https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog daily 0.75 2023-07-06 https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/i-got-what-i-wanted-and-i-wanted-what-i-got-a-vbac-story-part-2 monthly 0.5 2023-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1688658939510-IZP87EJPR4R2B32I26G7/IMG_2781.jpeg Blog - I Got What I Wanted and I Wanted What I Got: a VBAC Story Part 2 - It seemed like it took forever for the NICU team to arrive–really it was probably less than two minutes. Once they were in the room, I gave all my energy to one last push and felt a distinct expulsion of head, then body–and my baby girl was here! 30 hours of labor and 45 minutes of pushing, and she was finally here. I cried. I had a daughter. We had done it–we got our VBAC! Chelsey cut the cord and Madelyn was placed on my chest. Shortly after, I gave baby girl to Chelsey because I was super nauseous–I ended up puking. It took me a while to recover and not feel weak and shaky, so the golden hour I imagined was a little less golden than anticipated. Meanwhile, the doctor was still working down between my legs–I knew she was stitching up a tear and I was again grateful for the epidural. I finally asked what the damage was–a 3rd degree (which means it extended into the perineal muscle.) My daddy used to call me his princess; it was something I never fully understood until I had a daughter. The first time the nickname slipped out of my mouth, it took me by surprise (as it often does when we hear our parents’s words come through our own voice). But it was in that moment that I fully understood the sentiment behind it, and it fully illuminated the love my dad had had for me all my life. The hours and days that followed Madeyln’s arrival are a story for another blog. She has been living on her own terms since before she was born *cough cough, being 8 days late* and I could not imagine having my daughter any other way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1688658952946-JO9FKYITCCV6J4M7UBI9/IMG_2600.jpeg Blog - I Got What I Wanted and I Wanted What I Got: a VBAC Story Part 2 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/5991fb6f-42fe-412a-ba1f-4a0ea2fcf1e7/IMG_2763.jpeg Blog - I Got What I Wanted and I Wanted What I Got: a VBAC Story Part 2 - MakAt this point I had been in labor for over 12 hours. Aside from the back and forth of the c-section discussion, labor was going as I had expected. As I had hoped, I was able to be put on a wireless monitor so that I could move around. I asked for a birthing ball and was given one. The nurses were incredible. They checked on me continuously and kept me informed at every step. Around hour fifteen (8pm), the contractions started to intensify. I decided to take the IV meds; my goal was to avoid an epidural. An epidural meant being confined to the bed and giving birth on my back. The meds took the edge off of the contractions and I was able to labor more comfortably. I attempted to get some sleep. The most comfortable position I could configure was putting up the head of the bed, kneeling facing it, and burying my head into the mattress. When the doctor came in at 12:30AM (hour 19), I had dilated to 3 cm; a foley bulb was not necessary. I continued to labor, asking for another dose of IV meds. Daylight savings time added an extra hour to my labor as 2am became 1am. By the second 2am of the day, my contractions were becoming unbearable. I had been unable to talk or move during them for some time, but now my legs were spasming with each contraction. I felt so out of control of my body. Mentally, I was also going to a dark place. The world felt fuzzy around the edges. I asked for another dose of IV meds. The nurse explained that those meds essentially had a half life–they would eventually stop working. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/qmy4f8ewnjm924ukiub2euzphul6l8 monthly 0.5 2023-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/48494fe1-96c8-4d70-bd92-4265ffbb46e2/5B8E5578-F254-4B8C-B4D2-C9E8EF096972.JPG Blog - I Got What I Wanted and I Wanted What I Got: a VBAC Story - I had been doing it all: raspberry leaf tea, dates, curb walking. We joked that if baby girl came early, she was Chelsey’s; if she came late, she was mine. Baby girl was not only not interested in arriving early, but she missed her due date by a whole 8 days. Stubborn–definitely mine! At 40 weeks and two days, I had my weekly OB appointment, and finally let the doctor do a cervical check to see if I was dilated. I had been told previously that they wouldn’t be comfortable letting me go much beyond 41 weeks. To my disappointment, I was not at all dolled. I asked to return later in the week to check again, to hopefully avoid scheduling a C-section. I was hoping to have a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) experience. So I returned to the doctor later that week, at 40 weeks and five days. To my dismay, I was still not dilated. We planned a C-section for the following Tuesday. The doctor said that I still might dilate before then on my own, but it would be unlikely. I felt so many emotions: disappointed that I wouldn’t get to TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean, the first step to a potential VBAC); defeated, like my body was letting me down; glad to have an “end in sight” so we could meet our little girl. I left the office thinking I was going to double down on everything I had been doing already to try and help my body ease into a natural labor. I felt alright about the plan we had in place. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/fpr0cp7pt10xpllm9j2ytl9x7twpzs monthly 0.5 2023-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/d35f6d81-3c14-4706-af9e-ab3dd633b011/image_67237889.JPG Blog - If you give a mom a (lactation) cookie… - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/4d05dcb5-2fb8-4797-847f-5b7799f53045/IMG_4768.jpg Blog - If you give a mom a (lactation) cookie… - Because what if. So I’ve started pumping for less time— which is actually nice when I’m at work, because pumping can be terribly isolating. And it’s also nice at home, because it makes it much more manageable to balance with the kids. However, it almost seems like my boobs have decided they need to be more efficient since there is less time—which means I’m still getting quite a bit of milk. (And thus, the anxiety cycle starts all over again). I am hoping to be back to full time breastfeeding by summer. In the meantime, I wanted to keep it real with you. I know I’m not alone in this, and I wanted to remind you that neither are you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/ca054393-6cb0-4e1b-8afc-a9dc15dd0f9a/IMG_4104.jpg Blog - If you give a mom a (lactation) cookie… - I’ve found that this end of things has its own anxieties. For me, it goes something like this: on average, my pumping sessions yield about twice what my daughter eats in a feeding. So I’ve built a great freezer stash. So great, that it has taken over the entire freezer. So great that we needed to get a chest freezer to hold it all (shout out to Becky and Joe for coming to the rescue!). And while all that seems wonderful, every time I open the freezer and see all of the milk, I am reminded that my daughter won’t reliably nurse. I am reminded of all the times she sobbed at the breast—all the times I sobbed right along with her. I thought I was doing everything right, this second time around, but still, it wasn’t going well. And every time I have to freeze another bag of milk, I am reminded of that. It feels more like a failure than a victory when I look at my stash. Every time I have to buy more milk storage bags, I feel panicky, because OMG didn’t we just buy these two weeks ago?! And then I start doing panic math, which never amounts to anything good (a little math humor there for you.) https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/always-be-my-baby monthly 0.5 2022-10-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1667153827354-BX6ETU4G180PL75G2WZY/IMG_2706.jpg Blog - Always be my Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1667153828477-0CRP10T8EABUN1KHUGDV/IMG_2703.jpg Blog - Always be my Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1667153827862-TI3FPJ8K8BGB7G8VTC9G/IMG_2704.jpg Blog - Always be my Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1667153826837-O99ESUFUMA2EHMRH0PEE/IMG_2705.jpg Blog - Always be my Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1667153733821-7SJY2OMRABUS7KFFBLZF/IMG_2681.jpg Blog - Always be my Baby - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1667153429333-WENF4KW7OFWUQTDWCSOC/IMG_2697.jpg Blog - Always be my Baby - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1667153611184-KL09F22TT03Z5I8ZW7N2/IMG_2678.jpg Blog - Always be my Baby - *Claps and says “yay, woohoo” when something favorable happens. This includes when he won’t nap and we go into the room to get him *Checks on tiptoe to see if there is food left on mamas’ dinner plates, because he knows that we need to be finished eating before we will play *Says “eat eat” when he sees something he would like to eat *Says “oh mo” (oh no) *Looks at himself in reflections and says “hey me” or “hey Rett” *When sitting at traffic lights, will say, “Red” then, “Green, go go” when the light turns *Says “excuse me” after he burps, except his sound for that is “mi mi”. We know this because he also says it when standing behind us on the couch and pushing us off so he can get through. At least he’s polite about it! But he also uses it to ask someone to move (without pushing them!) *One of my favorite things he says is “Thank you, mama” *He loves driving through tunnels, which he calls “Nuh-nahl” *He says “happy” when he is feeling happy. It sounds more like “heh-ppy” and it’s just too darn cute. *He calls any kind of sauce or dip “bup-bup” Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/breastfeeding monthly 0.5 2022-08-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1659838250048-Z0K1M9GYOXNC561PYX1E/IMG_1416.jpg Blog - Breastfeeding - From the time I found out I was pregnant with my first, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I had no experience with it; I knew next to nothing, except that it had a lot of benefits for my baby, and I wanted to try it. I took the class. I learned the things. But I was not prepared for it, mentally and emotionally. It was strange and beautiful…and not as easy as I thought it would be. While still in the hospital, we struggled with latching. I was given a nipple shield by the lactation consultant—something I had never heard of in the breastfeeding class. Something that ended up being really helpful, and that, unbeknownst to me, would be a part of our entire breastfeeding journey. Things didn’t magically get easier when we came home. Not only was I exhausted, but as a first time mom, I was getting used to the urgency with which I felt my child needed me. I felt like I was married to the clock—every two hours, every three hours—nurse, diaper, sleep, repeat. And then there was witching hour. And cluster feeding. And the position that had been working didn’t seem to be working anymore. And that damn nipple shield felt like a real pain in the ass. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1659840419151-C6XOJP9FPW1REEHYBQPD/IMG_1420.jpg Blog - Breastfeeding https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1659840419166-EXTGW08STSW1X5KUM6Y4/IMG_1417.jpg Blog - Breastfeeding https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1659843218943-L5VEW359Z2NR45UC0S2E/IMG_1423.jpg Blog - Breastfeeding - The greatest relief came when the school year ended and I no longer had to pump. The following fall, my supply was decreasing and I was working on weaning from pumping. I’d like to say that my last pump was bittersweet, but it was mostly just sweet. I was so happy to be done. My anxiety from the entire experience had really made me bitter about being at work (along with already being amidst some of the toughest years on teaching on record). So as you can imagine, I carry quite a bit of anxiety with me as I head into the final trimester with baby number 2, knowing that I am once again planning to breastfeed. I am hoping for a little smoother journey from the start. I am also devastated to know I will be going back about a month sooner than I did with Everett, so our establishing and settling in period is going to be shorter. Due to accepting a new job, I don’t qualify for FMLA or short-term disability. Financially, 12 unpaid weeks just isn’t possible for us. Chelsey has no paternity leave either (seriously, U.S—GET IT TOGETHER). https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/pregnancy-after-loss-and-a-rainbow-baby monthly 0.5 2022-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652038888260-CS34VJTY9HZ7DAOXAGH8/IMG-1715.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652038889065-MDT5GLQZQJBH5QK2JZJR/IMG-9929.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039056405-8D4M094TKO097LINZ6S4/IMG-9031.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039056331-54S7UAWBUY0ULEJOEUTW/IMG-9113.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039220201-H7WFUQM7Q048ZYL5TE1B/IMG-9308.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039098694-3CT5Y3Y6412Z4HBRIAQB/IMG-9135.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039097539-RWETFYXE3H89AZEN8S2E/IMG-9139.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039100457-IQ1B3X68SOJYZHWCQL1P/IMG-9144.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039102231-XOPYXWSK2S77KGUOW6DN/IMG-9143.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039298419-6GI1OZBFO2LEM1B24EMP/IMG-9707.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039299687-PITAF7HI808EN54JNXVU/IMG-9809.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039687753-5WWIC401RQARC8PUDW8Q/IMG-9498.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1652039688215-2DRU2R4UJOM082DVMZFO/IMG-9511.jpg Blog - Pregnancy After Loss and a Rainbow Baby https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/toddler-time-passes-in-phases monthly 0.5 2022-05-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650314439887-EZOA9MI6VREAE7JCG2AT/IMG_8881.jpg Blog - Toddler Time Passes in Phases https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650314440617-EQC2JO18XNH2E79WWPAZ/IMG_8125.jpg Blog - Toddler Time Passes in Phases https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650314441999-2AS65O9V194YF2D25V1J/IMG_7799.jpg Blog - Toddler Time Passes in Phases https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650314442352-E434EM6HQ1S2GN148HZ1/IMG_1598.JPEG Blog - Toddler Time Passes in Phases https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650314443095-L34J77S3SNFGO8RGC7C2/IMG_9838.jpg Blog - Toddler Time Passes in Phases https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650314443955-C1MUDR6QFWC3VGA3JKMO/IMG_1646.jpeg Blog - Toddler Time Passes in Phases https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650314388170-PDQCBZ2M3Q0HXCJA09WZ/IMG_7525.jpg Blog - Toddler Time Passes in Phases - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/0crqhn7fjpvk7rfvonkpiyr9ohuts0 monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645990460058-6CQC2CEF8VOSWVR5IXPW/IMG_7090.jpeg Blog - Annual Review - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645990654350-HUZQTFXSXYKYCSR80O2O/blogger-plus-a9538b7b-bceb-4060-881d-64b481007859..jpg Blog - Annual Review - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645990551088-NKOGZYX3VCQQT70U8SHW/IMG_7186.jpeg Blog - Annual Review https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645990551117-J47Y8TNMZAYNYJF63GP5/IMG_7188.jpeg Blog - Annual Review https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/2h7zz7aoau4s6eitzsj56qxj4gq8gx monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645990192781-753TAA85KS8CX85DBD8V/IMG_5976.jpeg Blog - 9, 10, Begin Again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645990192808-3H0T9R86H1AG6DEPSBBI/IMG_6188.jpeg Blog - 9, 10, Begin Again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645990193389-V3UDD5BXR8XTHTGJTTXF/IMG_6215.jpeg Blog - 9, 10, Begin Again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645990193407-WGF8GO59YT4JQII2NDSL/IMG_6233.jpeg Blog - 9, 10, Begin Again https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/yzl3dwvv3owbbu3wbjjbsx5au82hma monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645989704018-PKG10YPS60T697ATY2LP/IMG_9424.jpg Blog - Going for Gold - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645989627469-NI352BI73N58PO9KYGZN/IMG_9423.jpg Blog - Going for Gold - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/hn7bzgm7r79qha0hmzga35uz0g88cy monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645988475869-XJJZAPK01TKD8WQ07AW5/IMG_3581.jpeg Blog - Half Year, Full Awesome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645988475879-O024QYDU6T7R4VJO8SZ5/IMG_4046.jpeg Blog - Half Year, Full Awesome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645988627573-LW8740Z36V9WY02H300N/IMG_3993.jpeg Blog - Half Year, Full Awesome - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645988315728-10E7T0HBH47KIOIIERNC/IMG_4072.jpeg