oh baby

Freshful Tips for Mom Life!

February 13, 2020 by Rachel 26 Comments

This post is sponsored by Gerber. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I found out I was pregnant with my first child nearly 8 years ago to this day. In that moment, I had a crystal clear version of the type of parent I would be.

My husband and I knew how we would parent. I was sure of how I would ‘make’ my children behave and I certainly knew what kind of disciplinary style I would use. I was dead set on breastfeeding and then making my own baby food with my top-of-the-market blender.

But then real-life happened. Parenting wasn’t as easy as it appeared to be. By some sort of miracle, I quickly understood that we are all just doing our best.

Making your life easier as a busy mom is crucial.

Accepting that certain concessions need to be made, as a mother, for the sake of you and your children, is crucial.

Real-Life Tips to Help You With Your Baby

I’m sharing some of my go-to tips and tricks for both new and seasoned moms.

Fed is Best

You’ve heard it over and over again — “Breast is best.” Heck, I heard it nonstop from doctors, nurses, and strangers, throughout each of my three pregnancies.

But the truth is, so much more than breastfeeding goes into breastfeeding. And it may just be that breastfeeding is testing your sanity. So don’t stress about something so trivial. Whether your child is breastfed, bottle-fed, or formula-fed, says nothing about you as a parent.

Babies Need Very Little

Based on ads and marketing, you would think you’re going to need to double the size of your house when welcoming in a new baby. That narrative is completely false.

Babies need so little. Know what they need? They need food (see above), love, diapers, and a safe space. Everything else is unnecessary.

Sure, other items can be helpful, but they really just take up space. I can count on two hands the amount of ‘bonus items’ that I used over and over again (even my first didn’t make it into his own crib or room for nearly a year).

Don’t stress if you don’t ‘have it all.’ Your baby will get everything they truly need.

Give yourself a break

This is something a new mom hears time and time again. And it’s easier said than done. But there are things that you can control and give yourself a little break.

First and foremost, you’re doing a good job. Sleep is minimal and the crying just won’t stop, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t doing a good job. Just survive this stage and know you’re a great parent.

Second, recognize now that everyone has been in this exact same position. Every one of us has felt like they are struggling to get by. Remember that every day for the rest of your parenting ‘career.’

Third, remove all expectations of what you expected to be like as a parent. Things are different now.

Perfect Moms Are Fake

Louder for the people in the back — Perfect moms are not real!

Sure, it would be awesome to have all of this time to make Pinterest-worthy pretty bento box lunches for our school-aged children and to puree our own baby food, but that’s just not realistic.

The reality is that our lives are much more chaotic. Stop focusing on the things you can do ‘from scratch,’ be it cookies for the preschool party, Valentine’s Day cards, and even baby food. These entrees are SO from Gerber are so convenient.

Look for trusted products like Gerber® Freshful Start™ to reduce the stress of mealtime

Mealtime equals chaos in my life. The school-aged kids are picky and the baby demands food now. Instead of making my own baby food, I looked to Gerber® Freshful Start™.

Gerber® Freshful Start™ offers high-quality, fresh tasting, cooked with love foods that are free of preservatives and GMOs! These always-organic baby and toddler foods are so fresh tasting they need to remain refrigerated.

This product line ranges from Homestyle Purees for the Sitter Stage to Veggie Entrees for toddlers. Both are prepared in minutes and make it easy for me when I’m dealing with the chaos of feeding a family of 5.

You can pick up the Gerber® Freshful Start™ line at your local Meijer store in the refrigerated section of the baby food aisle!

Because being the perfect mom is totally overrated. Be the mom that has happy, healthy, and well-fed children. Most of all remember this: We’re all just doing our best.

Tomorrow, A Toddler

June 19, 2019 by Rachel 6 Comments

Tonight I kissed my last baby goodnight for the very last night she’ll be a baby. Tomorrow she will wake up and be ONE! A TODDLER! ??

This is a pretty bittersweet moment for me. I’m excited that we (pretty successfully) survived our first year as a family of 5, but I’m going to miss those newborn snuggles.

