yourself crazy.
  2. Do what works for you! Forget what the books say, or what your mom says (gasp) or what your best friend says and trust your instincts and do what works for you. If you need to co-sleep for your sanity, then do it! If you don’t want to breast feed, then don’t!
  3. “This too shall pass.” In those difficult moments remember it’s just a phase and it will pass! They grow so fast and you’ll look back and wish you hadn’t let the little things frustrate you!

 

What is your best memory so far of being a mom?

Holding my baby for the first time. You wait 9 months and wonder what he or she will look like and then you finally meet them for the first time. It’s the best!

Give us the short form version of your birth story.
I went to the doctor’s office for my regularly scheduled weekly appointment. I was less than a week from my due date. My blood pressure was up so they admitted me for observation and blood work. My liver enzyme was elevated and my doctor was worried about eclampsia sitting in over the weekend. So she decided to induce me the next morning. I spent the night in the hospital and the next morning the Pitocin began. My son would never drop down and engage so I never dilated on my own. They used a balloon catheter to try to open my cervix. That got me to a 4 and then they broke my water thinking it might help things progress. It didn’t! I got an epidural and continued to labor for another couple of hours but I made zero progress. I had been in labor for about 10 hours. My son started to go into distress during contractions so they decided a c-section was the best route to go. I had my son via c-section at 6:21 pm on May 31st!
Because of this, my daughter was born via a planned c-section 19 1/2 months later. 🙂
Lastly, for fun, define motherhood!

Motherhood is a journey! You carry, nurture and protect this little being for 9 months in your womb and then you spend the rest of your life trying to find the balance between raising them and letting them grow into their own little person.

To hear more from Alisha be sure to visit her blog My Mommy Stuff and follow her on Instagram

NMM8-2

If you would like to participate in New Mom Mondays please feel free to message me by using my contact form! I would love to not only feature you on my blog but learn from your answers, as I’m sure many readers would too! 

 

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NMM5
This post is part of the New Mom Monday series! A series about moms and their advice to new moms! Books and videos can only teach us so much, but there’s something special about hearing from real life moms. Honest, true, and always beautifully inspiring!!
What’s your Name?

Kristen

Tell us a little about yourself!

I am a stay at home mom, stationed in Germany with my husband and daughter. Just traveling Europe and enjoying life in a new country while we can!

How many kids do you have? What are their names and ages?

1 daughter named Mila. She just turned two this summer.

How do you find your “me time”?

Nap time is no longer a thing in our house thanks to my daughter who hates sleep. Luckily, bedtime is super early in this house so I get 2 hours every night alone with my husband to just relax and do things for myself.

What is the best baby related book you’ve ever read?

Toddlers Are A**holes: It’s Not Your Fault

What’s the most useful baby product you have? Why do you love it?

I loved our Boppy Lounger.  We used it from day one until about 18 months. It was the perfect place to lay our baby down comfortably with a little support, then once it came time to learn to sit it helped out with that, and finally when she was completely mobile it was her favorite place to lay down and drink some milk.

If you could say something to yourself when you first brought home your first baby, what would you say?

The house does not have to be perfect. Let the messes go. It is not worth stressing out everyday!

How much planning did you do before your baby was born, and how do you think that it helped or didn’t help?

I planned like crazy. I am a huge believer in to do lists and planning every step of my life out but it did not help with a baby. It was the opposite. You have to go with the flow and do what is best for you at that moment.

What do you believe are the top three pieces of advice a new mom or someone trying to conceive should know?

Relax. Do what works for you. Dont worry about any other moms or the way they do things. In the end, you will do what you need to do to get by and what is best for your family.

What is your best memory so far of being a mom?

I was putting my daughter to bed a few weeks ago and she grabbed my face and said “Mommy, I am so happy. And you are SO pretty. I love you.” I could cry just thinking about it.

Give us the short form version of your birth story.

