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postpartum

To the Mama who doesn’t recognize herself

August 21, 2020 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

To the Mama who doesn’t recognize herself,

You’re not alone. It finally happened to me the other day. 3 p.m., still in my husbands t-shirt and yoga pants, hair in a very messy bun, bags under my eyes darker than my coffee. I caught a glimpse in the mirror and had no idea who was looking back. My baby has been earth side for 11 months. I thought I’d look like Kim Kardashian by now. But instead, I literally show the lack of sleep and care that I receive.

You see all over to make sure you put yourself first. I’m not the last to say, how do I make that happen? My husband works the night shift, my child wakes 4-5 times a night, I’m lucky to shower once a day, meals are whatever is quick and easy. I might be making excuses, but what I’m really saying is that I’m struggling with balancing being a mother, wife, and a woman.

Recently, I glanced through photos pre-pregnancy where I was in very good shape, glowing, and my hair was healthy. I looked so full of life. Hours were spent taking care of myself. Now, those hours are spent taking care of a home and family 24/7. As a mother, you put everyone before yourself. It’s ironic because what happens when we do that? Empty cup. You know the phrase “You can’t pour from an empty cup”. It’s true.

Self-care is such a movement these days. Learning to value the smaller moments has helped me get by. A hot cup of coffee before the baby wakes. A face mask and a glass of wine. A hot bath with candles lit. Heck, even going to the grocery store alone.

Here’s to the mamas figuring this all out. Figuring out how to squeeze a 30 minute workout in. How to feel sexy again. How to manage multiple kids and a home. How to literally do life as a mother. I’m with you.

Filed Under: Postpartum Journey Tagged With: motherhood, postpartum, self love

Dear Mama, It’s okay to love your body after baby

January 13, 2020 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

Dear Mama, it’s okay to love your body after baby. We as women have become accustomed to the idea that we are supposed to hate our bodies after children. Well, I’m here to break it to you mama…IT’S OKAY TO LOVE YOUR POST BABY BODY! Even way before kids, we go through the roller coaster of our body image. We get pregnant and get amazing glow as well as being able to blame the baby on the extra cookies. Some embrace it quickly and for some it takes a bit to accept our growing body. We then get this anxious feeling, like we know that we may very well feel the worst we ever have about our body after we give birth. Well, SURPRISE, some of us actually love every extra pound on this new body we have!

I gained an enormous amount of weight during my pregnancy, like double the suggested. I struggled to be happy with my pregnancy body until about 28 weeks when I had a full on bump. The thought of how much I’d dislike my body after birth kept me up at night. I remember looking in the mirror at the hospital the night after I gave birth and expecting to look still pregnant and to HATE it. But, to my surprise, I thought “Dang! I just pushed a healthy baby out of me and I look like this?! Okay, I’ll take it!”. Seriously, I was not expecting to be happy with how I looked. The weeks following, I didn’t expect to have my pre baby body back. My body underwent the LARGEST change it will ever endure. So instead of hatred, I gave myself grace.

Other new moms around me complained of their extra skin, stretch marks, baby weight still on, and so on. They’d tell me of their insecurities expecting me to agree and chime in with what I disliked about my body. In those moments, I realized that I LOVED my body. I appreciated the extra pounds, skin and double chin. All of that is here because I carried a baby for nine long months and am soaking up every second I have with her.

But the other half of me was so guilty that I didn’t feel the same as my other mom friends. I felt guilty that I couldn’t agree with them to make them feel better. It broke my heart that they didn’t feel as great as I did about my extra inches. I wished I could sprinkle my appreciation and love on them so they didn’t have to feel that way. This really weighed on me and made me question if I really was happy with what I saw. In fact, I really do love my body and still do to this day.

Moral of the story, don’t feel bad that you are happy with your body. You are a freaking goddess who just gave birth! Yeah, I don’t care if your 2 days post partum or 2 years post partum…you JUST gave birth. Love that body that created your precious child and never feel guilty for it. ALSO, you’re not alone mama.

XOXO

Filed Under: Newborn Life, Postpartum Journey Tagged With: post baby, post baby body, postpartum, self confidence

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shieann | tampa mom blogger
1 4 W E E K S ✨ I can’t believe we’re coas 1 4  W E E K S ✨

I can’t believe we’re coasting into the second trimester already! Second pregnancies truly fly by probably because I’m chasing after a toddler all day 🤪 I’ve only taken one bump pic at 5 weeks and figured I should document being 1/3 way to meeting our next babešŸ‘¶šŸ» I feel like I’m definitely starting to show way earlier this time around! 

2nd time mamasšŸ¤°šŸ» When did you start to show with baby #2?! 

