How I weaned my 17 month old//tips for weaning your toddler

Hi friends...I actually wrote this post almost two months ago and never shared it here.  If you are thinking of weaning your little one and could use some pointers, I hope this post helps!  

It’s bittersweet. We are all done breastfeeding, and I couldn’t be prouder for having nursed my son for 17 months.

I had no time line in mind with regards to how long I wanted to breastfeed for prior to giving birth to Nicholas, but I did know that I didn’t want to nurse beyond the age of two.

Around the time Nicholas turned a year old, I started to think that I would like to begin weaning, and possibly be done nursing by 15 months. Well, that didn’t happen.

I just wasn’t committed enough to see weaning through. I did, however, stop all night feeds, and for awhile, it seemed to improve night time sleep. Sadly, that didn’t last when we got hit by a nasty cold and I was back to nursing Nicholas at night to help him breathe and bring comfort to my poor sick baby.

About a month later, I was feeling so thinly spread from all the night wake ups and nursing Nicholas what felt like a million times a day. He wanted to snack all the time, and I felt so completely exasperated with having my child constantly wanting milk, sticking his hands down my shirt or lifting it up, and then only having two sips before pulling off again.

Breastfeeding was far from enjoyable anymore, and I was fed up. It was around this time that I contacted an older friend for encouragement and prayer, and she was kind enough to send me some advice from other seasoned mamas she knew. That was just what I needed to make the decision to wean. My husband was fully supportive, and after doing a bit of research on how to actually go about the weaning process, I started with cutting all those bitty feeds throughout the day so that we were just doing 3 feeds a day.

The nap time feed was the next to go, and that was easy because I gave him a bottle of warm whole milk and he barely noticed not having “milkies” anymore. I had read that you should wean slowly so as not to cause any hormonal issues, so I waited a few days before cutting the bedtime feed. This one was probably the toughest one to cut, even though I did offer him some warm whole milk in his bottle instead. During this time I also had to pump a little here and there, because even at 17 months post partum, I still had a crazy milk supply, and just cutting a few feeds over the course of a few days, meant I needed to pump in order to ease the tenderness I was experiencing. I was also terrified of getting mastitis!

Around this time I started experiencing some extreme fatigue, headaches and even a little nausea, as well as heart palpitations. Even though I was weaning slowly, it still managed to cause issues with my hormones. I did find out that those symptoms aren’t abnormal, but I never expected to feel so sick! I then learnt I should drink sage tea a couple times a day to help dry up my milk supply. Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. I also kept up with pumping once a day, and feeding Nicholas early each morning.

And then, just like that, he stopped asking me for milk in the early morning. He would wake around 4am, and I would go lie with him as I usually do, and he wanted a snuggle instead of being nursed. I anticipated the morning feed being the most challenging to cut, and it turned out to be the easiest.

After that I kept up with pumping once a day, and then slowly going from once a day, to every second day, and then I went to every third day. I continued drinking sage tea for another week or so.

Last week I fed Nicholas one last time. It was morning and my husband was still asleep. I read a few stories to Nicholas and we cuddled. He then asked for milk, and I gave in. I thought it would be special to have this moment to look back on. And I am so happy I did.

And that was that. He still asks me to nurse him every now and again, but I am quick to distract him with a game, story or a snack.

Here are a few tips if you are wanting to wean your toddler in the near future which really helped us during this process:

