the fourth trimester.

never ever ever want to forget a moment of this first year of Rivers Glory life and all the changes that happened in my body and my heart.  these stories deserve a permanent place to live, and a hope that they will encourage another tired young mama just praying for an hour more of sleep.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Day five of #RiversGlory life and we are getting settled in at home 💕 I’m learning in ins and out of caring for a newborn for the first time, all while giving #campandasher my love + attention and trying to take it slow and let my own body heal ✨ Labor + nursing + mothering is a beautiful transforming thing ✨its tears of joy mixed with tears of pain, it’s moments of not feeling equipped coupled with feelings of empowerment, its late nights and long days, it’s reaching out to friends who’ve been there before, it’s hard work — but it’s ALL filled with a LOVE I never knew was possible 🙌🏻 THIS is what I’ve waited, hoped and prayed for. This is a dream. Rivers, We are so in love with you 💗💗#4thtrimester #postpartum

I look at this photo of me and my babe 5 days after I had her and it brings a flood of emotions.  I remember posting this photo on instagram not really thinking much of it, but getting a wave of response.  after having a baby, nobody seems to tell you about the “fourth trimester”.  why is that?  it’s like we are all of a sudden expected to get back in shape, have it all together (or at least appear that way). but that is NOT how it works, and you know it.

after 40 weeks of pregnancy, labor + delivery (and all that comes with that), learning to take care of a tiny squishy new baby is a lot of work.  sleepless nights.  long days on the couch that feel like all you do is nurse.  calling friends, lactation consultants, or sleep consultants for help.  all of which is TOTALLY normal and accepatable.  we have to have grace upon grace upon grace for ourselves, mamas.  one day this season will be over.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Milestone : first Sunday back at church 🙌🏻 As I was getting dressed (in a “new to me” dress my mama handed down) my sweet 5 year old Asher looks on and says, “mommy, that dress would look cuter on you if you still had a baby in your belly” 😂aka, it looks like I still do …. toddler truth y’all

But also, #4thtrimester reality. One moment you are feeling great about losing the pounds & feeling somewhat normal, and the next it’s all BLAH. Somehow my hips just don’t appear like they used to 🙈but ya know what? I have No Shame. This body just did something miraculous, and it has scars to show it. 💪🏼 so to all you post pardum mamas — here’s to messy rooms, dirty hair, clothes that still don’t fit, and truth bombing older siblings 👯 no shame! You are BEAUTIFUL 💁🏼#postpartum #truthbomb

March 21, 2017

Picking up, turning off lights, doing the dishes, signing school forms, consoling a kid who got out of bed, swaddling my babe….stopped in the middle of my nightly to dos to snap this so I would remember these long but sweet days as a mama of 3.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

oh friends, as we inch closer and closer to this tiny squishy babe turning ONE it just makes me all weepy again.  it went back so fast.  the sweet season of her needing me the way she has will soon transition, and while I know this is the natural progression and it’s GOOD, it’s still change.  and change is hard.  I never want to forget this incredible year.

is this your season? I hope you are encouraged!