How I used to walk into a pool… versus how I walk into a pool now😆 What a GIFT to experience both of these stages of life. 🎥: credit @olympics via YouTube 🎥: my dad via the neighborhood pool #olympics #swimming #momlife
I was worried I would feel split. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough of me to go around. I was worried about being postpartum with a toddler who still needs me. I’ve never felt more whole or more complete in my life. I’ve never been so sure that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. This is everything. They are everything. 📸: @keelifaith is incomparable.
I was worried I would feel split. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough of me to go around. I was worried about being postpartum with a toddler who still needs me. I’ve never felt more whole or more complete in my life. I’ve never been so sure that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. This is everything. They are everything. 📸: @keelifaith is incomparable.
I was worried I would feel split. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough of me to go around. I was worried about being postpartum with a toddler who still needs me. I’ve never felt more whole or more complete in my life. I’ve never been so sure that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. This is everything. They are everything. 📸: @keelifaith is incomparable.
I was worried I would feel split. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough of me to go around. I was worried about being postpartum with a toddler who still needs me. I’ve never felt more whole or more complete in my life. I’ve never been so sure that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. This is everything. They are everything. 📸: @keelifaith is incomparable.
I was worried I would feel split. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough of me to go around. I was worried about being postpartum with a toddler who still needs me. I’ve never felt more whole or more complete in my life. I’ve never been so sure that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. This is everything. They are everything. 📸: @keelifaith is incomparable.
I was worried I would feel split. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough of me to go around. I was worried about being postpartum with a toddler who still needs me. I’ve never felt more whole or more complete in my life. I’ve never been so sure that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. This is everything. They are everything. 📸: @keelifaith is incomparable.
I was worried I would feel split. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough of me to go around. I was worried about being postpartum with a toddler who still needs me. I’ve never felt more whole or more complete in my life. I’ve never been so sure that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. This is everything. They are everything. 📸: @keelifaith is incomparable.
I was worried I would feel split. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough of me to go around. I was worried about being postpartum with a toddler who still needs me. I’ve never felt more whole or more complete in my life. I’ve never been so sure that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. This is everything. They are everything. 📸: @keelifaith is incomparable.
I was worried I would feel split. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough of me to go around. I was worried about being postpartum with a toddler who still needs me. I’ve never felt more whole or more complete in my life. I’ve never been so sure that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. This is everything. They are everything. 📸: @keelifaith is incomparable.
When you have a newborn and all of a sudden your eldest looks like she’s ready for high school😩😭 You continue to be the light of our lives Sarah Caitlin. Thank you for being the best big sister in the world and for making this time even more special because of who you are, the love you have for your little sister, how you’re helping us, and the joy you bring to every moment of every day. I will never have words to how grateful I am to you for the mom and person you have and continue to make me.
When you have a newborn and all of a sudden your eldest looks like she’s ready for high school😩😭 You continue to be the light of our lives Sarah Caitlin. Thank you for being the best big sister in the world and for making this time even more special because of who you are, the love you have for your little sister, how you’re helping us, and the joy you bring to every moment of every day. I will never have words to how grateful I am to you for the mom and person you have and continue to make me.
When you have a newborn and all of a sudden your eldest looks like she’s ready for high school😩😭 You continue to be the light of our lives Sarah Caitlin. Thank you for being the best big sister in the world and for making this time even more special because of who you are, the love you have for your little sister, how you’re helping us, and the joy you bring to every moment of every day. I will never have words to how grateful I am to you for the mom and person you have and continue to make me.
