Archive of ‘Motherhood’ category

My Whole World

By Natalie

Here’s the thing. I don’t want my daughter to think that the whole world revolves around her. There’s roughly 7.7 billion other people on this planet. People in her life are going to do things that she doesn’t like. They’re going to have their own opinions and do things their own way and sooner or later she’s going to have to learn how to live with it. That’s why I ask her to share her toys, because I believe it starts there. Sometimes kiddos are going to take toys away from her and there isn’t always another parent around encouraging them to share. So she’s left there without the toy she chose at the library, staring at the little boy who snatched it from her hands. Rather than mumbling under my breath about it and searching angrily for that kid’s parent I teach her that it’s ok because there are other options around. Not everything is fair all the time nor is everything always going to go her way. (more…)


From Here Until Christmas

By Natalie

I lay the little girl down in her crib, my hair hanging over the rails. “Get some rest.” I tell her as I tuck the blankets in around her small body. I shut her door and make my way down the stairs. The dog follows me, then the cat, our ten legs all creaking down the steps. I clear the last of the lunch dishes, clean the cat’s litter, refill the water bowl, make a pot of coffee, check the front door for packages I may have forgotten about only to find a gift left by our realtor. Inside is a balsam fir candle and a Christmas card of her family. The back reads, “Felicity must be enjoying this time of year.” (more…)

Before You Turn One

By Natalie

My Dearest Felicity,

It feels like you’ve always been a part of us.

Tomorrow is your birthday. Before you turn one I want you to know how significant this past year has been. You’ve overcome every hurdle that stands in your way. Rolling, crawling, climbing, walking. We’ve sat alongside you for every milestone cheering you on.

I feel nostalgic for the days that have passed. Worn out from the consistency we have to uphold with you. But I also feel honored to have such a sweet snuggler for a daughter and I hope we can be everything you need us to be even if you might not think it at the moment! (more…)

Where You Were Born

By Natalie

Dearest Felicity,

Today we had to say goodbye. We visited the place where you were born and had to walk away just the same. It didn’t make too much of a difference to you but it was bittersweet for me. My heart holds on to things, unable to let them go. Today I’m grieving the loss of this birth center. Walking into the farewell party felt warm, felt like home, surrounded by dozens of women who shared in the same care that I did. Dozens of babies your age and younger crawled and played across the floor. (more…)

On My First Mother’s Day

By Natalie

She won’t remember these days but I will.

When the sun begins to rise we pop open the blinds, Felicity in my arms. A ritual we do every morning for our houseplants to get some sunlight. Sometimes we squint our eyes and I talk about how bright it is. Sometimes it’s cloudy and I tell her it looks like it’ll rain today.

I set her down in her walker. She presses the music button as I kiss her head. My hand runs through the hair on the back of her head and I think to myself how much I love her. She straightens her legs out, confidently running across the kitchen.

(more…)

An Open Letter to Baby & Co.

By Natalie

Dear Baby and Co,
I’m devastated by the news of your closing.
On July 3, 2018 I labored at home for nine hours, then walked through the doors of the Charlotte center, my belly swollen and round. Women I came to know over the past several months greeted me excitedly. I didn’t think I could do it. In that moment I thought laboring in a birth center was certainly my worst idea yet. (more…)

Baby Fried Rice

By Natalie

I had to share this easy 3 ingredient recipe I came up with for the babe. Fried rice is a staple in our household. It’s one of Brandon’s favorite meals to make. He usually fries it up with chicken, but it’s easily converted to vegetarian. In this recipe I subbed rice for cauliflower rice and I suppose it’s not technically fried but it looks like fried rice! Felicity loves each of these veggies on their own so much that I decided to combine them all and call it baby fried rice! (more…)

Life Lately

By Natalie

Felicity is still battling some separation anxiety when it comes to leaving her at church. But that’s to be expected with both Brandon and I being home with her. We’re still trying! It doesn’t bother me too much. I’ve recently taken some wisdom from a mother of eight and a mother of six, who I met in the nursing moms room. They make my new mom woes seem piddly in comparison. They both told me to give myself grace. Felicity’s all proud of herself in this photo because we were so happy she made it through a whole service!

God bless those volunteers. I’ve been in their shoes and fussy babies are a handful. (more…)

1 2 3 4 5