I also recently realized that I’m officially classified as a “seasoned mom” these days. People ask me for advice (though I’m quick not to give it) and my go-to message is this — Expect nothing and everything, all the time.

For instance, this photo shoot. I attempted it outdoors, and Meebs shot me down FAST. Then, during her nap time, I set it up downstairs. And she REFUSED to sit down. She was so clingy and as soon as I’d set her down, she screamed and cried and crawled to my lap. These are the best shots I got. And one of them has me in it (or at least my arm) ??‍♀️.

With that, tomorrow is a new day. And it marks 365 days since our family became complete. ❤️

Happy birthday, Mila Rose — Meebs. — Weebs. We love you a bushel and a peck.

Outfit courtesy of @reverie.gifts.xo — HANDMADE!

One Year Out // My Third Postpartum Journey

June 18, 2019 by Rachel 3 Comments

It’s hard to believe that one year ago today I was… anxious. Anxious and excited. I was beyond ready to meet our final and missing piece. It would still be two more days of waiting before Miss Mila Rose made her way into the world. And I spent these days doing a lot of walking and a lot of impatiently awaiting the start of labor.

But let’s back up — because if you had asked me if I wanted to have any more children after Remy was born 3.5 years ago, I would have emphatically said “Hell to the no.” And I’m not certain what changed. But at some point, I realized that our family needed a little bit more craziness. Enter our 3rd (and final) pregnancy.

Looking back on those last moments as a family of 4, I realize that, although I was anxious, I was also calm. I was ready — perhaps more ready than I’d ever been to tackle labor. I knew my body was capable of handling a rough 24-hours or so, all to help this beautiful new creature enter the world.

But what I didn’t realize at the time is that my postpartum experience would be drastically different this third time around. I was heavily prepared to be on the struggle bus shortly after delivery.

When I was okay, I decided not to hold my breath. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. But it didn’t. At least, not really. Or not in the same way as before.

And as I round out these last couple of days with my final baby, I’m celebrating the fact that we did it — we made it through our last postpartum period. Hoorayyyy!! Now let me snuggle my last ever newborn for just a teeeeeensy bit longer! Thursday will be here before I know it. ♥ ♥

Mila Rose // 10 + 11 Months

May 30, 2019 by Rachel 13 Comments

Guys — SO much has changed in just TWO MONTHS! I seriously don’t even know how it’s possible. Perhaps it’s the fact that Mila is my last baby, or perhaps it’s the fact that she’s a joyous baby in general… but time is flying and I’m over here just crying, y’all! I didn’t mean to go two months without updating on Mila, but things happened and I got distracted (as life goes).

The reason I haven’t been able to update is that we had ALL THINGS SICKNESS going on — again! Remy had another TWO UTIs and Mila had another ear infection followed by a 6-day fever of 104 degrees.

No worries — we’re on the mend now.

But here’s what you’ve missed in the last two months…

On The Move //

Girlfriend is MOBILE! Considering how late Remy began to walk, I was not at all hopeful that this baby would walk early. But she is walking around furniture and with help (ie. fingers or a walker). I’m eating it up and I just know she’ll be walking, unassisted, before I know it!

A Strong Will //

Remy always was and always will be my number one drama queen, but over the last two months, I’ve noticed a ‘spunk’ in Mila that cannot be ignored. She wants what she wants and she doesn’t want what she doesn’t want. As I navigate motherhood, I’m beginning to truly respect this aspect. Sure, it’s difficult, but isn’t all of motherhood? So as I see these little pieces of strong will shine through, I keep wondering what our future holds.

Stay tuned, friends!

Boob + Food //

This chick loves all of the food! Between nursing and real food, she’s practically eating nonstop. She will nurse in the morning, once again mid-morning, followed by a jar of food and some puffs, then nurses again before naptime, nurses after naptime, then will eat two jars of food and yogurt/puffs after naptime, more nursing before bedtime, and then sleeps. I feel like my life revolves around providing her with food!

Her favorite foods are peach puffs, pear and oatmeal baby food, and Annie’s Organic Mac and Cheese! I honestly don’t remember giving my big kids mac and cheese until they were about 18 months, but Mila sees them eating it now and needs it! So I just cut it up and she will seriously eat an entire bowl!