1. Use yummy (but fairly healthy) treats as a distraction. For us it was usually pure apple juice which I watered down a ton or warm whole milk which usually did the trick. Sometimes it was a homemade cookie or muffin. There are times when one just has to make use of a crutch for the overall greater good.
2. Speaking of a crutch, a bit of screentime was another thing I used to distract Nicholas while weaning. Currently he is obsessed with trains, so a few minutes of the old episodes of Thomas and Friends came to the rescue.
3. Remind your child of how much you love them. I told Nicholas how much I loved him, and how special he is to us, multiple times throughout the day. Obviously, this is something I do anyway, but I was more conscious of it, and whenever he did ask to be nursed, before distracting him, I would tell him that “milkies” was all finished but that I still loved him so, so much.
4. Don’t give them the opportunity to ask to be nursed. I made sure to not sit down for too long and have Nicholas climb up on my lap so as to avoid him even asking to be nursed. I was definitely more tired from not really getting a chance to sit down during the day, but it did help to not cause unnecessary drama.
5. Be fully committed and consistent. And make sure you have the support of your husband, mom or close friend, or all of the above. Encouragement to keep going really helps when you feel like caving and just giving your child what they want.
6. Lastly, be prepared. Go slowly. Purchase some sage leaves and brew yourself a cup of sage tea a couple times a day during weaning, and give yourself grace if you experience any unpleasant symptoms.

I can’t actually explain how good it feels to be done breastfeeding.

And I feel like my hormones are slowly stabilizing too and I am getting back to feeling more like me.

I feel so blessed to have had the privilege of breastfeeding my son for almost a year and a half. I am so thankful to have had no issues with supply, latch or anything like that as I know that isn’t always the case. I am also grateful for the support I received from my midwife, mom and husband.

I am curious to know how long you breastfeed your little one(s) for?

How did you approach weaning?

Share your experience in the comments!

With love, Kelly

Five things I wish I had told myself during my baby's first year (as a mom to a colic or high needs baby)

If you've been around here for awhile, you'll know that Nicholas' first year (particularly his first six months), was without out a doubt the most challenging year of my life, as well as being the most wonderful.

Even though I grew up as the eldest of seven children and (I thought) had loads of experience under my belt, nothing could have prepared me for the wild ride the first year of motherhood would be. 

I always wanted to be a mom, and I am beyond grateful that I get to live my dream every day.  

My little boy makes me so incredibly happy, and being his mama is the best job in the world. 

Today I thought I would share five things I wish I had been mindful of in Nicholas' first year... 

I wish I had given myself so much more grace in those early days!

For context, Nicholas was definitely "high needs" (similar to colic) baby, so his baby stage was extremely demanding and yes, I cried buckets of tears.

And now on to the five things I wish I had told myself as a new mom...

It's ok to feel like you have no idea what you are doing...

It's part of the journey.  Each baby is so different with their own unique likes, dislikes and needs, and it isn't always so simple trying to figure out what those things are!

It's ok to change your mind and do what works for YOU and YOUR baby...

I went into motherhood thinking I wasn't going to hold my baby all the time so he wouldn't get used to it and only want to be held...

But guess what? Nicholas was (and still is) just one of those babies that really needed lot of physical touch. 

He was only happy when held or worn in the baby carrier, and only mama would do.  

He also wanted to be nursed almost constantly.  

Eventually I had to let go of all my ideas and accept how things were, and then figure out ways to cope!

It meant I had to simplify my life even more to be able to be the one to give him the comfort he needed. 

It's ok to feel overwhelmed...

Don't cut yourself up if you are struggling to adjust to this new normal and having a tiny human to care for ALL THE TIME. 

It IS overwhelming and it can take awhile to figure out just who in the world this little person is, and to adapt to parenthood. 

Personally, it took me almost a year to not feel like I have no idea what I am doing! 

Nicholas is finally in some sort of routine, and life doesn't feel quite so out of control all the time. 

That said, I wish I had researched baby sleep and wake windows before Nicholas' arrival.  Bonus tip - it's worth doing your homework!

It's ok to *just* be a mom and to lower your standard (for a time)...

This was a tough one for me as I am a goal setter and over achiever...I can't sit still for long and thrive on being busy.

I wish I had taken it easier and embraced the season of slowness (is that a word?) more.

The first year of a baby's life is SO intense.  

I wish I had realised this before Nicholas was born so that I didn't try and take on anything new or put pressure on myself to get things together before the year was out.

I think when you're in the midst of something difficult (like right now...we are going through separation anxiety and I am extra low on sleep and completely touched out) one feels as if this season is going to last forever and you're always going to feel tired and overwhelmed, but it DOES pass.  