#momblogger #momblog #pregnantmama #pregnantmom #14weekspregnant #maternity #bumpdate #secondtimemom #tampamom #momsofinstagram #momsofig #babynews #newbaby #babynumber2 #pregnant #pregnantstyle #pregnantlife #bumpstyle #ltkbump #targetstyle #pregnancyjourney #pregnancyfashion #maternitystyle #babybump
Happy Easter from our family to yours ā¤ļø Also Happy Easter from our family to yours ā¤ļø

Also, please know this is the best photo I have of her because she’ll only somewhat smile while eating m&msšŸ˜‚

#tampablogger #tampamomsblog #momblogger #momsofinstagram #easterbasket #catnjack #targetstyle #moments #momsofinsta #2yearsold #toddlerlife #toddlersofinstagram #toddlermomlife #toddlermom
Some people have asked if we know the gender and t Some people have asked if we know the gender and thanks to @sneakpeektest , we do šŸ˜†šŸ’™šŸ’—

@sneakpeektest is an early gender DNA test that can be done right at home! It takes about 20 minutes to do and has 99.9% accuracy. Once you send your sample in, you can find out the gender as fast as 72 hours (you can even have the results sent to a third person to do a reveal). 

Stay tuned for the reveal this week! What do you think we’re having?! Comment a šŸ’— or šŸ’™ below! 

#gifted #momlife #momblogger #sneakpeektest #genderreveal #pregnancyannouncement #bigsister #pregnancyjourney #tampabloggers #tampamom #boyorgirl #babyonboard #12weekspregnant #motherhoodjourney #motherhood #momoftwo #momsofinstagram #momsofig #momtobe #maternity #momblog
Our fam is growing by one little babe 🄰 We’re Our fam is growing by one little babe 🄰 We’re thrilled to announce that Baby #2 is arriving October 2021 šŸ’™šŸ’—

#pregnancyannouncement #pregnancyphotoshoot #pregnancystyle #babyannouncement #babynumber2 #12weekspregnant #momblogger #mombloggers #secondtimemom #genderreveal #pregnantstyle #maternityphotography #pregnancyreveal #momsofinstagram #momlifeisthebestlife #babyfever #momtobe #tampamom #tampablogger
We spent 1 week in NY (where I’m from) to see fa We spent 1 week in NY (where I’m from) to see family that we haven’t seen since 2019 and it was the best ever! We had plans of traveling up there often last year but well we know how that story goes šŸ™„ 

Every time we visit our family, it makes me wish I lived in the same city as them or even just driving distance. Being able get breakfast with my papa or hang out at my mom’s. But until they all move to Florida this is our usual.āœˆļø

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ‘©ā€šŸ‘§ā€šŸ‘¦Does your family live near you?! 

#momblogger #mombloggers #momsofinstagram #momsofinsta #oldnavystyle #oldnavykids #toddlerfashion #rochesterny #treetowncafe #toddlermomlife #traveling #mommyandme #tampamom #tampamoms #momswhoblog #momlifeisthebestlife #familytime
#AD When I was a teenager, I always thought I had #AD When I was a teenager, I always thought I had the worst skin yet everyone told me I had great skin. I think it was mostly because it didn’t look airbrushed like girls in makeup ads. Eventually into my twenties, I learned to love my skin. To love the way my cheeks get rosy. To love the way my eyes are shaped. To love the glisten of oily skin at the end of a long day. 

It makes me sad that I spent so many years wondering why my skin didn’t look like a magazine model’s. But it makes me even more happy that now at almost 27 (yikes that makes me feel oldšŸ˜†) I have finally accepted and embraced the beauty that I’ve had all along. @tula helps me day in and day out with their clean skincare products made of probiotics and superfoods! Let me tell you, I feel like my skin just left a spa after every cleanse ✨ 

Join me in @tula #EmbraceYourSkin and share your honest and real journey to loving your beautiful skinā¤ļø 
 
#TULAxUltaBeauty #embraceyourskin #TULAPartner @TULA @UltaBeauty
I remember being a little girl and helping my Dad I remember being a little girl and helping my Dad pack up our @igloocoolers for a day out! #AD 
#IglooPartner So it’s nostalgic to pack up our @igloocoolers Little Playmate for a picnic on the beach 
with my little one (obviously we have a pink one!) Two things are certain during our beach picnics: sand 
EVERYWHERE and cold snacks in our Little Playmate! This year the Playmate is celebrating 50 years since being released! To kick off the party, they’re rereleasing this retro design with the OG side button, The 
Little Playmate! You can watch the Igloo Playmate documentary to learn all about how it started here: 
http://bit.ly/3bKGNgI