I gave birth in Germany and was SO scared that no one would speak english and that it would just be so backwards from American hospitals. It turned out to be an amazing delivery, although they dont have AC over here so I was SO hot the entire time. Midwives are amazing. And it was just so stress free. No IV, no being hooked up to monitors, just doing what my body knew how to do! Now I feel like I wouldn’t want to give birth in an American hospital.

Lastly, for fun, define motherhood!

This quote defines it all perfectly to me: “Motherhood is a choice you make everyday, to put someone else’s happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when you’re not sure what the right thing is… and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong.”

To hear more from Kristen be sure to visit her blog Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and follow her on Instagram.

NMM5-2

 

If you would like to participate in New Mom Mondays please feel free to message me by using my contact form! I would love to not only feature you on my blog but learn from your answers, as I’m sure many readers would too! 

 

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NMM4
This post is part of the New Mom Monday series! A series about moms and their advice to new moms! Books and videos can only teach us so much, but there’s something special about hearing from real life moms. Honest, true, and always beautifully inspiring!!
What’s your Name?

Lisa Rancier

Tell us a little about yourself!

I am 28 years old and live in Blackfalds, AB. I am a registered nurse and a first time mom! My hubby and I have been married for almost 8 years and have one 6 month old daughter. We are both originally from Winnipeg, MB and we met and started dating when we were 16. I love to run, read, watch movies, and be outside – even in the winter. I am the happiest I have been in my life now that I am a mom.

How many kids do you have? What are their names and ages?

I have one, six month old daughter named Leighton.

How do you find your “me time”?

I have to be very conscious that I am making time for myself because I know it’s something I’m not good at. Instead of running around the house cleaning when Leighton is napping, I try to sit down, relax and do whatever I like – write, watch TV, read, and sew. My husband is really great and encourages me to get out with my friends so I try to see them every couple weeks to keep my sanity!

What is the best baby related book you’ve ever read?

I love the basic – What to Expect When You are Expecting. It gave me a really good idea of what to expect during pregnancy and delivery. Also – The Baby Whisperer was excellent. It gives a lot of tips on how to get to know what your baby needs based on their physical actions.

What’s the most useful baby product you have? Why do you love it?

Our Moby Wrap has been a lifesaver! Leighton loved to be held when she was younger so it was helpful for nap-time on the go and if she was generally cranky. It saved me a lot of back pain. It is a great starter wrap and hopefully I will invest in something sturdier in the future.

If you could say something to yourself when you first brought home your first baby, what would you say?

Don’t panic, you will be okay. Use the support you have around you, and don’t try and do it all yourself!

How much planning did you do before your baby was born, and how do you think that it helped or didn’t help?

I did a moderate amount of planning. I read a lot of books on baby sleep patterns and breastfeeding but at the end of the day we just did what worked for us. When something is no longer working then we change it. The reading helped because I had a good idea of what was “common” for babies and had some strategies on how to deal with crying/sleeping/breastfeeding issues.

What do you believe are the top three pieces of advice a new mom or someone trying to conceive should know?
  1. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
  2. Just because you struggle sometimes does not mean you are failing.
  3. Don’t try to rush through each stage – try to live in that moment. Life goes by too fast.
What is your best memory so far of being a mom?

When Leighton was around 6 weeks old, I was sitting with her in the rocking chair after feeding her. I was exhausted from being awake the night before and was just trying to make it through the day until my husband got home. After she was done nursing I tucked her into my arm and started singing “Skina ma rinky dink”. She looked right at me and smiled for the first time. I started crying immediately because it was easily the most beautiful thing I have even seen. My heart was so happy.