Sleep //

I still count myself lucky. She’s still a decent sleeper. During times of crisis (ie. 104 fever and double-ear infection), she has wanted to be awake with me in the middle of the night; but other times she sleeps through the entire night. So yep. I’m definitely lucky.

Weight + Height //

Soooo she’s still a peanut. Despite her very healthy appetite, she is in the 6th percentile for weight.

Y’all, I get comments all the time about how tiny she is. But I guess my kids are just tiny? Cause she won’t. stop. eating!

Truthfully, I’m not sure how tall she is, because I pretty much check out after the weight portion. But she’s not tall. Ha!

Health //

Despite the double-ear infections, she is quite healthy. She’s my first baby to ever have an ear infection (let alone, 3!), so that’s been a bit jarring, but we’ve really rolled with it.

When she developed a high fever last week, I was super concerned. Neither Ari nor Remy have ever developed a high fever (I truly think they are not kids that really get fevers), so I was extra concerned. We ended up in Urgent Care on day 4, where they diagnosed her with a general virus; but by day 6 I decided it was time to see our pediatrician. He diagnosed her with a specific virus — Hand Foot and Mouth Disease — based on three sores found near her tonsils. I was surprised but somehow relieved that we had an answer. And two days later all symptoms were gone.

Favorites //

Her favorite people are her brother and sister — hands down. She lights up whenever she sees them and I totally love it.

Other favorites include her (outdoor) swing, her binky, trying new foods, nodding yes, and waving bye-bye.

If you need me in the next month, you can find me crying into my coffee (or wine) about how my last baby will be turning one at any moment. ♥ ♥

Taking A Moment To Find Myself // My 3rd Postpartum Journey

May 13, 2019 by Rachel 13 Comments

I needed this Mother’s Day in ways that I cannot even convey to you. Just Saturday, I was a broken down mother — exhausted from the grind, full of self-doubt and self-pity. But late Saturday evening, I purchased a pass to Balance + Brews at Royal Docks in Canton.

Balance + Brews is a group of local yoga teachers that do pop up classes in craft breweries throughout Northeast Ohio. I’ve been meaning to show up for a class for years, but there was always a reason I couldn’t make it. In fact, this time I almost self-sabotaged — I almost decided not to go because I was afraid of going alone. But I bought the ticket anyway. I committed.

And as I was driving down the highway completely alone, blasting music from my college days, I realized… I needed this. I honestly cannot tell you the last time I went further than Target (which is about a half mile) in the car without a child.

And then to have a meal completely alone? It just sealed the deal for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my children. But the weight of always being “on” has really taken a toll lately. It took me until Sunday to realize just how much I missed being with my most authentic self. And in those moments of ~~screaming~~ singing Thursday songs at the top of my lungs, I made a vow to make myself a priority. Starting now.

So to all of the mama’s out there who are struggling to find their new identity, I see you. If you can, go ahead and take a drive, blast that music, and remember who you are.

And Happy (Belated) Mother’s Day.

My Name is Rachel… and I’m Suffering from Postpartum Depression + Anxiety… Again.

May 1, 2019 by Rachel 5 Comments

My name is Rachel…

I am a mom.

I am a runner.

I am a supporter of local businesses.

I am a coffee addict.

I am a fan of craft IPAs.

I am a lover of yummy food.

…and I am a postpartum depression and anxiety survivor.

Lately, it’s been a bit hard to talk about, which is unusual for me. But there have been many days where I have really struggled as of late.

The feelings came on much later this time around. I got really comfortable with the idea that I would be spared this time around. I was wrong. And that’s okay.

See, I really want to be all of these things WITHOUT also having the PPD/A, but (at least for now) it’s a part of my life. Personally, I know I’ll get through this. I know I’ll survive. But for now, I’ll be dealing with this unwelcome guest — the one who comes and goes as she pleases; the one who shows up at unexpected moments; the one who lingers for longer than I’d like. But I’ll get through this. I’ve been through it twice before and I’ll get through it again.

If you are struggling with postpartum depression and/anxiety PLEASE seek help. And if you want someone to talk to or cry to, shoot me a DM. ❤️

You are NOT alone!