#IglooCoolers, #IglooAnywhere, #LittlePlaymate, #50YearsofPlaymate
Hey, @lee_boogy can we go to Savannah, GA again an Hey, @lee_boogy can we go to Savannah, GA again and eat for 3 days straight? šŸ˜‹ This breakfast was from @bmatthewseatery  and I’m still dreaming about that biscuit šŸ˜

Every vacation, I like to thoroughly plan out where to eat. Literally, we never eat anywhere unless I’ve stalked it on IG, Yelp, and Facebook. I mean hey, I like good food and don’t want to be disappointed šŸ¤·šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø 

šŸ‘‹šŸ»Anyone else like this?! 

#bmattewseatery #savannahgeorgia #savannaheats #savannahfoodie #breakfastlover #travelgram #momblogger #momsofinstagram #couplestrip #yelp #savannahga #savannahfood #thingstodosavannah #weekendgetaways #weekendgetaway #georgiatravel #georgiatravelmoments
DIY 1st Birthday Set UpšŸ’• Vivian turned 1 right DIY 1st Birthday Set UpšŸ’•

Vivian turned 1 right in the middle of quarantine last year so we opted for a virtual party (everyone tuned in via FaceTime) but of course I still had to decorate for my girl! Here’s a few tips for anyone wanting to DIY their kiddos birthday party!

•Balloon Garlands from amazon are only like $10 and SO easy. Probably took us 20 mins to this (we blew them up with a bicycle pump)

•Pinterest everything! The tassels and name banner are both made by me and I found the tutorials on Pinterest!

•The cake is all box and store bought but I bought small cake pans to give it the cute small look! Again easy especially since she smashed it. Most grocery stores offer free smash cakes (ask the bakery!)

•Make an amazon wish list of gifts you’d like for your kiddo that way it’s easy for friends and family to mail them to you!

•Take tons of pictures! I can’t believe I’m already planned her 2nd birthday 😭

šŸŽˆWhat are your DIY party tips!? 

#tampamom #diypartydecor #diybirthday #firstbirthday #firstbirthdayparty #smashcake #pinterestinspired #diymom #balloongarland #graco #oneyearold #partyplanning #firstbirthdayparty #firstbirthdayphotoshoot #firstbirthdayideas #firstbirthdaydecor #mombloggers #momsofinsta #momsofinstagram #newmom #momanddaughter #mommyanddaughter #diymama #pinterestwin #diyballoongarland #diyparty
I talked on stories yesterday about how Vivian’s I talked on stories yesterday about how Vivian’s speech isn’t as advanced as other kiddos her age. It’s something I don’t chat about too much, but maybe I should. When I share these struggles, I’m simply doing it so that some other mom who is in a similar situation doesn’t feel alone. ā¤ļø

It takes a lot to be vulnerable and open on social media. Opening up with things that weigh on my mind isn’t easy, but I can tell you that the love and support I receive on here makes it so worth it. My favorite thing about this community is the support! It’s crazy how we live in a world physically lonely at times yet so full in our social media family!

ā¬‡ļøSoo, share your favorite blogger or IGer that is open, honest, and makes you feel like their friend! šŸ‘Æā€ā™€ļø
#AD Tell me if this sounds like you.. Picking up #AD  Tell me if this sounds like you.. Picking up toys ALL day long, running errands, giving baths and singing songs then realizing you forgot to feed yourself?! Because it’s literally me and it’s why I love Dole Boosted BlendsĀ® Protein for lunch when I’m busy with ya know, mom life šŸ˜… 

Dole Boosted BlendsĀ® Protein are made with blueberries and banana that blend perfectly with a protein boost of whey and almond butter to deliver a delicious smoothie that packs 10 grams of protein per serving that helps keep me full. Best part is that they are Gluten-Free and Non-GMO šŸ™ŒšŸ»

If you’re looking for a quick snack to keep you on track this new year, check out Dole Boosted BlendsĀ® Protein at your local Publix šŸ«šŸŒ 

#GetBlending #ad #DoleSunshine #DoleBoostedBlends @dolesunshine
Kicking off February the only way we know, with sw Kicking off February the only way we know, with sweets šŸ“ We went to @parkesdale for strawberry milkshakes and strawberry shortcake. It was AMAZING (we have an extra milkshake in the freezer šŸ˜‹) 

🄰I’m declaring that a trip to @parkesdale is now a February tradition for our family as it is for many other Tampa Bay families. 

šŸ’ŒWhat are your February traditions?! Valentine’s baskets? Heart pancakes? Share with me! 

