Mom Talk Monday

 

One of the things I love about blog world is being able to find other people who are going through the same things as you, and being able to share your experiences with them as well. I know especially when it comes to being a parent I have found such comfort and reassurance in reading other women's stories about motherhood, and realizing that they are taking it one day at a time, just like me. So I thought it would be fun to talk with some of my friends about their motherhood experiences, and to share those conversations with you as well!

My first "mom" I spoke with is my good friend Sarah! Sarah actually found my blog before she moved to Kwaj. We chatted a bit before she moved here, and once we met in person I knew instantly that I just loved her! A few months later we found out that we were both pregnant on almost the same day, and I love that we got to experience our pregnancies together! Our babies girls were born two weeks apart, and they are the best of friends now!

Sarah and I- Easter 2014

Sarah and I about to board our flight back to the U.S. to have our babies

Sarah, our other friend Lindsey, and I were all due within a month of each other

Sarah was kind enough to shoot our maternity photos too-this was us at the end of the shoot!

Now I'll let Sarah introduce herself to you:

Hi I'm Sarah!

I'm a Tennessee gal who met a Washington state boy and we moved our lives to beautiful Kwajalein! I'm a wife, mommy and professional photographer living on a tiny paradise!

Sarah and her precious family

 And here are Sarah's thoughts on Motherhood-Year One!

1) What was your pregnancy with Maya like? Favorite/least favorite part of pregnancy?

My pregnancy with Maya was actually pretty easy! I somehow escaped the nausea that usually accompanies the first trimester. I was very tired, but that got much better after a few months. I was hungry ALL THE TIME. I gained nearly 60lbs! My favorite part was watching Maya move in my belly... it was a little creepy but so cool!

2)What was your delivery experience like? Were you glad you were surprised about Maya's gender?

My delivery experience was quite eventful. When my water finally broke, 7 days after my due date, we headed to the hospital where I was in labor for over 24 hours. I pushed for 3 hours, but Maya didn't budge. Our doctor finally recommended we do a c-section so our little girl was welcomed into the world via c-section weighing 9.2lbs! I must admit, I was relieved she was so big! It wasn't the birth story I had imagined, but it is our story and we were so thankful when we finally saw her beautiful face. We would do it all over again! We were happy we waited to find out the gender and when the moment came, my husband yelled out "It's a girl!" followed by "She's perfect. She's perfect." I will never forget that moment.

3)How did you come up with Maya's name? Was it hard to agree on a name?

I've been keeping a list of baby names for years and years. I love names! Nick, on the other hand, is much more selective on names. Maya was one of the names on my list that Nick liked and eventually it climbed to the top. Now we absolutely love her name and it just fits her perfectly!

 4) What's been the most challenging thing for you about parenting this first year? 

 The most challenging thing about this first year of parenthood has been learning how to balance it all. Nick and I both have to give 110% all the time to get everything done and to do it with a good attitude! Some nights I have photo sessions and Nick takes care of Maya all evening after working all day. He's a champ!

5)I feel like each month in a baby's first year brings so many changes, and phases that a new baby goes through. Have you had a favorite month/phase so far?

I have loved something about each month/phase in this first year, but I think it just keeps getting better and better. Her personality shows a little more each month and we get excited seeing the next thing she's learned to do. In this stage, she's been imitating our laughs and it's just the cutest thing ever.

 6) Did you have a favorite pregnancy/parenting book that you felt was really helpful in giving you advice for pregnancy and your first year of motherhood?

I enjoyed the book Bringing Up BeBe both before I was even pregnant and again when Maya was a few months old. I also found Babywise, Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child and The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems to be helpful books in the sleep department. We needed a lot of help with sleep :) 

7)What are you looking forward to/most nervous about for Maya's toddler years?

I am most looking forward to Maya getting to know her grandparents and cousins in her toddler years. Living on Kwaj, we only see our family a few times a year, but hopefully in the not so distant future, Maya will get to hug and kiss her grandparents in person and not over FaceTime! 

8) I think it's important for moms to remind themselves about their parenting successes as much as struggles and lessons learned. What is something that you felt you and Nick were really successful at with Maya this year?

One of our greatest successes in Maya's first year was allowing me to stay at home with her. I am so thankful to have a photography business that I can maintain from home while not missing out on any of Maya's moments. Today, I saw her find her belly button. It's those little things that I would hate to miss if I had to work outside the home! 

9) What is the one thing you wish you could go back and tell yourself about motherhood?

I think I would tell my brand new mommy self to just snuggle that baby and not worry so much about creating bad habits. I was terrified that Maya wouldn't sleep anywhere but my arms and now she's a great sleeper in her own crib. I would love to go back and soak up more of those cuddles! 

Pretty Maya!!

And, just for fun, here are so rapid fire questions!

1) What is your coffee drink of choice?

In the real world, I love an Iced Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks 

2) Go to meal on a busy weeknight?

Crockpot Salsa Chicken - Literally just throw some chicken breasts, salsa, and a packet of taco seasoning in the crockpot. Serve over rice or on tortillas! 

3) Guilty pleasure?

CARBS.... I could live on carbs alone.

4) Favorite Book and/or TV Show?

 My favorite book is Blue Like Jazz. I read it in college and it changed my life!

5) If you had to pick only 1 beauty item to live with what would it be?

I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING FOR THIS ONE - SORRY!!
(Hahaha this is why I love you Sarah...low maintenance!!) lol

6) Favorite quote to live by?

 Currently, my favorite quote that I tell myself all the time is "JOY is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation." 
(I love this quote!! It may be going up on my bathroom mirror as we speak!)

Thank you so much, Sarah, for stopping by to chat and for sharing your mommyhood experience with us!!! If you want to see Sarah's beautiful photography work, check out her website here.

Happy Monday everyone!