And it's bittersweet...

I actually just packed away what is pretty much the last of Nicholas' baby things...  I am glad that I am finally getting my life together again (was it ever??) and establishing a sense of order, but I look back on those early days of motherhood with fondness. 

 

It was crazy time but oh! Nothing compares to the love you feel for your little baby and the joy you experience as you watch them grow and change by the day and become little people with a mind of their own.

It's ok to cry.  

You'll feel better afterwards, I promise.  My hormones were all over the place after Nicholas was born, and the sleep deprivation didn't help either.  It took months for me to feel like a normal person again, and that in itself made me cry.

Cry when you're happy, too.  I still cry when I think of no longer nursing Nicholas (although I can't tell you just how eager I am to wean him!), or moving him to a big boy bed.  

Again, when you're right in the middle of a difficult season, you feel like the end can't come soon enough.  

And it's also ok to not always enjoy being a mom. (And yes, I realise that there are six, not five things on this list...consider it a bonus one!)

This was so tough for me to admit.  

I grew up dreaming of being a mom, but motherhood has been mostly difficult for me personally.  And that's ok.

Being a mom is not for the fainthearted and it definitely isn't always fun! 

But it is so fulfilling and beautiful and worth all the challenges, the sleep deprivation and the tears.  I promise.

If you have a new baby or are expecting a little one soon, then I hope that reading what I wish I had told myself in my first year as a new mom will help you in some small way.  Be encouraged, and I pray the Lord will give you extra grace and strength for this beautiful, but challenging season.

And if you are a seasoned mama or you are just out of the baby stage, please share what you wish you had known and (reminded yourself of) in your early days of motherhood...

Happy mommying (I have no idea if that is a word, but I love it), sweet friends.

With love, Kelly

Do you follow me on Instagram?  I hop on there fairly often to share a peek into our daily lives...  You can find me @the.handmademama

filling my cup (10 simple ways I practice "self-care" in my daily life as a stay-at-home mom)

 Lately I have been thinking about "self-care" and how it applies to me as a Christian mom...  Is it a purely selfish practice?  Or is it a good thing?  

Maybe it is a bit of both...

Personally, I don't like the term "self-care".  I prefer to think doing things to take care of myself each day as "filling my cup"...

As wives and mothers, we are constantly pouring into the lives of our husbands and children, and taking care of our homes...

I find that when I do things to take care of myself, even if it is just making sure I get dressed into something pretty each morning and putting a touch of make up on, or sitting with a cup of coffee and writing in my journal for a few minutes while Nicholas naps, I feel better able to cope with the demands of the day.  I find I get more accomplished too.

I don't think that taking care of ourselves and doing something here and there to bring joy to our heart is selfish...

If my cup is empty, what I have to offer my family is pretty mediocre...

A lot of what I deem to be "filling my cup" ties in with "romanticizing my life" as a mom.  I'll write about the ways I incorporate that into my daily life in a separate post.  I know it is quite a trendy topic at the moment, but it is something I have been doing for years.  I just never have a name for it.  It really is simply finding magic in the ordinary and joy in the mundane...

A few simple ways I fill my cup each day...

I get myself ready for the day...

My husband actually encourages me to take the time to get myself ready in the mornings.  He will often take Nicholas so I can shower or get dressed.  Personally, I am a better wife, mother and homemaker when I look and feel good.

"It is ever so much easier to be good if one's clothes are fashionable!"

~Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

I wear things that make me feel pretty...

I love wearing earrings - I feel put together when I am wearing them.  Lately I have also been enjoying wearing a necklace...it makes me feel extra feminine.  My husband loves it when I wear dresses, and I was shocked to realise that I don't even own a pair of pants anymore!  I love feeling feminine in skirts and dresses (but that is just personal preference and I have absolutely nothing against pants) and that helps me feel more womanly and motivated to take care of my home, play with my toddler and cook wholesome meals for my family.  

