why I loved being pregnant

18 weeks 

Today I want to talk about my feelings on being pregnant, what I loved about it, and what I really kinda super miss about it.

I want to start off by saying that the way people are looking at pregnancy and child birth has really started to change over the past few years, and I am so glad that I was living in pregnancy town during that time!  Before I ever thought about having babies (weird thing to say) I was one of those girls who viewed being pregnant as a means to an end.  You get big, spend the entire time uncomfortable, and are in constant panic over the upcoming birth that will surely scar you for life.  I always thought women just grin and bear pregnancy because it'll be "worth it" in the end.  Well my views sure did change when I was going through pregnancy and I have to say that being pregnant was one of the best times of my life.  I felt really in tune with my body,  I became super educated about what was happening and how to prepare myself for birth, and I just felt GOOD!  Let me tell you why I think I felt this way…

My environment.  Look…things started to change when I met the right people.  Starting with my good friend, Megan.  She took me under her wing and taught me all about the importance of women really educating themselves when it comes to their bodies and their pregnancies.  She had dealt with a lot of drama when her first son was born, and decided to learn about natural childbirth for her second.  Because of her  I would have never even considered how crazy messed up prenatal care is here in the U.S.  All of the medical procedures that have their place and are totally necessary in the right situation that are being used for all the wrong reasons.  Women are so scared about giving birth because society only shows how scary, dangerous, and painful it is.  When did women forget that their bodies are designed to have children!?  SRSLY.

Back to what I was saying about environment.  Megan suggested that I watch The Business of Being Born documentary which really empowered me and changed the way I looked at child birth.  I felt like I was given the opportunity to take control of my journey into motherhood.  I was given the freedom to think for myself and not just be bound by stereotypical assumptions on pregnant women, pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Then we up and moved to Madison, WI.  Thank goodness for that because the resources for natural parenting are endless up here.  Midwives, birth centers, doulas and more! So awesome. :D  We even have fantastic hospitals with doctors and nurses who are open to natural birth. I made the decision to be seen by a midwife at a birthing center.  I also got on board with having a doula!  I didn't stop there…I enrolled in a yoga class for pregnancy and attended monthly interactive meetings were women shared their birth stories.  I was surrounded by all the right people and that made me feel great.  That's not to say that there weren't some definite downsides to pregnancy that I had to deal with.  I was hormonally unstable at times, and near the end the feet swelling just freaked me out.  But some of notable ups about being large and in charge were:

• 1. I got super creative with what I had to wear. (I only owned a belly band and luckily didn't have to buy any maternity clothing)
• 2. Pregnancy gave me the gift of being able to eat all the ice cream, all of the time, erry day.
• 3. I slept all of the time and it didn't bother anyone.
• 4. People were suddenly super friendly to me….like…all of the time. 

But really I loved being pregnant because it gave me the chance to slow down and learn a little bit about myself.  I was able to contemplate my feelings on how we were going to raise our child.  It really made us crack down on our religious beliefs.  Whether or not we would choose to circumcise or not.  How we were going to financially support our child.  What really mattered to us as individuals and as parents!  Pregnancy brought me closer to my husband.  It was an eye opening experience and a transformation of sorts.  We were lucky to be immersed in such a beautiful community and I feel that is has really benefited my well being as a mother.  And of course…the thing I loved most about being pregnant was growing my baby.  Feeling Liam kick and finding that my love for him would continue to grow through all of the unknowns.  We had each other. That was the most special time of all.

Did you enjoy being pregnant? Pregnant right now and want to talk about it? Comment below! :D

Motherhood and me

I was always the girl who didn't care for babies.  I didn't care about having babies or holding babies or swooning over babies.  Babies are fine...just don't bring them out past 8 p.m.  I just didn't get it.  I didn't really care...at all.   It wasn't until meeting my friend Megan and her sweet 3 year old son Caleb that my ideas of motherhood and having a baby changed.  I mean, I always knew I wanted to have a child one day, but that just wasn't a priority.  It never dawned on me that maybe my feelings on the subject had more to do with my lack of knowledge.  I really didn't have much "on site training" except for hanging out with my baby sister when I was 10.  But I never remember seeing my mother breastfeeding her, or really being around for the basic care.  I don't remember her being put down for naps, or explosive poops...that's probably because I was at school.