Blog - Half Year, Full Awesome - I got my first piece of unsolicited advice from a stranger regarding how to take care of my child. After a long day of fussing and not being able to get him to nap, I threw Everett in the carrier and we went for a walk. It was a beautiful day. I knew the walk would put him to sleep in short order, and would also be great for me. I walked and walked, and then I got tired, so I sat on a bench. A few older ladies strolled by, and one felt compelled to tell me that I needed to put something on him so he didn't get sunburned. Looking back, I really wish I would have said, "No thank you, I like him extra crispy." But instead I said the truth, "Yep, it's on my list." But getting him to sleep was higher on my list. And he didn't get sunburned. Benefits of a global health crisis: it took 6 months to be told by a stranger how I should be taking care of my child! 6 months. I have a 6 month old in my house. I am unsure about how this happened. How has it been half a year? He is 15lbs 2 oz and 26 3/4 inches tall. He has two teeth and a whole lot of personality! Being home with him over Spring Break for 10 days was an absolute gift. It also gave me lots of time to reflect on the past 6 months. Here are some thoughts to share. Being a parent changes you. It changes everything. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/x6co5pn3ju9ifyj678ppc6rkkrny7d monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645934238015-XGDINZVC3DQ3STDAPMKJ/IMG_3048.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out Leakage. It's a thing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933744226-W2EEIV1OLE9GM87938E1/IMG_3446.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out Working on finding balance and making sure to find time to do the things I love. I ran for the first time in over a year last weekend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933882355-5L7LBNUS532I124DR4X1/IMG_3090.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out Little mister is very curious about how the grown ups and drink! It reminds me of this scene in Friends: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645934143441-40CV0NEXYJHN4U2J76IW/63624392743__EC42BB32-B929-48E4-86B6-A62B740F8372.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out At first glance, this seems to be a sweet picture of us going for a walk. But actually it was an hour and a half past his nap time. And he wouldn't. go. down. So we tried some fresh air. Thankfully, it worked! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645934051028-6BK5QN391PEMGLPW4ZG8/IMG_2992.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out Being parents in a pandemic is also challenging. Here we are at his 4 month check up--still only one parent allowed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933925582-3ZF2OWXQY5FQN8P9JJ2H/joey.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out https://favim.com/joey+doesn%E2%80%99t+share+food/ Except I'm a mom now, so I'm pretty sure I share everything, always, for the rest of my life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933802251-3PAM48ARL5F54FVR1Y0C/IMG_3100.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out Just casually pumping in my car, in a parking structure, as it dawned on me that even though grandma was watching mister mister, the milk still had to go somewhere! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645934193811-FO1Y72EDXQ0YLHVF7YLS/63409253293__621229AE-EC2F-4DE8-AF2F-2E4C036DF200.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out This is just a picture of little mister being serious. Because while he is a pretty happy baby, sometimes, he's just...not. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933605353-79PYIPIVP4VM5CVLA8XP/IMG_3678.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out Here's a classic. Had to shower, Chels wasn't home. My 40 minute napper blessed me with a mere *20 minute* nap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645934323025-1VIFASQUFP3OZTJFEONL/IMG_2808.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out Ooh I felt like I had it so together, here. I clipped his toy to the fridge so he could play while I ate breakfast. It lasted about 30 seconds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645934268692-MBR7TZJWGGHPAIE0X9NT/IMG_3299.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out This. What? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645934376350-8N2UTOJOORISNZCZ6H3S/IMG_3251+%282%29.jpeg Blog - Mom-ing on the Real - Make it stand out And this. If this isn't the picture of what motherhood is really like, I'm not sure what is. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/pdqbcyes1ruxlsr11x5n1yyp45x6b5 monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933075628-KQOWRI3AP8M4S2TTO9NZ/IMG_2534.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645932770535-LEPXTTISZFN2760NWO5V/IMG_2430.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933128344-0SN2NSNDMZGSO72LGTJ0/IMG_2533.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story - “Do you want to cut the cord?” they asked. “Yes,” I said. The cord was pretty squishy and when I cut it; blood squirted out all over the baby. As the nurses cleaned him up and got him ready for us, all I could think was, “Holy crap, I have a baby!” They weighed and measured him, gave him a shot of Vitamin K, put some drops in his eyes, and did his footprints. His nurse encouraged me to take pictures as they worked. He cried the whole time. Eventually my nurse came over to update me: Everett Thomas was 7lbs 8ozs and 21 inches of squishy goodness, with a head in the 86%ile (a moment during which I silently celebrated his breech position having necessitated a c-section!) Finally, Chelsey brought him over in her arms, with the biggest smile on her face. My whole world--my family--was right there next to me. I had never felt such joy as I did in that moment. I hope to never forget that feeling as long as I live. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933285036-BAK2R8VREX8WJSXY3YAY/IMG_0694.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933285643-YPLTVVA2O4MY6O4ZGHHE/IMG_0701.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933285642-TKJZ9Q2FGO3HVDMKDJ5F/IMG_0708.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645933286147-JKPQ9QZPJFOR3XI54TV0/IMG_0752.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645932935473-23XLBQLR7CJBS7SATB9R/IMG_0684.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645932935486-J02QPO8IY3ZINGR0E3NA/IMG_0687.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645932936013-G1OF9FKC5OY1T3ORVMMQ/IMG_0688.jpeg Blog - The Circle of Life: A Birth Story https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/z0klsm3za6w9ylkn1jtj6nfyhjckzl monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645932216160-YA3I1XO6HZNK1B9PAR80/image_67185921.jpeg Blog - Big Feelings: The 5th Trimester Diaries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645932216202-1KM4B7PYEFPXMEVQB650/image_67128577.jpeg Blog - Big Feelings: The 5th Trimester Diaries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645931886597-GS15LWGUALGOQ3M8AAIA/image_67180289.jpeg Blog - Big Feelings: The 5th Trimester Diaries - Make it standWe are lucky that Chelsey will get to stay be home with him for another 5 weeks. While I am sad that it isn’t me, I am so excited for the time they will get to have to bond with each other. I am excited for Chelsey to learn him as I have gotten to learn him over the 8 weeks that I was home with him on my own. The other day, as I was putting him down for a nap, Chelsey came in and noticed that he had fallen asleep with his little hand grabbing on to the collar of my shirt. She asked if I wanted her to take his hand off. I smiled and shook my head. You’ll know soon, my love, how incredibly big this tiny moment feels. How loved and how special, like he is choosing you. Santa, I Know Him Instead of leaving milk and cookies for Santa this year, we left him a map to our house. He left gifts at lots of other houses for Rett this Christmas, including a whole ton by my mom’s—perhaps I forgot to leave a forwarding address when I moved out! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645932114105-OPC4QQZIKS7GSCTDUZ5C/image_50405377.jpeg Blog - Big Feelings: The 5th Trimester Diaries - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645932350024-22853TP779JAQYTFIPJ0/image_50442753.jpeg Blog - Big Feelings: The 5th Trimester Diaries - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/blog-post-title-four-cmdss monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645931008321-525DULHLXFAO4E1AYP5Q/IMG_1979.jpg Blog - All the Things That Mattered Before: The Postpartum Diaries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645931008367-XJW06VB6JCK3WPK5F8CP/IMG_2161.jpg Blog - All the Things That Mattered Before: The Postpartum Diaries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645931164122-UW9KDA07C4TDX9J6R99C/IMG_2086.JPG Blog - All the Things That Mattered Before: The Postpartum Diaries - Then one night, after he had gone to bed, I found myself sitting downstairs, watching videos of him on my phone. And at night, after he nursed, I found myself holding him in the recliner long after I should have put him down and gone back to sleep. And the next day, while he napped, I found myself missing him. I found myself in many more moments thereafter, looking at him, nearly in tears, because he brought me so much joy. There are still moments where the bond doesn't feel quite so strong. I think another realization I've had about bonding is that my expectations for how it would go and feel didn't match my reality. I imagined my child needing me: reaching for me, calming instantly in my arms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645930836659-6YX9WXK1OQBGQQ1ABZGX/IMG_2118.jpg Blog - All the Things That Mattered Before: The Postpartum Diaries - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645931538680-EYUIPC9R2LI7FQWYOCJD/IMG_1993.jpg Blog - All the Things That Mattered Before: The Postpartum Diaries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645931538695-TLOGEPE09C7EIG5NMMLS/IMG_1994.jpg Blog - All the Things That Mattered Before: The Postpartum Diaries https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/blog-post-title-three-8bafg monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645930500087-T7C3ADZNKD6SW8QISXAE/IMG_1429.jpeg Blog - Mama Needs A Moment: The Postpartum Diaries - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645930181212-1GAI3HTKP65XQKRLF42H/IMG_1126+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Mama Needs A Moment: The Postpartum Diaries - Even on the toughest days, this is still my favorite job. But this is hard. Some days are really good and I feel like I've finally got it figured out. Some days, Everett and I take turns crying. Or cry together. Before we left the hospital, the nurse made sure to tell us to be on the lookout for signs of postpartum depression, one of which was crying without a reason. On the really tough days, I would laugh through my tears as I reminded Chelsey that she shouldn't worry, because I always had a reason. There have definitely been days where I've doubted myself. Days I've felt like a bad mom. Days when I've been frustrated and overwhelmed. There are some things you just don't know, until you know. Showering is now a sacred and precious