I also love wearing make up.  Even if it is just mascara, I feel more confident and attractive, and I think that is a good thing.

I eat well...

It can be so easy to just eat on the go, not eat at all, or grab something quick and hardly nourishing when you are running after a little one or have a long list of chores to accomplish.  

I feel ill if I don't eat a balanced meal or overdo it on the sugar.  I am also less productive because I feel sluggish and unable to focus.  I know eating can sometimes feel like a chore, but it is so important.  I usually feed Nicholas his breakfast first thing in the morning, and either I make something small for myself while he plays outside (I keep an eye on him all the time), or I wait till he goes down for his nap and cook myself some eggs on toast, or cut up some fruit into a bowl of granola and yoghurt.  I also try to not go overboard on the coffee.

I take time to be quiet...

Having quiet time each day is vital for me.  I get flustered easily with my endless to do lists and feel pretty overstimulated with all the noise my toddler makes throughout the day, that I need time to be quiet when he naps.  I prioritize this time and either sit and write in my journal for a few minutes, read a chapter from a book, work on a blog post or watch something on YouTube.  

Obviously, this isn't always possible and some days I need to rather use nap time to get some household things done.  For instance, it is impossible to wash the floors while Nicholas is awake, so I do that when he is sleeping and listen to a podcast while I am busy.  Currently I am really enjoying the Honey I'm Homemaker series on Megan Fox Unlocked on YouTube.

I get fresh air and exercise...

I haven't been able to walk much lately because my pram is needing new tyres, but that is something I love to do, and the fresh air and exercise always makes me feel good.  It is a time I can just be silent, pray, and listen to the sounds of nature while soaking up the pretty amazing views around here.  Walking is a joy for me and thankfully Nicholas and Fletch enjoy this time too!

Music sets the tone in my home...

I love having music on throughout the day.  I listen to a variety of music, from instrumental to Broadway to jazz, with some pop thrown in there every now and again.  Music inspires me and makes me happy.

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." ~John Keats

I use the pretty dishes and beautiful stationary because...why not?

Other things I do on a daily basis to fill my cup, is to use the pretty dishes for myself too, not just when I serve guests or my husband a slice of cake.  Using a favourite mug or tea cup for your tea or coffee (and drinking your favourite tea or coffee too!) is such a simple way to bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face.

I also love using pretty stationary when I make shopping lists or writing in my journal.  I print out beautiful planners and put them up on my fridge using magnets I love.  

"Happiness is the result of an attitude of mind...I believe you can build it out of small things." ~ Miss Read

I make small things into special moments for myself...

I love making an occasion of simple things.  For instance, if you need to plan out your goals and priorities for the week or write out a favourite recipe in your (pretty, of course) recipe book, make sure you have something delicious to sip or munch on, put an inspiring soundtrack on the speaker and set about your task.

I have hobbies...

I have several hobbies that I enjoy doing.  Sewing is one of them.  When I get time, I love using beautiful fabrics to make pretty things for myself and my home, or gifts for friends.  I feel a sense of accomplishment and love looking at the beautiful things I was able to make.  

Gardening and cooking are also such satisfying hobbies for me and bless my family too!

"One can dream so much better in a room where there are pretty things."

~Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

I make my home a lovely place...

Adding pretty touches around your home can make such a difference.  Your environment most definitely impacts your mood. 

I try and have a few vases of fresh flowers in the kitchen, my bathroom and bedroom all the time.  Flowers bring a smile to my face and beautify my home.

One doesn't need to spend loads of money or have the best of everything to make your home a lovely place.

~

I really do think that filling my cup and romanticizing my life go hand in hand.  And both things bless my home and family and help me be the wife, mother and homemaker I desire to be.

I  think it goes without saying that moderation is key, as with most things in life, and some days it isn't possible to set aside time for yourself.

But I believe it is important to make sure we aren't running on empty and prioritize taking care of ourselves along with our husbands, homes and children. 

The biggest thing I would add is to pray without ceasing...  Keep your mind on things Above and commune daily with Lord as you watch over your little ones, serve your husband and bless your home.