Give us the short form version of your birth story.
My water broke two weeks early so I ended up being induced at the hospital. The start of induction to time of birth was just shy of 12 hrs. My husband was the only person there with me other than the doctors and nurses.
Going into labor I had no birth plan – after 3.5 years of trying to conceive I just kept telling the doctor “do whatever you need to do to get her here safely”. Being a nurse I know how many things can go wrong during labor so I was ready to just wing it. I was however, very disappointed that I had to be induced because I was hoping to experience a natural labor. Because the contractions were so intense with the induction I did opt for an epidural. It was wonderful! I was able to get some rest so I had the energy to push when time came.
Right after Leighton was born she stopped breathing. This was hands down the SCARIEST moment of my life. I heard the nurses call a code and she was taken to NICU. Luckily my husband was able to go with her so she was not alone but the fear that sat inside me was unbearable. The worst part was that I was unable to go with her. The good thing is that she only needed breathing support, her heart didn’t stop and all her blood work was normal. The doctor expected her to make a full recovery.She was born at 7 am and by that afternoon she was able to come back to the room with me. She breastfed like a champ right from the get go and has had no problems since!
Lastly, for fun, define motherhood!

Motherhood is unconditional, wonderfully heartbreaking, overwhelming, and amazing love. It is the best and most challenging thing I have ever done in my life.

To hear more from Lisa Rancier be sure to visit her blog Say It In Your Batman Voice and follow her on Instagram.

NMM4-2

 

If you would like to participate in New Mom Mondays please feel free to message me by using my contact form! I would love to not only feature you on my blog but learn from your answers, as I’m sure many readers would too! 
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NMM3
This post is part of the New Mom Monday series! A series about moms and their advice to new moms! Books and videos can only teach us so much, but there’s something special about hearing from real life moms. Honest, true, and always beautifully inspiring!!
What’s your Name?

Keisha Boutilier

Tell us a little about yourself!

I’m a mom to two beautiful littles. I live around Vancouver, BC but an east coaster at heart. My high school sweetheart moved to this area 7 years ago and fell in love with it. My blog is my “me time” as a new mom to two I have lots going on in life and love connecting with other moms. I love knowing that I’m not alone on this crazy road.

How many kids do you have? What are their names and ages?

Owen 7 years and Ella 8 months

How do you find your “me time”?

Right now I’m running on nap time and when my husbands home…

What is the best baby related book you’ve ever read?

I don’t have much time to get into books but parenting magazines are always my go to and blogs. Its easier for me to read short stories with busy kids!

What’s the most useful baby product you have? Why do you love it?

There are so many amazing products offered to moms now. When I had my first born there wasn’t much to choose from and you kind of went without a lot. But since having Ella I love my Aden + Anais swaddles and of course so much easier to wrap those babies up. I also use it as a feeding cover and car seat cover. 

If you could say something to yourself when you first brought home your first baby, what would you say?

And so it begins… The transition into parenthood. It was nice knowing you sleep!

How much planning did you do before your baby was born, and how do you think that it helped or didn’t help?

I did a lot for my first and little for my second. I loved the whole idea of making a plan but in reality plans go off track all the time. It became difficult until I just started to go with the flow!

What do you believe are the top three pieces of advice a new mom or someone trying to conceive should know?
  1. Don’t get discouraged
  2. Have a good support team behind you
  3. Don’t compare yourself and your stories with others.
What is your best memory so far of being a mom?

Watching my son and daughter play. It always gives me a sense of relief knowing that I’m doing a good job. Knowing that even with the large age gap they can still play and laugh. Knowing my family is complete.

Give us the short form version of your birth story.

Owen was born in a hospital with a doctor which was more stressful. He came out with a fight ending in an epidural episiotomy two hours of pushing and stitches. For both births I only had my spouse in the room with me.Ella was also a hospital but with a midwife.Much easier she came out easy peasy. No epidural no episiotomy  15 minutes of pushing and no stitches. I loved my midwife. She even let me delivery half of the way. As soon as her head and shoulders were out I got to pull her onto my chest. The most memorable moment of my life.

Lastly, for fun, define motherhood!

It’s a whirlwind of fun stress love and craziness. I have good days and I have bad days but at the end of each day theres no place that I’d rather be than with my littles. xo

To hear more from Keisha Boutilier be sure to visit her blog Loving Littles and follow her @lovinglittlesblog

NMM3-2

 

If you would like to participate in New Mom Mondays please feel free to message me by using my contact form! I would love to not only feature you on my blog but learn from your answers, as I’m sure many readers would too! 
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