thing, because it is the one time I am alone, and no one is demanding anything of my body but me--and all I'm asking it to do is stand there. But there are so many good and beautiful moments that overshadow everything else. I digress. After nearly three weeks of camping out on the couch, we finally moved upstairs. I was so excited to sleep in my bed. I was so wrong about being able to sleep in my bed. Everett didn't want to sleep in his bassinet, and, as I'm learning, sometimes baby calls the shots. He and I spent a majority of the next few nights together in the recliner--just feet away from my bed. In between nursing and dozing, I would gaze at my empty side longingly: pillows perfectly fluffed, sheets pulled back invitingly. It took a few more days, and some advice from a friend, to ease him into the bassinet, and now he has no problem sleeping there for the 2-3 hours in between feedings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645930257887-S493VRZX135PP7ID9CML/62489914636__34C09FA0-4F1C-44B6-90DC-4CB56A46A847.jpeg Blog - Mama Needs A Moment: The Postpartum Diaries - I'm not sure where the last month has gone. At work, a month takes approximately 8 years; at home with Rett, it takes about 8 seconds. Time is really irrelevant in the 4th trimester, though. Honestly, there is no point in pretending you have a schedule. Or in setting a certain time you will do something. For the first week and a half, babe seemed to have a schedule. After that...not so much. He developed a "witching hour" (if you know, you know) that would happen every night between 7-10PM...often for longer than an hour. Around week three we learned about cluster feeding, as he entered his first growth spurt. Essentially, instead of eating every 2-3 hours, it was every 20 mins-1 hour. Super un-fun for mama, because she had no idea what the heck was happening. There was a lot of Google searching that happened that week. I read out loud to him the parts that said that along with cluster feeding, he should be SLEEPING MORE. It was on every site, in every article, but completely lost on my son. Around this time I also set up an appointment with our pediatrician to get some help with breastfeeding. No one tells you how hard it is. I really struggled--some days, I'm still struggling. It is such an incredible thing to be able to sustain and nourish his little life with my own body. But also a frustrating thing when it isn't going as well as I want it to. I can be quoted as saying, "I hate everything about breastfeeding, except the fact that it feeds my son." That's not entirely true. But at 2:30AM, when there is milk dripping everywhere, and he won't latch, and the nipple shield is falling off, that's just how I feel. Anyhow, at this appointment, the doctor noticed that Rett turns his head to one side more than the other. They call it torticollis. She recommended a physical therapist to us, and we were able to get in to see her the next day. I really enjoy working with her, because she not only works with him on stretching out, but with both of us on breastfeeding. Essentially, it all goes hand in hand. So in the last two weeks I've been feeling more confident in nursing, and it seems to be getting easier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645930350922-4MYVFIRRRFFPGMR3Q4VB/IMG_1135.jpeg Blog - Mama Needs A Moment: The Postpartum Diaries - Which leads me to my next one month realization...getting out of the house with a newborn is HARD. Trying to get both of us ready, a diaper bag packed, him in the car seat without crying...it's a lot. This little boy does not like to be put down, which means even if I get him ready on time, I have to get myself ready while he cries and cries, and it breaks my heart. Even if the diaper bag is packed and ready ahead of time, the second I put him in the car seat, he cries and cries. Since he isn't able to keep his pacifier in on his own, this often means he cries all the way to PT, which thankfully isn't far. With the nice weather we've had recently, I've wanted to get out for walks, but the same story applies. It's hard to get out the door, and once we are out, there's no guarantee we will stay there. I know I'm missing some things, but thinking about everything we've experienced, caring for this sweet little babe in the last month (now 6 weeks!), I have to say one thing: I'm sorry for any time I have ever judged someone else's parenting. I will never judge your parenting again. Okay, well that may not be true...as a teacher, I am privy to a lot of things that go on in people's homes. But with this new perspective, I've realized that even when I'm thinking to myself, "Oh my, what goes on in that house?" I need to remember that those parents, too, were in the trenches of this phase, and SURVIVED. This is not easy! So so worth it, but damn has this learning curve been steep. Oh, and single parents--you da real MVPs. I honestly don't know how you do it. You are warriors. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/blog-post-title-two-6b3b2 monthly 0.5 2022-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645563551937-JRO0WRDLY7NA15ZYCQ8B/image3+%285%29.jpeg Blog - Thanks, I Made Him Myself: The Postpartum Diaries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645563607090-JDH19WZ21PS3MI5EK46A/IMG_1196.jpeg Blog - Thanks, I Made Him Myself: The Postpartum Diaries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645563633350-CX7OFFWYLXNMWX7BQCE0/IMG_0906.jpeg Blog - Thanks, I Made Him Myself: The Postpartum Diaries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645563181928-8JNZK3HIE6OLFLM72MFB/Sep+30%2C+2020+at+3_56+PM.png Blog - Thanks, I Made Him Myself: The Postpartum Diaries - This is the most important job I've ever had. And the only job I want to do for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, we'd actually have to win the lottery to make that happen. A mom can dream, can't she? I finally understand the phrase "it takes a village to raise a child". Our village has surrounded us with so much love, in many forms. We came home to a fridge and freezer full of meals, and some adorable decorations. We've had supplies and food dropped off and sent. We've had so many messages asking how we are doing and if we need anything. What I've come to understand, through everyone's generosity and kindness, is that the ways in which our village helps us raise our child do not always have to do directly with the child. Often, our village takes care of us, so that we may take care of our child. Either way, we couldn't do any of this without you! In the same way, I have to say how much I appreciate Chelsey being able to take off and be with baby and I for a few weeks right away. Holy moly, I couldn't do this without her. I've never felt so strong in our partnership. Already we are finding our new rhythm, taking care of this little boy, and each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645562800247-0VYW7CZXMXJARN40P5SR/IMG_0886.jpeg Blog - Thanks, I Made Him Myself: The Postpartum Diaries - These two weeks have been pretty incredible, in so many ways. I will circle back around to little man's birth story in a separate post, but there's plenty here, for now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645564158213-APOKK4OP2QKQI7OC6YAX/IMG_1012.jpeg Blog - Thanks, I Made Him Myself: The Postpartum Diaries - My favorite thing to hear from people is how beautiful and perfect my son is, because I get to respond: "Thanks, I made him myself. Well, mostly. #science." He has already grown so much in the last two weeks. I can't wait to love him through every milestone yet to come. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645563295023-XJFXYS3AW3PZQ7VG0QKY/image4+%284%29.jpeg Blog - Thanks, I Made Him Myself: The Postpartum Diaries - Our first night home, we thought we had set things up so perfectly in our room. We got ready for bed, which included setting some cushions up so I could sleep sitting up, and set our sweet 3 day old newborn in his bassinet. The cats, who had been arguably disinterested in said bassinet for the many weeks it had been set up, were suddenly drawn to it. Chelsey caught Huck mid-jump on his way into the bassinet from the floor. We did some quick problem solving, and draped a swaddle across the open side of the bassinet to help the cats understand that this was no place for them. Still, I settled in with my arm draped across the bassinet, just in case. Finn has a habit of walking across the tops of our pillows to get to my night stand, from which he jumps up on to the dresser. With several couch cushions behind me, he had lost his pathway. He is a resourceful cat, so he found another route--walking across me. However, as he is not a careful cat, that wasn't going to work--not with a 3 day fresh incision at my bikini line. So I decided to sleep in the recliner. It seemed like a really good idea, until I realized I was hesitant to put up the foot rest, lest I would be unable to put it back down, due to the aforementioned 3 day fresh incision (in which they rearranged my insides, including my abs). Nor, I realized, could I recline, as that would require using my abs to push back the back piece. No problem, I thought, I could sleep sitting up. It was a great idea until I could feel my feet swelling. So up the feet went. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645564053627-JRQ3PEYU0KWP0N268H3J/IMG_1007.jpeg Blog - Thanks, I Made Him Myself: The Postpartum Diaries - During pregnancy, I fell in love with my body, and that hasn't changed. I am amazed by all of the things a pregnancy and postpartum body does. My body has been through such an incredible amount of change in the last ten months, and so it continues. One week out, I had lost 20lbs of what I gained while I grew my son inside of me--but it doesn't matter to me how fast I lose the rest.Two weeks out and the tiger stripes are less noticeable, but it doesn't matter if they never go away. I've been stitched inside out and glued, and have this scar below my belly button that will always be with me, and that's perfectly fine. All of these things were a part of bringing my son into this world. The same body that grew this little human is now nourishing him. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/blog-post-title-one-ml5lz monthly 0.5 2022-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645561917635-Q5E7JJOB76JSPMEKR3YB/IMG_8824.jpeg Blog - Oh, Baby! - This is a post so, so long in the making. And yet, I've waited weeks to write it. This is what week 16 of pregnancy looks like. Here I am at my appointment this morning. Before I can enter the hospital, I must stop to check in with the nurses sitting in a makeshift assessment station. I am asked questions about why I am here, any symptoms I have experienced, any possible exposure. My temperature is taken. I am directed to choose a mask: small, medium, or large. The halls of the hospital have an eerie feel; they are nearly empty, missing the buzz, the energy that comes from a mix of excitement, anxiety. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645562084772-XXT8771MWUB5NVMCA05B/IMG_8826.jpeg Blog - Oh, Baby! - Although I can't see the expressions behind the masks of the few people I pass, eyes look worried, anxious, somber. In the waiting room, there are signs to indicate where it is safe to sit--not too close to anyone else. At my appointment, I am alone. There is a no visitor policy, under which my wife does not qualify as one of the exceptions, since I am not dying or giving birth. We share the moment we first hear our little babe's heartbeat over Facetime. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645562215806-TNDM51FS934VTFITXZUH/IMG-8203.jpeg Blog - Oh, Baby! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1645562215843-PI5QTJU6HTFFMK9ZORCB/IMG-8574+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Oh, Baby! https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/ayy4cnwh9rm5zvm90ejlmevo26fgse monthly 0.5 2022-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649015136614-3ABAC1W8M9PXVZKFZCDJ/merry.jpeg Blog - Merry & Bright - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649015297197-UBZ4ZGNOHTW1EECVB4EH/myhappy.jpeg Blog - Merry & Bright - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649015247122-68CDC7D2CMI9PIOQ87A0/quote.jpeg Blog - Merry & Bright - Make it stand out And I have this beautiful gem of a human who would go to the ends of the Earth to see that I am happy: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649015222879-SR7L8XBGH7FHKA5G6JWV/K.jpeg Blog - Merry & Bright - Make it stand out And I also find this to be true: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649015161367-TVGW0T68E9T63L2RN3MW/hohoho.jpeg Blog - Merry & Bright - Make it stand out Walking bleary-eyed down the halls, seeing my colleagues and flashing the Hunger Games symbol. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/qcbtckiyo5pozrjcqz5z56qkt0pc4n monthly 0.5 2022-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649033386838-612C8PRVUKUVDJRROJIY/hcg.jpeg Blog - The Truth About Being a Warrior - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649033197047-0RZP4J9LKPKE4HHTKUMQ/1.jpeg Blog - The Truth About Being a Warrior https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649033197093-1D8AAEHV0N6C8422THF3/2.jpeg Blog - The Truth About Being a Warrior https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649033197429-YD8DOOUUHCXXSN3TEEII/3.jpeg Blog - The Truth About Being a Warrior https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649033197481-5FD5AUHII4SLCNGJZP1Q/4.jpeg Blog - The Truth About Being a Warrior https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649033242006-8ADMI3AHE06FJNS06XFC/5.jpeg Blog - The Truth About Being a Warrior https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649033438729-XA53IKKDYB0AFJ0OTFPR/hcg.jpeg Blog - The Truth About Being a Warrior - Keeping my fingers crossed that next week it's at 0, and we can start the clock on three weeks of zeroes, and go from there. 4 more school days earns me 10 days of Spring Break. We are going to visit Sis in Atlanta and I don't think I've ever been more excited for a break. I'm looking forward to some warmer weather and a change of scenery. And falling in love with a new place. And today I will leave you with another song. A favorite of mine and the wife's lately. Enjoy :) https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/26of737ul42solk4cdu0ps176ztsqt monthly 0.5 2022-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649015778667-FTP5T1C3NPAF66RNWI2N/IV.jpeg Blog - Disappointed, but not Defeated https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649015778705-JZ07Z7T1MDA0A7BLLF66/tired.jpeg Blog - Disappointed, but not Defeated https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649015935218-ATLGMLBECT8E2VGVI39G/bloodwork.jpeg Blog - Disappointed, but not Defeated - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/blog/d8fhqp8f6ymsuhurftda76yzfrcw2n monthly 0.5 2022-04-03 https://www.themamaonthereal.com/submit-a-story daily 0.75 2022-08-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Submit a Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Submit a Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Submit a Story https://www.themamaonthereal.com/home daily 1.0 2022-05-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1647971880764-Q39KBY8P2LBYSIFMBXPD/B4225CDE-EE08-4922-A7A9-5CFEC720A151.jpeg Home - Welcome to Mama on the Real, where we celebrate the good, the bad, and the wtf moments of being a mom. Photo Credit: Janet Catherine Photo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1644783798105-8UWNZMW564MXO6TA802O/IMG_8462.JPG Home Janet Catherine Photo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1649553216077-Q7R0N2EWLIFHP9X50G0X/01A143D2-5468-4BBD-B8BE-667B600B8D88.jpeg Home - Make it stand out Who has the best comedic timing—mama Mal or Ruby? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650921358511-IGGUNONUYMF9PEAMM0X8/8B0D8CE7-784B-4069-A164-3F9575223B42.jpeg Home - Make it stand out Can you spot baby Grayson? Mama Morgan was eating dinner and completing a Lego project for the nursery on her tray. Her poor nurse glanced around and saw an empty bassinet and thought the newborn was missing. Says Morgan, “{The nurse} was not impressed with my multitasking skills!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650919251738-8PFRBL6KYD6YUMHTU7ZS/FB_IMG_1647621468360.jpg Home - Make it stand out At 2 years old, Khalel, had an obsession with boxes (among other WEIRD things, says mama Dee). Someone brought some shoes over to grandma’s house, and while everyone was talking, minding our business Khalel disappeared. Mama says, “After looking for a few minutes (which felt like FOREVER), we found Mr. Khalel... hiding behind a couch...like this... LAUGHING...” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/620962ae748e2b774bbdc33e/1650919108725-YLOEWAA5NPM8JLU8EBM0/20210430_181847.jpg Home - Make it stand out Big sister Evelyn knew that it was important to show little brother Roman who the boss was early on. https://www.themamaonthereal.com/faqs daily 0.75 2025-05-08