Agree or disagree?  How do you 'fill your cup' as a wife, homemaker and mama?

With love, Kelly

Thoughts on the first year of motherhood, and being one year post partum (and post C-section)

Pinch me.  My baby is turning one on Saturday!  

I heard someone say that the days are long but the years are short when you have children, and I have to agree.  

There are many aspects of being a mom that I love, but there are also things I really don't enjoy...

I am happy to be moving out of the baby stage.  I love having a now toddler and being able to interact with him more and watch him learn and discover new things about the world around him.  

And after a year, I finally feel like I am getting my life together and adjusting to this motherhood thing!

In this post I want to be honest and share how I really feel about the first year of motherhood and being one year post partum...

Never been in better shape...

I know it isn't the case for everyone, but generally I feel pretty good about my body after having had a baby, and I would even go so far as to say I am more confident.  

Apart from some loose skin, stretch marks and my C-section scar which will fade, I have never been in better shape...

I am at the lowest weight I have ever been as an adult.  I attribute this to still breastfeeding on demand and Nicholas being a fussy baby and needing to be worn in the carrier, rocked and bounced so much, especially in those first six months.  

I am proud of having grown a human and having breastfed him for a year.

Post C-section, I feel pretty fully recovered.  If I overdo it on the housework or exercise, I do feel the slightest bit of tenderness around my scar, so I realise there is still some healing that needs to take place.

Time for myself and missing my husband...

I don't find that having a little one to care for 24/7 makes me miss having time to myself all that much (perhaps in those very early days when just brushing my teeth or eating something was a challenge, but then I think I kind of expected that).  

I try and either rest or listen to something while I tackle a few chores or cook supper when Nicholas naps.  I plan to share ways I "fill my cup" as a busy toddler mom in another post.

I do definitely struggle with not having as much time with my husband, though - I miss him!  I long to have more time to spend with Rucus without constant distraction.

I need my sleep!

I expected disturbed nights, but I wasn't prepared for being woken 6 to 8 times each night or the devastating effects of chronic sleep deprivation.  

When Nicholas was around four months old, I experienced a few anxiety attacks and felt like I was constantly living in a daze.  I was beyond exhausted and felt so hopeless because no one could help me and there was seemed no end to the suffering.  

Sleep is still a huge issue for us, and on average I am up two to three times a night with him.  He also wakes at the crack of dawn.  5 am seems like a great time to get up each day!  

I honestly thought that by a year things would have improved, but here we are, still struggling away.

I am a stronger person...

As I mentioned earlier, I am proud of what my body has achieved, from growing Nicholas to birthing him, to nourishing him throughout the past year, I feel so strong and capable and even more sure myself.

Grieving what I couldn't have and also being thankful for interventions when needed...

I am truly grateful that C-sections exist.  My son and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for one...  After a year I think I have finally laid the whole ordeal to rest.  I grieved the birth we ended up having and cried buckets of tears.  

I struggled with so much jealousy towards other women and friends who achieved an all natural birth, or who had their husbands present.  I felt ashamed that I couldn't birth my baby naturally and that I needed surgery to deliver him.  

Honestly the C-section recovery pain was nothing compared to the pain I felt in my heart.

 

Being a family of three and the many things I love about being Nicholas' mama...

I love being a family of three.  I love that Nicholas is part Rucus and part me.  I love watching my husband and Nicholas play together...  I love being greeted by a huge toothy smile when Nicholas comes back from being somewhere with Daddy.  I love kissing his head and breathing in his scent.  I love going out with him and seeing him enjoy experiencing new places and meeting new people.  I love hearing him laugh and being the one to comfort him when he cries.  I love praying with him each evening as I nurse him before bed and pleading with the Lord to keep His hand upon him and guide him through life.  

~

Nicholas' first year was a WILD ride...

Motherhood has been so much tougher than I anticipated it being, but despite all the challenges and the exhaustion, I absolutely love being Nicholas' mama.  

There is no where else I would rather be or anything else I would rather be doing!