#tampamom #plantcity #tampabay #momsofinstagram #momsofinsta #traditions #parenting #parents #firsttimemom #strawberryshortcake #strawberryfestival #momanddaughter #toddlervalentine #toddlermomlife #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerfashion #tampaflorida #motherhoodjourney
Are you even a mom if you don’t make cinnamon ro Are you even a mom if you don’t make cinnamon rolls into the shapes of hearts for Valentine’s Day?! I’ve seen this all over Instagram the last few years and had to do it with Vivian! She loved them and even ate them breakfast, lunch and dinneršŸ˜† 

Lately she has been the pickiest eater and she is soooo choosey with what she eats. I know kids get in phases but dang it makes me feel like I’m failing. Makes me feel like I’m not doing a good enough job of feeding her. I know I definitely could give her more fruits and veggies but still 😫

What’s the craziest thing your kid demanded to eat instead of the delicious meal you prepared?!šŸ˜†

#toddlerlife #toddlervalentine #valentinesnack #valentines #cinnamonrolls #heartshaped #mombloggers #momsofinstagram #momsofig #tampamom #momblogger #diymom #toddlermomlife #toddleractivities #bakingwithkids #pillowfort #momproblems #kidslunchideas #firsttimemom #motherhoodthroughinstagram #momproblems #toddlerfood #valentines #craftymom #momlifeisthebestlife
Ya know what’s ironic? Yesterday I hopped on sto Ya know what’s ironic? Yesterday I hopped on stories to chat about how I handle my toddler’s tantrums and the rest of the day was a nightmare of tantrums and today was the same šŸ™ƒ 

I got a DM yesterday saying that I’m a super mom and while that’s flattering, it’s far from the truth. Instagram is a highlight reel and while I try to be super transparent with y’all, not everything makes the cut to IG. Kinda like how I sat in my laundry room to take a few deep breaths while my kid was freaking the f out. Or how I just want to crumble and cry because I’m trying so hard but sometimes I just can’t keep up with the big feelings of my toddler 😭 

Although things look like rainbows and butterflies on Instagram, it definitely does not mean we have it all together. We’re all just hanging on by a thread by bedtime šŸ‘šŸ»šŸ˜“

#momsofinstagram #mombloggers #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodjourney #motherhoodunhinged #honestmom #tampamom #toddlerlife #toddlermomlife #toddler #toddlerfashion #parenting #parentingtips #momlife #momlifestyle #motherly #postpartumjourney #momblogger #momproblems #bloggersofinstagram #theeverymom #motherhoodinspired #motherhoodsimplified #momssupportingmoms #igdaily #firsttimemom
Do you remember the last time you went on a vacati Do you remember the last time you went on a vacation to sleep?!

As a mom, the thing I look forward to on any trip is S L E E P😓  It’s crazy how you take for granted simple things like sleep and sitting in bed watching the show of your choice. But sometimes it’s SO needed. I’ve recently been focusing on filing my own cup up and this was exactly what I needed.😌

This past weekend my sister in law and I had a girls trip that our husbands actually surprised us with at @omniorlandofl šŸ‘šŸ» (they were buttering us up for their golf trip) We spent the day at the Spa and had my first hot stone massage šŸ™ŒšŸ» Swipe to see the making of this pic and my SIL falling off the bedšŸ˜‚

If you were to take a kid-free vaca right now, what would you be doing?!

#omnichampionsgate #momblogger #mombloggers #tampamom #orlando #orlandotrip #lovefl #girlstrip #momvacation #momsofinstagram #momsofinsta #momlife #travelphotography #travel #travelgram #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #theeverygirl #spaday #momswhotravel #momlifeisthebestlife
Today, I lost my patience. More times than I’d l Today, I lost my patience. More times than I’d like.

And I can’t help but feel so guilty because of it. It’s not her fault that I’m having trouble handling my emotions while she’s learning to understand her own. But how many times can you say ā€œPlease stop touching thatā€?! Not every day is perfect. Some days she’s an angel, other days she’s a little devil. Each age has come with new challenges and boy is the toddler stage the hardest yet 😣 Constantly reminding myself that she still doesn’t have an understanding of her actions and emotions! I have to admit I use that as an affirmation almost and it truly has helped me parent better at times.

How do you handle the BIG feelings of toddlers? Help a mama out šŸ˜–

#momsofinstagram #toddlerparents #toddlerlife #momsofinsta #tampamom #momsofig #mombloggers #momblogger #parenting #parenthood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodthroughinstagram #motherhoodjourney #parentingadvice #mamasgirl #toddlerfashion #20monthsold #momblog #momshelpingmoms #parentingtips #toddlertantrums #motherhoodunhinged
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