Becoming a mother, and understanding/just loving babies now in general, is very similar to my experience getting Panda, the love of my life, chihuahua.  I grew up with dobermans.  I understood big dogs, I liked big dogs, big dogs were the only kind of dogs in my book.  Little dogs were yappy, aggressive and annoying.  Who would want a little dog!?  What's the point?  Well after graduating from college and moving out of my parents house I couldn't wait to get my own dog.  Finally!  Then it dawned on me that I couldn't have a doberman in an apartment because they were considered an "aggressive breed"...such B.S.  So I started looking at little dogs and once I learned there was such a thing as a "long haired chihuahua" I pretty much lost it and had to have one.  Now enters Panda and my life has forever changed. I love that dog SO much...he has saved me in so many ways.  I get it...why have a small dog?  Because they are ADORABLE and they can lay on top of you without crushing you, and they really really really like to cuddle...plus, he is insanely protective and even though its embarrassing I kinda really like it.  Now when I see a small dog walking towards me and he starts to bark, I don't roll my eyes.  I just say "hey listen...I get you, dawg"...except without the "dawg" part.  I understand the small dog now.  I am seeing the world differently.

So getting back to pushing a human out of my body and becoming a mother.  I was overwhelmed, I was under educated, but this was my life now and I just had to jump in and learn. So I did, and now I'm seeing the world differently. When a baby cries in public I don't roll my eyes.  I just say "hey listen...I get you, dawg"  And I really do.  When I see a mother breastfeeding in public, I smile politely to let her know that she's not alone. When a toddler is having a meltdown in the check out line at target I try to think happy thoughts because one day that will be me.  I can  now look at someone who is rolling their eyes at me and think "that's ok....you just don't get it"....and maybe one day maybe they will. ♥

A few of my favorite prints // welcome home edition!

Over the past few months since buying our home here in Madison I have been searching for the perfect prints to fill the space.  This house comes with something extra, a mudroom!  So naturally I want to make it welcoming to our guest since it's pretty much the first thing they see walking into our house.  To me the mudroom is a first impression of what guests can expect when it comes to the style of our house.  Etsy is one of my favorite places to look around for new inspiration and personal gifts.  It's a wonderful way to support DIYers across the globe!  Like I said, I've been on the lookout for the perfect "Welcome" print to frame in our mudroom.  Here are some of my favorite finds.  What do you think?

1. Welcome to our Home // by TheLionAndTheLark // $5

2. Chalkboard Welcome Sign // by KandCCreative // $5

3. Be Nice or Go Away // by chloevaux // $15.86+

4. Floral Welcome Sign // by ColorPrintables // $3

There's No Place Like Home // by LizzyClara // $25

a look back at August

I can't believe August is over!  We've been having some beautiful weather here in Madison so the summer has been pretty amazing so far. I wish I could say September started off on a good note, but as I am typing this I am also taking care of a sick baby. Liam hasn't been feeling well this week, but I think he's feeling better because he is growling at the dinosaur on sesame street haha. I guess some highlights from August include purchasing a new car, getting my hair cut, and Liam turning 16 months! Here are some photos!

Starting off with neighborhood walks and coffee isn't so bad!

I really love looking back at these photos. I think a lot of times we forget all the things we accomplish. All of the things we actually do every day. All of the memories that we make without knowing it. I really loved digging up potatos with our friends. I love how much Liam loves walking around and exploring..and he's not shy to grab the hand of someone he loves. I am so grateful for the friends we have made, the people who love Liam so much. We love you! I also think it's funny how often I take pictures of Liam sleeping...honestly it's probably because I need the reminder that he does in fact sleep! And of course, the love I share with David. The other day he told me how he loves that I am his best friend and it was one of the best feelings in the world hearing him say that to me. It's a good feeling to reflect and see all of the positive when it's so easy to focus on only the negative. I hope you look back and find your positive! ♥  Until next time!