I had no idea the love a mother feels towards her child could be so powerful, or the bond so strong.  

Share your thoughts!

Do you have a baby?  What was your experience of being a first time mom like?  What were a few things you loved about motherhood?  What were some of the difficulties you faced?

Please share your thoughts in the comments section.  I love speaking with other mamas and hearing their experiences!

Nicholas' Eight Month Update

 Before yet another month goes by, I thought I should share an update on how little Nicholas is doing...

Nicholas is now eight and a half months old, and I feel like he has changed dramatically in the last six weeks or so...

He is desperately trying to get moving...he will go onto his hands and knees and can scoot backwards, but he's not crawling yet.  He can pull himself up, though, and will "walk" holding our hands, or just stand holding onto something for hours each day.  

I have a feeling this boy is going to skip crawling altogether...

He can now say "Dada", "Mama" and "Baba", but not in context yet.  He also started waving hello last month which is so precious.!

We have started experiencing some separation anxiety...  Even though Nicholas is still a very friendly and smiley little guy, he's not too eager to go to just anyone anymore, and doesn't like it if I hold another baby or do anything which means he doesn't get my full attention.  

He is just fitting into 18-24 month clothing which is crazy.  I have no idea what he weighs, but he's growing, no doubt about that!

He is eating three meals a day with a snack somewhere in between, and usually nursing twice in every wake window.  This boy loves his food and is still breastfed.  Breastfeeding is really not fun anymore as he wriggles and pulls off the whole time, and even though he doesn't have teeth yet, he has bitten me.

Nicholas is very busy...from the moment he opens his eyes in the morning or after a nap, he is on the go, and this mama is struggling to keep up!  I still take him out as often as possible to keep him stimulated, and he is outside for a good few hours each day, whether it be on his play mat with his stacking cups and plastic tea set, or in the sand pit, or in his pram for a walk, he gets lots of sunshine and fresh air.  

He actually had his first swim on Sunday which he absolutely loved!

In terms of sleep, things are still pretty inconsistent.  After we got back from our trip, we started sleep training for night wakings and nap time because we were co-sleeping and he was waking sometimes eight times a night and nursing whenever he wanted to.   I just wasn't coping anymore.

Some nights he will wake at 11pm and cry for an hour (I check in on him every so often), other nights he will sleep till 2 or 3am before waking for a feed.  

And we have even had a few 9, or like last night, ten hour stretches, which has been amazing!  

Nicholas is an early bird, but thankfully summer is coming and we don't really mind getting up early.

Usually he only takes two naps a day, and he will go down by himself which is a game changer for us.  Some days he will do one or two long naps or 1 hour +, other days, like today, he woke after 35 minutes and I had to go in and get him down again.  

His wake windows are about 2 hours and 45 minutes to three hours long now, except between his last nap and bedtime, which can sometimes be four hours, depending on what time he woke from his second nap.

At the moment, Nicholas loves...

Eating raisins.  He can pick them up beautifully and will even transfer a raisin from his left hand to his right hand.  

Having Mommy sing 'Pat-a-Cake' and help him do the actions.

"Walking" with Mommy and Daddy's help.

Playing with Fletch or holding onto him and standing.

Bath time

Riding in his new big boy car seat

I can't believe that our baby is already almost nine months old...

I love having a little boy around and even though I am sad he is growing up, I am enjoying this stage and cherishing each moment.

~

Happy October, dear friends!

How are things in your corner of the world this month?

kisses for my nicholas

“You may get all grown-up one day but in the heart of your Mama, you will always be the precious little baby I once held in my arms.”

when all you can do is rock the baby

Its been a tough week.  Nicholas has been teething and boy, has he been miserable. 

By the time Saturday rolled around, I was fed up with his constant moaning, and feeling pretty grumpy myself from all the night wake ups and crying.

Of course I went and spilled my morning coffee (something I always look forward to each day), and by the time I had made a new cup, Nicholas was already due for a nap, so my second coffee got cold.