Her disappointment every time she realizes it’s my nose and not what she thinks it is😂 In all seriousness baby girl is growing so well and I’m thankful every second of every day for a healthy baby that is thriving and getting bigger and stronger. We are so blessed🫶🏻
To be totally honest though, I could not love the “I can do it myself” stage more. Seeing her personality come out through her choices and how happy it makes her to dress herself brings me so much JOY! You are pure happiness Sarah Cait and I am soooooo lucky to be your mom. What’s your favorite thing that your babies like to “do it myself”!? #girlmom #momlife #motherhood #toddler
This past week>>> SO MUCH FAMILY TIME and my heart is so full. So many members of my husband’s family were able to come and support @marchofdimestennessee at their Champions of the Year dinner and it meant so much for them to be there as I continue to get more involved in an organization that I care so much about. It is especially meaningful to us because my husband and all of his siblings were premature, and as many of you know our first daughter Caitlin is named after Hayes’ oldest sister who was born at 23 weeks and passed away after just a few hours. I am so grateful to have been introduced to @marchofdimes and am so excited for the work I am going to get to do with them, and organization that cares above all else about healthy babies and healthy moms. Our nieces were in from out of town and we got such special time with them, and I feel like Chase and Caitlin’s sisterhood is blossoming before my eyes. SO much to be thankful for heading into Thanksgiving week🫶🏻
This past week>>> SO MUCH FAMILY TIME and my heart is so full. So many members of my husband’s family were able to come and support @marchofdimestennessee at their Champions of the Year dinner and it meant so much for them to be there as I continue to get more involved in an organization that I care so much about. It is especially meaningful to us because my husband and all of his siblings were premature, and as many of you know our first daughter Caitlin is named after Hayes’ oldest sister who was born at 23 weeks and passed away after just a few hours. I am so grateful to have been introduced to @marchofdimes and am so excited for the work I am going to get to do with them, and organization that cares above all else about healthy babies and healthy moms. Our nieces were in from out of town and we got such special time with them, and I feel like Chase and Caitlin’s sisterhood is blossoming before my eyes. SO much to be thankful for heading into Thanksgiving week🫶🏻
This past week>>> SO MUCH FAMILY TIME and my heart is so full. So many members of my husband’s family were able to come and support @marchofdimestennessee at their Champions of the Year dinner and it meant so much for them to be there as I continue to get more involved in an organization that I care so much about. It is especially meaningful to us because my husband and all of his siblings were premature, and as many of you know our first daughter Caitlin is named after Hayes’ oldest sister who was born at 23 weeks and passed away after just a few hours. I am so grateful to have been introduced to @marchofdimes and am so excited for the work I am going to get to do with them, and organization that cares above all else about healthy babies and healthy moms. Our nieces were in from out of town and we got such special time with them, and I feel like Chase and Caitlin’s sisterhood is blossoming before my eyes. SO much to be thankful for heading into Thanksgiving week🫶🏻
This past week>>> SO MUCH FAMILY TIME and my heart is so full. So many members of my husband’s family were able to come and support @marchofdimestennessee at their Champions of the Year dinner and it meant so much for them to be there as I continue to get more involved in an organization that I care so much about. It is especially meaningful to us because my husband and all of his siblings were premature, and as many of you know our first daughter Caitlin is named after Hayes’ oldest sister who was born at 23 weeks and passed away after just a few hours. I am so grateful to have been introduced to @marchofdimes and am so excited for the work I am going to get to do with them, and organization that cares above all else about healthy babies and healthy moms. Our nieces were in from out of town and we got such special time with them, and I feel like Chase and Caitlin’s sisterhood is blossoming before my eyes. SO much to be thankful for heading into Thanksgiving week🫶🏻
This past week>>> SO MUCH FAMILY TIME and my heart is so full. So many members of my husband’s family were able to come and support @marchofdimestennessee at their Champions of the Year dinner and it meant so much for them to be there as I continue to get more involved in an organization that I care so much about. It is especially meaningful to us because my husband and all of his siblings were premature, and as many of you know our first daughter Caitlin is named after Hayes’ oldest sister who was born at 23 weeks and passed away after just a few hours. I am so grateful to have been introduced to @marchofdimes and am so excited for the work I am going to get to do with them, and organization that cares above all else about healthy babies and healthy moms. Our nieces were in from out of town and we got such special time with them, and I feel like Chase and Caitlin’s sisterhood is blossoming before my eyes. SO much to be thankful for heading into Thanksgiving week🫶🏻
