Healthy Chicks

Dear mama,

Yup, I’m taking to you. In case you’ve been doubting yourself lately, here’s a simple reminder that you are totally, 100% rocking it. 

Whether you work full time or you’re a SAHM, you are enough. Maybe you put your kiddos in daycare, hire part-time help or stay home with your little one every day, but at the end of the day that choice is yours.

You may have one kid or five kids, a newborn or pre-schoolers, and you’re a total rockstar regardless. Being a mom is a lot of work. Maybe you breastfeed or formula feed, co-sleep or sleep in separate rooms, but only you know what’s best for you and your littles.

You lost all the “baby weight” in two weeks? High five! You still have a ways to go? You go girl! Your body is a freakin’ miracle. Whether you birthed at home or had a C-section or opted for an epidural or went med-free or adopted, it doesn’t matter. You matter.

If you managed to get to yoga class, cook a homemade meal and work your 9-5 job, you are superwoman. If the only thing you got done today is … Read More!

As I mentioned earlier in this post, I’ve been craving less doing and more self-care. In fact, my word for 2019 is flow. Like water, my intention is for my life to flow freely — welcoming in abundance, new friendships and this life as a new mama with ease.  Life doesn’t have to be a constant hustle.

One area that’s been creating a blockage in the day-to-day flow is social media, specifically the amount of time I spend perusing instagram. While I think there are many wonderful things about the world of the web, I also think it can be distracting (look at all these shiny things!), draining and a rabbit hole for the comparison trap.

While I’ve been feeling this way for quite some time and have every intention to step away a bit from social media, in all honesty when it comes down to actually doing it I struggle (especially since I do it on the side for a living). I can say I’ll do it and intend to do it with every ounce of my being, but at the end of the day technology can be addicting.

In fact, tech companies know this and have even … Read More!

Last year mommy was wishing for me — she even received an ornament that said just “Believe.” Little did you know, I was already on the way, a magical journey just like Santa’s sleigh.

“It’s a Christmas miracle,” mommy shouted when she took the test. I was just a tiny poppyseed then, so I don’t really remember the rest. This Christmas, you get to actually hold me in your arms nice and tight, as the stars twinkle all through the night.

You took me to this place with a warm fire & lots of different shaped trees. “That’s the one!” daddy pointed and shouted with glee! I may have been sleeping for most of the trip, but I still had fun sucking my thumb and minding my own business.

Daddy likes the colored lights just like me, decorated with pretty ornaments on our Christmas Tree. This year I get special ones made with my name — Isabella Rose — and they twinkle in the night just like Rudolph’s red nose. When you feed me in the morning we listen to Christmas songs like Santa Claus is Coming to Town, but I’d have to say my very favorite is the album … Read More!

I can’t believe it’s almost been 3 months since we welcomed our beautiful little girl into this world. Suddenly the 48+ hours of painful contractions and early all-nighter feeding frenzies are a daze, and I now understand how people have more than one kid!

While much of my experience is hazy, one thing I know is certain: my experience wouldn’t have been nearly as sweet without my angel of a doula, Emma O’Brien of Lavandoula.

Not only did she answer all of my crazy pregnancy questions (Um, is that normal?! How will I know when it’s really go-time?), but she stayed with us throughout my lengthy labor. She even spent the night on our couch to console me during my painful back labor and helped me advocate for myself when the doctor wanted to induce me early due to a high blood pressure false alarm.

Seriously, she’s a superhero in my eyes! Not to mention, we bonded over our love affair with bone broth and essential oils.

When I told people I hired a doula, I received a mix of excitement and skepticism. A do-what? So I decided to interview my doula Emma to chat about the day … Read More!

Dear mama, you are enough.

You are doing better than you think you are doing! I know you are new at this mom thing, but I am new at this too. Let’s learn together! You feed me yummy milk around the clock, and I’m putting on lots of weight! In fact, I even have some rolls which you and daddy think are “cute.”

The other day when I coughed and gagged a little while you were feeding me, I could tell you were scared. But I wasn’t choking, I was just clearing my throat because the milk was coming out a little fast. As I get a little older, I’m learning how to slow down and swallow better.

Yesterday when I had my 2 month shots I think it was harder on you than it was on me. That thing the lady jabbed into my thigh really pinched, but your big warm hug made me feel a lot better and I feel like a brand new baby after that long nap. I promise I’m OK, and the bandaids look kind of cool, don’t you think?

I know taking care of me isn’t easy and sometimes you feel sad and wonder … Read More!

When you’re discharged from the hospital and sent home with mesh undies (which are actually kind of fabulous, BTW), a sitz bottle and a new baby, “normal” is the last word to describe how it feels.

Not to mention you’re sleep deprived, overly emotional (those baby blues are no joke), and now in charge of taking care of this tiny beautiful human around the clock. Um, give this girl a glass of wine! But wait, you can’t really have one of those just yet either.

While you will never be the same — hello, you just birthed a baby — there are little things you can do to help you feel a bit more like yourself again.

Here are 11 tips that have helped me throughout the postpartum recovery process so far!

1. Sneak in Alone Time

Carving out time for yourself is crucial for your wellbeing! During the early days, this looked like hiding in the bathroom with a sitz bath, calming music and a candle lit.

Nowadays, it’s little things like taking an extra long shower, napping when the baby goes down for hers, or going on a solo walk. Find time to be alone with yourself … Read More!

When I told my mom I was pregnant, one of her first questions was, “What’s your theme going to be?” “My what?” “Your theme…for your nursery.” Needless to say, I hadn’t quite thought about it.

But after a little research and Pinteresting, I landed on woodland animal. I really liked that it was gender neutral, and I mean how adorable are the little critters? I absolutely love how our nursery came together, and it suits our little Isabella Rose perfectly.

Here are 6 must-haves to complete your woodland animal themed baby nursery!

1. A Cozy Blanket

A cozy blanky is a must to complete any baby’s room. I love this handmade fleece blanket my sister got us from Etsy. It’s perfect for snuggling up, and has the most adorable design!

2. Treetop Friends Playmat

Playmats are great for baby’s development, and this one fits the woodland theme perfectly! This Treetop Friends Activity Mat by Skip Hop has 17 developmental activities, and comes in a beautiful grey/pastel or green/brown.

Baby loves hanging in here after feeding, and playing with her little bird friends.

3. Woodland Forest Mobile

Our baby loves laying in her crib and watching her little animal friends … Read More!

They say to sleep when the baby sleeps, but sometimes I can’t help but stare at our little love while she dreams. I also have this inner need to be “superwoman” and clean the house/make the food/wash the clothes/do all the things when I get a window.

This goes on for a few days, when it hits you like a ton of bricks: the sleep deprivation of motherhood is real, folks.

True life: On week 2, I was so tired that I mistakenly rubbed butt balm on my boobs before a feeding instead of the similarly packaged nipple butter. All I can say is thank goodness for organic ingredients and the kind lady on the phone from Poison Control!

As Isabella and I get into our groove, I’ve realized my self care needs to be a priority including sleep. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup and let’s just say for a while I was running on empty.

One of our favorite new routines? Morning nap time after her early feeding! Her in the DockATot Deluxe+ baby lounger and me on the chase lounge next to her. Baby girl is super comfy and stays asleep for hours, and … Read More!