Real Talk Mothering

…a mother of a newborn (4 weeks old) and toddler. I know this is a common experience for many mothers but I wanted to record my own unique experience.   ***Disclaimers: I know I am privileged in many ways and a lot of moms have it way harder than this. I know I am privileged to be able to stay home with my children and depend on my husband’s single income to support all of us. I know some women are single moms who have to work multiple jobs and don’t get to see much of their children. I know some moms have more than 2 kids to balance and it is way more chaotic and they’re very burned out and don’t even have time to write down their thoughts and experiences. I know I shouldn’t complain because I conceived these 2 children naturally without having to pay for expensive fertility treatments. I know I “asked for this” because I chose to have 2 children with my husband.   NEVERTHELESS, this stage of motherhood is still hard and I am still tired and imperfect, and I have the urge to ...

Coming home from the hospital with a toddler, my mom, husband, and baby…is all about balancing meeting everyone’s needs. It's a complex new dynamic of navigating ever-fluctuating moods, energy levels and bodily functions.  We all have the basic needs to sleep, eat food, drink water, use the bathroom, and do personal hygiene.  We all have social needs of connection, attention, and appreciation from each other and with other family and friends.  We all have physical needs for movement and recreation (especially our toddler).  T he adults each have work to attend to - my husband's job and church calling, my business and church calling, mom’s writing association and insurance sales - and intellectual stimulation needs like reading news and for me, writing my thoughts.  My husband and I have spiritual needs to read scriptures and pray together everyday.  There are communal household needs like washing dishes, doing laundry, tidying up, buying and prepping...

I have 2 children. Their birth experiences could not have been more different - one was medicated and one was all natural. I thought it'd be helpful to share both so others can be more informed about their birth options.  But first! I want to dedicate this blog post to Jessica Pumple  whose Youtube channel Pregnancy and Postpartum TV made all the difference in my 2nd much improved birth and recovery experience. I discovered her channel about 4 months after my first baby was born and the simple exercises shrunk my belly down to pre-pregnancy size by 7 months postpartum. There are way more videos/resources on her channel and website than I could ever use, so I pretty much stuck to her channel except for this PopSugar pregnancy workout I used in my 1st pregnancy and these other channels I discovered in the last month of my 2nd pregnancy that were helpful:  Bridget Teyler Diana in the Pink Sarah Lavonne It is so easy to be overwhelmed by all the advice out there so I only u...

I’m 10 days into the newborn stage with my second child and it’s my least favorite stage.   I honestly cannot understand how anyone can say, “enjoy the newborn stage!” I love my baby - this precious beautiful new human under my care. I love my husband - the hardworking devoted man who is trying his best everyday to support me and our family. I love my toddler - who is brilliantly hilarious and adorable, and adjusting pretty well to her world shift. I love my mom - who so willingly disrupted her own busy schedule for weeks to help me through this transition. I love my community of generous kind friends and family who are supporting us through meals, gifts, prayers, texts, and calls.   I love my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with so many prayers answered, tender mercies, comforts, and conveniences.   But I’m too tired and in too much pain to enjoy the newborn stage, like so many people are encouraging me to do. I want it to pass as quickly as possi...