This past week>>> SO MUCH FAMILY TIME and my heart is so full. So many members of my husband’s family were able to come and support @marchofdimestennessee at their Champions of the Year dinner and it meant so much for them to be there as I continue to get more involved in an organization that I care so much about. It is especially meaningful to us because my husband and all of his siblings were premature, and as many of you know our first daughter Caitlin is named after Hayes’ oldest sister who was born at 23 weeks and passed away after just a few hours. I am so grateful to have been introduced to @marchofdimes and am so excited for the work I am going to get to do with them, and organization that cares above all else about healthy babies and healthy moms. Our nieces were in from out of town and we got such special time with them, and I feel like Chase and Caitlin’s sisterhood is blossoming before my eyes. SO much to be thankful for heading into Thanksgiving week🫶🏻
This past week>>> SO MUCH FAMILY TIME and my heart is so full. So many members of my husband’s family were able to come and support @marchofdimestennessee at their Champions of the Year dinner and it meant so much for them to be there as I continue to get more involved in an organization that I care so much about. It is especially meaningful to us because my husband and all of his siblings were premature, and as many of you know our first daughter Caitlin is named after Hayes’ oldest sister who was born at 23 weeks and passed away after just a few hours. I am so grateful to have been introduced to @marchofdimes and am so excited for the work I am going to get to do with them, and organization that cares above all else about healthy babies and healthy moms. Our nieces were in from out of town and we got such special time with them, and I feel like Chase and Caitlin’s sisterhood is blossoming before my eyes. SO much to be thankful for heading into Thanksgiving week🫶🏻
Things I’m doing different postpartum my second time. I am SO thankful for my first experience postpartum because of how much it taught me, and it is a blessing to be given the chance to do it a second time to see how I’ve grown and changed as a person and as a mom. 1. Spending literally as much time outside as I possibly can. Never underestimate the power of fresh air and sunshine. Whether I’m feeding her on the porch swing, walking, or playing outside with Caitlin, everything that we do right now is focused on being outside and I’m so thankful we’ve had weather that allows this to happen often. 2. Not doing everything alone. This time with my first felt very isolating and lonely, and I knew I wanted to change that this time around. Asking friends and family over for company, to go on walks, or to meet us out if I have the energy and am feeling up for it. It can be hard to find a balance between resting, having quiet one on one time with the baby, and also having company or doing activities, but I knew for me personally this time around I would want and need more people during this time, in a way that’s still safe for baby girl. 3. Getting as much quality one on one time with my eldest to fill both her and my cups up. Putting my phone down, eliminating all distractions, and being fully present with her whenever and however I can during this time, whether that’s a few minutes or a couple hours at a time, helps me continue to feel connected to her and like I’m giving both girls my best right now. 4. Not waiting until I’m already overwhelmed to ask for help. So much of the work I’ve been doing in therapy is about asking for what I need. Every day I’m doing honest gut checks with myself about how I’m feeling, what I need, and who and how I can ask for those things. I’m learning to trust myself to see the signs of becoming overwhelmed and being proactive. 5. Soaking in every second. Now having the personal experience, I ACTUALLY know how fast it goes. I’m not worried about creating bad habits or getting on a schedule. I want every minute of these newborn snuggles and can trust my gut to give my baby and myself what we need when we need it.
He just really knows how to make a moment special, you know? But truly. This man is my best friend. He has been through more over the last three years than most could imagine. It has been an absolute roller coaster of ups and downs, good news and bad news, healthy times and very sick times. I am so proud of him for how he’s handled it and after everything, still hasn’t lost that sense of humor that I love so much. I love you daddy. #grandparents #family #humor