Ridiculous as it may sound, I had a good cry and allowed some self pity to creep in...

Too often I catch myself allowing my circumstances to determine my mood.

Don't get me wrong, a cranky baby and tiredness are two very good reasons for a bad mood, but I realise that as a wife and mom, I have a responsibility to set the tone in the home, and if I'm miserable, I'm going to bring those around me right down with me.

"Motherhood is the journey out of our self-centeredness."
~ Kate Marchiniak

After Nicholas woke from his nap, my husband took him for a little drive so I could have a shower in peace, get dressed and even put some make up on.

While getting myself ready for the day, I started praying and asking the Lord for the strength to rise above my feelings and for joy to fill my heart once again.

Yes, life with a teething baby is not fun and I may be frustrated because I'm just too tired to do anything during his nap time besides taking a nap myself, or maybe read a page or two of my book, but I can still be happy and have a good day.

On the days when you all you want do is climb back into bed and grumble because your baby isn't sleeping and just fusses all the time, stop.  Take a deep breath, and ask the Lord for an extra helping of grace and strength.

Choose to be joyful.  I know it seems impossible. But I saw a huge turn around in my day when I took those negative thoughts captive and gave thanks.  I actually ended up having a wonderful day.

"Embrace your calling of motherhood. You live in the glory of who you were created to be when you are nurturing and nourishing your children."

~ Nancy Campbell

Here are six easy ways you can change the direction of your day when things are going rough...

1. Get ready for the day, even if it means the baby has to cry for a few minutes. Take a shower, get dressed in something pretty - what we wear can have a big impact our mood - and put a touch of make up on.

2. Think of three things you are thankful for and write them down. You can do this with the baby in the carrier.

3. Go for a walk, even if it's cold.  Just bundle up.  Fresh air and exercise is bound to lighten your mood.  Wear baby in the carrier if he won't sit in the pram without grumbling.

4. Have a friend who is in a similar stage of life over, or if that isn't possible, call them.  A few good laughs over the challenges of mama life will get those endorphins going!

5. Make a cup of tea, put a picnic blanket down on the grass and just sit with your baby and soak up the sunshine. Vitamin D always lifts the spirits.

6. Make a joyful noise. Listen to uplifting and edifying music or hum a happy tune. Singing always makes me feel good and sets a peaceful tone in the home.

Do you have a small baby? Are you also in the midst of a difficult season?

Share your tips for being joyful in spite of the challenges of motherhood!

With love,

Kelly-Anne

becoming a mom//i am so fulfilled

  “The very first moment I beheld him, my heart was irrevocably gone.” – Jane Austen

I thought I was prepared to be a mom....  I may have been around babies most of my life, having grown up as the eldest in a family of seven and worked as a nanny in my early twenties, but let me tell you, motherhood hit me hard.

I don't think I was really prepared for just how exhausting and all consuming being a mom would be...

In a moment you become everything to this tiny human who screams louder than should be possible for one so small, and demands more from you than you ever thought it possible to give.

Your world becomes a blur as you nurse this hungry little person at your breast and spend hours rocking him to sleep...  Your hormones and emotions seem to spin out of control as you try to process the fact that you just became a MOTHER...

“Along came this precious little boy, and no day was ever ordinary again.” – Anonymous

I never expected to love someone so small that it hurts...

After the difficulty I went though in bringing my son into this world, I feel an incredibly strong bond with him...  He was absolutely worth it.

I want to protect him from all the pain and evil in this world, and would give anything to keep him safe.  

Motherhood is hard, and often completely overwhelming, and yet so wonderful and rewarding at the same time...

 “Heaven on earth is looking at my little boy. The minute he was born, I knew if I never did anything other than being a mom, I’d be fine.” – Jenny McCarthy

Even on the difficult days when Nicholas is fussing and will only be in my arms, there is still no where else I would rather be, or anything I would rather be doing...

I always dreamed of being a wife and mother...

I feel completely and utterly fulfilled as Nicholas'mom...I know I have truly have found my purpose in life.